TSWPF – Chapter 53 Sending Away

“According to you, if your family has money, does that mean you have to share it with the whole village? So everyone can have a good New Year?” The moment Liu Zhimou rushed over and heard that man’s words, he snapped back without a hint of politeness. Then he walked calmly to stand beside Li Qingling, shoulder to shoulder with her.

The man’s face turned red. He stammered, “My family doesn’t have money. If we did, we wouldn’t need to go to Song Mountain.” As he spoke, he grew more self-righteous again. “We only asked for such a small favor, but Li Qingling wouldn’t agree. Isn’t that too unkind of her?”

If it weren’t for her excellent archery, who would even come begging her?

To him, asking her for help was already giving her face. She should be grateful instead of putting on a cold face and refusing, making them look bad in front of everyone.

If Li Qingling knew what that man was thinking, she’d probably give him two words — brain damaged.

Liu Zhimou let out a cold laugh, filled with mockery. His gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing back on that man’s face. “Kindness? You dare talk about kindness?” He pointed at the group, his voice even colder. “A whole group of grown men trying to pressure a young girl to take you to hunt in Song Mountain — is that what you call kind? Hmm?”

Even though Liu Zhimou was still young, he carried an air of nobility. Just a slight change in his tone made everyone feel the weight of his presence pressing down on them.

“Zhimou, we… we just thought Xiao Ling’s archery is good and she knows Song Mountain well, so we wanted her to lead us there,” the first uncle who had spoken earlier said awkwardly, rubbing the hem of his clothes with an embarrassed laugh. “If… if she doesn’t want to, then… then forget it.”

He swallowed nervously. Don’t be fooled by Liu Zhimou’s usually gentle appearance — when he got angry, it was downright intimidating. Even as a grown man, he couldn’t help feeling a bit afraid.

Li Qingling looked at the crowd calmly, then quietly squeezed Liu Zhimou’s hand before she spoke.

“Uncles and elders, it’s not that I don’t want to take you to Song Mountain — I just can’t. If I take you there and something happens, who’ll take responsibility?” Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “You all remember what happened with Madam Wu, right? That matter had nothing to do with me, but she still came knocking at my door asking for compensation. So tell me, if I take you to Song Mountain and anything happens, won’t your families tear me apart?”

This kind of thankless, risky job — she really didn’t want any part of it.

“You’re just making excuses because you don’t want to take us,” that same annoying man spoke up again.

Li Qingling narrowed her eyes, glaring at him with a sneer. “If you’re so brave, why don’t you lead the way?” She really couldn’t stand people like him — always wanting a share of the benefits, but pushing the blame when things went wrong.

The man snorted coldly. “If I had your archery skills, do you think I’d need to ask you?”

“If you don’t have the ability, then keep your mouth shut,” Li Qingling said, glancing at him dismissively before turning to the others. “I’m sorry, but I truly can’t agree to your request. If you want to go, go by yourselves. Don’t come to me again.”

Just as she finished speaking, the village head arrived and overheard everything. “I can’t believe you grown men have the nerve to bully a young girl like this,” he barked angrily. “Aren’t you ashamed? Because I sure am!”

He was furious with the men of the village.

The moment they heard his voice, the men quickly stepped aside to make way for him. The village head walked up to Li Qingling, giving her an apologetic smile. He truly felt his old face had been disgraced by this group of men.

“You lot — how can your faces be so thick, huh?” he scolded, pointing at them. “I’m telling you again, if you want to go, go by yourselves! Stop forcing a young girl. Do you hear me?”

None of them dared meet his eyes. They muttered quietly, “We know…”

Since the village head had stepped in and warned them, they no longer dared to insist that Li Qingling take them to Song Mountain.

Still, thinking of all the food and game up there, they felt reluctant to give up.

Someone couldn’t help asking again, “So you really can’t take us, Li Qingling?”

Li Qingling firmly shook her head. “I really can’t. I can’t bear that responsibility.”

Seeing her resolute refusal, the men finally gave up and left.

But when they got home, they were each scolded harshly by their wives, who forbade them from going to Song Mountain. They’d rather stay poor than risk their lives.

After being lectured like that, the men gave up on the idea of hunting in Song Mountain and obediently went to town to look for work.

Li Qingling didn’t know about any of this. At that moment, the village head was apologizing to her sincerely, telling her not to take the matter to heart.

Li Qingling smiled gently and shook her head. “Village Head Grandpa, please don’t blame me. I do hope everyone in the village can live better, but I really don’t dare to take them there. The responsibility’s too heavy — I can’t afford it.”

So many lives — how could she possibly protect them all?

The village head nodded in understanding. After a few more words, he left, hands clasped behind his back.

