I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

As usual, a large truck stopped first at the gate to Big Wang’s courtyard. Zhao Wendong got out and checked on the big brown horse. Seeing it was in good shape, leisurely chewing its feed, he entered Big Wang’s home with his mind at ease.

Big Wang had already run out of the house the moment the truck stopped. He had unbolted the main gate from the inside and was now walking with Zhao Wendong into the house, laughing and talking. Big Wang’s wife and brother-in-law came over to greet them. Zhao Wendong noticed that his brother-in-law was holding a Type 38 rifle that was in excellent condition.

"Brother Wang, why is this thing out in broad daylight?"

Big Wang and his brother-in-law had been enviously eyeing the Type 56 semi-automatic carbine slung over Zhao Wendong’s back. Hearing the question, Big Wang gave a wry smile.

"Someone climbed over my wall the night before last. Luckily, my brother-in-law spotted them. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened."

Zhao Wendong’s heart tightened at his words. The closer it got to the New Year, the more grim the situation seemed to become.

"You’re a tall tree catching the wind, Brother Wang. The three of you can’t be enough to handle this, can you?"

"Yeah! It’s fine. We sent the kids away. I have two cousins coming to help tomorrow. Once they’re here, it’ll be the four of us men on guard. Let’s see which blind fool dares to sneak in again!"

Big Wang patted the inside of his jacket, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes before disappearing. This was his livelihood. He’d fight to the death with anyone who tried to smash his rice bowl.

"But enough about that. Brother Wendong, last time your older brother and the others took a portion of the grain. Didn’t you say you wanted to trade it all for coarse grains? I’ve got the rest ready for you. Should we load it onto the truck now?"

"Yeah, sounds good!"

Zhao Wendong nodded. Big Wang’s family began to carry the grain out. Niu Yuesheng and Lin Zhiyin also got out of the cab to help load the truck.

"Brother Wendong, is this your young lady?"

"That’s right. She’s my girlfriend."

"Well, hello! A pleasure to meet you."

Lin Zhiyin greeted Big Wang’s family with grace and poise. Although they wondered why she kept her scarf on, they just assumed she was sensitive to the cold and didn’t pay it much mind.

A few figures were loitering in the distance, but when they saw the large truck and the weapons Zhao Wendong and his group were carrying, no one dared to approach. They just watched from afar. Big Wang glanced at them and sneered, unconcerned. Their presence did, however, remind him of something.

"Oh, right, Wendong. I heard something. You guys are ’taking care of business’ in three days?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Wendong was stunned for a moment before he realized what Big Wang was talking about. Counting the days, it was indeed three days until their scheduled meeting with Zhang Dadan’s group.

"That’s right! You know about it already?"

"Ha! It’s not just me. The whole Commune is about to find out. Zhang Dadan and his guys have been spreading the word for days. All the street thugs in the Commune are getting restless, and it’s got Police Li all stressed out. He’s been cursing your name a lot. I’ll come and back you up when the time comes."

Zhao Wendong had originally planned to stop by the Commune Committee to show his face and let Yang Wenxue and Li Dawei know he was back. But after hearing this, he immediately decided against it.

"By the way, Wendong, this is the first time I’m meeting your young lady and I didn’t prepare a gift. I’ve got a few blocks of frozen tofu at home. Take them back for her to try."

Big Wang took four or five light-yellow, brick-like objects, frozen solid, from his wife’s hands and passed them to Zhao Wendong.

Zhao Wendong didn’t stand on ceremony. They were both smart men and had a good, unspoken partnership.

"Alright, thanks, Brother Wang. It’s been a while since I’ve had this stuff."

After stowing the frozen tofu, all the grain was loaded into the truck bed. Worried the big brown horse might start eating the grain, Zhao Wendong chose to ride in the back to keep an eye on things. Lin Zhiyin climbed up to keep him company. The two of them waved goodbye to Big Wang’s family, and Niu Yuesheng stepped on the gas. The big truck, its engine still running, chugged away, spewing black smoke.

After leaving Big Wang’s place, they first went to the purchasing station to pick up the half-barrel of diesel fuel. They also ran into Big Sister Hua, who happened to be there with Zheng Guangrong. Zhao Wendong chatted with them for a bit before leaving. Judging by their demeanor, he felt their relationship had progressed beyond just lovers to something more serious. He didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing, but he could only wish them well.

