Eddie often drove the carriage for the captain but had never eaten at his house. However, he'd seen the captain's family eating plain porridge or sweet potato rice—rarely any proper meals.
Whenever Eddie got home, he'd chat with his family about it, thinking of how their own meals of coarse grains compared to the captain's.
"Listen," Eddie said, "the captain's been cooking good food for his simple-minded son lately. That kid can talk now—doesn't look so foolish anymore!"
Although Eddie always acted respectful in front of Tanner (the captain), he had plenty of little schemes in his heart. Having spent time around the family, he knew their daily life quite well.
He thought Tanner's son was different now—not as dull as before.
Martin, hearing his mother's words, asked curiously, "Didn't they say he was weak since childhood and recently had a fever? How come he suddenly got better? Did they see some special doctor?"
"Just a few days ago, when the kid had a fever, the captain called a doctor to check on him—and then he was fine!"
Eddie nodded, adding, "Yeah, I heard about that. Strange, isn't it? The boy's been slow for years, but one fever later—suddenly normal again?"
Martin sighed regretfully. "If their son's better now, it'll be harder to shake the captain's position. I was hoping he'd have some weakness we could use."
Aunt Grace nodded. "Being captain really is a good job—so much power. Eddie, you should aim for that!"
Grace's daughter-in-law chimed in, "It'd be great if that happened. Then we wouldn't have to manage the fruit orchard in the mountains, or feed the pigs twice a day."
"No matter what," Aunt Grace warned, "we must save some money and grain. You're pregnant—be careful with your work!"
Eddie's mother's reminder was serious; her eldest son had already joined the army, and his wife was quiet as a stone. Now only Eddie, his wife, and their child were left at home.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll take care of her," Eddie promised.
Eddie's eyes flickered slightly. He'd been following Tanner closely, secretly trying to find out how much wealth the man was hiding.
After all, Tanner's family used to be part of the militia—they might still have stashes of valuables hidden away.
If only he could find proof or a clue—he'd have reported them long ago. Maybe there was a hidden tunnel or basement under their house. If he could dig secretly and find the entrance, he could grab the treasures first and then report them.
…
After lunch, Tanner told Hazel that he was going to send some of the lychees to her mother's house, his uncle's place, and to his two elder sisters' homes—then mail a few boxes to relatives in the provincial capital.
After lunch, Milo felt a little sleepy at first. But when he heard that his father was going out, he immediately perked up — this was the perfect chance to go outside!
"Dad, take me with you! I want to go too!"
"Don't be silly. It's too hot outside — what's a little kid like you doing tagging along?" Tom's first instinct was to protect his son.
"Dad, it's fine! I'll be good!" Milo tried to plead his case, wanting to fight for the opportunity.
"Be good and stay home. I'll bring you something nice when I come back."
Tom insisted on his decision and refused to let his son go.
Lucia also joined in persuading him, and the couple finally agreed — Milo would stay home.
Milo sighed inwardly… once again, his voice carried no weight.
Should he tell his parents about his secret? And if so, how could he tell them?
He wrestled with the thought. Could he really trust these parents?
In the days that followed, Milo stopped clinging to his father and instead spent his days beside his mother and sisters, watching them embroider, sew clothes, and study basic arithmetic.
Ever since the second and third sisters had talked back to their father, their punishment had been severe — the three older sisters were no longer allowed to attend school.
Instead, they had to stay home every morning to study embroidery and math under their mother's supervision.
Any attempts to protest were useless — in their home, Tom's word was law.
If they dared to argue, he'd simply send them to work in the fields.
Milo spent his days idly with his mother and sisters, occasionally sneaking some vegetables into his Buddha Tower space.
At night, every evening without fail, he drank a small cup of the sacred spring water.
After half a month of drinking milk and spring water, his skin had turned rosy and smooth like that of a healthy child.
During that time, the space inside his Buddha Tower had expanded slightly, and he had stored up quite a bit of the magical spring water.
Finally, after two weeks, Milo came up with a clever plan!
He would use his power of "taking in and releasing" objects to perform magic tricks — entertaining his mother and sisters — but of course, making sure none of the household helpers found out.
---
"Big Sis, I have a flower for you!"
Milo handed over a pumpkin blossom he had picked earlier.
During good harvest seasons, no one cared about such flowers, but during hard times, people would even stir-fry them for food.
In his past life, Milo had been a frugal middle-aged woman — back then, in the lean months of April and May, she used to cook pumpkin vines and blossoms as vegetables.
Now, in boredom, he had taken to picking whatever he could find in the garden.
"Pfft!" His eldest sister, Lily, couldn't help but laugh.
"Little brother, who gives someone a pumpkin flower? And a yellow one, at that?"
All his sisters burst out laughing. None of them wondered how Milo suddenly had a flower in his hand — they just assumed he had picked it earlier to play with.
Lucia also laughed heartily at the sight.
Milo sighed inwardly — First magic trick, failed!
Time for trick number two.
"Second Sis, I've got a cucumber for you!"
"Haha! My little brother knows I love raw cucumbers! You must've hidden this one just for me!"
His second sister, Chloe, was a bit rebellious. She often complained that their parents favored Milo too much, but deep down, she still adored her little brother.
Lucia and the other daughters looked on enviously — not because of the cucumber, but because of the thoughtfulness behind Milo's gesture.
Milo groaned inwardly — That cucumber took me a lot of effort to save… I can't give them all away!
Second trick, failed too.
---
"What's everyone laughing about?" Tom asked as he walked in, having returned home to grab something.
"Dear," Lucia said with mock resentment, "we've been married all these years, and you've never given me flowers. But today, our son gave one to his big sister!"
Tom coughed, confused by her teasing tone.
"Haha! And little brother even gave me a cucumber!" Chloe added proudly.
Tom blinked in disbelief. "Ahem… honey, maybe it's not the best idea to say that sort of thing in front of the kids?"
Then he chuckled and said, "We don't give such plain old flowers around here. Tell you what, I'll pick you a red sunflower from the garden later!"
Lucia sighed inwardly — This old man is so stingy! Everyone else gives roses, and he offers me a sunflower? You might as well just say wildflowers!
No one seemed to notice that the child sitting quietly beside them had somehow conjured both the flower and the cucumber out of nowhere.
They had been watching him the whole time — and still hadn't realized it!
Milo sighed again.
Two tricks down, and both had failed. Being a three-year-old magician was way too hard!
Clearly, he'd have to wait until nighttime, when only his parents were around, to try again.
He also needed to find a way into his father's study to look for a 1968 calendar.
Thanks to his little antics, the mood in the house had lightened a lot — his sisters, who had been sulking over missing school, were now smiling again.
The afternoon passed quickly. After lunch and a nap, the sisters went to the garden to pick vegetables and water the plants.
That was also Milo's secret time — when he could quietly sneak some vegetables into the Buddha Tower to stock up his supplies.
Busy, busy, busy!
(End of Chapter)