PCJ – Chapter 255 Fragrant Rice and Fat Eel

“Are you eating well?” Xiao Shuangnv was a bit afraid that Zhang Jiaohua might be upset (overthinking it), but she couldn’t help asking.

Zhang Wenrong quickly replied, “We eat meat every day, but we don’t have enough vegetables. The ones we’re growing at the gardening site haven’t sprouted yet. Grandpa Man Yin often sends us vegetables, but we still eat more meat. We’re already tired of eating wild chicken.”

No one in Meizi’ao would dare say they were tired of eating meat, as eating meat every day is not easy in this remote mountain village. But for Zhang Jiaohua and his group, it wasn’t a difficult thing. Fortunately, Mount Mei is vast; otherwise, it might not withstand the hunting by Zhang Jiaohua’s army of mountain dogs.

“That’s not what I meant. I was saying that there’s more than enough vegetables at home, so I’ll bring some over every day from now on. You can’t just eat meat without any vegetables.” Xiao Shuangnv quickly explained.

“You’re just talking too much. Auntie, don’t pay attention to him. There’s so much land at the gardening site, let them grow their own vegetables. When you grow it yourself, you’ll have something to eat. They have hands and feet, so why rely on others? They’re adults now and still rely on their parents, isn’t that interesting? From now on, if the leopards catch any game, you should bring some home too. Otherwise, you’re not allowed to take anything sent from your family.” Zhang Jiaohua glanced at the basket of waterlily fritters and added another comment.

Xiao Shuangnv smiled, “Jiaohua, if you ever want to eat anything, just tell Auntie. It’s no trouble at all.”

“Auntie, has anyone in the village gone to Chen Maozhong’s place to ask for a prophecy?” Zhang Jiaohua asked casually.

“How could they not? Jia Gen’s mother just went to ask for a prophecy today, and she came back talking about how effective Liu Fengying is.” Xiao Shuangnv said vividly.

“Oh no, my mother went there!” Zhang Jiagen was a bit worried. He had overheard the conversation between Chen the Mad and Zhang Jiaohua. That so-called ‘immortal lady’ was no real immortal lady.

“What’s the matter?” Xiao Shuangnv immediately sensed that something was off with Zhang Wenrong and the others.

“Mother, whatever you do, don’t go asking for prophecies. That’s not…” Zhang Wenrong hesitated, looked back at Zhang Jiaohua, and didn’t continue.

“There’s nothing to hide. Auntie, go back and tell the people in the village not to ask for prophecies. Liu Fengying has been possessed by something, and anyone who goes to ask for a prophecy will have their yang energy drained, leaving them weak for a few days. What you find out is actually something you’ve already told her yourself. Once you enter, you’ll be hypnotized by that thing, and it will know everything about you. Especially for those who are already weak, once their yang energy is drained, their bodies will weaken quickly. If something happens to Liu Fengying, that thing will definitely target those weakened people.” Zhang Jiaohua explained the situation and then brought out some protective talismans, handing them to Xiao Shuangnv. “Take these protective talismans back with you and have everyone wear one. That thing won’t be able to harm you.”

Xiao Shuangnv didn’t dare take them. “I didn’t bring any money with me when I came out today.”

“I don’t want your money. We’re family, no need to pay.” Zhang Jiaohua forced the talismans into her hands.

Zhang Jiaohua had Zhang Wenrong accompany Xiao Shuangnv back home and then gave some talismans to Zhang Hanggou and Zhang Jiagen. The protective talismans that Zhang Jiaohua made were now much stronger and easier to produce, so he had made plenty of them in advance, which came in handy now.

Zhang Jiaohua himself also carried some talismans and went to the old house. Zhang Manyin was just coming back from outside with a hoe. When he saw Jiaohua, a smile immediately spread across his face, “Jiaohua, have you eaten dinner yet?”

“It’s not even dark yet, why would I have eaten dinner? Grandpa, where did you catch so many eels?” Zhang Jiaohua saw Zhang Manyin holding a string of eels and immediately walked over to take them from him.

“I was just about to call you over to eat some eel. Didn’t expect you to come on your own. Looks like your nose is sharper than an old cat’s!” Zhang Manyin laughed heartily.

“Did you catch them from the fields?” Zhang Jiaohua asked. Experienced farmers are skilled at catching eels. These eels are expert diggers; even the hardest field ridges can be penetrated by them, often causing water to leak from the fields. If this happens during a dry season, a leak could be disastrous. So farmers catch the eels before they become a problem, forcing them out of their burrows and killing them. Eels are usually very cunning, digging tunnels with several exits, but a smart farmer can outwit them. Once they find one hole, they can stomp on it, and the eel, frightened, will shoot out from another exit, where the quick-handed farmer can grab it. Catching eels is a game of wits and courage.

“Not from the fields. The rice is too tall now, so I couldn’t stomp for eels. I dug them out from the water channels. The fields have been drained, and the main water channel has dried up. I cleared the drainage ditch, and the eels were hiding in there. Just in time to add to our dinner tonight.” Zhang Manyin chuckled.

Zhang Jiaohua carried the eels and walked ahead, and the grandfather and grandson entered the house together.

“Jiaohua’s here. Why haven’t you been back to the old house in so long? Are you tired of Grandma’s cooking?” Ma Donghua teased.

“Grandma, Wenrong and the others work at the gardening site every day, so I don’t feel right running back home. I just eat with them.” Zhang Jiaohua grabbed a basin from the kitchen and started to take the eels off the reed grass one by one. The eels, with their strong vitality, revived in the water, and a few started swimming again.

“Your grandpa said he would try clearing the drainage ditch to see if he could catch some eels. Both grandsons love eating them.” Ma Donghua quickly went to start the fire for cooking.

“Grandma, you haven’t gone to ask for a prophecy at the opposite mountain, have you? Don’t go, whatever you do,” Zhang Jiaohua quickly brought up the main topic.

“I heard the villagers saying that the immortal lady was very effective, and I was thinking of going to check it out. But since my grandson says not to go, I won’t go.” Ma Donghua didn’t ask why she shouldn’t go and agreed immediately.

“Please remember, don’t go. And keep this protective talisman on you and Grandpa.” Zhang Jiaohua took out another talisman, tying it around Ma Donghua’s neck with a red thread himself.

“Alright, alright. Since Jiaohua said not to go, I definitely won’t go,” Ma Donghua said with a smile.

“I always thought there was something fishy about that Chen family on the opposite mountain. You were still thinking of going for a prophecy. It’s a good thing Jiaohua came.” Zhang Manyin put the hoe away, washed up outside, and then came into the house.