PCJ – Chapter 147 Wolves Retreat

“The wolves seem to have left. Should we go out and check?” Zhang Jiaohua’s hearing was much sharper than most people’s, and he could no longer hear any sounds of the big grey wolves in the village.

“No way, what if there’s still a wolf hiding outside and it grabs you?” Liu Qiaoye glared at him and quickly pinched Zhang Jiaohua’s ear.

“Mom, I was just asking, why did you pull my ear?” Zhang Jiaohua complained, looking to Zhang Youping for help.

“Don’t look at me. Your mom is right, it’s too dangerous outside right now. You’re not allowed to go out,” Zhang Youping said, turning his face away, ignoring Zhang Jiaohua’s pleading expressions.

“I wonder how grandpa and grandma are doing. When I was setting up the house protection talisman, I noticed the stone under their doorstep was loose. I even moved it aside and crawled in before. Do you think the big grey wolves could be that smart?” Zhang Jiaohua’s words immediately made Zhang Youping uneasy.

“You little rascal, why didn’t you tell me this yesterday?” Zhang Youping quickly ran down from the attic.

Liu Qiaoye hurriedly followed, and Zhang Jiaohua, finally free from his mother’s grasp, ran after them.

Zhang Youping didn’t recklessly open the door but peered through the crack to make sure there were no wolves outside before opening it. He picked up a pole.

“Qiaoye, you and the Jiaohua stay inside and lock the door. I’ll go check on my parents,” Zhang Youping said firmly, looking at his wife and child before stepping out.

Zhang Jiaohua quickly followed, “Dad, I’ll go with you.”

“No! Go back. It’s too dangerous outside. If we run into the big grey wolves, I can’t protect you,” Zhang Youping was startled by his son’s bravery.

“Jiaohua, get back here! If you take one step outside, I’ll break your legs,” Liu Qiaoye threatened, opening the door to chase after him.

“Mom, the wolves are gone. Let’s go check on grandpa and grandma together. Didn’t you see how carefree  is?” Zhang Jiaohua pointed at Shanbao jumping around beside him.

“Qiaoye, it looks like there are no more big grey wolves outside. They must have returned to Meishan, probably afraid of daylight,” Zhang Youping said, looking around the deserted road covered in wolf tracks but no wolves.

Zhang Youping couldn’t stop worrying about his parents. Even though he feared wolves might appear suddenly, threatening his wife and child, he resolutely took them to his parents’ house. He had made up his mind that if they encountered wolves, he would sacrifice himself to protect his family.

The snow had stopped, and its surface had frozen, making a crisp crunching sound underfoot.

Meizi Village was eerily quiet, with no barking dogs or crowing roosters. The village was deathly silent, with only the occasional howling wind.

“Dad, see? The wolves are long gone. Not a single one left,” Zhang Jiaohua boasted.

“The wolves were so aggressive last night. I wonder if anyone in the village was hurt,” Liu Qiaoye said worriedly, shaking her head.

“Let’s hope not,” Zhang Youping frowned. If someone died during the New Year, it would be a terrible situation.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen. The wolves came because they were hungry. Once they’re full, they leave,” Zhang Jiaohua reassured, not sensing any death in the village.

Zhang Jiaohua shook the bell in his hand, producing a crisp jingle.

“Jiaohua, don’t be so loud. If there’s a big grey wolf hiding nearby, our whole family could be in danger,” Zhang Youping quickly grabbed his hand.

Zhang Jiaohua struggled to free his hand, “Dad, be gentle, you’re hurting me.”

Liu Qiaoye stepped in to protect her son, “Can’t you be more careful? The child’s hand is delicate. If you hurt him, you’ll have to deal with me.”

Zhang Jiaohua smiled provocatively at his father. He had rung the bell to release Jinhu and the others, who had hidden inside when the wolves came. The bloodthirsty wolves’ presence was terrifying for them, and they had to hide to avoid being dispersed by the wolves’ intense blood aura.

Seeing no more wolves, Jinhu and the others finally relaxed after coming out.

They soon reached Zhang Jiaohua’s grandparents’ house. The road outside was covered in wolf tracks, many leading into the courtyard. Zhang Youping’s expression turned serious.

“Grandpa, Grandma!” Zhang Jiaohua ran in, tripping over something and falling.

“Careful!” Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye shouted in unison, rushing to help him up.

“Are you hurt?” Liu Qiaoye asked, dusting off the snow.

“Woof! Woof!” Shanbao pounced on the snow pile Zhang Jiaohua had tripped over, sensing something underneath.

“What is it?” Zhang Jiaohua wondered, knowing Shanbao had found something.

Shanbao dug through the snow, revealing grey animal fur.

“A big grey wolf!” Zhang Youping recognized it immediately.

At that moment, Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua came out, “What are you doing here so early, and bringing Jiaohua? What if there were still big grey wolves outside?”

Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua scolded Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye for not being careful.

“Father, we saw the wolves leave before coming. Qiaoye was worried about you two,” Zhang Youping credited his wife with their visit.

Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua’s expressions softened, “Qiaoye, your concern is appreciated. But even if something had happened to us last night, it would be too late now. If anything happened to you, we’d never forgive ourselves.”

“Father, Mother, we checked thoroughly and made sure the wolves were gone before coming. Are you both alright?” Liu Qiaoye asked.

“Thanks to Jiaohua, we’re fine,” Zhang Manyin said, hugging and kissing his grandson.

Shanbao had fully uncovered the big grey wolf, which had been buried for only a few hours and was not deeply covered by the snow.