Chapter 175: “eaten”
Everyone followed Da Huang over, walking slowly, carefully parting the weeds on the ground, approaching step by step…
Gu Chenghuai thought of something and didn’t follow.
What was he going to do, still holding his younger son in his arms? If it was really as he thought, that scene would be unbearable even for ordinary adults, let alone a child?
Meng Jiusi didn’t go forward to join in the excitement either; his gaze stuck to Qian Bao’s round and cute little face, the fondness in his eyes almost overflowing.
This exquisitely carved little person was his blood-related nephew!
“Shall I check his pulse?” Doctor Meng reined in some of his excitement, trying to soften his voice.
Gu Chenghuai had exactly this in mind. “Trouble Fourth Brother.”
“No trouble at all, just a casual thing.” Meng Jiusi waved his hand nonchalantly, his fingers gently resting on his little nephew’s soft and fluffy wrist.
So soft, so well-behaved… After such a big scare, he didn’t cry or fuss; truly a worry-free child.
Meng Jiusi’s gaze softened, his heart filled to the brim with something.
The little guy didn’t dodge, feeling close to him, looking at him with those jet-black bright eyes, his expression innocent and curious.
Meng Jiusi focused on feeling the pulse under his fingers, his brows lightly raised in some surprise. “The pulse is steady, nothing wrong. Just watch him tonight in case of fever; nothing else.”
Such a young child, after experiencing such danger, wasn’t even startled. Strange.
Just then.
From not far away, behind that pile of parted messy grass, suddenly burst several shrill, distorted screams of terror, mixed with heart-wrenching retching sounds.
“Mom oh—! This… this…”
“Fuck his grandma—!!!”
“Urgh… urp—! My dear heavens!”
Bloody and gruesome, it crashed into everyone’s view without warning or cover.
—A body chewed to ragged ruins, almost unrecognizable as human shape… especially that brutally torn-open abdominal cavity…
The sight was more than shocking; it was horrifically gory!
Someone’s face instantly turned paper-white, rushing to a tree nearby, hugging the trunk and vomiting loudly.
Someone gasped in horror, staggering back.
Someone muttered curses under their breath, turning their face away, unable to bear looking…
Gu Yuanshan happened to be squeezed in front; the moment he saw the scene, all color “whooshed” from his face.
His stomach churned violently; he stumbled back several steps, not daring to glance that way again.
That… those guts… and… urp!
Zhang Yongqiang had it worse; he was at the very front, that gory horrific scene slamming straight into his eyes without any buffer.
The intense visual shock and churning stench delivered an unprecedented blow to this burly man.
(ω‖)
After a brief dead silence, a wail broke the quiet.
“Daughter-in-law!” Zhang Man Yue’s husband shouted in shock. Looking at his daughter’s-in-law’s body, no longer human-shaped, tears and snot streamed down his face. “Why’d you do something so foolish? No kid means no kid; I didn’t mind you at all…”
He didn’t dare approach, trembling a few steps away, wailing sincerely, hoarse and exhausted, like he’d lost his parents.
“I knew you weren’t the one stealing kids. Who was it stirring you up to do this foolish thing? Daughter-in-law, you died so miserably… Daughter-in-law, worst case we separate households. Why’d you have to do this wuwuwu…”
Villagers: “…”
Everyone exchanged looks of contempt and understanding.
You say you don’t mind, but when your old mother was beating and scolding your daughter-in-law, you could’ve at least stopped it, protected her some.
Zhang Man Yue taking the desperate path had a lot to do with this useless husband!
No one present could stomach such a hypocritical, spineless man.
The deceased was gone; they couldn’t just leave the body in the mountains. Zhang Yongqiang forced down his discomfort, calling everyone to chop branches and cut long grass to weave a grass stretcher.
Though everyone was still shaken, they moved quickly; pairing up in threes and twos to gather materials, the skilled ones got to work, soon finishing the stretcher. Because Zhang Man Yue was too fragmented, the craftsmen on site hurriedly made a lightweight grass mat to cover her body, concealing as much as possible that terrifying scene that could scare a child to tears.
The bolder men took deep breaths, clasped hands to pay respects to the grass stretcher, mustered courage, held their breath, and together tried to lift Zhang Man Yue’s shattered remains onto the stretcher. The sticky feel upon touching made the corpse-bearing men shudder violently.
Damn, never handled a corpse this “shattered” before.
Amitabha, bless her with a good reincarnation.
The group carried the grass-mat-covered stretcher down the mountain in a heavy, eerie atmosphere.
The front people carried the body stretcher, the men behind carried the wolf corpse. Yes, not letting anything go to waste—not even the wolf corpse.
A person had died, eaten by a wolf; the brigade folks felt repulsed and naturally wouldn’t eat that wolf meat, but the wolf pelt could be used—to make knee pads, cushions, gloves, all pretty good.
There were many people going up the mountain, making a lot of noise; the wild beasts were startled and had long fled deeper into the mountains.
The way down was smooth and uneventful.
