Reborn in the 60s, I hunt to support my family and even seduce the village beauty.

Chang Kun woke up very early the next morning.

Xiuer was still sleeping on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room, her buttocks facing upwards, with the thin blanket reaching her feet.

I glanced at her and saw that she was breathing evenly, so I figured that apart from the sore buttocks, she was fine. I pushed open the gate of the courtyard and walked out.

I still don't know how he resolved Zhang Quhun's matter yesterday.

At the entrance of the security brigade, Zhang Quhun was squatting against the wall, his elbows resting on his knees, his face buried in his palms.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night.

Chang Kun stood in front of him: "You're here?"

"They're here." Zhang Quhun stood up and sighed.

"What exactly happened yesterday?"

Zhang Quhun gave a wry smile: "When I got back last night, I checked the stove first. More than half of the pork was gone; the cuts were neat and clean."

"All the fat is gone, and so is the lean meat; only a few pieces of spine and ribs are left."

Chang Kun frowned: "So much less?"

"Absolutely!"

I asked my sister-in-law, "Where's the meat?"

"She said she didn't know. I said, 'I asked her, "The knife marks on the stove are still there, and you still don't know?"'"

She said it might have been carried away by a weasel.

As he said this, Zhang Quhun's lips twitched, revealing a helpless smile.

"How can a weasel carry away most of a piece of meat and then neatly cut the rest?"

Chang Kun did not respond.

"Later I went to ask my father," Zhang Quhun's voice lowered, "He was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) smoking his pipe, without saying a word."

"I asked him three times, and he just turned over and faced away from me! My older brother also went to the fields; he's not home."

"Why!"

Chang Kun sighed deeply. This family was truly beyond words!

"Later, I had a few words with my sister-in-law."

"She has a louder voice than me, saying I'm wronging her, that she's already scheming about the family's possessions before we're even married!"

Zhang Quhun sighed, "I can't out-argue her, and I can't pull off that tantrum."

"Then I turned and walked away. I'm never going to care about anything at home again!"

She was still yelling from behind, "You're getting married, and your family is taking care of everything. No money, no food, no meat—how are you going to pay the price?"

Chang Kun lit a cigarette for him: "So, what are you planning to do?"

"If there's not enough meat, then we'll eat less." Zhang Quhun pursed his lips. "Tell the villagers, young and old, that if there isn't enough meat at the wedding banquet, don't complain."

"Tell everyone what your sister-in-law did, and let the villagers judge!"

Chang Kun shook his head: "Your sister-in-law is shameless; she's capable of doing something like this. What does she have to be afraid of losing face for?"

"If you tell everyone, she might be gossiped about in the village for a few days, but she'll go back to what she was doing. You've aired your dirty laundry; what will Xiao Cui think?"

Zhang Quhun shook his head. Staying in this kind of home was truly awful.

Like Kun said, it's good to escape sooner!

"Let's put the meat aside for now. You're getting married the day after tomorrow. Have you prepared everything else?"

Zhang Quhun counted on his fingers: "The tables, chairs and benches were borrowed from various households in the village, and we also collected enough bowls, chopsticks, basins and plates. The tobacco, alcohol, grain and vegetables were also prepared the day before yesterday."

Chang Kun nodded: "Once you're ready, you just wait to be the groom!"

Zhang Quhun rubbed his hands together: "Brother Kun, there's something else."

"What's up?"

"I would like to ask you to be the guest master."

Chang Kun shook his head repeatedly: "That won't do!"

"I'm too young! The person in charge of receiving guests should be older, of higher seniority, and have authority. It's inappropriate for me to stand there."

"Who said that?" Zhang Quhun asked anxiously.

"Who in the village doesn't know you, Chang Kun? Catching rabbits, hunting wild boars, even wolves and bears—aren't you incredibly skilled at each of those?"

"It's an honor to have you as the host! Xiao Cui's family also feels that my marriage is backed by someone."

Chang Kun was about to wave his hand again when Zhang Quhun grabbed his arm.

"Brother Kun, listen to me."

"My eldest brother doesn't manage things, and you've seen my father's state. When guests arrive, there's no one to greet them, no one to arrange seating, and no one to manage the order of toasts."

"I stood there like an idiot. If you don't help me, who will?"

Chang Kun looked at Zhang Quhun, whose eyes were still dark and whose lips were chapped and peeling, looking like he hadn't slept well for several nights.

"Fine!" Chang Kun nodded helplessly. "I'll take it, okay?"

This old man is really having a tough time!

Zhang Quhun grinned: "Really?!"

"I keep my word! But let me make this clear from the start: I'll only be responsible for greeting the guests and arranging seating. You'll have to do the toasting yourself; I won't be the one to drink for you."

I'm not a big drinker, so I don't want to make a fool of myself.

"That works too!" Zhang Qu breathed a sigh of relief. "Now that Brother Kun has agreed, I feel much more at ease!"

"Are you still going to work these past two days?"

"I'm not going anymore, we have the afternoon off, hehe!"

"Then let's go to Xiao Cui's house and see. Tell us in advance if you need anything or any help. Otherwise, we'll be in a rush."

Zhang Quhun nodded: "I'll go this afternoon."

Chang Kun patted him on the shoulder: "Look ahead! Don't think about the troubles at home. Live with Xiao Cui from now on, and the good days are yet to come."

Zhang Quhun nodded emphatically: "Brother Kun is right! The best is yet to come!"

The two separated, and Zhang Quhun called out from behind, "Brother Kun!"

"Come early the day after tomorrow morning."

Chang Kun waved his hand without turning around.

Back in the courtyard house, smoke was billowing from the kitchen chimney. Cheng Min was squatting at the stove opening, stuffing firewood into it. Hearing the noise, she looked up.

"You're back? What did Zhang Quhun say?"

"I'm not going to worry about the meat anymore. He's getting married the day after tomorrow, and he wants me to be the host."

Cheng Min laughed: "You're the hostess? How old are you?"

"I can't refuse!" Chang Kun gave a wry smile. "His older brother doesn't care about anything, and his father is useless. If I don't help him, no one else will."

Xiao Qing's laughter came from the east room, and Chang Kun peeked into the east room.

Xiuer was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), Xiaoqing was standing on the edge of the kang, Xiaomu was standing at the door, and Xiaoshui was craning her neck behind Xiaomu.

"Get up!" Xiaoqing reached out and poked Xiuer's arm.

Xiuer buried her face in the pillow and remained silent.

"Sit up!" Xiao Shui chimed in, "Lying face down is so uncomfortable, hehe!"

"Yeah, yeah, let me see your butt!" Xiaoqing said, reaching out to lift the corner of the blanket.

Xiuer pressed the blanket down, her face still buried in the pillow, and muffledly shouted, "Xiao Qing, if you dare move again!"

Xiao Qing withdrew her hand, turned her head and exchanged a glance with Xiao Mu, the two of them suppressing their laughter.

Xiao Shui also came closer: "Oh dear, whose butt is swollen like a cornbread?"

"It's still made with fermented dough," Xiao Mu added.

Xiuer's face turned bright red, tears welled up in her eyes, but her mouth remained stubborn.

"You just wait! Once my ass heals, I'll deal with you all!!"

Xiao Qing took half a step back, pretending to be scared.

"Oh dear! I'm so scared!"

"Wait until your butt's better? Hahaha, you can't even get out of bed now!"