Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 251

When Zhao Da'e arrived at the old house, Zhao Tiegang actually did his job and went to Zhao Da'e's aunt Zhao Chunni's house.

Zhao Da'e felt slightly gratified: Zhao Laosan had finally done something decent in his life.

With nothing to do, Zhao Da'e would wander around the village... commonly known as a street urchin.

As they were strolling around, they saw Zhao Tingming leading the three Sima brothers, along with four or five villagers, heading up the mountain to hunt wolves.

Zhao Tiesheng, Zhao Da'e's father, is also inside...

Looking at this group of people, Zhao Da'e was a little confused. So, as they passed by, he asked, "Grandpa, are you going to fight the 'laidai'?"

Zhao Tingming nodded and said, "Yes..."

Why are there so many people?

"Many hands make light work..."

“Laidai is very clever. With so many of you, if you make a big fuss, Laidai will run away from several miles away. What’s the point of fighting then?” Zhao Da’e asked in confusion.

Zhao Tingming coughed twice, then lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Well, it's nothing special. As long as we drive that Laidai away, that's fine. As long as nothing happens in our village, we'll have peace and tranquility. If we can kill him, that's naturally the best. If we can't kill him, it's best if nothing happens to him, right? Anyway, the most important thing is that nothing bad happens to anyone, right?"

After thinking about it, Zhao Dage also felt that there was some merit to Zhao Tingming's twisted logic.

Zhao Tingming's attitude was naturally that killing the wolf and bringing peace to the surrounding area would be the best outcome. If the wolf escaped and there were no more wolves near Dongtaizi Village, that would be even better. After all, he was just the village head and couldn't control other villages; if the wolf went somewhere else, it wouldn't concern Zhao Tingming.

Zhao Tingming only guaranteed that nothing else would happen in Dongtaizi Village, and that was considered his mission accomplished. As for anything else, he didn't think much about it.

"Hey goose, do you want to go play for a while?" Zhao Tingming asked.

Anyway, Zhao Tingming felt that this wolf-hunting trip, with more than a dozen people and three "masters of the martial arts world," was bound to be foolproof. It didn't matter if Zhao Da'e came along; it would just be a group of people taking a stroll in the mountains, breathing in the unique cold air of Northeast China, and taking in some of the sandstorms brought by the northwest winds...

Zhao Da'e thought it was nothing serious, so he asked, "Is lunch provided...?"

"Meals are provided..."

"okay."

Zhao Da'e chuckled, feeling satisfied to have gotten another meal.

Although Zhao Da'e lived at her aunt's house, she felt a little embarrassed to just hang out there eating and drinking every day. Zhao Da'e tried to bring her own food or buy some herself, which made things much better.

It's said that prolonged illness tests filial piety, and while Auntie is a very kind person, and Zhao Da'e is just a child, so food and drink are no problem for him. However, it's always good to reciprocate. But because Zhao Da'e's mother hasn't returned, and even if she did, there's no place for her to stay, Zhao Da'e is forced to live with Auntie.

She was also thinking about saving money to build a house as soon as possible, and trying to make a living whenever possible.

Zhao Tingming's family was fairly well-off, and Zhao Da'e often freeloaded off them. Moreover, Zhao Da'e didn't feel too guilty going to Zhao Tingming's place. In any case, as long as Zhao Da'e mentioned that he also had the surname Zhao, he could confidently get by. As for the favors he would make later, that would be the responsibility of Zhao Tiesheng and Zhao Tingxu.

Zhao Tiesheng isn't much of a good person. If he doesn't cause trouble for his father, why would he cause trouble for his mother's relatives?

cut……

So Zhao Da'e and Zhao Tingming and the others strolled up the mountain.

Besides Zhao Tingming, Zhao Tiesheng, and the three Sima brothers, the group also included several "outstanding teenagers and outstanding middle-aged men" from the village who chased rabbits... Zhao Yongdong, Zhao Yonghui, Zhao Tieqing, and Zhao Tiechang.

As the saying goes, everyone has their own expertise, and these guys are experts at hunting in the mountains. They can even chase a rabbit to death.

The most impressive of them all is Zhao Yongdong. This kid inherited his mother Sun Xiaoxia's incredible stamina. He's quite thin, but he can run incredibly fast.

An ordinary person would be exhausted after walking ten or twenty miles, but Zhao Yongdong can run ten or twenty miles...

Zhao Yongdong is only fifteen or sixteen years old this year. He hasn't grown up much yet, with a small nose and face. He wears a pair of small work shoes and doesn't seem to care about the cold.

Zhao Yongdong's most impressive feat was once walking over thirty miles to chase a rabbit from Dongtaizi Village to Laoye Temple Town, and then to Caochang Town, until the rabbit was exhausted to death, its lungs practically bursting... In short, the rabbit died a horrible death, literally exploding on the spot.

Some people say Zhao Yongdong is a bit of a jerk...

