A Bold Bio
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Chen Xiao Mi's grandmother held a grudge against Chen Xiao Mi for abducting her grandson and threatening her, so she didn't give Chen Xiao Mi and his brothers a penny when Chen Xiao Mi said they were going to live separately.
Chen Xiao Mi was dauntless and unyielding by nature, he didn't ask for anything when he moved out with his little brothers.
The other villagers thought Chen Xiao Mi was out of his mind, they didn't believe Chen Xiao Mi could support himself, let alone his two little brothers. They thought Chen Xiao Mi would struggle without the Chen Family, but what they didn't know was Chen Xiao Mi had been secretly saving up for this day, the money he saved by hunting was enough to support him and his two little brothers for a while.
Moving out from the family was considered a rebel behavior by the villagers, especially the senior ones. The Elders in Chen Family listened to Chen Xiao Mi's grandmother's nonsense and they detested Chen Xiao Mi so much that they insisted on holding an open trail for Chen Xiao Mi.
One of the two Elders who were the most passionate about the trial got beaten up at night, and the other had a mishap of food poisoning, he was on the verge of death due to the acute diarrhea.
Some nosy villagers who had been prying into Chen Xiao Mi's life or fishing for information reaped what they had sown, they would find dead mice on their sheets in the middle of the night.
Everyone suspected it was Chen Xiao Mi, but no one had the evidence.
Bullying the weak and fearing the strong was human nature, the villagers had been avoiding Chen Xiao Mi after a string of mishaps that befell on the ones who tried to find fault with Chen Xiao Mi.
Chen Xiao Mi wasn't bothered by any of those villagers, he just went his own way and minded his own business.
Chen Xiao Mi had hunted a tiger one year ago, with that he became the talk of the town.
Even the most experienced hunters would take flight on seeing a tiger, and yet Chen Xiao Mi had hunted one successfully.
Chen Xiao Mi had gained the name 'ferocious and tough' after that.
Chen Xiao Mi had sold the tiger for thirty taels of silver, he moved out of the cave that he and his brothers had resided in, he bought an old lady's small house in the village.
Some people from Chen Family wanted a cut from the thirty taels, they made a scene in front of Chen Xiao Mi's new house, and they had incurred a good beating from Chen Xiao Mi.
No one was surprised to see that, this Chen Xiao Mi was bold enough to kill a tiger, let alone beating some people up.
The Chens dared not confront the tough with toughness, Chen Xiao Mi's First Uncle had abducted Chen Xiao Cai, he still hadn't given up on the idea of selling Chen Xiao Cai for money.
Chen Xiao Mi immediately knew what was going on after he went back home.
Chen Xiao Mi captured Chen Jing and locked him in a cave in the mountain openly and brazenly, Chen Xiao Mi said Chen Jing would lose an arm if he couldn't see Chen Xiao Cai by the end of the day, Chen Jing would lose a leg if he couldn't see Chen Xiao Cai by the end of the next day.
Chen Xiao Mi's First Uncle sent Chen Xiao Cai back in fear. The merciless uncle who was willing to sell his nephew to a wealthy family as a lowlife, but he couldn't bear the thought of his son being hurt.
Chen Jing walked back home safe and sound soon after Uncle had released Chen Xiao Cai.
The First Uncle tried so hard to make that matter a secret, but bad news had wings, the villagers took delight in talking about this anecdote for a long time.
Some people thought the Uncle was merciless and some thought Chen Xiao Mi was even more wicked. They tended to avoid Chen Xiao Mi even more after that episode, and they started to see Chen Xiao Mi as a bane of the village.
Chen Xiao Mi was turning eighteen as well, he was anxious to get married as well. Six boys got married within one month after the law was enacted, but neither Lu Lin nor Chen Xiao Mi was one of them.
Three taels of silver was no small amount, the villagers couldn't wait to see what Chen Xiao Mi was going to do. They couldn't help but wonder whether Chen Xiao Mi would marry into someone's family or marry someone into his own family.
Soon there came the news that Chen Xiao Mi wanted to marry someone into his family, the villagers snorted on hearing that until they heard the betrothal present was ten taels of silver.
The villagers started to speak highly of Chen Xiao Mi, his little brother Chen Xiao Mai had always been ailing, he had spent so much money on buying medicine for Chen Xiao Mai, but now he was able to offer ten tales of silver as the betrothal present.
