"Suifeng, look what I brought you!"
Old Jack returned, holding a large white rabbit in one hand.
Suifeng looked up in surprise. "Grandpa Jack, where did the rabbit come from?"
As Old Jack began placing the two rabbits into separate cages, he explained, "Ah, it's because you two boys keep running off to catch rabbits—and even got beaten up by one. I happened to see someone selling some at the market today, so I bought a couple."
He casually pointed to one of the cages. "Suifeng, take this one to Tang San. That poor kid… stuck with a drunk for a father. Whatever money he earns, he spends it all on alcohol. Doesn't take care of his family at all. Always eating thin porridge—how's a child supposed to grow up strong like that?"
Suifeng nodded obediently, picking up the rabbit cage. "Okay, Grandpa Jack."
But in his heart, he felt a little guilty—he had made up the rabbit story offhand, and Grandpa Jack had actually believed him… and even remembered it all this time.
Old Jack went off to sharpen his knife, preparing for the rabbit's dissection. Suifeng glanced at the adorable white rabbit in the cage.
This bunny's so cute… should I braise it or steam it?
A few minutes later, Suifeng knocked on Tang San's door, rabbit cage in hand. They had just returned from training together, so Tang San should be home.
Tang San opened the door and poked his head out. "Hmm? Suifeng, what's up?"
Suifeng lifted the cage. "Here, brought you a rabbit to whet your appetite. Grandpa Jack bought it specially from the market for you."
Tang San took the cage and looked inside at the big white rabbit, slightly confused. "How do you even cook this?"
Just then, Tang Hao walked out of the house. Seeing Suifeng, he greeted him warmly: "Hey, Suifeng, have you eaten?"
Suifeng nodded politely—after all, this man once beat up a Pope:
"Not yet, but Grandpa Jack is cooking. Should be done soon."
Tang Hao nodded, glanced at the rabbit in the cage, and his eyes lit up. "Now that's some good stuff. Been a long time since I had a rabbit. Tang San, I'll cook tonight."
Tang San was a bit moved. After all these years, he was finally going to eat his father's cooking again. Since Dad likes it so much, I'll catch more rabbits during my training.
Seeing the father and son enjoying themselves, Suifeng quietly took his leave.
Not long after, the braised rabbit was served. Tang Hao and Tang San sat down to eat.
Tang San took a bite and narrowed his eyes with delight.
Tang Hao asked, "How does it taste?"
Tang San nodded. "Delicious, Dad."
Only then did Tang Hao pick up a few pieces himself. Speaking with his mouth full, he said, "Mm, since it's ready, let's eat."
Tang San was a little speechless. Wait—did he make me taste it first to check if it was edible? Surely not… right?
In the following days, whenever he had free time, Tang San started looking for rabbits.
Suifeng also helped by using wind to detect their presence.
"Twenty meters southeast, under that big tree in the grass—there's a rabbit," Suifeng said to Tang San.
Tang San gave a hand signal to confirm, crouched low, and crept toward the bushes.
Sure enough, inside was a gray rabbit, glancing about warily.
Tang San pinched a stone between two fingers and flicked it sharply toward the rabbit.
The rabbit, alert as ever, suddenly kicked off with powerful legs and dodged the otherwise sure-hit attack.
Suifeng laughed. "Heh, Tang San, looks like even you miss sometimes. Watch me!"
He snapped his fingers, aimed at the fleeing rabbit's path, and shouted: "Wind Blade!"
A green blade of wind flew through the air, aimed at the rabbit's neck. Though not powerful, it was enough to take out a rabbit if it hit a vulnerable spot.
Just as it seemed like a hit, the rabbit suddenly spun around and bolted the other way, narrowly dodging again.
Suifeng and Tang San exchanged glances in disbelief.
Are we seriously getting outmaneuvered by a rabbit?
Maybe we should quit the Isekai protagonist club…
The two of them moved quickly to launch a second attempt. But before they could attack, the fat gray rabbit, perhaps dizzy from all the dodging, ran straight toward a large tree and—
Bang!
From the sound alone, it was clear the impact was solid.
Suifeng blinked. Wait, is the story about "waiting under a tree for a rabbit" actually true? The ancients didn't lie after all…
Tang San went over to check. The rabbit had just knocked itself unconscious.
"This rabbit's dumb—ran into a tree," Tang San laughed. Looks like I'll be enjoying a warm meal with Dad again tonight.
Suifeng casually added, "You say the rabbit's dumb, but your stone missed. Doesn't that mean it's smarter than you?"
Tang San flushed with embarrassment, then quickly shot back, "Didn't your wind blade miss too? Doesn't that make you even dumber?"
"Maybe I'm not smarter than the rabbit, but I'm smarter than you," Suifeng argued shamelessly.
"And why's that?" Tang San asked indignantly.
"Alright, Tang San, since you won't admit it, let me test you."
"Bring it on."
"A monkey is riding another monkey in a tree. There's another monkey under the tree. How many monkeys are there in total?"
"Eight monkeys."
"Wrong. Two monkeys."
"What? Isn't it 7 plus 1 equals 8 monkeys?"
"You fool! I said 'riding a monkey', not 'seven monkeys'. It's just one monkey riding another. Not seven."
Tang San stood there stunned. "You tricked me! Get back here!"
"Bleh! I'm not stopping! If you catch me, you can 'hehehe~' all you want!"
And so, the road home was filled with the laughter and shouts of youth.
That evening, Tang San returned home, thinking back to how his father had made braised rabbit the day before.
Step one: skin and clean the rabbit... then…
Half an hour later, Tang San had finished cooking and set the dishes on the table.
He turned and called toward the room: "Dad, dinner's ready!"
Tang Hao responded, slowly walking out. He sniffed the air—there it was again, the smell of braised rabbit.
"Hm? Where'd the rabbit come from?" he asked, sitting down with a bowl of porridge.
Tang San picked up a piece, took a bite, and said, "When I was training on the back mountain today, a rabbit ran into a tree and passed out."
Tang Hao tasted it too and chuckled in surprise. "There are rabbits that dumb?"
Thinking of how Suifeng mocked him earlier, Tang San grew a little embarrassed. "Dad, try it and see how it tastes. I watched how you cooked it yesterday and tried to learn."
Tang Hao chewed and nodded with approval. "Mm, not bad. Feels like it's even better than mine."
Tang San beamed with pride at his father's praise. "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day."
Tang Hao didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a kid's talk. He chuckled and said, "Sure—but where would you find that many dumb rabbits?"
Tang San quietly clenched his little fist and muttered, "There will be."
Father and son enjoyed a peaceful dinner together—a warmth Tang San hadn't felt in a long time.