I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

"I’m not helping you for any other reason. It’s because my Third Master said that since you, Guan Yongguang, are his own grandson, then you’re all his family. And if you’re my Third Master’s family, then you’re my family—Zhao Wendong’s family. I’m not doing this for your sake. I’m doing this for my Third Master’s sake. Understand?"

"I understand, Brother San! From now on, Third Master will be my own grandfather!"

Guan Yongguang slammed his forehead to the ground with a loud THUD. He wasn’t kowtowing to Zhao Wendong, but to Third Master Zhao.

"Grandfather, from now on, you are my—Guan Yongguang’s—own grandfather. I will serve you devotedly, care for you in your old age, and see to your final rites."

THUD! THUD!

Seeing Guan Yongguang kowtow, the rest of the Guans followed suit. With those kowtows, the family bond was officially forged. Third Master Zhao, a lifelong bachelor, had never imagined he would suddenly gain a flock of grandsons and granddaughters. His eyes welled with tears as he grinned and helped them to their feet one by one.

"Aha, good! Good children! Hahaha! Old Guan, your family has me, Zhao San, to look after them now. I, Zhao San, may not be much myself, but our Dragon King Pond Village has produced one capable young rascal, hahaha! You can rest easy now!"

The moment Third Master Zhao finished speaking, a sudden gust of wind swept through, making the Guans’ broken doors and windows rattle loudly, as if someone were answering him. The room fell silent. Everyone’s expression grew solemn, including Zhao Wendong’s. His face was a mixture of emotions. ’He who gathers firewood for the people should not be left to freeze in the snow. We can’t let our heroes and their children shed both blood and tears.’

’He was putting in so much effort, and while Third Master was part of it, he knew in his heart the main reason was that the Guan family’s patriarch was a martyr. It was the silent sacrifice of countless people like Guan Xiangying that allowed the people to be the masters of their own country today!’

For the Guans, Zhao Wendong’s arrangements felt as if a funeral had turned into a celebration. The family began to pack their belongings, their faces filled with smiles and anticipation—the look of people who had found hope. Seeing their older siblings, aunts, and mothers in good spirits, the younger children, ranging from three and four to seven and eight, also broke into happy smiles.

They swept through the Guans’ two dilapidated houses, but there was precious little to pack: just a few tattered quilts, some chipped bowls, basins, chopsticks, and the last half-sack of grain. The only clothes they owned were the ones on their backs. Many hands make light work; all of their belongings were loaded onto the truck bed in a single go. After bidding farewell to the people of Song Family Village, the large truck drove away, heading for Qianjin Commune. In the distance, the bright sun bathed the road ahead in a golden light.

Dozens of people from Song Family Village gathered, watching until the truck had completely disappeared from view. Still, they were reluctant to disperse, chattering excitedly amongst themselves, their faces animated.

"The Guans’ family really met their savior! Their fortunes have turned just like that!"

"That Zhao Wendong is so damn impressive! No wonder he’s the kind of man a master would personally honor. He’s incredible!"

"Isn’t that the truth? In just a moment, he arranged jobs for both Guan Yongguang and Guan Yonghe. My goodness, if I could get a job at the silk factory, I’d wake up laughing in my sleep."

"And didn’t you hear their team leader? The place he found for them is a real brick-and-tile house! Super spacious and bright, he said. The sun shines right onto the heated brick bed during the day."

"For real? You’re pulling my leg."

"Bullshit! Why would I make that up? Team leader, tell him, isn’t that right?"

The production team leader of Song Family Village glanced at his bickering, red-faced commune members and rolled his eyes. Ignoring their argument, he slowly stroked the fresh hole burned in his clothes. Inside, a plan was already forming. ’I have to visit the Guans more often in the future. A good relationship with them means a good relationship with Zhao Wendong. And if I play my cards right, maybe some of that good fortune will rub off on me, right?’

The large truck slowly came to a stop in front of the Qianjin Commune Agricultural Technology Station. Guan Yongguang, Guan Yonghe, and the rest of their family stared at the tall, imposing brick-and-tile building, completely stunned. ’Are we really going to live in a house this nice?’

"Brother San," Guan Yongguang asked, "my father always told us not to take advantage of the state. He said it was something our martyred grandfather taught him. By living here... aren’t we taking advantage of the state?"

"Not at all. What advantage? The place is empty. The Commune is just putting you up here temporarily. Settle in and don’t worry about it. If you weren’t living here, it would just sit empty."

When they got out of the truck, they saw Yang Wenxue already waiting with a group of people. Liangzi, Li Dawei, and Zheng Guangrong were all there. Another figure was cowering at the very back, as if terrified of being seen. But the more he tried to hide, the more he stood out. When he saw Zhao Wendong’s gaze fall on him, Sun Defu forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace, a mask of pure terror and sycophancy.

"Secretary Yang, this young man is Guan Yongguang. You’ve met him before. He’s now been formally accepted as kin by my Third Master, so he’s my Third Master’s own grandson from now on."

"Third Master, it’s good to see you in such fine health."

Yang Wenxue first warmly shook Third Master Zhao’s hand and exchanged a few pleasantries before turning to Guan Yongguang with an appreciative nod.

"Young Comrade Guan Yongguang, you’ll be working with me from now on. Are you willing?"

"I am!"

Guan Yongguang immediately straightened his posture and shouted his reply. Yang Wenxue nodded in satisfaction. He then greeted the members of the Zhao family, chatting with each of them for a moment before finally waving a hand.

"All right, let’s head inside."

The militiamen on the truck also jumped down to help carry their things. There was so little to move that there wasn’t even one item per person. Zhao Wendong took the small bundle Guan Yonghe was carrying and thrust it into Liangzi’s hands.