PCJ – Chapter 279 The Past Buried in the Heart

Who would have thought that the fat cat’s fishing skills were exceptional? Using its tail, it pulled out one fish after another from the river. In the end, it caught enough fish to fill two buckets to overflowing.

A large carp was given to Zhang Manyin, and Zhang Wenrong and others took several fish home. The elderly in the village also received their share. The whole village was delighted.

As they were heading back to the horticultural farm, Zhang Wenrong noticed that Zhang Jiaohua seemed somewhat downcast.

“Jiaohua, what’s wrong? You seemed so happy earlier,” Zhang Wenrong asked, puzzled. He couldn’t recall any specific incident that could have caused Zhang Jiaohua’s sudden change in mood.

“It’s nothing,” Zhang Jiaohua shook his head.

Zhang Jiagen wasn’t as perceptive as Zhang Wenrong. “Jiaohua might be hungry. When we get back, I’ll show you how to make a delicious braised catfish. I promise you’ll eat so well, you’ll want to swallow your tongue.”

“But, does Jin Hu’s death have anything to do with me?” Zhang Jiaohua suddenly asked. Almost a year had passed since the incident. Although Zhang Jiaohua was still young, this experience had rapidly matured him, making him reflect deeply on those buried memories.

“What does that have to do with you? Is it because of what that crazy woman, Ma Jinxiu, said today? Don’t listen to her nonsense. She’s unreasonable. The parents of Jin Hu and the others have never blamed you. It’s been so long. They’d rather forget the sorrowful event. Ma Jinxiu is always stirring up trouble. Don’t take it to heart. No one in the village blames you. You were just a child back then. Besides, everyone knows you fell asleep while grazing cows,” Zhang Wenrong said.

“But how could Jin Hu and the others drown? How could the children of Meizi Tiao drown?” Zhang Jiaohua murmured.

“This…” This question had been discussed countless times in the village. No one had the answer. Zhang Wenrong also couldn’t figure it out. “In any case, it’s not your fault. Forget about it. It has nothing to do with you.”

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head. “I fear I’ll carry this burden for life.”

Zhang Jiaohua looked at Jin Hu and the others who had been with him all along. Jin Hu and the others still resembled their appearance from the previous incident. They were now a head shorter than Zhang Jiaohua, who had grown quickly over the past year and was now as tall as a third or fourth grader.

“Hmph…”

The mountain leopard squeezed up to Zhang Jiaohua, repeatedly rubbing its head against his pant leg. It seemed to sense Zhang Jiaohua’s emotions and tried to cheer him up.

The fat cat also wanted to approach but intended to curry favor with Zhang Jiaohua and take credit. It knew its status was far below that of the mountain leopard and had almost no chance of replacing it. However, it hoped that flattering its owner might reduce the bullying from that annoying dog in the future.

Before the fat cat could get close, the mountain leopard growled fiercely. The fat cat, startled, backed away repeatedly. It could only run to Zhang Hangao’s side and meow at the fish in the iron bucket.

“Fat cat! You’ve done a good job today. Here, have a fish as a reward,” Zhang Hangao said, picking up a dead carp from the bucket and tossing it to the fat cat. The fat cat eagerly caught the fish and swallowed it in a few bites. It had a big appetite, and even a small amount of food couldn’t satisfy it.

“This fat cat eats so much. We’ll have to fish more often in the future; otherwise, the horticultural farm won’t keep you for free,” Zhang Jiagen said, tossing another dead fish to the fat cat.

The fat cat was not picky and caught the fish tossed by Zhang Hangao and Zhang Jiagen with ease despite its plump body.

Zhang Wenrong patted Zhang Jiaohua’s shoulder.

“I’m thinking of visiting that pond in a few days,” Zhang Jiaohua suddenly said.

Zhang Wenrong was alarmed. Though Zhang Jiaohua was a child, he was resolute in his decisions, and they had no way to oppose him. However, Zhang Wenrong was determined to prevent him from going. Who knew what might happen?

“Jiaohua, listen to me. The past is past. Don’t dwell on those unpleasant memories. Do you understand? The pond is completely abandoned now. Five lives were lost there! Who would dare go near such a dangerous place? We’ll do anything you say, but this matter is non-negotiable,” Zhang Wenrong insisted firmly. He knew opposing Zhang Jiaohua might make him angry and potentially force him to leave the horticultural farm, but he had to stop Zhang Jiaohua. He wasn’t sure what was at that place, but what if there was danger?

Zhang Jiaohua was resolute. “Let’s go back first.”

Zhang Jiaohua’s sudden silence about the matter made Zhang Wenrong even more uneasy.

“Jiaohua, I’m telling you, you really shouldn’t go there. Over the past year, no one from Meizi Tiao has dared to go there. Many say it’s become a cursed place. It’s dangerous.

“Alright,” Zhang Jiaohua unexpectedly agreed.

Strangely, Liu Qiaoye, who was thousands of miles away, also felt a twinge of unease and couldn’t sleep well that night.

“Wife, why are you still awake?” Zhang Youping asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know why, but I feel uneasy. Could something be wrong with the child at home?” Liu Qiaoye sat up, her forehead covered with sweat.

“Don’t worry. The child will be fine. He’s very smart. Sometimes, it’s even embarrassing for me as a father. If he had to support himself, where would I fit in?” Zhang Youping said with a bitter smile.

“You’re just preserving your pride while suffering. Isn’t it good that our child is capable? Where do you find someone who doesn’t want their child to surpass them?” Liu Qiaoye glared at her husband.

“It’s not that I don’t want him to be better than us, but as a father, if I don’t make something of myself, I’d be ashamed to go back home,” Zhang Youping said, staring at the ceiling. The light from the streetlamp outside cast the shape of trees on the ceiling.

“Go to sleep. You’ve had a tiring day. You’ll need to go out to collect scrap tomorrow,” Liu Qiaoye said, turning her body and hugging her husband’s arm tightly.

The night in the big city wasn’t as quiet as in Meizi Tiao. The roar of speeding vehicles and the flashing headlights of cars occasionally interrupted their sleep.