Chapter 36: Delivering Wild Boar Meat

Pear Blossom got up early to dig traps. She ran through the rain and raced wild boars, ending up covered in sweat and mud, looking like a walking mud figure.

No matter how carefree she usually was, she didn’t want to appear like this in front of Dong Yun. Dagen had dug a hole at the mountain spring, collecting water with bamboo tubes. A few wooden barrels were filled and set aside for later use.

Next to it, a simple shed had been built for washing up. Pear Blossom used up all three barrels of water to clean herself. Only after scrubbing herself thoroughly did she feel clean. She then put on the new clothes her mother had just sewn, looking completely refreshed. Xinghua, watching her in her new outfit, was full of envy. “Big Sis, you look so pretty in that outfit! Not a single patch on it.

The yellow fabric is just like the little yellow flowers on the mountain—so bright and beautiful.” Pear Blossom replied, “Don’t worry. It’s all from the same fabric. Your clothes will be this color too. You won’t miss out.”

Xinghua giggled.After drying her hair a bit, Pear Blossom tied a small bun on top of her head, leaving the rest to fall softly over her shoulders. It gave her a fresh and playful look, unlike her usual appearance. Watching her sister glance at her reflection by the water, Xinghua couldn’t help teasing, “Big Sis, you’re just like when you used to primp and preen for ages before going to see Da Zhuang back when you asked Chrysanthemum for help.”

Hearing this, Pear Blossom raised her hand, ready to knock her on the head. “I just put on new clothes. Can’t I look nice for a bit? Now go tend the fire, or Mom will scold you if it dies out.”

Xinghua laughed and ran off. Finally, Pear Blossom slung a small basket on her back and headed for the Zeng family’s courtyard. When she arrived, Dong Yun was scrubbing something in the yard. Upon seeing Pear Blossom, her eyes lit up. Turning to take a good look, she smiled and said, “Our Pear Blossom is wearing new clothes today.”Caught off guard by Dong Yun’s scrutiny, Pear Blossom’s usual slow demeanor failed her.

Her ears turned red, and she coughed lightly, saying, “I caught a wild boar this morning and brought you some shoulder and belly meat.” She set down her basket and pulled out the meat. Dong Yun looked at the large portion in surprise. “Why so much? Is everyone getting this much?”

Pear Blossom shook her head. “No, only Granny Qin, Uncle Zhao Wu, and your family got a bit extra.

Half of it is being taken to the city to sell, and some was sent to my maternal family. We kept a bit for ourselves, and the rest is just a pound or two per household.” Hearing this, Dong Yun paused her work.

She dried her hands and walked over. “Pear Blossom, you’ve already paid me back for helping you last time. You don’t owe me anything anymore. Don’t feel so burdened by what happened before. If you have something good, don’t feel obligated to think of me every time, alright?” Pear Blossom, staring into Dong Yun’s beautiful eyes, struggled to process her words.

Her hand holding the meat stiffened, and after a long pause, she finally spoke, her eyes clearly filled with sadness. “Sister, do you not want my things anymore?” Seeing her reaction, Dong Yun realized the girl had misunderstood. She quickly said, “How could I not want what Pear Blossom gives me?

It’s just that there’s only me and my mother-in-law at home, and Fubao doesn’t eat much. You have a big family, and after selling and sharing the wild boar, there’s not much left for yourselves. Don’t keep thinking about me because of the past. Just give me a pound or two for a taste, and that’ll be enough.”

Pear Blossom, hearing her words, understood that she neither found fault nor intended to distance herself. Instead, she was being thoughtful, which instantly brought a smile to her face.

“I wasn’t thinking of you because of what happened before. I just wanted to share something nice with you.” Dong Yun looked at the wide smile on her lips and, for some reason, felt inexplicably happy.“

Simple people are truly wonderful,” she thought. “Then thank you, Pear Blossom.” “No need to thank me. Tonight, my family is hosting dinner. You, Fubao, and Mrs. Zeng must come too.” Dong Yun instinctively wanted to decline; she really didn’t like being in crowded places.

Pear Blossom quickly added, “It’s just Mrs. Qin’s family and Uncle Wu’s family—no one else. Come on, Fubao will definitely want to play with Dog (Gou Dan).”Seeing the expectant look in Pear Blossom’s eyes, Dong Yun couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Thinking it over, she realized that since coming to Daliushu Village, she hadn’t participated in any community activities. Even Fubao had barely played with other children. With that thought, she nodded in agreement.

