Chapter 61

Chapter 61

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household was filled with the sweet aroma of Laba porridge, which even dispelled a bit of the chill in the air. No matter how poor the family, they would scrape together a few ingredients to make a simple version of Laba porridge—this was the ordinary villagers' hopeful expectation for the upcoming New Year.

The Feng family also cooked a large pot. Feng Chun had brought back quite a few things, Zhang Ling had stocked up before the New Year, and the old Mrs. Feng had hidden away a lot as well. Each contributed a little, and together they made a big pot.

This was a rare treat. Old Mrs. Feng, for once, was generous, giving her daughter-in-law and several granddaughters half bowls each. Of course, Feng Shizhu and the sons and grandsons all got full bowls. She had her own set of scales: no matter what, she wouldn't let the "worthless girls" outdo the boys. As for Feng Xia's portion, Zhang Ling had already set it aside. The Feng family didn't dare say a word about it, and even felt that Zhang Ling had done well—if that menace had joined them for porridge, they'd probably get a stomachache from the stress.

The scent of the Laba porridge drifted far on the north wind, mingling with the mist over the mountain streams, drifting into the ravines. Rustling came from somewhere in the brush, as a massive wild beast, lured by the scent, awoke from its slumber. Its massive body followed the aroma, slowly approaching Daba Village. Winter days turn dark early, but recently the snow had been heavy, so the night outside was bright as day, with figures clearly visible.

In the dead of night, a sharp screech tore through the peaceful night. Wang Laizi from the east end of the village didn't even have time to put on his cotton pants; he ran out in just his long johns, screaming as if a ghost were chasing him.

The surrounding families were all startled awake. Sleepy-eyed, they came out to see what was happening, and saw a black wild boar overturning Wang Laizi's bamboo fence. Its white, sharp tusks glinted coldly, and its bristles stood like steel needles, terrifying to behold. Seeming to sense their gazes, the massive boar turned its head and locked eyes with them. Everyone's legs went weak—facing such a large boar would mean being pierced through.

They reacted just like Wang Laizi, grabbing their children under their arms and running, screaming all the way, with the boar chasing behind. They ran for dear life, wailing and crying, heading straight for the village committee office, where a hunting rifle was kept—their only hope for survival.

Gradually, the whole village was alarmed. Young men and women dared not get close to the boar, letting it trample vegetable plots and knock down corn ears hanging under eaves. They all kept a safe distance, afraid of losing their lives. The boar just rambled and ate, seeming determined to eat its way from one end of the village to the other.

The Feng family lived in a separate, isolated compound. They were sleeping soundly when suddenly someone outside banged a gong—it was Chen Haizhu. The young man was frantic, shouting urgently at the Feng family: "Hey! You all need to get up and hide! The wild boar has come down the mountain, and it'll be at your place soon! Take the kids and leave! If the boar gets here, you won't be able to escape. Hurry! What are you waiting for?"

Several others followed behind him, shivering as they continued forward. The cries of children mixed with human voices, creating a chaotic racket.

Feng Shizhu and the others were still dazed, instinctively pulling on clothes and following the crowd. Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui's first reaction was to go wake Feng Xia. They were panicked and slow, so they grabbed each other's hands, woke Feng Xia, bundled her in a military coat, and half-carried her out as they fled. Zhang Ling dragged Feng Jinbao along in front, while Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui took Feng Xia in the rear. As for the rest of the Feng family, they had already run off with Chen Haizhu, hiding far away and watching from a distance.

Little Feng Jinbao was scared stiff and tumbled into a ditch in his panic. Since he was chubby, Zhang Ling struggled to haul him out and nearly fell in herself. The boar, having found no food at the previous houses, galloped over, its hoofbeats shaking the ground. The boar was less than five meters from the Feng family's gate. Zhang Ling, pulling at Feng Jinbao in the ditch and with her two daughters struggling beside her, was in a panic. Feeling the tremor of the boar's charge, she shouted at Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui: "Run! Run! Get out of here!"

Then she pushed her daughters away, ready to jump into the ditch and shield her son with her own body.

Feng Xia grabbed Zhang Ling with one hand and yanked the chubby boy out with the other, tossing them onto the snow some distance away. By then, almost the entire village was gathered at a distance watching. A few brave young men carried Zhang Ling and Feng Jinbao to safety. The boar rammed the Feng family's bamboo fence, snorting heavily.

Feng Xia hung her military coat on the fence, standing in just a red sweater, clear and bright under the moonlight.

Several of the educated youth in the distance recognized Feng Xia. Wu Hongxia was the most worried—this little sister seemed cold but was warm inside, and she didn't want her to get hurt. Forcing herself to stay calm, Wu Hongxia racked her brain, thinking of a way to change the situation.

In the distance, Chen Haizhu returned carrying an old hunting rifle. The rifle was ancient and hadn't been used in years, so the village chief didn't dare let anyone handle it. If it misfired or blew up instead of killing the boar, he'd never be able to explain it.

Feng Chun looked at the red figure in the distance, malice chilling in her eyes. If only the boar could kill her—that would be perfect!

Snow began to fall again, swirling down. The boar caught the scent of human, stopped ramming the fence, and fixed its huge piggy eyes on Feng Xia. Driven by beastly hunger and desire, it only wanted to eat Feng Xia, who smelled of food. With a thunderous charge, its tusks gleaming, it barreled straight toward her. Feng Xia didn't dodge or retreat. Instead, she spun and delivered a flying kick. The three-hundred-pound wild boar slammed backward with a loud thud, dragging a trail of black and red across the snow.

The villagers of Daba Village were collectively struck dumb. Can an ant take down an elephant? No one thought it possible. But at that moment, they saw it happen.

Between the moonlight and the snow, that touch of red was the third most beautiful color in heaven and earth.

Feng Xia knew well: when dealing with an enemy, never forget to finish them off. She approached the groaning boar step by step, punching it again and again. Each blow broke another bone. Only when the boar was completely silent did she stop. She casually grabbed a handful of snow to wash the grime from her hands—her jade-white hands bore not a single scratch. Then she took her military coat off the fence, swept a cool glance at the crowd, and went back inside.

The villagers of Daba Village were still in shock, as if in a dream. A girl kicked a wild boar flying—even in opera, they wouldn't dare write such a thing! But looking at the lifeless boar, they had no choice but to believe it.

Holy crap! So this was the strength of a thirteen-year-old who got specially recruited into the military corps? That's freaking awesome!