I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

"Don’t worry, Uncle Weiguo. I’ll definitely kill that beast."

"Sigh... I’m not worried about that. I’m just a little worried about Xiaoyan."

"Xiaoyan? What’s wrong with her?"

After getting together with Lin Zhiyin, Zhao Wendong had been subconsciously avoiding Zhao Xiaoyan, so he truly had no idea what was wrong with her.

"It’s nothing serious. It’s just that the girl has completely lost her appetite. She’s dead set on moving to the city—either she wants to marry into a family from the county town or become a factory worker. But none of that is easy to achieve!"

Seeing Zhao Weiguo’s worried expression made Zhao Wendong feel uneasy. He hadn’t led Zhao Xiaoyan on, but he suspected it was because of him that she was so desperate to move to the city. ’Maybe she wants to prove she isn’t a failure, or perhaps she just wants a change of scenery.’

"Uncle Weiguo, let me help you figure something out."

"Really?"

Zhao Weiguo was overjoyed. He had brought it up casually when Zhao Wendong asked, but he’d had an ulterior motive. Zhao Wendong was on very good terms with the county leaders; if he were willing to help, Zhao Xiaoyan might actually have a chance to move to the city. He felt awkward for scheming like this, but he’d said it anyway.

The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Wendong agreed without the slightest hesitation, which deeply moved Zhao Weiguo. In truth, Zhao Wendong knew his uncle wanted his help but was too embarrassed to ask directly, hence the roundabout suggestion. He could have pretended not to understand or simply ignored it, but Zhao Weiguo had always been a staunch supporter. This was a favor he was happy to grant.

The horse-drawn cart made its way back to Dragon King Pond. Seeing Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying standing at the village entrance, Zhao Wendong and Zhao Wenwu quickened their pace, each going to meet his partner.

"What are you doing waiting out here in the cold!"

Zhao Wendong’s words were a complaint, but as he looked at Lin Zhiyin, whose eyebrows were white with frost, his heart swelled with warmth.

"I’m fine. I just missed you!"

Lin Zhiyin’s simple words washed away all of Zhao Wendong’s fatigue. He smiled at her, and though he said nothing, his smile said everything.

The cart made its way to Third Master Zhao’s house. Zhao Wendong pointed to the two wolves and announced to the crowd.

"Everyone who went up the mountain today, we’ll divide these two wolves before you go."

The militiamen were stunned for a moment, then burst into cheers. They truly hadn’t expected to get a share of the wolves. Although they had all fired wildly at the time, the bullet holes on the carcasses didn’t look like they had come from the guns they were carrying.

Once the wolves were divided up, the two coffins were placed in the courtyard. Third Master Zhao gave Guan Yongguang white cloth sashes to tie around his waist and prepared some joss paper for him to use during the nightly vigil. Seeing that everything was being handled in an orderly fashion, Zhao Wendong and the others didn’t linger, leaving them to mourn in peace.

Back home, after taking off their coats and washing their faces, a lavish dinner was waiting for the four of them. Er Gouzi wasn’t the only guest; Zhang Yufen and Sanwazi were there too. Sanwazi was bent over, playing with Shitou and petting the tiger cub. Zhuangzhuang, who had been drinking pig’s milk for the past two days, was visibly more energetic. Looking strong and sturdy, he was playfully roughhousing with Shitou and the other boy.

During dinner, Zhao Wendong noticed Zhang Yufen kept looking at him, her mind clearly not on her food. He smiled and said,

"Aunt Yufen, tomorrow we’ll be taking care of Third Uncle’s arrangements with Third Master. We won’t linger. We’ll go straight to the county town to handle things for Er Gouzi. My second brother and I also need to go shopping for our weddings and see what else we need to pick up. Don’t worry, we’ll get that future daughter-in-law of yours locked down tomorrow. It’s a sure thing!"

"Okay, we’ll do whatever you arrange, Dongzi. With your Third Uncle gone... I’m just a crippled woman raising these two alone. A few days ago, when I was burning up with fever on the kang, I thought it was all over for the three of us. In my delirium, I could even see your Third Uncle coming to take us with him... Dongzi, this aunt thanks you."

Zhang Yufen couldn’t continue, her words catching in her throat as she began to sob. Chen Yanmei quickly patted her back.

"Er Gouzi’s mother, what are you saying thank you for? It makes us sound like strangers. They’re all brothers, so it’s only right that they help each other out."

"Mm-hmm!"

Zhang Yufen nodded happily. Her leg might be bad, but her mind was sharp. ’These days, even blood brothers often look out only for themselves, let alone cousins.’ Zhao Wendong helping them was a testament to his righteous character, and she knew she couldn’t take it for granted. She took a large mouthful of rice, swallowing it down with her tears, and silently committed the kindness of Zhao Wendong’s family to her heart.

"Third Uncle, is Uncle Er Gou’s wife pretty?"

"She’s pretty."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shitou’s heart sank even further. ’How come all the pretty girls are getting snatched up by all these uncles? What am I going to do if there are no pretty wives left for me?’

"Oh, right. Secretary Yang sent word that everything is arranged."

Remembering something, Lin Zhiyin quickly reminded Zhao Wendong. He nodded. ’It goes without saying that Niu Yuesheng would come help if I just asked,’ he thought, ’let alone with Yang Wenxue stepping in. But with Yang Wenxue involved, it’s all official business, which gives us a legitimate reason. I can’t keep making Niu Yuesheng run around for my personal matters.’

What Zhao Wendong didn’t know was that Captain Jiao of the transport team had already told Niu Yuesheng that if he, Zhao Wendong, ever needed a vehicle, Niu Yuesheng had blanket permission to arrange it. This wasn’t just because Zhao Wendong had helped them recover both Niu Yuesheng and the vehicle, but also because of Zhao Wendong’s current status and his good relationship with county officials like Secretary Jiang.

"By the way, Auntie, I was hoping you could help me draw a white wolf. What would you need?"

"A pen and paper. Paint would be even better."

Wang Lulu thought for a moment before listing the items. Zhao Wendong nodded, making a note of each one, and planned to buy them all during his trip to the county town tomorrow.