I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Returning Home

Zhao Wendong had spoken graciously, and since it was true that he was struggling to feed his family of big eaters, Wang Defa thought for a moment before smiling and accepting the fish without further protest.

When Little Shanghai saw Zhao Wendong about to give him some fish, he waved his hand in refusal and promptly returned to the agricultural technology station next door. He had to start looking into train tickets. He was preparing to go back to Shanghai to see his family, and with the massive sum of two hundred yuan now in his pocket, his heart had already flown home.

The truck set off again, first heading to Liangzi’s house. Liangzi’s father, who had gone to help Zhao Wendong bring the boat back, hadn’t returned yet. After unloading two sacks of grain for Liangzi’s family and leaving them with a dozen or so cod, Zhao Wendong said his goodbyes to Liangzi and his mother and climbed back into the truck.

The mother and son stood at their courtyard gate, watching the truck disappear into the distance. Liangzi’s Mother sighed. ”I was hoping to help Dongzi out to thank him. I never thought we’d just end up deeper in his debt.”

Liangzi hoisted a sack of grain onto his shoulder and started walking toward the house, remarking casually, ”Yeah, I owe Dongzi too much. If I can’t pay him back quickly, I’ll just spend my whole life doing it slowly. You and Dad need to eat more. No more watery porridge every day. We need to build up our strength so we can work hard for Dongzi in the future.”

Liangzi’s Mother nodded and smiled. Her son might not be the most capable man, but he certainly had a top-notch friend.

Sitting in the truck’s cab, Zhao Wendong’s mind was anything but calm. ’The massive, unexpected school of fish meant this trip’s haul far exceeded my wildest dreams. Not only can Little Shanghai go home, but Liangzi’s family will have enough food.’

’And there’s Er Gou, Sanwa, and Third Aunt. After I get back and give Er Gou his share of food and supplies, his family should be able to make it through the winter too.’ He vaguely recalled from his past life that Er Gou’s family had been the first to perish, their household falling apart even before his own. His family had at least managed to hold on until the following winter.

’Even after I share everything out, I’ll still have four or five hundred pounds of grain left. With what I already have stored, my family definitely won’t have to worry about food this winter. Next, I need to take advantage of the high price of meat and hunt more in the mountains to save up. I’ll aim to do it all in one go next spring and build a proper house of blue brick and tile.’

’In this era, living in a bright, sturdy brick house years, or even a decade, ahead of everyone else... what a sweet life that would be.’ The more Zhao Wendong thought about it, the more resolute he became. ’That’s it. That’s my next goal. Build a house!’

The large truck sped toward Dragon King Pond as the sun began to set once more. They had left early yesterday morning, making it almost two full days since they’d been home. After all they had been through and all they had gained, everyone—from Zhao Wendong in the cab to the three men in the truck bed—was exhausted and eager to return.

Thankfully, it hadn’t all been for nothing. This one trip had secured them plenty of food and allowed them to buy so many supplies. Their quality of life was about to take a quantum leap.

In the cab, Zhao Wendong handed two fish he’d set aside to the truck driver. ”Thanks for your help today.” Although the driver was only following a superior’s orders, drivers from the transport team were a big deal in those days. They had powerful connections and knew all the right people.

Zhao Wendong didn’t want to miss this chance to build a connection. The driver was surprised; he hadn’t expected to get a share for himself. His family was better off than most—his wife and kids weren’t going hungry—but even so, they hadn’t eaten any seafood in months.

”Alright, thanks, brother! I’m Niu Yuesheng.”

”Nice to meet you, Brother Niu. I’m Zhao Wendong.”

”I know who you are. You’re really something else! I bet once word of this gets out, a lot of people are going to try their luck at sea.”

Zhao Wendong opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

’People jumping on the bandwagon is inevitable. But the school of Hai Pangtou is long gone. Anyone who goes out to sea now will just be wasting their time.’ But he knew no one would believe him if he said that. ’They’d probably just think I’m trying to hog all the fish for myself.’ He decided it was best to just keep quiet.

