CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 101: A GIFT IN RETURN

Zhang Guoqing returned to the well with a bamboo basket filled with wild chickens and rabbits. He used hot water to pluck the feathers and clean out the innards, leaving four chickens behind. The rest were quickly tied up with a rope and hung under the eaves of the west wing, placing the wild chicken eggs in the small living room.

These wild chickens were meant to be cooked one per day for Zhou Jiao on the stove. The rabbits were conveniently hung to change up the flavor for Jiao Jiao.

He took four chickens outside and brought back four large mud clumps, casually placing them in two stove burners. Coincidently, that night, the family needed two pots for braising pig heads, tails, trotters, and elbows. By the time the pig heads were done, the beggar’s chicken would be ready too.

Fortunately, Mother Zhang wasn’t around, or she would have scolded him for wasting. Xi Zi followed him closely, watching his uncle put the chicken in the fire to bake, waiting by the stove.

Zhang Guoqing grabbed some clothes, showered, and returned to his bedroom. Seeing Zhou Jiao and his mother-in-law, he smiled, saying, "Mom, tonight I’ll sleep outside with my son, and you can sleep here with your daughter, have a nice chat."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, "Sure thing, mom will accompany me. Just so happened that Ping’an drinks milk powder at midnight, let him secretly spoil his own little son."

"Jiao Jiao, once you’re out of confinement, I’ll take you to the woods. There’s a lot of herbs I don’t recognize, and we can still find plenty of mushrooms. You have no idea how easy it is to hit the wild chickens and rabbits just by throwing a stone, and there are so many wild eggs—brought back some for you to replenish. Too many, and they’re hard to carry without breaking. The deeper you go, the more rabbits there are, and some silly spores too. You can even see deer tracks by the creek. This isn’t even deep in the mountains."

Zhang Guoqing eagerly shared his stories about the mountains, describing the hog hunting experiences as the mother-daughter duo listened with great interest, occasionally expressing amazement, faces full of longing.

Zhou Jiao regretfully said, "If I weren’t in confinement, I would have gone with you."

Reflecting, she remembered the packages he brought back, "Bro, where are those packages and bags from? They seem to have good furs and liquor."

Zhang Guoqing patted his forehead, cheerfully fetching the largest bag, casually opening it to take things out one by one.

"I forgot seeing you. On returning from the county town, I took a detour home, found people to get these stuff, talked a lot for it.

These two wolf furs are specially for Grandpa and Grandma, considering Grandpa often rubs his knees now, they ward off the cold during the winter. Searched specifically for this. Only Grandpa Wang had them this big in the village; I grabbed them.

I’d been wanting them since he hunted Wolf King. When I was little, I’d often visit his house with Grandpa, knew his skills were good, he secretly hoarded many. This time I just went over. Told him my son was born, he gave me two wolf teeth for protection. Then I stubbornly stuck with him, managed to squeeze out two of the largest wolf pelts like pulling teeth. The liquor is tiger bone wine, packed in this jug, not afraid of breaking.

Mom, and he even has a tiger pelt that he refuses to give up. Seems like he plans to pass it down the family; let it be, though it’s a shame." Zhang Guoqing expressed his regret, really liked that tiger pelt. Jiao Jiao would definitely cry out upon seeing it.

"The rest I bought from others. These pelts are for Mom. Bought the largest ginseng roots, one for you too, keep one for ourselves. Before New Year’s, there was a big hunt in the village going deep into the mountains, with some luck, perhaps we’ll encounter it," Zhang Guoqing hurriedly persuaded seeing his mother-in-law’s refusal.

Lin Lishan inspected the ginseng, at least a century old, surely they cost a lot, "Since you have it, Mom will accept. But Xiao Wu, if going to the mountains is dangerous, then don’t go. A gentleman doesn’t stand by a dangerous wall. You have a son, and our family isn’t short on money, no need to risk it. Remember that? I’ll take your nod as agreement. But, Xiao Wu, how much did you spend on these? Surely expensive. They’re hundred-year ginseng, hard to find on the market."

Zhang Guoqing gestured at them jokingly, "Two roots 600 yuan, one home said 300 yuan, eventually I directly paid 300 yuan to their place, in the city a single root costs at least 500 yuan. Cheap, right? If it’s pricey, I won’t buy—pretty much we sometimes hunt together, quite familiar, too many, he can’t say no."

Lin Lishan nodded, "Without connections, this price can’t be obtained. You’ve spent so much, don’t have much money left, I guess? Tomorrow just leaving, I’ll give you tickets and remaining money, spend it freely. Once Mom returns, we’ll bring money to buy a house in the county town, and go house viewing together. Use the money first, we’re not short on funds, spend freely without worry."

She took scattered bill notes, overseas exchange certificates and loose change from the bag, counted over 300 yuan, removing 300 yuan, exchange certificates and scattered notes into the drawer, keeping some change for herself.

Zhang Guoqing hurriedly took the money and scattered notes, "Mom, we have money, don’t rush it. Why push it back and forth? You only have me and Jiao Jiao, we won’t be formal with you. Listen, you carry universal tickets for using on the train and Beijing; surely can’t arrive and ask Grandma. Bring them home this time, keep the provincial city tickets for me, really don’t lack money." He concluded, quickly seeking Zhou Jiao’s help.

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh, "Mom, take the money home, didn’t you say you wanted to buy a cashmere coat for me? I have money in hand, enough for now; when you’re back, buy my county house."

Lin Lishan thought for a while, nodded, separating the tickets, taking enough for train expenses. Left the rest in the drawer, only having one daughter and son-in-law, no need for formality.

"These tickets enough for three days; going home, they’re not much use, eating at the cafeteria and home, leaving them for you. Have money, use it first, once Dad’s back everything will be alright."

"Understood, rest assured; really running out of money, not asking you for it. Just a few days before you return, if unable to get leave, I’ll go to Beijing; addresses and phone numbers are there, no mistakes allowed, don’t follow Dad without approval to come." Zhou Jiao bemusedly seeing her worry.

Lin Lishan patted her head, joyfully stating, "Will surely get leave—going abroad, will find excuses, and ask your little aunt for a sick leave note. Given you’re due soon, my leave got approved. If not for fear of Grandpa boasting at Beijing Courtyard, I’d say you haven’t given birth yet, still waiting."

Zhang Guoqing glanced around, nothing for him to do, left them in the room, grabbed the bag to find his mother, as that package had good things he needed for wrapping wild boar meat.