Free Web NovelChapter 442: Chapter 442: Claiming Territory
The events at Daihe Village had passed for Yi Roujing and her group who stayed at the farm. They began to enjoy the pleasures of a summer retreat and let the children enjoy the harvest in the fields.
Bringing along Baozi and Mantou to identify wild vegetables in the mountains, pick wild fruits, and search for wild chickens and rabbits, all of which was done under protection.
Once the children experienced the fun, they couldn’t stay at the farm without going out three to five times a day. For safety, Feng Lishu’s group came up with an idea to take the younger ones down the mountain, letting them play freely and safely among the fields.
Yi Roujing, of course, was in the group venturing deeper into the mountains. Previously, their steps had been halted because of the educated youth incident, but now they were no longer constrained.
The wild boar meat they hunted was partly given away, partly eaten, and the rest made into smoked meat, which would be convenient to carry back later.
Yi Roujing’s goal wasn’t exactly game, as hunting too much in the hot summer could easily spoil. She was more interested in finding medicinal herbs. Having experienced treasure hunting in the mountains, Ding Anmin joined in without hesitation this time.
"I recognize ginseng and know lingzhi; I have rich experience, and you won’t lose out by bringing me along." Those were Ding Anmin’s original words.
"Sister-in-law, if Daba and Xiaobai were here, it would be great." Entering the deep forest, Ding Anmin missed the wolf pack on the Dingping Production Team’s mountain, "With them around, we wouldn’t need to search; they could lead us."
Xu Ancheng, having seen them, knew they were quite mystic and intelligent.
However, the others did not know, so Jiang Bomeng curiously asked about it, and then it was all Ding Anmin’s voice along the way.
"Done talking yet? With your loud voices, you’ll scare all the wildlife away." Ni Yanqing joked.
Ding Anmin stuck out his tongue, Jiang Bomeng awkwardly scratched his head, and the journey turned peaceful afterward.
"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, look, look." As they walked, Ding Anmin suddenly stopped and patted Yi Roujing on the shoulder excitedly, "Lingzhi, there’s lingzhi, isn’t it?"
Ding Anmin pointed at the white fan-shaped object growing on the trunk not far away, "Hey, but how come the color seems different? The ones we found before seemed to be purple, and this one seems fluffy; is it a different variety?"
"They’re not the same kind." Yi Roujing smiled at Ding Anmin.
"I recognize ginseng and know lingzhi; I have rich experience, and you won’t lose out by bringing me along." Jiang Bomeng suddenly imitated Ding Anmin, seizing on the words said earlier.
Ding Anmin, with remarkably thick skin, showed no sign of embarrassment, "I wasn’t exaggerating, just being realistic. I grew up in the countryside, picking wild vegetables in the mountains since I was six. You, living in Jing City, don’t have my experience."
Ding Anmin looked Jiang Bomeng up and down with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Jiang Bomeng incredulously grabbed Xu Ancheng, "Ancheng Bro, your sister has thick skin."
"Humph, a lady won’t stoop to your level." Ding Anmin inquired out of curiosity, "Sister-in-law, what is this? Is it medicinal or edible?"
"It’s versatile and a good thing, it’s hedgehog mushroom." Yi Roujing laughed and explained, and then Ding Anmin joyfully scampered over to pick it.
Hua Yiran also joined with a smile to help out.
"Big brother, I noticed that the future sister-in-law seems to smile more now." Jiang Bomeng slid from Xu Ancheng’s side to Ni Yanqing’s back, whispering.
"Don’t look at things you shouldn’t." Ni Yanqing showed a hint of jealousy, shocking Jiang Bomeng.
"Doesn’t big brother know my thoughts?"
"I know." Ni Yanqing glanced at Jiang Bomeng, "Beast."
The surrounding people laughed heartily, and if it weren’t for being in the deep mountains, one might think they were on a bustling street.
While Ding Anmin and the others were looking for more mushrooms nearby, Yi Roujing went to scout around, with Xu Ancheng escorting her.
"What’s this?" Seeing Yi Roujing digging energetically, Xu Ancheng also started helping.
"Pueraria."
"And this?"
"Notoginseng."
They didn’t find anything more precious, but they did come across a piece of tuber fleeceflower.
"This will be suitable for Mom and Dad." Yi Roujing gathered all these items, as the mountains still held many treasures in these times.
"I feel like my luck is getting worse." Yi Roujing suddenly expressed her feelings.
Xu Ancheng was taken aback by her words. Of course, he remembered the things found when they were in Huaixi County: the game that ran into them, as well as the ginseng, lingzhi, and agarwood—all discovered by Yi Roujing.
"Your luck isn’t bad; don’t overthink or be sad." Xu Ancheng comforted, "Capability is what’s most important, and you have it."
"I’m not sad," Yi Roujing replied calmly, "I’ve been wondering if our Baozi’s uniqueness is because of me."
"So you are worried about our son." Xu Ancheng stood up, gently patting Yi Roujing’s shoulder, "Children have their own fortune, and actually, this isn’t a bad thing."
"Hmm, it’s just my treasure-finding ability that’s gone." Yi Roujing looked up at Xu Ancheng, feeling as lost as a stray lamb.
Xu Ancheng chuckled, gently poking Yi Roujing’s head, "No need to seek treasure; I will earn money, and you don’t need to work so hard."
Yi Roujing’s heart blossomed at his words, "You’re the best, hubby."
"You’re way too much." Jiang Bomeng, originally coming kindly to call the two back, now felt a bit heartbroken after being fed dog food.
"It’s time to go; the hedgehog mushrooms are picked." Jiang Bomeng announced with a hint of sourness.
"Coming." Xu Ancheng picked up Yi Roujing’s basket, helping to carry it, and naturally took her hand as well.
Jiang Bomeng rolled his eyes, thinking he shouldn’t be here; he should be standing with Wu. They were both still single, and he was the younger one with a sense of superiority.
"Let’s head back; no need to go further." Zhou Zeyuan, who was scouting ahead, returned to the group looking somewhat serious.
"What’s up ahead?" Ni Yanqing asked.
"Territory fights," Zhou Zeyuan replied. Ding Anmin didn’t understand, but the others recognized it as the battle of large wildlife.
"Can we scavenge anything?" Wu Guofang asked, knowing large animals were valuable, just their pelts would be worth a lot.
"Even if we could, it would take another one or two hours; when I last scouted, they were just starting." Zhou Zeyuan said, "Besides, we have a few who might slow us down."
Aware of being one of the slow ones, Ding Anmin acknowledged it first, as Hua Yiran and Yi Roujing, although skilled in martial arts, lacked survival experience.
"Should we head back then?" Ding Anmin asked.
"Together. If necessary, we can come back later." Ni Yanqing suggested.
But the area involved in the territorial fight ended up being larger than expected. As they retraced their steps several hundred meters, the roar of a tiger reverberated through the air, and the ground beneath them trembled slightly from the fierce battle. Nearby, they could see trees toppled over.
"This can’t be right, I clearly saw it was a bear," Zhou Zeyuan remarked in shock.
