Wang Yongzhu listened to Liu Xiaoqiao’s introduction while sizing up the villagers of Chongzi Gou. She noticed that whether young or old, male or female, most of them wore practical long clothes and trousers, perhaps for the convenience of going hunting in the mountains.
After walking around the village for half the day, they saw only a few men. Most of the inhabitants were children and women.
Liu Xiaoqiao explained, "As hunters, we have to earn most of our living before the winter sets in. Once the heavy snow seals off the mountains, there will be nothing we can do. The survival of our entire families depends on these few months."
Only then did Wang Yongzhu understand what those people meant when they said their family was fortunate.
After a brief stroll around, they saw many households with women drying game and furs at their doorsteps.
The children were also running around, helping out.
Wang Yongzhu had a general understanding of their lives and was about to leave when Liu Dasheng came hurrying over. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you. How did you end up here?" he exclaimed.
Liu Xiaoqiao asked, "Is something the matter?"
Liu Dasheng smiled, "My second brother wants to take a look around the mountain. I came to ask if you want to join us. We won’t go far, just wander nearby. Does Wang Family’s sister want to come?"
Wang Yongzhu’s eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded.
When they got back to Liu Family’s house, Wang Yongzhu learned from Liu Xiaoqiao how to tie her hair into a neat braid and secure the cuffs of her pants and sleeves tightly.
Old Granny Zhang was not worried, just turning to Song Chongjin, "Chongjin, when you go into the mountain, don’t worry about anything else, just keep an eye on Zhuzhu."
Song Chongjin nodded and positioned himself protectively by Wang Yongzhu’s side.
Wang Laozhu was still awkwardly trying to decline, feeling like he was imposing on Liu Family.
Father Liu waved his hand generously, "Don’t worry about it. My three children have been running around these mountains since they learned to walk. With them by your side, and without going deep into the forest, they can bring your child back even with their eyes closed. Besides, there’s not much fun around here in the mountains. Let the kids take a walk and come back. It’s safe around here!"
He instructed his children, "Don’t go into the old forest, just wander around here. Come back before it gets dark."
The Liu Family siblings agreed.
Wang Laozhu wanted to protest further but was pulled away by Father Liu for a drink, and the matter was settled.
Watching the young people leave with bows and arrows, Mother Liu couldn’t help feeling envious. "Sister Zhang, is that your future son-in-law?"
Song Chongjin was most certainly handsome, which had been acknowledged by everyone. Not only did Chongzi Gou’s young women and married ladies take note, but even Mother Liu couldn’t help being a bit stunned at first glance; the young man was just so striking.
And Song Chongjin, even though he did not speak much, was always considerate. Besides Wang Family’s daughter, there was no other in his eyes.
Moreover, when he conversed with her sons, he always made keen observations, indicating that he wasn’t just a pretty face.
Such a desirable young man, it was just a shame that he was already claimed as someone else’s treasure.
Then she looked at her own daughter, only a few months younger than Wang Family’s daughter, and yet her future husband was still unknown.
Mother Liu privately did not want her daughter to marry a hunter. Having been a hunter’s wife for most of her life, she knew too well the hardships of a hunter’s life.
Her own man would go into the mountains and often not come back for days or weeks. If he returned safely, all was well, and the family would be reunited.
But should there be a mishap... Well then...
Her man was a skilled hunter, but he had never been without significant or minor injuries. To provide for the family, he’s lain on ice during snowstorms, been buried in snowdrifts. These hardships didn’t show on the outside, but his body had long since been worn down.
Her sons had no choice; what else could a hunter’s son do but hunt?
But her daughter, aside from everything else, was really quite beautiful, the very best in Chongzi Gou. In recent years, there had been suitors at her doorstep, whom she had turned away. Why?
She wished for her daughter to marry out, to find a peasant family that relied on the skies for their sustenance. The life might be harder but it would be secure.