Chapter 173

The crowd followed Seeing Da Huang over. They didn't walk fast, carefully pushing aside the weeds on the ground, approaching step by step...

Gu Chenghuai thought of something and didn't follow.

Why would he go? He was still holding his little son in his arms. If it were truly as he suspected, the scene would be unbearable for an ordinary adult to see, let alone a child?

Meng Jiusi didn't go up to join the fun either; his gaze was glued to Seeing Qian Bao's round, cute face, the love in his eyes about to overflow.

This little person, carved from pink jade, was his own blood-related nephew!

"Shall I take his pulse?" Doctor Meng restrained his excitement, trying to soften his voice.

Gu Chenghuai had the same intention, "Trouble you, Fourth Brother."

"What's the trouble, it's just a matter of convenience." Meng Jiusi waved his hand nonchalantly, his fingers gently resting on his little nephew's soft wrist.

So soft, so obedient... To be so frightened and yet not cry or make a fuss, what a worry-free child.

Meng Jiusi's eyes were gentle, his heart filled to the brim.

The little guy didn't pull away, feeling he was close, looking at him with those black, bright eyes, his expression innocent and curious.

Meng Jiusi focused on feeling the pulse under his fingers, his eyebrows raised slightly, somewhat surprised, "The pulse is steady, nothing is wrong. Watch him tonight, be careful of fever, otherwise nothing."

For such a small child to have experienced such danger and not be frightened, it's strange.

Just then.

Not far away, behind the pile of weeds that had been pushed aside, several distorted, terrified screams erupted, mixed with heart-wrenching retching sounds.

"Mother—! This... this..."

"Damn it all—!!!"

"Ugh... ugh—! My Heavens!"

The bloody mess crashed into the crowd's vision, caught off guard and without any obstruction.

—A human silhouette, gnawed into a broken, almost unrecognizable state... especially that abdominal cavity that had been brutally torn open...

The picture was more than shocking; it was bloody to the point of terror!

Someone's face turned as pale as paper instantly, and they rushed to a tree nearby, hugging the trunk and vomiting violently.

Someone gasped in horror and stumbled backward.

Someone cursed in a low voice, turning their face away, unable to bear the sight...

Gu Yuanshan happened to be squeezed to the front. The moment he saw this picture, the color drained from his face in a flash.

His stomach churned, and he took several steps back, not daring to glance in that direction again.

That, that intestine... and... ugh!

Zhang Yongqiang was even worse off. He was walking at the very front, and that bloody, terrifying picture crashed straight into his eyeballs without any buffer.

The intense visual impact and the churning fishy smell dealt an unprecedented blow to this burly man.

(?? w??? ‖)?

After a brief silence, a wail broke the stillness.

"Wife!" Zhang Manyue's husband shouted in shock. He looked at his wife's body, which was no longer human, tears and snot streaming down his face, "Why were you so short-sighted? If we don't have a child, we don't have a child; I don't dislike you..."

He didn't dare to get close, standing a few steps away, wailing sincerely and hoarsely, as if his parents had died.

"I know you aren't the person who stole the child. Who was it that incited you to do this foolish thing? Wife, you died so miserably... Wife, at worst we could have split the family, why did you have to do this, wuwuwu..."

The villagers: "..."

Everyone exchanged disdainful yet knowing glances.

You say you don't dislike her, but when your mother beat and scolded your wife, you should have at least stopped her and protected her.

Zhang Manyue reaching a dead end had a lot to do with this spineless husband!

No one present could look up to this kind of hypocritical and cowardly man.

The deceased was gone, and they couldn't just leave her in the mountains. Zhang Yongqiang endured his discomfort and called for everyone to cut branches and grass to weave a grass stretcher.

Although the crowd was still shaken, their movements were nimble. They found materials in pairs, and those with skills got to work, quickly making a stretcher. Because Zhang Manyue was too fragmented, the skilled workers present also made a thin grass curtain to cover her, covering up the terrifying scene that could scare children to tears as much as possible.

