The layers of clouds obscured the crescent moon, and the deep night enveloped Qingshan. The village was silent, with only the sounds of insects and birds echoing through the grass and trees.
Suddenly, several green meteors silently swept past the dark foot of the mountain. The barriers set up during the day couldn’t stop them, but fortunately, the traps set by Zhou Tiezhu came in handy.
In the blink of an eye, two wolves were airborne, and one fell into a pit, its howling piercing the silent village, “Awooo—”
The wolf howls were terrifying, one after another.
Everyone was already sleeping uneasily, and they quickly lit the torches beside them, grabbing machetes and hoes as they rushed out.
The frightened women, children, and elderly hurriedly lit all the oil lamps in their homes, hiding inside without daring to make a sound. Some brave women and husbands also went out.
There were even some who didn’t light a single oil lamp, tightly closing their doors, hiding silently, as if thinking that staying quiet would keep them from being discovered.
The wolf pack broke into the courtyards at the end of the village, but many homes were empty.
Wild wolves fight in groups, and it’s easier to break them up than to face the whole pack. Zhou Tiezhu had already advised that it’s best for a few households to band together, with five or six men against one wolf, minimizing casualties. So many families at the end of the village thickened their skin and moved in with acquaintances or relatives at the village head.
Qiao Yue felt a bit lucky that he had brought the Fang family over before nightfall. Otherwise, they were at the foot of the mountain, with no one in the family able to fight, how could they deal with the wolf pack?
“Awooo—” With a command from the lead wolf, the pack split into pairs, swiftly moving out.
The lead wolf, with one subordinate, headed straight into the heart of the village.
The village was filled with screams and wails, echoing deafeningly in the air. Everyone was pale with fear, not just the children, even the adults couldn’t withstand such a fright.
A drunkard was so scared by the horror in front of him that he sobered up, almost falling to the ground, shouting for help, “Someone, help!”
Others were already terrified enough dealing with one wolf, who would run out to save him?
The wild wolf’s hot, foul breath was close at hand, and the drunkard fainted from fear, his eyes rolling back.
Although Qiao Yue wasn’t afraid of the dark, he was still so scared that his teeth chattered facing such danger. Through the torchlight, he clearly saw a gray wolf outside the courtyard wall, its agile, long limbs and sharp teeth bared.
Their eyes met, and the wolf’s sharp, cold gaze was full of murderous cruelty. Qiao Yue felt that the next moment, the wolf would tear him apart and swallow him whole.
Terror and fear overwhelmed him instantly, and his mind was filled with only one thought: “I’m going to die, run—”
Sure enough, the wild wolf targeted the Qiao family. The six-foot-high courtyard wall didn’t even need a wolf ladder; a strong leap was enough to clear the towering wall.
The lead wolf entered the Qiao family courtyard, and the neighbors, who were ready, were so weak in the knees. The lead wolf looked much more fierce and intimidating, clearly not easy to deal with, and they were afraid it would come in.
Fear and relief intertwined, fearing that something would happen to the Qiao family.
Before they could feel relieved, another wolf appeared in front of them.
Oh no! Is he really going to die today?
Qiao Yue looked at the lead wolf in the courtyard, its heavy breathing, those green eyes firmly locking them in place. It didn’t move, as if evaluating who was the breakthrough point.
Qiao Yue gripped the hoe, his heart pounding as if it would stop.
I can’t die, I have to save myself! My…
Spinach—
Right, he still had spinach!
Now he couldn’t care if it would be exposed, survival was the priority. With this thought, Qiao Yue felt a surge of heat throughout his body, gripping the hoe as if divinely assisted.
His mind was filled with one thought: Take it down!
As long as he’s fast enough, accurate enough, and strong enough, he could definitely kill this beast!
In a flash, a swift figure like lightning attacked them, and Fang’s father was knocked to the ground.
“I…￥%……&#*”
Qiao Yue tightly gripped the hoe, swinging it at the wolf’s head, “Die!”
The gray wolf leaped into the air, easily dodging Qiao Yue’s attack, landing lightly on the ground.
Qiao Yue shouted, “What are you standing there for, take it down!”
Qiao Lei snapped out of his panic, slashing with a knife, but missed again. Qiao Laoda and the others went all out, swinging hoes, the lead wolf unable to advance, taking the opportunity to bite Fang’s father.
Qiao Lei pulled Fang’s father back, but Fang’s father wasn’t as agile as the young ones, getting bitten on the arm: “Ah!! My hand!”
Now’s the time!
