The little pig tilted its head and looked at the couplet at the door.
Left couplet: Credit allowed, no deception for young and old
Right couplet: Timely repayment, or see if I can’t beat you
Horizontal inscription: Not a black shop
Its father had taught it to read.
It recognized the words, but why couldn’t it understand them when strung together?
"Little Pig, what are you doing outside? Come in quickly." Kong Hou stood at the door, smiling and waving at the little pig.
"Sister Kong Hou!" The little pig happily ran over.
Kong Hou bent down, picked up the little pig, and walked inside, saying as she walked, "I was just wondering when you’d come, and here you are."
"Where’s sister?" The little pig looked inside and then saw Tianmiao sitting on a large soft chair.
"Little Pig, come." Tianmiao smiled and waved at the little pig, "Come and try this pastry that Dong Xiao just made."
Kong Hou handed the little pig to Tianmiao. Tianmiao received it and placed it on her lap, touching its little belly: "Haven’t had dinner yet? You’re all shrunken from hunger."
"Sister, I don’t want to eat. Can you rescue my father? He fell into that crevice. Sister, please save him, okay?" The little pig tilted its head back, eagerly looking at Tianmiao, as if it would cry if Tianmiao didn’t agree.
"I can, but it comes at a price." Tianmiao smiled.
"What price? I can accept anything as long as you rescue my father." The little pig said anxiously. Upon hearing its father could be saved, it finally felt at ease. It just knew that the sister was amazing and would have a way.
"Even if you get turned into braised pork?" Tianmiao pinched the little pig’s trotters, asking with amusement.
"Braised pork? If turning me into braised pork can save my father, I, I can do it!" The little pig looked up at Tianmiao with its little black bean eyes, seemingly making a big decision within itself, and said tearfully, "I can, as long as it saves my father."
"Then, is it okay to be turned into roast suckling pig?" Tianmiao touched the little pig’s round body and continued asking with a mischievous smile.
"I... I can do it! For my father, I can do it. I can wash myself clean; I can set up the bonfire myself." The little pig said, sobbing. It was clear how conflicted and struggling the little pig felt inside.
Kong Hou and Dong Xiao couldn’t bear to watch any longer. The master was too mean. Is it really okay to bully a pure little pig like this?
"Wow, the little pig is really brave, willing to be eaten to save its father. Does the little pig have any other wishes? I can grant any wish you have, but only one. Do you want to turn into a human?" Tianmiao gently stroked the little pig’s little head and spoke softly.
The little pig was stunned for a moment, turn into a human? Like the big brother and second brother? Did father also want it to become human? Father even said he didn’t know what it would look like in human form.
"No, I just want my father. Sister, please save him, okay? I don’t want anything else." The little pig shook its little head.
"Is this the little pig’s wish?" Tianmiao’s voice was gentle and slow.
"Yes, I want to save my father." The little pig said firmly.
"Alright, then, as you wish." Tianmiao stood up, holding the little pig, and spoke softly, "Let’s go."
Kong Hou and Dong Xiao followed behind Tianmiao in silence.
When Bai Huan and the others were like ants on a hot pan, they saw Tianmiao appearing, holding the little pig in her arms.
"Master Tian." Bai Huan greeted respectfully.