The brave men took a few deep breaths, put their hands together to bow to the grass stretcher, and gathered their courage, holding their breath, to try to put Zhang Manyue's broken body onto the stretcher. The sticky touch when they picked her up made the man carrying the corpse shiver violently.

Damn it, never carried such a "broken" corpse.

Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva bless you, may you be reborn into a good family in the next life.

The group carried the stretcher covered with the grass curtain, the atmosphere heavy and strange as they went down the mountain.

The people in front carried the stretcher with the corpse, and the men in the back carried the wolf carcasses. Yes, they didn't forget even the wolf carcasses.

Someone had died, and had been eaten by wolves. The brigade members felt disgusted and naturally wouldn't eat the wolf meat, but the wolf skins could be used; making knee pads, cushions, or gloves was quite good.

There were many people going up the mountain, and the commotion was great, so the wild beasts were startled and had long since run into the mountains.

The journey was smooth and unobstructed, without any further twists and turns.

Lin Zhao came at the sound. From afar, she saw the fair little person in Gu Chenghuai's arms at a glance. She stopped abruptly, supporting her knees and panting, her chest heaving violently, her long black hair messy, a thin layer of sweat on her face, and the hair on her forehead slightly damp.

The next second, the corners of her mouth turned up, but tears fell first.

Tears of joy.

Lin Zhao stepped forward quickly, her gaze scanning her son, touching his little hands and then his little feet, as if confirming every inch was intact.

She suddenly stepped forward and hugged her son and Gu Chenghuai tightly. Smelling the unique milky scent of the child, her tense nerves and hanging heart were all released.

"... Seeing Qian Bao."

In not much time, her voice was full of hoarseness, completely unlike her usual clear and pleasant tone.

The moment Seeing Qian Bao saw his mother coming, it was as if he had been injected with countless grievances. He hugged Lin Zhao's head with his chubby little short hands, holding on very tightly, so hard that his little face turned red.

Hearing his mother call his name, as if he had finally confirmed this sense of security, he paused, his little mouth pouted, and he raised his exquisite little face, bursting into tears.

"Waa... Mommy wuwuwu... waa waa..."

This sound was extremely penetrating, startling the birds in the trees to flap their wings and flee.

Since birth, he had rarely cried so aggrievedly and loudly, as if he wanted to cry out all his grievances and fright.

Lin Zhao felt heartache, hurriedly scooped the cub into her arms, patted his back gently, and coaxed him in a soft voice.

The fair and tender child's exposed skin had been bitten by poisonous mosquitoes on the mountain, leaving many large red bumps. There were some on his lotus-root-like arms, on his neck, and on his chubby chin... he looked pitiful.

"Mommy is here, Mommy is here, don't be afraid anymore, be good, it's all over..." She comforted him repeatedly, "Mommy is taking Seeing Qian Bao home."

Seeing Qian Bao sobbed, still clutching her tightly, his little head nodding heavily, "Mm! Going home!"

Lin Zhao comforted the child, her gaze shifting backward to see the wolves carried by the villagers. A lingering fear arose in her heart, and her arms holding Seeing Qian Bao tightened slightly.

Gu Chenghuai extended his thumb to wipe the tears from Seeing Qian Bao's face, saying proudly and with relief: "Seeing Da Huang protected Seeing Qian Bao, he's fine. He didn't even cry once while hiding in the wolf pack. This calmness, he takes after his father."

He lowered his head, looking at his son with the corners of his mouth raised, "As expected of my son."

Seeing Qian Bao understood, and even his crying hiccups paused.

Seeing his own father descend from the sky in a time of danger, this sense of security was engraved in his heart. Now the little person was close and trusting toward his father, extending his tender, bamboo-shoot-like little hand to grab one of his fingers, gripping it very tightly.

Lin Zhao kissed her baby son's bulging little milk cheeks, her eyes gentle.

