Chapter 9 – Perils of the Deep Forest

Chapter 9 - Perils of the Deep Forest

Tao Hua wiped away her tears secretly, recomposing herself with a smile before returning to the courtyard to stack the dishes. She would return them to her uncles' homes once Wei Dahu finished chopping the bamboo.

San Hua followed her, and seeing her cautious demeanor, Tao Hua couldn't help but chuckle. She explained, "It was my second brother who delivered the eggs. I just feel a bit upset that I didn't know he had come yesterday."

San Hua nodded, still somewhat confused, mindful not to say the wrong thing.

Tao Hua rummaged through the house but found nothing in the cabinets. On the table, however, were a few wild fruits, which she picked out, offering the larger ones to San Hua to satisfy her sweet tooth.

In no time, Wei Dahu returned, carrying two bundles of bamboo. Following behind him, with his head hanging low, was Chen Sanshi.

Whether it was good or bad luck, he had stumbled upon Wei Dahu on his way down the mountain, carrying his own load of bamboo. Chen Sanshi was promptly scolded all the way down: "With your skinny frame, you wouldn't even fill a wolf's teeth! Do you think the deep forest is like the small hill behind your house? At most, there might be two snakes crawling around, and if they chased you, you could still escape. Don't even think about encountering a wild boar in there. You won't be able to run, let alone survive. If I have to collect your remains tomorrow, I'll likely find them in a pile of dung, hoping that you haven't been digested too thoroughly."

Chen Sanshi's head nearly buried into his chest from the relentless berating.

Wei Dahu waved his hand, dismissing Tao Hua's offer of help. With a lift of his arm, he tossed the two bundles of bamboo onto the ground. Rubbing his shoulder, he looked up at Chen Sanshi and threatened fiercely, "If you ever dare to venture deep into the mountains again, I won't need to tell your uncle - I'll break your legs myself!"

Chen Sanshi was almost brought to tears by his intimidation.

"What's going on here? Speak properly, why are you being so fierce to him?" The elder Wei glanced at Chen Sanshi, who was surreptitiously wiping away tears, and scolded his son.

"This unappreciative fellow went climbing into the depths of the mountain with Li Dalang. I met them halfway up. Li Dalang said they were hunting for wild chickens, but why would they need to go into this mountain for that? I think they were planning to hunt wild boars; Li Dalang had a big machete on his waist," Wei Dahu said, giving Chen Sanshi a menacing glare that made the younger boy tremble in fear.

He wasn't afraid of his two cousins from his uncle's family, but he was terrified of this cousin from his aunt's side. When Wei Dahu put on a stern face, it was scarier than any beast lurking in the depths of the mountains.

The elder Wei frowned. Previously, San Hua had told him that her brother Sanshi and Li Dalang had gone hunting together, and he had assumed they were after some wild chickens. But now, from what Big Hu was implying, did they plan to hunt wild boars?

What audacity!

"Where's the Li boy?" he asked Wei Dahu.

Wei Dahu remained silent with a cold expression. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Chen Sanshi quickly interjected, "Brother Li actually didn't want to come down the mountain, but when Brother Dahu mentioned encountering two wolves during his boar hunting, I think he might have been scared. He followed us down another path."

The elder Wei nodded, then instructed Chen Sanshi not to enter the mountains alone in the future. If he wanted to catch wild chickens, he should go to the small hill behind the village where there were also wild chickens.

Chen Sanshi nodded repeatedly. He wanted to say that he wasn't entering the mountains alone, but seeing his uncle's expression, it seemed like he didn't take Brother Li seriously at all. Going with him or going alone made no difference.

Tao Hua brought out two bowls of water, which Wei Dahu naturally took over. With a few gulps, he finished both bowls.

Chen Sanshi also accepted the water and hurriedly thanked her. "Thank you, Cousin-in-law."

Tao Hua smiled and shook her head. "No need to thank me. Drink slowly."

Chen Sanshi dared not drink slowly. He hastily drank the water in two swallows. Seeing Wei Dahu moving the table and chairs, he quickly went into the main room to put down the bowl and rushed over to help.

"Wei Dahu said, 'Tao Hua and I will return the table, chairs, and utensils to Uncle's place together,'" Chen Sanshi conveyed.

Tao Hua had already packed up. She placed the clean dishes and chopsticks into a wooden bucket. Seeing Wei Dahu carrying the table, she picked up the bucket with both hands and walked towards him. Before reaching him, he had already taken the bucket from her.

"I'll carry it. You have the table on your shoulder," Tao Hua hurried to grab the bucket back, while Wei Dahu held the table leg hanging upside down on his shoulder with one hand and the bucket with the other, teasing her, "Underestimating your man's strength can come at a cost."

Tao Hua blushed at some thought, shooting him an annoyed glare. "What are you talking about?!"

"Humph." Wei Dahu nodded at San Hua and instructed her, "Help your cousin-in-law with the stools. If you do a good job, I'll buy you snacks from town another day."

San Hua's eyes lit up, and she replied with a crisp voice, "I'll definitely carry the chairs properly!"

"I'll carry them well too, and I want some snacks," Chen Sanshi interjected sourly.

Wei Dahu kicked him in the buttocks and said, "I picked out a few bamboo sticks that won't hurt when used to hit you. Don't say your elder cousin doesn't care about you." He added, "After eating so many steamed buns for free, you're still ashamed to carry chairs? Hurry up and carry the table!"

Back then, Grandfather had divided the family assets fairly, so there were no disputes, and thus, the relationship between the two uncles remained close. The eldest uncle inherited the ancestral home, while the second uncle built a new house not far from it. Their homes were adjacent, and they interacted frequently.

In farming households, the number of tables and chairs was fixed; they couldn't afford to purchase more. So, the eldest uncle's family only had one dining table, which was borrowed yesterday. Today, they all squeezed into the kitchen or ate in the courtyard with their bowls in hand.

Wei Dahu brought Tao Hua to return the furniture and also to introduce her to the family members.

Seeing Wei Dahu bring his new bride, Uncle Chen and Auntie were delighted and quickly welcomed them inside.

Under Wei Dahu's guidance, Tao Hua met each person, addressing her eldest uncle and auntie, as well as her two cousins and their wives. She even recognized their children.

While the eldest uncle was a man of few words, Auntie was very warm-hearted. She served Tao Hua a bowl of sweet water and held her hand, saying, "Such a nice girl. It's your big tiger's good fortune to marry you. You two must cherish your life together."

Tao Hua smiled and nodded, displaying a gentle demeanor.

Aunt Wei grew fonder of Tao Hua the more she looked at her. "Big Hu's mother passed away early, so it's just been the two of them at home all these years. Their days have been simple, and he, being a young man, doesn't know much about socializing. When he was little, it was fine, but as he grew up, he started avoiding visiting his aunt's house. Now that you've married into the family, come by often to chat with me and do some sewing with your two cousins. Don't be like him, barely visiting twice a year; it seems like you're trying to distance yourself from us!" Aunt Wei began with kind words but gradually became irate, all directed at Wei Dahu.

Wei Dahu felt overwhelmed and quickly reassured her, "Aunt Wei, please don't be angry. I'll visit you more often in the future."

Tao Hua nodded repeatedly, "Please don't get annoyed with my visits."

Aunt Wei glanced at Wei Dahu, her anger subsiding after a few soothing words. She then called for her daughters-in-law to prepare lunch, insisting they stay for the meal.

Wei Dahu and Tao Hua politely declined, using the excuse of returning the tables and chairs to Uncle Two's house to bid their farewells hastily. It wouldn't be appropriate to accept the meal; no household had an abundance of food.

Aunt Wei couldn't convince them to stay, laughing and scolding simultaneously as she stood at the door. Eventually, she didn't force them to remain and simply asked Tao Hua to visit more often when she had free time.

At Uncle Two's house, unlike Uncle One, Uncle Two was an open-hearted person while Aunt Two was more reserved. After Tao Hua greeted them, Aunt Two found an excuse to return to the kitchen.

In the main hall, Wei Dahu mentioned Chen Sanshi's venture into the mountains, enraging Uncle Two to the point of removing his shoes to discipline his son. "What?! He dared to enter the deep forest alone to hunt wild boars? Where did he get the audacity?! This is asking for a white-haired man to bury a black-haired one. I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful brat!"

Seeing this, Wei Dahu promptly pulled Tao Hua away, leaving Chen Sanshi to be chased around the yard by Uncle Two.

Tao Hua observed the lively gathering, and her face was radiant with joy on her way back home. She hadn't expected both of her maternal uncles to be amiable, making her feel at ease knowing that the relatives were easy to get along with.

Seeing her delightful smile, Wei Dahu tried to hold her hand. Tao Hua resisted, looking at him sideways. "What are you doing?"

Wei Dahu forcibly took her hand, enveloping it with his broad palm. "You're my wife, so why can't I hold your hand?"

His grip was strong, and Tao Hua couldn't break free, turning her head nervously to check if anyone was watching. "What are you doing? What if someone sees us?"

"I don't care if they see. You're my wife, and what's wrong with me holding my own wife's hand?" Wei Dahu didn't allow her to resist. Tao Hua was no match for him; even a slight movement caused her fingers to sting in pain.

In reality, Tao Hua didn't mind his touch. They were surrounded by woods and graves, devoid of any living souls. Thus, she reluctantly gave in, softly saying, "Be gentler, your grip hurts."

Wei Dahu immediately loosened his hold. "I wasn't using much strength. Does it hurt, wife? I won't hold it anymore."

As he released her, Tao Hua grabbed onto two of his thick fingers.

Wei Dahu chuckled heartily, repeatedly stealing glances at her, filled with affection. "This path to the village is quite quiet. If you want to go to the village to chat with someone, just tell me, and I'll escort you there."

Wei Dahu's fingers were thick, and the calluses on his fingertips were rough against her skin. Walking side by side, Tao Hua was still shorter than his chest, making them appear more like an adult leading a child rather than a couple.

"And what about when you come back?" Tao Hua asked playfully.

Wei Dahu replied naturally, "Of course, I'll be the one to fetch you home."

Tao Hua's heart swelled with joy at his thoughtfulness. But then she heard Wei Dahu continue, "But you'll have to wait for me. Sometimes I get delayed in the mountains. Don't ever go home alone. The area is surrounded by graves, and it might scare you."

"Will you enter the mountains every day? Are the mountains behind our house really that terrifying?" Tao Hua recalled Wei Dahu's fierce demeanor towards Chen Sanshi and felt genuine anger.

"When there's no work at home, I venture into the mountains to find food and hunt game to sell in town for money and grains," Wei Dahu explained. "The mountains are infested with beasts. Ordinary folks shouldn't venture there."

Beasts in the deep mountains behind their house?

Tao Hua froze on the spot, her fear paralyzing her.

Wei Dahu tugged at her twice but failed to move her. He stopped, his face puzzled, and turned to look at her. "Tao Hua, why aren't you walking?"

"You said...there are...beasts in the mountains behind our house?" Tao Hua stared at him unblinkingly, forcing out the words with effort.

"Yes, there are beasts. It would be strange if there weren't any," Wei Dahu chuckled, his expression indicating it was nothing unusual. "Even the county's high officials can't fully grasp the vastness of the mountain range behind us. The county records describe them as 'steep peaks and deep valleys, unknown depths.' I once passed a tea stall and overheard the storyteller there describing our backyard mountains just like that."

Amidst myriad ravines and towering peaks, the area he was stepping on was merely the outskirts. He explained to Tao Hua, "Dahe Village is surrounded by mountains. When villagers go up the hills to chop firewood or hunt for wild chickens, they call it 'going up the mountain.' Only the mountain behind our house is referred to as 'entering the mountain.' The difference between the two is significant. Although entering the mountain is risky, there are many rare treasures within. Last time, I casually explored a snake's den and sold it for twenty taels of silver."

"..."

Tao Hua instantly gripped his fingers tightly. Seeing her fear, Wei Dahu hurriedly reassured her, "Don't worry, Tao Hua. I won't bring these things home. Father doesn't allow it either, as he's afraid others in the village might become envious. Whenever I hunt, I cross the mountain to sell my prey in town via a different path, so no one from the village finds out." He couldn't afford to be discovered. If someone had seen him hunting a wild boar for his wedding feast, they might have tried their luck too, and if anything went wrong, there would surely be trouble.

Tao Hua was stunned to learn that he had a hobby of exploring snake dens, and even more so when she heard that the snake had fetched twenty taels of silver!

What kind of snake could be worth that much??

Was the buyer out of his mind??

Despite the danger he described as "entering the mountain," why did he speak of it so casually, as if it were an ordinary task? Was it because he was skilled and brave, or simply ignorant of the risks due to his youth?

For a moment, Tao Hua was too preoccupied with her concerns to be scared of any large beasts. She was filled with anxiety.

Unaware of her distress, Wei Dahu said, "In a few days, when things at home calm down, I'll take you into the mountain to pick fruits. The fruits deep in the mountains are big and sweet. You'll love them."