Lin Zhao heard the sounds and came; from afar, she spotted at first glance the fair little person in Gu Chenghuai’s arms. She abruptly stopped, hands on knees panting, chest heaving violently, long black hair disheveled, a thin layer of sweat on her face, bangs slightly damp.
The next second, her lips curved up, but tears rolled down first.
Overjoyed tears.
Lin Zhao hurried forward, her gaze circling her son, touching his little hand, then his little feet, as if confirming every inch was intact.
Suddenly stepping forward, she hugged her son and Gu Chenghuai tightly together; the unique milk fragrance from the little friend filled her nostrils, her taut nerves and suspended heart finally relaxing.
“…Qian Bao.”
In no time, her voice was hoarse, completely unlike her usual clear and pleasant tone.
The moment his mom arrived, Qian Bao seemed injected with endless grievances; with his chubby little short hands, he hugged Lin Zhao’s head tightly, so hard his little face turned red.
Hearing mom call his name, as if finally confirming this sense of security, he paused, little mouth puckering, tilting his exquisite little face upward, bursting into loud cries.
“Wah… Mommy wuwuwu… wuwawa…”
This cry was piercing, startling the birds in the trees to flap wings and flee.
Since birth, he rarely cried so aggrievedly and loudly, as if pouring out all the grievances and scares.
Lin Zhao’s heart ached; she quickly took the cub into her arms, gently patting his back, coaxing him softly.
The little friend’s exposed white tender skin had several big red bumps from poisonous mountain mosquitoes—on his lotus-root-segment-like arms, on his neck, on his chubby little chin… looking so pitiful.
“Mommy’s here, Mommy’s here, no more fear, baby, it’s all over…” She comforted repeatedly. “Mommy will take Qian Bao home.”
Qian Bao sniffled, still clinging tightly to her, nodding his little head emphatically. “Mm! Home!”
After soothing the child, Lin Zhao’s gaze shifted back, seeing the wolf carried by the villagers; a wave of lingering fear hit her heart, her arms around Qian Bao tightening slightly.
Gu Chenghuai extended his fingertip, wiping the tears from Qian Bao’s face, saying with relief and pride: “Da Huang protected Qian Bao; he’s fine. He didn’t cry a sound hiding in the wolf pack before; this composure is just like his father’s.”
He lowered his head, lips curving slightly as he looked at his son. “Not unworthy of being my son.”
Qian Bao understood; even his cry-hiccup paused.
Seeing his biological father descend from the sky in the crisis, this sense of security etched into his heart. The little one now felt close and trusting toward Daddy, reaching out his tender bamboo-tip-like little hand to grab one of his fingers, gripping tightly.
Lin Zhao kissed her son’s puffed-up little milk pouch, her gaze tender.
She looked toward Da Huang squatting nearby, reaching out to pet the little hero’s head. “Da Huang gets top credit today; tonight I’ll make meat for you, eat till full.”
Da Huang got excited, tail spinning like a propeller. “Woof woof woof…”
So thrilled he took the lead out front guiding the way.
Lin Zhao glanced toward the weird stretcher at the tail end, her gaze indifferent and cold.
People who barge into the deep mountains enter upright, exit lying down. What’s strange about that?
Zhang Man Yue should be glad she was carried out lying down, or Lin Zhao would’ve slapped her face to pieces!
“Comrade Lin, head down the mountain first; the child’s skin is delicate, those bite bumps need medicine applied soon.” Meng Jiusi stepped forward, speaking in a proper tone; his expression serious, as if emanating holy white light.
Lin Zhao’s pent-up fury deflated like a punctured leather ball: “…”
“…Thanks.” She thanked him distantly, holding Qian Bao as they walked down.
Not far along, she stopped, giving Gu Chenghuai a look. “There’s a Siberian roe deer and a lame chicken under the tree; take them, go home and stew chicken soup for Qian Bao and Alan.”
Delivering themselves right to her door—she tied them up handily!
Just as she spoke, Qian Bao’s little belly rumbled; his little short hands frantically covered it. The little doll not even up to an adult’s knee wanted face too.
Lin Zhao rubbed her treasure son’s face. “Hungry and shy about it? Once home, I’ll steam you smooth egg custard, three of them, so Qian Bao eats till full.”
“Mm.” Qian Bao nodded vigorously, crystal saliva unwittingly seeping from the corners of his mouth.
He was really hungry.
Normally by now he’d have drunk his grandma’s milk!
Gu Chenghuai spotted the securely bound Siberian roe deer and lame chicken under the tree; with long legs striding out, he walked alongside his wife and child.
Seeing this, Meng Jiusi couldn’t hold back a smile. This counts as tacit understanding? Up the mountain empty-handed, down not.
The fierce search party entering the mountains to find people came down; at the foot of the mountain, quite a few were waiting.
Seeing Qian Bao’s figure, the kind-hearted ones couldn’t help rejoicing for the Gu Family.
“Gu Family’s Qian Bao is found—”
“Aiyo! Qian Bao’s got luck; he’s a blessed one!”
