Xing Zhaozhao's father was a very skilled hunter. From a very young age, he often took her and her brother into the mountains to hunt. This continued until she got married and joined the army, after which she went less often.
She was always familiar with the mountains and forests, so she wasn't afraid at all when she brought Hongyu into the mountains this time. She went straight into the depths of the mountains and forests, knowing the way like the back of her hand.
Compared to the already well-explored outer areas of the mountains and forests, there is indeed more to discover deeper within them.
You can pick up the pine cones that have fallen all over the ground. You can also find wild mushrooms that are still growing tenaciously in some dark and damp tree roots, but they are hard to find and there are not many of them.
It was rare to find a wild hawthorn tree still bearing fruit; once the season is over, the taste of the fruit is greatly diminished.
They did find a chestnut tree and picked a basket of chestnuts, which could be considered a small success.
Children's promises should not be taken lightly.
Before we left, I promised that I would stay close to my mom and not run around.
As a result, Xing Zhaozhao only spent a short time picking chestnuts from the tree. When she came down, the little guy who had been squatting under the tree picking up the fallen chestnuts was nowhere to be seen.
Xing Zhaozhao was immediately terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.
“Little Feather?” she called out.
No one agreed.
"Gao Hongyu?" She was angry, but even more frightened, tears welling up in her eyes.
Finally, from the bushes nearby came the little one's weak voice: "Mommy, I'm here."
Forgetting even to grab her basket, Xing Zhaozhao ran wildly toward the direction from which the sound came.
Hongyu emerged from the bushes, leaves still clinging to his forehead, and waved to Xing Zhaozhao with a smile: "Mom..."
Xing Zhaozhao, her face dark, went over and grabbed the person, lifting them up and pressing them against her lap, slapping their buttocks several times: "Didn't we agree not to run around when we came out? Did you scare me to death?"
When the little guy got off Xing Zhaozhao's lap, he pouted and looked at Xing Zhaozhao pitifully, his eyes filled with tears.
Xing Zhaozhao said sternly, "If you dare to cry, don't even think about bringing you back next time."
That's what they say, but there definitely won't be a next time.
However, Xiao Hongyu believed it and forced back all her tears.
"I'm sorry, Mom," he apologized to Xing Zhaozhao.
"Hmph." Xing Zhaozhao refused to accept it.
"I'll take you somewhere, so don't be angry with me anymore, okay?" Hongyu tugged at Xing Zhaozhao's sleeve.
"Hmph." Xing Zhaozhao remained noncommittal.
Hongyu took it as a yes and pulled Xing Zhaozhao along, saying, "Mom, come here, look what I found."
Xing Zhaozhao was still angry, but driven by curiosity, she followed them.
After passing through the woods and crawling through a low cave, a wave of heat suddenly hit us.
Xing Zhaozhao was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
There are hot springs here!
Because of its secluded location and suitable temperature, Xing Zhaozhao not only discovered a large patch of wild mushrooms and a clump of wild raspberries, but also found a wild hawthorn tree with fruit hanging on its branches, and even saw a wild beehive on a tree branch.
We've found the treasure!
Xing Zhaozhao immediately turned and ran outside: "I'll go get the basket, you stay here and wait for me."
Hongyu smiled smugly and nodded: "Oh."
Xing Zhaozhao suddenly stopped and looked at him warningly: "Don't think that this will make up for the mistakes you made before. When we get home, I'll deal with you again."
Hongyu's smile froze instantly, and her face fell.
He's so pitiful.
By the time Xing Zhaozhao brought Hongyu home, it was already dusk.
Hongfei waited anxiously at the door, worried that something might have happened to them in the mountains, and hesitated whether to go down the mountain to find Aunt Hao.
"elder brother."
Just then, Hongyu's cry suddenly came from afar on the mountain.
Immediately afterwards, he saw two figures, one large and one small, emerge from the woods.
He immediately ran over happily: "Mommy, little feather..."
As they got closer, they saw the two of them. Besides the basket on her back, Xing Zhaozhao was carrying a huge bundle in one hand and a wild pheasant with its wings tied in the other. Hong Yu was carrying a wild rabbit in one hand, and they were both alive. Hong Fei was stunned: "How come you have so much stuff?"
Hongyu said smugly, "I found it. It's a huge hot spring, and there are treasures all around it."
Xing Zhaozhao watched coldly from the side, coughing twice: "Ahem."
Hongyu's face fell instantly. He hung his head and went home. He put down his basket and the wild rabbit whose legs were now tied, stood in the corner, and reflected on his actions.
Hongfei followed in and, seeing this, asked curiously, "What's wrong? What's going on?"
Xing Zhaozhao followed at the back, gave Hongyu a cold look, and said, "When we went out, we agreed that you weren't allowed to run around, but when we got there, you couldn't control your legs and almost scared me to death."
Seeing his younger brother's pitiful appearance, Hongfei felt sorry for him, but he also agreed with Xing Zhaozhao's actions: "She deserved it."
Hongyu: "!!"
The fake brotherhood has broken down.
Hongfei and Xing Zhaozhao packed up everything they had gathered in the mountains that day. Seeing the wild berries, Hongfei asked, "These berries probably won't keep. Are you planning to go back there tomorrow, Mom?"
Xing Zhaozhao thought for a moment and said, "The weather is cold now, so these fruits should last for another two days. I plan to go down the mountain tomorrow to find Aunt Hao and exchange them for some of her dried wild mushrooms and wild vegetables. I'll take them with me to sell the day after tomorrow."
As she spoke, she turned to Hongfei and said, "Tomorrow, you and Xiao Hongling will come down the mountain with me to visit your Grandma Hao."
Hongfei nodded happily and agreed, "Okay."
Hongyu, who was still standing in the corner reflecting on his mistakes, had his ears perked up. Hearing this, he turned his head to look over eagerly. Although he didn't say anything, his impatient eyes clearly screamed: I want to go too! I want to go too!
However, this time, Xing Zhaozhao was determined to teach him a lesson. She turned her head and glared at him, saying, "Just leave that disobedient little brat at home to guard the house. We'll talk about it when he becomes obedient."
Hong Yu immediately deflated.
The next morning, after breakfast, Xing Zhaozhao took Xiao Hongling and Hongfei and went down the mountain.
Before leaving, Hongyu kept looking at them longingly, wanting to come along, but Xing Zhaozhao didn't soften her heart and insisted on keeping him at home, hoping that this time he would truly learn his lesson.
When he left, Hongfei was carrying a basket on his back.
Xing Zhaozhao put ten catties of rice in it, intending to use it to exchange with Aunt Hao for dried mushrooms and dried wild vegetables. She also put a handful of wild raspberries in, for Aunt Hao's grandson, Xiao Qiangzi, to try.
When they arrived at Aunt Hao's house, they ran into Granny Gao from next door, who had just finished washing clothes by the river. When she saw Xing Zhaozhao, her face immediately fell, she snorted coldly, and quickly went into the house, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
"..." Xing Zhaozhao couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Who are you trying to impress? Do you really think she cares?
"Knock knock" opened Aunt Hao's door.
Aunt Hao was overjoyed to see Xing Zhaozhao arrive with her two children: "Oh, what brings you here today?"
Xing Zhaozhao smiled and said, "Of course I need your help, Auntie."
"That's great, you know to ask me for help. Come in quickly." Aunt Hao smiled and welcomed them in.
As soon as Xing Zhaozhao entered, she saw an unfamiliar man in the Hao family's courtyard helping Uncle Hao, who was doing carpentry work.
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