Chapter 11: The Entire Village on Alert

Zhang Minde quickly pressed the philtrum of Li Huifang.
When she slowly regained consciousness, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Zhang Yang, take good care of your mother,” Zhang Haiquan had already made up his mind. “Regarding the wolf approaching the village, I’ll have the announcement broadcasted!”
Zhang Yang pointed at the wolf. “What about dealing with that wolf?”
“You shot it, so it’s your prey. Handle it yourself,” Zhang Haiquan said solemnly. “But for now, the fact that you took the gun can’t be told to anyone. When the time is right, I’ll arrange a formal gun handover ceremony for you.”
There were conditions to joining the mountain patrol team, and Zhang Yang knew this.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
It was already a great relief that the captain didn’t punish him for taking the gun into the mountain without permission.
Right now, the most important thing was to comfort Li Huifang.
Zhang Yang said to Zhang Yan, “Sister, go make some brown sugar water for mom.”
The last time they went to the market, they also restocked sugar, oil, and salt.
Though more expensive than using ration coupons at the supply and marketing cooperative, the family would need these essentials eventually.
Now was the perfect time to use them.
Zhang Yang carried Li Huifang back to her room and helped her lie down on the kang bed.
As he turned around, he saw tears streaming down Li Huifang’s cheeks.
“Yangzi! How could you promise me such a thing? You said you wouldn’t go deep into the mountains! Even the last time you hunted the roe deer was dangerous, and now you’ve stirred up a wolf…”
Li Huifang’s fear grew with each thought. “Wolves hold grudges! When they track your scent to seek revenge, what will we do then?”
Zhang Yang’s first thought was: that would be perfect!
A wrong has its source, a debt its owner; it’s best if they come after him!
That way, there would be no need to worry about them harming other villagers!
But he dared not say this in front of Li Huifang. Quickly, he switched gears to reassure her: “Mom, didn’t the captain just say they’d notify everyone to be careful? I also have to rush to reinforce the fence outside.”
Zhang Yan arrived carrying the brown sugar water and offered a suggestion, “Our cellar is big! If wolves really attack, we can hide in the cellar!”
Every household became especially busy after hearing about the wolves approaching.
Zhang Yang worked quickly, raising and thickening the outer fence and reinforcing all the windows in the house. He also helped Zhang Yan tidy up the cellar.

After finishing, he hurriedly ate lunch and headed to Zhao Dong’s house.
His brother had been frightened the night before, and with only one person available to work at home, they might need his help.
But when Zhang Yang arrived, no one was at Zhao Dong’s place.
“Where did they go?”
Zhang Yang wondered, just then a woman walked over from the neighboring yard.
It was Sister Cuilan, whom he had met before.
“Looking for Zhao Dong? He’s gone out,” Sister Cuilan adjusted her hair, her expression a little displeased.
Zhang Yang didn’t think much and only cared about Zhao Dong’s whereabouts. Seeing that Sister Cuilan seemed to know, he casually asked, “Sister, did you see where he went?”
“Where else? He’s definitely at the sent-down youth camp,” Sister Cuilan snorted coldly. “Whenever a few girls call for help, he runs faster than anyone!”
Zhang Yang instantly understood.
Zhao Dong was infatuated with that sent-down youth named Du Shujun, so he was seizing the chance to show off!
“Thanks, sister,” Zhang Yang said, then started to leave.
Sister Cuilan stopped him. “Where are you going? The sent-down youth camp has enough people helping already. Are you going too?”
Zhang Yang noticed she seemed to be seeking help and glanced at their yard.
The fence was still in its old state, showing no signs of reinforcement.
“Sister, your protection isn’t enough. Look at the height — it’s probably still the old design for keeping wild boars out, and after so long, it’s loose and unsafe.”
“I know! But I don’t know how to fix it…” Sister Cuilan’s eyes reddened. “My husband used to work at the mine in town, but there was a collapse and he broke a leg. He’s bedridden all year round.”
As tears threatened to fall, Sister Cuilan turned away quickly, wiping them dry before continuing, “My two sons are still young; I can’t count on either of them…”
Zhang Yang understood.
No wonder the neighbor lady treated Zhao Dong so well.
Their family lacked able-bodied men, making many tasks difficult, so they had to rely on Zhao Dong for help.
But Zhao Dong’s mind was elsewhere, focused on Du Shujun.
Zhang Yang shook his head helplessly, then took the initiative and said to Sister Cuilan, “Sister, if you don’t mind, I’ll come help. I work fast and won’t be any slower than Zhao Dong.”
“Thank you so much!” Sister Cuilan was overjoyed.

Zhang Yang followed Sister Cuilan to the neighboring yard, not even stopping for a sip of water, rolling up his sleeves and starting to work.
Sister Cuilan’s two little boys ran out of the house. Seeing the muscles on Zhang Yang’s arms, their eyes lit up.
“Uncle, you look so strong!”
Zhang Yang smiled brightly. “That’s nothing. If you start training from a young age, you’ll be a hundred times stronger than me!”
“Really?” The two kids looked like they had met a hero, their voices filled with admiration.
Zhang Yang was generous, chatting with them while patiently demonstrating how to bind the fence.
“Watch closely. I’ll only teach this once. Learn well, so when you grow up, you can protect your grandmother and mother with your own strength.”
“Yes!” The two little ones responded in unison.
Zhang Yang worked in that yard until the sun was low in the west.
Determined to help thoroughly, he even repaired and sealed a leak in the kitchen roof.
When Zhao Dong returned from the sent-down youth camp, Zhang Yang was visible from afar.
“I thought I had the wrong person — it really is you!”
Zhao Dong entered Sister Cuilan’s yard and saw the two little boys standing outside. He opened his arms, waiting for them to come play.
However, the boys seemed rooted to the spot, not moving, only shouting a quick “Uncle” to Zhao Dong, then turning back to watch Zhang Yang work.
Zhao Dong was stunned.
What’s going on?
Weren’t these two kids always clinging to him?
Why are they ignoring him today?
He hurried over to Zhang Yang and whispered, “Did they get scolded today?”
Zhang Yang shot him a sideways glance. “They weren’t scolded; you’re the one who should be! Sister Cuilan’s family takes such good care of you. With wolves coming, you ignore them and run off to the youth camp first? What were you thinking?”
Zhao Dong awkwardly scratched his nose. “Hey! Didn’t I just come back? I figured both yards need fixing. I’d come right after I finished at the camp to help…”
Zhang Yang teased him, “Sounds like you made a good impression at the youth camp today.”