Lou Yu Coaxes a Child

--Do we have to listen to Dad? But we can't fight. We can compete in other skills.

The Little Snake looked at him. "Hiss..."

--What are we comparing?

The Eldest Cub didn't say anything, instead throwing the question back to the Little Snake.

--It's definitely a skill that we all possess. You're a guest, and we're taking care of you. Can you tell us what you'd like to compete in?

The Little Snake tilted its head, thought for a few seconds, and made a decision, hissing... hissing...

--How about we compare speed?

The Second Cub asked, "Chirp chirp?"

--How to compare?

"Hiss... hiss..."

--See that big rock next to my mom and your dad? Whoever runs over there first wins, but you can only run on the ground, not on the ground. You can fly, okay? Dare to try?

Swimming is a snake's strength, but what about the young snakes? They can't fly, so they can only run on two legs.

However, since the Eldest Cub let the Little Snake decide what to compete in, it won't go back on its word, nor will it hesitate to accept the challenge.

The three baby birds thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

--Can.

"Chirp." The Second Cub asked, "Chirp, chirp?"

--No, there are three birds. Which one would you choose to compete with?

The Little Snake hissed directly.

--Whoever is the fastest goes first.

The Eldest Cub and Second Cub exchanged glances, both wanting to take the lead themselves.

However, the Third Cub stepped forward first and said he wanted to compete with the Little Snake.

--Just like you, I wasn't very healthy when I was born, but now my dad has raised me to be very healthy. It's not like I'm bullying you if I compete with you. Of course, if you're afraid of losing to me and losing face, you can choose my older brother or sister.

The Little Snake had a strong personality, so when she heard that the Third Cub said she was a coward, she immediately agreed.

"Hiss..."

--Just compare yourself to me.

The Third Cub looked at the Eldest Cub Second Cubs, chirping, "Chirp, chirp."

--Brother and sister, let me do it.

The Second Cub Eldest Cub their sister's words made sense. The Little Snake had almost died from its illness and had only recently recovered. If the two of them were to compare themselves to the Little Snake, it would indeed be bullying it.

The Second Cub encouraged the Third Cub: "Chirp, chirp chirp!"

--Go for it, avenge Dad!

The Little Snake was so fierce to Tao Qiu before; the baby birds still hold a grudge.

"Chirp!" The Third Cub nodded seriously, their bodies brimming with fighting spirit.

Fearing that Tao Qiu and Green Python might misunderstand, Second Cub went over first to explain the reason, saying that this was a friendly competition, not a contest of strength.

After listening, Tao Qiu and Green Python both felt there was no reason not to agree.

These mutated monsters are all about strength; their love of competition shows ambition, which is commendable and also helps foster relationships among the children.

Besides, it's just a speed contest; the distance from where the kids are to here is only about forty meters, so it won't hurt them.

"Chirp, chirp."

--Okay, then your Green Python Auntie and I will be the referees.

"Chirp!" Second Cub cheered and flew back to tell the other cubs the good news.

One minute later, the Little Snake and the Third Cub arrived at the starting line at the same time.

The Eldest Cub was responsible for giving the starting command. After the Second Cub inquired and confirmed that the Little Snake and the Third Cub were ready, the Eldest Cub counted to three in its mind, and then...

"Chirp!!!"

The moment the Eldest Cub uttered its cry, the Little Snake and the Third Cub simultaneously charged towards Tao Qiu and the Green Python on the opposite side.

The Little Snake swam very fast without stopping at all, and the Third Cub was the same; its two short legs left afterimages as it ran.

The two parents opposite stared wide-eyed, as if seeing their child for the first time. "My little one can swim/run this fast?!"

Forty meters is neither a long nor a short distance; it only takes the blink of an eye for the two kids to arrive in front of him.

Both the Green Python and Tao Qiu had excellent eyesight; they kept their eyes fixed on the rock, as well as the Little Snake and the Third Cub that were about to rush past.

"Brush!"

The two kids ran past, stirring up a cool breeze.

The two kids barely managed to stop after the car had gone half a meter. The Eldest Cub and Second Cub had already come over.

The Second Cub couldn't wait to ask, "Chirp chirp?"

--Who's winning?

Tao Qiu picked up her Third Cub who had returned and looked at the Green Python; the cubs' gazes followed her.

The Green Python used its tail to lift the Little Snake and held it in front of its eyes to examine it. Only after confirming that she was alright did it relax.

She understood that Tao Qiu wanted her to answer, so she didn't hesitate and readily replied, "Hiss... hiss..."

--The little bird won, gaining a slight lead with its beak.

"Chirp chirp!"

The Second Cub immediately cheered, and the Eldest Cub also felt triumphant, giving the Little Snake a deep look.