After accepting the fish, the driver, Brother Niu, warmed up to Zhao Wendong considerably. His stern demeanor vanished, and he began striking up conversation, chatting casually with him. Zhao Wendong learned a great deal from him—some of it new even to a man who had lived two lives. The transport team drivers were always on the move, so they knew much more about the outside world.

”Brother Wendong, on our way back from the border city last night, we heard the neighboring country is fighting again. The cannons went off several times.”

”Really?”

”Yep. Heard it loud and clear from inside the truck. The gunfire sounded just like a string of firecrackers!”

”And another thing, the provincial government is now...”

The truck was much faster than any horse-drawn sleigh. A trip that took the big brown horse over thirty minutes was covered by the truck in just twenty. And that was with Brother Niu driving cautiously because the roads were treacherous, covered in slippery ice and snow.

Just as they reached the edge of Dragon King Pond, Zhao Wendong spotted two figures walking out of the village. Recognizing one as Liangzi’s father, he quickly asked Brother Niu to stop.

”Uncle Zhang! Don’t rush off! Come to my place and warm up!”

Seeing that both Liangzi’s father and his old buddy were covered in frost, Zhao Wendong felt a pang of guilt. They had brought his boat back for him, and rowing it all that way must have been grueling.

”Dongzi, you’re back! No, we can’t. We need to hurry home. It’s almost dark!”

”Hey, don’t worry about it. We’ve got Brother Niu’s truck, right? He can give you a ride back!”

Zhao Wendong patted the large truck. Hearing him, Niu Yuesheng gave a supportive nod and a smile.

”That’s right. I’ll be passing the Commune anyway. You can get a ride with me.”

”Alright, in that case.”

Liangzi’s father called over his old buddy, and the two men squeezed into the cab. Zhao Wendong then directed the truck to his house.

”Your brigade leader and Third Master Zhao were asking after you,” Liangzi’s father said, taking the opportunity to share some information. ”I told them you’d made a catch and gone to the county town, but I didn’t say how much you got.”

Liangzi’s father was using the short ride to exchange information. Zhao Wendong nodded. ’I knew it. The splash I made was too big to hide.’ It had only dawned on him today when he saw the attitudes of the officials. After all, despite having lived a few extra decades in his past life, he’d still just been a farmer. ’It’s no surprise I didn’t figure out these political games right away.’

’Right now, every locality is desperate for achievements, inflating their crop-yield reports left and right. My massive catch is a perfect, ready-made achievement for them—and this one is actually real.’

And just as Zhao Wendong suspected, not long after he left the county town, a procession had set out to report the ”good news.”

A large truck, adorned with a big red flower on its grille, was loaded up. Accompanied by an escort of militia and a gong-and-drum troupe, they packed up all but ten percent of the Hai Pangtou. Then, under the leadership of Jiang Weimin, they headed for the provincial capital, beating gongs and drums all the way.

Just as Zhao Wendong’s group pulled up to his house, Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu heard the commotion. When they saw a large truck parked at their gate, they were dumbfounded. In this day and age, a truck was the equivalent of a modern-day Rolls-Royce.

It was only when they saw Zhao Wendong and the others climbing out that it dawned on them this was his doing.

”My boy, this truck... what’s all this about a truck?”

Chen Yanmei was so flustered she was stammering. Zhao Wendong just smiled. ”Never mind that, Mom! Let’s get unloading! There’s a ton of stuff in the back!”

The group lowered the truck’s rear gate and started to unload. Seeing the truck bed piled high with food and supplies, Chen Yanmei’s legs went weak, and she plopped right down into a snowdrift. What on earth was she seeing?

There were sacks upon sacks of grain, all sorts of food, two large seals, a big dining table, a massive water vat, and a dizzying array of miscellaneous goods. She couldn’t believe her eyes. ’Is all of this... ours?’