I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Stir-fried Roe Deer Meat

"Third Brother, let’s not go to all this trouble. The Commune isn’t that far, we can just walk."

"Hahaha, don’t worry. I’m not snatching the team’s horse this time. We’re going on official business for the team to pick something up. They’ll be more than happy to let us use it."

Zhao Wenjun sighed in relief. His third brother had become quite decisive, so he didn’t say anything more. It had been a long time since he’d been to the Commune himself. He mainly had nothing to sell and no money to buy anything, so what was the point? The long walk just wasted energy, and in winter, energy was food.

He couldn’t help but think of Song Xiaoyu’s bracelet again. ’When we get to the Commune, I’ll go see how much a silver bracelet costs. I’ll start saving up now and buy her a new one in the future.’

The three of them set off again. Although the snow had stopped, the mountain path was still treacherous. Zhao Wenwu wrapped the rope around his body, and the sled slowly slid forward under his pull. Zhao Wendong and Zhao Wenjun pushed from behind. The three of them moved slowly down the mountain, one careful step at a time.

Once they were off the mountain and on the main path, the trail was clear of the dead branches hidden in the snow. It became a solid, smooth track of packed snow, and pulling the sled finally got easier. The hair under their cotton hats was soaked, and their labored breaths turned into plumes of white mist.

"Alright, the path is clear now. Let’s take turns!"

Zhao Wenwu and Zhao Wenjun scrambled to take turns pulling the sled. Zhao Wendong just smiled and didn’t fight them for it. He savored this silent care from his family, treasuring every single moment.

After walking for more than two hours, they finally reached the edge of the village. It was quiet, with only the chirping of a few sparrows flying by. As usual, people were holed up in their houses, not venturing out unless absolutely necessary.

As they reached their front gate and were about to enter the courtyard, Aunt Wang from three houses down came out to her own yard to get firewood. Spotting them from afar, she craned her neck and shouted over the fence.

"Well now, you three! Couldn’t stand being cooped up and went for firewood?"

Zhao Wendong quickly replied with a smile, "Yep, we were running low on firewood at home. You keep busy, Aunt Wang!"

Seeing Aunt Wang turn back to her work, Zhao Wendong let out a sigh of relief. He suddenly remembered his sister-in-law’s bracelet and glanced at his eldest brother’s face, catching a fleeting look of melancholy.

Zhao Wendong secretly made up his mind. ’After lunch this afternoon, when there’s nothing else to do, I’ll go to Aunt Wang’s and get my sister-in-law’s bracelet back.’

The sound of voices alerted those inside. Song Xiaoyu quickly pushed the door open, a look of pleasant surprise on her face.

"You’re back!"

"Oh my goodness, why is there so much stuff!"

Song Xiaoyu’s eyes went wide when she saw what was on the sled.

"What are you shouting for? Let’s talk inside."

Zhao Wenjun, afraid that Aunt Wang or other villagers might hear, spoke to his wife above fifty decibels for the first time. Song Xiaoyu shot him a look but didn’t argue, happily pitching in. Chen Yanmei, having thrown on her clothes, also hurried out.

The three brothers, along with Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu, first tossed the firewood they’d used as camouflage randomly into the yard. Then they started hauling the food, working for over ten minutes before everything was moved inside and hidden away.

The entire outer room was now piled high with wild boar meat, two roe deer, and a pheasant that had just breathed its last. Chen Yanmei looked at the bountiful harvest, so overjoyed she didn’t know what to do with her hands, simply pacing in circles. Song Xiaoyu couldn’t control her smile either; it was so wide it crinkled the corners of her eyes.

"Wow, Third Brother is the best! Third Brother, how are you so amazing?"

Little Tuanzi clapped her hands happily, and when she saw the little fox, she started jumping with excitement.

"Xiaobai, Xiaobai!"

The cunning little fox seemed to be especially fond of Little Tuanzi, allowing her to struggle to pick it up while letting out coquettish little whimpers.

"Quick, Shitou, help your little aunt hold him."

Seeing Little Tuanzi wobbling, Zhao Wendong quickly dispatched Shitou to serve as her escort.

Shitou obediently helped Little Tuanzi support Xiaobai, and the two little ones took the fox to the kang to play.

Thirteen-month-old Yadan was awake for a change. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the fox, and she started babbling as she crawled toward it. Song Xiaoyu could no longer be bothered with the food; worried the little ones might get scratched or bitten, she followed them onto the kang to supervise.

