There was a reason she carried the wolf down the mountain. The mountain had plenty of good things, but she couldn’t just go there every day—it would attract attention.
There were wolves on the mountain, and those assigned to patrol the river avoided going up. Once one person refused, the rest would follow suit. Villagers at the foot of the mountain rarely ventured up.
Since she had managed to kill a wolf without injury, she could probably handle two. The people sitting in the yard were likely already hoping she would take the task.
If she went, the brigade members wouldn’t have to go up the mountain themselves. This was a favor owed to her, and it gave her a legitimate excuse to go up.
The brigade leader, moved, stood up. “Comrade Guifen, are you really willing to take on the river patrol duty?” His tone betrayed disbelief.
“Brigade Leader, river patrol is the Tanghe Brigade’s duty. Someone has to go. There are wolves, but I’m strong—I can handle them if needed. Besides, I have my own reasons. Didn’t you say there’d be an extra two work points? And my daughter-in-law Yiyi is pregnant. This patrol doesn’t need to be daily. I can stay home and take care of her sometimes.” Wang Guifen chuckled.
Shen Wangchun hesitated. “Godmother, it’s too dangerous. There are wolves! Even if you’re strong, wolves are unpredictable. What if something happens?”
Although Godmother had helped catch a spy and killed one wolf, who knew if there were packs on the mountain? With a pregnant daughter-in-law at home, she couldn’t take such a risk just for two work points. Everyone else in the brigade tried to pass the dangerous work off to others—why would she take it on herself?
“Godmother, we don’t have to take this job. Fewer work points won’t hurt; we can manage at home. What if something happens to you? What about Yiyi?” Shen Wangchun pressed.
Wang Guifen paused, then softened her tone, seeing Shen Wangchun’s worried eyes. “Don’t worry. I value my life too. This is also for the family. Two more work points mean a bit more grain at the end of the year. Yiyi is pregnant—she needs to eat well. Besides, the brigade will remember this favor, which will make future matters easier for our family in the village.”
She had to take the task—for Yiyi’s health and for the family’s future with the military.
Zhijun was in the Northeast, and she didn’t know what things were like there. More ration tickets were needed. In her previous life, she had never met her son, and she didn’t know what he wanted.
Even if he didn’t like Yiyi, and even if she killed people in the process, that wouldn’t change reality. She had to plan ahead and prepare some tickets for Yiyi.
Seeing this, the brigade leader hurried to support her. “Comrade Guifen is right. The brigade owes her this. Rest assured, the brigade won’t let her take unnecessary risks. In addition to the extra work points, the brigade will give her family a pound of coarse grain each month, as a token. I’ll also tell the other members to pay more attention to Guifen’s side.”
Shen Zhiqing wanted to say more, but Wang Guifen waved him off. “It’s settled. I know what I’m doing. I won’t get into trouble.”
Seeing her insist, Shen Wangchun said no more.
The rest of the time was cheerful. Laughter and conversation continued until late afternoon, when the visitors left and Auntie Zhang’s family carried away their belongings.
Wang Guifen put the remaining vegetables from the stove into the root cellar. It was hot, and things would spoil if left outside; the cellar was cooler.
Just as she came out, Su Yi pulled on her sleeve. “Mom, I heard you agreed to the river patrol.”
Wang Guifen told Shen Wangchun, “Wangchun, go lock the main gate first, then come in. I have something to show you.”
“All right,” Shen Wangchun said, securing the door and returning inside.
Seeing what Wang Guifen held, he froze in shock. “Is… is that mountain ginseng?”
Wang Guifen nodded. “Yes. I found it the day I saved you. This is also why I volunteered for the river patrol. There are good things deep in the mountains. Yiyi needs nourishment. If luck is on our side, we might even find something more valuable we can trade for ration tickets. I need a reason to go into the mountains. Don’t worry, I have the strength—I’m not afraid of those animals.”
Su Yi still worried. “Mom, we can eat less. You don’t have to go up the mountain. Villagers avoid it for a reason—it’s dangerous.”
Wang Guifen held the ginseng. “Yiyi, I won’t go often. Just every few days.” She felt her luck had changed ever since her rebirth.
Seeing Wang Guifen determined, Su Yi could only support her.
“Godmother, when you go, tell me. I’m not as strong as you, but I’m a man. It’s safer for two than one in the mountains,” Shen Wangchun suggested.
“All right. I’ll let you know the day before I go,” Wang Guifen said, then got up and pulled out an old, chipped rosewood box from under the table. It was dusty from being unused, so she wiped it clean and opened it.
“These belonged to Zhijun’s father. You study medicine, so you should recognize them. Now you’re my godson. I’m happy to give these to you. I just hope you learn well and become… a useful pillar for the country.”
Zhijun’s father had educated him like this.
Wang Guifen hadn’t learned much herself but had listened so intently her ears could have developed calluses.
Shen Wangchun ran his hands over the box of books, nodding happily. “Godmother, don’t worry. I’ll study hard and not disappoint you.”
“By the way, can I take Yiyi’s pulse?”
Wang Guifen nodded. Sitting by the kang, Su Yi extended her wrist. “Looks like our family will have a great doctor.”
Shen Wangchun also placed his fingers on it. After a while, he frowned slightly.
“What’s wrong?” Wang Guifen asked nervously.
“Godmother, Yiyi needs proper nourishment. These days, stew some mountain ginseng soup for her—it’s more nourishing than other things. But don’t let her drink too much at once,” Shen Wangchun advised.
Su Yi was surprised. “Mom, that’s exactly what the city doctors said!”
Wang Guifen laughed. “Exactly. Our family is going to have a great doctor.”
Shen Wangchun, embarrassed by the praise, scratched his head.
Afterward, he helped with the commune’s work during the day and studied by lamplight at night. The more he studied, the more he realized that the box of treasured books and booklets from his godmother was worth more than gold.
Wang Guifen sliced the mountain ginseng and dried it in a hidden spot.
In the afternoon, she would cook two slices for Su Yi. If there were extra, she would take some to the young intellectual settlement for Shen Wangchun, making the young comrades joke that they wanted to be her godson too.
The next time she brought food, she would pack extra for the little rascals. Life was comfortable this way.
Ten days later, Auntie Zhang suddenly came in, whispering, “Guifen, Wang Qiulan and the young intellectuals got into a fight.”