“The critical moment arrived, just as I, Lin Zhen, and Song Zhiqing were about to step forward to help…”
“You were going to help?”
Among the listeners, those who knew him well immediately expressed disbelief: “Weren’t you carrying your old mother on your back? How could you have gone to help? I think you’re just boasting.”
By the way, what were they going into the mountains for?
Lin Dayou continued to boast without changing his expression: “Don’t interrupt. I wanted to go, but I just didn’t make it.”
He firmly refused to admit that he had been too scared to move at that moment, ashamed that he hadn’t been as brave as his old mother.
Song Wei, who was quietly hiding in the crowd munching on sunflower seeds, almost laughed out loud.
Lin Dayou coughed twice and moved on from the topic: “Anyway, at this critical moment, a pack of wolves rushed out, heading straight for the blind bear. I was completely stunned, thinking, ‘This is it, this is it. The blind bear hasn’t even fallen yet, and now a pack of wolves has appeared!’”
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts were in their throats.
“And then, guess what happened?”
“Stop with the riddles and just tell us.”
The scene was like a storytelling session, a rare form of entertainment. Lin Dayou had a loud voice, and since this was a real experience, more and more people gathered around.
Especially some of the more spirited young people, who regretted not having gone along that day.
“The alpha wolf of the pack turned out to be the father of Song Zhiqing’s wolves, Wolf One and Wolf Two!”
Lin Dayou took a sip of water and continued, spitting as he spoke: “The alpha wolf had brought the pack to help his own children!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in excitement: “Wolf One and Wolf Two are actually the alpha wolf’s pups? No wonder those two wolf-dogs are so majestic and can lead our brigade’s dogs deep into the mountains to hunt.
It’s like the saying, ‘Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and the sons of rats know how to dig holes.’ Being the alpha wolf’s pups, they must have great skills. Among all the brigades in the surrounding areas, only our brigade’s dogs dare to venture deep into the mountains under the leadership of the alpha wolf’s pups.”
“Exactly, I just want to know which dog was so beautiful that even the alpha wolf took a liking to her and sired wolf-dog pups.”
People nowadays are quite bold. Even knowing that Wolf One and Wolf Two are the alpha wolf’s pups, they weren’t the least bit afraid. In fact, they were even more excited.
If possible, they would like to raise one themselves. Just look at how capable those two wolf-dogs are at hunting. Song Zhiqing and Lin Zhen’s families certainly don’t lack meat to eat.
Lin Dayou clapped his hands to grab everyone’s attention: “Stop discussing, do you still want to hear me or not?”
Of course, they did.
“Anyway, that over a thousand-pound blind bear was surrounded by dogs and wolves. Finally, Lin Zhen and Song Zhiqing also went up with knives to help, and it was eventually killed. However, some dogs and wolves were injured.
In the end, it was Song Zhiqing who took Xie Zhiqing into the mountains to treat their wounds. Those wolves are smart; they knew they were being treated and didn’t attack Xie Zhiqing. Look, he came back just fine, and the blood on him was from the wolves and the bear.”
“As for the bear’s carcass, it was guarded and eaten by the wolves. I didn’t dare to touch it. The bear’s gallbladder was only taken out by Song Zhiqing because the wolves didn’t eat it. I heard it’s medicinal.”
Having said all this, although it was a pity they didn’t get to see the blind bear, everyone understood.
Of course, among so many people, there were always a few troublemakers.
“Wasn’t Song Zhiqing and Lin Zhen supposed to be tough? Why couldn’t they take the bear’s carcass?”
“Yeah, that’s over a thousand pounds of meat.”
“Not just the wolves, our village’s dogs also contributed. At least half of it should have been brought back.”
One of the people who said this was immediately slapped by his mother.
“You go, if you have the guts, you go!”
“Mom, why are you hitting me? I’m just telling the truth. Besides, Song Zhiqing’s two wolf-dogs are the alpha wolf’s pups, right? They probably wouldn’t bite people.”
“Then go snatch meat from your father’s bowl and see if he hits you or not. If you don’t have a brain, just shut up.”
Lin Dayou pointed at the few who had spoken nonsense: “What kind of talk is that? Those wolves got injured to kill that blind bear. They wouldn’t be able to hunt afterward. If they didn’t eat that bear, they’d starve. Not to mention the wolves, if anyone dared to snatch food from my mouth, I’d jump up and fight them.”
“All talk, if you encountered wolves, you’d be the first to run, and probably too scared to even move.”
“That’s Wolf One and Wolf Two’s father, not yours. Do you owe them something? All talk and no action. If you’re so capable, go into the mountains and hunt a bear yourself. Stop showing off.”
Well, Uncle Dayou’s combat skills were top-notch, directly shutting them up.
After the story ended, everyone dispersed, still wanting more.
The young kids gathered together, chattering away.
The teenagers were especially regretful.
Jiang Wenwu: “Brother Lin Zhen, why didn’t you call me? I could have gone into the mountains to help too.”
“I heard they went to pick some kind of leaves.”
“What’s the use of that? I wonder when Brother Lin Zhen will go hunting in the mountains again. I want to go too.”
Teenagers are impulsive and full of energy, at an age where they are restless. They are not content with doing tedious farm work every day. Give them a chance to hunt, and they would charge forward with sticks, howling.
Of course, all this must be under the permission of adults and led by someone capable.
Song Wei regretted not having taken a photo of the wolves and dogs cooperating to hunt the blind bear. Next time she goes into the mountains, she should bring her camera.
Early the next morning, as Lin Zhen and Song Wei prepared to go into the mountains to check on Wolf One and Wolf Two, they found someone squatting at their door.
“Brother, I knew you were going into the mountains. Take me with you, take me with you. I promise not to cause any trouble and will follow you quietly.”
It was the brigade leader’s youngest son, Jiang Wenwu.
This kid was quite clever. He figured that since the wolves and dogs in the mountains were injured, Lin Zhen and Song Zhiqing would definitely go to check on them today.
He had sneaked out of his house early in the morning to wait for them.
Lin Zhen looked at his eager expression and patted his shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
Jiang Wenwu immediately jumped for joy and then followed them eagerly.
The mountain path was tiring, but being young and full of energy, Jiang Wenwu didn’t ask for a break even after walking for a long time.
Along the way, they saw many mushrooms.
“Brother, there are so many big-foot mushrooms over there!”
“Here are some hazel mushrooms, a whole patch. Come quick!”
Jiang Wenwu was ecstatic. It had rained the previous night, and after the rain, a large number of mushrooms had sprouted in the forest.
Especially deep in the mountains where no one had been, the mushrooms grew abundantly.
In no time, Jiang Wenwu’s basket was half full, and his face was beaming like a fool.
“No wonder you like to come here. There’s so much stuff in the mountains. Brother, next time you go into the mountains, take me with you. I don’t dare to come alone.”
At least he still had some sense.
Lin Zhen: “I’ll take you when I have time.”
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