I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Lin Zhiyin and the others had also traded for some pine nuts, hazelnuts, and hickory nuts, which they figured were raided from a squirrel’s nest. Chen Yanmei and her group had gotten some blocks of soybean paste and a small bag of dried wild chili peppers. Zhao Wendong was thrilled. With these treasures, he could spice up the family’s meals for the New Year.

The crowd at the market was thinning out, clearly smaller than it had been at the start. Many people who had found what they were looking for were already heading home. Zhao Wendong pulled out his pocket watch to check the time—it was already past one in the afternoon. According to Yang Wenxue’s schedule, they had to start packing up at two. His family had bartered for so many goods that, counting the pigs and chickens from the farm, their grain reserves were more than halfway depleted. A sudden sense of urgency washed over Zhao Wendong. ’This isn’t good. I have to get more grain.’

As people passed by, many would stop to say goodbye to Little Tuanzi. Like a little greeter, Little Tuanzi waved her tiny hands and chirped "Bye-bye!" in her sweet, childish voice, wishing everyone a happy New Year. She did her best to spread joy and smiles to every person she saw, so much so that her throat grew a little hoarse. Feeling sorry for her, Liangzi’s Mother went inside and brought back some warm water for her to soothe her throat.

Zhao Wendong, however, fell silent. He gazed out at the world, tightly wrapped in a blanket of ice and snow, and knew that hardship, sorrow, and despair could not be so easily buried. Like the snow itself, they were deeply rooted in this land, rooted in the heart of every person. True, happy smiles would only appear when spring came, when hope arrived—in those years when people no longer had to struggle for a bite to eat, no longer had to suffer through disastrous famines, when the problem of basic survival was finally solved. But such days were still many years away. He was growing impatient. He wanted that future to arrive sooner, at least for the land that had birthed and raised him.

A figure in a brightly patterned, cotton-padded jacket suddenly appeared before Zhao Wendong. It was Big Sister Hua, as eye-catching as ever. She turned more heads than even Zhao Wendong in his officer-style woolen overcoat.

"Brother Dongzi, Old Zheng heard you were here and had me come ask you something."

Big Sister Hua covered her mouth with a giggle before continuing in a coquettish tone.

"Have you forgotten all about your old buddy? He’s at work and can’t come, but you haven’t even stopped by the purchasing station to see him."

Zhao Wendong burst out laughing.

"Alright, sis-in-law. I’ll swing by to check on him in a bit."

"Pah! Who’s your sis-in-law?"

Big Sister Hua scoffed playfully and walked off, swaying her hips.

"Shameless hussy!"

The women muttered in unison, watching her retreating figure. The moment the words left Lin Zhiyin’s mouth, her hand found its way to Zhao Wendong’s waist. Nearby, Zhao Wenwu’s ear was already being twisted by Jin Xiuying.

"Zhao Wenwu, what are you looking at?"

"Honey, did you see how nicely she sways her hips? Why don’t you try swaying like that?"

Even with his ear in her grasp, Zhao Wenwu was still dead serious with his suggestion. The next second, he felt Jin Xiuying’s wrath.

"Ow, ow, it hurts! Honey, let go!"

Zhao Wendong was still gloating over his brother’s misfortune when a sharp pain flared at his own waist. Lin Zhiyin leaned in close, her eyes narrowed with a dangerous light.

"And what were *you* looking at?"

"I... I was just thinking her jacket looks nice. I want to have one made for you, honey."

"Pah! As if I’d want that!"

Lin Zhiyin said with immediate disgust, but she loosened her grip. Clearly, she was pleased that Zhao Wendong had been thinking of her.

Chen Yanmei and Wang Lulu chuckled as they watched the young couples bicker playfully, making no move to intervene. They actually thought it was quite nice. Lin Huaimin especially loved to see the younger generation laugh and horse around like this; it gave him a unique sense of satisfaction.

"Well, well, Dongzi! I just heard about your impressive show of force. It’s a real shame, you know. I could have been your brother-in-law. Tell me, why did your uncle and aunt suddenly change their minds? How about you help your big bro out and put in another good word with them for me?"

