Chapter 66: Giant Bear Shakes Mountain Village, Hero Returns at Night, Wife and Daughter Rest Easy!

"They're back! Lu Zhiqing and the others are back!"

Someone with sharp eyes shouted at the top of his lungs, and the voice carried far across the silent night sky.

The villagers who had been anxiously waiting at the village entrance heard the shout and instantly ignited like dry tinder, erupting in a frenzy.

When, by the hazy moonlight and flickering torchlight, they saw the mountain‑sized, intimidating black silhouette on the Sled Plow, the whole Shanwan Village boiled over.

"Heavens! It's the Big Black Blind Bear! It really is the Big Black Blind Bear!"

A daughter‑in‑law covered her mouth, her eyes bulging so round they seemed about to pop out of their sockets.

"My heavens! Qing Shan and the others really drove the black bear back!"

Another man rubbed his eyes hard, then squeezed his own thigh fiercely, grimacing in pain before he could believe it.

"This… this bear, at the very least it must weigh four or five hundred jin, no, more than five hundred jin!"

The seasoned old hunter inhaled a cold breath, his voice trembling.

People surged from all directions like a tide, surrounding the returning hunting party, their faces filled with shock, excitement, and incredulous joy.

More torches were lit, the blazing flames illuminating the massive, ferocious black bear and the villagers' twisted, almost fanatical faces.

"Qing Shan brother! Did you guys really do it?" a young man pushed forward, his face full of admiration.

Cheering and screams, mixed with children's cries and dogs barking, rose and fell, nearly overturning Shanwan Village's night sky.

The village dogs barked wildly too, as if they sensed the unusual atmosphere.

In the crowd, Qian Guapu stretched her neck, thrusting forward, her towering chest pushing those ahead to gape.

She had come expecting to mock Lu Qingshan, or rather, to see him return dirt‑covered, empty‑handed, in a sorry state.

After all, in her deeply rooted impression, that Lu Lai Zi was a good‑for‑nothing who could only beat his wife—what else could he do?

But when that black bear, exuding heavy blood and feral menace, actually appeared before her, its massive limbs and sharp claws clear to see, Qian Guapu was completely stunned, her mind a blank.

The deep‑seated hatred and contempt suddenly seemed pale, feeble, even laughable.

Is… is this still that good‑for‑nothing, idle loafer, Lu Lai Zi she once scolded?

How could he accomplish such an earth‑shaking feat? It's even more outrageous than the stories.

Qian Guapu's gaze, unconsciously shifting from disbelief to careful scrutiny, then subtly gained a strange gleam she hadn't even noticed herself.

This man not only made a name for himself, but also became the village's hero.

She instinctively straightened her chest, her eyes lingering a few breaths longer on Lu Qingshan's blood‑stained yet upright figure.

Lu Qingshan didn't fully lose himself in the villagers' thunderous cheers.

He gently patted the shoulder of the equally excited Zhao Dazhi beside him, signaling him to follow to a quieter corner.

"Captain, this bear and the other game we brought back should be taken to the commune's courtyard tonight for storage; it's spacious and relatively safe there."

Zhao Dazhi nodded repeatedly, his excited expression still fresh, his face flushed.

"Right, right, Qing Shan, you thought it through; the commune courtyard is bright and easy to guard. I'll arrange the manpower right away."

He rubbed his hands, grinned, "Qing Shan, this time it's truly thanks to you; otherwise the whole village, young and old, would have to spend the year with their belts tightened."

Lu Qingshan waved his hand, calmly saying, "This is the result of everyone working together; I alone couldn't have done it."

He paused, then added, "Tomorrow we need to transport the remaining game to Dead Ditch; I'll need you, Captain, to organize more manpower. That place is too drenched in blood; we can't leave anything there long, lest it attract trouble."

"Don't worry, I've got this covered."

Zhao Dazhi pounded his chest, loudly assuring, his voice full of confidence.

"We have enough hands! Who would dare refuse? Unless they don't want any meat!"

