The walnuts they gathered yesterday filled two large sacks, which remained hidden in a secluded spot, safe from prying eyes.

While Heidan collected firewood nearby, Song Wei started searching for mushrooms in the area. There were plenty—she only had to walk a few steps to find several. She picked them with great satisfaction, feeling as if she were picking up money.

“This place is full of resources,” she thought with a smile. Suddenly, she noticed a hole in the ground. “Could this be a rabbit burrow?”

Song Wei immediately abandoned her mushroom hunt and crouched down to inspect the hole. She saw signs like small droppings and grayish fur scattered around. No doubt about it—it was a rabbit burrow. Her eyes lit up as she searched around and found two more openings.

“Smart rabbits,” she muttered, recalling the saying “A cunning rabbit has three burrows.” She blocked the other two entrances and then started digging into the main one, jabbing a stick into the burrow to collapse it slightly.

Meanwhile, Heidan, who was busy collecting firewood, kept an eye on her, worried about getting separated. When he saw her digging into the burrow, he hurried over, curious. Before he could ask what she was doing, Song Wei pulled her arm out of the hole, gripping a large rabbit by its back legs.

“A rabbit!” Heidan gasped, eyes wide with excitement.

Song Wei handed the squirming, squealing rabbit to Heidan. “Grab it by its ears, quickly.”

The rabbit was hefty, weighing at least a couple of pounds. Heidan held tightly onto the rabbit’s ears, struggling to keep it from wriggling free. Song Wei crouched down again and reached back into the burrow, pulling out yet another large rabbit.

Heidan’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and he just stared in awe.

“Go grab the rope,” she told him, motioning to the side. Heidan rushed to fetch it, and she swiftly tied the rabbits’ legs and set them aside.

Song Wei reached into the burrow once more. Heidan’s eyes were wide with excitement, his small hands clenched tightly as he watched her in anticipation. When she pulled out a third rabbit, he couldn’t contain his excitement anymore.

“Another one!” he cried. “That’s the third rabbit, Sister Song!”

Song Wei tied its legs just like the others and went back to the burrow. Before she could even reach in, a rabbit bolted out, but she grabbed it by the ears, lifting it triumphantly.

“Four! Four rabbits!” Heidan exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

“Looks like there might be more,” Song Wei said, peering inside the burrow. She reached in one last time and pulled out six small baby rabbits.

Heidan stared in shock. “S-so many!”

After confirming there were no more rabbits, Song Wei stood up, dusting her hands. She gazed at the four large rabbits and six small ones lying on the ground with satisfaction.

Heidan grinned as he watched the rabbits. “Let’s cook one to eat now!”

They’d only eaten a few sweet potatoes for lunch, and the thought of meat was tempting. They headed to a spot near a stream, where Song Wei quickly and skillfully prepared one of the rabbits to roast. Heidan helped gather firewood, occasionally glancing nervously at the other rabbits to make sure they didn’t escape.

Before long, both of them were watching the rabbit meat roasting over the fire with eager anticipation.

“Sister Song, you’re so lucky to have caught so many rabbits. You’re amazing!” Heidan said with admiration.

Everyone in the village knew there were wild chickens and rabbits in the mountains, but they were hard to catch. Villagers considered it a big deal if anyone managed to catch one. But here was Sister Song, catching ten all at once.

Song Wei smiled. “Let’s keep it quiet, though. When we head back, let’s hide the rabbits in the basket so no one sees them.”

Heidan nodded obediently. Though he was young, he’d learned from experience to hide any good finds. If the other villagers saw the rabbits, they wouldn’t try to take them, but they’d likely gossip or resent Song Wei for it.

Pointing to the baby rabbits, Song Wei said, “When we get back, you can take care of these. Once they’re grown, you can keep three, and I’ll keep three.”

Heidan looked up, surprised. “Really? You’ll let me raise them? I don’t need my own; they’re all yours, Sister Song. I’m happy to take care of them.”

But Song Wei insisted, “We’ll split them evenly. When they’re grown, you can decide if you want to eat or sell your three.”

Heidan tried to argue, but Song Wei wouldn’t budge. He quietly resolved to take good care of the six rabbits.

The meat soon finished cooking, and after they ate their fill, Song Wei went back to gathering mushrooms, while Heidan continued collecting firewood. Later, they found a different path that led straight back to the village, making it easier to carry their haul.

As dusk fell, Song Wei loaded Heidan’s basket with mushrooms while she put the rabbits in her own. She layered the mushrooms on top, hiding the rabbits, and they headed back down.

Along the way, Heidan gathered fresh grass and leaves to feed the rabbits. Though he was carrying a load, he felt as light as a feather, stealing glances back at Song Wei.

“Sister Song, I can carry this on my own. Let go; I’ll be fine,” he insisted.

Song Wei kept a steady hand on the basket as she walked behind him. “Just keep walking,” she said casually.

When they ran into a few villagers on the way down, they exchanged brief greetings before continuing on.

Watching them leave, a few of the women couldn’t help but gossip.

“Poor Heidan. He’s worked like a mule for his family, and now he has to do the same for that educated youth,” one woman said sympathetically.

Word of the fight with the Lin family had already spread through the entire village. The local women were well-known for their gossiping skills.

“I don’t know. I think Heidan’s better off with Song Wei. At least she gives him clean clothes, and he has company on the mountain. It’s safer than wandering around alone.”

One young woman scoffed. “You think all educated youths are that nice? She’s probably just using him for cheap labor. Look at all that firewood she’s making him carry. She’s heartless!”

“Are you serious? Don’t pretend Heidan never carried loads like that before,” another woman argued. “And Song Wei’s already being generous by not asking for her money back—that watch was worth over a hundred yuan!”

The young woman scowled. “You’re all fooled by her act. I don’t believe she’s that kind-hearted.” With that, she picked up her basket and stormed off.