Chapter 85: The Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows

“A crafty rabbit has three burrows, barely enough to save its life. Now we have but one, and cannot yet sleep soundly.” Xu Tong recited a classic tale from the Strategies of the Warring States, swaying his head with satisfaction. Xiao Lin gave him a light thump. “Hey, when did you start picking up Lin Xudong’s airs? Now you’re even quoting the Strategies of the Warring States.”

Er Pang, however, was left puzzled by Xu Tong’s words. He scratched Da Huang’s head and asked earnestly, “Xu Tong, what do you mean by that?”

Xu Tong cleared his throat, ready to seize this rare opportunity to show off his learning, but his moment was cut short by Xiao Lin’s mocking laugh.

“Alright, with your shallow learning, don’t put on airs.” Xiao Lin scoffed lightly at him, then turned to Er Pang to explain, “That’s an idiom, from a story in the Strategies of the Warring States. I won’t bore you with the details. In our words, it means the rabbit is cunning and prepares several burrows to hide in, so it can’t be easily caught. It’s also a metaphor for people who have many hiding places or methods, making full preparations.”

“Heh, you two are real scholars. I don’t know these things, but my dad always said, no matter how cunning a rabbit, it can’t outrun a good hunter,” Er Pang replied honestly.

“Er Pang, so you’re the good hunter then? Hurry and take us with you—I’ve never seen a wild rabbit in my whole life,” said Tan Linlin, who could no longer contain her excitement. She kept urging Er Pang to take them. Wang Yuqing, usually quiet, also looked at him expectantly. Though reserved, she was deeply curious about the thrill of hunting wild rabbits.

Unable to resist the group’s pleas, Er Pang finally agreed to start the hunt at once. Everyone cheered, even Xiao Lin, who had seen Er Pang catch rabbits before, was eager to try his hand at it, hoping to impress Wang Yuqing and satisfy his pride.

Er Pang led everyone to a sunlit hillside and explained that the method for catching rabbits varied with the season because rabbits hid in different places throughout the year. In spring, they preferred to lurk in cool, shady slopes or the shadowed sides of ditches on sunny hillsides. In winter, sheltering from the cold wind and snow, wild rabbits would hide on warm, wind-protected sunny slopes—these were usually gentle hills covered with gullies, often dotted with wild grass that served as rabbit cover. Er Pang’s expert explanation impressed his city-bred companions; these were things no book had ever taught them.

“So how do we catch them?” Wang Yuqing voiced the question on everyone’s mind.

Er Pang’s eyes gleamed with cunning. “It’s simple. We find one of their burrows, smoke it out, and have Da Huang bark a few times. The rabbits hiding inside will come out. But that’s only the first step—they have several exits. When you scare them out, they’ll run, so we have to catch them quickly.”

“But Er Pang, wild rabbits run so fast, even hunting dogs can’t keep up. How can we manage?” Xiao Lin, having witnessed their speed before, voiced his doubts.

“That’s when you have to pick your terrain,” Er Pang replied, pausing to gesture at the surrounding landscape.

Looking around, they saw nothing but patches of lingering snow and clumps of withered grass and bushes—nothing special at first glance.

Sensing their confusion, Er Pang explained, “The snow slows down the rabbits, and in places with more shrubs and low grass, their camouflage isn’t as effective. And though rabbits are clever enough not to eat the grass near their burrows—that’s what you’d call smart, right?—they can be pretty foolish too. When chased by dogs, no matter how they run, they’ll often circle back to their own burrow. That’s their foolish side.”

“Let’s get started, then!” Tan Linlin was already raring to go.

Er Pang nodded and soon found a rabbit’s burrow. Carefully, he cleared away the wild grass and dirt, revealing a hole just big enough for an adult’s fist. He lit a piece of dry wood and tossed it into the entrance, while Da Huang barked in perfect coordination.

“Er Pang, are you sure this is a rabbit burrow?” Tan Linlin eyed the small hole skeptically.

“Don’t be fooled by its size—it’s much bigger inside. Pay attention now, I think it’ll come out any second,” Er Pang said.

As everyone stared tensely at the little hole, Er Pang added, “Xiao Lin, you’ve caught rabbits before. Stand guard here. If we miss it, catch it as it comes back and give it a good whack.”

“And don’t just stare at this hole—it won’t come out here. There’s a back exit,” he added.

Just then, a wild rabbit suddenly leaped from a patch of grass five meters away. Seeing the crowd near its burrow, it didn’t hesitate—its strong hind legs kicked off, and it dashed away at full speed.

“Da Huang, go!” Er Pang spotted the rabbit first and commanded the dog, which shot forward like an arrow, hot on the rabbit’s heels. Er Pang gave chase as well, followed by the excited Tan Linlin, who grabbed a stick and ran after him. Seeing Tan Linlin off, Xu Tong had no choice but to join in too. Xiao Lin, remembering Er Pang’s instruction, gripped a stick and stayed by the burrow, ready for the rabbit’s return.

Wang Yuqing had planned to wait with Xiao Lin, but seeing the lively scene of three people and a dog in pursuit, she couldn’t resist—she snatched up a stick and joined the chase. Her small steps couldn’t keep up, and Xiao Lin found it deeply amusing.

The group chased the poor rabbit until it was thoroughly bewildered, with no place left to hide. Just as Er Pang predicted, after a long run, the rabbit circled back toward its burrow.

“Xiao Lin, quick, it’s coming back!”

“Xiao Lin, catch it for me!”

“Go, Xiao Lin! That adorable rabbit is running right at you!”

As the rabbit drew closer, Xiao Lin gripped his stick tightly, eyes locked on the bounding animal. He counted silently—ten meters, five, three.

Now! As the rabbit leapt once more, Xiao Lin swung his stick, striking the rabbit squarely and knocking it to the ground. The plucky creature tried to get up, but Da Huang, right behind, clamped its jaws around it. Er Pang quickly took the rabbit from the dog’s mouth, grabbing it by the ears. In the end, the poor rabbit could not escape its fate.

“Wow, Xiao Lin, you’re amazing!” Wang Yuqing gazed at the dark brown rabbit with its white belly, eyes full of admiration.

Naturally, who else could your boyfriend be? Xiao Lin tossed his hair with a flourish, basking in his triumph.