PCJ – Chapter 149 Heavy Losses

“Where’s Yuanbao?” Zhang Manyin looked around but didn’t see Yuanbao or Hu Xiaoqing.

“Yuanbao went up to the attic early last night. He usually sleeps soundly until morning, so he hasn’t woken up yet. Xiaoqing just went to sleep,” Zhang Youlian said, though he was about to mention that he was also planning to sleep but stopped when he saw Zhang Manyin’s impatience.

“Forget it. Since you’re all okay, we’ll head back,” Zhang Manyin said, turning to leave.

Zhang Youping stayed back to give some advice, “Brother, the big grey wolf might be gone for now, but you should still be cautious. Check if there are any repairs needed around the house. After breakfast, I’ll have Jiaohua come over to check if the house protection talisman needs to be replaced.”

“Alright,” Zhang Youlian nodded. The house protection talisman did need to be replaced. It seemed effective, as the big grey wolf had caused havoc in the courtyard all night, but their house remained undisturbed. However, replacing the talisman would cost several tens of yuan, which he was reluctant to spend.

Just as Zhang Youping was about to leave and Zhang Youlian was closing the door to go back to sleep, a loud crying sound came from Meizi Village.

Zhang Youping and Zhang Youlian exchanged glances and looked towards the direction of the noise. They thought someone might have been bitten by a wolf.

“It sounds like it’s coming from Zhang Enzhong’s house,” Zhang Youping listened carefully and recognized the voices of Zhang Enzhong and his wife crying.

“Yes, it seems so,” Zhang Youlian nodded.

“It shouldn’t be. Zhang Enzhong’s wife is just pregnant; they both should be fine. Why are they crying?” Zhang Youping was puzzled.

“That miser Zhang Enzhong must have had his livestock harmed by the big grey wolf. He’s probably crying harder than as if his parents had died. If his parents had died, he wouldn’t be crying this hard,” Zhang Youlian said disdainfully.

Zhang Youping smiled. Zhang Enzhong was indeed known for being miserly. He had separated from his parents after getting married to avoid being burdened by them, rarely helping them out while frequently asking for their help.

Such behavior naturally earned him disdain in the village.

“We should go check. We’re neighbors, after all. If they need help, we should lend a hand. We’ve all suffered from the wolf’s attack,” Zhang Youping said, heading towards Zhang Enzhong’s house.

When they arrived, many villagers had already gathered outside Zhang Enzhong’s house.

“Youping, you’re here too? Did your house get attacked by the wolf last night? Your house should be fine. Those with house protection talismans seemed to be okay. Youping, can you ask your son to put up a talisman for my house too? If I had known, I would’ve gotten one yesterday. The only two egg-laying hens I had left were killed by the big grey wolf. If we hadn’t hid in the attic, the wolf couldn’t get up, I wouldn’t be here talking to you,” Zhang Xingwang, who grew up with Zhang Youping, said.

“What happened to Zhang Enzhong’s house?” Zhang Youping asked.

“Sigh, they had a wall, but somehow the big grey wolf dug a hole in it, got in, and killed all their chickens, ducks, and pigs. They had two sturdy pigs for tofu dregs, which they planned to sell at a good price during the spring planting season. Now, everything’s gone. They also had about a dozen chickens and ducks. This loss is huge for them,” Zhang Xingwang explained, having arrived early and learned the situation.

“How did such a sturdy wall get breached by the big grey wolf?” Zhang Youping was puzzled.

“It’s because Zhang Enzhong was too stingy when buying cement for the wall. He calculated too precisely and ended up short. When he ran out of cement and bricks, he used some stones and mud to fill the last bit. The big grey wolf found this weak spot and dug a hole to get in,” Zhang Xingwang said, showing Zhang Youping the hole.

Zhang Youping examined it. The hole wasn’t very large, but it was big enough for the big grey wolf to squeeze through.

Zhang Enzhong and his wife, Wang Fang, were still recounting the events of the previous night to the villagers.

“Wang Fang, don’t be too sad. You’re pregnant, so focus on your health. This loss is big, but you can recover from it. As long as you’re safe, that’s what matters. Who knows, you might have a capable son next year, and that would be better than anything,” Yang Xiujun, Zhang Xingwang’s wife, comforted Wang Fang, who felt much better hearing this. Despite their current loss, the most important thing for the Zhang Enzhong family was the baby Wang Fang was carrying.

Zhang Jiwang also arrived and walked over to Zhang Youping.

“Youping, it’s really thanks to your son this time. Last night, we thought the pigs in the pen were doomed. But when the big grey wolf approached, it let out a scream and the whole pack fled. One wolf had a hurt leg and limped away. The house protection talisman must have worked,” Zhang Jiwang said, pulling out some cigarettes and handing them out, something he wouldn’t normally do.

“Youping, have Jiaohua come over for breakfast and set up some talismans for us.”

“Youping, we need some too.”

…

Suddenly, Zhang Youping became the center of attention in Meizitang.

Zhang Dechun had slept soundly last night, confident that his brick house would protect him from the wolves. But when he woke up, he smelled blood in the yard.

He went out to find all his chickens and ducks gone, with feathers everywhere. He had slaughtered his pig, or it would’ve been taken too. Investigating, he found the wolf had entered through a waste outlet under the wall.

Zhang Dechun slapped his thigh in frustration, “What a mistake!”