I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

"Mom, you’re amazing too. You gathered so much."

"Suck-up."

Lin Zhiyin rolled her eyes at him, and everyone burst out laughing. Soon, the family members all went home. Zhao Wendong and Zhao Wenwu helped carry the things back to the old family house. By the time they returned, it was almost one in the morning. The four of them were dead tired, any thoughts of baby-making completely forgotten. They all collapsed into their respective beds. Zhao Wendong was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. While taking off his clothes, his hand brushed against a glass bottle. He casually placed it on the table and went straight to sleep.

The next day when Zhao Wendong opened his eyes, it was already broad daylight. Although they had decided to go up the mountain today, Chen Yanmei had clearly taken pity on them and hadn’t woken them up early. Next door, Zhao Wenwu had also just gotten up. By the time they reached the old family house, they found that Er Gou had already arrived. During breakfast, several groups of people came to the house, all bearing gifts. They claimed they were there to see Zhao Dashan, but everyone knew they had come to thank Zhao Wendong.

Some brought sea cucumbers, others brought shrimp; in any case, it was all rare, high-quality stuff. No one brought common things like regular sea fish or shellfish, knowing that Zhao Wendong wasn’t short on those. Chen Yanmei was smiling from ear to ear, her face beaming with pride.

"My boy, people started coming with gifts last night, and they haven’t stopped all morning. See? All our neighbors remember what you did for them. They know they have you to thank for finding so much yesterday. What’s that saying again?"

"Repaying kindness with gratitude."

"Don’t forget the one who dug the well."

Wang Lulu and Lin Huaimin spoke at the same time. Afterward, they exchanged a look, both their faces filled with satisfaction. ’This son-in-law of ours is really something.’

"Yes, yes, yes! My in-laws are so learned! That’s exactly what I meant!"

Zhao Wendong smirked smugly at Lin Zhiyin. She rolled her eyes back at him, then looked at him and asked.

"Should Xiuying and I go into the mountains with you to help?"

"No need. Damei needs someone to look after her, so you two can just help out at home. We’ll only be gone for two days. We’ll be back by the twenty-ninth of the last lunar month at the latest."

"Okay."

Lin Zhiyin nodded obediently. Just as the food was served, someone else appeared at the door. A child ran in carrying a few sea cucumbers, placed them on the kitchen stove, and bolted.

"My mom and dad told me to bring this."

He ran off so quickly that Chen Yanmei didn’t even get a clear look at whose child it was. She hurried outside for a peek to identify who it was before coming back in, beaming.

"I think that was Zhao the Eighth’s boy. He sure runs fast."

"With all this food in the outer room, won’t it attract mice?"

Jin Xiuying asked with some concern, looking at all the food in the outer room. In her old home in a neighboring country, not even the household of a high-ranking general could be free of a mice infestation. The Zhao family was well aware there was something unusual about Jin Xiuying not having a Central Plains accent, but they had never pried. Hearing her concern, Chen Yanmei smiled and said.

"We used to have Xiaobai, and later Dahuang and the others also helped catch mice. Now with this little guy, our house has become a graveyard for mice. However many come, that’s how many die. I haven’t seen a mouse in ages."

Zhao Wendong looked at the White Weasel that Chen Yanmei was stroking. An idea struck him, and he started to focus, listening for the thoughts around him. And what do you know, the annoying mental chatter of mice thinking only about how to make more baby mice was completely gone. ’I never expected raising these little guys would have so many unexpected benefits,’ he thought.

After finishing their meal, the four brothers expertly gathered their various pieces of gear and the rations that had been prepared for them, and set off for the mountains. Zhao Wendong also brought along Wang Lulu’s paintings. Besides the ones she’d painted before, he had the two newest ones: a painting of the White Wolf, and another of the giant tree. Looking at the lifelike artwork, Zhao Wendong saw that she had even considered the unique features of the forest in winter. He gave Wang Lulu a big thumbs-up again and again, which made his mother-in-law beam with delight.

Pulling a sled and accompanied by Xiaojin, Dahuang, Dahei, and Erhei, the four men left the house. The moment the White Fox saw their gear, it knew they were heading into the mountains again. This time, it didn’t hesitate, darting out to follow alongside them. It seemed the fox wanted to go back and visit the mountains, too. Along the way, they ran into commune members carrying things they had gathered the day before, on their way to deliver them to Zhao Wendong’s house. Everyone greeted Zhao Wendong enthusiastically.

Once they were out of the village, Zhao Wenjun patted Zhao Wendong on the shoulder, his voice full of emotion.

"Third Brother, you did a great thing this time. Look how happy everyone in the village is. With everything they gathered yesterday, they’ll have enough extra food for eight or ten days. Plus, every family will be able to eat a little better for the New Year."

Zhao Wendong smiled, a sweet warmth spreading through his heart. It was true that he no longer only thought of himself and was willing to consider others as much as he could. Still, it was always a pleasant feeling when your efforts were met with such a positive response. Who enjoys giving endlessly without seeing any feedback? People aren’t made of stone, after all. Emotional validation is a two-way street.

"This morning, I saw a lot of people going to the beach to try their luck, waiting for the daytime low tide to see if they can keep finding food. A lot of them were saying how grateful they are to you, Brother San."

Zhao Ergou added from the side. The moment Zhao Wenwu heard this, he grew anxious.

"Huh? There’s still more stuff to find? Then what are we doing going into the mountains?"

"There won’t be anything to find."

Zhao Wendong shook his head. In his past life, that great tide had only delivered its bounty once. When everyone waited for the second tide, they only found a few scattered items. The main surge was already over; the goods wouldn’t keep washing ashore for long.