Yanfei's father and mother brought Yanfei to the county town, with the definite intention of using "sugar-coated bullets" to win over Yanfei.
When they arrived at the county town, it was a bit late, and they hadn't gone home yet, so they first found a place to eat. They ordered several dishes at the restaurant in one go. Seeing his younger brother Yan Chao's happy face, Yan Fei guessed that their parents must not often eat out.
When he arrived home after dinner, Yan Fei felt a bit guilty. As it turned out, his parents had just moved into a new house, and he wasn't aware of it. In a brand new four-story building, they lived on the second floor. Although it was still a two-bedroom apartment, it was much larger than the cage-like house he remembered. Plus, their former house was described as a two-bedroom apartment, but in reality, it was modified and didn't come with a bathroom or a kitchen, unlike the new apartment which was equipped with both and was much more convenient.
Mom Yan told him that they had been busy moving homes, and now that the move was complete, she really hoped he would move into the new home and not leave.
Better than he imagined, he no longer had to share a room with his younger brother. Presumably because their parents were afraid he wouldn't adapt to being alone, they had specifically asked his younger brother to sleep in their room.
But this couldn't change his fate of losing his freedom. After lying down for a while at night, before he could even take action, he heard noise from the next room. Soon, he heard someone quietly opening his door to peek at him.
Without a doubt, Mom Yan must be worried about him and came over to check on him quietly. He could only lie there honestly, staring out at the tiny island.
Everything on the island was as usual, except for the flock of Pterosaurs.
This group of pterosaurs didn't seem as formidable as I imagined!
Yanfei lay on the bed feeling a little smug.
Although the pterosaurs didn't seem different on the surface, Yanfei, who was familiar with them, knew they were very different compared to before. At the slightest movement, the entire group of pterosaurs would be alarmed and cause a commotion for a while.
The pterosaurs were previously only vigilant during rest times, not like now. They were so easily startled, one could describe them as "a frightened bird."
It makes sense. The pterosaurs, who rarely experienced invasions from outsiders on the cliff top, were continuously startled awake in the middle of the night by a loud noise. The strongest leader in the flock would even get hurt. Even if the injury was very minor, not seeing or hearing the enemy was enough to frighten them.
For the first time, Yanfei sleeping on a high-end mattress didn't have a good sleep and woke up early. When he woke up and saw the flock of pterosaurs again, he couldn't help but go back to the island, load his ammunition, and aim at the target pterosaur.
As the gunshot rang out, Yan Fei quickly returned to his room and then rushed to the cave. When he came out again, his nose twitched slightly, and he began to worry again - returning to the house shortly after firing the gun, even though it was only for a moment, there was still a smell of gunpowder in the room. It was particularly noticeable in the clean, new house.
Luckily his parents woke up a while later. He heard the door and footsteps, but they didn't come to his room to check on him, guessing they wanted him to sleep in a little.
Lying on the bed pretending to sleep, he was very uncomfortable. He could only continue to watch the pterosaur flock that had been harassed again. He was almost out of gunpowder, with only two small paper tubes left; because he was too careful every time, there was still enough iron sand for a few more rounds. A pity that once he ran out of gunpowder, the gun wouldn't be as good as a stick, at least the stick was easier to handle.
"Xiao Fei, are you awake? Get up and eat!" Hearing his mother's call, Yan Fei opened his eyes and found himself having dozed off again.
"I'm awake, I'll get up right away!" Yanfei responded, managing to get up in ten seconds - it's fast to put on shorts, a vest, and broken slippers.
He brushed his teeth while washing his face, reminded by his mother, and thought the toothpaste tasted pretty good. He had forgotten when he had last brushed his teeth, and felt guilty for not using the toothbrush and toothpaste his grandfather had prepared for him.
Breakfast was porridge and small dishes, plus buns.
Yanfei ate two purchased buns, but he didn't feel anything. Last night, at least there were a few dishes, and later he ordered a big bowl of knife-shaved noodles. He thought the meal was okay, but this morning's breakfast seemed a bit insufficient.
Yan's mother clearly noticed this problem and said to him, "You're not full, Xiao Fei? We'll buy some more food when we go out later. Your dad is going to work in the morning. I took two days off to take you to buy clothes, and wander around the county town."
Yan Chao, who was standing nearby, was happy: "Mom, are we going to play in town later? Then I won't go to kindergarten today."
After getting a satisfactory answer, this poor child who still had to go to kindergarten during summer vacation didn't need anyone to urge him to eat anymore. He ate quickly. Just a while ago, Yan Fei still thought this kid was sick and didn't eat!
