Beware Of Chicken

Just in case of times like when he decided the best idea ever was to launch himself off the couch. He had been sleeping the moment before! Chun Ke had managed to catch him on his back. The boar pushed the shaken baby back up onto the couch, looked Zhuye in the eye, and gently but firmly shook his head.

Zhuye had immediately started crying after being admonished but somehow Chun Kes simple headshake had gotten through to him. Zhuye stayed away from the edge of the couch now.

Still, it was trying enough while he was crawling. Meiling wasnt particularly looking forward to the day he could walk, run, and escape the relatively safe confines of the house.

As if reacting to her thoughts, Zhuye stirred. His eyes opened and he pushed himself out of Gou Rens grip, his eyes darting all around.

Gou sighed and looked at Meiling. Meiling simply winked and raised her cup of tea, cherishing the mans expression as he stuck his tongue out at her.

Ah, I remember when my son started crawling, Lady Wu observed with a small smile. He was a bit less spirited than your Red Leaf, but he got into everything. My husband used to call him his Special Inspector because there was nothing we could do to keep him away from drawers he really wasnt supposed to be in.

Meiling laughed. Like the ones containing the ropes? she jabbed.

Like the ones containing the ropes, Lady Wu replied serenely.

Both of them chuckled.

===========================================

Soon, however, it was time for the event to begin, and Meiling, according to Jin, had a vital part. She was standing in the middle of a field, holding two flags that she would raise and drop to signal the start of the coming race.

There was also a costume to go along with this, but Meiling refused to wear the tight-looking, form-fitting garment in front of the village. The women in the Other Place were certainly bold to have such clothes!

No, the racing queen was strictly for her own enjoyment, and as a project. Getting fabric that shiny would be something to work on.

The atmosphere in Hong Yaowu was charged as the racers lined up.

First! We have Yao Ches apprentice! The Lord of Steam! Ty Ans husband, Liu Bowu! Jin shouted. Meiling stifled a laugh as Bowus face went crimson, and Ty An in the crowd started hurling expletives. The rest of the village jeered at the introduction, or whistled, making the teens faces go even redder.

Next! We have the Master of the Blade! The ponderer of the riddle of steel! Bei Be and Sun Ne, along with their helper, Liu! The crowd cheered at the ox peacefully chewing his cud. His horns were bedecked in flower crowns, and to Meilings surprise, Quiet Liu, the normally silent little girl, was seated on the plow, looking determined.

The next contestant is the man you all know and love! The titan of the land! The greatest Ride Giver and his assistantChun Ke and Hong Xian!

Meiling raised an eye at her little brother, who was standing on Chun Kes back with his arms folded over his chest. He was wearing a cape, of all things, and what looked like those glasses things Jin had drawn, but dark red and pointyand it wasnt glass at all, but lacquered wood, so her little brother couldnt see anything.

The rest of the village children seemed to think it was the coolest thing ever, judging by the cheers.

Chun Ke! I believe in you! he shouted.

And finally, the mountain of Hong Yaowu! The Mighty Blacksmith and his squad, Yao Che! The man flexed, grinning, as did the five fastest men in the village.

Ill now turn it over to our lovely mistress of ceremonies! Jin shouted. The most beautiful woman in the world, my wife!

Meiling just rolled her eyes and raised her flags. The people at the starting line tensed.

One! Two! Three! Go! Meiling shouted, dropping her hands. The crowd around her let out a cheer as the contestants surged forwards.

Steam spluttered. Scythes swung. The two Spirit Beasts marched forwards.

Meiling shook her head, her job finished, as the crowd started heckling the contestants. She wandered over to plop beside Gou Ren, who had managed to distract Zhuye with a piece of fabric.

Youre going to make a good father, she told him simply, and Gou Ren flushed.

She watched the race from beside her brother in all but blood as Jin heckled every one of the contestants. Meiling honestly thought Bowu had itbut it was much closer than she thought. Bowus reaper spluttered at a critical moment, and Bei Be capitalized. The ox, with Sun Ne, reached the end of the field first.