The Little Darling of the Group, No Milk Tea, Just Explosions

Bai Renyi and his wife Cui Shi are an elderly farming couple in a rural village, struggling to support their large household which includes three sons and five grandsons. Despite their poverty, they are childless regarding granddaughters. One morning while gathering herbs on a misty mountain, they encounter a mysterious white tiger that drops a human infant at their feet before departing. The couple, initially terrified, accept the child, naming her Hu Niu, or Tiger Girl. The village is immediately abuzz with rumors, with some neighbors suspecting the child is a monster due to the tiger's involvement, though the Bai family fiercely protects her. Cui Shi, the matriarch, decides to raise Hu Niu herself, becoming the central guardian of the child.

Soon after Hu Niu's arrival, the white tiger returns, leaving a sheep in the Bai family's courtyard. The animal provides milk for the infant, sustaining her when the family cannot afford wet nurses. This supernatural assistance deepens the village's suspicion and fear. Zhang Cuihua, a resentful neighbor who feels slighted by Cui Shi, spreads rumors that Hu Niu is a demon. That night, the white tiger appears at Zhang Cuihua's window, terrifying her into silence, though she remains suspicious. Meanwhile, the Bai family discovers a severe drought is approaching. Bai Renyi’s sons sell a rare lingzhi mushroom and a fleeceflower root in the city, using the silver to stockpile grain in secret, anticipating famine. This foresight provides the family with a crucial advantage as crops fail across the region.

The narrative shifts when Hu Niu, now a toddler, goes out herding sheep with her five nephews. Liu Yun, the adopted daughter of Zhang Cuihua, harbors intense jealousy toward Hu Niu’s beauty and the affection she receives. Liu Yun tricks two of the younger boys into playing hide-and-seek, then abducts Hu Niu. She drags the child to a dangerous cliff edge, intending only to frighten her. However, Hu Niu bites Liu Yun in self-defense, causing the girl to lose her grip. Hu Niu falls into the abyss. Liu Yun panics and flees, but the family goat leads the boys to the cliff. Bai Dakeng, the eldest grandson, leaps into the chasm to rescue his little aunt, leaving the others to beat Liu Yun before rushing for help.

The village launches a massive search operation led by the village head, Bai Dafu. Liu Yun’s father, Liu Tiezhu, volunteers to descend the cliff, feeling responsible for his daughter’s actions. The search is perilous due to the steep terrain and threats from magical creatures. Despite the efforts, no trace of Hu Niu or Bai Dakeng is found on the first day. The Bai family descends into despair, with Cui Shi nearly collapsing from grief. Li Zhenzhu, Hu Niu’s aunt, confronts Zhang Cuihua and Liu Yun, blaming them for the tragedy. The story ends with the search ongoing and the fate of the two fallen figures unknown, leaving the Bai family in a state of suspended anguish while the drought continues to worsen outside.