Under the careful guidance of Lao Yuantou, Chen Changyuan gradually mastered the skills of peeling and his movements became more and more skilled.

After peeling off a wolf skin, Chen Changyuan was already sweating profusely.

He looked at the complete and smooth wolf skin in his hand, and his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

The old man nodded with satisfaction, "Yes, the boy is teachable."

Lai Zi was jealous watching from the side. He originally wanted to learn from Lao Yuantou, but Lao Yuantou ignored him and just concentrated on teaching Chen Changyuan.

"Humph, what's so great about that? It's just skinning a wolf. I can do that too!"

Lai Zi was not convinced and secretly observed Chen Changyuan's operations, trying to learn a few tricks.

However, although peeling seems simple, it actually requires certain skills and experience.

Lai Zi's several attempts all ended in failure. Either he scratched the wolf skin, or it was peeled into pits and was in a mess.

He was so angry that he threw the skinning knife on the ground and left cursing.

Chen Changyuan folded the processed wolfskin and put it into a clean sack.

Chen Changyuan thanked Lao Yuantou, carefully folded the three wolf skins and put them into the sack.

As the sun sets, he walks home humming a little tune, carrying a heavy sack on his back.

This trip into the mountains yielded a rich harvest. Not only did he kill six wolves, he also dug up century-old ginseng, which was enough for his family to have a comfortable New Year.

"Mom, I'm back!" Chen Changyuan stepped into the house and shouted into the house.

"Oh, my son, you're finally back. I was so worried!"

A slightly old voice sounded, and Fang Suzhaoxia walked out from the inner room. It was Chen Changyuan's mother Fang Suxia.

Fang Suxia's eyes suddenly turned red when she saw her son looking exhausted. She quickly stepped forward and took the sack from his hand.

"Why are you back so late? Are you hungry? I'll go heat up some food for you."

"Mom, please stop working. I'm not hungry."

Chen Changyuan pulled Fang Suxia closer and said with a mysterious smile, "Guess what I brought back today?"

Fang Suxia looked at her son's smug face and couldn't help but ask curiously:

"What are you trying to be mysterious about, kid? Tell me, what treasure is it?"

Chen Changyuan didn't keep the secret any longer. He put the sack on the ground and untied it. Three complete wolf skins appeared in front of Fang Suxia.

"This... this is..." Fang Suxia was so surprised that she couldn't speak.

"Wolf skin! Mom, I went hunting in the mountains today and killed six wolves!"

Chen Changyuan said proudly.

"Six wolves? Oh my God!"

Fang Suxia exclaimed and hurried forward to examine it carefully. "This wolf skin is really good, complete and thick, it can be sold for a lot of money!"

"Of course, this is the skinning technique I learned from the old hunter in the village, so it's kept intact!"

Chen Changyuan said, patting his chest.

"Mother, just wait and enjoy your life. After I sell the wolf skin, I will buy you new clothes and some delicious food to nourish your body."

Fang Suxia's eyes moistened as she looked at her son's filial piety. She stroked Chen Changyuan's cheek and said with satisfaction:

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you."

Chen Changyuan handed one of the wolf skins to Fang Suxia.

"Mother, please keep this wolf skin. When the weather gets colder, I will make you a new pair of boots to cure your cold legs."

Fang Suxia took the wolf skin, and could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes. She choked and said:

"My son, you are such a good son to me. My life is truly worth it..."

It was late at night and Chen Changyuan was lying in bed, but he couldn't sleep at all.

He tossed and turned, his mind replaying everything that had happened today.

The century-old ginseng exuded an alluring fragrance, as if calling him.

This old ginseng is priceless and must be sold at a good price.

The dinner was much more sumptuous than usual. Fang Suxia used the wild rabbit meat that Chen Changyuan brought back to stew a pot of fragrant mushroom soup, and fried two side dishes. Paired with white rice, the mother and son ate with relish.

"Mom, please eat more. This wild rabbit meat is very nutritious and good for your health."

Chen Changyuan kept putting food into Fang Suxia's bowl. Looking at his mother's thin face, he felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

"Okay, okay, you eat too." Fang Suxia responded with a smile.

After dinner, Chen Changyuan took out the remaining wolf skins and prepared to take them to the town to sell them when daybreak.

Fang Suxia was helping him tidy up, and the mother and son were chatting with each other, and a warm atmosphere filled the small room.

The next morning, Chen Changyuan got up early. He wrapped the three wolf skins and the century-old ginseng in cloth respectively, then quietly went out with a large hemp sack on his back.

The place he was going to was the black market in town. Although there were all kinds of people there, it was well-informed and the prices were much higher than those in ordinary stores.

Chen Changyuan walked along, thinking about his gains this time.

Old ginseng is a rare commodity. If it can be sold at a good price, it will not only improve the family's life, but also save some money.

The black market was located in a dilapidated temple on the east side of the town, and Chen Changyuan walked in familiarly.

As soon as he entered the door, a strong smell of fish and sweat hit his nose, making him frown.

The temple was crowded with people, and various hawking sounds were heard one after another, making it very lively.

Chen Changyuan walked around the market and found many stalls selling wild game, including pheasants, rabbits, wild boars, and even snakes and pangolins, which made him secretly amazed.

He found a relatively secluded corner, put down the sack, and then took out the century-old ginseng from it.

This old ginseng is of excellent quality, with long and plump beards, and emits a faint fragrance. You can tell at first glance that it is a rare treasure.

Just as Chen Changyuan had laid out the old ginseng, a shifty-looking man came over. He looked Chen Changyuan up and down, then asked in a hoarse voice:

"Little brother, how much is this?"

Chen Changyuan looked at the other person calmly. He saw that the man was wearing a tattered cotton jacket and a pair of dirty cloth shoes. It was obvious that he was not a serious person.

"You are an expert, please give me a price."

Chen Changyuan did not give a direct quote, but threw the question back.

The man chuckled, held up two fingers, and said:

"Twenty, how about that?"

When Chen Changyuan heard this, he was immediately happy. This old ginseng was worth at least a hundred yuan. This man actually wanted to get rid of him with only twenty yuan. It was simply wishful thinking.

"Hey, big brother, you're really kidding me! This is a century-old ginseng, and you want to buy it for twenty yuan? Are you treating a beggar like that?"

Chen Changyuan said with a forced smile.

When the man saw that Chen Changyuan was not fooled, his face suddenly darkened and he said viciously:

"Kid, don't be ungrateful. I paid twenty dollars for your things, which is already a great honor for you. Don't be ungrateful!"

"Oh, I'm so scared!"

Chen Changyuan patted his chest in pretended fear, then his face changed and he said coldly.

"I'm going to make this clear today: if you pay less than a hundred yuan for this old ginseng, I'm out of luck!"