I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 226: Chapter 196: Inviting a God

”That can’t be right! My Brother San isn’t some superstitious mystic!”

”Then why are you pushing that snow around?”

”Heh heh. Mom, my Brother San wouldn’t do something like this, but you never know with that ’great immortal’ of his. No matter what Brother San is up to, I, Er Gou, have to go back him up. Mom, you and Sanwazi can take your time sweeping the rest. I’m heading over now.”

Watching Zhao Ergou dash toward the village entrance with a wheelbarrow full of snow, Zhang Yufen started to hesitate.

”Sanwazi, sweep faster. Once we’re done with our snow, we’ll go take a look, too.”

”Okay.”

Sanwazi sniffled, sucking a fresh trail of snot right back up his nose. He picked up a shovel that was a head taller than him, bent low, and diligently helped his mother clear the thick white snow from their yard.

Zhao Wendong and his group had just formed a small mound of snow when they realized something wasn’t right. At first, it was just the surrounding neighbors pushing their snow over. They didn’t pay it much mind, assuming everyone just wanted to pile the snow far away to prevent their doorsteps from flooding when it melted in the spring.

But then, more and more people started pushing snow their way. A long line of wheelbarrows queued up along the entire village road. The spectacle was identical to the time the Volunteer Army came through, back when Zhao Weiguo and the others went to support the front lines.

”This...”

The members of the Zhao Family were all dumbfounded. They looked over at Zhao Wendong, who was equally bewildered and was pulling Zhao Lao Nian aside to ask what was going on.

”Old Uncle Nian, what are you all doing?”

”Building a snowman!”

”I didn’t know you guys were so young at heart!”

Zhao Wendong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He wanted to grab Zhao Lao Nian and ask for more details, but Zhao Lao Nian simply turned and walked away without another word, wearing an expression that seemed to say, ’I get you, but I’m not saying a thing.’

With more and more snow arriving, Zhao Wenwu and Little Tuanzi were dancing with joy, shouting to build a giant snowman. Gritting his teeth, Zhao Wendong waved Lin Zhiyin over.

”Come on, dear! Let’s build a super-sized snowman today!”

”Okay.”

Lin Zhiyin’s eyes curved into smiling crescents. In that moment, she felt so happy, so blissful. It was as if the entire world was doting on her, and she felt her heart and soul simply melt.

The commotion in the village soon alerted the members of the village committee. When Zhao Weiguo and Third Master Zhao arrived, they saw a giant snow pile slowly taking shape at the village entrance. It was already nearly as tall as the poplar tree there, and its base was enormous—larger than the team headquarters’ mess hall, which could seat four hundred people. Wheelbarrows full of snow kept arriving, while Zhao Wendong and the others worked to constantly pack it down.

”Th-this...”

Even someone as composed as Zhao Weiguo was stunned by the sight. Third Master Zhao rushed forward and yanked Zhao Wendong aside.

”You rotten kid! Do you have any idea the trouble you’re causing? Are deities something you can just summon recklessly? Why didn’t you ask Granny Liu to come oversee this?”

”Huh? Ask Granny Liu to do what? Oversee what?”

Zhao Wendong was baffled. ’How could building a snowman cause trouble? And why would I need Granny Liu to oversee it?’

”Is summoning a god something you can do so carelessly? Besides, don’t you know this stuff is discouraged these days? You’re practically asking for trouble! I swear, you get a few good days and you get completely carried away!”

Seeing the anxious expressions on both Third Master Zhao’s and Zhao Weiguo’s faces, Zhao Wendong finally realized something was wrong. He quickly grabbed the old man’s arm.

”Third Master, calm down. First, just tell me... what is it I’m supposedly doing?”

”What are you doing? You’re asking *us* what *you’re* doing? Aren’t you building a snowman to have a god possess it?”

After Third Master Zhao finished speaking, Zhao Weiguo paused. That wasn’t the version he’d heard.

”That’s not right. I heard Dongzi was summoning the God of Wealth to hand out money to everyone.”

”What? I heard he was summoning the Five Grains God to distribute food!”

Zhao Wendong felt his face darken with exasperation. ’Where did things go so wrong? Aren’t I just trying to build a snowman at the village entrance?’

”Those are all just rumors! This morning, while we were sweeping snow, my wife just said we should build a snowman at the village entrance to welcome any visitors. Where did all this talk of summoning gods come from? Summoning what damn god!”

Now, everyone on the committee understood. They exchanged glances, completely baffled. How did things get so out of hand?

”Big Brother, Second Brother, who did you guys tell about building a snowman?”

Hearing this, Zhao Wenjun answered casually.

”Uncle Wang asked what I was doing this morning. I told him I was coming to the village entrance to build a snowman. What’s wrong?”

”Nothing!”

A short while later, Uncle Wang came trotting over, cheerfully pushing a wheelbarrow full of snow. Zhao Wendong and the others immediately stopped him.

”Uncle Wang, what exactly did you tell your family?”

”I told them you were building a snowman to welcome a god! What’s wrong, Dongzi? How much more do you need? Look how much everyone is pitching in to help, haha.”

Uncle Wang let out a few laughs, but then he noticed the grim expressions on the committee members’ faces. His laughter died instantly. He scratched his head and quickly slipped away.

”So it was all a misunderstanding. It must have been my Aunt Wang, that big loudspeaker, who broadcast it everywhere. What are we going to do now?”

”How about I go plug in the PA system and make an announcement? Thing is, our village’s hand-cranked generator doesn’t work too well—it’s always cutting out. It’s probably less reliable than that big mouth from the Wangs’.”

As Zhao Weiguo said this, he turned to leave, but Zhao Wendong grabbed his arm to stop him.

”Uncle Weiguo, wait! All of you, just look at everyone!”

”Huh?”

Zhao Weiguo stopped in his tracks. The group turned to look at the surrounding crowd. They saw the villagers—men and women, young and old—all pushing their wheelbarrows with gusto, their faces glowing with excitement and happiness. They were chatting and laughing; no one seemed to find it difficult, and no one complained of being tired. It was as if they were all taking part in a delightful game together, full of infectious enthusiasm. The children were even more excited, jumping and cheering around the giant snowman. In that instant, it felt as though the hardships of the year—the hunger, the cold, the poverty—had all vanished, leaving behind only the purest, most fundamental joy.