I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Snowflake Cream

Lin Zhiyin’s mind was in turmoil. She, who had always considered herself exceptionally intelligent, began to rack her brain for every interaction she’d ever had with Zhao Wendong.

Aside from him being among the group of people who had bullied her a few times, she had no other impression of him. Where on earth did this sudden, strange behavior from Zhao Wendong come from?

She started to recall what Zhao Wendong looked like.

’Hmm, his skin is fairer than the other villagers, and he seems to be around my age. He has nice eyes; they’re very bright when he looks at you.’

Finally, thinking back on the conversation she had just overheard, she added another assessment.

’Slick-tongued, unreliable, and a little shameless.’

Inside the house, Zhao Weiguo and Third Master Zhao exchanged a look, both realizing the gravity of the situation.

That daughter of a capitalist was so slovenly and wouldn’t say a word for days on end. How could Zhao Wendong have taken a fancy to her? Seeing Zhao Wendong’s "I’ve made my choice" attitude, the two men simultaneously decided they would go talk to Dashan and his wife later. They couldn’t let Zhao Wendong stray further down the wrong path.

"By the way, Uncle Weiguo, I went to the Commune today to sell the wolf pelt and saw a huge crowd at the grain station. They were all trying to buy grain at a higher price. The station only had sorghum left to sell!"

As Zhao Wendong recounted what he had seen, Zhao Weiguo’s expression immediately soured. As production team leaders, they were running to the Commune every few days to request grain for their team members. But from the looks of it, the Commune itself was struggling to stay afloat.

Third Master Zhao tapped out his pipe bowl and remarked with a sigh.

"These days are going to be tough!"

A little while later, the sound of dishes being washed came from outside. After another moment, Lin Zhiyin appeared at the doorway, still standing there with her head bowed.

"Educated Youth Lin! Don’t be afraid, come in and sit down!"

Zhao Weiguo beckoned to her.

"Mm."

Lin Zhiyin mumbled a reply, walked into the house, and took a stool to sit in the corner.

"Educated Youth Lin, I didn’t realize how much you’ve been wronged. If anyone bullies you again in the future, you can come to me anytime."

"Regardless of your family background, you are first and foremost a member of this production team. The team will absolutely guarantee your basic personal safety and dignity!"

"Th-thank you!"

Lin Zhiyin knew how important this promise was to her. At the very least, from now on, she wouldn’t have to fear being targeted by people from the production team. She lowered her head and offered a soft, sincere thank you.

A sliver of gratitude for Zhao Wendong also bloomed in her heart. ’Whatever crazy fit he’s throwing, at least he really did help me.’

"Good heavens, this girl’s disposition is just too weak and timid! This won’t do, it won’t do at all!"

Third Master Zhao exclaimed with an exaggerated expression.

Zhao Wendong knew Third Master Zhao’s words were meant for him, a roundabout way of trying to make him give up the idea of marrying Lin Zhiyin.

He glanced at Third Master Zhao, his eyes full of amusement. ’Lin Zhiyin, timid? That’s just an act to protect herself. If she were timid, there’d be no one brave left in the world. How many ruthless people like her could you find in the whole country—the kind willing to drag an entire boatload of people down with her to their graves?’

"From now on, just come find me if you need anything. No need to go to Uncle Weiguo. He’s the team leader, busy with important matters all day. No need to trouble him with such trivial things!"

Zhao Wendong said with a cheeky grin. Zhao Weiguo shot him a glare but didn’t object.

"Mm."

Lin Zhiyin responded with a single syllable, her voice still tiny, as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Outside, the sky had grown completely dark, and it was about the time people in the countryside went to bed. Seeing that there was nothing else, Zhao Weiguo was the first to get up, preparing to leave.

Zhao Wendong pulled the potatoes from Zhao Wenwu’s pocket and placed them on the kang.

"Hehe, Third Master, I was just teasing you. Look at you, your face turned pale just now. You should know, when I, Zhao Wendong, give something away, I never take it back!"

"Go on, go on, I don’t want them! Take them away, quickly!"

Third Master Zhao said with a look of disdain.

Zhao Wendong pulled a bottle from his coat, grinning mischievously.

"You really don’t want them? Then I’ll be taking this with me, too!"

"Whoa, Fengcheng Old Cellar! There must be over a liang left! Yes, yes, I want it! What are you taking away?!"

Third Master Zhao snatched the bottle, his face breaking into a wide, happy smile. He no longer mentioned them taking the potatoes.

Zhao Weiguo shook his head with a smile and left. Zhao Wendong also started to leave with his second brother and Lin Zhiyin.

"Third Master, don’t miss me too much! We’re leaving!"

"Get lost, you little rascal! Just looking at you is annoying."

"Hehe!"

