Chapter 840: The Battle of the Little Brothers

Chapter 840: Chapter 840: The Battle of the Little Brothers

By the time the meal was ready, the kitchen was already filled with a rich, intoxicatingly delicious aroma.

Su Qinglan had personally cooked a massive pot of hearty food alongside Hu Yan and Han Jue. The three of them had been busy for quite some time, preparing enough to feed the entire household and their growing family.

Just as Su Qinglan was about to bring the steaming dishes outside, a delighted, boisterous voice suddenly echoed from the courtyard.

"Sister!"

"I knew you were cooking something!"

The voice was brimming with pure excitement.

"I knew it! We are connected so well! I could already smell your cooking from far away, so I immediately rushed over to eat!"

Su Qinglan paused, her hands still holding a heavy wooden tray. She slowly turned her head toward the kitchen entrance.

Sure enough... Mo Xiaoli popped his head inside.

His chubby little face was flushed with excitement, his round eyes practically glowing like lanterns as he stared hungrily at the food. There was even a very suspicious amount of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth.

Su Qinglan’s lips twitched in amusement. She immediately walked over and pinched his chubby, soft cheeks between her fingers.

"So you only came here because you smelled the food, huh?"

Mo Xiaoli’s cheeks were squeezed together like a little bun, but he still nodded eagerly. "Mhm!"

Su Qinglan smiled sweetly, her eyes crinkling. "Too bad. I didn’t cook anything for you."

Mo Xiaoli froze completely.

His entire little body stiffened up into a statue. His eyes widened in utter disbelief. He slowly, dramatically clutched his chest with both hands.

"Sister..." His voice trembled as if he were on the verge of tears. "My dear, precious big sister... Are you serious?"

Su Qinglan nodded with a straight face. "Of course."

Mo Xiaoli’s fragile little heart seemed to shatter into a thousand pieces. "How could you forget about your own sweet little brother?!"

Without a second thought, he immediately threw himself forward and wrapped his arms around her leg like a needy leech.

"Sister! Don’t you remember me?! Don’t you remember my love?!"

Su Qinglan stared down at the chubby little beast clinging desperately to her lower leg. She almost burst out laughing right then and there.

"Your love?"

"Yes!" Mo Xiaoli nodded with absolute seriousness, looking up at her with big, watery eyes. "I love you so much! I came all the way here just to eat your food!"

Su Qinglan raised a fine eyebrow. "So you only love me because of my food?"

Mo Xiaoli immediately shook his head vigorously. "No!" He paused, thinking for a fraction of a second, before carefully adding, "Well... that is also one of the main reasons."

Su Qinglan finally burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You hopeless little glutton."

Mo Xiaoli was just about to dramatically protest his innocence when Su Qinglan suddenly looked past his shoulder. Her eyes instantly brightened.

Standing quietly right behind Mo Xiaoli was a tiny, sleek little fox cub.

The little fox stood there silently, his coat soft and pristine. Unlike Mo Xiaoli, who had been throwing a noisy, chaotic fuss from the very second he arrived, the little fox hadn’t uttered a single sound.

He was simply staring up at Su Qinglan with a pair of large, innocent, clear eyes.

Su Qinglan’s heart immediately melted into mush.

"Come here," she cooed softly, taking a step forward.

However, Mo Xiaoli was still desperately clinging to her leg like an anchor. "Sister! Don’t ignore me! I am your only cute, precious little brother!"

Su Qinglan looked down at him, then looked back at the little fox.

The little fox hadn’t even moved an inch or begged once. Yet somehow... all of Su Qinglan’s affection and attention had already completely shifted straight toward him.

Mo Xiaoli noticed the sudden shift in the room’s energy too. His dramatic expression slowly collapsed. He turned his head and looked at the quiet little fox in utter betrayal.

This brat!

He only came here to steal my sister’s love!

At first, Mo Xiaoli had been the absolute youngest in the house. He had been the cutest, most spoiled little brother!

Everyone used to give him extra treats and soft rubs! But now, this sneaky little fox cub had appeared out of nowhere.

And the worst part was that the little fox didn’t even need to roll around or throw a tantrum...he just had to stand there looking quiet and pathetic, and his sister immediately wanted to pamper him to death!

Such a schemer.

Mo Xiaoli’s heart ached with deep jealousy. He wanted to cry real tears now, but he knew crying wouldn’t win against that fox’s innocent face.

So, he could only tighten his grip on Su Qinglan’s leg even further.

"Sister..." he whimpered, his voice full of righteous indignation. "You can’t be partial!"

Su Qinglan looked down at him, amused.

Mo Xiaoli pointed a dramatic finger at the little fox. "You’re going to give him food first, aren’t you?!" Then he pointed indignantly at his own chest. "What about me?! My belly is completely empty!"

Su Qinglan rubbed her forehead with her free hand. This dramatic little brother of hers was really giving her a headache.

"Alright, alright," she finally gave in, tapping his nose gently. "Stop clinging to my leg."

Mo Xiaoli’s eyes instantly lit up like bright stars. "Really?!"

Su Qinglan nodded. "Yes. Go on." She pointed toward the back of the kitchen where the large serving pots were kept. "Go inside. Your brother-in-law Hu Yan will give you something delicious."

The very second Mo Xiaoli heard the word "delicious," his sharp little claws instantly unclasped from her leg.

"Brother-in-law!" he yelled happily, completely abandoning his tragic act as he bolted toward the kitchen. "Save the best part for me!"

Su Qinglan watched his chubby form disappear behind the wooden partition and shook her head helplessly.

Then, she turned back toward the quiet little fox.

The tiny cub was still standing in the exact same spot, looking up at her with wide, blinking eyes. Su Qinglan’s heart softened completely. She walked over, leaned down, and carefully scooped the small fox up into her warm arms.

The little fox didn’t resist at all. Instead, he nuzzled right into her embrace, finding a comfortable spot against her chest.

Su Qinglan gently stroked his impossibly soft fur. "Hmm... look at you. You’ve grown a little bigger since last time."

The little fox tilted his head, watching her face closely.

Su Qinglan smiled, her voice turning extra sweet. "Do you want to eat some delicious food?"

The little fox slowly, obediently nodded his small head.

Su Qinglan’s heart exploded with affection. "Do you want some warm milk too?"

The little fox nodded again, letting out a tiny, soft squeak.

Her smile broadened instantly. "Alright! Your sister will get everything for you."

As she carried the well-behaved little fox back into the kitchen, Su Qinglan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Why are fox cubs so ridiculously cute? She looked down at the tiny bundle resting so obediently in her arms. Especially my little brother.

Meanwhile, from deep inside the kitchen, Mo Xiaoli’s loud, demanding voice echoed out once again: "Brother-in-law Hu Yan! Give me the biggest piece of meat! No, the two biggest pieces!"