Chapter 5

Connor's face went white as a sheet, his fingers gripping the little rabbit tightly.

"You..." his voice was hoarse, "you really did hear..."

Dad coughed a few more times outside. I didn't answer and hurried out the door.

Connor suddenly looked up, as if just realizing what was happening. He lifted his foot to chase after me, but stopped after just one step.

"Caleb?" Dad turned back in confusion. "What's gotten into you today?"

Connor opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

Watching him panic like that, I suddenly found it a bit funny.

"It's nothing. Big brother just can't bear to see me go."

I smiled at Dad and took his arm. "Dad, let's go home quickly. I miss Rusty."

I sneaked a glance at Connor, feeling quite pleased with myself.

Bet you didn't expect that - me helping you out of a tight spot.

Connor's face looked terrible. He never said a word, just stood there clutching that little rabbit until we left.

When we got home and pushed open the courtyard gate, Rusty came bounding over with loud barks, nearly knocking me flat on my bottom.

"Rusty!" I crouched down to rub his head. "Did you miss me?"

His wet nose kept nudging into my palm, his tail wagging like a rattle drum.

I giggled as I dodged his slobbery tongue, but he kept chasing my fingers to lick them, whimpering as if to say "I missed you so much!"

"Alright, alright," I hugged his fluffy head. "I missed you too!"

Just as we were playing around, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from outside the gate.

Rusty immediately perked up his ears and shot out like an arrow.

I chased after him to the doorway and saw a group of people walking toward our house with great fanfare.

The man in front shouted at the top of his lungs: "The Western Pack is here to present the courting gifts!"

I ran back into the courtyard and asked Dad curiously, "Huh? Aren't they supposed to wait until the date is set before presenting gifts? Why are they here now?"

Dad petted Rusty's head and laughed. "That young wolf couldn't wait any longer. He insisted on coming to present a small gift first to show his intentions."

As we were talking, the group had already reached our gate.

I looked and saw a refined young man in the crowd - that had to be Kieran.

Today he wore a brand new blue jacket and looked quite spirited.

He bowed respectfully. "Beta Marcus, Miss Thea."

The sunlight fell on him, making his whole person seem to glow.

I stared at him for a long time, feeling like I'd seen him somewhere before.

Then he had someone bring in a small bamboo cage with two snow-white rabbits twitching their little noses inside.

"Do you remember, miss?" His eyes crinkled with a smile. "We've met before."

It all came back to me!

Once I found a rabbit at the foot of the mountain. Its leg was caught in a trap and bleeding badly, trembling with pain.

I carefully carried it home in my arms. As soon as Connor saw it, he frowned. "How filthy. Throw it out quickly."

"No!" I protected the rabbit in my arms. "It's so pitiful. Can we keep it?"

"You can barely take care of yourself, why bother with these animals?"

He snatched the rabbit away and grabbed it by the ears, about to throw it outside.

I cried as I grabbed it back. The frightened rabbit kicked in my arms, getting blood all over me.

Connor got even angrier. "Look at yourself! Getting in such a state over an animal. You really are..."

That night I hid in the woodshed to bandage the rabbit, clumsily wrapping the gauze in a complete mess.

The rabbit shivered in pain, and I cried along with it.

Connor suddenly pushed the door open, his face cold. "Still won't admit you're stupid? Can't even bandage a rabbit properly!"

He reached out to grab it again. I quickly hugged the rabbit and ran outside, bumping right into someone under the locust tree at the village entrance.

"Careful." The person steadied me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm... I'm fine..." I sniffled. "It's just the little rabbit... it's dying..."

He pulled out a handkerchief, hesitated for a moment, then handed it to me. "Wipe your face."

I took the handkerchief and not only wiped my tears but also blew my nose loudly into it.

"They all say I'm stupid..." I said pitifully. "They say I can't even take care of myself, let alone save it..."

"How could that be?" His eyes sparkled bright in the moonlight. "People who feel sorry for small animals are the kindest."

I looked up at him. "Really?"

This was the first time anyone had called me kind.

I was used to hearing "fool" and "dummy." These two words felt as sweet as honey in my heart.

He nodded gently, smiling with crinkled eyes.

"Besides, I don't think you're stupid at all. How would a stupid person know to save small animals?"

The night wind blew through the locust tree, making the leaves rustle.

He looked at me seriously and said, "Remember this - kindness is much more precious than cleverness."

Later, he helped me rebandage the rabbit's wound properly.

His hands were very steady and gentle. As he worked, he taught me: "Wrap the gauze like this, so it won't hurt the rabbit."

Before leaving, he pressed a piece of sesame candy into my palm. "Eat something sweet. It'll make you feel better."

...

"Do you remember now?" Kieran pulled out a piece of sesame candy from his sleeve, exactly like the one from years ago. "Here, eat something sweet. It'll make you feel better."