The three of them had just left Third Master Zhao’s house when Zhao Wendong heard the big brown horse’s thoughts.

Thank goodness. The two unlucky fools who almost got me eaten by a wolf are finally gone.

Zhao Wendong let out a cold smirk. ’Anyone who dares to bad-mouth me is in for it, even if they aren’t human!’

"Second Brother, did you forget something?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Wenwu looked at Zhao Wendong, puzzled.

"Did you forget that beast in the house farted on you yesterday?"

"Holy shit! If you hadn’t mentioned it, Third Brother, I’d have completely forgotten!"

Zhao Wenwu spun around and ran back.

"Second Brother, remember to take the sled and our things home! I’ll be back later."

"Okay, got it!"

Then, Zhao Wenwu’s loud roar came from inside the house.

"You damn horse! You farted shit all over my face yesterday, and I almost got a beating from Mom for it! Watch me get my revenge today!"

Ahhh! What are you doing, you big idiot?! Don’t come over here!

Get any closer and I’ll kick you to death!

It stinks! It stinks so bad! Help me!

Lin Zhiyin glanced at the mischievously grinning Zhao Wendong beside her and warily took a few steps away.

’That expression doesn’t look like it belongs to a good person.’

"I... I can get back on my own."

This was the first time Zhao Wendong had heard her say so many words at once. He could also detect the deliberate hoarseness in her voice.

With a cough, Zhao Wendong’s expression turned cold again.

"Shut your mouth and watch where you’re going."

Lin Zhiyin saw he was putting on this act again and was a little speechless. ’Does he really think I’m a pushover he can treat however he wants?’

’Is this hoodlum trying to show off and assert his dominance in front of me? If I weren’t trying to lay low and hide right now, I’d teach him a lesson in a heartbeat. Who is he putting on this act for? His acting is terrible.’

The ocean waves crashed rhythmically, emitting a low rumble.

Under the moonlight, the two of them walked side-by-side in silence across the white, snow-covered ground. The white puffs of their breath formed various shapes before slowly vanishing into the air.

"Lin Zhiyin!"

Lin Zhiyin looked up at Zhao Wendong in confusion. With the sky now dark, she no longer had to be so careful about keeping her head down to hide her face as she did during the day.

Zhao Wendong gazed at her indistinct face, especially those bright eyes.

"If they bully you again, you must tell me immediately, you hear? This is a matter of my face! If you don’t tell me right away and make me lose face, don’t blame me for coming to bother you every single day!"

Lin Zhiyin fell silent. She hated trouble more than anything. After a long moment, she slowly spoke.

"Oh."

Zhao Wendong carefully recalled the time when Lin Zhiyin took down that whole boat of people. It seemed to have happened right at the beginning of spring.

’Less than three months left. That should be enough time.’

The journey wasn’t short, but they walked remarkably fast. In no time, they arrived at the Educated Youth settlement by the sea.

The men’s Educated Youth house was completely dark, but a faint light seeped from the crack under the door of the women’s house. The door had been reinstalled, but judging by the straw stuffed along the side, it hadn’t been fully repaired.

Lin Zhiyin watched Zhao Wendong warily, waiting to see what he would do next.

Although his heart was filled with reluctance, Zhao Wendong knew it was time to say goodbye. He pulled something from his jacket pocket and shoved it directly into Lin Zhiyin’s hand. Her hand was very soft, and very cold.

"Take it!"

"Don’t you dare refuse, and don’t you dare not use it. Tell me when you run out. If you still have chapped cracks on your hands by the end of this winter, I won’t let you off easy!"

After speaking fiercely, Zhao Wendong shouted toward the two houses of the Educated Youth settlement.

"Goodbye, Educated Youth Lin!"

His voice was loud enough for everyone in the settlement to hear.

Seeing his action, a trace of warmth bloomed in Lin Zhiyin’s heart again.

Only after Zhao Wendong had walked some distance away did she bring the object in her hand up to her eyes, looking at it by the light of the moon.

"Ah!"

She covered her mouth in surprise, stopping herself from crying out.

It was a box of vanishing cream.

She, who had once used only foreign cosmetics, had been thinking earlier today, as the cracks on her hands stung with pain, how nice it would be if she just had a little vanishing cream to put on them. She never expected it to suddenly appear like this!

’Could it be that Zhao Wendong was sent by heaven to grant my wishes?’

’I’ve always wanted to go see my mother and father... could he help me with that, too?’

Her nose began to tingle again. Lin Zhiyin quickly rubbed it, her slender, upright figure slumping slightly before she slowly pushed open the door to the women’s house. She had eaten her fill today and was sleepy now. Tonight, she might just have a good dream.

Zhao Wendong entered his house in a cheerful mood, only to hear Zhao Wenwu’s booming voice shouting about something.