Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

Zhou Rui and Wang Jianping had a very relaxing two days.

Aside from occasionally going out to check on the truck's condition, the two mostly just strolled around, hunting rabbits and pheasants, soaking in hot springs, and raiding the squirrels' food stash.

Wang Jianping peeled the pine nuts that Zhou Rui had roasted in a lunchbox, looking quite content.

"Life is so comfortable, it's just that we've run out of alcohol, otherwise I really want to live like this in the mountains."

"You've eaten too much coarse food and want some coarse grains. What do you have in these mountains? Nothing. No clothes, no house, no salt, no wine."

Zhou Rui expressed disdain for Wang Jianping, feeling that this man was like a modern-day city dweller. Having spent too much time in the city, he longed to go to the countryside to find poetry and distant horizons.

After spending two days together, the two became increasingly casual in their conversations.

"Look at us, we eat meat every day! We can't finish it all, we simply can't finish it all. Look how much we bury under the snow after we've eaten our fill? Badgers, pheasants, greyhounds..."

Wang Jianping counted on his fingers, feeling an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. This was just as he had imagined: hunters never returned empty-handed from the mountains.

"Perfect, I'll take all of these home with me. Otherwise, my sister-in-law will complain that I dragged her out for a few more days after she just got back from a long trip."

Zhou Rui waved his hand, awarding all the spoils to Wang Jianping. He needed to be on good terms with this deputy captain of the long-distance trucking team; it would be a good source for him if he ever needed to buy anything rare in the future.

"No, no. Just give me half."

Wang Jianping, ultimately concerned with saving face, refused to accept all the prey. The main reason was that Zhou Rui had hunted over 80% of the game; he was merely there to make up the numbers.

Moreover, bringing home half of the game would be enough; it would weigh at least sixty or seventy pounds. This was all fresh wild game from the mountains, enough for him to show off to his wife.

Yes, you can also visit your father-in-law's house once, and bring some of the various game with you. You can't hide your hunting skills; you need to let your brother-in-law know how good you are.

"Alright, I'll divide the rest among the brothers in the field. Brother Tao from the security department, Brother Deng from the canteen, and Sister Song from the finance department, and the rest will go to my Uncle Zhang."

Zhou Rui didn't just fawn over Wang Jianping; he also made sure to establish a proper relationship. He wasn't in a superior-subordinate relationship with him; it was best to treat each other as equals.

But upon reflection, I realized I was actually doing quite well at Xiangyang Forestry Farm. I had connections in every department, and once I started, it was quite a vast network.

Judging by the time, Wang Shouye and the others should be back by now. Zhou Rui and Wang Jianping took advantage of the spare time to quickly move all the frozen prey from the snow to the passenger seat.

Moreover, Wang Jianping also managed to start two small fires under the truck. The fires were small, and the temperature rose slowly.

"What's wrong? You're not full from the meat? You want to eat grilled iron?" Zhou Rui asked, somewhat curious about Wang Jianping's actions.

"The engine oil and diesel fuel in the tank are frozen, and the truck won't start unless you heat it up with a fire."

Zhou Rui wasn't very knowledgeable about automotive technology and didn't know if all cars required this operation in low temperatures.

"Alright, take your time. I'll go check if they've come down the mountain yet." Zhou Rui said, then turned around and went back to the valley through the cave.

With a rumble, the truck pulled up to the canteen, and Gu Shaofeng and the others, along with Gouzi, jumped out. Since there were no more people from Gujiatun on the truck, they had to walk back to their village.

"Brother Zhou, you guys are really something! You always manage to catch a lot of game. This time you must have caught much more than last time, right?" Deng Xiangrong was very happy. Every time Zhou Rui and his group came, it meant they brought back a large amount of meat.

This winter, as the canteen manager, he did not hinder the national mission in the slightest, and his superiors have already given him verbal praise in private.

"Not bad, this time we got a big one. We practically bought out all two hundred blue sheep."

As Zhou Rui spoke, he handed a burlap sack to Deng Xiangrong. Deng Xiangrong readily accepted it and passed it to a young man behind him, who was his newly recruited apprentice.

Now, he basically doesn't ask what Zhou Rui brings him anymore. It's the thought that counts; he doesn't need that piece of meat.

What he lacked was Zhou Rui's connections. However, Zhang Zhenbei had already clearly stated his support for him, which he believed was all thanks to Zhou Rui speaking up for him.

"The lamb is even more tender than the sika deer. But with such a large quantity, I can't offer a price higher than for sika deer. Two yuan per jin, how about that?"

Deng Xiangrong explained in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of ingratiation that went unnoticed by others.

"Brother Deng, please don't say that. I'm very satisfied with this price. I know in my heart that it was all thanks to you, brother, that I was able to get such a high price."

Zhou Rui was very satisfied, and he made it clear on his face that he had done Deng Xiangrong a favor.

He knew that after so many attempts to cultivate goodwill and hints, it was time to reap the rewards. Such a large quantity of serows, at such a high price—this time, the profits would be far greater than the previous times.

However, Zhou Rui wasn't stingy. When Deng Xiangrong returned, he would see that the sack contained a whole badger, two complete wolf pelts, and two badger pelts. All of them were carefully selected and flawless.

In Zhang Zhenbei's office, on the desk were two hides and a sack filled with meat and bones. Zhang Zhenbei had no time to worry about the leopard bones; his eyes were wide as he stared back and forth at the two hides.

One is small and fiery red, the other is gray and solid. One is exquisitely beautiful, the other is grand and composed.

"So beautiful, so comfortable." Zhang Zhenbei stroked the leather back and forth, reluctant to let go for even a moment.

"Just name your price, I'll take them all."

"Director Zhang, please don't worry about the fox fur. It's our first birthday gift for Xiao Niangao," Wang Shouye stepped forward.

Zhou Rui couldn't say this; only he could bring it up.

As Zhang Zhenbei watched the flame-like leather leave him, he felt an unbearable pain in his heart.

"This...this is too extravagant." Zhang Zhenbei couldn't help but clench his empty hand slightly, as if he was still feeling the sensation from just now.

Then, coming to her senses, she said, "Ruiwa, I'm not saying your niece isn't good enough for you, I just feel sorry for this beautiful face. Ah, no, I'm just a little reluctant to let it go, I want to see it a little longer."

When is Little Rice Cake's first birthday? I definitely want to come over for a drink that day.

Zhou Rui smiled and nodded, "I understand, Uncle Zhang. If you need anything, we'll keep an eye out for it next time we go into the mountains. We'll save any good hides for you."

"That's good, that's good. There are plenty of rich people in the city. So, what about the leopard?"

It was Wang Shouye who spoke up: "We don't know much about this leopard skin. Director Zhang, take it first, and we can settle the bill later after you sell it. As for the leopard bones and meat, consider them a bonus; they're not worth much."

Zhou Rui couldn't help but admire Wang Shouye's brilliant approach.

After some back and forth, Zhang Zhenbei still gave him three hundred yuan. If Zhou Rui had come alone, Zhang Zhenbei would have accepted it without hesitation.

However, they hunted it together, and Zhang Zhenbei didn't want to owe them a favor. It was too small; it wasn't worth it.