Flip the table and divide the family property! Take his wife and daughter into the mountains and eat

As dusk fell, in the dilapidated house at the foot of North Mountain, Old Sun lifted the tattered felt curtain for the third time and glanced up at the mountain.

The mountain is still the same mountain, with a dark, dense forest pressing down from the mountainside, and the treetops rustling loudly in the wind.

Old Sun frowned, tapped his pipe on the sole of his shoe, and muttered under his breath, "Something's not right."

Zhao Shanhe had told him before going into the mountains that it would take at most two days. Knowing that kid's personality, if he didn't catch the tiger, he would come back first, have a hot meal, and then figure out a new route.

But now it's almost completely dark, and there's not a soul in sight on the mountain path.

The unease in his heart was like a smoldering ember under the ashes, rising up in waves.

The more Old Sun thought about it, the more restless he became.

Zhao Shanhe is not a person who doesn't know his place.

That guy has a wife and kids at home, and a ton of work waiting for him at the factory. If he still has a breath left, he'll crawl back home.

But now two days have passed, and there's still no sign of it, which is strange. Old

Sun looked up at the darkening North Mountain, his wrinkles tightening little by little.

That's the king of the mountains.

The real man-eating creatures in the old forest.

No matter how capable Zhao Shanhe is, he is still only made of flesh and blood.

They might perish in the mountains.

Old Sun gritted his teeth, and the cloudiness in his eyes slowly subsided.

If they're still alive, bring them back.

If he really dies in the mountains, his body must be recovered; it cannot be left to rot in the wolf's den or the belly of wild beasts.

"I'm not waiting anymore."

Old Sun abruptly pulled the pipe from his mouth, knocked the ash to the ground, and turned to go back into the house.

He grabbed the medicine basket that had been prepared long ago by the side of the kang (a heated brick bed).

He stuffed hemostatic medicine, white cloth, liquor, firewood, ginseng slices, and two hard pieces of dry rations into the bag.

He also grabbed the old homemade gun in the corner and tucked the machete into his lower back.

As he strode out, he cursed in a low voice, "Zhao Shanhe, you little bastard, I owe you something in this life. If you don't bring me two jugs of good wine when you get back, I'll smash your stove."

Just as the curtain was lifted, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

Old Sun paused, looking up. In the twilight, Lin Xiu stood at the entrance of the medicine shed, her face deathly pale, her hair disheveled by the mountain wind, clutching an old cotton-padded coat tightly to her chest.

Those were the clothes Zhao Shanhe changed out of before leaving the house.

Li Baotian and Wang Xiulan followed behind her.

Li Baotian carried a heavy canvas bag on his back, clutched a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle in his hand, and his facial muscles were taut.

Wang Xiulan stood to the side, her eyes red-rimmed, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Qinglong was standing at Lin Xiu's feet.

The large, bluish-black dog's injured leg hadn't fully healed yet. Its front legs landed unevenly, and with each step forward, its shoulders slumped down, but it still managed to come.

Old Sun frowned upon seeing their arrival: "What brings you here?"

Lin Xiu didn't beat around the bush. She stepped forward, raised her reddened eyes to look at him, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Uncle Sun, has something happened to Shanhe?"

Old Sun's lips moved, suppressing the surging emotions within him.

He slung the medicine basket over his shoulder and deliberately spoke in a rough voice, "What could possibly happen? Hunting in the old forest, it's not unusual to be a day or two late. That kid's not a first-timer in the mountains, he has a gun, and Black Dragon is with him. If he really runs into trouble, he can get away with it."

Lin Xiu didn't reply, but just looked at the medicine basket on his shoulder, the old-fashioned gun in his hand, and then glanced at the wood-chopping knife tucked behind his waist.

Her voice was even hoarseer: "Uncle Sun, don't lie to me."

Old Sun frowned: "Who lied to you?"

Lin Xiu took a step forward, her thin body swaying in the cold wind, but she didn't back down. "If you really think he's alright, why are you carrying a medicine basket at this time? Why are you carrying a gun? Why did you bring a machete? Aren't you planning to go up the mountain to look for him?"

The doorway fell silent immediately.

The wind blew down from the mountain, swirling up snowflakes and withered leaves, which rustled around the feet of the group.

Old Sun tightened his grip on the gun barrel, and after a long pause, he said with a somber face, "I'm planning to go into the mountains to take a look. But don't scare yourself. Zhao Shanhe is a tough guy, and he's very capable. He won't get into trouble easily. I'm just worried that something might get in the way of him, and I'll have to go in and give him a hand."

"I knew he wouldn't die."

Lin Xiu bit her lower lip hard, her knuckles clenching the old cotton-padded jacket in her arms until it turned white. "I can't stand waiting in the house."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Azure Dragon standing at her feet suddenly raised its neck and cried out twice in the direction of the old forest.

"Woof! Woof!"

Old Sun turned to look at the large dog, who could barely stand, and frowned even more deeply: "Why are you joining in, you beast? You've got a limp leg, what help can you be on the mountain?"

The Azure Dragon did not retreat.

It limped forward half a step with its right front leg, blocking Lin Xiu's way.

Those dog eyes were fixed on Old Sun, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

Old Sun looked at the man and the dog, his eyes twitched, and finally he could only sigh and slung his old rifle over his shoulder.

