Traveling through the 1970s: The young wife loves to make trouble

Chapter 257 A guilty conscience
The three boys took the rabbits and pheasants out to clean them.

Wei Jingyuan picked up the thermos and refilled Tao Qiuyi's water glass before putting the thermos back in its place.

Turning to face her, Wei Jingyuan slowly said, "Those wild boars were all shot to death, with bullets still in their bodies. If we bring them back, we won't be able to explain it clearly, and it could easily cause us trouble."

Was he... explaining to her why he didn't want the five wild boars? Tao Qiuyi stared intently at Wei Jingyuan.

Wei Jingyuan also watched her quietly.

“How could we have gotten into trouble…” Remembering the wild boar left behind by the villagers, Tao Qiuyi suddenly understood his meaning. “So, you left the wild boar with the soldiers because you didn’t want us to get into trouble?”

As he said, bringing back wild boars that had been shot would indeed cause them trouble. Where did the bullets in the wild boar meat come from? Where did they get the guns to shoot the wild boars?

She wanted the wild boar because she didn't know that if she brought it back, she would have to share it with the whole village.

She figured her family would eat the wild boar meat secretly, and no one would care how the boar died.

"One reason is that we don't want to cause trouble," Wei Jingyuan said frankly. "Another reason is that the soldiers' training intensity is high, and they rarely get to eat meat."

"Five wild boars aren't many, but they'll add some oil and meat to the soldiers' meals."

"Soldiers at this time still have problems with not having enough to eat?" Tao Qiuyi was surprised. She thought that only during wartime would there be such a situation.

After hesitating for a moment, Wei Jingyuan replied, "It's only in a few places; in most places, people can still get enough to eat."

Seeing that Wei Jingyuan didn't want to say more, Tao Qiuyi decisively ended the topic. She sighed softly and said, "Wei Jingyuan, you can just tell me directly."

He told her directly, and she wouldn't be upset for even a short while.

"This time I didn't think things through, it won't happen again." Wei Jingyuan promised gently, "When things are peaceful in the mountains, I'll take you back to hunt wild boars, and we'll bring them back secretly, without sharing them with anyone."

“Really?” Tao Qiuyi’s eyes lit up.

"Really." Wei Jingyuan nodded, gently stroking her fair and delicate cheek with his large hand. "You stay in the room and rest. I'll call you when the hot water is ready."

Suddenly touched on the face, Tao Qiuyi was a little confused and nodded subconsciously.

Seeing how well-behaved she was, Wei Jingyuan couldn't resist leaning over and kissing her forehead. Not daring to look at her expression, he got up and walked outside.

Watching his tall, upright figure quickly disappear outside the door, Tao Qiuyi couldn't help but twitch her lips and softly utter a single word: "A guilty conscience needs no accuser."

She raised her hand to touch the forehead where he had kissed her, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart.

Wei Jingyuan, who had already stepped outside, stumbled when Tao Qiuyi accused him of having a guilty conscience. He nearly tripped and fell flat on his face.

Entering the kitchen, Wei Jingyuan saw the three boys busy with their tasks, occasionally exchanging a few words, getting along very well. He realized he hadn't been wrong; Qiu Si would soon adapt to life down the mountain.

"Brother Wei." Tao Qiusi, who was tending the fire, was the first to notice Wei Jingyuan walking in, and quickly stood up to greet him.

"Big brother." Xiao Huai was skinning a wild rabbit when he stopped and turned to look at his older brother.

"Big brother." Pear was squatting by the water vat washing mushrooms and wood ear fungus when she saw her older brother come in and called out. She glanced behind him and asked, "Where's sister-in-law?"

“She’s resting inside.” Wei Jingyuan answered his sister’s question and walked over to Tao Qiusi. He asked meaningfully, “How is she? Is she adjusting well?” Tao Qiusi paused, immediately understanding his meaning, and nodded, saying, “She’s adjusting well. Pear and Xiaohuai are both very easy to get along with, and we get along well.”

"That's good." Nodding, Wei Jingyuan didn't say anything more. He lifted the lid of the pot, saw that the water inside wasn't hot yet, and then put the lid back on.

"Thank you, Brother Wei," Tao Qiusi said softly.

"What are you thanking me for?" Wei Jingyuan raised an eyebrow at him.

"Thank you and my sister for coming up the mountain to find me, thank you for taking me down the mountain, thank you..." Tao Qiusi stopped herself from saying the rest, ending with, "Anyway, thank you and my sister."

"No need to be polite, just relax and stay here." With that, Wei Jingyuan walked towards the kitchen door.

"Brother Qiusi, aren't you afraid living alone in a cave deep in the mountains?" Pear asked Tao Qiusi as she washed mushrooms and wood ear fungus after her older brother walked out of the kitchen.

Pear didn't even dare to dream of living in a cave.

"What are you afraid of?" Tao Qiusi asked, puzzled.

“I’m scared…” Pear suddenly stopped, glancing out of the kitchen. Lowering her voice, she continued, “Afraid of ghosts? Think about it, the forest is so big and you’re all alone.”

"There's no one to talk to, I'm all alone every day, it's so lonely. Also, the animals in the mountains must make noises at night."

"Sleeping in a cave, listening to those strange noises... umm, just thinking about it makes me feel terrified."

As Li Zi finished speaking, Tao Qiusi's thoughts drifted away. Was he afraid? At the beginning, of course he was afraid, so much so that he couldn't sleep for nights on end.

He didn't know how he ended up in that desolate wilderness. Panic and fear gripped him. He hid in a cave, clutching a wooden stick, often keeping his eyes open until dawn.

At first, he lived with the mindset of just getting through each day. For a long time, he couldn't sleep at night and slept during the day.

Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Tao Qiusi remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "At first, I was scared. I was in the mountains and forests, I didn't know the way, and I didn't know where I was."

“I didn’t even know who I was or how old I was, so of course I was scared. But I gradually got used to it and stopped being afraid.”

Tao Qiusi spoke casually, but Li Zi and Xiao Huai listened with trepidation. Both of them felt a surge of admiration for Tao Qiusi, admiring his tenacious vitality.

Pear realized she had said the wrong thing and felt very guilty. She looked at Xiao Huai, hoping he could help her find a way to make amends.

Receiving her twin sister's pleading look, Xiao Huai gave her a wink.

After washing her hands with clean water, Pear got up and walked to Tao Qiusi. She apologized guiltily, "I'm sorry, Qiusi-ge, I shouldn't have reminded you of those painful days."

"It's okay, you don't need to feel guilty." Tao Qiusi shook her head, indicating that she didn't care. "Those days of confusion are over, and I've gotten through them."

“I met Brother Wei and Sister Wei, and they took me down the mountain and made me family with you. It was my destiny and my salvation. I am so happy to be family with you.”

Pear smiled and said, "Brother Qiu Si, although our family is not rich, your older brother and sister-in-law are very good people. You will definitely not have a hard life if you live with us from now on."

“Yes, I think so too.” Tao Qiusi nodded in agreement with Pear.