Chapter 3 The Uncanny Prey

Shen Dong and his group originally planned to go straight into the deep mountains without lingering on the outskirts, but as they reached the entrance of the deep mountains, Shen Dong’s eyes caught sight of a black wild rabbit near a patch of dry weeds covered in snow.

He took out his bow and arrow and shot an arrow.

Pfft!

The wild rabbit was hit. As it fell to the ground, there was a rustling sound, and five wild rabbits darted out from the weeds, scattering in all directions.

“There are wild rabbits!”

“Don’t let them escape!”

Shen Nan reacted quickly. Almost the moment the rabbits jumped out, he shouted loudly and rushed forward, catching one rabbit alive in the blink of an eye.

The others quickly went to catch the other rabbits.

As they chased, someone suddenly shouted: “Ah, ah, ah! I found a rabbit burrow, come and help!”

As soon as the voice fell, another person shouted: “I found a rabbit burrow too, there are so many wild rabbits!”

“There are pheasants here! There are even wild eggs!”

They encountered pheasants and wild rabbits before even entering the deep mountains. The surprise came too quickly, and Shen Dong and his group were excited, catching pheasants and rabbits, sweating profusely.

Suddenly, a strange sound came from the woods not far away. Looking up, Shen Dong saw a wild boar charging towards him…

…

The strong men of the family went hunting in the mountains. After the women and children finished their chores at home, they also took baskets and axes to the mountains to chop firewood and dig for wild vegetables. The Shen family sent Shen Nian’s three aunts and her elder brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother, and fifth brother. The younger sixth brother, seventh brother, and eighth brother stayed at home with the elders to keep Shen Nian and her mother company.

Liu Shi and her group went towards the path Shen Dong and his group took. When they reached the mountain, they saw a scene of chickens flying, rabbits jumping, pigs squealing, and people shouting in the distance.

“What’s going on? Why are my father and the others still on the outskirts?”

“Look, those are wild rabbits, so many wild rabbits!”

“There are also pheasants, wild boars!”

“Ah! A rabbit is running down!”

In shock, a rabbit jumped towards Shen Bo’s feet like a flash of lightning and bumped into his leg.

Shen Bo instinctively reached out and pressed down on the rabbit’s head. Looking at the rabbit struggling under his hand, he was completely dumbfounded.

…

As evening approached, Old Mrs. Shen started making dinner, and Old Man Shen helped her.

Inside the house, Shen Nian, after eating her fill, stared at Wei Shi with her big, black eyes.

She couldn’t see Wei Shi’s face clearly, but just by listening to her voice, she knew that her mother must be a beautiful woman. She would also be a beautiful little girl in the future.

“You little girl, what are you staring at your mother for?” Wei Shi leaned closer to Shen Nian and poked her little forehead: “Are you worried about your father and uncles too?”

“Wah!” Shen Nian cried out, as if responding to Wei Shi.

Of course, she was worried, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t take out the things in her space.

Mother, I’m so sorry!

Listening to her soft, cute voice, Wei Shi’s heart softened: “You’re worried too, aren’t you? Sigh! Mother is worried too. Your father and uncles went to the mountains for us. So, my little Nian, we must remember your father and uncles’ kindness…”

She suddenly muttered to herself: “This ordinary life, although it’s a bit hard, compared to those lives full of deceit and fear, I’d rather live like this.”

Shen Nian immediately pricked up her ears. What did her mother mean by that? It sounded like she had a story!

Before she could listen carefully, Old Mrs. Shen’s voice suddenly came from outside.

“Eldest son, why are you back so soon?”

“Oh my god! So much prey!”

Old Mrs. Shen was pouring water outside when she looked up and saw Shen Dong and his group coming down from the mountain. Behind them were Liu Shi and the others who had gone to dig for wild vegetables and chop firewood. Everyone was carrying prey in their hands: pheasants, rabbits, roe deer, wild boars…

Old Mrs. Shen was so shocked that she exclaimed. Old Man Shen, who was busy in the kitchen, heard the sound and ran out, apron tied and iron spoon in hand. When he saw the appearance of Shen Dong and the others, he was also dumbfounded.

The two elders hurriedly dropped what they were doing and ran to the gate.

Shen Dong was carrying a large wild boar on his own. Seeing his parents, he shouted loudly: “Father and Mother, we had great luck today. As soon as we went up the mountain, we saw wild rabbits. While catching the rabbits, we found a rabbit burrow, and we were also attacked by a wild boar… We don’t need to go deep into the mountains today. We have enough prey to eat for a long time. We’re going to go to Uncle Zhou’s place now to count and divide the prey. You two stay at home. When we bring the meat back, we’ll tell your wife and daughter that I’m back safe and sound, without any injuries!”

He didn’t give his parents a chance to react and rushed forward.

The people behind him followed, laughing loudly and greeting the two elders.

“Uncle Shen, Dong was amazing today. He shot the wild boar in the eye with one arrow, and he led us to chase the wild boar and found its den. There were three wild boars in there! It was quite a struggle for us!”

“Brother Bei was also amazing. He climbed a tree to avoid the wild boar and found a roe deer. He shot the roe deer with one arrow!”

“Brother Xi is also awesome…”

The two elders listened to their four sons being praised: “…”

Seeing that his parents were too shocked to react, Shen Nan turned to Liu Shi and said: “You go home and help your parents make dinner. Tell them what happened. We’ll take care of dividing the prey. The kids, all of you follow me, and help carry things later.”

Liu Shi agreed and walked to her parents: “Father and Mother, let’s go back to the house. I’ll explain everything to you. You don’t know, it was so exciting up in the mountains!”

As Shen Dong and his group walked further away, the two elders followed Liu Shi back to the house. Liu Shi cooked dinner and told her parents about what happened on the mountain.

“The prey in Cangwu Mountain, I don’t know what’s going on, but they all came out in a swarm. There were wild rabbits, pheasants, and wild boars everywhere. Big Brother and the others didn’t even need to look for them after going up the mountain. They caught so many prey. Some of the prey were even like they were drunk, jumping into our arms, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”

The two elders: “…” It sounded so strange!

Liu Shi continued: “Strange things happen every year, but this year is especially strange. Mother, I’m thinking, maybe today’s good fortune is the blessing that Nian Nian brought to our whole village. Since she was born, everything has been going in a good direction. Just like you said, Nian Nian is a little lucky star!”

She became more and more excited: “No, I can’t hold it in anymore. I have to go see our Nian Nian. Nian Nian, my precious little niece, your second aunt is here!”

As soon as she finished speaking, she bypassed her parents and went out of the kitchen to Wei Shi’s room. She repeated what she had just told her parents and hugged Shen Nian, praising her endlessly.

Shen Nian, who had become a lucky star without doing anything: “…”

Second Aunt, what you’re saying is so unbelievable!

Could it be that God really heard my prayers?

If it’s really because of me, then let the wild game come even more fiercely!

Bless us with a bountiful harvest next year!

Bless my family with peace and safety!