This way, drag him halfway up the mountain and push him down to create an illusion of falling from above.

Or simply make it easier and find a slightly higher place to push him down. That works too.

If the child gets injured from the fall, the He Family will certainly be extremely anxious and will contact the child’s parents.

Seeing their child injured like this, the parents will definitely take him back.

That way, there will surely be a gap between the family and the military leader.

If the children don’t come here again, the He Family naturally won’t benefit.

That woman Liu Qiaoqiao should also quiet down.

Zhao Ergou was contemplating putting this plan into action when he suddenly heard someone shouting outside the door: "Uncle Dog, are you home?"

He recognized the voice as that of the children and quickly flipped off the bed and went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, there stood the three children outside.

"What brings you here?" Zhao Ergou asked.

"Is it true that you said you’d take us to hunt wild chickens?" Ning Chenguang blinked enthusiastically.

"Of course, it’s true. I’m an adult; how could I deceive you kids?"

"Can we hunt wild chickens on the mountain at this time of year?"

"Of course, you can, anytime."

"Will you take us? We’re eager to go now," Ning Chenguang said a bit shyly.

"Didn’t you refuse to go with me earlier?" Zhao Ergou pouted, "Think I was tricking you? Now you come back asking; I’m not inclined to go now."

"Don’t be like that!" He Yue chimed in, "You said you’d take us; we weren’t sure then. Now we’ve decided we want to go. You can’t back out; aren’t you an adult?"

Zhao Ergou saw they all wanted to go, pretended to be reluctant, while inwardly pleased.

"Alright, since I mentioned it before, I’ll take you. I’m a grown-up and shouldn’t mind your whims!"

"Thanks, Uncle Dog!" He Mu said with a smile.

Zhao Ergou turned to lock the door, with the three children behind him subtly exchanging glances and gestures.

"Let’s go! We’ll set off now!" Zhao Ergou said as he finished locking up the door.

A grown-up leading three kids towards the village entrance and up the mountain; it was already sunset, the perfect timing.

Exiting the village and heading into the mountain, they stopped at the mountain’s base when Ning Chenguang halted.

"Why did you stop? We’ve still got a ways to go!" Zhao Ergou said.

"Weren’t we going to hunt wild chickens? You don’t even have a slingshot; how are we supposed to hunt? Why not make one first?"

"True enough."

"See that tree ahead?" Ning Chenguang pointed towards a large willow tree, "Climb up and break off a few willow branches, and make a new slingshot for me too. Can you do it, Uncle Dog?"

"Sure, sure!" Zhao Ergou agreed eagerly, hoping for nightfall and darkness, where mishaps would be effortless.

"Well, hurry up!" He Yue urged him.

"Alright then." Zhao Ergou merrily walked towards the tree, unaware of the several little heads lurking in the grass nearby.

Each watched excitedly beneath Zhao Ergou’s feet, where they had prepared an afternoon "surprise" for him.