"Fine, I guess I owe your family something for the rest of my life."

Just as a glimmer of light flashed in Lin Xiu's eyes, Old Sun's next words shut her up.

"The Azure Dragon can follow, but you can't."

Lin Xiu froze: "Uncle Sun..."

"Don't call me uncle."

Old Sun's face immediately darkened. "Qinglong went; he can smell the scent and find the aura left by Heilong. What were you doing there? It's pitch black in the mountains; you can't even see the ditch or the rocks under your feet. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to explain it to Zhao Shanhe when he comes back?"

Lin Xiu was speechless.

Wang Xiulan quickly stepped forward, took her arm, and whispered, "Xiu, Uncle Sun is right. The mountains are no joke. If you really go in, what will happen if you see the mountains and rivers? Won't you be in turmoil? If you're going, have your Uncle Li go with you."

Upon hearing this, Old Sun frowned again and abruptly turned to look at Li Baotian.

"Are you going too?"

Li Baotian stood behind Wang Xiulan, clutching a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle in his hand, the canvas bag on his back weighing down his shoulders.

He didn't avoid Old Sun's gaze, and just uttered a single word stiffly.

"go."

Old Sun's face darkened.

"Do you think this is a market?"

He raised his hand and pointed at Li Baotian, then at Lin Xiu and Wang Xiulan. "You two are going into the mountains. Don't you know what kind of place Beishan is? Once it gets dark, you can't even see the ditch or the embankment under your feet. If you encounter wild animals, you won't even have time to scream."

"You're carrying so much stuff and a gun. If something really happens, should I look for Zhao Shanhe or protect you?"

Li Baotian gritted his teeth and took a step forward.

"Then I have to go too."

Old Sun's eyes widened. "I said no."

"If you don't take me, I'll go by myself."

Old Sun was so angry that his eyes twitched, and he raised his hand to hit him with his pipe.

"You little bastard!"

"Zhao Shanhe is a handful, and you're a handful too, aren't you?"

"Go by yourself? Do you even know the way? Do you know which rocks in the mountains you can't step on, which gullies you can't cross at night? You think having a rifle makes you a hunter?"

Li Baotian's face turned red from the scolding, but he didn't back down.

He gripped the No. 56 clenched his fist tightly, his voice low.

"I know I'm not a hunter."

That's why I'm going to follow you.

"Uncle Sun, you know how much Shanhe has helped me. If it weren't for him, I, Li Baotian, would be stuck somewhere right now. He taught me how to work, broadened my horizons, and when we really encountered trouble, he never treated me like an outsider."

He paused, as if something was stuck in his throat, and then continued, "What was his purpose in going into the mountains this time?"

"It's not for my own show of strength."

"He did it for his brothers in the factory, for the Red Star Factory, and for that machine to get running again."

"He risked his life in the mountains to find a way for everyone."

"He hasn't come back for three days. If I'm still hiding in my room waiting for news, would I, Li Baotian, still be a human being?"

Old Sun remained silent with a sullen face.

Li Baotian took another step forward.

"Uncle Sun, I'm telling you this."

"If you want me to follow, I'll follow."

"Once we're in the mountains, I'll do as you say. If you tell me to go, I'll go; if you tell me to stop, I'll stop; if you tell me to fire, I'll fire."

"But what if you don't take me with you..."

He gritted his teeth, his eyes reddening.

"Then I'll go into the mountains to search using my own method."

"I don't know the way, so I just felt my way along."

"If I can't walk, I'll crawl on my knees."

"As long as the mountains and rivers remain, I, Li Baotian, will find them even if my legs wear out."

Old Sun stared at him for a long time, then suddenly turned to look at Wang Xiulan.

Aren't you going to say anything about him?

Wang Xiulan's eyes were red, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes, and she remained silent for a long time.

Li Baotian also looked at her.

He knew Wang Xiulan was afraid.

It was dark in the mountains, and Zhao Shanhe hadn't returned for three days. Everyone knew this trip was no joke.

Wang Xiulan sniffed, raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye, her voice trembled slightly, but she spoke clearly.

"Let him go."

Old Sun frowned.

Wang Xiulan lowered her head, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes even tighter.

"People should have a conscience."

"Shanhe has helped us so much. Now that he's in trouble, if we back down, not only will Baotian feel bad, but I will feel bad too."

Li Baotian gripped the gun, his throat moved, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

Wang Xiulan's tears also fell, and she reached out to pull up the strap of the canvas bag on his shoulder.

"You may go into the mountains."

"But once you're in the mountains, you'll listen to Uncle Sun."

"If he tells you to go, go; if he tells you to stop, stop; if he tells you not to fire, don't touch the gun."

"Don't be reckless, and don't run around."

"The mountains and rivers are waiting to be rescued. Don't run around and fall into any ravines. We'll have to come back to save you."

Li Baotian nodded emphatically.

"I remember."

Wang Xiulan raised her hand and gently punched his chest, as if she wanted to scold him but couldn't bear to.

"Bring back our mountains and rivers."

Her voice choked up, and her tears fell even more fiercely.

"You come back too."

Li Baotian's eyes also reddened, and after a long pause, he finally responded softly.

"OK."