The Little Life of a Big Landlord

Chapter 121 Tracking

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As soon as dawn broke, Zhang Fenghuang got up, washed her face with water in the outer room, left Liu Sao's house, got into her car, and drove towards the county town.

Today, she was going to pick up Zhang Yue at the county station. It was a long way from Zhengjia Village to the county seat, and the road wasn't easy to travel. Generally speaking, the time it took to get from Zhengjia Village to the county seat was about the same as the time it took to get from the county seat to the city. This is the difference between township roads and expressways.

As soon as Zhang Fenghuang's car drove out of the village, the door of Zheng Dabao's house opened, and a middle-aged man in his thirties sneaked out. After looking around and seeing that no one was around, he immediately ran stealthily towards Yang Ming's house.

"Old Huang, it's almost November, shouldn't we go back? It's a bit cold at night..." Old Huang and Old Liu came out of a small house at the foot of a mountain.

Old Huang carried a rolling cage in his hand, his brows furrowed: "I've caught quite a few yellow birds in almost a month. I'm sorry to have troubled you. Old Liu, I still have some things to take care of. Why don't you go back today..." He couldn't let his old friend freeze here with him, could he? That would be too unfair.

"Are you kidding me? Do you think I'd leave you all alone?" Old Liu rolled his eyes.

"Sigh!" Old Huang sighed and said, "I can't leave yet... Isn't Dazhu here? What are you worried about? I'll talk to Dazhu in a bit and ask him to send a car to take you back..." Old Huang's son, Huang the foreman, was named Huang Tiezhu.

"If you don't leave, I won't leave either. It's just about Dazhu, isn't it? What's the big deal? Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Dazhu is already an adult. Why do you care so much?" Old Liu sighed.

"What kind of behavior is Dazhu? That's fraud! What he defrauded wasn't just any ordinary thing! Fraud over 20 yuan is punishable by more than ten years in prison. How much is the stuff he defrauded worth? He'd probably be sentenced to death." Old Huang was furious when he mentioned his son. His son was just too disappointing.

"What's the big deal? I think Brother Yang doesn't seem to have any emotions. On the contrary, he's been terrified by Dazhu. Think about it, if he really cared, even with our relationship, he would fight us to the death..." Old Liu comforted him.

"They may not care, but can we not care?" Old Huang frowned deeply. "They saved our lives with a blade of grass. Can we say that your blade of grass is worthless and we're not grateful to you?"

"You're getting stuck on this..." Old Liu felt he couldn't talk to his old friend anymore. "It's not that we're not grateful to him, but you can't let Dazhu recognize him as his godfather, can you? Haven't you noticed? Brother Yang doesn't even dare to come out of the backyard anymore."

"Anyway, as long as that little brat doesn't acknowledge his godfather, it means he hasn't forgiven him. If he hasn't forgiven him, then I won't forgive him either..." Old Huang was being unreasonable. "My son is my son, and I can do whatever I want with him."

"Forgive or not, it's up to you..." Old Liu muttered, no longer wanting to argue with his old friend about the topic.

"I'll have Dazhu take you back..." Old Huang said.

"I'm not going back... My legs are my own, I can go back if I want to, and I won't go back if I don't want to..." Old Liu started to act unreasonably.

"Do as you please. Just let me know if you can't hold on any longer. Dazhu's car is always waiting for you," Lao Huang said.

"What's with all the fuss? Let's go into the mountains..." Old Liu said, taking the lead and walking towards the old forest.

When Liu Zhengfeng arrived at Yang Ming's house, Yang Ming and Wei Qingqing were sleeping soundly in each other's arms! However, Zhang Yang, who was sleeping in the west room with Sun Fangfang, had already woken up, secretly got dressed, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and washed up in the outer room.

"Xiao Yang, Xiao Zhang..." Liu Zhengfeng called out in a low voice.

He dared not enter Yang Ming's house without permission. Yesterday at lunch, he heard Zheng Dabao say that one should never enter Yang Ming's house without the owner's permission. Yang Ming's dogs, regardless of size, are all very fierce. There was a young man in the village who was bitten and crippled because he entered Yang Ming's contracted mountain without permission. Otherwise, why would they build a wall around the entire contracted mountain?

"Shh... Uncle, keep your voice down, everyone's asleep..." Zhang Yang, who was washing up, pushed open the door and greeted Liu Zhengfeng.

