Chapter 28: The Village Brats
When Chu Feng and Illya returned to the house, they found a group of children sitting in a circle around his candy box.
As soon as he walked in, all the kids turned their eyes to him in unison.
Chu Feng thought to himself: Pretty sure every child in the village is here. These kids are the future of the tribe! And the villagers are just letting them gather around me like this? Aren’t they worried I might kidnap them or something?
After all, wasn’t it common knowledge that humans had a history of abducting elves and beastkin? These villagers were way too trusting.
But then again, maybe that loudmouth Gray had already told everyone that Chu Feng was too weak to even walk properly—so the villagers had nothing to worry about.
Chu Feng’s eyes were drawn to a small wolf and a bunny among the children.
He whispered to Illya, “That rabbit… it’s not just a rabbit, is it?”
Illya nodded. “Right. That’s Duoduo’s little sister, Yuanyuan. She’s only a year old and still hasn’t quite learned to transform.”
“And the wolf—it’s not really a wolf either, huh?”
Illya nodded again. “That’s Loga’s little brother, Luo’ao.”
Chu Feng nodded. “I see.”
He looked at Luo’ao and had the odd feeling the little wolf was drooling over Yuanyuan. But oddly enough, the little bunny seemed to be drooling too.
Chu Feng thought: How exactly do you tell the difference between beastkin and actual animals in this world? What if one day I mistakenly cook one of them—like turning that rabbit into spicy rabbit head?! What then?!
“This Yuanyuan really doesn’t look any different from an ordinary rabbit,” Chu Feng remarked.
Illya glanced at Chu Feng and said, “There’s a difference in scent, but sometimes it’s really hard to tell.”
Chu Feng: “…” So he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t tell? Then it wasn’t just his problem after all.
“There was once a little rabbit in the village who fell into a rabbit warren. Its scent got mixed with the others and it was hard to distinguish, so we just brought the whole nest back and raised them all,” Illya said.
Chu Feng: “…” That’s… one way to handle it.
“And then? Did you just keep raising them?” Chu Feng asked.
Illya shook his head. “No need. Once they learn to shapeshift, you can tell them apart.”
Chu Feng: “…”
Chu Feng glanced at Gray, frowning. “Gray, did you take out my suitcase?”
Gray replied a bit awkwardly, “I did take it out, but I didn’t eat anything—just looked.”
Chu Feng thought to himself: Taking it out without eating—is Gray trying to test everyone’s willpower?
Chu Feng shook his head, grabbed a handful of candy, and told Gray to distribute it, then closed the suitcase.
As he shut the box, he could clearly see the look of disappointment on the little ones’ faces.
These kids weren’t used to seeing such things—this whole box of candy probably left quite an impression on them.
Gray handed out the candy and finally managed to send his little friends on their way.
…
Illya looked at Gray with some displeasure. “How could you just touch someone else’s stuff without permission?”
Gray scratched his head. “I didn’t mean to.” It was all because the candy Chu Feng brought was so delicious—everyone just couldn’t get enough.
Illya looked at Gray seriously and said, “Even though we’re all close, you still can’t casually take things that belong to others.”
“But big bro, didn’t you take his clothes the first time you met him?”
Illya blushed and said, “Back then, I thought he was an enemy. Now that I know he’s not—and that he’s helped us a lot—I wouldn’t do that.”
Illya thought to himself: The human side has tightened salt regulations even more this year. He hadn’t known what to do—but now, thanks to Chu Feng, there’s nothing to worry about.
Gray mumbled, “I didn’t mean anything by it… everyone just wanted to see the candy.”
Illya sighed and said, “We’ll let it go this time.”
“Big bro, he really brought a ton of candy this time!” Gray couldn’t help but say.
He’d just handed out all the candy and suddenly realized he hadn’t saved any for himself. Now it felt awkward to go back and ask for some.
Illya looked at Gray and said, “He wants to hire people to build a house. That candy is for paying them.”
Gray nodded. “A house? Is he hiring the Highlanders to help?”
Illya nodded. “Yes.”
Gray thought for a bit. “Big bro, if he’s hiring Highlanders, then he doesn’t need this kind of candy. Just normal candy would do.”
Illya thought for a moment. “That’s true.”
Illya thought to himself: The candy Chu Feng brought was bright, colorful, and delicious. Even human nobles might not have eaten sweets like this—it really stood out too much.
Illya took a deep breath. “I wonder if he brought any regular candy too.”