Qiao Yue raised the hoe, swinging it at the wolf’s head. The moment the hoe touched the wolf’s head, it let out a painful howl, releasing Fang’s father’s arm. The wolf’s head instantly became a bloody mess, even chunks of flesh fell to the ground, blood staining the hoe.
The lead wolf was clearly severely injured, its biting speed slowed significantly, but it still didn’t stop.
Take it down while it’s weak!
Qiao Yue swung the hoe at the wolf’s eyes, lifting it again and smashing down. After a few hits, the lead wolf let out a final howl and collapsed.
Qiao Yue opened his fearful eyes, looking at the wolf on the ground, now a bloody mess, “Damn! It’s finally dead!”
The whole scene fell silent: “………” They began to doubt what they had just seen.
Qiao Yue’s actions were swift, from facing the wild wolf to it falling, it was only a matter of moments. The Qiao family watched as Qiao Yue, with the hoe, was unstoppable, not even having time to finish it off before the wolf was dead.
Just as everyone was about to surround him, Qiao Yue shouted, “Don’t come over, there’s still a wolf!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the wolf from the neighboring courtyard was already upon them, its speed even faster, eyes filled with hatred staring at Qiao Yue. This time, Qiao Yue knew the trick, hitting the nose with one swing, the eyes with the second.
Three swings and the second wolf was dealt with.
Before it fell, the yellow-brown wolf let out a final “Awooo” before slowly dying, its howl echoing through Qingshan Village.
“Awooo—”
The wild wolves still fighting in other courtyards heard the howl, turned and ran towards the mountains, howling as they went, not lingering in battle.
“The wolves are running! The wolves are running!”
The whole village erupted in joy and cheers of survival!
Qiao Lei, dragging his weak legs, looked at Qiao Yue with admiration, only to see him shout to the sky, “Ah!”
So mighty!
Qiao Lei couldn’t help but feel a sense of worship looking at his tall figure, never expecting his cousin to take down wolves in just a few moments.
And two of them!
The tightly closed doors were flung open with a “bang,” and Xia He and Qiao Xiaoyuan rushed out upon hearing the wolves had retreated, “Shanzi!”
“Father!”
Seeing Xia He and Qiao Xiaoyuan approaching, Qiao Yue’s knees went weak, sitting on the ground, burying his head in Xia He’s arms, crying loudly, “Little Dad, I was so scared, boohoo!”
“I’m still so young, I’m so handsome, I haven’t even gotten married, I don’t want to die, boohoo! I’m scared!”
Everyone: “……???”
Xia He thought he was injured, grabbing him to check, “Shanzi, where are you hurt? Did the wolf bite you, are you okay?”
Qiao Yue shook his head, crying with snot and tears, “No.”
“Good, you’re not hurt!” Xia He let out a sigh of relief, comforting, “It’s okay, it’s okay, your uncle and the others have dealt with the wolves, you’re safe now, don’t be afraid.”
Qiao Laoda and the others, who didn’t even get to help: “…………”
Fang’s father was bitten on the arm, a chunk of flesh bitten off, but luckily the bone wasn’t hurt. Fang Chuyue couldn’t bother talking to Qiao Yue, “I’ll go home and get some thistle.”
This wound can’t be delayed, the bleeding needs to be stopped.
Xia He said, “We have some at home.” With that, he ran into the house, quickly coming back out, “Here.”
Fang’s mother, with red eyes, took it, and Fang Chuyue added, “I’ll still go get Doctor Li.”
“I’ll go with you,” Qiao Yue wiped his tears, the effect of the powerful spinach lasting half an hour, he could handle anything on the way. After taking down two wolves, Qiao Yue found himself feeling bold.
He’s no longer the Qiao Yue who’s afraid of ghosts!
The two of them, holding torches, hurried through the night.
…
“What! You didn’t see wrong, did you? It was really Yue who took down two wolves by himself?! Are you sure you’re not seeing things?”
Ma Ershen couldn’t believe her ears! Is this the lazy guy she knew?!
She had gone back to her mother’s house yesterday, and today, early in the morning, she returned to a rollercoaster of events.
Before she could catch her breath, she heard that eight wolves had entered the village last night, her heart pounding as she ran home. Seeing her family safe, she was so relieved she almost fell ill.
Though the village dealt with six wolves, letting two escape, it sounded impressive. Compared to the past when wild wolves entered the village, Qingshan Village really fared well.
Moreover, her family and the surrounding ones were lucky not to have wolves enter their homes. Liu Chengwu and Wang Tian’s families weren’t so lucky, with twelve injured in the village, those two were the most seriously hurt.