Zhao Wendong was also truly exhausted from the trip. After taking off his outer jacket and pants, he plopped down on the kang and didn’t want to get up. He had been working nonstop these past few days. Although he hadn’t skimped on food, his constitution was just too weak. Right now, he felt an ache that seemed to seep from the very cracks in his bones. He fell back, his head naturally coming to rest on Zhao Dashan’s lap, and stared at the bamboo baskets hanging from the rafters, not wanting to move a muscle.

Zhao Dashan cursed in anger, "You little brat! This is the only good leg your old man has left, and you’re lying on it! Don’t move! Stop, stop, stop! Don’t you fucking touch my injured leg!"

Zhao Wenwu was even more dramatic than Zhao Wendong. He didn’t even bother getting on the kang, just flopped onto the floor, sprawled out like a deflated sack. He started whining shamelessly.

"I’m dead tired! I want meat! Lots and lots of meat!"

His antics earned him a lashing from Chen Yanmei’s feather duster—a true display of motherly love.

Only Zhao Wenjun kept his composure, continuously kneading his aching shoulders, struggling to maintain his image as the eldest brother.

Seeing her three sons so exhausted, Chen Yanmei’s heart ached for them. When she saw Zhao Wenwu had gotten up, she put down the feather duster, went outside to grab some firewood, and started cooking. Before, she would have worried about villagers seeing smoke rising from her chimney so early, but now she couldn’t be bothered. ’People have mouths; let them say what they will.’

Song Xiaoyu saw that Xiaobai was docile and playing harmoniously with the children, so she relaxed and got off the kang to help Chen Yanmei at the stove.

"Let’s stir-fry some roe deer meat today and help them get their strength back."

After Chen Yanmei said this, a pained look of extravagance crossed her face. Song Xiaoyu just pursed her lips and smiled. Her mother-in-law was usually so frugal she’d split a single drop of oil in two, but today she was actually splurging, willing to use oil to stir-fry meat.

"SIZZLE~"

The roe deer meat was sliced thin, marinated with salt and a little soy sauce, then tossed into the hot wok. It sizzled instantly, and the fragrant aroma burst forth, wafting into the inner room. Everyone—adults, children, and even the fox—couldn’t help but twitch their noses.

"Smells good! So good!"

Zhao Wenwu had a look of pure bliss on his face.

Lying on the kang, Zhao Dashan contentedly lit his long-stemmed pipe and started puffing away with smacking sounds.

’This smell is to die for! Human life is so comfortable.’

Xiaobai’s eyes were filled with longing. Zhao Wendong shot it a glance, a cold smirk on his lips. ’Comfortable? If it hadn’t been so useful, it would be the one in the pot right now.’

When the dishes were served, the table was once again laden with food. Everyone looked on, their hearts filled with emotion. They wouldn’t even dare to hope for such a lavish feast during the New Year!

Zhao Wendong noticed the staple food was always cornmeal and thought to himself that tomorrow, he absolutely had to trade for some other staples. The family gathered around the table, the warmth and meaty aroma in the room melting the frost flowers on the windowpanes.

The stir-fried roe deer meat was glossy and red, the potato and mushroom soup had beads of oil floating on top, the can of beef was opened with the braised chunks steaming, and the cornmeal cakes were steamed soft and fluffy.

Zhao Wenwu couldn’t resist. He reached out, grabbed a piece of roe deer meat, and stuffed it into his mouth, immediately crying out from the heat.

His mouth gaped open as he hissed and gasped for air, but he was still unwilling to spit it out.

"Shame on you, Second Brother!"

Little Tuanzi drew her fingers down her cheeks twice, mercilessly mocking Zhao Wenwu and making the whole family roar with laughter.

Zhao Wendong fondly patted her head. The little girl would give him a sweet smile in return. In her heart, her Brother San, Zhao Wendong, was the best person in the whole world. It was her Brother San who had made it possible for her to eat meat with every meal.

Little Tuanzi picked up a broken spoon, scooped up some of the canned meat, and carefully brought it to Zhao Wendong’s lips. "Third Brother, eat some meaty."

A sweetness like honey filled Zhao Wendong’s heart, and he was so delighted his eyes crinkled into slits. "Mmm, yummy! So yummy!"

Seeing his smug expression, Zhao Dashan snorted. For some reason, he felt a little sour inside.