Once he was gone, Li Qingling finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Liu Zhimou. “Do you think I should go to Song Mountain soon?” she asked.

After all, no one from the village had gone there in a while — the game might’ve multiplied again.

Liu Zhimou instinctively shook his head. He really didn’t want her going. Her archery might be good, but if she ran into a bear again, she might not be so lucky next time.

They already had some silver saved, and with dividends from Fumanlou, it was enough for them to live comfortably. There was no need to take such risks.

Li Qingling smiled, knowing he’d react that way. “Didn’t you say you wanted to send Ah Huang back to Song Mountain? This is a good chance!”

Ah Huang had grown so fast that soon he’d be too big to keep around. Better to take him back to the mountain while they still could.

At the mention of Ah Huang, Liu Zhimou fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded. “Alright. Let’s find a time to send him back.” Then, thinking of the children, he added, “But don’t tell them yet. If they find out, they’ll definitely try to stop us. We’ll send him off first and explain later.”

He didn’t really want to part with Ah Huang either, but there was no other way.

Li Qingling’s expression dimmed a little, and she softly agreed.

A few days later, after telling Liu Zhimou she’d be out for a while, Li Qingling quietly left in the middle of the night, carrying her bow and basket, with Ah Huang following her.

When they reached Song Mountain, she took him deep into the forest, hunted a few pheasants, then sent him off to hunt on his own.

Ah Huang — the king of the forest — was overjoyed to be home. He bounded away happily into the wild.

Watching his retreating figure, Li Qingling wiped her tears away, steeled her heart, shouldered her basket, and turned back.

If she stayed any longer, she wouldn’t have the heart to leave — she might even take him back again.

But no, Ah Huang belonged to the wilderness. She couldn’t keep him caged and rob him of his wild nature.

She ran all the way home. When she arrived, the children surrounded her excitedly. “Where did you go, Sister? Did you go hunting?”

Setting down her bow and basket, Li Qingling nodded.

The children rushed over to peek into the basket, only to find a few pheasants. Their excitement dimmed. Then Liu Zhirou asked, “Where’s Ah Huang? Where did he go?”

Li Qingling, who was about to drink some water, froze slightly. Her eyes dimmed, but she steadied her voice. “Ah Huang went home.”

“Home? Isn’t this his home?” Liu Zhirou blinked in confusion. In her mind, this was Ah Huang’s home too!

Liu Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan stood silently, exchanging glances. They were older — they understood. Ah Huang had returned to the mountains.

“No,” Li Qingling said softly after putting down her bowl. “Ah Huang’s home is in Song Mountain.”

Liu Zhirou’s little mouth dropped open. “Will Ah Huang come back?” she asked timidly.

Li Qingling pressed her lips together and shook her head.

Staring at her for a moment, Liu Zhirou suddenly burst into tears. “I want Ah Huang!” she wailed.

Ah Huang had been her closest playmate, and now that he was gone, her little heart broke.

Her crying woke up Li Qingning, who joined in, crying loudly. Soon, the house was filled with overlapping sobs.

Li Qingling looked helplessly at Liu Zhimou and gestured for him to comfort Liu Zhirou, while she went to soothe Li Qingning in the bedroom.

She’d let Ah Huang go — but it wasn’t easy for her either.

Liu Qingfeng quietly followed her inside, clutching his fingers. “Sister, is Ah Huang really not coming back?” he asked in a small voice.

Li Qingling nodded and gently patted his head. “Xiaofeng, remember this — Ah Huang doesn’t belong to us. He’s the king of the forest, and he needs to go back to where he belongs.”

“I know…” Liu Qingfeng lowered his head, eyes red. “But I’ll miss him.” Ah Huang had been like one of them — his little companion. Losing him hurt.

“I’ll miss him too,” Li Qingling whispered. “But if he stays with us, it might put him in danger. Letting him go home is the best thing for him.”

Liu Qingfeng nodded slightly and wiped his tears quickly.

During dinner that night, the mood was heavy without Ah Huang. Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou exchanged helpless glances, silently hoping the children would recover soon.

After dinner, Li Qingling bathed the younger ones and put them to bed. Not long after they fell asleep, rain began pouring outside.

“Sis, do you think Ah Huang’s getting wet in the rain?” Liu Qingfeng asked worriedly, listening to the drumming sounds outside.

Li Qingling sighed, patting his back gently. “Don’t think too much. Go to sleep.”

But her own heart was heavy — she was worried too. Would Ah Huang know how to find shelter from the rain?

Just then, she heard the sound of the courtyard gate bumping open. Her heart skipped a beat. She told Liu Qingfeng to stay and look after his sisters while she went out to check.