Chapter Twelve: Li Jiaojiao Became a Fool

Mu You looked up in panic.

Suddenly, the wasp nest hanging on the tree above her fell without warning.

Almost immediately, a large swarm of wasps burst out, surveying their surroundings before setting their sights on her.

Mu You was terrified.

Each wasp was large, with a terrifyingly long stinger at the end of its abdomen.

Getting stung would be painful—and poisonous!

“Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz!”

[You little brat! How dare you destroy our home? Brothers, let’s show her what we’re made of! Charge!]

[Charge!]

The wasps shouted as they surged forward.

Mu You forced herself to stay calm and tried to communicate with them.

“Great wasp warriors, please calm down. You’re mistaken—You Bao did not destroy your home!”

“Bzzz bzzz bzzz…”

[What? You can understand us?]

Though curious, the wasps did not trust her.

[You little pests are always so mischievous and sly, climbing trees, smashing nests, and robbing bird's homes. You’re the ones who wrecked our home!]

[Exactly! Brothers, charge!]

The wasps rushed at her mercilessly.

They were fast and numerous; Mu You barely took two steps before being surrounded.

She closed her eyes and prayed silently.

Seconds passed, but to Mu You’s surprise, she felt no pain at all—just as when a tiger lunged at her before.

“Bzzz bzzz bzzz!”

[She’s glowing with golden light—we can’t get close!]

[Who exactly are you, little one?]

[Could it be we were wrong about her? So, who really destroyed our home?]

The wasps hovered half a meter away, buzzing loudly in confusion.

Mu You glanced at her limbs.

Where was this golden light they spoke of?

Who was she, really?

Why did even the tiger and these wasps react this way?

“You Bao doesn’t lie. It really wasn’t me who destroyed your home.”

She looked toward where the wasp nest had fallen, preparing to investigate for clues.

“Chirp chirp!”

[I saw it! A man with a tattoo on his hand knocked down the nest with a slingshot!]

[That villain must have done it on purpose. He’s already run off, but my friend is tracking him!]

The bird that had helped Mu You pick fruit earlier flew over to report.

“Thank you, Bird Sister!”

Mu You relayed the message truthfully to the wasps.

“Bzzz bzzz bzzz!”

[So that’s the truth. We mistook you.]

[Brothers, keep your eyes sharp. Remember, that man has a tattoo on his hand! Let’s go!]

The wasps departed with fierce determination.

Mu You breathed a sigh of relief.

Her father always said one should never harbor ill intent and that a good child admits mistakes and corrects them.

Though she wasn’t sure if the man acted deliberately, he did commit a wrong by destroying the wasps’ home and must bear the consequences.

“Chirp chirp!”

[You Bao, the forest holds many dangers—not just animals and plants but humans with ill intentions too!]

[Be very careful!]

After the warning, the bird flew back into the sky.

“I will be careful, Bird Sister. Goodbye!”

Mu You slung her basket over her shoulder and weaved through the woods, searching for the marked fruit.

After some time, she sat by a stream to rest before continuing.

The day was bright and warm, the sun shining generously.

“Gurgle gurgle…”

[A weak, pained voice sounded nearby.]

Mu You immediately stood, searching.

In the grass, she found a red carp gasping for life.

“Gurgle gurgle…”

[Human? No, please don’t eat me!]

The red carp struggled to wriggle back to the stream, but long dehydration had drained its strength, and it could only watch helplessly as Mu You approached.

Resigned…

Wait.

“Little carp, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

“How did you end up on the shore? Fish can’t leave water. I’ll take you home.”

Carefully, Mu You lifted the red carp and returned it to the stream, restoring its freedom.

“Gurgle gurgle!”

[Kind child, I was practicing to leap the Dragon Gate and accidentally jumped onto land. Luckily, you saved me—otherwise, I would have died!]

[Goodness will be rewarded. Wishing you luck!]

The red carp leapt, blowing bubbles toward Mu You.

Suddenly, golden and red lights shimmered all around her.

“Bye-bye, little carp!”

Mu You waved and didn’t dwell on the incident as she resumed her search for fruit.

Good weather, good mood, and luck seemed to favor her.

She found many fruits on her own.

Her basket quickly filled.

The timer on her wrist beeped, signaling time was almost up and it was time to return.

When Mu You reached the spot where she had parted ways with Mu Weien, she saw him standing there, seemingly waiting.

“Tch, you’re so slow! I finished filling my basket ages ago and have been waiting here.”

“You’re such dead weight, always holding everyone back!”

Mu Weien’s insults angered Mu You deeply.

She was no longer the meek girl who let others push her around.

“Still, who’s the dead weight isn’t so certain!”

Taking a few steps forward, Mu You turned to face her prideful cousin.

“There are cameras everywhere outside. We’re partners. Are you really sure you don’t want to go out together?”

“You!” Mu Weien, unprepared for Mu You’s sudden boldness, was taken aback by her sharp tongue.

She had never respected her sister and had always bullied her.

Yet today, inexplicably, Mu Weien felt a strange nervousness welling inside.

She swallowed hard and forced composure.

“O-Of course we’ll go together! This is a show, don’t think I want to stand next to you, hmph!”

With a haughty air, Mu Weien strutted next to Mu You, urging her to hurry.

Mu You smiled helplessly.

The countdown ended as all six children returned to the original gathering stage.

Just as the host prepared to have each team display their gathered fruit—

“Ahhh!”

A piercing scream came from a nearby RV.

All eyes turned toward the sound.

Seeing it was her family’s RV, Mu Weien suddenly realized the scream was her mother’s.

“Mama!”

Mu Weien dropped her basket and ran toward the RV, disregarding the ongoing filming.

Mu You sensed something was wrong, apologized, and followed.

Due to the emergency, the director called a halt and had the guests’ managers escort them to rest.

Outside the RV.

Li Jiaojiao wrapped her face in a coat, surrounded by frightening wasps.

Staff tried to rescue her but dared not risk their lives.

When Mu You approached, the wasps miraculously dispersed.

“Mama, the bees have left.”

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Li Jiaojiao slowly lowered the coat.

“Ahhh!”

“You’re not my mama! You’re obviously a big silly pighead!”