I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Going to the Commune

Chen Yanmei broke into a happy smile.

”She drank the porridge with the medicine. She’s awake now, and her fever’s come down a lot. She’s getting better.”

”Alright, that’s good to hear.”

Zhao Wendong nodded, breathing a sigh of relief. He wasn’t a saint. In a disastrous year like this, he didn’t want to—and couldn’t—take care of anyone beyond his own family. But if he came across people he knew, people he was close to, he would always help if it was within his power.

”Mama, can we give my yummy, smelly-good porridge to Third Auntie and Brother Er Gou? Little Tuanzi doesn’t like it.”

Little Tuanzi swallowed hard right after she spoke. How could any of the Zhaos not love such an adorable, kind-hearted little girl? Chen Yanmei scooped her up and pressed her own cheek against the girl’s, which was getting chubbier by the day.

”No need, sweetheart, this is enough. You drink it yourself. Drink up and grow big and tall.”

”Then I’m going to grow taller than Third Brother! When I’m big, I’ll go into the mountains and get meat for Third Brother, and I’ll help him find a wife, too!”

”Hahaha!”

Her words made the whole family burst out laughing.

Zhao Wendong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he looked at Little Tuanzi. ’Should I be thanking her for this?’

After Chen Yanmei left, Song Xiaoyu set aside a large bowl of chicken soup for her mother-in-law, leaving it in the still-warm pot. Then, everyone dug in.

Perhaps because his family in a past life had been torn apart by hunger, Zhao Wendong now cherished these moments of eating together more than anything. Every single meal brought him a deep sense of joy, a simple satisfaction and happiness that soothed his body and soul.

Zhao Wendong took a sip of the chicken soup. The moment the hot broth touched his tongue, its exquisite flavor completely captivated his taste buds. As he swallowed, a wave of warmth spread from his throat through his entire body, making him want to sigh in contentment.

Pheasant soup was known to be a warming food, good for replenishing energy, strengthening the stomach, and warding off the cold. After a few bowls of the hot soup, beads of sweat had formed on some of their foreheads and the tips of their noses.

Chen Yanmei soon returned from her errand. The family sat gathered around the table, sipping hot soup and making small talk. Outside, the bitter wind howled past, but it couldn’t dispel the cozy warmth and affection filling the room.

Most villagers went to bed early to conserve food, but the Zhaos’ home was now a picture of luxury, with smoke rising from their chimney every evening. As Zhao Wendong and his brothers brought home more and more, Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu finally allowed themselves to cook more generously. The whole family’s health and spirits were improving day by day.

It wasn’t just Zhao Wendong who noticed these changes; every member of the Zhao family could feel them. Even Little Tuanzi and Shitou cherished and felt content with their new way of life. No one said it out loud, but they all knew who was responsible for this transformation.

In turn, the family’s unconscious admiration and support gave Zhao Wendong a powerful sense of motivation and overwhelming happiness each day. He worked hard to provide food, and they gave him the emotional support he needed. It was a perfect, self-sustaining cycle.

After breakfast the next morning, Zhao Wendong went to Third Master Zhao’s to pick up the horse-drawn sleigh. The Third Master had already hitched the horse and fed the big brown steed a hearty meal of hay. Once Wendong brought the sleigh to their door, the Zhao family started loading it up with all sorts of things—mostly the two roe deer and various parts from the wild boars.

*’Oh no, it’s that stinking human.’*

The instant the big brown horse saw Zhao Wenwu, it grew agitated and restless. It took several shouts of ”Whoa!” from Zhao Wendong to calm it. Seeing how terrified the horse was, Zhao Wendong quickly warned Zhao Wenwu.

”Second Brother, don’t you go near this horse again! You two are even now. The score is settled. You can’t bully it anymore.”

The truth was, Zhao Wendong was afraid Zhao Wenwu would spook the horse. If it bolted during their trip, it would be a disaster—flipping the sleigh would be getting off easy.

”Oh, hehe, whatever you say, Third Brother. Say, are we going to have white rice and that stew with pork, potatoes, cabbage, and glass noodles again today?”

Zhao Wenwu was practically drooling as he spoke. That last meal at Little Shanghai in the Commune had been so satisfying that he’d been dreaming about it ever since.

