Chapter 19: Fleeing in Panic

Gu Jing (Madam Zhang) looked at her son with a complex expression. “He is indeed our son, but my feelings right now are so complicated.”

They had tried many methods before to make their child eat properly and be willing to study, but nothing seemed to work. Now, with the addition of Xiao Bao, it’s as if everything has been magically resolved. Their son has a playmate and is willing to study.

Why does her heart feel so sour about this?

“No matter what, as long as our child is willing to study, it’s a good thing,” Zhang Qing said, although he also felt uneasy about this situation. But as long as their son is willing to study, everything else can be managed.

“Mom, tomorrow I want to go to Xiao Bao’s house to play again,” Zhang Zhilin said.

“Alright,” Gu Jing looked at her son with mixed feelings. Will he keep going to the Wang family’s house and never come back?

On the other side, Xiao Bao was also talking about Zhang Zhilin to Wang Jinhe.

“Do you really like that big brother so much?” Wang Jinhe was pleasantly surprised to hear her son speaking so many words. It was a rare sight.

Xiao Bao nodded eagerly, “Yes, Mommy, I really like the big brother. He’s so nice, so nice.” He said while his eyes were sparkling with excitement.

Seeing her son’s different demeanor, Wang Jinhe reached out and gently touched his little face. “How about we invite the big brother to come over and play more often in the future?”

Xiao Bao nodded excitedly, expressing his agreement.

The next day, Wang Jinhe had some business in the mountains. She informed her family that the Zhang family would come to pick vegetables and then left for the mountains.

After arriving in the mountains, Wang Jinhe began to consider how to catch more wild hens. She thought about the ones that liked the spring water at home and decided to scatter some spring water around the area. Then, she went around to see if there were any mushrooms or fungi growing nearby.

To her surprise, there were indeed some edible wild vegetables and mushrooms in the vicinity.

As Wang Jinhe continued her exploration, she suddenly heard the sound of wild chickens clucking. She turned her head and quietly approached, spotting two wild chickens pecking at the grass. She seized the opportunity and reached out to catch the chickens.

Seeing the chickens flapping wildly in her hands, Wang Jinhe laughed heartily, “Stop struggling! What are you doing? Causing trouble with your greediness!”

“Huff, huff.”

Suddenly, Wang Jinhe heard another sound. She turned her head and saw a large, tusky wild boar with several piglets appearing before her. The glint of those sharp tusks made her legs tremble.

Glancing at the two chickens in her hand and then at the wild boar family, Wang Jinhe quickly slung her basket on her back and grabbed the chickens as she ran for her life.

As Wang Jinhe ran too hastily, she ended up tripping and falling from the side. She rubbed her sore arm and looked at the two wild chickens that had fainted from the fall. She poked them with her hand to check if they were okay. Thankfully, they were still alive, making her fell relieved.

After putting the scattered wild vegetables and mushrooms back into her basket, Wang Jinhe placed the chickens inside as well. Noticing a large cluster of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms nearby, she quickly walked over and said with excitement, “Is this considered turning bad luck into good luck? I’ve found such great things.” ^[1]Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus), also known as Sulphur Shelf or Chicken Mushroom, is a type of wild edible mushroom. It is a popular choice among foragers and mushroom enthusiasts due to … Continue reading

In modern times, Chicken of the Woods mushrooms were her favorite. They were excellent for making soup or sauce, and their taste was unparalleled.

Among the cluster of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, Wang Jinhe dug up more than ten, all of them still young and tender, perfect for cooking.

After securing her findings, Wang Jinhe looked around and spotted a smaller cluster of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms. However, she was immediately drawn to a red-brown mushroom nearby.

“Not possible, is it?” Wang Jinhe leaned closer and saw that it was indeed a Lingzhi mushroom, and quite a large one at that.

She sprinkled some spring water around the base of the mushroom, and in just a moment, the Lingzhi grew even bigger and appeared more radiant.

Carefully plucking the Lingzhi, Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. “This should fetch a good price if I sell it, right?”

