Zhuang Zhiwu found the food quite good. "These dishes are all very well made and delicious."
"Hehe, of course, don't you even know who did it?"
Zhuang Zhimeng was very happy to hear her brother's praise, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
Zhuang Zhiwu didn't want to see her smug and said, "I heard you went into the river to save someone. You've got a good idea! Have you thought about what would happen to our parents, me, my older brother, and my younger brother if something happened to you?"
"You're our only girl. If something happens to you, we'll be heartbroken."
"Alright, Second Brother, I understand! I definitely won't act impulsively again. Besides, with Brother Qingbai around, he won't let anything happen to me, right, Brother Qingbai?"
"Yes, I definitely won't let anything happen to Zhimeng. If something happens to me, nothing can happen to her!"
Zhuang Zhiwu let her go once he saw that she really knew. Besides, he felt more at ease with An Qingbai around.
After finishing their meal, Su Mengmeng and Jiang Yanxia left on their own initiative.
Zhuang Zhiwu pulled An Qingbai aside for a chat, discussing An Qingbai's future plans and how he intended to provide Zhuang Zhimeng with a comfortable life.
Zhuang Zhimeng went to tidy up the guest rooms.
She has three rooms for living. One has been converted into a storage room, and the other has been kept as a guest room, just so that anyone who comes can rest there. And now it's in use.
After making the kang (heated brick bed) for Zhuang Zhiwu, Zhuang Zhimeng brewed a pot of honey water and invited Zhuang Zhiwu and An Qingbai to come and drink it.
They laid out snacks, wild fruits, chestnuts, and pastries sent from home.
"You seem to be living a pretty comfortable life?"
"That's right!"
"Qingbai, don't spoil her too much, or she'll become too rotten!"
"I am willing to spoil her and spoil her for the rest of my life."
"Heh...heh...heh! You're envious, aren't you, you stinky second brother!"
Zhuang Zhiwu placed his hand on Zhuang Zhimeng's head and ruffled it, messing up her hairstyle. He said affectionately, "You!"
Zhuang Zhimeng slapped away the large hand that was messing up her hair: "You brat! Let go of me, you've ruined my hairstyle!"
An Qingbai watched Zhuang Zhimeng and her brother laughing and joking, and couldn't help but feel a little envious. When he was a child, his older brothers would never play like this with him.
The three chatted and joked around until it was very late before they each went home to rest.
The next day was the annual autumn hunt of the Anyang Brigade, which was organized every year before winter.
An Qingbai is still on the list this year because he is capable and is always included in every hunt.
When Zhuang Zhiwu heard that the village was going hunting, he volunteered to go along.
When the battalion commander learned that it was Zhuang Zhimeng's second brother, and that he was a soldier, he agreed without hesitation.
The hunter leading the hunt was an old hunter from the village, whom everyone called Old Man An because he was highly respected in the village.
The village selected 12 strong young men, and Old Man An led the group on their journey.
When they set off, the whole village came to see them off, and Zhuang Zhimeng was among them.
Zhuang Zhimeng packed some flatbread for An Qingbai to share with his second brother. The flatbread contained vegetable leaves and pork strips, and it was very filling.
An Qingbai told her not to worry, she would be back in less than ten days.
Each hunt lasts for 7 days. If the harvest is not good, the hunt will be extended for a few more days, but no more than 10 days, since the mountains are still dangerous.
Upon arriving in the mountains, they spotted a roe deer. An Qingbai picked up a stone and threw it at the deer, hitting it.
Er Lengzi, a simpleton from the village, picked up the roe deer and exclaimed, "This is a great start! We've already got prey on our first day here!"
Then we went further in and saw a group of goats, at least five or six of them.
Old Man Ann devised a hunting plan to try and catch all the sheep.
"Qingbai will deal with the lead sheep, Zhuang Zhiwu will be in charge of flanking from behind, and the rest of you will provide support from the sides. Let's move out!"
At Old Man An's command, everyone sprang into action.
"Baa! Baa!"
The flock of sheep suddenly stirred. An Qingbai spotted the lead sheep! He picked up his hunting rifle and fired at the lead sheep, hitting it and sending it crashing to the ground.
The others rushed forward to catch the other sheep. In the end, two escaped, and three were caught. Including the lead sheep, a total of four sheep were hunted.
"Thanks to Qingbai, our harvest was pretty good. We can report back with this."
"Let's rest here today and head further in tomorrow," Old Man An said to everyone.
Even though we've only found two groups of prey, it's almost dark.
Everyone took out their own food, ate dinner, and rested quickly. They also had to take turns on guard duty at night, in case they encountered large wild animals, and it was essential to ensure that someone was alert at all times.
Everyone was envious of the flatbread that An Qingbai took out, which even had meat inside.
"This was specially made for us by Zhimeng!" she said, not forgetting to share the cakes with Zhuang Zhiwu.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
