The Entire Mountain Is My Hunting Ground

Chapter 232: Chapter 204: He’s My Dad

Pickled cabbage buns were simply buns with a pickled cabbage filling, but the dough wasn’t made from white flour—it was made from cornmeal.

Generally, no meat was added when making them.

The reason was simple: no one could afford it.

But Xu Changlin’s family didn’t have to buy their meat.

So, when Xu Baoshan was a child, the only time he had ever eaten pickled cabbage buns with meat was at Xu Changlin’s home.

To the young Xu Baoshan, they were the best thing he had ever tasted.

For a long time after that, even when his own family’s circumstances had improved enough that they could afford to add meat to their own buns, Xu Baoshan found they never tasted as good as the ones made by Xu Changlin’s wife.

Throughout those years, Xu Baoshan always longed to visit Xu Changlin’s home for another meal of pickled cabbage buns.

This longing persisted until he began working. On his very first day assigned to the Forest Farm, Xu Baoshan visited Xu Changlin’s home, gifts in hand.

The sudden visit from their nephew surprised the old couple, but seeing the generous gifts Xu Baoshan brought, the old woman remarked that he was a loyal and considerate young man.

Seeing that it was almost mealtime, the old woman made a polite offer, asking Xu Baoshan what he’d like to eat. "Your auntie will make it for you," she said.

Without a second thought, Xu Baoshan requested the pickled cabbage buns.

As it happened, the old woman had prepared some dough the day before, originally intending to make steamed cornbread buns. Upon hearing Xu Baoshan’s request, she immediately ordered Xu Changlin to go scoop out some pickled cabbage.

Back then, Xu Changlin was still able to hunt in the mountains, so the family had not only wild boar meat but also Black Bear fat.

Thinking of the gifts Xu Baoshan had brought, the old woman got excited. Her hand slipped, and she added a little too much fat.

Black Bear fat was already fragrant on its own. When the pickled cabbage buns were steamed, the rendered fat seeped into the cornmeal dough, making them unbelievably aromatic.

That meal of pickled cabbage buns brought back all of Xu Baoshan’s childhood memories.

From that day on, Xu Baoshan started showing up with gifts from time to time... to freeload a meal.

Once or twice was fine, but over time, the old couple started to catch on. In this day and age, not even a biological nephew would be *that* devoted to his uncle.

Furthermore, Xu Baoshan would start his visits in November and continue coming until the Qingming Festival the following year.

It was a known fact that last year’s pickled cabbage was only good until the Qingming Festival. After that, it was no longer edible.

Taking into account that Xu Baoshan requested pickled cabbage buns every single time he visited, the two elders finally understood.

After that, whenever Xu Baoshan came to visit, the old woman didn’t even need to ask—she would simply steam a batch of pickled cabbage buns for him.

Today, the moment Xu Baoshan heard Zhao Jun say the two phrases "Granny Xu" and "pickled cabbage buns," he realized instantly: ’This kid is one of my own!’

Then it dawned on him. ’If Zhao Jun is one of us, then Zhao Youcai is one of us, Li Dayong is one of us, and Zhou Jianjun is one of us too.’

’Even Farm Director Zhou...’

The more Xu Baoshan thought about it, the more pleased he became. He smiled at Zhao Jun and said, "Come on, follow me. I’ll find someone to show you the ropes."

With that, Xu Baoshan stood and walked out, with Zhao Jun hurrying to follow.

Zhao Jun followed Xu Baoshan out to the third room on the east side. Xu Baoshan pushed the door open to reveal rows of large metal lockers.

Xu Baoshan pointed to the second metal locker from the left against the north wall. He said to Zhao Jun, "This locker is for you."

With that, Xu Baoshan opened the locker.

Inside was a set of measuring rods and marking hammers, although they were clearly used.

Xu Baoshan turned back to Zhao Jun. "These were left behind by Elder Li when he retired," he said. "It’s up to you if you want them."

Zhao Jun laughed. "Of course I’ll take them. Why wouldn’t I? I’d hate to get my new set banged up."

Xu Baoshan glanced at Zhao Jun, inwardly satisfied with his attitude.

Zhao Jun placed his new tools in the locker and picked up the old set. As he did, Xu Baoshan reached up to the top of the locker, retrieved a key and a padlock, and handed them both to Zhao Jun. "Hold onto these," he said. "Don’t lose them."

"Got it, Team Leader. I understand." Zhao Jun took the key and padlock, then locked the locker securely.

Once Zhao Jun had locked the locker, Xu Baoshan gestured for him to follow and led him to the left.

At the end of the corridor to their left was a door. Xu Baoshan pulled it open, led Zhao Jun through a hallway, and stopped at another door. He pulled this one open but didn’t enter, instead shouting into the room, "Ma Liang, come out!"

The words had barely left Xu Baoshan’s mouth when a voice from inside answered, "Coming, Master!"

A moment later, there was a sound of footsteps, and a sharp, capable-looking young man appeared in the doorway.

Ma Liang nodded to Xu Baoshan. "Master," he asked, "you were looking for me?"

Xu Baoshan jerked his head to the side in a gesture, then turned and started walking back the way they came.

Ma Liang hurried after him, pulling the door closed as he went.

The master and his apprentice walked over to Zhao Jun. Pointing at Zhao Jun, Xu Baoshan said to Ma Liang, "This is the new guy. You’ll show him the ropes."

Hearing this, Ma Liang broke into a smile. He extended a hand toward Zhao Jun and said frankly, "Ma Liang."

"Zhao Jun." He shook Ma Liang’s hand, thinking, ’Looks like pulling the "Mrs. Elder Xu" card paid off.’

’In my past life, Li Dayong hadn’t been made Deputy Chief of the Dispatch Team.’

’But Zhao Youcai and Zhou Jianjun were still around.’

’Even so, Xu Baoshan didn’t have Ma Liang mentor me back then. Instead, he assigned an old veteran to me.’

’Some might think that since Ma Liang was young and the veteran was experienced and skilled, the older man was a better fit.’

’In reality, that veteran was just a year from retirement. He’d long since lost any drive, and with it, any desire to suck up to the leadership.’

’When he taught me, he was just going through the motions, and I ended up giving him several packs of cigarettes for nothing.’

’And Ma Liang? Despite his youth, he was the backbone of the inspection team, Xu Baoshan’s star apprentice.’

Just then, Xu Baoshan said to Zhao Jun, "Learn everything you can from Brother Ma. I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving you to it."