When Pear Blossom returned home, it wasn’t long before Dagen and his wife also came back.

Unlike the cheerful expressions they had when they left, their faces were now filled with displeasure. Pear Blossom quickly asked, “Did those people complain that we didn’t give them enough meat?” Dagen stayed silent, but Mrs. Xiong, fuming, said, “Of course they complained! But I told them we’d sell half in town and use the money to build a house. They couldn’t argue with that.

Your father was worried those people might get greedy for the wild boar and head up Wuyin Mountain, so he asked the village chief to warn them not to go. But some families started spreading rumors that we’re hogging Wuyin Mountain, claiming the treasures there are ours because we’re scaring everyone off with talk of wolves.

Truly, they’ve twisted our good intentions into something ugly!” Pear Blossom patted her mother’s back to console her. “Mother, don’t be angry. Father was right to warn them. If something did happen, they’d still blame us. Thankfully, Father also spoke to the village chief. If anything happens in the future, it won’t be our responsibility.”

Mrs. Xiong understood this reasoning but still felt indignant about being berated.“And then there’s the Liu family! They sneered at us for only bringing two pounds of meat, saying it was an insult, like tossing scraps to beggars!” Hearing this, Pear Blossom laughed in exasperation. “What nerve! Father has never eaten a grain of rice or worn a stitch of clothing from their family.

We didn’t take a penny or an inch of land when the family split. They’ve never even visited their own son, yet now they come demanding wild boar meat? Shameless! Mother, next time we hunt, we’re not giving them a thing.” Mrs. Xiong’s anger didn’t subside easily, but Pear Blossom continued comforting her. “Mother, next time, I’ll hunt even more and let them stew in their envy. Don’t be mad. Let’s live a prosperous life and let them be the ones to seethe with anger.”

Mrs. Xiong felt much better after hearing her daughter’s words. “My daughter is right. Let’s have your father calculate how much silver we need to build a proper tile-roofed house. We were trying to hide that fifty taels of silver, but I think it’s time to spend it. If there’s enough, we’ll buy bricks for the walls instead of using mud.

Those mud walls turn to mush in the rain.” Pear Blossom smiled at her mother’s determined demeanor. “Mother, you’ve worked hard all your life. You deserve to live in a fine house with tiled roofs and spacious courtyards. If the silver isn’t enough, we can always earn more. Right, Father?” She directed the last line at Dagen.

Sitting nearby, Dagen had been listening to his daughter’s comforting words. His previously gloomy mood lifted, and he grinned. “You’re right. We’ll build that house. As for money, don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” The family’s spirits soared, and laughter filled the room. Just then, Xinghua poked her head in. “Mother, when are we having meat noodle soup?”

Mrs. Xiong slapped her thigh, exclaiming, “Ah, I was so angry I forgot! None of us have eaten yet. Alright, I’ll make it now. How’s the bone broth coming along?” “It’s milky white already,”

Xinghua replied.“Well, it must smell amazing,” Mrs. Xiong said, hurrying to the kitchen to prepare noodles.The family’s cheerful mood lasted until the evening.

At noon, they had decided to invite the Qin, Zhang, and Zeng families for dinner. In the afternoon, Dagen and his wife were busy preparing. In the countryside, hosting a meal didn’t require anything fancy—just a big pot of stew.

Later, the trio who had gone to town to sell half the wild boar returned. Boss Xiong handed over one tael and six coins to Dagen. “The sale went smoothly. A restaurant loved the wild meat and bought the whole thing.” Dagen handed the money to Xiong, saying, “My wife is in charge of the household, so the silver goes to her.” Boss Xiong chuckled and went to chop bones for the evening meal.

By dusk, the Qin and Zhang families arrived, each bringing a small table and stools, saying they’d lend them until the new house was built. Village chief Zhang Sanye was also invited. The men quickly settled in, some finding stones to sit on if there weren’t enough stools.

Mrs. Zeng arrived with Fubao, and Dong Yun followed, carrying a small basket on her back. Even in plain clothes, she looked elegant and refined.

She rarely appeared in crowds, but her presence stood out unmistakably. Seeing her arrive, Pear Blossom was overjoyed and ran to greet her, like a cheerful puppy wagging its tail.