"Hurry up..." Liu Zhengfeng urged.

"Right away, right away..." Zhang Yang replied hastily.

Yang Ming, who was sleeping soundly on the kang (heated brick bed) inside the room, was also awakened. He tried to pull himself out of Wei Qingqing's embrace, but Wei Qingqing held him tightly and he couldn't break free at all.

"Where are you going? So early..." Wei Qingqing mumbled sleepily, rubbing her little face against Yang Ming's chest.

"We're going hunting in the mountains today, as we agreed yesterday..." Yang Ming whispered in her ear.

"You don't have to go so early, sleep a little longer..." Wei Qingqing was reluctant to leave Yang Ming's embrace.

"Everyone's already waiting outside, can we stay in bed?" Yang Ming kissed her cheek.

"Ugh, our family isn't participating in the agritourism program, so what does it have to do with us?" Wei Qingqing grumbled, but still let go of Yang Ming.

Yang Ming got up, dressed, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and went outside to wash up.

"Qingqing, we're off. You get some sleep, and remember to give the employees milk..." Yang Ming went into the room, changed into a sturdy old set of clothes, and tucked the blanket around Wei Qingqing.

"Hmm..." Wei Qingqing responded vaguely, without even opening her eyes. Last night, Yang Ming had bullied her terribly, leaving her feeling weak and lethargic.

Yang Ming, Zhang Yang, and Liu Zhengfeng were selecting guns in the west wing. Actually, these guns were all quite crudely made, just rough guns for firing iron shot. They didn't need rifling or anything like that, and they weren't designed to fire metal bullets. As long as they were sturdy and wouldn't explode, that was fine.

"Each of us has a gun, and we've brought enough medicine. Last time we went into the mountains, we encountered a pack of wolves. We didn't have enough medicine that time. If the wolf king hadn't seen that the wolf pack had suffered heavy casualties and retreated in advance, it's questionable whether we would have been able to come back..." Yang Ming said.

"So dangerous?" Liu Zhengfeng shuddered and scooped two more ladles of gunpowder into his backpack.

"Of course it's dangerous, but we only brought one dog with us back then, and we got separated. This time we'll bring more, so it'll be much safer going into the mountains," Zhang Yang said.

"Should we bring all five of them?" Liu Zhengfeng looked at the five little black dogs lying lazily in the yard and felt reassured that he was safe.

"These are the guard dogs. The ones I was talking about are all in the backyard. We'll go through the backyard this time..." Yang Ming said.

"Backyard, is your family's hot spring in the backyard?" Liu Zhengfeng asked.

"Of course..." Yang Ming nodded, "Our backyard will be our family's private property for the next 70 years. There are hot springs, a breeding farm, and fish ponds there... The first greenhouse we built was also in the backyard..."

"Oh! I see..." Liu Zhengfeng nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

The three of them packed their gear, quietly left the courtyard, and went around to the back garden.

Upon entering the back garden, Yang Ming whistled, and a group of puppies came running happily, circling around him.

"Wow, so many dogs? Dalmatians???" Liu Zhengfeng was stunned the moment he saw the puppies.

"Hehe, I just keep it for fun..." Yang Ming said modestly with a smile.

"They're all good dogs. See that big yellow dog?" Zhang Yang pointed at the dog. "It can kill a wild boar..."

"Oh! The big yellow dog that Village Chief Liu mentioned that killed the wild boar, is that it? It's quite fierce..." Liu Zhengfeng became interested and stared intently at the big yellow dog, making the dog very uncomfortable, and it kept baring its teeth at Liu Zhengfeng.

"Of course, he was trained by my dad. He almost got shot and killed back then..." Yang Ming said, glancing at Zhang Yang.

"Hey, hey, hey, a hero doesn't dwell on past glories, why do you keep bringing this up?" Zhang Yang was dissatisfied.

Yang Ming smiled and remained silent.

Liu Zhengfeng understood that the one who almost killed Dahuang must be Zhang Yang. He just smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

"What's wrong? Why are you carrying a gun? Where are you going?" At this moment, Yang Zhengfang walked over with his hands behind his back and asked casually.

Upon seeing Liu Zhengfeng, Yang Zhengfang smiled and nodded at him as a greeting, and Liu Zhengfeng smiled and nodded back.