She looked at Seeing Da Huang, who was squatting nearby, and reached out to touch the little hero's head, "Seeing Da Huang gets top merit today. I'll make you meat tonight, eat until you're full."

Seeing Da Huang was excited, its tail spinning like a propeller, "Woof woof woof..."

It was so happy it took the lead in guiding the way.

Lin Zhao glanced at the strange stretcher trailing at the very end, her eyes faint and cold.

People who break into the deep mountains, entering upright and leaving horizontally, what's strange about that?

Zhang Manyue should be glad she left the mountain lying down, otherwise she would have slapped her face to shreds!

"Comrade Lin, let's go down the mountain first. Children's skin is delicate, the bites need to be medicated as soon as possible." Meng Jiusi stepped forward and said in a serious tone. His expression was solemn, and his whole body seemed to radiate a holy white light.

Lin Zhao's full-blown anger was like a balloon pricked by a needle: "..."

"... Thank you." She said with a distant expression, holding Seeing Qian Bao and walking down.

After walking not far, she stopped and gave Gu Chenghuai a wink, "There's a silly roe deer and a lame chicken under the tree. Take them, let's go home and stew chicken soup for Seeing Qian Bao and Alan."

They delivered themselves to her door, and she tied them up on the way!

As soon as she finished speaking, a rumbling sound came from Seeing Qian Bao's little belly. His little short hands covered his belly in a panic; even a child not as tall as an adult's knees wanted to save face.

Lin Zhao rubbed her precious son's face, "What's there to be shy about when you're hungry? When we get home, I'll steam smooth egg custard for you, steam three, so Seeing Qian Bao can eat his fill."

"Yeah." Seeing Qian Bao nodded vigorously, crystal-clear saliva unconsciously leaking from the corners of his mouth.

He was truly hungry.

Usually at this time, he would have already had his milk!

Gu Chenghuai saw the tied-up silly roe deer and lame chicken under the tree, walked out with a long stride, and followed beside his wife and son.

Watching this scene, Meng Jiusi couldn't help but smile. Is this what you call tacit understanding? Not returning empty-handed from the mountain.

The fierce men who went into the mountains to find people came down, and many people were waiting at the foot of the mountain.

Seeing Seeing Qian Bao's figure, kind-hearted people couldn't help but be happy for the Gu family.

"The Gu family's Seeing Qian Bao has been found—"

"Oh my! Seeing Qian Bao has good luck, he's a blessed child!"

"Seeing Da Huang is here too. Seeing Da Huang is a loyal dog. Yubao's mother, you didn't raise this dog wrong." Wang Chunhua missed Seeing Qian Bao and couldn't stay at home, so she came to the foot of the mountain to wait. Seeing the child was fine, she was as happy as could be. She was also the first witness to see Seeing Da Huang enter the mountain. She didn't know the reason at the time, but found out later.

... Seeing Da Huang went to chase after Seeing Qian Bao.

Lin Zhao didn't deny Seeing Da Huang's merit, "It wasn't raised in vain. Seeing Da Huang is worthy of being the descendant of a hero dog. It can even take on wolves."

Generally speaking, dogs can't take on wolves. Seeing Da Huang being able to protect Seeing Qian Bao under the siege of a wolf pack was also due to the "advanced version" of dog food it ate playing a big role. One paw could swat away a wolf; there's no need to elaborate on how much strength it had.

In addition, this pack of wolves had failed in a territorial battle, sought another place to live, lost many members on the way, couldn't hunt much food, were thin and dry, and had empty bellies, so of course they couldn't beat the fierce and strong Seeing Da Huang.

Lin Zhao didn't know about these later details.

In the shadow of the earthen wall, Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai hid carefully, poking out half their heads to peek.

Seeing the smile on their aunt's face, the brothers' tightly knitted brows relaxed.