”We are. As long as you behave, there’ll be plenty of good food!”

”I’m the best at behaving! Even better than Little Tuanzi.”

Little Tuanzi, who was on the kang, overheard their conversation at the door. She wouldn’t stand for it and shot up, standing on the edge of the heated bed to shout her rebuttal.

”Shame on you, Second Brother! Little Tuanzi is the one who’s the best-behaved little kid!”

”Hahaha!”

The whole family burst into happy laughter.

After saying their goodbyes, the three Wendong brothers drove the sleigh out of the village. Even from a great distance, they could look back and still see the figures of Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu.

The northwesterly wind was still fierce today. Fine, powdery snow was whipped up by the gusts, stinging their faces with its cold. The wind was even more intense by the sea. Zhao Wenjun gave Zhao Wendong a confused look; his third brother had been standing at the water’s edge for quite some time.

”Third Brother, aren’t we heading to the Commune?”

”Shh!”

Zhao Wenjun had barely opened his mouth to ask when Zhao Wenwu clamped a hand over it, signaling for him to be quiet.

”Eldest Brother, don’t bother Third Brother! He’s talking to the seagulls!”

Zhao Wenjun suddenly felt immense pressure, cutting off his breath. It came with a funky odor, as if from a place that never sees the sun, and he felt like he was about to suffocate. He struggled to pry Zhao Wenwu’s hand off, but it was like iron and wouldn’t budge. He had no choice but to nod meekly and pat his brother’s hand to signal his surrender.

Once Zhao Wenwu released him, Zhao Wenjun gasped for air. He then watched as his second brother shoved his hand right back into the front of his pants. The corner of Zhao Wenjun’s mouth twitched. He wanted to say something, but in the end, the words dissolved into a deep, silent grudge.

Unaware of the drama unfolding behind him, Zhao Wendong stood on a reef, his concentration absolute. He stared at the Silver Gulls circling over the water, pleading silently in his mind, ’Come on, your thoughts! Think about where the schools of fish are! Stop flying around aimlessly!’

After about half an hour, a look of delight crossed Zhao Wendong’s face. He had finally received the message he was waiting for.

*’The school of chub is still a bit far. If it gets closer tomorrow, I’ll go have a feast.’*

The thought from a passing Silver Gull gave Zhao Wendong the assurance he needed.

”Haha, we’ll go out to sea tomorrow!”

Zhao Wendong pumped his fist in excitement, only to turn and see his eldest brother, face flushed red, looking like a pouting, wronged bride. He was utterly confused.

”Eldest Brother, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve been boiled.”

”Ahem, it’s that idiot, our second brother! I was just trying to ask why you stopped here, but he wouldn’t let me. He nearly suffocated me! And he was spouting some nonsense about you talking to seagulls. Only he would say something so ridiculous!”

Zhao Wenwu shot him a look that clearly said, ’You just don’t get it,’ and turned his head away, refusing to engage with his eldest brother. Zhao Wendong gave his eldest brother a complicated glance, then just smiled and let the topic drop.

”Alright, let’s head to the Commune. The sooner we go, the sooner we’re back. We need to prepare well tonight, because tomorrow, we’re heading out to sea for a big haul.”

Zhao Wenjun instantly forgot all about his grievance with Zhao Wenwu. He stared at the confident Zhao Wendong, completely shocked.

”Third Brother, what are you saying? We’re going out to sea?”

”Shouldn’t we just go up the mountain? With Xiaobai, we at least have a chance of finding something. You can’t catch anything in the open sea in winter unless you get lucky and find a massive school of fish. Besides, our family’s old boat has been leaking forever; we can’t possibly use it tomorrow! Even if we could, we couldn’t go far. It’s too dangerous!”

Before Zhao Wendong could reply, Zhao Wenwu cut in. In his mind, Zhao Wendong was now a guiding light, and he wouldn’t allow anyone—not even family—to question him.

”We’ll take the brigade’s boat out. If Third Brother says we can catch fish, then we can catch fish! If you keep dithering, we’ll leave you behind and go by ourselves!”

”What? You’re going to steal the brigade’s boat now?”

Zhao Wendong: ...

Zhao Wendong was speechless. ’Is that really the reputation I’ve built for myself? Is it that set in stone?’