Dong Yun handed over the basket and said, “Do you need any help with anything?” Pear Blossom shook her head while holding the basket. “No, no, it’s fine. Just two more dishes to go, and then we can eat.” Mrs. Xiong quickly chimed in, “Fubao’s mother, you’re bringing things over again? You really shouldn’t. Ah—our home is simple; I hope you won’t mind.”

Dong Yun smiled gently. “Having meat to eat is already wonderful. Please carry on; no need to entertain me.” Meanwhile, Fubao was already playing with Dog, while Mrs. Zeng, Mrs. Qin, and Mrs. Zhang gathered together to chat. Pear Blossom and her siblings were busy helping serve dishes and attending to the guests.

Dong Yun glanced around. Everyone had formed small groups and was chatting. Spotting her target quickly, she noticed Zhang Laowu’s wife, Pomegranate, and Dashan’s wife, Mrs. Miao, talking together.

One was in her twenties, the other in her thirties—both close to her age. She walked toward them. The two women, seeing her approach to greet them, were both flattered and a bit startled.

It wasn’t that Dong Yun was aloof—quite the opposite. She always greeted others with a smile, and her innate politeness made her seem approachable.

However, as someone who rarely left the house, she seldom mingled with the village women except for brief encounters by the river while washing clothes for Fubao. Most of these women were illiterate, and the fact that Dong Yun was the granddaughter of a scholar made them feel somewhat inferior.

Coupled with her striking appearance, some women secretly mocked her, calling her a “flirt” or “Widow Dong” behind her back. Yet, when faced with her directly, whether man or woman, it was hard not to be drawn to her.”Fubao’s mother, come sit here,” Pomegranate warmly invited her.

Dong Yun smiled graciously and sat beside her, her shoulder gently touching Pomegranate’s. Pomegranate, a robust woman, was momentarily dazed by the faint fragrance from Dong Yun. She was large and muscular, her biceps bulging from years of hard work.

When Dong Yun, soft and delicate, leaned slightly against her, Pomegranate felt an electric jolt.

“Fubao’s mother, how do you maintain such soft and supple skin? What’s your secret?” Pomegranate asked.

Dong Yun laughed. “I was just about to ask how you manage to be so strong. I’m useless at home—can’t lift or carry anything.” Pomegranate quickly replied, “No, no, it’s not about being useful or not; it’s about what your man thinks.”

Realizing her faux pas—Dong Yun was a widow—she hastily corrected herself, “Women like you, gentle and graceful, are ideal. Unlike me, big and clumsy. The only advantage I have is being able to overpower Laowu during arguments.”

Truthfully, Dong Yun wasn’t petite—she was tall and slightly plump—but compared to Pomegranate, she did seem more delicate.

In the village, even the men might not match Pomegranate’s build. Mrs. Miao, covering her mouth, chuckled. “Laowu probably lets you win because he cares about you. Do you really think he can’t beat you?”

“Bah, he gets mouthy after a few drinks. I must’ve been blind to marry him,” Pomegranate replied, though her words were filled with affection.

Dong Yun enjoyed watching their expressions—so lively and uninhibited. It was a stark contrast to her past life, where everyone was stiff, restrained, and tense. For years, she had felt as though her body and soul were coiled up, never truly relaxed.

Pomegranate, noticing Dong Yun’s gaze, felt a bit flustered. “Fubao’s mother, the way you’re looking at me… if I were a man, I’d be helpless right now.” Dong Yun laughed. “There you go teasing me again.

I’m just looking at you like I look at everyone.”The three women bantered and laughed. Madam Miao pointed toward Pear Blossom in the crowd.

“Hasn’t Pear Blossom grown taller? Just a few months ago, she was so tiny.”Pomegranate looked over. “She’s definitely shot up. Takes after the Liu family—tall genes. Looks like she’ll grow even taller. If she’d taken after the Xiang family, she’d probably have stopped growing by now.”

“In the past, when their branch of the family lived with the Xiangs, they barely had enough to eat. That porridge was more like rice water. Forget growing tall—staying healthy was a challenge.”

Dong Yun also observed Pear Blossom, who was busy helping her parents. The girl was slender and tall. Nodding in agreement, Dong Yun said, “She’s too thin.

A bit more meat on her bones would be better—stronger girls are more capable. Not like me, always dragging others down.”

Pomegranate glanced at Dong Yun’s chest and quipped, “You’re living a blessed life and don’t even realize it. Do you know how many people would love to look like you?”

The three of them burst into laughter again.