In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

"Brother Qin, you're exaggerating. What wild animal would bother us humans?"

But after saying that, Chu Wu shut his mouth.

After the previous three decisions, facts have proven that Qin Shaolang's decision was correct.

And now, another choice is presented to him.

Should we do as Qin Shaolang says, or go our own way?

"Forget it, I'll have them repair it carefully later. It's always good to be prepared."

Without Qin Shaolang offering a single word of explanation, Chu Wu slapped himself in the face twice with his actions.

Perhaps even Chu Wu himself did not realize that he had come to regard Qin Shaolang as his true elder brother, no longer just a title or a false identity.

Qin Shaolang nodded.

"Let's go. We've been messing around here for half the day, and the traps we set should have yielded some results. It'll probably take them a while to get back. It's not safe to stay here any longer; it's better for us to go back to the village as soon as possible."

Chu Wu immediately nodded, and then followed Qin Shaolang to collect the prey that had fallen into the trap.

Perhaps because winter came early this year, all five traps I set yielded a harvest: four pheasants and one squirrel.

……

Before the two had even returned to their room, Chu Wu called out loudly.

"Sister-in-law, my brother and I are back! We caught several chickens today, hurry up and stew one for us!"

As soon as he returned to the house, Qin Shaolang noticed something was amiss.

Su Jin's posture when raising her arm was not quite right.

What happened to your hand?

Su Jin subconsciously hid her hands behind her back.

"It's nothing, I probably just caught a bit of a chill..."

Before Su Jin could finish speaking, Qin Shaolang stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and removed her winter coat.

A long red mark was visible on her snow-white shoulder.

A hint of coldness crept into Qin Shaolang's otherwise calm eyes.

"Who did this?"

Su Jin turned her head away.

"I accidentally bumped into a tree on my way back..."

Qin Shaolang's face darkened.

I don't like the way you lie.

Seeing that she could no longer hide it, Su Jin lowered her head and explained.

"When I was buying alcohol, the bartender saw that I was thin and pretended to accidentally hit me."

Suddenly, Su Jin seemed to remember something and quickly grabbed Qin Shaolang's arm, her tone extremely urgent.

"My husband, please give me another chance. I really can help you. This was just an accident, and the bartender certainly didn't mean it."

Upon hearing her explanation, Qin Shaolang immediately understood.

She was just worried that he would dislike her because she couldn't even do something as simple as buying alcohol properly.

Qin Shaolang didn't say anything more. He went to the pile of odds and ends he had bought yesterday and searched around. He took out the medicine powder for her serious injury, carefully applied it to her wounds, and then gave her some instructions.

"Don't move your arm around too much these next few days. Wait until you're fully recovered before doing housework."

Su Tang, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, grabbed Qin Shaolang's arm, and said in a coquettish tone.

"Su Tang can also help her sister with housework! Su Tang will study hard and do her best. Is that alright, my husband?"

Qin Shaolang reached out and tapped Su Tang's head.

Before he could even speak, Chu Wu, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, burst into laughter.

"What are you saying, sisters-in-law? We probably won't be going up the mountain for the next few days. I happen to have nothing to do, so you two should take good care of yourselves."

When Chu Wu volunteered so readily, Qin Shaolang simply nodded slightly.

With things at home settled, it's time to deal with things outside.

Perhaps sensing the cold killing intent in Qin Shaolang's eyes, Chu Wu found an excuse to go outside with Qin Shaolang.

"Brother Qin, why don't you leave this to me? You can stay here with your two sisters-in-law without worry. I have a few old friends in the village who happen to owe me favors."

Qin Shaolang nodded slightly.

"Don't go too far; show some consideration."

Chu Wu immediately grinned and patted his chest forcefully.

"Don't worry, Brother Qin, I know these things very well. I'll set off now and come back to have a drink with you later."

Chu Wu immediately picked up his pistol and left. Qin Shaolang watched him go before returning to the house.

Seeing Su Jin pick up a broom, intending to sweep the dirt in the room, Qin Shaolang's face darkened.

"You just focus on recovering. If your arm is ruined because of this, you'll have to come with me to buy your food."

Although these words were somewhat malicious, they were very effective.

Su Jin quickly let go of the broom, her eyes brimming with tears.

Qin Shaolang glared at her.

"Who told you not to listen to my instructions?"

Su Jin lowered her head again.

Now we're under someone else's roof, so we have no choice but to bow our heads.

Su Tang quickly picked up the broom from the ground, gave Qin Shaolang a sweet smile, and then hurriedly but very clumsily cleaned up the dust in the room.

"Husband, I'll do it for my sister. As long as you teach me, I can do anything well."

Upon seeing this smile, Qin Shaolang's anger inexplicably subsided somewhat.

He then tapped the table, gesturing for Su Jin to sit down.

Su Jin was still on tenterhooks. She had never seen Qin Shaolang so serious, nor had she ever been scolded by him like this.

An inexplicable worry rose in my heart.

"You can hit me, scold me, make me do anything, I'll do it all, just please keep my sister. She's still young, and if she loses your protection..."

Qin Shaolang suddenly let out a soft hum.

"When did I say I was kicking you out?"

Qin Shaolang cut off Su Jin's rest of her words, his lips moved but he didn't say another word.

Seeing that Su Tang was cleaning haphazardly, Qin Shaolang gave her instructions.

"Su Tang, stop sweeping for now and go get me a bowl of water. I'm thirsty."

Su Tang quickly responded and darted into the kitchen. A short while later, she carefully brought over a full bowl of water and gently placed it on the table.

Qin Shaolang then looked at Su Jin.

"I told you to rest and recover, but you wouldn't listen. I told you I was going to kick you out, and you believed me so quickly?"

Seeing that Su Jin just kept her head down and refused to speak.

Qin Shaolang then picked up the bowl of water and slowly took a sip.

"You have quite a few bruises on your arms. If you don't take good care of them, they will leave scars in the future. If you use your injured arms to do manual labor during this period, the injury may worsen. I know that you sisters have had a tough journey, and it's right that you've been careful all the way, but now that I've bought you, it's time to leave your experience from the escape route behind."

After saying this, Qin Shaolang finished the water in his bowl and then stood up.

"Think about it carefully."

Qin Shaolang didn't say anything more to Su Jin because he could tell from her reaction that she was panicked and in a bad state.

She's not stupid; these words should be enough for her to think things through.

It's time to let go of those dark memories.

Although Qin Shaolang himself was unsure how long he could allow them to live in peace, he didn't mind making more attempts.