Opposite the new dormitory building was a row of single-story houses, which were used to park bicycles. Some people have modified them for other uses due to lack of living space. When Yanfei's Father opened the door, Yan Fei saw two bicycles.
One was an old-fashioned large bike with a front bar, which his father pushed out to prepare for work. The other one left Yanfei's Mom in a dilemma. It was a new women's bike with only one rear seat to carry passengers.
"Mom, shall we walk instead?" When Yanfei's Mom heard Yan Fei's suggestion, she thought for a while and agreed.
As they stepped out of the house, Yanfei's Mom began to introduce the surroundings to Yan Fei: "If you follow this road and head right, you will reach the main road. A short distance to the south on the main road, there's a small path that leads to the renowned First High School. If we had left the house and turned left, there is a middle school and a primary school not far after making a turn."
Then she shifted the topic and said, "If you come to school here, you will attend the middle school there. Although it's not the best one like First Middle School, it's close to home and very convenient. By then, your little brother will also be starting primary school, it would be perfect to send you both together."
Just as they arrived at the main road, Yan Chao started to make a fuss: "Mom, can we take a tricycle? I can't walk anymore!"
Yanfei's Mom was initially calm, but her expression changed: "If you can't walk anymore, go home. What kind of habits has your father spoiled you with?"
Consequently, Yan Chao's little face changed and tears began to well up in his eyes. Yan Fei thought he was going to burst into tears, but he just held back the tears and remained silent.
When he was young, Yan Fei hadn't experienced his mother's strict discipline. Ever since his grandfather discovered his unusual abilities, he had always been kept close by his grandfather. Therefore, his grandfather and parents had disagreements.
After walking for a while and introducing the surroundings without pause, Yanfei's Mom noticed that Yan Chao was really exhausted. Therefore, Yan Fei said to him, "Xiaochao, if you can't walk anymore, let me carry you."
Yan Chao looked instantly hopeful, but he turned to look at Yanfei's Mom.
Yanfei's Mom spoke sternly to the little boy, "No, walk on your own. Which child of your age doesn't know how to walk?"
This time, the little one couldn't hold back any longer. He was ready to burst into tears. Upon seeing this, Yan Fei bent down to pick him up. The tears in his eyes has started to drop, but being carried, he managed not to cry out loud.
Seeing that Yan Fei had already picked him up, Yanfei's Mom probably wanted the two brothers, who had not been together since they were young, to develop some bond. So she said, "If you get tired, I will take over and carry him!"
Yan Fei grinned, "My little brother is so light. He's already in primary school, but I guess he still doesn't weigh as much as the big hammer at home."
Hearing Yan Fei's analogy made Yanfei's Mom burst into laughter.
Yan Fei was really finding his younger brother light. Although he was still very young, his strength was growing rapidly. At night, he would turn into Compsognathus to chase rabbits into the county. The return trip during the day, however, requires no transformation. Walking back with two human legs, crossing rivers on the twenty li country road, he didn't feel tired at all.
The entire morning, Yan Chao behaved well. Carried by his older brother for a while, he would then walk for a while on his own. He didn't ask to be carried while at the clothing market.
The economic development of Tanghe County was average, but it has a large population and a good geographical location. The county's clothing market has a long history, and Hua Clothing Market has a bit of fame in the area.
Yanfei's Mom was looking for clothes suitable for Yan Fei, but Yan Fei had no interest in shopping for clothes at all. He pulled his younger brother along, looking for places where food was sold.
As soon as he saw sesame Baked Buns, he bought some to taste; he bought a Griddle Cake too; tried some fried chicken wings; drank a bowl of oil tea; bought several rice balls; got a bag of Orchid Beans; got a portion of green bean jelly.
Every time Yanfei's Mom turned her head, she would find Yan Fei and his little brother eating something different. Yan Fei wasn't short on pocket money, and he was more than happy to spend it. They walked and ate all the way until Yan Chao was completely stuffed, even holding onto his overfilled stomach and calling his brother affectionately.
When they bought the first set of new clothes, Yanfei's Mom immediately wanted to throw away the singlet with small holes on it and the trousers with a torn hole that Yan Fei was wearing. Yan Fei objected and put the clothes in the bag used for the new clothes, planning to take them back home.
After purchasing another set of summer clothes and a set of clothes for autumn, Yanfei's Mom was still ready to continue shopping, but Yan Fei quickly persuaded her, "I don't need more clothes. I'm growing, in a few days these won't fit. Let's buy more later!"
Only then did Yanfei's Mom regretfully stop buying.