After everyone finished breakfast, Zhou Yunda began arranging who would go find water and who would stay on duty. Li Wanting had Wangshi continue watching the two children while she strapped on her basket, grabbed a water pouch and bucket, and went up the mountain with the water-finding group.
This time they searched longer. Li Wanting secretly used her binoculars to survey the area—there really was no water nearby. Thinking that their current supply could last another day, she didn’t take any further action.
“We’ve searched so long and still can’t find water. What do we do?” Zhou Dachang, wiping sweat from his brow, asked anxiously, unsure if it was from the heat or his worry.
“Yes… looks like we won’t find water today,” Zhou Dalin added helplessly.
The other villagers also looked gloomy.
“Dachang, if we can’t find water today, why don’t we try something else? We could dig a few traps and see if we can catch some wild chickens or other game,” Li Wanting suggested.
“Little sister-in-law, that’s a great idea!” Zhou Dachang’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Exactly, let’s dig some traps!” the others quickly agreed.
Everyone began digging pits with shovels or shaping wood. Li Wanting collected branches and dry grass. Once the sharpened wooden stakes were fixed at the bottom of the pits, she covered them with branches and grass for camouflage, secretly adding a bit of sacred spring water, a handful of rice, and even a chicken tail as bait.
The traps were marked to warn others, and a few more traps were set up in different spots. By the time it grew dark, everyone returned to camp.
Those left at the camp were disappointed that the water-seekers had returned empty-handed, but luckily they still had enough water for the next day and remained calm.
Li Wanting returned to her resting spot, thanked Wangshi, and handed her a handful of rock sugar, which Wangshi couldn’t refuse and accepted.
Seeing the piles of hay beside the livestock, Li Wanting realized her son had cut it. She also noticed the bedding had been arranged. Pleased, she patted her son on the head, praising him generously.
Zhou Zimeng, feeling left out, sulked. “Mom, I fed Hubao and Huniu the goat milk…”
Li Wanting laughed. “Ah, Mengmeng, you’re so capable! I’ve noticed Hubao and Huniu have grown bigger and fatter—this is all thanks to you.”
Hearing her praise, Zhou Zimeng immediately brightened. “Of course! I’m useful too, you know!”
“Yes, you’re both my good helpers. Now, let me apply mosquito repellent on you,” Li Wanting said, then carefully applied the repellent to the children.
She covered their small tummies with blankets, applied more repellent around them, and sprinkled insect-, snake-, and rodent-repelling powder around their bedding.
The three of them ignored whether others were asleep and eventually drifted off amid the surrounding noise.
As usual, Li Wanting woke briefly during the night and then closed her eyes to rest.
Near the early morning hours, Zhou Dachang and a few men, carrying baskets, tools, and torches, went up the mountain. Li Wanting knew they were checking the traps for game.
Soon, everyone began waking. Some prepared breakfast, boiling water or cooking, while others simply nibbled on flatbreads or cornbread.
Li Wanting made wild vegetable and coarse grain porridge, heated a few rye buns, and boiled three eggs. Breakfast was ready. Zhou Zimeng was still sleeping soundly, so only she and Zhou Zimo ate.
Once breakfast was done and everything tidied, Zhou Dachang and the others returned from the mountain, each carrying several animals, with three even carrying their game on their backs.
Zhou Yunda hurried to meet them and helped carry the prey back to camp.
“Wow, how much game is this?” Zhou Yunda exclaimed, sorting the animals as they arrived.
“Heh, that’s impressive—more than when I went hunting myself. These traps are like gold and silver nests; all the game just falls in!” Lin the Hunter exclaimed, shocked at the abundance.
“Exactly, each trap had quite a bit of game. We didn’t expect that,” Zhou Dachang said, still excited.
“I’ve never seen game pile up like this in traps. Truly amazing,” Zhou Dalin marveled.
“Right, right,” the others agreed, their voices full of excitement and surprise, though they were all delighted.
After counting the game, Zhou Yunda announced, “One goat, two roe deer, twelve wild chickens, eleven rabbits. That’s a lot! Usually, we can’t hunt this much even in the mountains. Truly uplifting! Let’s discuss how to divide it.”
The villagers began talking, but Li Wanting didn’t need to watch—she knew she’d get her share. She had also wanted to see if sacred spring water could attract small animals, and it had worked perfectly.
Clang!
Zhou Yunda struck the gong again, and the villagers looked toward him excitedly.
“Last night, under the advice of Dashan’s wife, the second water-finding team set up traps on the mountain. This morning they harvested plenty: one goat, two roe deer, twelve wild chickens, eleven rabbits. After discussion, the game caught by the second team will be divided among them first—each member chooses a rabbit or a chicken. The goat and deer will be butchered, and each team member will get one pound. The rest will be evenly divided among all households,” Zhou Yunda announced enthusiastically.
“Oh! We get meat!” The children danced with joy.
The adults were equally delighted, chatting excitedly.
Zhou Yunda first distributed the game to the second team. Li Wanting took a wild chicken. The goat and deer were butchered and prepared for distribution.
Afterward, Zhou Yunda asked Lin the Hunter and butcher Zhou Dahuo to help slaughter the animals, with others pitching in as well.
“Hmph! I can’t believe that lucky girl always gets the best stuff,” Mrs. Zhou grumbled resentfully at Li Wanting.
“You old witch, forgetting your own past misfortunes. Ever since the Dashan wife cut ties with your family, her luck—tsk tsk—is incredible. Look at your poor family!” Aunt Tian retorted.
“You old hag! Filthy mouth! I’ll beat the teeth out of you!” Mrs. Zhou shouted, trying to rise.
Zhou Dahe hurriedly held her back, panicked. “Mom, calm down! You don’t want Uncle to kick our family out, do you?”
Mrs. Zhou, scowling at her son’s words, deflated like a frostbitten eggplant, shot Aunt Tian a glare, and sat back down.
“Hmph!” Aunt Tian spat, triumphant, making Mrs. Zhou fume silently.
By the time everyone had received their meat and salted it, dawn had fully broken. The main group prepared to set out again, bustling with energy.