Zhao Da'e also thought he was crazy. This guy was really crazy. Running dozens of miles just to chase a rabbit, wouldn't that be enough to cover his food expenses?

They caught the rabbit, but it wasn't even enough for one meal for their family. They ended up having to give them several bowls of rice as a bonus.

However, Zhao Yongdong became famous overnight and became the most handsome guy in the village.

Known in the martial arts world as "Chasing the Dead Rabbit".

The other one is Zhao Yongdong's father, Zhao Tieqing, who is also Zhao Da'e's other second uncle.

As for the other two, Zhao Dage was not very familiar with them; he could only say he knew them, but was extremely unfamiliar with them.

One is Zhao Yonghui, whose slingshot skills are unparalleled; that bastard…

Zhao Da'e thought Zhao Yonghui was completely useless, so he not only didn't know him well, but also disliked him intensely. Zhao Yonghui spent his free time using a slingshot to shoot pigeons, doves, sparrows, cuckoos, and the like.

Zhao Yonghui hunts this thing just to eat it, but the problem is that Zhao Da'e really dislikes it.

Putting aside the fact that these things are wild and covered in bacteria, let's talk about sparrows—locally called house sparrows.

Does this thing have meat?

Shooting sparrows is a menace to people.

Zhao Da'e is not an extremely special case; she is quite a saintly person who believes that all living things have a spirit and that one should not kill living beings.

Zhao Da'e, this saintly woman, isn't the traditional kind; she simply doesn't want to kill any living beings. As for others, she doesn't really care. She does eat meat, but she never kills chickens herself.

Sometimes, she would be in a bad mood and, if she saw a mouse stealing food, she would beat it hard, but sometimes she would only beat it lightly.

Zhao Da'e often does things based on his mood.

I'd rather make things difficult for myself than for others.

Of course, this is also why many people like her. After all, in this era, few people like those who are too selfish and have poor interpersonal relationships; they can't even stay in this village.

Zhao Yonghui is the kind of person Zhao Da'e finds annoying.

Another one is Zhao Tiechang, whose nickname is Long Legs.

As the name suggests, he has long legs, a quick mind, and is good at scheming. He is the only one among them who actually uses his brain.

The remaining few were basically brainless and illiterate.

The group of people went up the mountain. Zhao Da'e often went up there to play, so he didn't walk slowly and didn't slow the others down.

"Big Cannon, if we run into something other than a Laidai, like a rabbit or a badger, should we shoot it?" Zhao Da'e suddenly asked.

Sima Dapao was stunned for a moment: "I... I'm not a hunter, I'm going to hunt wolves, why would I be hunting rabbits? What's wrong, girl, do you have a grudge against rabbits?"

Zhao Da'e chuckled: "Maybe we'll catch a few and add them to our lunch."

Sima Dapao shook his head: "No, if a shot is fired, the wolf will hear it from more than ten miles away. We absolutely cannot fire indiscriminately."

"What about badgers? I want to hunt one, and I need some badger oil. My aunt's second sister has a facial injury, and applying some badger oil will help it heal faster."

Sima Dapao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I still have a composite bow. But the accuracy isn't as good anymore; I haven't used it much for many years... I don't know if it will still work."

Zhao Da'e quickly flattered, "Oh, it'll definitely work. You can tell this is a piece of cake, don't be modest."

Sima Dapao got a little carried away by Zhao Da'e's words and agreed.

Once they reached the mountain, the group began leisurely searching for wolves...

Wolf: You guys don't really treat me like a wolf? So many people are looking for me? Am I blind?

No one knew the wolf's psychology. They searched all morning, but couldn't find a single wolf, let alone a live one.

At noon, Zhao Da'e was the first to quit: "Grandpa, it's lunchtime, time to go home and eat."

The group then returned to Zhao Tingming's house and ate and drank their fill.

During a meal break, Sima Dapao suggested, "Running back and forth like this isn't a solution. The three of us brothers thought about setting up a tent on the mountaintop tonight and staying there. That way, when the wolves come out to hunt at night, they might be able to find some clues."

Zhao Tingming thought it was feasible, so he asked Guo to cook more food and sent someone to the street to buy some canned goods, wine, biscuits, etc., and also bought a tent, which he then gave to Sima Dapao.

By the afternoon, Zhao Da'e had decided not to go.

Climbing the mountain was exhausting; we walked over ten miles, and eating this meal was truly a hardship.

What did that sentence say?

I'd rather drink cold water at home than walk ten miles to get a meal.

Zhao Da'e isn't going, but the others are.

Zhao Da'e didn't let Zhao Tiesheng go either, and secretly told him, "What are you going there for? Why do you always act so self-important? At least those guys have some special skills. Dad, you're going up the mountain to catch wolves, what special skills do you have?"

In fact, Zhao Tiesheng's greatest talent is being stubborn... Sure enough, as soon as Zhao Da'e said that, Zhao Tiesheng immediately said, "Then your great-grandfather must think I'm useful if he sends me."

