Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

Li Zhenhua's familiar and natural attitude, as well as the temperament and demeanor of the two women behind him that were clearly different from ordinary people, made her feel an invisible pressure and a sense of distance.

"Creak—"

The car came to a stop under a bare old locust tree at the entrance of the village, and the dust it kicked up slowly settled.

"Sister Qin, we've arrived."

Li Zhenhua pulled the handbrake and turned to Qin Huairu, saying...

Qin Huairu seemed to wake up from a dream, forcing a grateful smile on her face, her voice weak.

"Oh, we've arrived... Thank you, thank you Director Li, and thank you to the other two colleagues as well. We've had a lot of trouble."

While thanking her, she subconsciously scanned the car interior with her eyes, especially the trunk, her gaze filled with undisguised anxiety and inquiry—where was the food?

Li Zhenhua naturally understood her thoughts and was about to speak when Lin Taotao in the back seat rubbed her stomach first and frowned.

"Ugh, this journey has been so bumpy... I can't take it anymore, I need to find a place to relieve myself. Da Feng, are you coming?"

"Go away! I've been holding it in for ages!"

Da Feng was a straightforward person, and immediately pushed open the car door and jumped out.

Lin Taotao also got out of the car and said to Li Zhenhua and Qin Huairu.

"Please wait a moment, we'll be right back."

As they talked, the two quickly walked towards the back of what looked like an abandoned adobe house not far away.

The opportunity is coming!

Li Zhenhua immediately pushed open the door and got out of the car, quickly walking to the back of the car while pretending to mutter something under his breath.

"I'll also check the trunk and see what's inside."

At the same time, with a thought, the thirty catties of cornmeal that had been prepared beforehand instantly appeared in the corner of the trunk, packed in a half-worn burlap sack, bulging and full.

He opened the trunk, turned to the side to block any possible view, and whispered to Qin Huairu, who was following closely behind.

"Quick, take this bag back right away!"

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up instantly when she saw the full bag of grain. Upon closer inspection, the golden color peeking out from the gaps in the sack was clearly cornmeal!

It wasn't the dark, mixed flour or bran she had imagined!

Cornmeal!

These days, this is considered a fine grain!

It's a delicacy that only urban cadres' families dare to eat occasionally!

It was so much better than the corn noodles she had been hoping for!

A surge of overwhelming joy and sorrow welled up in Qin Huairu's heart; her nose stung, and her eyes instantly reddened.

She had thought she would be grateful if she could borrow some coarse grains to keep her parents alive, but she never expected Li Zhenhua to be so generous, giving her precious cornmeal!

This thirty catties of cornmeal is enough for her family to get through the most difficult days, and it can even help her parents to recover.

"Zhenhua...I..."

Her voice choked with emotion, and she didn't know what to say for a moment. She could only nod vigorously, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

"Stop dawdling, hurry up! Before they come back!"

Li Zhenhua urged her on, while helping her lift the heavy sack out of the trunk.

Qin Huairu used all her strength to lift the sack, and its heavy weight made her feel incredibly at ease.

She glanced at Li Zhenhua one last time, all her unspoken words condensed into a complex look in her eyes. Then, with her head down, she hurried towards the direction of her mother's home, her steps unsteady yet filled with hope.

As soon as Li Zhenhua closed the trunk and clapped his hands, Lin Taotao and Dafeng returned one after the other.

"That feels much better!"

Lin Taotao stretched her limbs and casually glanced at the empty village entrance.

"Huh? Where's Sister Qin from before?"

"Oh, her house is right at the edge of the village. She's already gone back. She thanked me profusely before she left."

Li Zhenhua answered calmly, then changed the subject.

"Perfect timing. I just chatted with an old man squatting over there sunbathing and asked him about wild boars."

"How about it? It really exists?"

Dafeng eagerly came closer, her baby face full of anticipation.

"There really is!"

Li Zhenhua fabricated the story with a straight face.

"The old man said that a few days ago, a wild boar did indeed rush out of the back mountain valley. It was quite big, probably weighing two or three hundred pounds! He warned us to be careful."

"Two or three hundred pounds?"

Lin Taotao and Dafeng exchanged a glance, and instead of being afraid, they became even more excited.

"Great! That's more like it! Quick, grab your gear, let's go up the mountain!"

The two women excitedly opened the back door and took out a hunting rifle and bullets wrapped in an old cloth.

Li Zhenhua then opened the trunk again and began unpacking his "equipment".

He first pulled out a huge military backpack, and then began stuffing things into it: a folded metal rack, a package wrapped in oil paper, several bottles and jars, a small pot, and some bowls and chopsticks...

Lin Taotao stared in disbelief, pointed at his bulging backpack with the barrel of her gun, and asked in confusion.

"Li Zhenhua, what are you up to? We're going hunting, not picnicking! What's in that huge bag you're carrying?"

Da Feng also walked over carrying a gun. She glanced at Li Zhenhua's posture as if he was preparing for a long journey, and couldn't help but sneer, mocking him in her uniquely clear voice.

"Exactly! Comrade Li, with your delicate skin, carrying such a heavy load, what if you can't walk past the halfway point and we sisters have to turn back to rescue you!"

Li Zhenhua zipped up his backpack, easily tossed the heavy bag onto his back, and gave a mysterious smile, winking at the two valiant female warriors.

"My two heroines, you just don't understand. I have a brilliant plan! Once we get there, you'll see how useful this backpack is. I guarantee you'll have an unforgettable hunting trip!"

"Making a big fuss!"

Lin Taotao rolled her eyes at him, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

"Hmph, don't cry when you're a burden!"

Da Feng snorted, but her eyes were full of curiosity.

The three of them said no more and checked their equipment.

Lin Taotao and Dafeng, holding hunting rifles, looked heroic.

Li Zhenhua followed behind, carrying a large backpack that seemed out of place in the hunting atmosphere.

The mountain wind, carrying the chill of late autumn, whistled through the bare branches.

The further into the mountains you go, the sparser the vegetation becomes, revealing large areas of gray-brown rocks. The view opens up considerably, but it appears exceptionally desolate.

The three of them followed the path trodden by the hunters upwards, but apart from the occasional sparrow that was startled into flight, they didn't see a single decent wild animal.

"This mountain is really poor. We've walked for most of the day and all we've seen are rocks."

Da Feng, carrying a hunting rifle, looked somewhat disappointed and kicked a loose pebble away.

Lin Taotao, on the other hand, had a good attitude. She took a deep breath of the cool air and smiled.

"What's the rush? Hunting is all about luck. Even if you don't catch anything big, it's still nice to catch a few pheasants or rabbits to have a treat. The main thing is to get some fresh air."

Li Zhenhua carried the enormous backpack, yet his steps remained light, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding bushes and grass.

Suddenly, he stopped and raised his hand to signal the two women behind him to be quiet.

Shh—look over there.