Chen Yongqiang stumbled back to the cave that had previously served as a temporary camp.

In just a few days, the heavy snow continued, and the snow had already reached above the calves, making every step extremely strenuous.

Looking around, the mountains were covered in silver, and the path we came from had long been completely buried.

With such deep snow, I wanted to hike back to Shimen Village, which is dozens of miles away.

Not only was it slow, but it was also extremely exhausting. Standing at the cave entrance, gazing at the vast sea of ​​snow, he quickly made up his mind.

Chen Yongqiang turned and walked into the cave, where some dried wood that he had collected earlier was still piled up.

He took out his machete and selected several pieces of wood with straight grain.

Thanks to the power of the hero, Chen Yongqiang's strength has increased significantly, making him more adept at handling wood.

With the blade slicing and cutting, wood chips flew everywhere. He first made two planks about chest-high, then slightly heated the front ends with fire and bent them upwards at a certain angle to prevent them from sinking into the snow while gliding.

He then used the remaining scraps to make a foot brace, and wove a secure strap with the sturdy rope he carried and the previously tanned leather strips.

After working for half a day, a sturdy pair of skis was completed.

He then carved out two more ski poles, attaching sharpened wooden blocks to the ends to increase their support.

Chen Yongqiang laid his skis flat on the snow, stepped on them, and used leather ropes to secure his boots to the skis.

He leaned on his ski poles and tried to glide a few steps on the flat ground at the entrance of the hole.

After confirming that the skis were sturdy and usable, he didn't delay any longer. He put the main items into his storage space, carrying only a hunting rifle on his back, and pushed off with both hands using his ski poles.

Leaning slightly forward, he slid swiftly down the snow-covered hillside like an arrow released from a bow.

"I'm home!"

The wind howled in my ears, and the trees on both sides rushed past me.

Using his skis, he traversed the snow-covered landscape with ease, moving much faster than he could on foot, speeding towards home.

"It's been almost a week since we went into the mountains. They must be getting impatient." This thought involuntarily came to mind.

The first image that came to his mind was Lin Xiulian's gentle yet slightly worried face.

Lin Xiulian, who was the first to seek refuge with him, is now pregnant with Chen Yongqiang's child. "From now on, I will protect you."

Thinking of Ding Wanru, this seemingly quiet village doctor, she becomes a completely different person once she's in bed.

If it weren't for Lin Xiulian's appearance, Chen Yongqiang would most likely have married her. But the current situation isn't bad either; he wants both.

Wang Guixiang's image held a special sense of security in his heart. This straightforward and capable sister-in-law.

As for the widow Liang Meie, Chen Yongqiang paused for a moment, his mood calm and undisturbed.

Between them, it was more of a mutually beneficial, unspoken transaction.

She sought his protection and the occasional food and meat he provided, while he needed a way to meet his needs.

Thinking of this, Chen Yongqiang couldn't help but increase the frequency of his ski pole movements.

The skis beneath me picked up speed again, speeding towards the direction of what I called "home," where "they" were waiting.

Because it was downhill, and with the speed of the skis, Chen Yongqiang's journey home was greatly shortened.

He moved nimbly through the trees, his figure as swift as a shadow.

In less than half a day, the terrain ahead suddenly opened up, and the dense primeval forest was gradually replaced by secondary forest and open snowfield.

It was already evening, and in the distance, the outline of the village at the foot of the mountain, covered by thick snow, could be seen, along with a few wisps of smoke struggling to rise in the bitter cold.

Chen Yongqiang slowed down, leaned on his ski poles, and stopped on a small slope at the edge of the village.

He took off his skis, stored them in his spatial storage, brushed the snow off his clothes, and then, carrying his gun, walked back to the village.

The first place we passed was Ding Wanru's small courtyard.

Now that they're all back, it's natural to let her know we're safe and sound first, so Ding Wanru won't worry.

Almost the instant the courtyard gate creaked, the house door was pulled open.

Ding Wanru appeared at the doorway, wearing only a thin cotton-padded jacket, clearly having been keeping an eye on the commotion outside.

When she saw Chen Yongqiang standing in the courtyard, her eyes, which had been filled with worry, instantly lit up.

She even forgot the cold, rushed down the steps, and almost threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face in his chest, which was still warm from the snow, her voice choked with sobs:

"You're finally back!"

Chen Yongqiang felt the undisguised concern in the body in his arms, and his hardened heart softened involuntarily.

He patted her back with his free hand:

"Yes, I'm back."

These three simple words are like a reassuring pill.

Ding Wanru looked up at him: "You didn't encounter any danger in the mountains, did you? The snow was falling so heavily..."

"It's nothing, it's all taken care of," Chen Yongqiang replied briefly, his gaze sweeping across her face.

After noticing that she seemed to have lost some weight in the past few days, he said, "It's cold outside, let's go inside and talk."

After entering the house, Chen Yongqiang took the bamboo basket off his shoulder.

He bent down and took out several large pieces of cleaned wild boar and rabbit meat from the basket, placing them on the table beside him.

Next, he took out several bundles of Chinese herbs, including Tianqi (Panax notoginseng) for stopping bleeding and removing blood stasis, and Huangjing (Polygonatum sibiricum) that had been stored for a long time. These were common but practical medicinal materials found in the mountains.

"These are for you."

Ding Wanru looked at the large amount of meat and medicinal herbs that had suddenly appeared on the table and said, "Brother Yongqiang, you should take these to town to exchange for money. My family still has enough food to eat."

She knew the hardships of hunters in the mountains and didn't want to take advantage of him too much.

Chen Yongqiang had a very fruitful trip in the mountains this time, and most of his spoils were stored in his spatial storage, which Ding Wanru was unaware of.

Seeing her decline, he didn't offer any explanation, but simply remained silent and continued taking things out of the seemingly ordinary bamboo basket.

"Here you go, just take it." He expressed his care and concern in this almost domineering way.

Originally, Chen Yongqiang wanted to discuss with Ding Wanru how to prepare the pills.

He now has the formula for the Body Tempering Pill, but he is not proficient in pharmacology.

However, after thinking about it, she realized that she would have plenty of time after returning, so there was no rush. Lin Xiulian was still waiting at home.

"I'm going back now!" Chen Yongqiang picked up his bamboo basket again.

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