Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Bluffing Through_1
Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Bluffing Through_1
“Niuniu, stop fussing. I have something important to tell you. Tomorrow I’m going into the mountains to hunt. You stay at home with the kids and be good, don’t run around. I’ve already chopped enough firewood, and filled the water, try to save it, should last for two or three days. If anyone bullies you, just bear with it for now. We can deal with everything after I get back. When I return from the hunting and sell the game for money, I’ll buy you and the kids some nice things.”
Lin Yue had never been hit in that place before. Although it didn’t hurt, she felt utterly humiliated and still thought about making a fuss. But when she heard Zhao Erhu mention that he was going into the mountains to hunt, she calmed down and listened to his instructions.
“You’re going tomorrow? That’s so sudden.” Lin Yue hadn’t heard Zhao Erhu mention it before, and his abrupt announcement surprised her.
“I had planned to go later, but there’s been a lot happening recently, and our expenses have been high. We’re running low on Silver Coin at home. I thought I’d earn some Silver by hunting in the mountains. No matter what, I can’t let you suffer with me. You, Niuniu, should be cherished and pampered. You’ve just put on a little weight, how can I let you go hungry again?”
Listening to him, Lin Yue felt somewhat guilty. She hadn’t thought much of it when her aunt scolded her earlier, but now she realized that in the short time since she’d been married, she’d already spent quite a bit on doctor’s visits and medicine. Zhao Erhu always found ways to provide her with better food than most others in the village. Even when other families had their men drinking porridge twice a day because they weren’t working in the fields, it was Zhao Erhu who doted on her, ensuring she had three meals a day, with white rice every time except for breakfast. No other family would indulge in such luxury. Worried she wasn’t eating well enough, he even bought many eggs to nourish her. No wonder they were running out of money.
“Brother Erhu, I’m not so delicate, and you don’t have to keep worrying about me. It’s okay if life is a bit tough. As long as our family is happy, that’s what matters. If we don’t have enough Silver Coin, we can just spend less. There’s no need to go hunting in the mountains. It’s dangerous with all the jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards out there.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not my first time hunting. Every time I return safely. Besides, the mountains aren’t as dangerous as you think. It’s rare to encounter jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards, and even if I do, I just need to steer clear from a distance. I have my hunting gear with me; there won’t be any danger,” Zhao Erhu said nonchalantly, not wanting his young wife to worry. He seemed to genuinely believe there was little danger.
In fact, Lin Yue really didn’t know much about it. In the 21st century, due to excessive deforestation and hunting by humans, both rare vegetation and animals became scarce. The mountains around Lin Yue’s hometown had been contracted by the Bamboo Wood Company, and almost no large trees remained due to the logging. Playing in the mountains didn’t involve any risks of encountering wild animals, and the only creature Lin Yue truly feared was a type of reptile called a snake. Unless it was deep in the mountains, where Lin Yue had never ventured, Erhu could easily make light of the dangers.
“Oh no!” Lin Yue suddenly thought of something else, smacked her own head, and leapt out of Zhao Erhu’s arms with force. Zhao Erhu hadn’t expected Lin Yue to do such a thing out of the blue and was quite startled by her action.
“Niuniu, what are you doing? All this fuss, and you still haven’t broken the bad habit of slapping your own head whenever something comes to mind. Aren’t you afraid of making yourself silly, especially if you hit a sore spot? You’re getting more and more naggy, and every time you catch a fault of mine, you go on and on about it,” Zhao Erhu scolded. Lin Yue ignored him, letting his words go in one ear and out the other, as she was accustomed to, and continued thinking about her own matters.