On the way, Hu Liang and Dacheng took turns pulling the cart, while Widow Xie walked ahead with a lantern to light the path. Ji Huan started out walking beside her, but soon fell behind.
'I didn't realize it when I was riding in the mule cart before,' she thought. 'Now that I'm walking, I see how far it really is.'
Widow Xie told her to get on the cart, but Ji Huan refused.
The cart was already piled high with things and nearly full. There was only a tiny bit of space left, and Dabao was sleeping there.
She had tried not to make any noise when she got up, but she'd woken Dabao anyway. Whether he was just grumpy from waking up or for some other reason, today he'd absolutely refused to stay at the Hu Family's home. He just tugged on Ji Huan's hem, not crying or fussing, but the blank look on his little face made it impossible for her to say no.
