PCJ – Chapter 154 Speeding All the Way

That night, unexpectedly, was calm and quiet. The big grey wolves seemed to have disappeared, no longer appearing in Meiziao Village. The frenzied hunt of the previous night seemed to have provided them with enough food to get through this cold winter.

Zhang Youping didn’t dare to sleep, worried that if the wolves came, someone in the family had to be on guard.

“Wife, take Jiaohua to sleep in the attic. I’ll keep watch.”

Liu Qiaoye nodded, “I’ll take over after I sleep for a while. You need to go to the market to sell wine tomorrow, you can’t go without any rest.”

“No need. If there’s no commotion by midnight, I’ll come up and sleep too. Anyway, even if the wolves come, they can’t reach our attic.” Zhang Youping shook his head.

“In that case, you might as well come up and sleep now. Even if the wolves come, you can’t rush out to fight them. They can’t do anything to us. So what’s the point of staying up? Let’s all sleep in the attic. We need to go to the market to sell wine tomorrow morning. Look, even Shanbao is so quiet, the big grey wolves definitely won’t come.” Liu Qiaoye pointed to the Zuan Shanbao lying quietly on the ground.

Shanbao opened its eyes when it heard its name, looked at Liu Qiaoye, then wagged its tail, but did not get up.

“Wow, this guy understands when we talk about it. It’s really smart.” Zhang Youping laughed.

“Dad, Shanbao isn’t an ordinary dog. It’s a mountain dog, several times smarter than Chen Fangsong’s hunting dogs. It can understand our words. If wolves come, Shanbao will definitely notice them first.” Zhang Jiaohua proudly said, as he had trained Shanbao himself.

“Alright, alright, let’s all go to sleep. If the wolves come, let them carry you away.” Zhang Youping laughed.

“How could they carry me? If they carry anyone, it would be you and mom. You have more meat on you. I’m small and don’t have much meat.” Zhang Jiaohua said seriously.

Zhang Jiaohua’s words made the adults laugh until their stomachs hurt.

That night, Meiziao Village was eerily quiet. Even before it was completely dark, every household had already shut their doors tightly. Even the dogs, who liked to wander outside, returned home early and lay on the kitchen firewood, without making a sound. Every house had a lamp lit at the door, flickering like trembling stars in the dark night.

Early in the morning, even the roosters didn’t crow. Everyone in Meiziao Village woke up late that day. The dazzling light reflected off the white snow and into the houses, slowly waking people from their dreams.

“Oh no, it’s so late. We need to get up and go to the market to sell wine.” Zhang Youping said.

“With such thick snow, can you ride a bicycle?” Liu Qiaoye suddenly thought of this.

“I can ride. It’s frozen now, so the road is smoother than usual, just a bit slippery. I’ll wrap some wire around the wheels, and it will be fine.” Zhang Youping dressed quickly.

“Aren’t you taking Jiaohua with you?” Liu Qiaoye asked.

“I’m riding the bicycle, and the road is slippery. What if Jiaohua gets hurt?” Zhang Youping said worriedly.

Unexpectedly, just as he mentioned Zhang Jiaohua, Jiaohua opened his eyes. “Dad, take me with you, I can help carry the wine.”

“How did you wake up? Jiaohua, I’m telling you, you should stay home with mom today. The road is very slippery. I’m not afraid of falling, but it would be troublesome if you got hurt.” Zhang Youping tried to persuade Zhang Jiaohua gently.

“Why don’t adults keep their word? I don’t need you to carry me. We agreed, but now you’re backing out.” Zhang Jiaohua didn’t cry, but his eyes turned red.

“Alright, alright. Let your dad take you. Just don’t blame him if you get cold sitting on the bicycle.” Liu Qiaoye knew that if they didn’t let Jiaohua go to the market, he would be upset all day.

“Mom said I could go!” Zhang Jiaohua’s mood instantly brightened, and he smiled widely.

“You can come with me, but you need to wear your cotton clothes and wool pants. Otherwise, I won’t take you.” Zhang Youping wasn’t worried about Jiaohua getting cold, but about others thinking he was too harsh. He knew Jiaohua wouldn’t get cold, but others might think he was cruel, wearing warm clothes while letting Jiaohua wear thin ones.

To go to the market, Zhang Jiaohua quickly agreed.

Liu Qiaoye was happy too, as the clothes she had painstakingly made for Jiaohua could finally be used.

To make it more comfortable for Jiaohua, Zhang Youping tied only three barrels of wine, leaving space for Zhang Jiaohua to sit. Liu Qiaoye padded the bicycle rack with an old cotton quilt, making it soft and comfortable.

“Dad didn’t want you to come, but you insisted. Sit tight, and don’t cry if you get hurt.” Zhang Youping warned, hoping to scare Jiaohua into staying home.

“I won’t cry.” Zhang Jiaohua climbed onto the seat and tightly gripped the bicycle frame.

Carrying two hundred pounds of goods, Zhang Youping struggled to push the bicycle onto the road, finding a flat spot before daring to ride. Although strong, the load was heavy, making it difficult to pedal.

Seeing his struggle, Zhang Jiaohua rang a small bell. Jinhu and the others immediately flew out of it.

Suddenly, Zhang Youping felt the load lighten as if riding an empty bicycle.

“Jiaohua, you didn’t fall, did you?” Zhang Youping asked.

“No.” Zhang Jiaohua smiled.

“And the wine?” Zhang Youping asked.

“It’s fine.” Zhang Jiaohua knew why his father asked but didn’t explain, feeling a bit vindicated for almost not being allowed to come.

As Zhang Youping’s bicycle sped up, it attracted attention from passersby.

“Wow! Look at that guy, riding so fast!”

“In this snow, he can still ride. Amazing.”

Riding quickly, Zhang Youping surprised even himself by reaching the town in just over twenty minutes, a journey that usually took almost fifty. As he approached the town, the bicycle gradually slowed down. Checking his Shanghai mechanical watch, it was eight in the morning.

The market was bustling for the New Year. Regulations were lax, and no one wanted any unpleasantness on New Year’s Eve. Zhang Youping found a spot to park his bicycle and placed the three barrels of rice wine beside it, unsure of how to start selling.