1940s: I supported my wife and sister-in-law by hunting.

He still resented his wife Qiu Yanzi in his heart, calling her a useless old woman who was clumsy with words and not good at handling things. He thought she could at least call out a little more, or even just exchange a couple more steamed buns.

If he could go hunting in the mountains with the hunters, get meat and hides, and then exchange them for grain, he would carry the grain and knock on Widow Liu's door in the middle of the night. He didn't believe Widow Liu wouldn't open the door for him. Once inside, he was certain he could capture her.

In an effort to get on his hunting trail, he had even gone out of his way to invite Hunter Liu for drinks a couple of days ago, hoping to get closer to him. But the old hunter was very shrewd and wouldn't budge on taking him into the mountains no matter how much he drank.

Just then, he bumped into Chen Gaoshan, who had just come out, and that's when he decided to try and trick Chen Gaoshan into taking him along.

Seeing that Chen Gaoshan wouldn't budge, Sanpangzi stepped forward and tugged at the sleeve of Chen Gaoshan's cotton-padded jacket, looking miserable.

"Shanzi, I've talked myself hoarse, said all the nice things and the mean things, why are you still angry with your buddy? I've humbled myself and apologized to you so much, are you saying that our friendship of so many years is just going to fall apart like this?"

"If that doesn't work, you can beat me up again to vent your anger. If that still doesn't work, I'll have my Qiuyanzi keep you company this time, is that alright?"

As soon as he said this, he winked and gave a lewd smile.

Chen Gaoshan stopped in his tracks and turned his head to glance at him.

It's often said that good men don't have good wives, while bad men marry beauties, and that's absolutely true.

Qiu Yanzi was a pretty girl with a good figure. She was one of the best girls in the surrounding area. She must have been blind to marry Sanpangzi.

Back when Sanpangzi's father was still alive, he kept an eye on him, so even if Sanpangzi was unreliable, he wouldn't dare to go too far.

Ever since his father died and he was no longer under his control, this good-for-nothing has completely revealed his true colors. Not only is he lazy and good-for-nothing, but he also forces his wife to have affairs with the men in the village while he stands guard at the door and acts as a pimp.

What a terrible woman! How could she have married such a monstrous man? She's committed a lifetime of sin.

"Speak your mind, stop with the empty flattery!"

Upon hearing this, Sanpangzi's eyes lit up instantly, and he was overjoyed.

There's a chance! There's definitely a chance!

He knew that his own Qiu Yanzi was so attractive that every man in the village had his eye on her and wanted to secretly make a move on her.

As long as you bring your wife in, there's nothing you can't resolve.

"Shanzi, I heard from Uncle Liu that you're going hunting in the mountains the day after tomorrow. Could you take me with you? If you're willing to take me, you can have my Qiuyanzi for free for half a month. I mean what I say, no lie. What do you say?"

Upon hearing the words "go up the mountain," Chen Gaoshan instantly began to formulate a plan, but his face remained impassive.

"One month."

Sanpangzi was stunned for a moment, then reacted and his face instantly lit up with a big smile. His face wrinkled up and he was so excited that he almost jumped up. He quickly raised his sleeve and wiped the snot that had frozen out of his nose.

"One month it is! It's settled then! Whoever reneges will be ruined for life!"

The two walked forward one after the other. Suddenly, Chen Gaoshan stopped, and Sanpangzi, who was following behind and had no time to prepare, bumped into his shoulder.

"Ouch!"

Fatty groaned in pain; his nose was numb from the impact, and tears streamed down his face.

He instinctively opened his mouth to curse, but when he looked up and met Chen Gaoshan's face, he swallowed the words back down and just stood there, covering his nose.

"Third Fatty, let me make this clear: hunting in the mountains is not like strolling around the village. The deep forests are extremely dangerous, and I will not be responsible for your life or death! Wild animals often injure people in the mountains. My eldest brother was killed by a black bear. If you really want to go, you must follow my orders the whole time once you're in the mountains. If you don't listen and something happens, don't blame me!"

Sanpangzi felt uneasy under his gaze, his eyes darting around several times, his mind preoccupied with the good deeds of going into the mountains to eat meat and seducing Widow Liu.

"Don't worry, don't worry, my good brother! Once I'm in the mountains, I'll do whatever you say. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west; if you tell me to chase the dog, I'll never catch the chicken. I'll be absolutely obedient!"

