Volume One, Chapter 19: Are You Trying to Kill Me?

Shen Yangguang remained still. “Father, Aodong is now the mountain patrolman. The whole team depends on him for meat… Scolding him over such a trivial matter now will only make others say that we elders are making a fuss over nothing.”

Shen Dashan couldn’t help but savor the taste of the wild boar meat they had for lunch.

The meat was firm and tender, with a springy texture and a rich, robust flavor—smooth and mellow! It was no exaggeration to call it a delicacy of the highest order.

Even just eating the pork juices mixed with corn porridge was enough to delight the palate.

He had thought such good days would be gone before the New Year.

After all, with so many mouths to feed and the grain supply tight, if the commune didn’t distribute relief grain, they would have to tighten their belts and ration the remaining stock until the next autumn harvest, when new hope might appear.

As the head of the household, Shen Dashan had been nearly overwhelmed with worry.

Unexpectedly, in the depth of winter, a timely blessing came in the form of a huge wild boar!

Every family gained not only extra food but also some fat and oil.

Neighbors couldn’t help but praise Shen Dashan.

“Your grandson is impressive! He inherited his father’s skills—going straight up the mountain and bagging a wild boar!”

Everyone loved to hear such praise.

For an old man like Shen Dashan, who had little else to boast of in life, such words were all the sweeter.

With this in mind, Shen Dashan clicked his tongue.

Though it was natural for a grandfather to admonish his grandson, Shen Aodong, as the team’s mountain patrolman, would still have to follow the commune’s records and allocate meat to their family even if he were scolded.

These were two separate matters—no conflict, no pressure should arise.

But after thinking it over, Shen Dashan’s anger had already cooled.

Looking again at his eldest daughter-in-law, who was sobbing and wailing, he felt she seemed to be regressing the longer she lived. She was making a huge fuss over such a minor issue!

Shen Dashan withdrew his gaze and turned to Shen Xiaochuan. “Xiaochuan, first thing tomorrow morning, you must go to your brother Aodong’s house to practice that gymnastics.”

Shen Xiaochuan’s eyes instantly widened like two copper bells.

Shen Dashan gave him a sidelong glance to bolster his courage. “If anyone hits you again tomorrow, Grandpa will come straight over and stand up for you!”

...

Early the next morning, Shen Lingshuang’s courtyard was filled with children.

Shen Xiaochuan was among them.

All four children of Shen’s third uncle also came.

Shen San Shu’s second son, Shen Xiangnan, had often fought with Shen Xiaochuan before.

So as soon as they met, Shen Xiangnan fixed his eyes on Xiaochuan and asked irritably, “What are you doing here?”

Shen Xiaochuan straightened his back. “None of your business!”

Shen Xiangnan snapped back, “This is my second uncle’s house. If you come to make trouble, of course I have to stop you!”

Shen Xiaochuan made a face at him. “Just because it’s your second uncle’s house doesn’t mean it’s not my second uncle’s too! What’s wrong with your brain?”

“Stop fighting!” Shen Lingshuang burst out from the house.

Seeing the two little troublemakers, she immediately pushed them both outside.

Shen Xiaochuan struggled like fleas on his body, wildly thrashing. “Don’t touch me! I can walk on my own!”

Shen Xiangnan pressed his lips tight, his face chapped from the cold, full of guilt. “Lingshuang, I was wrong…”

Shen Lingshuang scowled and drove them both beyond the courtyard gate before stopping.

“Don’t you know my brother patrols the mountain at night and sleeps during the day?” she scolded.

Shen Xiangnan bowed his head. “I know…”

Shen Lingshuang snapped, “You know and you still argue with him!”

Shen Xiaochuan looked smug beside her.

But his pride lasted only two seconds before Shen Lingshuang unleashed a barrage of curses.

“And you! What are you doing here? Didn’t you just call me a weakling? Who gave you the nerve to come back?”

With that, Shen Lingshuang blew a big puff of breath at Shen Xiaochuan. “You like coming here so much? I’ll give you some of my germs!”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Shen Xiaochuan’s expression was as if he had seen the grim reaper.

He covered his mouth and nose, stepping back several paces.

Even so, his little face under his palm instantly scrunched up.

He looked like a round, bitter melon.

“Shen Lingshuang, you want to kill me!” Shen Xiaochuan’s chest heaved as though poisoned. “My chest hurts, my head hurts... I’m done for... I’m going to die…”

The other children pressed against the courtyard gate, watching the spectacle.

Seeing Shen Xiaochuan like that, each child’s eyes widened.

Spotting an audience, Shen Xiaochuan weakened further.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

He had only meant to fake a cough, but after several fits, he suddenly felt his throat itch and a buzzing in his chest, as if he truly were sick!

Shen Xiaochuan burst into tears. “Shen Lingshuang, you wicked witch! You deliberately gave me your germs!”

He even warned the other children kindly, “Everyone run! Shen Lingshuang, this sickly girl, will get us all sick!”

...

Shen Xiaochuan flailed his arms and legs, but the other children remained unmoved.

Shen Xiaochuan: “......”

Growing desperate, “Aren’t you afraid of dying?!”

The others ignored him and tightly covered their mouths.

Shen Xiaochuan was furious!

What was going on?

Had a broken radio really bribed them all?

Shen Lingshuang deliberately stepped forward again, threatening him, “Are you going or not? If you don’t leave, I’ll keep spreading my germs!”

“Ahh!” Shen Xiaochuan pinched his nose and finally took off running.

Shen Lingshuang turned away and looked at Shen Xiangnan. “What about you?”

“Sister, I won’t argue anymore. I swear I won’t!” Shen Xiangnan swore, revealing a glaring patch on his elbow.

At that moment, Shen Xiangdong jumped out from behind the gate, trembling as he defended his younger brother. “Lingshuang, I also promise on Xiangnan’s behalf! He won’t fight anymore…”

Only then did Shen Lingshuang relent. “Fine, then go practice your exercises!”

Shen Xiangdong held his breath and followed with a stiff resolve.

But Shen Xiangnan’s steps were light and bouncy like a little rabbit.

Shen Xiangdong was puzzled and grabbed his brother. “We just got scolded. How can you forget so quickly?”

“Brother! Don’t you think Lingshuang is really cool now?” Shen Xiangnan’s eyes sparkled. “She’s just like those people in the movies we watched years ago on the youth team! What were they called? Iron… Oh right, the Iron Lady!”

Shen Xiangdong frowned. “Your memory isn’t this good when you study, but you remember every bit of those few movies…”

“Brother, just say if she’s like that or not!” Shen Xiangnan grew more excited. “I always thought Lingshuang was different from others. Now I see, she’s even more extraordinary!”

He barely finished before hopping back into the courtyard.

Shen Xiangdong sighed quietly behind him, “Extraordinary? She’s just unruly and disobedient… What family’s girl is like her…”

...

By mid-morning, Shen Aodong and Gu Xianglin woke from their nap and began setting the table for lunch.

But just then, a commotion broke out again before the gate.

“Li Lanfang! Why are you coming after me? How can you be so heartless as to try to harm our Xiaochuan?”

“He’s the youngest son I barely managed to raise!”

“No matter what grievances you have against me, you can’t take it out on a nine-year-old child!”