Chapter 158: Going into the Mountains to Hunt

The bitter wind of the twelfth month stung faces. Before dawn fully broke, Qin Huairu rose in the dark. She quietly lit a fire and boiled porridge, fearing to wake the Jia Zhangshi inside.

The batter in the pot was so thin it could reflect a person's silhouette. Jia Dongxu rubbed his eyes and came out: "It's that thin—how do we eat it?"

Qin Huairu lowered her head to add firewood: Mother said the food coupons are scarce, we must conserve.

Jia Zhangshi, wrapped in a cotton coat, stepped out: "Too thin? As long as there's something to eat, that's fine! Huairu, go wash the clothes with cold water to save coal."

Qin Huairu silently lifted the wash basin. A thin layer of ice clung to the courtyard faucet, and her hand turned bright red as soon as it entered the water.

Meanwhile at the Steel Rolling Mill, Li Ping'an assigned tasks in the Security Section: besides the regular patrols, the gate guards, and the night‑shift rest crew, Wang Dahu should take a few men with me into the mountains to hunt and improve everyone's meals! You all have worked hard training day after day.

Wang Dahu rubbed his fists: "Section chief, can we really succeed?"

Just follow me.

The truck could go only to the foot of the mountain and no farther. Five or six team members trekked on foot, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.

Li Ping'an squinted and scanned the surroundings: "Search toward the east."

After walking a little less than half an hour, Wang Dahu suddenly shouted: "Look! Wild chickens!"

A few wild chickens fluttered away with a flapping sound, and the team members clicked their tongues. They then spotted a few grey rabbits that vanished in a flash.

Section chief, when will we find it?

Li Ping'an remained expressionless, silently activating Divine Perception. Suddenly he halted: "There are fresh wild boar tracks."

Following the tracks for another mile, a faint snorting sound was heard. Li Ping'an signaled everyone to take cover.

Good job! Five massive wild boars are rooting in the pine forest, each weighing about three hundred jin.

Prepare to engage! Li Ping'an whispered the order.

The boars spotted the humans; tusks flared as they charged. Li Ping'an raised his hand and fired, striking a boar's forehead. The other members opened fire, and in less than ten minutes all five boars were felled.

Section chief, you're truly a god! Wang Dahu slapped his leg in excitement.

Li Ping'an quickly ordered them to drain the blood, lest the meat spoil. Then everyone carried the boars out together.

That afternoon, the five boars were hauled back to the Steel Rolling Mill, causing a stir throughout the plant. Workers gathered around the truck, salivating.

Logistics director Li Huaide heard the Security Section had caught boars and jogged over: "Comrade Li Ping'an, this solves a big problem! The workers haven't seen any meat for months. Keep one for yourselves, sell the other four to the plant at market price—how does that sound?"

Li Ping'an, thinking of maintaining good relations with Li Huaide and that the surplus meat would be hard to handle, readily agreed. The proceeds would be split: one part for subsidies, the other to form a mutual‑aid fund.

In the Security Section courtyard, a big pot was set up, and the scent of pork filled the air. Each team member received five jin of meat, all beaming with smiles.

After work, Li Ping'an carried the meat back to the Siheyuan. As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, Yan Bu Gui, who guarded the main gate, stopped him.

"Ping'an, this is wild boar meat, right?" Yan Bu Gui pushed his glasses up, eyes widening, "Sell me a bit cheap? The kids at home keep begging for meat…"

Li Ping'an tucked the meat aside: "Third Elder, my siblings and I haven't had meat in ages; this amount is just enough."

Jia Zhangshi from the Central Courtyard ran to the Front Courtyard: "Hey, Section Chief Li caught boars? Don't you ever share with the neighbors—eating alone will rot your stomach!"

Those words sparked jealousy among the courtyard residents like a spark. The three Third Elders muttered for a while, then walked together toward Xi Kua Yuan.

"Ping'an, Yi Zhonghai laughed, saying the courtyard neighbors haven't had meat in a long time. Why not bring the meat out, let everyone order a few dishes and make a lively feast? The neighbors will remember your kindness."

Liu Haizhong puffed his belly: "Share the blessings together!"

Jia Zhangshi chimed in: "Exactly, you can't just eat for yourself!"

Li Ping'an stood at the doorway, addressing the three: "First, this meat was obtained by the Security Section at great risk. Second, it's good to provide extra meals for the courtyard, but you should buy meat yourselves. Don't think you can get something for nothing."

His words were like a bucket of cold water, leaving the three Third Elders speechless. Yi Zhonghai opened his mouth, then slunk away in shame. The onlooking neighbors also dispersed in murmurs.

Yi Zhonghai: "Li Ping'an completely disregards us, confronting the three Third Elders head‑on."

Liu Haizhong: "Exactly, he got five jin of pork for himself and didn't even invite the three Third Elders to a meal."

During dinner, the scent of meat drifted from Xi Kua Yuan. Li Ping'an prepared Red Braised Pork and served his sister a few extra pieces.

"Brother, it's so fragrant! Li Pingle ate with his mouth dripping in oil."

Next door at the Jia household, Jia Dongxu rummaged through the cabbage and complained: "Mom, why don't we go buy some meat tomorrow? I'm doing heavy labor in the workshop, and without any grease I feel weak all over."

Jia Zhangshi slammed her chopsticks: "If you want meat, pay for it yourself. I have no money; if you have the ability, go hunt wild boars yourself!"

Qin Huairu ate silently, feeling uneasy. She recalled that at her parents' home, though modest, she could always have meat during festivals. Now that she's married into the city, it's even worse. Even when she buys meat, it ends up in Jia Zhangshi's and Jia Dongxu's mouths, leaving her only scraps.

At the Front Courtyard, the Third Elder's house, Yan Bu Gui smelled the pork and told the children: "Quick, eat now that you can smell it; that counts as us getting meat, and you can have a few extra buns!"

Late at night, Li Ping'an stood by the window. He knew the matter wasn't over yet. The hearts of the Siheyuan residents were harder to deal with than the wild boars in the mountains.

Sure enough, the next day gossip spread through the plant, claiming Li Ping'an was selfish, preferring to let the meat spoil rather than share with the neighbors.

Wang Dahu burst in to report: "Section chief, I heard it was the courtyard folks who spread it!"

Li Ping'an was indifferent: "Let them talk. We'll go hunting again in a few days."

Li Ping'an knew it must have been the courtyard people, likely Yi Zhonghai, as only he could be so cunning and treacherous.

Gazing at the gray sky, Li Ping'an realized the winter was still long. He would have to face not only the beasts in the mountains but also the scheming of human hearts.

Inside the Jia house, Jia Zhangshi scolded Qin Huairu: "It takes you forever to wash a piece of clothing! Look at Li Ping'an, he can hunt boars. And Dongxu can't even bring back any meat!"

Qin Huairu bit her lip in silence. The icy water pricked her fingers, but it was nothing compared to the chill in her heart.

She began to doubt why she had risked everything to marry into the city.