Chapter 367 - 239: A Shortage of Prey

Chapter 367: Chapter 239: A Shortage of Prey

"So what do we do? There’s nothing left to hunt around here."

Zhao Wenjun was getting anxious. If their haul was small, or even nonexistent, their families would still have food, but the brick-and-tile house Third Brother was dreaming of would be out of the question. He was hoping that after Third Brother got his house, it would be his turn.

"Let’s head home first. We’ve been out for days, so let’s get some rest. Don’t worry. If this doesn’t work out, I’ll contact some people. If there’s nothing left around here, we’ll just go somewhere else."

"Somewhere else?"

Zhao Wenjun looked at Zhao Wendong, confused.

"Yeah, that’s right. Somewhere else. Like over by Second Aunt’s place. Their Dahei Mountain is even bigger than ours, and not many people usually go into the mountains there. I’m sure there’s plenty of game."

"Okay! Let’s go check it out then."

"Alright, let’s get some sleep. We’ll head down the mountain tomorrow, and then I’ll contact Brother Niu."

After a night’s sleep, Zhao Wendong and his men gathered their game and prepared to descend the mountain. Just then, Xiaobai, who had been missing for several days, suddenly appeared, chattering excitedly at Zhao Wendong.

"SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK!"

’There’s food!’

Zhao Wendong froze for a second, then was overjoyed. ’Not bad, little guy! You’ve finally brought me some good news again.’

"Looks like Xiaobai found something. Hold on, don’t head down yet. Come on, let’s follow it."

The group followed Xiaobai for half an hour, running until they reached a large patch of forest. There, they saw a vast expanse of winter mushrooms, glistening in the sunlight.

"Haha, it’s winter mushrooms!"

"There are so many mushrooms."

The group excitedly pounced on them and began to harvest. They picked until noon, not stopping until they had cleared out all the winter mushrooms in the area, filling three whole sacks.

"Perfect. This trip wasn’t a waste after all. Not bad, you’ve done a great service!"

Zhao Wendong patted Xiaobai’s head in satisfaction. The sly little fox gave him a fawning grin. It no longer had any grumbling thoughts about Zhao Wendong; it was now completely and utterly convinced of his abilities and wouldn’t dare try to play any more tricks on him.

It was already afternoon by the time they descended the mountain and returned to the village. Zhao Wendong and his men had just put their things away when Zhao Weiguo, having heard the news of his return, showed up at his door. Without a word, he grabbed Zhao Wendong and dragged him off. He led him to the public canteen, and from a distance, they could see a large crowd gathered at the entrance, chattering about something.

When the crowd saw Zhao Wendong coming, they automatically cleared a path for him, and enthusiastic greetings rang out.

"Dongzi, you’re back!"

"Hello, Captain."

"Brother Dong, what’s the haul this time?"

"Yeah, I’m back. Hello. Not much this time, just two roe deer. There’s not much left in the mountains now."

Zhao Wendong answered casually as he followed Zhao Weiguo into the canteen. Inside, all the members of the team committee were present. Besides them, there were more than a dozen weak, raggedly dressed people.

There were men and women, adults and children, but no very old people. Every one of them was sallow and emaciated, with sunken eyes. Their cotton-padded jackets were torn, exposing the dark, dirty cotton inside. The youngest child, who looked to be only four or five, was curled up in a woman’s arms. His head was large, his body small, and his lips were chapped and bleeding.

Zhao Wendong took one look and had a good idea of what was going on, but he still asked.

"Uncle Weiguo, Third Master, what’s happening here?"

Third Master Zhao took a puff from his dry pipe and said with a frown:

"They’ve been trickling in over the past few days. The story of your wedding has spread far and wide. They’re on the verge of starving to death, and they heard that if they can just make it to Dragon King Pond, find the ’Big Snowman,’ find you, Wendong, they’ll be able to survive. That’s how they found their way here!"

Zhao Wendong’s gaze swept over the group. He asked, "What about the man we found at the village entrance the other day?"

"Over there. You mean Liu Decai from Pine Tree Valley, right? He woke up the day you all went up the mountain. Right now, he’s the healthiest of all the people who’ve come to our production team, and he’s helping to organize and take care of everyone."

Zhao Wendong followed Third Master’s pointing finger and saw the man they had rescued. He was hunched over, helping the canteen workers stoke the fires. Sensing Zhao Wendong’s gaze, he looked up. His eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

"Captain Zhao!"

Zhao Wendong was taken aback. "You know me?"

"Yes. I saw you at the big fair in your Commune before the New Year."

Liu Decai’s eyes were filled with emotion. He was grateful for the choice he had made. It was a good thing he came to Dragon King Pond; otherwise, he would have surely ended up as just another body on the side of the road.