"Oh! Dad, we're going... into the mountains to hunt..." Yang Ming said.

"Oh! Is that so?" Yang Zhengfang nodded casually.

"Yes, Dad, we encountered a pack of wolves last time we went into the mountains and almost didn't make it back. This time, we might encounter another pack of wolves. Why don't you come with us? With you here, we'll feel more at ease..." Zhang Yang was noticeably more astute.

"Hmm! Wolves are the most vengeful, so I'll go with you and look after you..." Yang Zhengfang pondered for a long time before nodding and saying.

"Wait a moment, I'll go get you the gun..." Zhang Yang hurriedly ran off to get the gun for Yang Zhengfang.

"Dad, which dog do you think we should bring?" Yang Ming asked quickly.

"Take Big Yellow with you, the rest is up to you..." Yang Zhengfang actually really wanted to bring the two giant dogs along.

"Okay..." Yang Ming picked out Big Yellow and the four spotted dogs.

Zhang Yang returned in no time, carrying a rifle in his arms with a cloth bag hanging from it, containing gunpowder.

Zhang Yang handed the gun to Yang Zhengfang, who took it, tested it, and nodded in satisfaction: "This gun is good, quite sturdy, and quite sensitive..."

"That's right, this gun was made by one of my mechanic friends. It's made with really good materials, so it definitely won't explode," Zhang Yang said proudly.

"Alright, let's go..." Yang Zhengfang waved.

"Hey! I'll lead the way. We have an old road. We went into the mountains from there last time. Back then, the back garden wasn't fenced off yet..." Zhang Yang hurriedly and eagerly led the way.

Led by Zhang Yang, the four men, along with five dogs, followed the path into the old forest.

At the county town's bus station, trains were already coming and going early in the morning. In the waiting hall, many people sat quietly. Some, tired of sitting, either smoked a cigarette or went outside to buy some food...

Around 8 a.m., Zhang Fenghuang arrived at the county bus station.

Zhang Fenghuang parked his car outside the station, went into the waiting hall, and asked at the ticket window what time the bus from the city to the county would arrive.

"Half an hour left, hmph, I still need to bribe that girl. She's probably starving. Hmm, I'm pretty hungry too..." Zhang Fenghuang left the waiting hall to buy some snacks.

The county town has plenty of snacks, even though it's a small town. All kinds of local snacks are sold everywhere on the streets, emitting a rich aroma.

"Uncle, do you know how to get to Zhengjia Village?" A middle-aged woman carrying three freshly made pancakes asked an old man selling pancakes.

"I've heard of it. It's a small village deep in the mountains, but I don't know exactly how to get there..." said the old man selling pancakes.

"Thank you, Uncle..." the middle-aged woman said, then went to ask others for more information.

"Hey, ma'am, are you looking for Zhengjia Village?" Zhang Fenghuang was buying pancakes at a pancake stall next to the middle-aged woman when she saw that the middle-aged woman was about to go elsewhere to inquire, so she stopped her.

"Yes, you know?" the middle-aged woman said.

"What are you going to Zhengjia Village for?" Zhang Fenghuang asked.

"It's for tourism, isn't there a farmhouse inn there?" the middle-aged woman said.

"Oh! So you're a tourist..." Zhang Fenghuang nodded. "I've been staying in Zhengjia Village for the past few days. Why don't you wait a bit? I'll pick someone up at the station and then take you there. I drove here..."

"We are a family of three..." The middle-aged woman pointed to the father and daughter waiting not far away.

"It's alright, my car can fit five people, but you'll have to show us your IDs first..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Hehe, okay, if that's what you say, then I'm relieved..." The middle-aged woman laughed, then walked towards the father and daughter. All three of their ID cards were in the husband's wallet.

"Hey... Second brother, what are you doing? Hurry up and help me with my luggage!" Zhang Yue called out to Zhang Fenghuang as she walked out of the station, dragging a suitcase.

"With so many people, how did you recognize me?" Zhang Fenghuang hurriedly greeted them, carrying a large bag of food.

"You, Zhang, are always the most eye-catching wherever you go, aren't you? Otherwise, it wouldn't do justice to your phoenix-like reputation..." Zhang Yue said with a smile.

"Hehe, let's go..." Zhang Fenghuang felt pleased with herself, took Zhang Yue's suitcase, and dragged it towards her car.

