Chapter 6: Seeking Help

“So, what are you planning to do? You can’t possibly think about hanging rabbit eggs on yourself, can you? That’s obviously fake,” the elderly woman exclaimed, skepticism dripping from her voice.

Song Xiaoxiao felt uncertain but pressed on, “Let’s just go take a look first.”

“That’s utter nonsense!”

“Grandma!” Song Liangzuo whined, trying to charm her.

In the end, the elderly woman gave in, pinching her nose as she huffed, “Even though I don’t know what you are planning, since you want to go see, Grandma will accompany you. I’m not letting you walk out here alone.”

Seeing her grandma agreeing to accompany her, Song Xiaoxiao didn’t oppose it.

They were heading to the hill behind the village, where Old Hunter Lin lived at the foot of the eastern mountain.

The elderly woman carried a large bamboo basket on her back while Song Pandi had a smaller one, and together they stealthily made their way toward the eastern edge of the village, like thieves.

Along the way, Song Xiaoxiao, pretending to be naive, asked some of her lingering questions. “Grandma, can you tell me about the land at home? Why does Aunt want us to give up all of our fields?”

It turned out the Song family had a tradition that allowed each male heir to inherit a portion of the family land. However, there was a stipulation that once the youngest male heir turned ten, this rule would be nullified. Instead, the land would be divided among all the existing male heirs, and the fifty acres would be allocated into self-cultivated plots, meaning they would become permanent family land.

For their family, this could be a blessing—thanks to Song Liangzuo’s status as a “boy,” they would get a share of the land.

But what would happen when Song Liangzuo came of age and started his own family? They couldn’t think that far ahead.

Currently, they had two shares of public farmland: one belonging to Song Liangzuo and another previously allocated to Song Laosan, who had passed away shortly after land distribution, totaling six acres.

Since he was the “boy,” he had a right to that land. If he weren’t, they wouldn’t just lose those six acres; they would also need to relinquish the original five acres and their house.

After all, they didn’t have any males in the family.

Song Daqian’s family didn’t mind since they had lost their younger brother, but they had to endure whispers behind their backs, hinting that if their uncle had lived, they would have fought to keep the land for three more years.

Originally, they had bitter feelings about that plot, but with the next land division date not close, they dared not act.

However, things were different now. If the main courtyard exposed Song Liangzuo’s true identity, their family would lose all the land they tilled.

After all, a girl like Song Liangzuo shouldn’t have a share.

“How could you be so careless? If someone saw you coming home yesterday and didn’t say anything, and then today they block our door! If they expose your identity, we all might get kicked out of the village!” the elder woman admonished, jabbing a finger into Song Liangzuo’s head.

Song Xiaoxiao winced as the old woman poked her. Remembering the anxious feeling of the original owner, she murmured softly, “Grandma, I’m scared.”

“Scared? You’re the only male in the family! What are you scared of?”

What could Song Xiaoxiao say in response to that?

How many nights had the original owner been jolted awake since figuring out the act of pretending to be a boy? It was said that the original owner was just mentally unwell, but who knew the immense pressure they bore?

If it hadn’t been for the urgency to relieve herself yesterday, she wouldn’t have had to deal with things outside, only to be seen!

While she was lost in thought, she managed to reply in line with her current identity, “Grandma, I won’t be scared anymore because I’m the only male in the family.”

“You’re…” The elderly woman paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

But seeing the change in her expression, it was clear she was delighted.

The rest of the way remained quiet until they reached Old Hunter Lin’s place.

Song Liangzuo was small for his age, making it difficult for Song Xiaoxiao to see what was inside the yard without peering through the gaps in the bamboo fence.

What she saw gave her her first glimpse of this era’s housing.

Before her was an enclosed bamboo yard with three wooden houses facing north and two open bamboo sheds on the east side.

One shed had a stove below, used for cooking, while the other contained some firewood and hanging animal skins.

Song Xiaoxiao’s eyes were immediately drawn to those skins; after inspecting for a while, she realized they were too dry and had little use.

The yard had no door, and the elderly woman called out as she walked directly into the yard, “Hunter Lin! Is Hunter Lin home?”

After a long while without a response, Song Xiaoxiao stepped closer to the house and shouted, “Grandpa Lin! It’s Song Liangzuo, are you home?”

The mountain breeze blew through but brought no reply from the owner.

Looking up, Song Xiaoxiao asked the elderly woman, “Grandma, do you think Grandpa Lin isn’t home?” Disappointment tinged her voice.

Now it was the old woman who sighed. “He often spends time in the mountains. Look at the ropes on the door; they’re tied together. It seems he has gone up the mountain again. My dear grandson, quickly see if there’s anything useful here. If you find anything, just take it. When the old hunter returns, I’ll pay him.”

Song Xiaoxiao had initially thought about leaving, but hearing that, she actually wandered around the yard, only to find nothing useful except for the dried animal skins shading under the shed.

Now she was genuinely at a loss, finally understanding what it meant to be a skilled housewife unable to cook without rice.

With intentions of catching something herself, she took a moment to glance at her own skinny arms and legs before dismissing that thought.

Seeing that the hunter wasn’t home, Song Xiaoxiao decided not to waste any more time there. She walked back to the elderly woman. “Grandma, let’s head back and think of another way.”

They had arrived quickly, and they were on their way back just as fast.

However, they hadn’t gone far when Song Pandi suddenly exclaimed, “Grandma! Little brother! Look over there! Is that Grandpa Lin coming back?”

Song Xiaoxiao’s face lit up with joy, and following Pandi’s指 pointed direction, she indeed saw two figures coming down a small path leading to the mountain.

Having often visited Old Hunter Lin with her grandfather when he was alive, Song Xiaoxiao recognized both men at a glance.

The old hunter and his grandson, Lin Shanye, were recognizable people in Song Xiaoxiao’s social circles, aside from her own family.

However, her excitement was quickly overtaken by what caught her eye: the item on the hunter’s shoulder!

Ha ha ha! Her heart raced with joy, feeling as if the heavens were looking out for her!