Heavenly Blessed Baby: Fleeing Famine, Busy to Prosper!-Chapter 110: The Old Men Exploded

After eating, those who went up the mountain took a rest, while those who stayed back gathered around the fire to sort the chestnuts they brought back.

Some chestnuts with spiky husks got mixed in during the daytime, unable to be removed in time, and some got damaged while removing the outer shell.

These were sorted out.

The ones with spiky husks had to have the husks removed, and the damaged ones without husks had to be eaten quickly, otherwise, they could spoil if left for too long.

No one talked much about the experience of going up the mountain.

On this day, the exertion of those who went up the mountain was no less than the previous arduous journey.

However, Qi Quanjin didn’t sleep but stayed up talking to his father.

"You said, the path was found by Manbao?"

Qi Zheng, already aware of what happened up the mountain, softly confirmed.

Qi Quanjin nodded, "Dad, our family’s Manbao is truly a blessed child. Previously, Meng Niang and I tried to make sure no one discovered this, but after today’s events, Niuzi and Taozi surely noticed."

"Niuzi is fine, but Taozi might tell his family, then..."

Qi Quanjin felt troubled.

They had all been childhood playmates, not related by blood but closer than family.

Now having to worry that they might treat his daughter poorly, he felt really uncomfortable.

Qi Zheng took out his smoking pipe, had a few puffs, then said, "Go call over your Uncle Zhou and the others." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Just like last night, the elders gathered again, having a meeting.

Qin Minglang had also gone up the mountain today, but his stamina didn’t allow him to carry much down.

However, he did help collect chestnuts, so he was now sound asleep, even snoring.

Yin Cheng saw the old men gathered talking again and wanted to call Qin Minglang over too, but seeing him sleep like the dead, he held back the urge to kick him awake.

"Got so many chestnuts today, are you too happy to sleep?"

Yin Cheng sat down beside Qi Zheng without waiting for an invitation.

Qi Zheng chuckled, "It’s happy, but there’s another matter I wanted to talk to you all about."

Everyone looked at Qi Zheng, not asking questions, just waiting for him to continue.

Qi Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Tonight, when the kids came back late, there were some things they didn’t tell you. I’ll tell you now."

Then, Qi Zheng talked about Qi Manman possibly knowing how to navigate.

He spoke in possibilities, to give an impression of uncertainty.

Using this as an opportunity to test everyone’s reaction to this matter.

If everyone regarded Manbao as a blessed and clever child, then they would continue traveling together.

But if they showed dislike or even rejection towards Manbao, then once they reached an appropriate town, they would have to go their separate ways.

Having already chosen to separate from the village people, Qi Zheng wouldn’t fear separating from these people either.

Manbao was the cherished treasure of the Qi Family; even if it meant only their family continued the journey for survival, they couldn’t allow the slightest bit of disdain towards Manbao, and absolutely no grievances, not even a bit.

After hearing this, the elders seemed puzzled.

Finding chestnuts up the mountain, how does that relate to a little baby?

Yin Cheng was the first to react, grumbling, "What kind of nonsense is that? I find little Manbao fascinating, spirited, and she looks like a child of fortune; recognizing roads isn’t that amazing!"

"I could recite texts by the age of four!"

Yin Cheng said this last sentence with firm righteousness, as if to imply that Qi Manman, at four, couldn’t yet memorize texts, making him superior.

This sudden sense of competition left the other old men dumbfounded.

Comparing a white-haired elder to a four-year-old little doll, was that really appropriate?

Mr. Zhou Sr. shook his head with a smile, "Mr. Yin was exceptionally talented, that’s perfectly normal. As for Manbao..."

As he spoke, his tone paused, instantly drawing Qi Zheng’s attention.

Mr. Zhou Sr. smiled even more kindly, "Brother Qi, if you don’t care for that little girl Manbao, consider letting our Zhou Family take her in! Our family is not as large as the Qi Family, but we do lack a little girl."

"Our family lacks one too! Brother Qi, if you don’t want a granddaughter, our Sun Family surely does!"

"Come on, you all have more people than our Wang Family. If the Qi Family truly doesn’t want Manbao, shouldn’t we Wang Family get a chance to raise her?"

The three old men instantly became competitive; each wanting to coax little Qi Manman into their own homes.

Qi Zheng’s face turned green at their words: "What dream are you three old geezers having? Manbao is the treasure of the Qi Family, who dares to snatch her?"

"No, Brother Qi, if you truly treasure Manbao, what did you mean by those words just now?"

Mr. Sun Sr. looked at Qi Zheng, puzzled and disdainful.

Qi Zheng choked.

Why did he say those words?

Wasn’t it to test if they would despise their little Manbao?

Qi Zheng took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration, and seriously said, "I’m not hiding anything. Our Manbao is different from ordinary children. If you can accept it and guarantee not to harm her, then we are family."

"But if you think our Manbao is not good, then once we get out of the woods and find a suitable place, we’ll part ways."

"We won’t be a burden to you, and you shouldn’t spread it around."

Qi Zheng spoke plainly.

The three old men all changed their expressions, even Yin Cheng couldn’t stay calm: "What do you mean by that, Mr. Qi Sr.? What? You Qi Family never considered us as family?"

"Exactly, Mr. Qi Sr., what do you mean by that? We thought that after separating from the village, we would be one big family."

"Exactly! We thought we were overthinking things, but it turns out the Qi Family never considered us important!"

The three old men instantly united with Yin Cheng in angrily glaring at Qi Zheng.

Qi Zheng was at a loss for words.

Lying not far away, Qi Quanjin had not slept, paying attention to the commotion from his father’s side. Seeing the situation going awry, he hurriedly got up and walked over, just in time to hear the elders’ words to his father.

"Uncles, please calm down, my dad didn’t mean it that way."

Qi Quanjin offered an apologetic smile.

Yin Cheng raised an eyebrow at Qi Quanjin: "How could it not mean that? They’re talking about parting ways with us!"

Qi Quanjin quickly explained, "Mr. Yin, and three uncles, think about it, if my father really didn’t consider you as one of our own, would he have talked about that just now?"

Hearing this, the four old men fell silent.

They looked at each other.

Hmm, this perspective... wasn’t unreasonable.