"I'm starving, let me hold this for you..." Zhang Yue smiled and took the food from Zhang Fenghuang's hands, rummaging through it to see what good food was inside.

Arriving at the car, Zhang Fenghuang opened the trunk of the BMW, put the suitcase inside, and then went to greet the family of three. Zhang Yue, however, climbed into the passenger seat, opened a plastic bag, and started eating.

"Hehe, Zhengjia Village is definitely a great place. It may not be good in other aspects, but the food there will definitely leave you wanting more." Zhang Fenghuang said, leading the family of three towards her car.

"Really? We've heard about it too..." the middle-aged woman said with a smile.

"Sister Lu, you and Uncle Wang are both teachers. Xiao Fang is in her second year of high school, which is the most stressful time for her studies. How do you have time to travel?" Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Hi, my daughter had two days off, and her dad didn't have classes either, so I took time off to come out and have some fun with her," the middle-aged woman said.

"Oh! I see..." Zhang Fenghuang ushered the three into the car, then sat in the driver's seat and started the car.

The car slowly drove onto the road leading to Zhengjia Village.

"Young lady, this car must have cost a lot of money, right?" the middle-aged woman said.

"This is a BMW, a world-famous brand..." the little girl said in a clear voice.

"Not much, a few hundred thousand..." Zhang Fenghuang said with a smile.

"You're quite the catch, aren't you...?" the middle-aged woman said with a smile.

"Oh, not at all, I'm just a nouveau riche..." Zhang Fenghuang said modestly.

"The young lady is quite outspoken and free-spirited..." said the middle-aged man who had remained silent until now.

"She's not being carefree, she's showing off..." Zhang Yue, who was eating snacks in the passenger seat, turned around and laughed.

"Eat your food, what nonsense are you spouting?" Zhang Fenghuang glared at Zhang Yue.

"Hehe, that's quite a unique way to show off..." The middle-aged man chuckled and then fell silent.

The car left the highway and drove onto a gravel road leading directly to Zhengjia Village. This road has been repaired quite a bit now, with red bricks standing diagonally for a long distance, and sand filling the gaps. When the car drove over it, dust flew out.

"Hey! Phoenix, there's a ten-seater sedan following us. Could it be a bad guy? I noticed it's been following us ever since we came out of the station..." Zhang Yue said.

Zhang Yue's words sent a chill down everyone's spines.

"Are you sure?" Zhang Fenghuang's expression was very serious.

"Of course..." Zhang Yue nodded seriously.

"Call Yang Ming and ask him to come pick us up..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Okay..." Zhang Yue quickly took out her phone and dialed Yang Ming's number.

"Oh no...cannot connect..." Zhang Yue dialed the number for a long time, but couldn't get through.

"Call Zhang Yang, he's in Zhengjia Village too..." Zhang Fenghuang added.

"Okay..." Zhang Yue quickly dialed Zhang Yang's number again. When Yang Ming got married, everyone had written down each other's contact information.

"Still can't get through. What's wrong? Is it possible that we can't make phone calls in the mountains...?" Zhang Yue was getting anxious.

"Call Lily! Tell her to bring people to pick us up..." Zhang Fenghuang looked at the ten-person sedan chair following behind her unhurriedly in the rearview mirror, knowing that they wouldn't be making any moves for the time being, and said.

"Okay..." Zhang Yue quickly called Liu Lili again, and this time the call went through: "Lili, it's me, Yueyue... Yes, I'm on my way to Zhengjia Village. Fenghuang picked me up... We've been followed, so please have someone come and pick us up... We've arrived..." Zhang Yue didn't know her exact location and was momentarily speechless.

"If you walk straight along the gravel road for about four or five li, you'll reach Zhengjia Village..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

Zhang Yue quickly repeated, "...It's a gravel road. Go straight for about four or five li, and you'll reach Zhengjia Village... Okay, okay, hurry up and have someone pick us up... Alright, alright, with the performance of our vehicle, they definitely won't catch up with us easily..."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yue breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Phoenix, speed up immediately, whatever you do, don't let him catch up..."

"No problem, but the road here is difficult to travel, so we might not be able to pick up speed, but it's impossible for him to catch up with us..." Zhang Fenghuang immediately shifted gears, stepped on the gas, and sped up.

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(End of this chapter)