Chapter 20: The Road to Death

“No problem.” Although Xiang Wentian was still young, he was very sensible, and all this was within his capabilities.

“Brother, can I try climbing up myself? I can do it, believe me,” Leng You truly had the confidence.

“No, let’s talk about it in a few days.” Xiang Wentian refused.

He had to personally train Leng You before he dared let her try.

Therefore—

First trip: Xiang Wentian carried Leng You on his back, Leng You carried six rabbits and a bag containing eight quails in one hand (this was at Leng You’s strong request, and after Xiang Wentian confirmed that the weight was easy for Leng You).

Second trip: Xiang Wentian carried two roe deer.

Third trip: Xiang Wentian still carried two roe deer.

Fourth trip: Xiang Wentian carried nine brightly colored pheasants.

Carrying these animals wasn’t as convenient as carrying a person; otherwise, Xiang Wentian believed that with his current strength, he could easily carry three to four hundred kilograms at once.

After transporting all the game, Xiang Wentian tied the four roe deer together with a rope, and the rabbits and pheasants were also tied together in a string.

Therefore—

Xiang Wentian carried Leng You on his back, dragging the roe deer with one hand and the rabbits and pheasants with the other, while Leng You, nestled on his back, carried the bag of eight quails.

The thick snow on the ground provided them with great assistance, and the game strung on the rope smoothly followed the two as they walked.

They were not afraid of leaving any traces; in a short while, these traces would be covered by the blizzard. Even if not, no villager would dare to set foot on this “road to death” leading from the village to the deep valley.

Although the visibility was extremely low under the blizzard, the two still saw from afar a figure even more like a snowman anxiously pacing back and forth at the door—Wen Jiuyue.

“You’re finally back!” Wen Jiuyue wiped away the water on her face, whether it was melted snow or tears, and quickly rushed forward.

It was already dark; if the two children didn’t return, she would have gone to the valley. What evil spirits, what soul-calling, so what if they died.

“I’m sorry! I worried you.” Xiang Wentian apologized.

“Grandma Wen, it’s my fault. I delayed because of my playfulness.” Leng You wasn’t making excuses for Xiang Wentian; the responsibility was hers. If Xiang Wentian hadn’t taught her to use a slingshot, they wouldn’t have been delayed so long.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Come in quickly, you must be freezing!

My goodness! How… how many things are there?

Aren’t those roe deer? Pheasants? Are these all from the valley?

Good heavens! That valley… what kind of place is it?

No, that’s not the point. I ask you, did you capture all these?

Since there are these things in the valley, aren’t there tigers, wild boars, wolves, and so on?

Oh my god! No, you can’t go there again, it’s too dangerous.”

When her heart finally settled down, the exaggerated amount of game directly caught Wen Jiuyue’s eye, just like when Leng You and Xiang Wentian brought back the ginseng; the old woman was shocked again.

But this shock quickly shifted from the game to the two children’s safety.

“Grandma Wen knows roe deer?” This kind of animal had never appeared in Daheishan Village. In this era, there were no televisions or magazines, and even few people in the village could read. Leng You didn’t expect Wen Jiuyue to be able to name the roe deer immediately.

“There are these things in the mountains of my hometown. When I was a child, I often saw them when I went up the mountain to gather firewood with my father.

No, I’m saying you’re not allowed to go to the valley again.

Did you hear me? Don’t go there again.”

Wen Jiuyue patted her chest; her heart was beating fast, and she became increasingly afraid.

“There are only these animals in the valley. Don’t worry, it’s safe,” Xiang Wentian spoke.

“Really?” Wen Jiuyue’s trust in Xiang Wentian was unquestionable.

“I guarantee it.” Xiang Wentian nodded.

“Grandma Wen, we don’t have to worry about being hungry anymore. There are so many things in the valley, and a lot of wild eggs and bird eggs. We’ll go pick them up another day,” Leng You gently tugged at Wen Jiuyue’s sleeve.

Wen Jiuyue was busy brushing the snow off Leng You, while some of the snow on her own body had already melted and flowed down her hair.

“This is all the blessing brought by Youyou and Xiaoyan!” Suddenly remembering the abuse Leng You had suffered and the uncertain future, Wen Jiuyue’s heart ached, her hand paused, and her eyes reddened.

“Grandma Wen.” Leng You held Wen Jiuyue’s finger.

The past had made Leng You’s heart as cold as ice, turning her into an unmelting iceberg.

After her rebirth, although her appearance had changed, the iceberg within her remained unchanged. Although she understood the meaning in Wen Jiuyue’s eyes, her heart warmed slightly.

Leng You didn’t know how to comfort her.

“The ginseng can be harvested,” Xiang Wentian timely shifted Wen Jiuyue’s mood.

“Yes, they’re all dried. I’ll get the prepared things.

By the way, let’s eat first! It’s so late, you must be starving!

Xiaoyan, will you eat with us and then take some back to your father and the others?”

Wen Jiuyue had just turned around when she immediately turned back.

“I told my father and the others when I left this morning that we would be back late, and asked them to make their own dinner.” Xiang Wentian felt a little embarrassed about always waiting for Wen Jiuyue to cook for them.

“Oh, that’s good, let’s eat.”

Wen Jiuyue didn’t insist. Her limited food supplies had been greatly depleted in the past few days due to the increase in the number of people, and tonight they could only eat sweet potato porridge.

It was called porridge, but it contained only a small amount of cornmeal, mostly sweet potatoes.

But they couldn’t eat sweet potatoes every meal; eating too much would burn the stomach and cause heartburn.

Fortunately, neither of the children was picky, especially Xiang Wentian. Although he came from a big city, he never frowned when eating coarse food.

Leng You, of course, didn’t need to be mentioned. In Wen Jiuyue’s understanding, this poor child had never eaten enough before, and she would eat whatever she was given voraciously.

But since she was rescued from the valley, the child had suddenly changed. She was no longer timid, her speech became formal and decisive, and she ate slowly and carefully.

However, this kind of Leng You was even more lovable and endearing to her.

The three, whose stomachs were empty, quickly finished their dinner of rabbit stew with pickled vegetables and sweet potato porridge.

Then they started to get busy.

The largest jar in Wen Jiuyue’s house had been moved by Xiang Wentian to a corner of the bedroom yesterday. Although the bedroom wasn’t large, only two camphor wood chests from Wen Jiuyue’s wedding took up little space.