Tao Qiu lowered his head and kissed his Third Cub, whose eyes were sparkling, and smiled, "My darlings? You're so amazing, Daddy's so proud of you."

"Chirp chirp..."

--dad...

The Third Cub was too excited and didn't know what to say, so he kept rubbing his face against Tao Qiu's to express his emotions.

Great! She won! She avenged Daddy! She's no longer a useless little bird!

On the other side of the Little Snake, she hung her head in dejection, trying her best to hold back her tears.

She used her strengths to compete against the baby bird's weaknesses, yet she still lost.

The Green Python licked the Little Snake with its forked tongue, softly comforting it, "Hiss... hiss..."

--You've just recovered, and to be able to swim that fast is already incredibly impressive.

Tao Qiu also chirped, "Chirp, chirp."

--Your mother is right, you're already very strong.

As an opponent, Third Cub also expressed his own thoughts.

--You've only eaten a few fruits, you're definitely not as strong as me. But when you recover to your healthiest state, I'm sure I can even beat you.

In this competition, both Little Snake and Third Cub had their own advantages, so it was relatively fair.

The Little Snake hissed weakly.

Are you telling the truth, or are you just trying to comfort me?

The Third Cub nodded. "Chirp."

--truth.

The Little Snake then perked up and returned to its previous arrogant demeanor.

"Hiss..."

I'll definitely beat you next time!

The Third Cub also raised their heads. "Chirp, chirp chirp!"

Okay, I'll be waiting for you!

Chapter 33 Lou Yu Coaxes the Child

After the competition, the relationship between the baby birds and the Little Snake improved slightly.

But there was only a tiny bit.

They played together for a while longer, and when the Green Python and the giant snake left, Tao Qiu gave them a radish.

What appeared to the chicks as a gigantic radish looked tiny in the Green Python's mouth, though it would certainly be enough to feed the Little Snake for a while.

The Green Python hissed at Tao Qiu.

--Will I send the prey over again before it snows?

Tao Qiu understood that even when giving gifts, there should be reciprocity, and that way, Green Python wouldn't owe him anything, which would put his mind at ease.

Tao Qiu nodded and said okay.

The Little Snake coiled atop the Green Python's head and hissed at the three baby birds in Tao Qiu's arms.

--I'll come again when I have time in the future.

Once I've recovered, I'll crush you three fat birds under your tails!

Faced with the Little Snake's provocative gaze, the baby birds were not to be outdone.

The Eldest Cub smiled and said, "Chirp chirp."

--Welcome back again!

I'll yell at you every time you come.

The Second Cub also pretended to chirp.

--It's a pleasure to be your friend.

I'm even happier to bully you.

The Third Cub had the gentlest eyes. "Chirp chirp."

--It's cold, so please keep warm.

Don't freeze to death.

Tao Qiu and Green Python exchanged a glance, both feeling quite gratified.

The kids get along really well!

"This child is simply a prodigy!"

Liu Qi'an pressed his hand to his chest, looking at the little boy running around in the living room holding a wooden airplane and shouting excitedly. He felt like he couldn't breathe.

Huo Lan covered her ears, her face filled with utter despair. She stiffly turned to Chen Lin and said, "It's so noisy, my ears are going to explode. Maybe I should just gag him, tie him up, and hang him upside down by the door."

The room was a complete mess thanks to the little boy; only the sofa beneath them escaped unscathed.

Chen Lin tossed the rag off the teapot, poured Huo Lan a cup of tea, and said, "Calm down. If the security department finds out you're abusing children, you could face three months in jail, or even expulsion from the base and a fine. We can't afford that much money."

Children are the future of humanity, so whether it's Central Base or a satellite base, children are given great importance.

In the aftermath of a catastrophe, the existing order collapsed, and for a long period of time, humanity struggled on the brink of life and death. Military strength represented power, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and women suffered the most casualties.

Good? After finally waiting for the monster tide to recede, humanity gained hard-won peace, only to discover that the deaths of the elderly had caused a break in the continuity of civilization, and the scarcity of women and children indicated that humanity's future was in grave danger.

Therefore, when humanity rebuilds its end-times legal system, the protection of the elderly, children, and women is considered of paramount importance.

Although, for various reasons, not every base or department can fully implement those legal provisions, and some even regard them as nonsense, there are also many cases of paying lip service while secretly going against the law.

At the Yong'an Base, the highest leader, Lou Quan, pays great attention to this issue. The security department is responsible for the base's security and handling all kinds of matters, big and small. If a child is found to be abused, even if the abuser is the child's parent, they will be punished to varying degrees.

You can't scold them or hit them; you can only treat them like royalty.

Huo Lan closed his eyes, wishing he could faint immediately.

Liu Qi'an looked at John with resentment. "When is your friend coming back? If this kid stays any longer, I'm afraid we'll all die young, and then no matter how much money we give you, we won't have any to use."