Chapter 95: Little Light
Translator: Lonelytree
Xiao Xiaohui drooped his head and followed behind Xiao Chengbang.
Xiao Chengbang held a calf in his hand.
Xiao Xiaohui pleaded, “Uncle Cheng, can we not go to my second aunt’s house? I promise to keep an eye on Little Light from now on! I won’t let him do this again!” Little Light was the name Xiao Xiaohui had given the calf. Xiao Xiaohui was frustrated. Little Light was usually very obedient. He knew what to eat and what not to eat.
However, when Xiao Xiaohui was off bird nest hunting with his pals, Little Light had munched off a whole plot of young seedlings. And he was caught red-handed.
Xiao Xiaohui’s heart pounded. He was ashamed to face his eldest cousin. He had let her down. He was afraid that his eldest cousin wouldn’t let him herd the cows anymore. Then, he would return to receive a beating from his father.
Xiao Chengbang felt sorry seeing Xiao Xiaohui’s sorrowful face. However, Xiao Xiaohui was always causing trouble, which was a serious issue. As a cow herder, he shouldn’t have allowed his cow to eat another villager’s crops.
Xiao Chengbang said with a stern face. “No, your family has to give me an explanation for this.”
Xiao Xiaohui said with a pout, “But Uncle Cheng, I’ll get a beating once my father finds out.”
Xiao Chengbang laughed. “Good.” He was not going to compromise. Then, he thought about it and said, “Little Loach, wasn’t it your eldest cousin who asked you to herd the cows for her? Then, I won’t find your father, and I’ll go to her!”
Xiao Xiaohui’s face dropped. He cried, “Uncle Cheng, please go to my father. I’d rather get a beating from dad than disappoint my eldest cousin!”
Xiao Chengbang was amused by Xiao Xiaohui’s changing expressions. The brat was not afraid of anyone in the village. However, he was scared of Xiao Lingyu, the gentlest child in their village.
Xiao Chengbang thought it was necessary to teach Xiao Xiaohui a lesson, so he decided, “It sounds like I need to go directly to your eldest cousin!”
Xiao Xiaohui’s face drooped even lower.
The kid following them joked. Little Bun said, “Little Loach, didn’t you say the cows are very smart? If so, why would they go and eat Uncle Cheng’s tomato plants?”
Xiao Xiaohui groused, “How would I know? Little Light has always been obedient.”
Little Moon consoled him, “Little Loach, don’t worry. Sister Lingyu is very kind, so she won’t scold you.”
Little Charcoal added, “Little Moon, you’re right, but once Uncle Mingyang heard about this, Little Loach will get his beating.” He sounded happy when he said that.
Xiao Chengbang was tickled by the conversation of the brats.
Xiao Chengbang led Xiaohua to Xiao Lingyu’s house.
“Lingyu, are you home?” Xiao Chengbang shouted as soon as they reached the door. He looked up and saw Xiao Lingye and three young men.
Xiao Chengbang smiled, “Lingye, you’re back?”
Xiao Lingye saw Xiao Chengbang and immediately walked over. He called out, “Uncle Cheng!” Xiao Lingye glanced at the kids behind Xiao Chengbang and then the calf. He asked with confusion, “Uncle Cheng, what is…”
When Xiao Lingyu bought the two cattle, Xiao Lingye was studying in the county town. Therefore, he had no idea their farm had two new members. Xiao Lingye was further puzzled when he saw Xiao Xiaohui with a long face.
Xiao Chengbang pointed at the calf behind him and said, “Little Light ruined my tomato sprouts and even ate a few tomatoes.”
“Little Light?” Xiao Lingye was puzzled. He looked at the yellow calf and asked suspiciously, “Uncle Cheng, is Little Light the calf behind you?”
Xiao Chengbang was confused before he laughed, “Oh, Lingye, you didn’t know your family’s little calf’s name is Little Light?! Then again, it was Little Loach who gave him the name. He probably didn’t tell you.”
“Huh? My family’s?” Xiao Lingye was slightly surprised.
Xiao Xiaohui stuck his head out from behind and said, “Third cousin, Big Light and Little Light are the two cattle bought by eldest cousin.”
Xiao Lingye finally understood. His sister bought two cattle, and Xiaohui named them Little Light and Big Light. And now, Little Light had eaten Uncle Chen’s tomato sprouts and tomatoes. So Uncle Chang came to demand an explanation.
However, Xiao Lingye didn’t know Xiao Xiaohui was supposed to herd the two cattle.
Xiao Lingye stepped forward and took the reins. He apologized, “I’m sorry, Uncle Cheng. We should have watched over them. Don’t worry. We’ll compensate the damages.”
Xiao Chengbang smiled, “It’s fine. It’s just a few seedlings and tomatoes. If Little Light likes tomatoes, I’ll bring some for him this afternoon.”
Xiao Lingye immediately shook his head. “Uncle Cheng, how can we do that? Since Little Light ruined your tomatoes, we will pay for them. If Little Light likes tomatoes, I’ll buy some from you.”
At that moment, Xiao Xiaohui looked around and asked in a low voice, “Third cousin, is eldest cousin not home?” It was best if she was not.
Xiao Lingye frowned in confusion before saying, “She is home. She is watering the vegetables in the backyard. If you want to find her, go to the backyard.”
Xiao Xiaohui immediately shook his head and said, “No, no, I’m not looking for eldest cousin. I… I’m just asking.”
Little Bun shouted, “Brother Ye, Sister Ye paid Little Loach to herd the cows, but Little Loach didn’t do that. He went to the mountain to find bird eggs. So Little Light had the opportunity to eat Uncle Cheng’s crops.”
Xiao Xiaohui glared at Little Uncle, “You awful bun, your insides are rotten. I… I won’t play with you again!”
Little Bun stuck his tongue out at Xiao Xiaohui. “I’m only telling the truth.” Xiao Xiaohui’s threat was false. Children forgot these things easily. That afternoon, they would be playing together again.
Xiao Lingye caught the details. He shouted at Xiao Xiaohui angrily, “Xiaohui, were you slacking off when you should be working? Okay, I’ll go tell your eldest cousin about this!”
At that moment, Xiao Lingyu walked out of the backyard. When she saw the crowd in the front yard, she was confused, “What’s going on?”
Xiao Xiaohui immediately lowered his head.