Ten tales of silver was a very generous betrothal present for a villager, but still there was no one willing to marry him due to his bad name.
The Lus, however, were intrigued. Lu Lin was known as the ill-starred son who had incurred tragedies for their family, so no girl wanted to marry him, even though some girls were convinced and wanted to marry him, the Lus had to prepare some betrothal present. They figured why not marry Lu Lin to Chen Xiao Mi.
Offering a betrothal present and receiving a betrothal present was a matter of more than ten taels difference.
The host Lu Lin was a very traditional man, he couldn't bear the thought of marrying into someone's family, plus he had heard Chen Xiao Mi's stories, so he committed suicide.
But the Lus had already received Chen Xiao Mi's betrothal present, they couldn't just watch the host dying, so they spent one tael on sending for a doctor. But the host had died, the Lu Lin from the modern days had occupied the host's body.
Chapter End Notes
I Don't Care If He Dies
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Lu Lin had been lying in bed, feeling exhausted and dizzy. He sneaked to the store and had some biscuits to replenish his strength.
Lu Lin looked at himself into the mirror, the host and him bore some resemblance to each other. The host was sallow and emaciated, they would look more alike if he could take some proper rest and nourishment.
Lu Lin suddenly heard a lot of footsteps.
"Little Lin, hmm, you still look half-dead, can we just send you to Chen Xiao Mi like this?" Lu Lin's First Aunt countered promptly, "What are you talking about? He is just fine, what he needs now is a happy occasion like his own wedding, it will set him right in no time!"
Lu Lin didn't utter a single word, he had been keeping his mouth shut ever since he found himself having transmigrated in case they found out who he really was.
Lu Lin couldn't help but roll his eyes at the First Aunt on hearing 'a happy occasion like his own wedding is what he needs', was that really a happy occasion?
A villager asked hesitantly, "Are you going to send him to Chen Xiao Mi just like this, have you prepared anything for him?"
Lu Lin was marrying into Chen Xiao Mi's family, but it was the custom to prepare some dowry for the 'bride'.
"Aiya, how can we afford to prepare dowry for him, we don't even have enough food to keep the pot boiling. I heard that Chen Xiao Mi was a great hunter, I say our Little Lin is going to lead such a happy life there, maybe he can have meat from time to time!"
Hearing that, the villagers gazed at each other in speechless despair. For they all had been talking about Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi's marriage, they all thought Lu Lin was going to slave like a horse after he married that ferocious Bio.
Chen Xiao Mi was always hunting in the mountains, chances were Lu Lin would have to venture into the mountains as well. Chen Xiao Mi was endowed with the mighty strength and he wasn't afraid of the beasts, but Lu Lin might die from hunting. They couldn't believe Lu Lin's First Aunt would sugar coat it like this, but no one said anything, it was none of their business.
With that the villagers carried Lu Lin who was lying on the door plank to Chen Xiao Mi's small house. Lu Lin fell asleep on the way again, he was indeed too feeble.
Everyone on the Lu Family heaved a sigh of relief on seeing Lu Lin's retiring figure.
"Mom, finally we've got rid of that jinx!" exclaimed Lu Tong, First Aunt's daughter.
Lu Tong had to do a lot of the farm work that Lu Lin was responsible for since he fell ill, Lu Tong had seen Lu Lin as a thorn in her side for a while.
"This little jinx, can you believe he went to the length to commit suicide like we are treating him unfairly. He should have looked at himself in the mirror and know his place, he should be grateful there is someone willing to marry him."
Lu Tong laughed, "It's such a good thing he is away now, grandmother says he is ill-starred, maybe he is the reason that why my brother has failed in the imperial examination."
First Aunt smiled, "That must be it, the fortune-teller says your brother will have a successful official career, that jinx must have encumbered your brother."
Lu Lin finally had gained some energy after some rest, and he heard two strangers talking about him.
"Big Brother, look at him, he is so sickly, is he dying?" it was Chen Xiao Cai, he was unhappy about this Lu Lin who had committed suicide to refuse to marry his brother. Chen Xiao Cai had always seen his brother as a hero, and he hated those villagers who have been slandering Chen Xiao Mi's name.
