Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Qin Dashan said that this kid is quick-witted, eloquent, and a real clever fellow.

He always liked to shirk his duties when working in the production team, putting in the least effort but getting the same number of work points as everyone else.

But he was good at sweet-talking and getting along with people, and he got along well with most of the villagers. Others rarely cared about his laziness.

Qin Dashan initially recommended several strong and capable militia members to Zhao Lei, but Zhao Lei didn't choose any of them.

In the end, Zhao Lei decided to have Wang Zongbao join the production team simply because Wang Zongbao's grandfather had raised eight large cows and four calves for the team.

On the way to Wang Zongbao's house.

Qin Dashan was full of doubts and couldn't help but ask, "Lei Zi, I recommended several excellent marksmen to you, but you didn't want any of them. Why did you choose Wang Gou Dan? His marksmanship in the militia is only average."

Zhao Lei didn't mince words, stating bluntly, "Brother-in-law, what I'm after is his family's cow!"

Qin Bowen scratched his head, looking puzzled: "Brother-in-law, a cow? What use could his cow be? You don't mean you're planning to illegally seize the collective's livestock, do you?"

Zhao Lei lightly kicked Qin Bowen: "Go to hell, what do you take me for?"

"What I mean is that Wang Zongbao can drive an oxcart. If we hunt a large amount of game, using an oxcart to transport it will save us a lot of effort. Besides, the kid is quick-witted and can lend a hand when needed... As for marksmanship, I'm more than enough!"

Qin Dashan and Qin Bowen suddenly realized what was going on after hearing this.

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and he couldn't help but admire how comprehensive Zhao Lei's considerations were.

When the three brothers arrived at Wang Zongbao's house, they learned that he had taken his cattle out to graze.

The family only pointed out a general direction, so the three of them could only search for the person along the way.

After searching for more than an hour without finding a trace, Qin Bowen couldn't help but curse out loud.

"Holy crap! Is Wang Gou Dan hiding somewhere slacking off again?"

Zhao Lei planned to go into the mountains tonight, and this matter had to be settled properly, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue the search.

Moo.......

Finally, they heard the sound of cattle mooing beside a mountain stream.

The three of them walked quickly down the hillside and saw cattle grazing on the grass by the river, but they could not see Wang Zongbao.

Qin Dashan quickly called out a few times.

A few minutes later, a dark-skinned young man emerged from the bushes, pulling up his trousers, apparently having relieved himself in the woods.

Upon seeing Qin Dashan and the other two, Wang Zongbao looked surprised: "Hey, Brother Dashan, what brings you here?"

Qin Dashan truthfully explained his purpose for coming.

Wang Zongbao sized up Zhao Lei and Qin Bowen. He already knew Qin Bowen well, and he had heard of Zhao Lei before.

He had always envied Zhao Lei for being able to marry three outstandingly beautiful wives, but he rarely had the opportunity to interact with Zhao Lei in the past.

Now that he has seen Zhao Lei in person, he excitedly stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Lei's hand:

"Brother Lei, I've heard so much about you! It's truly better to see you in person than to just hear about you! I'm Wang Zongbao, you can just call me Gou Dan if you don't mind."

Zhao Lei felt a little uncomfortable with his overly familiar manner, and coughed twice to cover his embarrassment: "Uh, Brother Gou Dan, we don't seem to be that close..."

Wang Zongbao quickly put on a fawning smile: "Brother Lei, I've admired your deeds for a long time, especially the fact that you managed to keep three beautiful ex-wives by your side. I'm truly impressed. Brother Lei, if you don't mind, I'd like to become your apprentice!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zongbao was about to kneel down on one knee.

Zhao Lei never expected this kid to be so fierce.

He quickly reached out to support the man: "No, no, no, Brother Gou Dan, what are you doing? We came to find you today to invite you to go hunting in the mountains together."

Wang Zongbao immediately agreed: "I have no problem with that. I'll also arrange the oxcart that Brother Dashan mentioned before. I'll drive the cattle back to the cowshed around 5 p.m., and after dinner, I can drive the oxcart over."

My dad and grandpa definitely wouldn't agree to me going out for two or three days, so I asked Brother Dashan to use the militia's name to cover for me, saying I was going out on a mission. Once I come back with the money from hunting, the two old folks naturally won't say anything.

Zhao Lei turned to look at Qin Dashan beside him, and seeing that the other party nodded in agreement, he felt relieved.

Just then, a sharp and strange bird cry suddenly rang out from the forest.

All four of them turned their heads in unison to look into the depths of the dense forest.

The forest was densely vegetated and dimly lit, pitch black, making it impossible to see anything inside.

Wang Zongbao suddenly chuckled and shouted towards the woods, "Xiao Cui, come out! We're all brothers, no need to hide."

A moment later, a young woman with disheveled hair emerged from the woods.

Zhao Lei and Qin Dashan, both having been through similar experiences, exchanged a knowing smile.

Qin Bowen, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed, his face filled with shock.

Huh?

Why is someone hiding here?

What are they doing?

The girl who came out was named Qin Xiaocui, and everyone present knew her.

She is the youngest daughter of the old hunter Qin Changlin.

Qin Changlin and Qin Mancang are cousins, and Qin Dashan, Qin Bowen, and Qin Xiaocui are related by blood.

Given their similar ages and the fact that they grew up in the same village, they recognized Lai at a glance.

The group was well aware of the young people's secret rendezvous, but their gazes toward the two of them held a hint of amusement.

As Qin Xiaocui smoothed her messy hair and brushed the leaves off her clothes, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet them:

"Cousin Dashan, Cousin Bowen, Cousin Zhao Lei..."

Zhao Lei broke the awkward silence first, smiling as he said, "Xiaocui, it's normal for you young people to date... Don't worry, Dashan, Bowen, and I won't gossip about it."

After saying that, Zhao Lei patted Wang Zongbao on the shoulder and instructed him, "Zongbao, we'll meet at the village entrance at 7:30 tonight. Don't be late, okay?"

Wang Zongbao nodded solemnly in agreement.

Zhao Lei then turned and quickly left with the two Qin brothers.

Qin Xiaocui looked at the flashlight hanging from Qin Bowen's waist, which was jingling as it was being shaken, and asked suspiciously, "Isn't that a flashlight hanging on Bowen's waist?"

Wang Zongbao slapped his forehead, cursing in frustration, "Damn it, this bastard ruined our plans last night!"

Qin Xiaocui gently comforted him, "Zongbao, why don't you go see Sister Wanqing? Or get some medicine, that would be fine too. You were so quiet all this time, you must have been frightened last night..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongbao looked aggrieved and said through gritted teeth:

"How can a man say he can't?!"

"I'm fine, I'm okay, it's not my fault..."

"Xiao Cui, I guess I'm just too tired from working too much these past few days. Let me rest for a couple of days, and I'm sure I'll be back to my best!!"

Qin Xiaocui looked at Wang Zongbao with suspicion.

"Yeah???"