Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

Before sunset, a group of people appeared on a ridge. Three people were in front and one was behind, pulling a sled. As the group approached, Chen Xueqin, with the longest rope slung over his shoulder, walked in front, followed by Zhao Changshan and Liu Qingguo, who were two steps behind him on either side, while Zhou Rui pushed the sled from behind.

Ever since that incident at noon, Zhou Rui has never dared to expose his back to Chen Xueqin, and the warning system also prevents Zhou Rui from reacting at such close range.

On the sled were three wild boars that had already been gutted: a large-breasted boar, an old sow, and a yellow and white piglet.

Harvesting so much meat, nearly a thousand pounds in total, should have been a cause for celebration, but the air pressure around the sled was so low it was hard to breathe.

Chen Xueqin pulled hard on the rope, his face occasionally contorted in pain—the spot where Zhou Rui had kicked him was throbbing. But he dared not show the slightest sign of displeasure. In that valley, the vicious look in Zhou Rui's eyes as he charged at him, the way he punched and kicked him, and the brutality with which he choked Captain Zhao—all of it had deeply shocked him.

He knew that if the captain hadn't stopped him, he might have really been beaten to death. When Zhou Rui grabbed the captain by the neck, he had actually recovered from the beating, but he didn't dare move an inch. The feeling filled him with shame and rage, yet he dared not resist at all.

Zhao Changshan pulled the sled with all his might, refusing to rest even when he was exhausted. He was filled with resentment. He resented Chen Xueqin's disobedience and impulsive actions that caused him trouble. He resented Zhou Rui's lack of respect, grabbing him by the neck and silencing him with a lecture. He resented Liu Qingguo's lack of tact, for not stepping in to dissuade him and instead watching him make a fool of himself.

The innocent-looking Liu Qingguo rolled his eyes, occasionally slacking off on the rope when he got tired. Sometimes he wanted to tell a joke to liven things up, but he would fizzle out when he met Zhou Rui's gaze.

In truth, Zhou Rui's eyes remained unchanged, calm as still water. It was only in the valley that Zhou Rui's violent kicking of Chen Xueqin and his grip on Zhao Changshan, his voice chilling as if emanating from hell, terrified him. He couldn't understand how Rui, who had been offering him cigarettes just a moment ago, could transform into a demon the next.

At this moment, Zhou Rui's cold voice rang out from behind: "Stop and rest for half an hour."

The three people in front breathed a sigh of relief, threw the ropes off their shoulders to the ground, and staggered to find places to rest.

Zhou Rui found a flat spot to sit down, took out his water bottle, took a sip of water, and after catching his breath, he took out some dry rations from his bag and started eating.

Liu Qingguo held the kettle in the air and forcefully gulped down the water, then let out a comfortable sigh. Suddenly noticing that Zhou Rui was eating a pancake, he couldn't help but come over.

"Ruiwa".

Zhou Rui turned to look at him. There was nothing wrong with it, but Liu Qingguo suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

"Hey, aren't we going to cook?"

"Why bother making a fire and cooking? We're not going to spend the night in the woods, why waste time?" Zhou Rui chewed on the dry biscuit, feeling a bit choked, and quickly drank some water.

"But the sun is about to set, and we're going to walk in the dark? When will we ever get back to the village?"

"What's there to be afraid of walking at night? Aren't there sharpshooters from your militia? We'll get back no matter how late it is. I don't want to spend another night in these mountains."

Zhou Rui made sarcastic remarks, but in his heart he thought, "Who would want to share a fire pit with some scoundrels and cook for them? Disgusting. Besides Qing Guo, that careless scatterbrain, he's the only one in the group with a relatively simple mind. And even he has an injured hand."

"oh."

After listening, Liu Qingguo understood the firmness in Zhou Rui's words. Since the decision made by his boss was irreversible, he had no choice but to take out his dry rations and eat. The cold, hard rations made Liu Qingguo's throat hurt, so he had to ask Zhou Rui for water, which thankfully Zhou Rui didn't refuse.

Zhao Changshan and Chen Xueqin exchanged a glance. Seeing that Liu Qingguo couldn't persuade Zhou Rui either, they had no choice but to start eating as well. They had no other option but to go hungry. Already exhausted, they probably wouldn't be able to make it back without replenishing their energy. Zhou Rui would definitely abandon them then; he was absolutely capable of doing that.

At three in the morning, Zhou Rui and his three companions finally arrived at the village chief's house. Zhao Changshan and the other two threw down the rope and lay down on the ground without a care for appearances. Traveling along mountain paths at night was no easy feat. Although they had flashlights, the dim light did little to prevent them from falling several times.

Zhou Rui was fine and in good spirits, unlike the three others who were covered in dirt. Even if the sled had overturned, he wouldn't have fallen.

Zhou Rui stepped forward and pounded on the courtyard gate, making a loud thumping sound. It took a while before any sounds could be heard from inside.

"Coming, coming. Which brat is up in the middle of the night, knocking on the door? Can't you say what you need to say tomorrow?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Youzhi, wearing an overcoat and carrying a flashlight, came out of the room.

"Who is it?" The flashlight shone over the fence and outwards.

Zhou Rui tilted his head slightly, avoiding the light shining into his eyes. "I am Zhou Rui."

"Ruiwa?" Zhao Youzhi was startled. Had something happened?

"What's going on? Why are they coming down the mountain in the middle of the night?" Village Chief Zhao asked as he walked, quickly opening the courtyard gate. "Where are the three of them? Could it be…?"

Then, through the beam of the flashlight, I saw the large sled outside the yard and three people lying on the ground around it.

"What happened? Are you injured or something?" Zhao Youzhi was a little anxious. After all, he was the village chief, and he would be responsible if anything happened to the villagers.

"Sixth Uncle, could you please pour me a bowl of water? I'm dying of thirst." Zhao Changshan was a member of the Zhao family, so he was addressed according to his family ranking. However, he was lying on the ground, not wanting to move at all. He was exhausted and hungry, and was panting heavily.

Seeing the three people on the ground panting heavily like old oxen, Zhao Youzhi immediately felt relieved. They were still alive, so everything was alright.

"What's wrong with them?" Zhao Youzhi asked Zhou Rui, the only one still standing.

"I'm tired."

Zhao Youzhi was a little confused, but when the flashlight swept across the sled and he saw the pile of wild boar, he understood. So he happily ran in to pour them water, his legs moving like those of a man nearing sixty.

Zhao Changshan and the other two drank water in large gulps, one bowl wasn't enough, they wanted more. Zhao Youzhi even brought out the whole thermos. Only Zhou Rui sipped his water, only drinking half a bowl before putting it down.

"Ruiwa, there must be eight or nine hundred pounds of meat here, right?" Zhao Youzhi stared at the meat in the yard, his eyes shining so brightly that even the darkness couldn't hide them. The ferocious-looking wild boar looked so cute to him.

"Yes, there are." Zhou Rui replied succinctly, unwilling to elaborate.

Zhao Youzhi, oblivious to Zhou Rui's unusual behavior, was still basking in his own joy. He patted Zhou Rui on the shoulder: "I knew you could do it. Now the villagers will have meat to eat and can nourish themselves properly."

"Okay, next time, next week, you can lead the team up the mountain again and bring some more meat. Then our village will definitely be able to complete the task ahead of schedule this year, and the villagers won't be exhausted."

"No, I won't lead the team next time," Zhou Rui coldly refused.

"Uh..." Zhao Youzhi finally realized something was wrong. "Why?"