Villagers spontaneously began helping; some pulled at the front, others pushed the Sled Plow from behind, crowding around the two laden plows and marching grandly toward the commune.

The torchlight merged into a sheet, illuminating the road as bright as day.

Lu Qingshan took the old, single‑barrel Hunting Rifle that had earned him sweat‑soaked merit today off his shoulder and handed it to Liu Fugui, who was following close behind.

"Fugui, take this gun for a run, bring yours back to the mountain‑patrol brothers, and thank them properly for lending it."

Liu Fugui took the rifle with both hands, nodding heavily, "Brother Qing Shan, I guarantee to deliver it and pass on the message."

He now fully respects Lu Qingshan, both in heart and mouth.

He once thought Lu Qingshan impressive; now he thinks Lu Qingshan is practically a god.

After arranging the temporary storage on the village side, Lu Qingshan, amid flattery and praise, politely declined several familiar villagers' offers to take him home for celebratory drinks.

"Another day, definitely, but today I'm just too exhausted."

His whole body aches; he just wants to go home and rest.

Dragging his legs as heavy as if filled with lead, he trudged slowly, step by step, toward his modest, low, shabby mud‑brick house.

Behind him roared the bustling voices of villagers, their excited chatter and hopeful visions of a better future; ahead lay the direction of home, where people waited under the dim yellow light.

The feeling was strange and unreal.

In his past life, he had never known such glory.

Nor had he ever had so many people genuinely cheer for him, feel proud of him.

Passing some doorways, he could faintly hear discussions from inside; without exception, each mentioned his name, their tones full of awe and admiration.

"Did you hear? Lu Lai Zi… oh no, Lu Qingshan, brought back a Big Black Bear!"

"Is it true? Could he really do that?"

"Absolutely true! The village entrance is packed! That bear is bigger than a door panel!"

A faint curve lifted his mouth unconsciously, weary yet tinged with a long‑missed satisfaction.

He pushed open the creaking, slightly warped wooden door.

Lu Qingshan was thinking of having Tie Zhu repair the courtyard gate someday, when a familiar aroma of food mixed with faint coal smoke wafted toward him.

Inside, a dim yellow kerosene lamp flickered, casting a hint of warmth over the shabby room.

Lin Yue'e sat on the edge of the kang, stitching something by the weak lamp light.

Hearing the movement, she immediately stopped the work she was doing.

Xiao Xue had already fallen asleep, curled up at the edge of the kang, her little face flushed pink from the room's heating, her tiny mouth slightly pursed, a hint of satisfied smile at the corner of her lips, not knowing what tasty thing she was eating in the dream.

Lin Yue'e heard the door creak, she jerked her head up, her eyes carrying a barely perceptible tension and deep anticipation.

When she saw Lu Qingshan standing in the doorway, she visibly let out a big sigh, and her tense shoulders relaxed.

Her gaze swept quickly over him, as if checking whether he was injured.

"You're back."

Her voice was light, like a feather brushing Lu Qingshan's heart, yet it carried a calming strength.

"Woof! Woof!"

A tiny black shadow darted like an arrow from beneath the kang, it was Jin Hu.

The little creature's nose was very pointed, seeming to have caught the strong, forest‑and‑prey scent on Lu Qingshan, and it excitedly circled his legs, hopping and leaping, its short tail wagging like a tiny drum.

It affectionately nudged Lu Qingshan's trouser leg with its small head.

Lu Qingshan bent over, extended his rough large hand to pat Jin Hu's furry head; the little one closed its eyes contentedly, a rumbling sound coming from its throat.

"The meal's ready, I've been waiting for you."

Lin Yue'e set down the needlework she was doing, stood up a little awkwardly, and turned to the kitchen to bring the dishes.

Her voice carried a barely perceptible tenderness.

Soon, a steaming bowl of corn porridge was placed on the table.

A plate of freshly stir‑fried cabbage, still steaming, sat beside two golden corn buns.