“Da Huang’s here too; Da Huang’s a loyal dog. Yu Bao’s mom, you didn’t raise this dog wrong.” Wang Chunhua worried about Qian Bao, couldn’t stay home, came to wait at the foot; seeing the child safe, she was thrilled beyond words. She was also one of the earliest witnesses to Da Huang heading into the mountains; didn’t know the reason then, only later.
…Da Huang went to chase Qian Bao.
Lin Zhao didn’t deny Da Huang’s merit. “Didn’t raise it in vain; Da Huang lives up to being a heroic dog’s descendant. It can even take down wolves.”
Generally, dogs can’t beat wolves; Da Huang protecting Qian Bao under wolf pack siege was largely thanks to the ‘advanced’ dog food. One paw could send a wolf flying; no need to elaborate on the strength.
Moreover, this wolf pack had lost in a territory battle, seeking new home, losing many members en route, hunting little food, skinny and weak, empty-bellied and powerless—of course no match for fierce, robust Da Huang.
Lin Zhao didn’t know these details.
In the shadow of the earthen wall, Jing Mo and Guang Bai carefully hid, peeking out half their heads to spy.
Seeing the smile on their aunt’s face, the brothers’ furrowed brows relaxed.
Xiao Bai shook his older brother’s hand, his little milky voice full of joy. “Brother, Qian Bao’s found.”
Jing Mo had also been very worried about his little cousin, waiting here long ago; eyeing the child in his aunt’s arms, he tried hard to memorize his face.
“Yeah.” He responded softly, relieved. “Good that he’s found.”
“Brother, what’s Uncle holding?” Xiao Bai suddenly asked.
Jing Mo looked: “Rabbit…”
The other two, he didn’t recognize.
Xiao Bai’s eyes sparkled. “And white too; so pretty.”
Then spotting Meng Jiusi, he instantly forgot the pretty rabbit. “It’s Daddy! Daddy’s there! Brother, can I go over?”
Jing Mo knew their status was awkward, not good to “show their faces”; he patted his little brother’s head, patiently coaxing: “Don’t go; let’s head home first. Brother’ll get you candy, okay?”
Xiao Bai was disappointed but still said: “Alright.”
The two little brothers held hands going home.
Gu Xing’er was also hiding in the corner; glancing at the blood-dripping stretcher, her eyes paused briefly, then she left quietly without lingering.
…
News of Qian Bao being found quickly spread through the whole village.
Gu Mu almost ran out the home door; from afar seeing her little grandson, overjoyed tears flowed, rushing forward to hug Qian Bao.
“Qian Bao! Grandma’s Qian Bao, you scared me to death. That Li Family wretch deserving a thousand cuts—want to die, go jump in a river, cliff, drink poison… whatever, why steal someone else’s child? Even dead she’ll go to hell!” she said hatefully.
Gu Yuanshan wanted to vomit again. “Mom, Li Family daughter-in-law is dead…”
Gu Mu froze. “How’d she die?”
“Eaten by wolves. Those wolves wanted to snatch Qian Bao too, but Da Huang swatted them flying; Da Huang got top credit today!” Gu Yuanshan said. He’d always liked Da Huang; after this, even more so—wished he could kowtow to it.
“Ran into wolves?” Gu Mu’s volume rose several times, face full of lingering fear. “Heavens preserve us! Ancestors preserve us!”
She reached to stroke Qian Bao’s little head, over and over. “No fear oh… back in the village, no fear oh…”
A newborn calf fears no tiger; a tiny one Qian Bao’s age, how’d he know what fear was? Protected well by Da Huang, not confronted long… his dad came with gun; his little heart full of sense of security, already back to his usual calm obedience.
“Grandma, Bao hungry~” The little milky voice rang out, calling hunger.
One sentence interrupted Gu Mu’s emotions; the person who moments ago cried unable to stand now hugged her grandson homeward, feet flying, in a few breaths leaving everyone behind.
“Grandma, Grandma, put Qian Bao down; I wanna hug little brother too.” Heng Bao chased up, voice excited, back to his usual vitality.
Lin Zhao was very gratified.
That’s how it should be.
Gu Chenghuai’s long strong hand stroked Lin Zhao’s sweat-damp hair, heartachingly saying: “Go back and wash up; I’ll watch the children, no more incidents.”
Lin Zhao then felt her whole body sore and sticky; instructing Gu Chenghuai a few words, she headed to the new home.
Halfway there she remembered: Third Brother’s recovery, new drug trial success—she forgot to tell Fourth Brother…
She rubbed her forehead, looking up to meet the orange sunset in the western sky, rosy clouds filling the heavens. This day was… truly long.
Had Third Cub’s ordeal passed?
Lin Zhao wasn’t sure.
In the original book, Third Cub was abducted from the village, two years later; the abductor was a middle-aged woman with a black mole between her brows.
She had a premonition: sooner or later she’d meet that person.
If she really did, she’d definitely… send that person to prison, at any cost make her die!
