Chapter 182: Chapter 178: The Bear’s Harm

Wen Ran should be sure, but facing Xiao Chenye’s questioning, she scratched her head and felt a bit uncertain, “It should be fine, right?”

Xiao Chenye: “…”

He almost fainted.

If it’s something, it’s something; if it’s nothing, it’s nothing.

What’s with the “should” and “right”?

A single sentence made Xiao Chenye’s heart skip a beat.

He cleared his throat, “Ahem, ahem, ahem, then I’ll just wash the knife first.”

“Okay!”

Someone else handling the rabbit was much better; she was too lazy to deal with the bloody mess.

Looking around, “I’ll go gather some firewood and start a fire.”

“Okay.”

The two of them divided the work and collaborated.

Gathering firewood was quite simple for Wen Ran; there was a fallen small tree, probably snapped by the wind, and by now it had mostly dried out.

She pulled down the small tree, using her strength, and with a motion, snapped it into arm-length pieces.

This way, it was more convenient to use.

She found some dry and flammable leaves as kindling and gathered a few thin branches…

Wen Ran started the fire, while Xiao Chenye had cleaned the rabbit and didn’t throw away the skin. He soaked it in water to get rid of the blood smell and planned to take it home for tanning and saving.

Whether to sell it or use it to make something at home, it was excellent either way.

The rabbit was roasting, and the two sat together talking.

Xiao Chenye took off his jacket, laid it on the ground, hugged Wen Ran, and lay down, looking up at the blue sky and listening to the birds chirping around them.

Holding his beloved girl in his arms, Xiao Chenye couldn’t help but smile foolishly.

Wen Ran slightly lifted her head, “Why are you grinning like an idiot?”

“I’m just happy!”

Wen Ran: “…”

Suddenly smiling out of nowhere must mean there’s something wrong with his head.

“Once the house is built, we’ll get married!”

Wen Ran had no objections to this and nodded, “Okay.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie about this?” Wen Ran yawned; it was too early today, and she was feeling a bit sleepy.

She mumbled, painting a pretty picture with her words.

“When the time comes, you can drive around, and I’ll take care of the home, have kids, and care for your parents.”

Xiao Chenye was all smiles like a fool, “Hehehe, Ranran, you’re so good. But, things should be done right.

That’s my mom. Being filial to her is my responsibility. How she treats you, you treat her the same. As long as we have a clear conscience, it’s okay.”

These words warmed someone’s heart. At the very least, Xiao Chenye had a conscience and didn’t engage in some disgusting outsourcing of filial duties.

“Hmph, got it,” Wen Ran glanced sidelong at Xiao Chenye, “I’ll just tell your words to Auntie later.”

Xiao Chenye: “…”

His smile froze on his face, “That, that won’t be necessary.”

“Hahahaha, then you beg me.”

“Please,” Xiao Chenye had no shame when it came to Wen Ran. He leaned over with a face, “Please, don’t tell on me.

My mother’s slipper really hurts when she smacks people with it.”

“…”

The roasted rabbit was ready. Xiao Chenye, feeling it wasn’t enough to eat, caught two three-pound fish from the river.

After finishing the rabbit, the fish were almost ready too.

Wen Ran ate half of one, and Xiao Chenye polished off the rest. He extinguished the campfire, packed up with the gloomy Songzhu, and embarked on the journey home with his bicycle!

On the way back, Xiao Chenye didn’t let Wen Ran ride. The two leisurely made their way home.

Upon arriving at the brigade, they heard something had happened as soon as they reached home.

Mrs. Xiao hurriedly came out, “You’re finally back.”

“What happened?”

Wen Ran hopped off the bike, approached Mrs. Xiao, and said, “Auntie, don’t worry, let’s talk things over slowly.”

“A bear came down from the mountain.”

A single sentence made Wen Ran’s heart skip a beat, “And then? Did anyone die?”

Mentioning a death, Mrs. Xiao could only feel bitterness in her mouth, “Yes.”

Xiao Chenye sighed, “What exactly happened?”

Thinking of the site of their future brick house, Xiao Chenye’s heart dropped, “It wasn’t anyone working on our house, was it?”

“No.”

She looked up, her eyes filled with tears, “It was a child.”

A child…

To be precise, it was a child who went up the mountain to gather pigweed.

The bear hadn’t caused havoc in winter—no one expected it to come down with such a big one in spring.

It came down the mountain, didn’t damage the crops, but took the life of a child gathering pigweed.

Mr. Xiao’s tone was heavy, “That child… barely looked human anymore…”

No need to say it, Wen Ran knew how terrifying bears were—they loved eating live prey, not dead ones.

While they were feeling heavy-hearted, the team leader rushed over, “Have Chenye and Wen Ran returned yet…”

Before he finished, the team leader saw Wen Ran, “Finally, you’re back. I plan to go to the county tomorrow and report our situation to the commune.”

“And then?”

Then?

The team leader wiped his face, choked up, “Then we’ll uproot the bear’s den, damn it, it breaks my heart—that child was one I watched grow up.”

Wen Ran was silent for a moment, sighed, and said, “Uncle, I understand. When the time comes, if I can help, I’ll…”

Before she could finish, Mrs. Xiao grabbed her arm, “Ranran, this isn’t a game. I know you’re capable, but this is a bear we’re dealing with!”

She felt heartache for the child and could empathize with the child’s parents.

But, one must prioritize: she couldn’t just let her family risk their lives.

Call her stingy or selfish, but when it comes to one’s own child, the concern is real.

She wouldn’t agree.

The team leader was taken aback, anxious, “Song Shilan, how can you hold us back at a time like this?”

“How am I holding you back? No one wants the bear to hurt people, but our child’s life is just as precious.

They’re parents, and so are we. Is it wrong to worry about my child?!”

Mr. Xiao stayed silent beside Mrs. Xiao, clearly showing his support for his wife in this matter.

While they hadn’t said much when the children went hunting or boar hunting, every time they went, they were on edge.

The team leader had no retort, “But, but…”

“Team leader,” Mrs. Xiao tried to soften her tone, voice trembling, “You know better than anyone our family’s situation.

The third has gone to the army, seemingly glamourous now as a commander, but any day could be his last on the battlefield…”

She cried like a downpour, “Our fourth has already sacrificed for the brigade.

Now, I just want to keep the young couple, Little Five, by our side. At least we old couple have something to hope for!”

Of her four sons, one was crippled, one gone, and another walked the line between life and death every day.

Could it be that even the only one who could live a peaceful life with his wife, Little Five, also had to be taken by the brigade…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep