12dz Chapter 119 Being Eyed by Someone
Chapter 119 Being Eyed by Someone
Li Xiangyang woke up just as dawn was breaking.
The wounds on my body still ache slightly, but they are much better than yesterday.
He lay quietly on the kang (a heated brick bed), listening to his mother's busy work in the kitchen, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.
"Brother, you're awake!" Li Xiaohua tiptoed open the door and, seeing her brother with his eyes open, immediately ran over happily.
"Yes, she's awake."
Li Xiangyang sat up and stretched his limbs.
Although the movements are still a bit slow, it does not affect the overall operation.
He threw back the covers and was about to get out of bed when Li Xiaohua quickly stopped him: "Brother, you should stay in bed. I'll go get you breakfast."
"It's nothing," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, patting his sister's head. "It's just a minor scratch; it's not like you're crippled."
Stepping into the kitchen, a rich aroma wafts towards you.
Li's mother was busy at the stove when she saw her son come in. She quickly told him to sit down, saying, "Why didn't you sleep a little longer, child?"
"You've had enough sleep," Li Xiangyang said, walking to his mother's side and looking at the thick meat broth simmering in the pot. "Mom, when did you get up?"
"She woke up before dawn," Li's mother added some salt to the pot, "thinking that you were injured and needed some nourishment."
As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.
Li Xiangyang felt a pang of pain in his heart, knowing that his mother had been worried all night.
He whispered, "Mother, I'm really alright. This time we've made a good harvest; our family's future is secure."
"You silly child," Li's mother wiped her eyes, "remember, safety is the most important thing."
Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Brother, how much do you think a snow leopard pelt is worth?"
"Well," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, "even if we split half, it'll be enough for us to build a house. Adding what we've earned before, it'll be more than enough to build a two-story house and furnish it with appliances."
"Really?" Li Xiaohua's eyes lit up. "Then does that mean our family will be the richest in the village?"
"Xiaohua!" Li's mother scolded gently, "How can you talk like that? And Xiangyang, even if you have money, you can't build a two-story villa. If people are jealous and try to sabotage you, how will you live in the future?"
Upon hearing his mother's words, Li Xiangyang's heart stirred.
My mother was right; the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it.
He carefully recalled the wealthy families he had met in his previous life; those who prospered were all adept at assessing the situation and seizing opportunities.
Building a two-story villa in the countryside is too conspicuous.
Besides, a two-story house isn't practical. There are only three people in our family. After I married Li Xiaoyun and moved out, there were only two of us left. That's enough for us.
“Mother is right,” Li Xiangyang nodded. “A two-story house is indeed impractical. We should do what we need. Besides, life is about taking it slow; we can buy what we need as we go, without having to prepare everything at once.”
When Li's mother heard her son say this, she nodded in satisfaction.
This child is becoming more and more mature and knows how to act appropriately.
“Oh, right,” Li Xiangyang changed the subject, “once I recover from my injuries, I need to go to the county town to sell the snow leopard pelt.”
Just then, footsteps came from the courtyard.
Li Xiaohua ran out and saw that it was Wang Ergou.
"Xiangyang!" Wang Ergou called out as he stood in the yard carrying a bundle.
"Ergou's here," Li Xiangyang said, walking out of the kitchen. "You're here so early?"
“Yes,” Wang Ergou rubbed his hands together, “I didn’t sleep well last night. My dad and I took turns guarding the snow leopard pelt all night. We have to sell it quickly, or someone will covet it. I’ve already brought it. Oh, by the way, this is something my mother asked me to bring you, saying it’s to help you recover.”
Wang Ergou opened his bundle and handed over a small bundle.
When Li Xiangyang opened it, he found it was full of mountain products, including a handful of Schisandra chinensis and several pieces of dried Ganoderma lucidum.
These are things that can be gathered in the mountains in autumn, and the Queen Mother specially kept them in case her family members got sick.
"I can't accept this..." Li Xiangyang felt a little embarrassed.
Although these things are not as valuable as ginseng and deer antler, they are still good things from the mountains, especially Ganoderma lucidum. Not many people in the entire Xiaoliang Village can find it; it all depends on luck.
"Hey, just take it, don't be so polite. By the way, is your injury serious? Can you get into town?"
Seeing Wang Ergou's anxious expression, Li Xiangyang understood.
Money can be very tempting; it must have been quite a lively scene near Wang Ergou's house yesterday.
"There must have been quite a few people here last night, right?" Li Xiangyang asked casually while drinking the meat soup his mother had made.
“Exactly,” Wang Ergou rubbed his hands together, lowering his voice, “Damn it, it hasn’t stopped all night, wave after wave, never-ending. Don’t they realize I dared to touch a snow leopard? Do they really think they have a death wish…?”
Hearing their conversation, a hint of worry flashed across Li's mother's face: "This is not a good sign."
"Yeah, later I got really annoyed," Wang Ergou grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "I fired a shot into the air, and that finally calmed things down."
“You…” Li Xiangyang shook his head, but he knew that Wang Ergou had no other choice.
Li Xiaohua handed a bowl of meat soup to Wang Ergou: "Brother Ergou, you should have some too."
"No, no," Wang Ergou waved his hands repeatedly, "We need to process the hides quickly."
Li Xiangyang put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and said, "You're right, let's go to the county town now."
“That’s what I meant too,” Wang Ergou leaned forward and lowered his voice, “What do you think about bringing along…?”
He made a gesture as if he were holding a gun.
“No way,” Li Xiangyang firmly refused. “Bringing that into the city would be troublesome if they found out. You should go home and get your household registration book first. It’s safe to deposit the money in the bank. Let’s go to your second uncle’s house to borrow a donkey cart.”
"A donkey cart?" Wang Ergou was taken aback. "Wouldn't that take half a day to travel?"
Li Xiangyang stood up and patted Wang Ergou on the shoulder: "It's slower, but safer."
"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll go back and get my household registration book right now." Wang Ergou turned to leave.
"Wait," Li Xiangyang called out to Wang Ergou, who was turning to leave, "I'll leave the hide with you; you can keep it in sight."
After Wang Ergou left, Li's mother sighed, "That child is still too simple-minded."
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Ergou is alright; he's at least tactfully consulting me."
"That leather..." Li's mother hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
"Don't worry, Mother," Li Xiangyang said easily, "I know what I'm doing. Xiaohua, help me pack some dry food for the journey."
A short while later, Wang Ergou returned with the household registration booklet, and the brother and sister also packed their dry food.
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou went to his second uncle's house together.
My second uncle was chopping firewood in the yard when he saw the two of them arrive. He looked up and asked, "Are you going out?"
"Second Uncle," Li Xiangyang greeted with a smile, "I'd like to borrow your donkey cart for a bit."
Second Uncle put down his axe: "Need a cart? Where to?"
"I'm going into town to take care of some business," Li Xiangyang replied simply.
My second uncle didn't ask any more questions: "Okay, wait a moment, I'll bring the donkey over."