“I’ll go to Uncle Huang’s place and sell it in a few days.” Wang Jinhe carefully stored the Lingzhi and then carried her belongings as she climbed up the hill and headed home.

Little did she know that after she left, a small white creature appeared at the spot where the Lingzhi was, sniffing the scent and howling with excitement.

Having obtained the Lingzhi and captured two wild hens, Wang Jinhe was in an exceptionally good mood.

As she arrived home, Wang Jinhe saw the familiar carriage outside and knew that little Zhang Zhilin had come again.

Carrying the two now awake wild hens, Wang Jinhe clipped their wings before placing them in the chicken coop.

“Big Flower, I found you two more wives.” Wang Jinhe teased while looking at the rooster that was accompanied by Little Flower.

Big Flower glanced at the two wild hens and then turned its attention back to Little Flower, surprising Wang Jinhe. “Oh? You really are a faithful rooster, huh?”

Big Flower, full of pride, walked up to Wang Jinhe and immediately showed off its ruffled feathers.

It seemed to be saying, “Stop bothering with these useless things, be careful, or I’ll peck you.”

Wang Jinhe smiled and said nothing, but she knew she shouldn’t provoke this chicken in the future to avoid embarrassing herself.

After giving the hens some water, Wang Jinhe went to the kitchen to prepare the chicken mushroom.

She planned to make soup for the children with it and use the rest to make sauce.

Hearing the sounds outside, Xiao Bao ran out with Zhang Zhilin and saw Wang Jinhe busy in the kitchen. “Mommy, you’re back!”

“Yeah, Mommy brought back two more chickens. Let’s think of names for them,” Wang Jinhe said.

“Okay!” Xiao Bao became excited and took Zhang Zhilin to see the new hens.

“Brother, what names do you think are good? Big White, Second White?” Xiao Bao asked.

Zhang Zhilin’s mouth twitched as he looked at Xiao Bao. “But they’re not white.”

He didn’t understand why two black wild chickens were being named “Big White” and “Second White.” he thought Xiao Bao’s naming ability was quite poor.

“Big Black and Little Black?” Xiao Bao thought earnestly, tilting his head and asking Zhang Zhilin.

Zhang Zhilin’s expression was a bit awkward as he looked at Xiao Bao. He really wanted to say that the name wasn’t very appropriate. However, seeing the bright eyes of Xiao Bao, he couldn’t bear to discourage him and reluctantly nodded, “Alright, let’s call them Big Black and Little Black.” 

When Wang Jinhe came out of the kitchen, she heard the two children talking about “Big Black” and “Little Black,” which left her speechless. However, she thought it was okay, as long as the children were happy and liked the names.

After dinner, Wang Jinhe let the two children go to bed before she started making meat sauce.

Just as she finished making the sauce and was about to jar it, she heard loud noises outside. Wang Jinhe went out and saw Xie Gui and Song Rou standing at the door.

Seeing the bright and innocent eyes of little Bao, Wang Jinhe couldn’t bear to disappoint him, so she reluctantly nodded and said, “Alright, let’s call them Da Hei (Big Black) and Xiao Hei (Little Black).”

As Wang Jinhe came out of the kitchen, she heard the two children talking about Da Hei and Xiao Hei, which left her speechless. But if it made the children happy, she didn’t mind their choice of names.

After dinner, Wang Jinhe let the two children go to bed before starting to make the meat sauce.

As she finished making the sauce and was about to jar it, she heard a commotion outside. Wang Jinhe walked out, and right at the doorstep, she saw Xie Gui and Song Rou.

Xie Gui was still pulling at Song Rou, and she looked visibly distressed.

“What are you doing causing a scene at my doorstep, Xie Gui?” Wang Jinhe intervened, pulling Song Rou behind her and giving Xie Gui a warning look.

“What business is it of yours, Wang Jinhe? I came to find my wife and child. What’s it to do with you?” Xie Gui said with a sinister look. If it wasn’t for this despicable woman, their family wouldn’t be in such a mess now.

“Xie Gui, I have nothing to do with you now.” Song Rou said