RYEY -Chapter 407 Wild Boars Descend the Mountain

Wang Xiangyang was very supportive when he heard they were going to visit Chen Weidang. Chen Weidang cherished this eldest unmarried daughter dearly. Now that she was about to get married, of course, he had to go see her.

“Auntie, you just prepare some medicinal porridge. This month’s prison visit hasn’t been used yet, right? Then take them—the siblings and the soon-to-be son-in-law—together. Tell him this good news and let him be happy too.”

Cuihua nodded repeatedly, her eyes welling up with tears. But today was her daughter’s engagement day, a happy occasion, so she mustn’t cry, lest it bring bad luck.

“All right. You two go sort things out first, discuss when to get married, and if your parents have any conditions. I’ll go cook for you.”

Cuihua turned and headed to the kitchen. The soon-to-be son-in-law had arrived, and of course, some good food and drink had to be prepared to welcome him. Seeing Ermao still stroking the military coat, she tugged him lightly, and only then did Ermao snap out of it.

Wang Xiangyang, seeing things settled, was about to leave, but Cuihua called out to him: “Let’s have dinner together tonight, and invite Cheng Qiao and Huanzai too.”

“All right, Auntie. You go ahead, I’m leaving.”

Xiao Dan felt delighted. Seeing no one around, he quickly took out the thousand yuan Cheng Qiao had given him, which hadn’t even been warmed yet:

“By the way, my dad found a medicinal herb in the mountains and just sold it for a thousand yuan. It’s not proper for me to keep this money. Xiao Niu, since you’re willing to marry me, you take it.”

“A thousand yuan? What herb could be so expensive? Who did you sell it to?”

“To whom else? Of course, Second Sister-in-law. She said it was top quality. From now on, whenever I return to Qilian Mountains on my days off, I’ll collect herbs, and the money I earn will all go to you.”

Chen Xiaoniu took the thick stack of money, clutching it tightly. In her life, she had never held so much money. Cheng Qiao was right—this man was the one she would marry.

“You go ahead and finish your chores. It’s still early before dinner. I’ll help in the fields and join you and Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law tonight.”

“All right, go ahead.”

Chen Xiaoniu walked into the kitchen with the money. When Cuihua saw it, she gasped in surprise. Learning it was secretly given by Xiao Dan, all her earlier reluctance vanished.

“I’ve already prepared some dowry for you: two quilts, one dowry chest, four sets of new clothes—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and some essentials for daily life. See if you need anything else.”

Cuihua knew her daughter well. Seeing her suddenly resolute, she knew the marriage was surely going to happen, so she listed the dowry. But Chen Xiaoniu didn’t pay much attention.

“Mom, just now Xiao Dan said this money came from his father collecting snow lotus in the mountains, which he sold to Cheng Qiao. He’ll also gather herbs from the mountains, and the money he earns will all go to me.”

Hearing that her future brother-in-law treated her sister so well, Chen Ermao finally showed the first smile of the New Year. A harmonious home brings everything. As long as the family is happy, there’s nothing to worry about.

“Sister, when you marry, live well. The family’s got me; don’t worry.”

“Brother, when are you going to get a sister-in-law for me?”

Chen Ermao didn’t answer. The girl he liked had returned to the city for school, and his mother didn’t want him to marry a “sent-down youth,” so he planned to stay single for life.

“I’ll keep an eye out. Tomorrow go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy what you need. By the next time Xiao Dan comes, you’ll definitely be married.”

As dusk approached, Wang Xiangyang arrived with Li Huan and Xiao Dan. Cuihua poked her head out, not seeing Cheng Qiao, and wondered:

“Huanzai, where’s your wife? Why hasn’t she come?”

“Auntie Wang cooked a lot of good food. Ye Xiaolin and Secretary Hao are still at home, so she’s staying to host them.”

“Why hasn’t Secretary Hao left yet?”

“It’s late today; he’ll leave tomorrow morning. Anyway, my house is big, and there’s room for him to sleep.”

“Xiao Dan should sleep at Auntie’s tonight, not go back with Huan.”

Xiao Dan’s face flushed. Chen Xiaoniu couldn’t sit still anymore. She carried her bowl back to her room, feeling delighted.

Dinner was very enjoyable. The field work was finished. Though half the wheat was lost, everyone had pigs, so the loss could be compensated.

“Auntie, thank you for the meal. We’ll be going now. As for their marriage, you can decide yourselves. And it doesn’t matter if Xiaoniu is married off; Lele will also come over after graduation next year.”

“Really? That’s wonderful. Oh, I remember Cheng Qiao is over there too. With her there, what else is there to worry about?”

Cuihua was excited. Hearing this, Xiao Dan felt a little wronged. He never intended to mistreat Chen Xiaoniu; why did his future mother-in-law not trust him?

Wang Xiangyang, now adept at reading expressions, quickly changed the subject: “Auntie, I’ll call the village committee later to schedule the prison visit.”

“Yes, thank you, Xiangyang.”

Prison visits weren’t casual; appointments had to be made, and missing one could risk review at the next.

Chen Xiaoniu led Xiao Dan to Chen Damao’s room. With few rooms available, only Chen Damao’s was empty:

“This is my elder brother’s room. He’s already… If you think it’s unlucky, you can stay at Huan’s place; it’s festive over there.”

Xiao Dan didn’t care. He was a soldier, righteous and fearless, clad in uniform. A disobedient Chen Damao wouldn’t scare him.

“I was worried he wouldn’t come for me. People like that, I can handle one, two at a time. Don’t worry.”

Hearing this, Chen Xiaoniu knew he wasn’t afraid. She smiled faintly and left. Xiao Dan’s mind wandered—her smile was really beautiful.

Cheng Qiao had already cleaned up and was lying on the kang, but something felt off. She quickly got dressed and sat on the edge of the kang, thinking.

“What’s wrong? Not sleepy yet? Go to bed early; there’s a lot to do tomorrow.”

Li Huan, concerned, hugged her shoulders. Cheng Qiao turned and hugged him, whispering something that made his eyes widen.

“Hey, my homemade gun is in Beijing.”

“I brought it.”

Li Huan had made two more homemade guns: one in Beijing and one at the old house in the county. He hadn’t expected Cheng Qiao to bring hers along.

“Cheng Qiao, can you sense the spy’s location?”

“No, I don’t have any supernatural ability. Maybe I can’t even defeat this spy.”

Li Huan’s heart raced. He wanted to hide Cheng Qiao. Suddenly, remembering she had a way to avoid danger, he felt relieved. Just as he was about to remind her, he heard a commotion of “huffing and snorting.”

“Not good, wild boars have come down the mountain!”

Living at the foot of the mountain, Li Huan was very sensitive to the sound of wild boars. Hearing the familiar sound, he jumped. Cheng Qiao felt a chill—how could wild boars come down at midnight? That meant…