It was said that Liu Chengwu’s serious injury was purely bad luck. Originally, their family was hiding well inside, while a few neighboring households fought the wolves in the courtyard. Unexpectedly, the wolves, unable to break through, turned and jumped into Liu’s courtyard, causing the incident. Liu Chengwu’s brother, Liu Chengwen, was also injured, but not seriously.
And Wang Tian, the drunkard, really had it coming. With some spare money, he drank himself into a stupor, and when drunk, he even hit people. If he hadn’t been drunk, he wouldn’t have had both arms chewed up. It was only because someone couldn’t bear it and helped drive the wolf away. Otherwise, he might have lost his life on the spot.
Early today, they were sent to the county medical center for treatment.
Who knows if they’ll survive, Ma Ershen sighed deeply.
She turned and ran out to chat with people, still not knowing the details of how the wolves were fought!
As a result, a big story came out while chatting!
Ma Ershen was shocked by the news reaching her ears, how could it be Qiao Yue who fought the wolves! This can’t be right!
Fang’s father, hearing Ma Ershen’s doubt, actually came out to explain, “I saw it with my own eyes, it was my future son-in-law who did it!” He said, with a hint of pride.
Fang’s father was considered lightly injured among the injured. Last night, when Doctor Li arrived, his bleeding was stopped, and he was bandaged with some medicinal powder. As long as it doesn’t get infected and heals, he’ll be fine.
He was in good spirits, even had the energy to wander around the village, ears perked up, waiting for someone to mention last night’s events so he could jump in.
His son-in-law’s great achievement couldn’t be seen by him alone!
Let’s see who dares to say his son is marrying poorly in the future!
“Tch~ You must be seeing things! How could it be Yue! Impossible!”
But clearly, aside from the few who saw it with their own eyes, others didn’t believe a word, thinking Fang’s father was scared silly by the wolves, leading to madness.
Fang’s father left disappointed, holding his injured arm.
Qiao Lei, no longer silent, boasted to his friends, his brother saying, “You’re family, your words don’t count.”
Qiao Lei was furious, and the group argued.
The story of Qiao Yue single-handedly taking down two wild wolves spread, whether believed or not, it was too shocking. Though they weren’t country bumpkins, it was the first time hearing of such a feat, even the elderly couldn’t help but come out for a stroll.
Strolling, they ended up at the Qiao family.
At this time, the Qiao family courtyard was packed, everyone surrounding Qiao Laoda and Qiao Laohan, talking. The women and husbands weren’t left out, Xia He had to explain repeatedly, “Shanzi is busy now, everyone come back later.”
“Busy with what? Go…” Halfway through, they understood. Not busy, just still sleeping.
But it was hard to dismiss, even after Xia He said so, those who should leave didn’t, instead chatting enthusiastically, one boasting about their prowess in fighting wolves, another about their foresight in setting traps at home.
In reality, not many dared to dig traps at home, fearing their children would fall in. You can’t keep an eye on kids all the time, and they don’t understand when you tell them. Unless there are no kids at home, who dares to set traps?
After serving a lot of tea, Qiao Yue finally came out of the inner room.
Waking up felt like being run over by a rock, his whole body sore and aching, his eyes uncomfortable. He asked in a grumpy mood, “Little Dad, are there any eggs?”
“There are.” Xia He ran into the kitchen, then came out, “I thought you’d need them today, so I kept them warm.”
Qiao Yue rolled the egg over his eyelids, “Hiss,” he looked around, “No wonder it’s so noisy at home, it’s all the uncles and aunts.”
“Yeah, Yue, we came to ask if it’s true you fought the wolves?”
“Yeah, yeah, we heard you took down two by yourself! You’re strong, how about showing us by lifting this stone bench?”
Fighting wild wolves alone isn’t easy, you need sharp senses, quick reflexes, and most importantly, strength to take down a wolf single-handedly. Otherwise, no matter how fast or agile, you’re just food for the wolves.
Qiao Yue leaned against the door frame, “It’s not true, don’t believe it. How could I possibly kill a wolf, it’s impossible. It was the result of our family’s teamwork!”
Ma Ershen, seeing his nonchalant attitude, didn’t believe it either, “I knew it, how could it be you, if you were that mighty, I, Miao Cuihua, could learn to hunt tigers!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Qiao Yue nodded, “Exactly.”
In short, lifting the stone bench… is impossible.
Someone, seeing his attitude, couldn’t help but wonder, “They say people do unexpected things in emergencies, could Shanzi be one of those people?”
