Chapter 359 - 237: Home is the Harbor of the Heart 4

Chapter 359: Chapter 237: Home is the Harbor of the Heart 4

Guan Yongguang was now working as a clerk for Yang Wenxue at the Commune and had already started learning to read. Zhao Wendong had him teach what he learned to Zhao Pandi. Guan Yongguang would certainly not object to Zhao Wendong’s arrangements. Besides, he quite liked Zhao Pandi’s shy, introverted personality, so he wasn’t opposed to the idea.

Zhao Wendong watched Guan Yongguang’s back as he left, then smiled and asked Lin Zhiyin, "Honey, do you think there’s a chance for those two?"

"I think so."

"Right? I think so too. Come on, let’s head back to our own place."

"Huh? Why are we going back so early?"

Lin Zhiyin looked at Zhao Wendong in confusion.

"Hehe. To fire up the kang, and while we’re at it, put in a little more effort... so my father-in-law and mother-in-law can hold their grandchild sooner."

"Zhao Wendong, you shameless pervert!"

Though her words were harsh, she still obediently followed Zhao Wendong back to their house by the sea.

However, Zhao Wendong didn’t indulge in any daytime debauchery. Instead, he started fiddling with a bottle. Seeing this, Lin Zhiyin left him to it and got up to fetch firewood for the kang. People usually lit it in the late afternoon as it got dark, but since they were home early today, she figured she might as well get it started. Otherwise, the house would be too cold to bear.

Zhao Wendong tugged at the bottle’s wooden cork a few times but couldn’t get it open. It was jammed in tight. Having no other choice, he smashed the bottle and retrieved the rolled-up kraft paper from inside. He then took out the other drawing—the one he’d taken from the enemy and kept hidden in his innermost clothing. He spread both pieces of kraft paper out. When placed together, they formed a seamless whole. They were two halves of the same sheet.

Together, they formed a complete map. The center was marked with a location called Immortal Cave, flanked by rolling mountains and dense forests. It was drawn in surprising detail. Zhao Wendong nodded in satisfaction and rolled the two pieces of paper up again.

"What is that?"

Lin Zhiyin had been watching the whole time without disturbing him. Only now, seeing him carefully put it away, did she finally ask.

"A treasure map. It leads to tons of treasure—gold, silver, and jewels. Honey, we’re going to be rich!"

As soon as he said it, he saw the color drain from Lin Zhiyin’s face. Her body began to tremble, and he rushed forward to embrace her.

"Honey, what’s wrong?"

"Wendong, quick! Burn that map!"

"Huh?"

Zhao Wendong was stunned. ’A treasure map... why would she want to burn it?’

"That’s not a treasure! It’s a death warrant!"

Lin Zhiyin’s words made Zhao Wendong understand. Her family had once been fabulously wealthy, after all. For her, the words "get rich" didn’t bring excitement, only terror.

Zhao Wendong hugged Lin Zhiyin tightly and comforted her in a low voice.

"I was just teasing you. Heh. It’s not a real treasure map. Besides, even if it were, I wouldn’t go digging for it now. I’d wait until the time is right."

"And you think there’ll be a time for that?"

"Yes. That day will come."

"Wendong, I’ll support you no matter what you do. But please, promise me you won’t take any foolish risks. This family can’t afford to lose you."

Lin Zhiyin’s eyes were red as she spoke, and Zhao Wendong immediately nodded in agreement.

"Okay. I promise you."

’This really can’t be rushed,’ he thought. ’I have to wait until the things hidden by the Manchukuo puppet government can actually be sold. Cashing them in now wouldn’t get me anything of value. You have to save your best resources for when they matter most.’

When they returned that afternoon, they found Zhao Dashan couldn’t stay in bed any longer. He had Zhao Wenwu and Zhao Wenjun helping him take a stroll around the courtyard. Zhao Wendong looked at his old man, thinking, ’I need to get him a pair of crutches, proper ones like they have at the hospital.’

Feeling a surge of energy, Zhao Dashan insisted on teaching Zhao Shitou how to make snares. He even told Zhao Wendong and the others to pay close attention and learn, saying this was a fundamental hunting skill.

"This is too hard! Why don’t we just use the gun we have at home to hunt?"

"Hard, my ass! Your dad knew how to make these when he was your age. You think bullets are free? Now, hurry up and learn."

"My dad doesn’t know how, either! It was always Third Uncle taking them. So, Third Uncle can just take me with him from now on, right?"

Zhao Wenjun shot a murderous glare at his son.

"HAHAHA!"

Zhao Wendong and the rest of the family roared with laughter, Song Xiaoyu’s being the loudest of all. After a moment, Zhao Wendong patted Zhao Shitou’s little head. "All right. From now on, Third Uncle will take you up the mountain, too."

Zhao Haiyang’s eyes instantly lit up. "Really? You have to keep your promise, Third Uncle!"

"Of course. When have I ever broken my word?"

"Then can I bring my wife with me?"

"You—where did you get a wife?"

"Hah! I have tons of wives! Lots of girls are just waiting for me to grow up and marry them!"

Zhao Wendong nearly choked with laughter. "Oh, give me a break. Do you even know what ’marrying a wife’ means?"

"Of course I do! It means sleeping together, just like you and Third Auntie!"

"AHEM—!"

Zhao Wendong choked on his own spit. Beside him, Lin Zhiyin instantly stopped smiling.

"Zhao Haiyang, you get over here right now!"

Song Xiaoyu wasn’t laughing anymore. She bellowed at Zhao Shitou.

Zhao Shitou stuck out his tongue, then bolted. He vanished in the blink of an eye, his parting words echoing behind him.

"I’m going to catch sparrows!"