Simple, even a bit plain.

Lu Qingshan, however, felt that this house, this food, gave him more peace than any mountain delicacy or sea bounty.

He sat on a small stool at the edge of the kang, lifted a brand‑new large porcelain bowl, ignoring the heat, slurping the porridge with a rumbling sound.

He was truly starving; his stomach felt empty and uneasy.

Lin Yue'e sat silently opposite him; under the lamp, her face was gentle, but her eyes fell on him with a somewhat complicated look.

Seeing him eat hastily, she moved her lips as if to say something, then swallowed it back.

She simply extended her chopsticks, silently scooping a large handful of cabbage into his bowl.

There wasn't much oil, but it was well seasoned.

Jin Hu crouched at Lu Qingshan's feet, its little head moving little by little with his eating motions, its tail gently sweeping the floor.

Lu Qingshan finished the bowl of porridge, then grabbed a corn bun, biting into it greedily.

"Today... in the mountains, it went smoothly, right?"

Lin Yue'e finally spoke, her voice light, bearing a caution she herself hadn't noticed.

Lu Qingshan set down the half‑chewed corn bun; the oppressive feeling in his chest eased considerably as the hot porridge went down.

He looked up, meeting her searching gaze.

"Hmm, smooth."

He didn't want her to worry, so he pressed all the dangers deep into his heart.

"Caught a lot of things."

He paused, recalling that black bear, and added another sentence.

"Also... also ran into a big fellow, something I never even dared to imagine, a black bear."

"Many people, it's fine."

Lin Yue'e's hand gripping the chopsticks tightened imperceptibly for a moment.

Her eyes suddenly widened a bit, as if flames were flickering inside, then she quickly suppressed them.

"Black bear?"

She repeated it, her voice a little lower than before, the tail end trembling.

"I heard... the village was noisy, shouting about some bear, about meat..."

Lu Qingshan nodded, "The commotion was a bit big; that fellow isn't small."

Lin Yue'e didn't press further, just let her lashes droop and gave a soft "mm".

"As long as the people are safe, that's all."

She again scooped some cabbage for Lu Qingshan, as if to fill his empty stomach completely.

Lu Qingshan looked at her, a part of his heart softened.

He ate the remaining corn bun in a few bites and drank the broth at the bottom of the bowl clean.

"I'm full."

Lin Yue'e rose, silently clearing the bowls and chopsticks.

Lu Qingshan scooped some hot water from the kitchen, haphazardly wiped his face and hands, and the scent of blood and sweat lessened.

He removed the coat stained with dust and faint blood, throwing it at the foot of the kang.

The kang was scorching hot; he lay down on it, feeling comfort seep through every bone.

The chill and the bone‑deep fatigue were largely driven away by this warmth.

Xiao Xue curled at the edge of the kang, her little face pink from sleep, her tiny mouth still pursed, not knowing what tasty thing she dreamed of.

Lu Qingshan shifted over, lying beside her, watching his daughter's tranquil sleeping face.

The lingering rage from the battle in his heart seemed to melt away bit by bit under this small figure.

Lin Yue'e blew out the kerosene lamp on the table.

The house instantly dimmed, only the hazy moonlight outside the window seeped in a faint glow.

She groped around and also lay down, on the other side of Xiao Xue.

Between the three of them, the child's warm body lay in between.

In the darkness, each other's breathing was clearly audible, light and rhythmic.

Lu Qingshan closed his eyes; the daytime fighting in the Dead Ditch, the blast of the Homemade Grenade, and the black bear's roar still churned in his mind.

But those images were gradually covered by the warmth of the kang and his wife and daughter's breathing.

A strong wave of fatigue rose up like the tide.

He was too exhausted.

This sleep, he slept unusually deep and unusually sweet.

He didn't even have a single dream.

Outside the window, the clamor of Shanwan Village seemed not yet fully subsided.

But all of this was temporarily irrelevant to him.

Tomorrow, there would still be tomorrow's matters.