'Humph, no way my brother would marry you if not for that stupid fine!' thought Chen Xiao Mai.
Chen Xiao Mi didn't look bothered, "I don't care he is dying or not, we have already registered in the government office, I don't need to pay that stupid fine anymore."
"Shall we send for a doctor for him?" asked Chen Xiao Cai.
Chen Xiao Mi squinted his eyes, "No need, he will still commit suicide if he is determined to die even if we send for a doctor for him, I don't want to waste money like that. Plus we don't have much money left."
'Winter is coming, hunting will become difficult, we need to use money wisely, we need more blankets, more crops, and our house needs some renovation, you and Mai are my priorities, not this stranger!"
Chen Xiao Mi decided to leave Lu Lin's life to fate.
"The Lus have sent him to us because they don't want to spend money on doctors and medicines. Brother, will they create a disturbance if he really dies in our house?"
"He has married into our family now, plus he didn't bring ant dowry with him when they sent him to us, it's obvious that they don't want to have anything with him anymore. I will kick them out if they dare to make a scene." Chen Xiao Mi scorned.
Hearing that, Chen Xiao Cai admired his brother even more.
Chen Xiao Mi stared at Lu Lin for a while, then he said coldly, "I don't care if he dies, we have one less mouth to feed."
Chen Xiao Cai shook his head, "We spent ten taels on him, we should at least ask him to do some farm work before he dies."
Lu Lin had heard everything the Chen Brothers said.
'No wonder the host would rather die than marry you, you just sound so merciless!' thought Lu Lin.
Lu Lin turned out to be just a tool, a tool to exempt some stupid tax! He didn't feel like he was Chen Xiao Mi's partner.
Lu Lin felt so depressed, other people ended up having a splendid life after they had transmigrated, but he ended up marrying a ferocious Bio, he… he was so worried about his authority in this family in the future.
Chapter End Notes
What a Tough Brother-in-law
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
"I'm going hunting!" Chen Xiao Mi rose to his feet.
Chen Xiao Cai nodded, "Good luck, brother, don't worry about us, I will take good care of Xiao Mai, and I will keep an eye on this guy!"
Chen Xiao Cai looked so gentle when he mentioned Chen Xiao Mai, but he became so fierce-looking when he cast a glance at Lu Lin.
Chen Xiao Mi nodded in approval, "I'll leave them to your capable hands."
Chen Xiao Cai was so glad that his brother trusted him, he put on a serious face and nodded, "I won't disappoint you."
Chen Xiao Cai had always thought his brother as the biggest hero in the entire world despite all the slandering created by the villagers, he always gave free rein to his imagination that one day he would follow his brother into the mountains and help his brother hunting thus his brother could take a break.
Lu Lin opened his eyes after Chen Xiao Mi had left, he dared not to open his eyes when the ferocious hunter Chen Xiao Mi was here, now he opened his eyes and started to look around.
Technically, it was his wedding that day. But his heart sank as he saw the shabby house and old disreputable furniture.
Lu Lin let out a sigh in his heart, all sorts of feelings welled up in his mind, he couldn't believe fate would play such a cruel joke with him.
Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin with disgust in the eyes, "You are alive, get up and eat something if you don't want to die, or go out and die somewhere else if you want to die. My brother paid good money for this house, don't die in our house."
This Chen Xiao Cai was just eight years old, skinny he was, but he was an imposing boy, probably he had picked it up from that brother of his.
In Chen Family, Chen Xiao Mi and Chen Xiao Mai were both Bios, Chen Xiao Cai was a boy.
Lu Lin frowned, he looked at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "I don't wanna die, I want some food."
Chen Xiao Cai smiled knowingly, "Your family has sold you to us for ten taels, you better behave yourself and know your place in our family, don't you even think about throwing your weight around, my brother sees you right through!"
In that time and space, the view that men were superior to women prevailed. Women were not even allowed to eat at the same table with men, let alone Bios who were considered inferior to women.
Thinking of that, Lu Lin began to understand why Chen Xiao Mi always appeared as so ferocious and tough. Those villagers would take advantage of him and bully him once he showed the white feather in front of them.
Chen Xiao Cai was well aware of that as well, so he decided to deal Lu Lin a head-on blow at the first encounter thus to make his brother's life easier.
"I will behave." Replied Lu Lin.
