Chapter 44: Fragrant Chicken Soup, a Cozy Moment for the Family of Three

“Taoyuan Village?”

Of course, Chu Feng knew that village.

He had seen it many times from afar on the mountain when he went to catch frogs and crayfish.

In Daqian, near Yulong Mountain, there were three villages: Yulong, Taoyuan, and Xiliu.

Among them, Taoyuan Village was the largest.

It had the greatest population and the richest resources.

This was because Taoyuan Village had peach trees.

Although it was just a wild peach grove, and the fruits in autumn were of varying quality, they were still peaches—something rare and precious.

The peaches sold for a good price in town.

That peach grove was located at the border between Taoyuan and Xiliu villages.

Logically, it should belong to both villages jointly.

But the head of Taoyuan Village refused this.

He insisted that since most of the peach trees were within Taoyuan's territory, the grove belonged solely to them.

This led to many conflicts between the two villages.

In the end, Taoyuan Village emerged victorious.

Since then, Xiliu Village dared not utter a word in front of Taoyuan.

However, Taoyuan had no quarrels with Yulong Village.

Mainly because the people of Yulong were tougher.

After all, they grew up at the foot of the great mountain.

Many of them were descendants of soldiers who once guarded Yulong Mountain, naturally fiercer than ordinary folk.

Resources on Yulong Mountain were scarce.

They had nothing to lose and fought without restraint.

Therefore, Taoyuan rarely clashed with Yulong Village.

But this did not mean Taoyuan feared Yulong Mountain.

Having ruled the most fertile lands for so many years, Taoyuan Village held considerable influence.

Even the county magistrate, Liao Ziang, had to communicate with them with a smile.

But when facing Du Dahai, Liao Ziang was somewhat indifferent.

“Are you sure they attacked you first?” Du Dahai asked seriously.

“I have four witnesses, and I’ve already reported it to the authorities,” Chu Feng replied.

“Alright, come, have some wine,” Du Dahai laughed.

Yet the worry in his eyes was hard to conceal.

“Village chief, will this cause you trouble?”

“No. Since you say they attacked first and meant to kill you, then you did nothing wrong.”

In this era, all the wine was rice wine.

Distillation techniques had not yet appeared, so strong liquor was unheard of.

Chu Feng drank it like water, gulping down several mouthfuls before pondering ways to make money.

Hunting to save up money and leave the village.

No matter where he went, he had to do something.

If he could get his hands on distilled liquor, that would be another way to earn money.

The three of them, including Du Cheng, drank until the dead of night before Chu Feng left Du Dahai’s home.

Once Chu Feng was gone, Du Dahai’s usual smile vanished, replaced by solemnity.

“Xiao Cheng, first thing tomorrow morning, go notify the other men in the village.”

“Father… now that there are officials in the village, won’t we get arrested if we act?”

Du Cheng was worried.

“That doesn’t mean we stand by while our people get bullied—especially since it’s Chu Feng. We owe him our lives!”

If not for Chu Feng, Du Cheng might have truly died.

That bowl of chicken soup had pulled him back from the brink.

This was why Du Dahai always looked after Chu Feng so carefully.

“I understand, Father,” Du Cheng said resolutely.

In Yulong Village, no one was ever used to being bullied.

If someone wanted to bully them, they had to prepare to fight back.

From Chu Feng’s usual impression, once the authorities got involved and took responsibility, it was no longer a matter for ordinary people.

He relaxed, carrying the remaining chicken soup as he walked home.

The light was still on in the house.

Before he reached the door, his clumsy dog’s barking sounded.

It continued until it caught sight of Chu Feng, then stopped.

Excitedly, it ran over and circled around Chu Feng’s legs.

“Hooow!”

Huahua also followed, circling Chu Feng.

Huahua even jumped up onto Chu Feng’s pants and started climbing toward his shoulder.

“Get down! I have chicken soup in my hand; don’t spill it,” Chu Feng hurriedly slapped Huahua down.

Then he carefully approached the door.

Before he could reach it, Zhou Xiaoxiao had already opened it.

Seeing Chu Feng, she quickly came forward and took the bowl from his hands.

When Chu Feng ate at Du Dahai’s house, Du Dahai’s wife had already visited Chu Feng’s home to talk with Zhou Xiaoxiao.

Otherwise, Zhou Xiaoxiao would have worried endlessly.

“Chicken soup,” Chu Feng said.

“Wasn’t this chicken supposed to be for New Year’s? Such a pity,” Zhou Xiaoxiao lamented.

Every New Year, having chicken soup felt like such a rare treat to her.

Chu Feng smiled, “What’s there to worry about? If it’s not enough, we’ll catch more. The mountain chickens are still easy to catch.”

“Daddy.”

Chu Miaomiao emerged from the room, her eyes dreamy.

She shivered from the cold air.

“Daddy, you’re finally back. Mom still won’t sleep; we’ve all been waiting for you.”

“It’s Daddy’s fault. Look what I brought you,” Chu Feng said, placing the still-warm bowl of chicken soup in front of her.

Chu Miaomiao’s little nose twitched twice, then she exclaimed excitedly, “Chicken soup!”

When the village children played together, they would brag about who had tasted chicken soup.

Those who had would say how delicious it was.

Other children, including Chu Miaomiao, were very curious about it.

But in truth, chicken soup had little flavor.

For Chu Feng, who had come from another time, this era lacked even MSG.

Without salt in the chicken soup, how could it taste good?

Especially since the food at Du Dahai’s home was always quite bland.

The chicken soup even had a faint earthy smell.

Still, it was far better than the gamey taste of wild boar meat.

Chu Miaomiao drank a sip, her eyes lighting up.

She was clearly very pleased with the taste.

But what she liked most was the meat in the soup.

“Drink the chicken soup first, then go to sleep,” Chu Feng smiled.

“Husband, why don’t you drink some?” Zhou Xiaoxiao saw Chu Feng wasn’t eating and prepared a bowl for him.

Chu Feng shook his head quickly, “No, I’ve already had some. I won’t drink.”

“Drinking some soup after the wine will sober you up.”

So Chu Feng drank another bowl.

The three of them had a hearty meal that night.

Before going to bed, Chu Feng placed the eggs he had brought on the kang bench.

“I wonder when these eggs will hatch. Let’s wait. When they hatch, we’ll have chicks.”

“When the chicks grow up, will we have eggs to eat?” Chu Miaomiao asked eagerly.

“Of course. When they start laying eggs, you’ll be the first to taste them, okay?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Alright, now go to sleep.”

Chu Feng patted Chu Miaomiao’s little head.

Life was getting better and better.

Whether it was Zhou Xiaoxiao or Chu Miaomiao, they were full of hope for the future.

Even Chu Feng himself felt the same.

In his past life, he was an orphan who never experienced family love.

Though life was harder after crossing over, he had a wife who devoted herself wholly to him.

And a daughter who admired and loved him deeply.

What more could one ask for?

But this peaceful life was shattered before dawn the next day.

“What damned forest ranger! Get out here or I’ll burn your house down!”

Outside, a strange voice roared.