Xiaobai shook his brother's hand, his little milky voice full of happiness, "Brother, Seeing Qian Bao has been found."

Jingmo was also very worried about his little cousin. He had been waiting here for a long time, looking at the child in his aunt's arms, trying hard to remember his face.

"Yes." He responded in a low voice, relieved, "It's good that he's found."

"Brother, what is Uncle holding in his hand?" Xiaobai asked suddenly.

Jingmo looked: "A rabbit..."

He didn't recognize the other two.

Xiaobai's eyes were bright, "It's white too, it's really pretty."

Then he saw Meng Jiusi and immediately threw the pretty rabbit to the back of his mind, "It's Daddy! Daddy is there! Brother, can I go over?"

Jingmo knew their status was awkward and it wasn't good to "show their faces," so he touched his brother's head and coaxed patiently: "Don't go. Let's go back first, Brother will get you some candy, okay?"

Xiaobai was disappointed, but still said: "Okay."

The little brothers held hands and went home.

Gu Xing'er was also hiding in a corner, glancing at the blood-dripping stretcher. Her gaze paused, she didn't stay long, and left the spot silently.

…

The news of Seeing Qian Bao being found soon spread throughout the village.

Gu Mu ran out of the house, saw her little grandson from afar, cried with joy, and rushed forward to hug Seeing Qian Bao.

"Seeing Qian Bao! Grandma's Seeing Qian Bao, you scared me to death. That damned Li family, if you want to die, go jump in the river, jump off a cliff, drink poison... do whatever, why steal someone else's child? Even if you die, you'll go to hell!" She said hatefully.

Gu Yuanshan wanted to vomit again, "Mother, the Li family's daughter-in-law is dead..."

Gu Mu was stunned, "How did she die?"

"Eaten by wolves. Those wolves even wanted to snatch Seeing Qian Bao, but were swatted away by Seeing Da Huang. Seeing Da Huang earned top merit today!" Gu Yuanshan said. He had always liked Seeing Da Huang, but after this, he liked it even more, wishing he could kowtow to it.

"Met wolves?" Gu Mu's volume increased several times, her face full of lingering fear, "May the Heavens bless us! May the ancestors bless us!"

She reached out to stroke Seeing Qian Bao's head, stroking it again and again, "Don't be afraid... you're back in the village, don't be afraid..."

Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. How would a little one Seeing Qian Bao's age know what fear is? He was protected very well by Seeing Da Huang and didn't confront them for long... His father came with a gun, and his little heart was full of security. At this time, he had already returned to his usual calm and obedient self.

"Grandma, Treasure is hungry~" The little milky voice rang out, calling for hunger.

One sentence interrupted Gu Mu's emotions. The person who had been crying so hard she couldn't stand up held her grandson and walked home, her feet moving like the wind. In just a few breaths, she left everyone behind.

"Grandma, Grandma, put Seeing Qian Bao down, I want to hug my little brother too." Hengbao chased after her, his voice excited, having regained his usual vitality.

Lin Zhao was very gratified.

This is how it should be.

Gu Chenghuai's slender, powerful hand stroked Lin Zhao's sweat-dampened hair and said with heartache: "Go back and wash up. I'll watch the children, nothing else will happen."

Only then did Lin Zhao feel her whole body weak and sore, her body feeling very sticky. She instructed Gu Chenghuai a few words and walked toward the new house.

Halfway there, she remembered that she had forgotten to tell Fourth Brother about Third Brother's recovery and the success of the new medicine's trial...

She supported her forehead, looked up to meet the orange sunset on the western horizon, the sky full of clouds. This day... was truly long.

Has the third cub's tribulation passed?

Lin Zhao wasn't sure.

In the original book, the third cub was kidnapped in the village, the time point being two years later. The person who kidnapped him was a middle-aged woman with a black mole between her eyebrows.

She had a premonition that she would meet that person sooner or later.

If she really met her, she would definitely... send this person to prison, and pay any price to make her die!