Next, they went to Liangzi’s house. Liangzi’s parents came out to greet them. Liangzi wasn’t home; he was probably napping at the supply and marketing cooperative again. Zhao Wendong hadn’t been to the Commune’s cooperative much lately, as he usually did his shopping in the county town.

"Dongzi, you’re back! Your aunt here has been talking about you these past few days!"

"You old coot, as if you haven’t been talking about him just as much!"

Listening to them bicker, Zhao Wendong felt a warmth in his heart.

"Uncle, Aunt, are the arrangements for three days from now all set?"

"Yes, all set. The five or six neighboring families will all start cooking early in the morning to make sure there’s enough food. It’s just..."

Liangzi’s father hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"It’s just... Dongzi, grain is so precious right now. Are you really going to give them food?"

"Yeah. Even an emperor doesn’t send hungry soldiers to war. I can’t have people helping me on an empty stomach."

"Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang. I know what I’m doing."

"Alright, if you say so!"

Zhao Wendong unloaded two sacks of cornmeal, which would be enough for the event in three days. He had also included enough for the neighboring families who were helping out.

Watching the large truck disappear, Liangzi’s Mother said with a hint of complaint.

"Why didn’t you try harder to persuade Dongzi? That much grain could feed their family for days."

"Oh, will you stop nagging? I said what needed to be said. Dongzi’s not a child who doesn’t understand things. If he says he knows what he’s doing, then he knows what he’s doing. Besides, I’ve noticed the kid is becoming more and more impressive in how he handles things. You just watch, he’s going to be a leader someday!"

"That would be great. Then Dongzi can help arrange our Liangzi’s marriage."

"Arrange my ass! Your son is hell-bent on chasing that girl from the Chai family. She’s a real top student who’s going to test for college. In the old days, she’d be a provincial scholar! You think she’d ever look at that brat of ours? I tell him to find a nice girl, get married, and have kids, but he won’t listen. Just thinking about him makes me furious!"

At his words, Liangzi’s Mother sighed and carried the grain into the house with a heavy heart.

The truck rumbled toward Dragon King Pond Village. For some reason, Lin Zhiyin suddenly felt nervous. ’Will Zhao Wendong’s family not like me? Will they look down on me for my family’s class background? Will they think my butt isn’t big enough, or my boobs aren’t big enough?’

"Hey Wendong, I heard that fella back there say you’ve got something to take care of in three days?"

Zhao Wendong didn’t notice Lin Zhiyin’s anxiety, his attention diverted by Niu Yuesheng’s question.

"Ah, my uncle got beat up by his wife’s younger brother and some other guys. They even knocked out his front teeth. I have to step in. I’ve gathered some friends, and in three days, we’re going together to help my uncle demand justice."

"Alright. I’ll come over early in three days and give you guys a ride."

"Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not that far to walk. We don’t want to trouble you, Brother Niu."

"It’s no trouble. There’s not much to do in the winter. I’d just be sitting around anyway. I’ll tag along and watch the show."

Seeing that Niu Yuesheng was insistent, Zhao Wendong didn’t argue and just nodded.

"Alright then. Don’t eat breakfast. Come eat here, we’ll have food ready."

"Yeah, I heard!"

When they reached Zhao Wendong’s front door, Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu immediately came out to greet them. Niu Yuesheng also got out to help unload everything. Then, without even coming in for a drink of water, he jumped back into the cab, honked the horn a few times, and the truck sped away like the wind.

Zhao Wendong and his group had been so efficient that they were finished before the curious villagers had a chance to gather. The onlookers turned back, slightly disappointed. Two doors down, Aunt Wang craned her neck, staring at the burlap sacks being carried into the house.

"What’s Dongzi brought home this time?"

Chen Yanmei took a few steps forward, blocking most of her view, and answered dismissively.

"What could it be? Just some old clothes and quilts."

As soon as she said it, her gaze eagerly fell upon Lin Zhiyin. They had been too busy moving things to get a proper look or talk. Song Xiaoyu’s eyes followed. Feeling their stares, Lin Zhiyin blushed, quickly unwound her scarf to reveal her face, and offered a slightly stiff, smiling greeting.

"Hello, Auntie. Hello, Sister-in-law."

There was no response. Chen Yanmei and Song Xiaoyu’s eyes were wide as saucers. They were completely dumbfounded. ’This was the "plain Jane" Zhao Wenwu had told them about?’

This was a fucking goddess!