"Yes, yes. So tell me, what use do my great-grandfather thinks you are?"

"I can carry a tent..."

Zhao Da'e was speechless: Hiss...

I'm choking!

If you were to say that others go up the mountain, some are good at using slingshots, some are physically strong and can run fast, some are familiar with the terrain, some can analyze which places might be where wolves stay, and some can coordinate the overall situation and direct everyone to work.

The only thing missing is a handyman to carry the tents and fetch water.

After Zhao Tiesheng said that, Zhao Da'e even felt that Zhao Tiesheng was an indispensable member of the mountain team.

You know what, without Zhao Tiesheng, there's really no one to carry the weapons...

Zhao Tiesheng still went in the afternoon, leaving Zhao Da'e both amused and exasperated.

After the group left, Zhao Da'e returned to the old house and found Zhao Tiegang.

Zhao Tiegang staggered back from outside.

"Third Uncle, have you asked about the brick-moving thing?"

Zhao Tiegang, slightly drunk, said, "Big Goose, don't worry. Don't fret. Your third uncle has handled this matter perfectly for you. As for the brick-hauling, I told you that your grandfather wanted to build a house, and your aunt and uncle immediately agreed. I even arranged for your aunt and uncle to help you haul sand after they finished hauling the bricks."

Zhao Da'e felt this was an unexpected delight: "Hiss... Third Uncle, you really are something. You handled this beautifully. Even hauling the sand was done by my aunt and uncle, I feel a little embarrassed."

"Don't be embarrassed." Zhao Tiegang slurred his words: "Your uncle was initially reluctant, but I insisted on giving him the drink until he agreed."

"Well done," praised Zhao Da'e.

Zhao Da'e thought to himself: "Third Uncle is such a braggart. He drinks other people's wine and won't let go of it, insisting on drinking until they're willing, and even until my uncle is willing. What a load of rubbish!"

Zhang Ruifeng's alcohol tolerance is so low, he'd be passed out on the bed after just two ounces, why would he need you to keep him company?

"Alright, Uncle, go to sleep," Zhao Da'e said, ignoring Zhao Tiegang, figuring he was lucky he wouldn't get hurt.

Zhao Da'e returned to the barn and tidied up. He had slept poorly the night before and had gone up the mountain with that group of people in the morning. He was exhausted and the more tired he was, the less he could sleep. So Zhao Da'e lit the stove, took a bag of instant noodles as a snack, and stayed in the barn.

After a while, I drifted off to sleep, looking at the head of the kang (heated brick bed). When I woke up, it was already night.

I glanced at the old wall clock; it wasn't night anymore, it was the next day, already past five o'clock.

Zhao Tiesheng returned without anyone knowing what happened. Zhao Da'e woke up. Falling asleep sitting up like that is very tiring. As soon as she woke up, Zhao Tiesheng woke up as well.

Zhao Da'e frowned: "Dad, you go to sleep. Did you catch the wolf yesterday?"

Just as Zhao Tiesheng was about to organize his thoughts, Zhao Da'e cut him off again: "Alright, we didn't catch him. I was just being nosy. You can go back to sleep."

Zhao Da'e then left the warehouse. As soon as he stepped outside, it was unusually cold, but it was quiet at dawn, even though it was dark.

Bang bang bang.

The sudden gunshot echoed through the empty night from a great distance.

Zhao Da'e looked towards the mountain and wondered: Did I kill the wolf?

Sima Dapao is indeed an old hunter; he can't just fire indiscriminately.

Anyway, there were about a dozen gunshots, and Zhao Da'e didn't hear anything after that. He figured at least a few must have been killed.

That thing is such a menace. Other animals at least damage crops, but wolves are truly ruthless. Wherever this thing is left, it's a menace.

Zhao Da'e then got some water and firewood, and started a fire to boil the water.

First, I prepared some warm water and washed my face. Then, after the water boiled, I brewed a pot of tea.

He then took out a Fuji apple from the pocket he had hidden, split it in half with a kitchen knife, ate one half himself, and gave the other half to Zhao Tiesheng.

Zhao Tiesheng replied, "You can have the goose yourself. I eat this apple every day."

"Big apples, what about Fuji apples? Have you ever eaten them?"

"That's an apple too."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Zhao Da'e put it away; he'd keep it for himself.

Zhao Tiesheng had never eaten it before, but he was stubborn, so they wouldn't give it to him.

After all that fuss, it was already 6:30. Zhao Da'e figured that her aunt and uncle would be coming over today, so she didn't plan to stay at her aunt's house.

Zhao Tiegang had tricked those two people into coming, thinking that he should at least work and be fed, but there really wasn't much food left.

"Damn it, did you eat all my rice?" Zhao Da'e frowned.

Zhao Tiesheng was extremely embarrassed: "Mhm."