After searching for a long time, Song Wei finally spotted signs of a softshell turtle surfacing to breathe—all thanks to her sharp eyes.
But…
After that, all they managed to catch with sparrow entrails as bait were not softshell turtles. They even hooked a crayfish, but the softshell turtle just wouldn’t bite.
Fortunately, they caught a big fish, which they could take home to make fish soup tomorrow.
Still, it was a bit disappointing.
Just as Song Wei was about to pack up and head back, she noticed a string of bubbles rising near the lake shore. She could faintly make out the shell of a softshell turtle in the water.
Her eyes lit up. Instead of fishing patiently, she swiftly cast her fishing line toward it, aiming to snag the turtle.
The turtle reacted quickly, sensing danger immediately. It retracted its neck and tried to flee.
“Screech!”
A shadow descended from the sky like an arrow, plunging into the water. In the next second, sharp claws latched onto the turtle’s rear, digging deep into its flesh.
The white eagle clung tightly to its prey, flapping its wings strenuously to lift itself slightly. But the turtle was too large—weighing at least seven pounds—and its struggles made it even heavier, nearly dragging the eagle into the water.
Song Wei rushed over in time. With a skillful flick of her fishing rod, she managed to entangle the turtle. Earlier, the distance had been too great, and her line hadn’t reached it.
With Song Wei and the white eagle working together, the large softshell turtle stood no chance of escape.
“Heh, catching you wasn’t easy.”
A wild softshell turtle, and such a big one—it was highly nutritious.
“Little Eagle, you’ve done well this time. I’ll give you extra meat when we get back.”
“Chirp~”
The white eagle let out a happy cry and soared into the sky.
This time, Song Wei truly headed back, returning with a full harvest.
After returning home and taking a bath, she found that Lin Zhen, Xiong Zai, and Lin Ping’an had all returned.
“I’ve prepared honey water for you. Serve yourselves as much as you want.”
Xiong Zai’s ears perked up at the mention of honey water, and he eagerly trotted over to fetch his basin.
Give Xiong honey water now!
Lin Ping’an poured him a generous amount. Xiong Zai loved sweet honey water more than anything.
“Xiong Zai worked hard today. Sis, Xiong Zai earned eight work points today!” Lin Ping’an exclaimed, envious of Xiong Zai’s large build and strength. Despite being much smaller than him (in age), Xiong Zai could carry bundles of wheat with ease.
“He really did work hard. Toiling under such thick fur—Xiong Zai is contributing to the family now.”
Song Wei walked over and saw Xiong Zai’s fur, messy and disheveled, with wheat stalks and grass leaves stuck all over. If this were human skin, it would surely be painful and itchy. But Xiong Zai’s skin was thick and tough, and aside from feeling overheated, he didn’t seem bothered.
Song Wei picked out the debris tangled in his fur and brought over a comb and scissors.
“Stay still. I’ll thin out your fur a bit.”
In this weather, even humans felt hot wearing too many layers. Xiong Zai’s thick fur looked downright uncomfortable.
She began snipping and combing, trimming his fur with practiced ease. Clumps of fur fell to the ground, but Xiong Zai paid no mind, fully focused on his sweet honey water.
By the time Lin Zhen and Lin Ping’an finished their baths, a considerable pile of fur had accumulated on the floor.
Though not a professional groomer, Song Wei was quite skilled. During the apocalypse, women rarely kept long hair—there was no time to maintain it, and it was more trouble than it was worth. With no professional barbers around, women would simply cut their own hair when it grew too long. Song Wei was familiar with haircuts. She might not create the most stylish looks, but she certainly wouldn’t make it look too bad.
Lin Zhen and Lin Ping’an both came over to watch.
Song Wei looked at the two brothers. “Your hair seems a bit long too. Do you want a trim?”
Lin Zhen touched his hair—it did feel a bit long. Back in the army, he’d always kept a crew cut, and he wasn’t used to having longer hair.
“Alright, give me a crew cut.”
Crew cuts really test one’s looks. Lin Zhen was the type of tough, handsome man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes—a crew cut made him look a bit fierce but also stylish.
“Wait, let me finish with Xiong Zai first.”
Xiong Zai needed a good trim all over—it was a big job. Fortunately, he wasn’t resisting and was being very well-behaved, lifting his paws and turning over when asked.
After spending some time tidying up Xiong Zai’s fur, she patted his head.
“Go over to the water basin. Lin Ping’an, take the hose and rinse him off, then use the shampoo to scrub him down.”
Lin Ping’an nodded. “Got it. Come on, Xiong Zai, let’s go play in the water!”
There was a large basin in the yard, and in this weather, there was no need to heat water.
Lin Zhen helped draw water from the well and poured it into the large basin. Xiong Zai plunged right in.
He sprawled comfortably in the basin, happily splashing water everywhere.
“Ahhh! Xiong Zai, you got my clothes all wet!” Lin Ping’an shrieked, grabbing a ladle and splashing water back.
Song Wei clicked her tongue. “You just changed into clean clothes, and now you’re soaked again.”
But she didn’t stop him—after all, Lin Ping’an was responsible for washing his own clothes.
“Come here, let me cut your hair.”
Song Wei hooked her finger at Lin Zhen.
The scissors had been cleaned, and she used her own comb. Naturally, the comb she used for herself was separate from the one used for the animals.
Lin Zhen sat on a low stool in front of her. Song Wei picked up the scissors and began snipping away.
A crew cut was simple.
Soon, Song Wei finished and handed him a small mirror.
“Take a look—any adjustments needed?”
Lin Zhen glanced at it. “My wife’s skills are excellent.”
Song Wei wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Just then, Lin Dayou happened to walk in.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Lin Dayou quickly said, “I came to call you over for dinner. I didn’t see anything!”
With that, he turned and hurried away.
Song Wei & Lin Zhen: “…………”
They were thick-skinned and tacitly pretended nothing had happened.
After cleaning up the hair and fur in the yard, Xiong Zai climbed out of the basin.
He stood up and shook himself vigorously, sending water flying like rain.
Lin Ping’an screamed again.
“Hurry up and change your clothes. We’re going to Great-Aunt’s for dinner.”
Lin Ping’an: “Brother, Sis, wait for me!”
Dinner that night was sumptuous. When they arrived at Great-Uncle’s house, they ran into Lin Dayou again.
Lin Zhen greeted him as if nothing had happened.
Song Wei did the same.
Lin Dayou scratched his head and muttered to himself, “Young people these days are so bold—the gate was wide open, and they were kissing right there.”
“What are you mumbling about? Hurry up and serve the dishes!”
The chicken soup had been simmering on low heat for a long time, and its aroma was mouthwatering.
“Song Wei can’t cook, so we’re the ones benefiting from this.”
Everyone knew the chicken must have been brought by Song Wei, along with the rabbit.
There was still half a pot of rabbit meat stewed with vermicelli and vegetables left from lunch.
Great-Aunt had also boiled a basin of old pumpkin.
The old pumpkin was naturally sweet, soft, and glutinous. Though simply boiled without any seasoning, everyone loved it.
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