'What a tough little boy, no girl will marry you when you grow old!' thought Lu Lin.
Chen Xiao Cai's face softened as he saw Lu Lin showed a good attitude.
Chen Xiao Cai served Lu Lin a bowl of coarse rice porridge, "We don't feed loafer in this family, you better get well soon and do some work so we can endure winter together, we need to store more crops before winter comes."
Chen Xiao Cai became anxious on thinking about winter, there was one more mouth to feed now, and that meant this winter was going to be more challenging.
With that in mind, Chen Xiao Cai became disgruntled. He couldn't help thinking about the ten taels of silver Chen Xiao Mi had spent on Lu Lin, ten taels of silver was more than enough for a winter.
Chen Xiao Cai figured he would ask Lu Lin to go hunting with his brother or go find a job in town, he couldn't bear the thought of Lu Lin eating idly without work.
Lu Lin found the porridge so unpalatable, 'modern people made such a big deal about eating healthy, no GMF, no farm chemical, but the fact is you would eat anything when you are starving like me right now!'
The texture of coarse rice was a bit like sand, Lu Lin swore he wouldn't make a fuss about organic foods anymore, how he wished he could have a bowl of shin ramen with cheese.
Lu Lin's facial expression had given himself away.
Chen Xiao Cai was annoyed by that facial expression, he stormed out after leaving a word, "It looks like our humble fare isn't good enough for you!"
Lu Lin scratched his hair, he wasn't a rich kid back in modern days, but he was at least able to feed himself, so he wished he could have a transitional period.
Lu Lin sneaked to his convenience store after Chen Xiao Cai left the room, he grabbed a chocolate milk and gulped it down.
'My family wished to get rid of me, and my partner couldn't care less about me, I better take good care of myself if I want to survive this time and space!' thought Lu Lin.
Chapter End Notes
Gossipy Villagers
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Lu Lin thought what he should do to survive that time and space while sipping the chocolate milk, and all of a sudden there came some noise from under the bed.
Lu Lin squatted down and looked under the bed, a five-year-old boy crawled from under the bed and his eyes were glued on the chocolate milk in Lu Lin's hand.
Lu Lin was just thinking about whether he should confess about his convenience store to Chen Xiao Mi, but now it looked like he got busted.
Lu Lin gave a start, but soon he calmed down.
Chen Xiao Mi's house was pretty remote with no neighbor around, this little boy must be Chen Xiao Mai, Chen Xiao Mi's youngest little brother.
Lu Lin searched the host's memory and found this Chen Xiao Mai was a premature baby, he had been feeble and sickly since he was born. He had a high fever two years ago that was not treated intime, this boy now was a bit special.
"Would you like some?" Lu Lin asked Chen Xiao Mai, pointing at the chocolate milk in hand.
Chen Xiao Mai hesitated a little and grabbed the bottle from Lu Lin's hand, he had a sip and became elated after he had a taste.
Sugar was precious in that time and space, a piece of candy was worth two pennies, only wealthy people could afford to have sugar as snacks.
Chen Xiao Mai's reaction made Lu Lin think about the days when he was a boy, he would wave his arms and stamp his feet in joy after he had snacks that he liked. But as he grew older, he didn't enjoy snacks that much.
Chen Xiao Mai returned the bottle to Lu Lin after he took several gulps.
Lu Lin put on a serious face and said, "Let's keep this a secret, otherwise I won't share anything with you, all right? Just don't tell anyone about this."
Chen Xiao Mai blinked at Lu Lin, without saying a word. Lu Lin wasn't sure whether this boy understood him or not.
Lu Lin then returned to the door plank and lied down, he racked his brains, thinking about the ways to obtain wealth.
What he didn't know was the villagers were talking about him and Chen Xiao Mi passionately, there was no entertainment back then except gossip. The marriage between him and Chen Xiao Mi naturally had dominated the villagers' conversation.
The Lus have already sent Lu Lin to Chen Xiao Mi's place, really?"
"Lu Lin is a poor boy, marrying that bold Bio, geez, who knows whether that Bio is going to abuse him or not."
Lu Lin's grandmother had cooked up a new story saying Lu Lin refused to have anything to do with them after he married Chen Xiao Mi, he attacked some family members, he even tried to steal crops from them.
