Chapter 246 - 202: Molding
"Brother San!"
"Yeah, you’re here. Hurry and eat."
Zhao Wendong motioned for Er Gouzi to join them at the table. When Zhao Dashan saw Er Gouzi, he was reminded of the young man’s marriage prospects and nudged Zhao Wendong’s thigh with the worn-out broom head from the kang.
"Youngest son, when are you going to propose the marriage for Er Gouzi?"
"Let’s do it tomorrow. My friend is coming with his vehicle to help out anyway. I’ll take some gifts, go back with him, and settle the matter."
Hearing this, Zhao Ergou suddenly grew restless. No matter how mature he was for his age, he was still just a boy who had recently come of age.
"Er Gouzi’s getting a wife!"
Zhao Wenwu shouted happily. Little Tuanzi’s eyes lit up at his words. She looked at Zhao Ergou with her big, adorable eyes, then clasped her little hands together and shook them a few times in a baby voice.
"Congrats, Bwother Er Gou."
"Aww, my little sister is the best!"
Zhao Wendong couldn’t take it anymore; Little Tuanzi was just too cute. He dropped his chopsticks, forgetting all about his meal, and swept the little girl into his arms, doting on her endlessly. Little Tuanzi wrapped her small hands around Zhao Wendong’s neck, giggling happily in his embrace.
Beside them, Shitou was getting antsy. He shoveled two mouthfuls of rice, raised his head, and was about to say something when he met his mother’s menacing glare. He immediately lowered his head again, but he didn’t give up in his heart. ’Seeing everyone in the family getting married one by one, I have to hurry up,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, all the pretty girls will be taken.’
Just as they finished eating, voices could be heard outside. Zhao Wendong and the others quickly put on their clothes, expertly shouldered their gear, and led Gouzi and Xiaojin out of the house. Seeing that Zhao Wendong’s group was heading into the mountains again, the white fox, Xiaobai, hesitated for a long while. Its gaze flickered over to the chickens a few times before it finally decided to stay home and not follow them up the mountain.
"Captain!"
Seeing Zhao Wendong emerge, many of them called out. Zhao Wendong glanced over and saw Zhao Weiguo with a group of militiamen—a full seven or eight of them—along with Third Master Zhao and Guan Yongguang. Zhao Wendong greeted everyone in turn, his eyes finally landing on Third Master Zhao.
"Whoa, old man, you’re really going all out, aren’t you? Putting on such a big show."
"That’s none of your business. Just bring my people back. You don’t need to worry about the rest."
Third Master Zhao had a look of feigned arrogance, and Zhao Wendong chuckled.
"My, my, listen to you. All right, we’ll do it your way!"
After speaking, he turned to Guan Yongguang, whose eyes were red and swollen, and patted him kindly on the shoulder.
"Before, I was just helping a stranger in need. Now it seems we were truly brought together by fate. I didn’t expect your family to be connected to my Third Master’s. From now on, I’m your big brother. If you need anything, just tell me, you hear?"
"Yeah, I know, Brother San."
Guan Yongguang’s heart was a swirl of complicated emotions. He never imagined that in his family’s darkest hour, heaven would send him a ray of hope. The appearance of Zhao Wendong and Third Master Zhao seemed to clear the fog from his aimless life, allowing him to see the path forward once again.
"Alright, let’s go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back."
Zhao Wendong first arranged for someone to go to the Commune to find Yang Wenxue and give him a written note. Then, his gaze swept over the two stretchers and worn-out quilts held by the militiamen. He waved his hand, nodded to Zhao Weiguo and Third Master Zhao, and set off immediately. After they were a good distance away, Zhao Weiguo looked at Third Master Zhao and tried to persuade him.
"Third Uncle, I can take the men with the horse-cart. You don’t have to go!"
"No. I have to go."
Third Master Zhao’s expression was stubborn and left no room for argument.
"Fine, go if you must, but what about the money for your two coffins? You’ve worked hard to save that for years! Didn’t you say that when you get old, one set is for you and the other for Aunt Liu?"
"I don’t care anymore! We’re not dead yet, are we? We’ll worry about it when we’re dead. And if I can’t save up enough again, don’t I still have you? If you’re no good, don’t I still have Dongzi?"
Zhao Weiguo nodded at his words.
"Hm, that’s true. I’m definitely not good enough, but with Dongzi around, you can die in peace... Ouch! Third Uncle, I was wrong! Stop hitting me! That’s not what I meant!"
On the road, Zhao Wendong let the dogs, Gouzi, run free. This trip into the mountains was just for business—they would pick up the people and come straight back without staying overnight or hunting. There was no need for the dogs to conserve their energy. Xiaojin had also been cooped up for days. The moment they left the village, it began flapping its wings restlessly, signaling to Zhao Wendong, who let it fly free as well.
"Captain, that’s so badass!"
One of the militiamen couldn’t help but cheer. An eagle soared in the sky while hounds ran on the ground. Combined with all his recent experiences, Zhao Wendong himself could feel a change in his own demeanor. He was different from before—and even different from when he had first been reborn—in how he interacted with people and handled matters. He didn’t know if this change was for the better or worse, but he chose to follow his heart.
"Sorry to trouble you, Brother San!"
Guan Yongguang walked beside him, deeply moved as he watched the large group of people accompanying him into the mountains.
"Don’t say that anymore. I don’t like to hear it."
"Mm. Okay."
Seeing the serious expression on Zhao Wendong’s face, Guan Yongguang quickly nodded in promise. Zhao Wendong’s ability to rally a crowd at the market yesterday, along with his commanding presence, had been deeply etched into Guan Yongguang’s young mind. It was safe to say the boy already saw Zhao Wendong as his idol.
"Yongguang, what do you want to do in the future?"
"Me? Find food. Keep my younger brother and sister alive, and my uncle’s kids too."
"I forgot to ask, who else is in your family and your uncle’s family?"
Guan Yongguang did a quick mental calculation before speaking slowly.
"My mom died of a lung disease, and my dad is gone too. In my immediate family, it’s just me, my younger brother, and my younger sister. My uncle’s family has two older sisters—one is already married—plus a younger brother and a younger sister. My aunt is at home taking care of them."