Xing Zhaozhao’s father was an exceptional hunter. From her early childhood, he often took her and her brother into the mountains to hunt. It wasn’t until she later married and followed her husband to the Troops that her visits became less frequent.
Being thoroughly familiar with the mountains, she felt no apprehension when taking Hongyu deep into the woods this time, heading straight into the heart of the forest with confident familiarity.
Compared to the frequently visited outskirts, the deep mountains indeed offered more bounty.
Pine cones lay scattered everywhere for the taking, and though hard to find and scarce, wild mushrooms still clung stubbornly to life in damp, shaded spots near tree roots.
They were fortunate to find a wild hawthorn tree still bearing fruit, though past its season, the berries had lost much of their flavor.
Their most substantial find was a chestnut tree, from which they gathered a basketful of chestnuts, making the trip somewhat worthwhile.
Children’s promises should never be taken too seriously.
Before setting out, Xiao Yuma had solemnly vowed to stay close to his mother and not wander off.
Yet, in the brief moment Xing Zhaozhao climbed the tree to gather chestnuts, the little one—who had been dutifully collecting fallen chestnuts under the tree—vanished without a trace by the time she descended.
Xing Zhaozhao broke into a cold sweat instantly.
“Xiao Yuma?” she called out loudly.
No response.
“Gao Hongyu?” Her voice sharpened with anger, though fear was the true culprit, tears welling in her eyes.
Finally, a faint reply emerged from a nearby thicket: “Mom, I’m here.”
Abandoning her basket, Xing Zhaozhao dashed frantically toward the sound.
Hongyu emerged from the bushes, leaves clinging to his forehead, and waved cheerfully at her. “Mom…”
Her face dark with fury, Xing Zhaozhao snatched him up, laid him across her knees, and delivered several sharp smacks to his bottom. “Didn’t you promise not to run off? Were you trying to scare me to death?”
Sliding off her lap, the child pouted, eyes swimming with unshed tears as he gazed pitifully at her.
Xing Zhaozhao glared sternly. “If you dare cry, don’t ever expect me to bring you here again.”
Empty threat though it was, there would be no next time.
But little Hongyu believed her, stubbornly swallowing his tears.
“Sorry, Mom,” he apologized.
“Hmph.” She refused to accept it.
“Let me take you somewhere. Don’t be mad, okay?” Hongyu tugged at her sleeve.
“Hmph.” She offered no commitment.
Taking her silence as consent, Hongyu pulled her along. “Come on, Mom. Look what I found!”
Though still angry, curiosity won out, and Xing Zhaozhao followed.
They wove through the trees, ducked through a low cave, and suddenly, a wave of warmth enveloped them.
Xing Zhaozhao froze momentarily, then her eyes lit up.
A hot spring—hidden here all along!
Sheltered and temperate, the area yielded more treasures: vast patches of wild mushrooms, a thicket of wild raspberries, another wild hawthorn heavy with fruit, and even a wild beehive nestled in the tree branches.
They’d struck gold.
Xing Zhaozhao immediately turned to leave. “I’ll fetch the basket. You stay right here and wait.”
Hongyu grinned triumphantly. “Okay.”
Xing Zhaozhao abruptly halted her steps, glaring at him warningly: “Don’t think this makes up for your earlier mistake. When we get home, I’m still going to deal with you.”
The smile on Hongyu’s face instantly froze, his little face immediately falling.
He looked so pitiful.
By the time Xing Zhaozhao brought Hongyu home, dusk was settling.
Hongfei had been anxiously waiting at the door, worried they might have encountered trouble in the mountains, hesitating whether to go down the mountain to find Aunt Hao.
“Brother!”
Just then, Hongyu’s call suddenly echoed from far up the mountain.
Immediately after, he saw two figures—one large, one small—emerging from the woods.
He happily ran toward them: “Mom, Xiao Yuma…”
As he drew closer and saw them, apart from the baskets on their shoulders, Xing Zhaozhao was carrying a large bundle in one hand and a wild mountain chicken with its wings tied in the other, while Hongyu held a live wild rabbit in his hand. Hongfei was stunned: “How did you get so much stuff?”
Hongyu looked proud: “I found it—a big hot spring surrounded by treasures.”
Xing Zhaozhao watched coldly from the side, coughing twice: “Ahem, ahem.”
Hongyu’s little face immediately fell again. Hanging his head, he returned home, put down his basket and the now leg-tied wild rabbit, then stood in the corner facing the wall to reflect on his mistakes.
Hongfei followed them in and, seeing this, asked curiously: “What’s going on?”
Xing Zhaozhao, coming in last, cast a cold glance at Hongyu and said: “Before we left, we agreed he wouldn’t run off. But as soon as we arrived, he couldn’t control his legs and nearly scared me to death.”
Seeing his brother’s pitiful state, though Hongfei felt some sympathy, he agreed with Xing Zhaozhao’s approach: “Serves him right.”
Hongyu: “!!”
Their fragile brotherly bond shattered.
Hongfei helped Xing Zhaozhao sort through everything they had gathered from the mountain that day. Seeing the wild raspberries, he asked: “These berries probably won’t keep long. Are you planning to go back there tomorrow, Mom?”
Xing Zhaozhao thought for a moment and said: “The weather’s cold now, so these should last another couple of days. I plan to go down the mountain tomorrow to trade with Aunt Hao for some of her dried wild mushrooms and dried wild vegetables. We’ll take everything to sell the day after tomorrow.”
Then she turned to Hongfei: “Tomorrow, you and Xiao Hongling will come down the mountain with me to visit your Granny Hao.”
Hongfei nodded happily: “Okay.”
Hongyu, still standing in the corner reflecting, pricked up his ears upon hearing this. He turned his head eagerly toward them. Though he didn’t speak, his desperate eyes clearly screamed: I want to go too, I want to go too.
However, this time Xing Zhaozhao was determined to teach him a lesson. She turned and glared at him, saying: “That disobedient little rascal stays home alone to mind the house. We’ll see about taking him when he learns to behave.”
Hongyu instantly deflated.
The next morning, after breakfast, Xing Zhaozhao carried Xiao Hongling and took Hongfei with her as they left to go down the mountain.
Before they departed, Hongyu kept watching them with longing eyes, wanting to join. But Xing Zhaozhao didn’t soften her stance, insisting he stay home, hoping this would truly make him learn his lesson.
As they left, Hongfei also carried a basket on his back.
Xing Zhaozhao had brought ten catties of rice with her, intending to trade them with Aunt Hao for dried mushrooms and dried wild vegetables. She also carried a handful of wild raspberries to give Aunt Hao’s grandson, Little Qiangzi, as a treat.
When she arrived at Aunt Hao’s doorstep, she happened to run into Granny Gao from next door, who had just returned from washing clothes by the river. The moment Granny Gao spotted Xing Zhaozhao, her face instantly darkened. She let out a cold snort, hurried inside, and slammed the door with a loud bang.
“…” Xing Zhaozhao couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Who was she putting on this act for? As if Xing Zhaozhao cared.
She knocked tap-tap on Aunt Hao’s door.
Aunt Hao was overjoyed to see Xing Zhaozhao arriving with her two children: “Oh, what brings you here today?”
Xing Zhaozhao smiled and replied, “Of course, I’ve come to ask for your help.”
“That’s wonderful! I’m glad you thought of me. Come in, quick.” Aunt Hao welcomed them inside with a smile.
As soon as she stepped into the yard, Xing Zhaozhao noticed an unfamiliar man helping Uncle Hao, who was busy with woodwork.