No one believed the grandmother's story in the beginning, but as time went by, people started to fall for that.
Even the poor families in the village refused to betroth to Chen Xiao Mi, no one had expected the Lus, the well-off family in the village was willing to marry Lu Lin into Chen Xiao Mi's family.
"Lu Lin's illness is pretty severe; do you think Chen Xiao Mi will send for a doctor for him?"
"Probably not."
"The Lu family, I can't believe they had sent Lu Lin to Chen Xiao Mi's place without giving Lu Lin any proper treatment."
"Ha, spending money on Lu Lin, that's out of the question!"
"Well, I don't think this is that bad, Chen Xiao Mi is ferocious, that's true, but he is a capable hunter, Lu Lin might be able to have meat in the future."
Meat was a precious resource back then, especially for the villagers, most of them could only afford meat in Spring Festival.
"Hunting is not that easy, man, winter is coming, you cannot even go hunting when heavy snow seals the mountain passes."
"Doesn't Lu Lin's grandmother say he is ill-starred, he will bring bad luck to his family, his parents died because he is a jinx! Why would Chen Xiao Mi marry him?"
"I don't think Chen Xiao Mi would worry about someone else's bad luck, I heard he is an ill-starred person too."
Lu Lin felt so dizzy and nauseated, he sneaked back to the convenience store and had some antipyretic.
Lu Lin always worked till late in the store back in modern days, he had prepared some common medicine for unexpected needs.
Chen Xiao Cai went out for a while in the evening, and he returned with a basket of firewood.
Lu Lin couldn't help but exclaim in the heart, an eight-year-old boy he was, but he had already started to contribute to the family.
Winters in ancient times had always been tough, the villagers always store as much firewood as possible, a severe frost would cause more damage than one could imagine.
Chen Xiao Mai grabbed his Second Brother's arm as soon as Chen Xiao Cai came back, the two had been whispering passionately, Lu Lin had no idea whether this Chen Xiao Mai had betrayed him or not.
'It's a matter of time before I'm busted by Chen Xiao Mi. Should I just make a confession, we are married now after all.'
'Chen Xiao Mi is a rebel in this society, he dares to offend his grandmother and uncle to protect his brothers, I'm sure he is a sensible man! I don't think he will hurt me or burn me to death once he finds out I'm just a soul who has occupied this Lu Lin's body. Chen Xiao Mi is different from them as well, he is a Bio, but he is so strong!'
'That's not necessarily true though, he has been living in this time and space his whole life, what if… …'
Lu Lin went back and forth on his confession plan, and he decided to do it step by step, he would win the Chen Brothers' heart one step at a time.
Chapter End Notes
Sugary Water
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
"Brother." Chen Xiao Cai tugged at Chen Xiao Mi's sleeve to get Chen Xiao Mi's attention.
Chen Xiao Mi noticed Chen Xiao Cai's facial expression, "What's wrong?"
"Mai told me that Lu Lin drank sugary water on the sly." Chen Xiao Cai whispered at Chen Xiao Mi's ear, enigmatically.
Chen Xiao Cai was so surprised when Chen Xiao Mai told him that Lu Lin offered him some sugary water, the thing was they didn't have any sugar at home, so he figured Chen Xiao Mi must have had brought some sugar with him when the villagers sent him here.
Chen Xiao Mai didn't give Chen Xiao Cai any more information other than the sugary water was so yummy, it was the yummiest stuff he had ever had.
Chen Xiao Cai was just an eight-year-old kid, of course he was interested in the 'yummiest stuff' that Mai said, but he was too 'cool' to ask Lu Lin about the sugary water like he wanted some as well.
Lu Lin was already feeling much better when Chen Xiao Mi was back, he looked Chen Xiao Mi up and down. The host was a very quiet and reserved person, he always lowered his head when he met someone, so there was no memory about Chen Xiao Mi's appearance in the host's mind.
Based on the stories Lu Lin had heard about him Chen Xiao Mi, Lu Lin thought this Chen Xiao Mi must be an ugly-looking guy with grossly offensive features, but to his surprise, Chen Xiao Mi actually had a striking good look, especially his dark eyes, so clear and sparkly. He was genuinely not expecting Chen Xiao Mi could be this cute.