Chen Gaoshan ignored him and didn't say another word. He turned around and walked towards his home.

That bastard Sanpangzi thinks he got the better deal. Humph, once you're in the mountains, accidents happen all the time. Getting licked by a bear or gouged out by a wolf is perfectly normal.

····

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time to head into the mountains.

This time, Chen Laonian didn't stop Gao Shan. Ever since the incident at the ice hole, the kid had been holding back a lot of energy, staying at home all day. Sooner or later, he would cause even bigger trouble.

They're all young men in their early twenties, the age when they have boundless energy. You can't control them by just telling them what to do. If they really get frustrated, they might just pop out somewhere and do something even more outrageous.

It would be better to let him go into the mountains with us, so he can practice his skills and also bring some meat home.

However, Chen Laonian was extremely unwilling to accept that Gao Shan insisted on bringing Sanpangzi along as a burden.

Everyone in the village knows what kind of person Fatty San is.

He's lazy, glib, good for nothing, and a troublemaker. If he comes with you into the mountains, he won't be of any help and might even drag the whole group down and get himself into serious trouble.

He was particularly angry about his son being pushed out by Sanpangzi to remove the ornaments. He couldn't understand why Shanzi had led him into the mountains instead of having a donkey mate with him.

But his son had already agreed, and Sanpangzi came to his house every day, humbly promising that he would be obedient and not run around or make any trouble once they entered the mountains.

Old Chen couldn't refuse, so he finally relented.

After breakfast, the group packed up and set off.

Uncle Liu and Wang Changfa walked at the front of the group. Both of them were experienced hunters who had been walking in the mountains for more than 20 years. Their steps were steady as they walked, paying attention to the footprints and movements in the forest, and occasionally exchanging a few words.

Chen Gaoshan and Sanpangzi walked in the middle, while Chen Laonian brought up the rear, guarding the very back of the group.

When I usually go into the mountains, I always bring my two dogs, Dahuang and Erhuang, but this time I didn't.

Firstly, we have a large number of people going into the mountains this time.

Secondly, there are three women in the family now. When they leave, it will take several days, going back and forth in the deep mountains. It will take at least three or four days to return to the village. There must be someone in the family to look after the house and protect the property, and also to give the three women courage.

Dahuang and Erhuang are top-notch hunting dogs, with glossy coats, noses so sensitive they can detect the scent of prey from miles away, and sharp ears that can immediately alert them to the slightest disturbance.

On ordinary days, Chen Laonian and Chen Gaoshan, father and son, have caught quite a few rabbits with the help of these two hunting dogs.

Chen Gaoshan had a Mauser pistol tucked into his waistband and carried a basket on his back containing rope, enough dry rations for several days, a water bottle, matches, and other odds and ends he might need for going into the mountains.

He was wearing a specially made glove sewn by his mother, with a small hole cut out in the palm so that his fingers could be exposed, making it easy to pull the trigger at any time. At this moment, he was holding a Type 38 rifle with both hands, scanning the surrounding woods.

The one walking at the front, Uncle Liu, whose real name is Liu Chunlei, is the Uncle Liu that Sanpangzi always talks about. He is also Chen Laonian's long-time hunting partner. The two know each other well and work together seamlessly, having spent most of their lives roaming the Black Tiger Forest.

This time, they went into the mountains as a group. Besides Chen Gaoshan and Sanpangzi, the other two were young men. Wang Changfa was the eldest son of the village head, Erda. He was of the same generation as Uncle Liu and Chen Laonian. They were all quite old, approaching fifty, and were experienced hunters.

After the village chief's second uncle passes away, Wang Changfa will most likely take over the position of village chief. He is a person who can speak for himself in the village.

Don't underestimate the Black Tiger Forest behind the village. This forest is a branch of the Xiaoling Mountains, stretching for hundreds of miles.

Even seasoned hunters who have lived in the mountains all their lives wouldn't dare say they know everything about Black Tiger Forest. There are always dangers lurking in the deep forests.

These days, going into the mountains to hunt is never a hobby.

They would go into the mountains to hunt, keeping the meat for their own consumption, and taking the hides and any surplus game to the market to exchange for oil, salt, rice, noodles, needles, thread, and other necessities. It was all for survival, to ensure that their wives and children could have a full meal.