A limping man driving a donkey cart was passing by, and upon seeing Zhao Wendong, he hopped down to greet him. Hearing his words, Zhao Wendong shot him a cold look. This was Limp Zhou. In his past life, this man had married his cousin, Zhao Pandi, and had beaten her so badly that she jumped into a river. Despite being ugly and lame, the guy was a truly skilled tofu maker. His tofu workshop was a pillar of their production team’s economy, and the donkey cart was at his constant disposal, practically his private vehicle.

"If you’ve got a fucking death wish, I’d be happy to help you out. If not, stay the hell away from me from now on. The next time you show your face, I’ll cripple your other leg!"

Hearing the hostility in Zhao Wendong’s voice, Zhao Wenwu shot to his feet, ready to fight Limp Zhou. With a yelp of terror, Limp Zhou scrambled back onto his donkey cart and whipped the animal into a hasty retreat.

"Fucking piece of shit. He ought to take a piss and look at his own damn reflection. And he still dreams of being my brother-in-law? Pandi is so beautiful; how could she ever be matched with him?"

After letting out a vicious curse, Zhao Wendong’s eyes fell upon Guan Yongguang, who was standing nearby. A new thought suddenly struck him. ’This kid’s good-looking and has a decent personality. He’s about the same age as Pandi, too. As for his family being poor... well, I can just give them a helping hand down the road, can’t I?’

"Big Brother, is something wrong?"

Guan Yongguang had keenly noticed Zhao Wendong’s gaze and immediately stepped closer to ask.

"It’s nothing. From now on, don’t call me ’Big Brother.’ I’m the third oldest in my family, so just call me Brother San."

"Okay, Brother San."

Guan Yongguang readily complied.

They waited a little longer. As soon as it was two o’clock, Li Dawei and his men started going around, telling everyone to pack up their stalls and clear out. Little Tuanzi remembered what Zhao Wendong had told her and pulled him along to trade for a number of useful household items that other people hadn’t managed to exchange.

There was quite a bit of stuff, so they simply left it all at Liangzi’s house. Later, Yang Wenxue would be arranging for a horse cart from the Commune to deliver the pigs and chickens to Zhao Wendong, so they could just send all the bartered goods back with it. He also needed to go home and fetch the grain he had promised the Commune.

Zhao Wendong led the militia members back to the Commune, telling his family to find Liangzi at the supply and marketing co-op and buy what they needed. The top priority was two jars of good liquor that Zhao Wendong specifically wanted for soaking ginseng; those were a must-buy. They also needed firecrackers, red paper, and other similar items. Zhao Wendong left all the shopping in his family’s hands.

When the large group returned to the Commune headquarters, Zhao Wendong had the militiamen go inside to warm up, drink some hot water, and rest. He then returned the red armband to Li Dawei, officially completing his mission. As for himself, he headed straight for Yang Wenxue’s office.

"Comrade Wendong, you’re here!"

The moment Yang Wenxue saw Zhao Wendong, he stood up warmly, took his arm, and lowered his voice.

"I’ve already called the old secretary. He praised you for teaching that lesson so well and said he’ll give Tao Dongdong a severe scolding when he gets back. Oh, right. The old secretary also asked me to formally apologize to you on his behalf. He said he failed to raise his son properly. He also said that the next time you’re in the county, you absolutely must visit his home. He’s going to make Tao Dongdong apologize to you face-to-face."

Zhao Wendong smiled and waved his hands dismissively.

"I couldn’t possibly accept that. It’s already a testament to the old secretary’s noble character that he doesn’t blame me. How could I dare have him apologize to me?"

Yang Wenxue thought to himself, ’The old secretary is probably just afraid his family will end up like the Li Guangmings. Besides, he’s already taken a backseat, and everyone knows the new secretary, Jiang Weimin, is as close with Zhao Wendong as a brother. The old secretary’s decision is, as expected of my former leader, a very wise one. It’s just a shame he spoiled his youngest son, Tao Dongdong, so much. Hopefully, after the dressing-down Zhao Wendong gave him, he’ll finally learn his lesson. Seeing how terrified he looked when he left, Zhao Wendong will likely be a shadow that hangs over him for the rest of his life.’