'A lie, if repeated often enough, will be accepted as truth. Chen Xiao Mi is sinister in appearance in those rumors, but look at him, he is a cute little boy.' Thought Lu Lin.
The villagers carried Lu Lin to Chen Xiao Mi with two pieces of door planks, Chen Xiao Mi didn't pay Lu Lin any more attention after he wrapped some blanket on Lu Lin.
Lu Lin kept tossing and turning that night, it was his wedding night even though there was no ceremony, he couldn't fall asleep and he couldn't help but recall what happened to him in his last life.
Lu Lin was gay. The modern society was more inclusive but the LGBTQ community still had a long way to go in C Country.
Lu Lin kept his sexuality a secret since he got his job, he planned on finding a partner and living a low-key and peaceful life in the city. But something unexpected might happen any time, a girl in the company had a crush on Lu Lin and wooed him for a long time, Lu Lin turned her down several times, but the girl was so persevered, Lu Lin's attitude didn't seem to bother her a little bit, she still kept on inviting Lu Lin to a 'date night'.
Lu Lin had to tell the girl the truth about his sexuality, the girl left him alone, shocked to the core. And the next day Lu Lin was fired, his boss told him that they couldn't afford to have a person who might be a bad influence in the company.
Needless to say, it was the girl's doing.
Lu Lin disdained to argue with the girl or the company, he left the company, then he returned to his hometown and took over Lu's Convenience store from his parents.
It wasn't a big business, but Lu Lin could support himself with that job.
Chen Xiao Mi started to cook dinner not long after he came back, he asked Chen Xiao Cai to send Lu Lin a bowl of porridge and a drumstick.
Lu Lin's eyes widened on seeing the drumstick, his First Aunt joked about he was going to have meat after he married Chen Xiao Mi, but he didn't expect it was going to be true.
Lu Lin gobbled the drumstick even though it was so bland, Lu Lin thought he couldn't really blame Chen Xiao Mi for this, there was only salt as seasoning in this house.
Chen Xiao Cai pouted on seeing the way Lu Lin gobbling the drumstick, 'You should at least stand on ceremony with me and ask me whether I have meat to eat, but look at you, the way you eat, tut tut tut, so uncouth.'
Chen Xiao Mi and Chen Xiao Cai did the dishes together after everyone finished dinner, and everyone went to bed after that.
And soon Lu Lin heard Chen Xiao Mi's snore, 'Yep, it's confirmed, he just married me as a tool to help him exempt that stupid tax, this is our wedding night, and yet he is over there snoring!'
Lu Lin looked around the house under the dim moonlight, 'This house is just too shabby, there's only one bedroom for the four of us, so cramped.'
Then Lu Lin thought about Chen Xiao Mi, he was actually quite pleased with Chen Xiao Mi's appearance, he had been a virgin his entire life, he was looking forward to a change in this life. But obviously he knew he couldn't hold his hope high for the time being, this Chen Xiao Mi just saw him as a tool to exempt tax.
There was also one more cold hard fact, Lu Lin had to deal a third wheel Chen Xiao Cai and also a 'fourth wheel' Chen Xiao Mai, especially that Chen Xiao Cai, that kid looked so hard to please.
With that being said, Lu Lin still thought the host shouldn't just commit suicide because of this. 'Your life is miserable back at the Lu Family, why not just marry this Bio, I don't think it's going to be any worse.'
Lu Lin started to feel drowsy as his mind ran wild, and slowly he had fallen asleep.
Chapter End Notes
You are a Wastrel
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Lu Lin had got a clear picture of the Chen Brothers' routine after he married Chen Xiao Mi for about two days.
Chen Xiao Mi was the breadwinner, he would go out early and come home late, hunting in the mountains. Chen Xiao Cai would take Chen Xiao Mai to collect firewood, they would also look for wild vegetables and feed the chickens, Chen Xiao Cai would ask Chen Xiao Mai to stay at home if it was a decent amount of walking.
Seeing the Chen Brothers toiling all day long, Lu Lin who had been lying on the door planks felt guilty.
Even the two little kids were contributing, he, on the other hand, had done nothing but sleeping.
Lu Lin looked around, he was determined to make himself useful as well. They needed some more blankets, otherwise they would freeze to death on winter nights.
Chen Xiao Cai kept sniffing around as soon as he set foot on the house after he returned from the mountain with a basket of firewood.