Qiao Yue nodded again, “Maybe.” With that, he cracked the egg and stuffed it into his mouth.
Believe it or not, it was external help, and thinking of being strong again in this life is impossible.
Unless he can draw a similar card again.
No matter how people probed, Qiao Yue just had a look of “whatever you say makes sense, I don’t even know,” quickly dampening everyone’s enthusiasm.
In the afternoon, those who fought the wolves returned from the county after selling them. The only valuable part of the wolves was the fur, sold to tanners, the bones to medical centers or pharmacies, and the meat, sour in taste, was only bought by a few eateries.
The money from the sale was brought back to be divided.
Before selling, it was decided that the money from selling the wolves would have 20% deducted for medical expenses of the injured, the rest divided based on where the wolf died and who contributed, allowing them to share the money from that wolf.
So, when people returned from the county, those eligible for a share gathered at the village head’s house. The courtyard was packed, even those without a share joined the excitement.
“Village head, the wolf fur sold for sixteen taels, some were too damaged, less than a tael… the bones two taels three qian, the meat eight hundred wen, totaling nineteen taels one qian. There’s still twenty to thirty jin unsold, I brought it back.” Zhou Tiezhu said, only he had the connections to sell six wolves in a day.
Wang Lizheng looked at the people beside him, knowing he wasn’t lying.
He nodded, taking out the scale to weigh nearly four taels, “Next, take your wolf and divide it, once you leave this door, it’s settled. Don’t say it’s unfair later.”
Zhou Tiezhu said directly, “Our share, we don’t want it, consider it a gesture, to add a bit more for the injured families.”
“Good! You’re a good man, Tiezhu.” Someone shouted.
The wolf Zhou Tiezhu fought had fur worth over four taels, second only to the gray wolf’s fur, truly generous, he wouldn’t have given it away if it were him.
If possible, Zhou Tiezhu wouldn’t want to give it away either, after all, their family’s Da Qing’s leg was still being treated.
But this money was burning, absolutely untouchable.
Zhou Tiezhu, usually seen as honest, turned out to be unyielding.
Originally, it was best for the village head to divide it, otherwise, there’d be trouble. But Wang Lizheng was really fed up with the Zhou family, and the Qiao family, so he played a small trick.
Their two families would definitely get the most money, and this money wasn’t easy to take.
Unexpectedly, they were decisive.
Qiao Laohan saw this, “We’ll also give up a wolf’s worth of money, everyone injured needs to recover, this money is just…”
“Just Shanzi thanking the uncles for looking after him, right, Dad.” Xia He added.
Qiao Yue looked at Xia He in confusion, his little dad wasn’t one to interrupt others, Xia He smiled at him.
“Right.” Qiao Laohan’s mouth twitched, saying to the village head, “Is that okay, village head?”
Oh well.
Wang Lizheng: “Alright, with your kindness, let them thank you first.”
Those who wanted to question the Qiao family for taking two wolves’ worth of money were speechless, only watching others divide the money with smiles, while they got nothing, regretting not rushing in last night.
But when the man told his wife, he was immediately punched several times. Really asking for it, doesn’t he know his own limits, if he went up, he’d be the one lying there.
After being punched, the man sheepishly shut up.
The gray wolf’s head was slightly damaged, but its fur was smooth and shiny, so the tanner offered six taels.
“Six taels, that’s six taels! They’re taking it all, not even sharing with the father-in-law?”
“What can you do, they fought for it, do you expect them to share, and they’ve already given up a small two taels!”
“Ah, why wasn’t it my family…”
After dividing the money, everyone dispersed, still talking about the money on the way, wishing they could chase down the escaped wolves.
Qiao Yue, thinking of the six taels his family earned, immediately forgot his earlier doubts.
“Little Dad, I’m going for a walk~”
Before Xia He could respond, he was already striding forward, looking at the tall and short figures ahead, he couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
Qiao Yue patted the shoulder of the brother in front, whispering, “Why are you here too?”
Fang Chuyue turned and slapped him, “Trying to scare someone to death.”
Qiao Yue looked at his calm eyes, countering, “I don’t think you were scared by me.”
“The shadow on the ground is so long, it’s hard to be scared.” Fang Chuyue shrugged, not blaming him at all.
Qiao Yue clicked his tongue, the sun really wasn’t giving him any face, couldn’t it set in the east.
Qiao Yue changed the subject, “Guess how much money we got?”
“I don’t know, I just came to join the fun.” Fang Chuyue smiled, actually worried Qiao Yue would be shortchanged, but he was overthinking.
Everyone was shrewd, a few words settled it.
