I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 220: Chapter 195: Fighting Without Clothes (2)

For the upcoming market trip, money and ration tickets weren’t hard currency, as buying and selling weren’t permitted. Instead, the fish Zhao Wendong had just caught and the meat and grain the family had stored were the most valuable forms of currency. Since the snow kept them from entering the mountains, the Zhao family took the opportunity to take stock of their goods and prepare what they would trade at the market the day after tomorrow. Seeing he wasn’t needed at home, Zhao Wendong remembered he was a member of the production team committee. He dusted himself off and stood up.

”I’m going to check on the committee. Big Brother, take a few fish over to Grandpa and Grandma first.”

After speaking, he picked out two fish to carry with him, planning to drop by Third Master’s house first. When he had returned for a meal that morning, the courtyard had just been swept clean, but now another layer of snow had fallen. There were fewer people on the road than in the past couple of days. He could occasionally see someone sweeping the snow from their doorway, usually just clearing a narrow path. A thorough sweep would have to wait until the snow stopped.

The big brown horse was lying on a pile of hay in the outer room, occasionally munching on some of it. Upon seeing Zhao Wendong, it snorted and wagged its tail, clearly recognizing the human who had improved its meals. Zhao Wendong patted its head a couple of times before entering the house. Inside, Grandmaster Ai was resting, lying down all by himself. A smile immediately spread across his face when he saw Zhao Wendong.

”Grandmaster, how have you been the last few days?”

”Very well. I’m eating my fill and sleeping soundly. I’m not going hungry or getting cold. It’s much better than before.”

”Good, that’s great. If you need anything, just tell me. You can order me around just like you would Ai Zhongguo.”

”Mhm.”

Grandmaster Ai fell silent for a moment before asking slowly.

”That grandson of mine... if everything’s going smoothly, where would he be by now?”

”Let me think!”

Zhao Wendong counted on his fingers.

”He should have reached Shanghai and met my buddy by now. The next step is Min Nan. Actually, the business in the county is all wrapped up, so it’s fine for him to come back. The problem is, we can’t get in touch with them right now. I tried to contact them in Shanghai when I was in the county last time, but the call just wouldn’t go through, and I couldn’t find anyone to relay a message.”

”Mm-hm, that’s alright. Just think of it as him going out to see the world. Once he gets settled, he’ll write to us. It won’t be too late to tell him then!”

”Exactly. Once he writes and we can contact him, we can tell him to come back. Then I’ll take him with me into the mountains and out to sea, we’ll build houses and get married together, and have a few chubby baby boys for you to dote on.”

”Oh, that would be wonderful. I could die a happy man.”

Upon hearing this, Grandmaster Ai’s eyes lit up with hope and longing for the future. Zhao Wendong chatted with him for a while longer, and they had a particularly animated conversation about hunting. Grandmaster Ai shared his wealth of experience without reservation. Although Zhao Wendong already knew a lot of it, there was still much he hadn’t mastered, and he benefited greatly from the exchange.

”Remember to stew this fish for you and Third Master. Take good care of yourselves. We’ll be counting on you to lead us into the mountains soon!”

”Hehe, that would be wonderful.”

Grandmaster Ai nodded with a cheerful laugh. He was in high spirits and looked ten years younger than when Zhao Wendong had first seen him. Zhao Wendong said goodbye to Grandmaster Ai and headed to the headquarters of the Dragon King Pond Production Team. The place was much livelier than it had been recently. As soon as he arrived, he saw Zhao Lao Nian and a few other militiamen sweeping snow. They all stopped happily to greet him.

”Captain!”

”Hey. The snow’s coming down hard. Just sweep for a little while and then take a break. Wait for it to stop before you do the rest.”

”You got it.”

Zhao Wendong didn’t break stride, exchanging a few words with them as he entered the team headquarters. Inside, the other four committee members were all present. When Third Master Zhao saw Zhao Wendong enter, he hollered.

”Well now, if it isn’t the team’s busiest man. Are you here to inspect our work?”

”Mhm, that’s right. Comrade Zhao San, how has your performance been lately? You’d better not disappoint the high hopes I have for you!”

”Hey! You little rascal!”

Third Master Zhao raised his tobacco pipe threateningly again, and Zhao Wendong immediately begged for mercy. Zhao Weiguo and the others, long accustomed to the playful banter between the old man and the youth, simply watched the spectacle with smiles. Zhao Wendong climbed onto the kang and glanced at his calligraphy scroll. It was still in its place on the inner part of the kang. It seemed they had added another quilt underneath it, perhaps fearing that one quilt alone was too stiff.

”Dongzi, why don’t you take this treasure of yours to your house by the sea? You have your own place now.”

”No need, I’m not in a hurry. That house is too small, and there’s no space. Besides, it’s damp by the sea. I’ll move it straight to my new house once it’s built.”

”Well, leaving it on the kang like this isn’t a long-term solution. How about we hang it up on the wall?”

Zhao the Fourth glanced at the scroll and made the suggestion. Third Master Zhao immediately shook his head.

”Forget it. What’ll we do if it isn’t hung securely and it falls and gets damaged? Let’s just leave it here on the kang. From now on, we just won’t get on the kang. We can just sit on the edge.”

”Alright, whatever Third Uncle says.”

Zhao the Fourth readily agreed. Zhao Weiguo smiled and looked at Zhao Wendong.

”Dongzi, you’re not the only committee member in your family anymore. There’s also your wife and your second sister-in-law. Third Master said one should be the work-point recorder and the other the accountant, and he’ll just manage the warehouse himself from now on. You should have them come to a meeting. We can write up a report for the Commune, and our committee will be even stronger.”

The others nodded in agreement. Zhao Wendong felt it would be awkward to explain that the two women were indisposed today, so he had to make an excuse.

”My father-in-law and mother-in-law arrived last night, so my wife and sister-in-law are keeping them company right now. Just go ahead and write up the letters of recommendation. We can get them stamped by Secretary Yang when we go to the Commune market the day after tomorrow.”