Qiao Yue’s little dad too, directly putting the credit back on Qiao Yue.
All old foxes…
Fang Chuyue said, “But I guess it’s around four or five taels.” The gray wolf’s fur really looked special, if he knew how to tan it, it might not even be this price.
“Close enough, six taels, don’t leave yet, let’s divide the money before going back.” After all, Fang’s father also contributed.
Fang Chuyue shook his head, “We won’t take the money, we didn’t help much, it was all you.” Fang Chuyue didn’t know how he did it, but since it was Qiao Yue’s credit, they shouldn’t take the money.
With his father’s nature, not dragging them down was good enough, and he already knew from his father that it was Qiao Lei who pulled him, giving Qiao Yue a chance to finish it off, so he wasn’t hurt as badly.
Otherwise, he might have seen bone like the others.
Qiao Yue, hearing this, looked at him unhappily. He finally had money, why not take it.
He was poor before, now he’s rich!
Fang Chuyue asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“Everyone else is sharing, if your family doesn’t, it breaks the rules.” Qiao Yue muttered.
Fang Chuyue seriously explained, “Others share because it’s unclear who contributed more, but it’s clear on your side, so you don’t have to…” share.
The last sentence was light, Qiao Yue didn’t hear the last few words, “What?”
“Nothing,” Fang Chuyue didn’t want to seem like he was stirring up relations, he said, “I mean you don’t have to share with me.”
“Oh…”
“By the way, what are you planning to wear in a few days?”
Fang Chuyue had already had the fabric bought before made into a few outfits.
“In a few days, I’ll wear…” Qiao Yue suddenly stopped, in a few days, isn’t it the sixth, realizing his wedding day was only six days away, his heart skipped a beat.
He changed his words, “Are we wearing matching outfits?”
Matching outfits would look more coordinated, but few farming families did this, as having new clothes for a wedding was already impressive, let alone matching, especially red wedding clothes.
Qiao Yue hadn’t thought of wearing red wedding clothes before, they weren’t cheap, but now with six taels, he should have time to get two sets, right?
“Yeah, isn’t it good?”
Fang Chuyue smiled at him, his black eyes bright as stars.
Qiao Yue paused, “…Good.”
“Then in a couple of days, I’ll have my dad bring them over.” Fang Chuyue, having settled this, was in a great mood.
The two chatted for a while, then parted ways on the road.
Qiao Yue turned back home, shouting as he entered, “Grandpa, where’s my money, give it to me. I need to show it to my dad.”
Such a good thing couldn’t exclude Qiao Lao Er.
Having already decided where the six taels would go, Qiao Laohan almost dropped his pipe, unable to find words to refute him. He couldn’t not let the child show it to his dad, so he nodded, “Alright, take it, just be careful not to lose it.”
“I won’t, I won’t! If I lose it, I won’t come back.”
Qiao Laohan: “……”
The next day, Qiao Yue indeed took the money to see Qiao Lao Er, even using the previous [Fragrant Kiln Chicken] card, the three of them chatted with Qiao Lao Er for a long time, finally sitting on the ground to share the kiln chicken.
…
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the wedding day arrived.
In the past few days, even though he and Fang Chuyue were in the same village, they hadn’t seen each other. Fang Chuyue stayed home, while Qiao Yue was busy with honey and preparing for the wedding banquet, quite overwhelmed.
Last night, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Worrying about the next day’s events, feeling nervous and scared, then excited, all kinds of emotions intertwined, keeping him awake. Finally, as he drifted off, one thought remained.
He was really going to marry a husband.
The next day, as the golden sun peeked over Qingshan, warm sunlight poured through the windows, the Qiao family courtyard was decorated with red double happiness, red cloth, and red lanterns, inside and out filled with people, bustling with villagers carrying gifts.
In village weddings, almost the whole village turned out.
At mid-morning, it was time to fetch the bride.
The matchmaker shouted, “The auspicious time has arrived—”
As Qiao Yue came out, the scene heated up, “The groom is out~ Going to marry a husband!”
He wore a dark green cross-collared long robe, tall and handsome, with a large red flower on his chest, full of festivity.
His appearance was so striking that the aunts and uncles couldn’t take their eyes off him, lamenting to their own men.
Qiao Yue, smiling brightly, walked at the front, even Qiao Xingsheng behind him couldn’t steal his spotlight.
He raised his hand, “Let’s go!”
The crowd leisurely circled Qingshan, then headed to the Fang family, the sound of firecrackers mixed with laughter and cheers, red firecracker paper like a fairy scattering flowers.