Chapter 35: The Weak and Powerless Zhang Xingwang

The shout scared the young wives so much that they almost ran away, thinking that bandits had come. When they turned around, they saw a young man sitting on the ground, looking at them with a look of relief.

At this time, a young wife bravely asked:

"You are the grandson of old Master Zhang, Zhang Xingwang, right?"

"Yes, sister-in-law, come and help me, I hunted a silly roe deer"

When the young wives heard this, they plucked up the courage to come over and check. After seeing the silly roe deer on the ground, they instantly smiled and asked questions.

Zhang Xingwang had come here with a strong breath, and now that he was exhausted, he was so tired that he didn't even want to move a finger. He took a deep breath for a while and then reluctantly answered a few questions.

The person who spoke first was Uncle Yougen's daughter-in-law, who had met Zhang Xingwang once before when she was helping out in the cafeteria.

Seeing that he was out of breath, he took out a can of water from the basket and handed it to him.

Zhang Xingwang drank the water and rested for a while before he calmed down. Seeing the young wives surrounding him, he began to brag about his hunting experience.

He planned to let the villagers know through them that he was lucky to have met her not far away after entering the mountain, etc.

However, the young wives listened very carefully and asked excitedly for details from time to time, because they heard that the hunting location was not far away.

Seeing his embarrassed look, their expressions slowly changed, and even the two sisters-in-law beside him began to whisper in his ears:

"This young man looks tall, but how come he is so useless? He has only walked a short distance, but he is so tired!"

"Of course not. If my husband held one arm in each, he would walk two miles without even taking a breath."

As they spoke, the two of them secretly glanced at Zhang Xingwang.

Zhang Xingwang was also very depressed. Could you please consider my feelings a little? Do you need to whisper so loudly? I can hear you even from two miles away.

And what does the look of pity and contempt at the end mean? Who are you looking down on?

Unexpectedly, several sisters-in-law nearby joined in immediately after hearing this, and the conversation became more and more off-topic, saying:

"Last time you said your husband was like an animal", "I heard that you got married just a few days ago and your bed is broken", "Where are you? I heard that before you had children, your second son was so scared that he didn't dare to go home after dark"...

The topic went off the track with all kinds of gossip and slander. Zhang Xingwang, who was originally depressed, began to listen with great interest.

For gossip, one has to look at the sisters-in-law. Sisters-in-law who have children are even more unscrupulous. Now that this group of sisters-in-law are together, they are completely letting themselves go.

Normally, when doing farm work in the village, both men and women like to speak, and Zhang Xingwang can understand that, and now he is listening to it with great joy.

But who knew that in the middle of the conversation, the topic would turn back to this, and they started pointing and muttering to him:

"Not as good as the old man at the entrance of the village"

"My brother was better than him when he was thirteen years old"

"He's still a big boy. If there's a roe deer like this one these days, my grandmother can carry it back."

It would be fine if they just said it, but Zhang Xingwang couldn't stand it if people pointed fingers and made comments while saying it.

I was about to retort, but when I saw Uncle Yougen's daughter-in-law hand the basket to the sister-in-law next to her.

It didn't seem like he was putting in much effort, but he just lifted the roe deer onto his shoulders with both hands, and walked briskly, calling on a group of sisters and Zhang Xingwang to go down the mountain.

Zhang Xingwang didn't say what he wanted to say. He comforted himself in his heart that he was used to seeing young ladies with thin arms and legs in the future.

It is normal to have some misunderstandings about the power of women in this era, after all, they often do farm work.

He lowered his head and looked at his arm silently, rolled his eyes in annoyance, and followed him down the mountain dejectedly.

Along the way, there was Uncle Gen’s daughter-in-law, who was carrying a roe deer and chattering with her little sisters. Zhang Xingwang felt very uncomfortable when he saw this. How can you respect me like this?

I secretly swore in my heart that I would start exercising when I got back, and I must get back my lost dignity.

Zhang Xingwang followed his sisters-in-law into the village. He regretted it now and was ready to bang his head against the wall because one of his sisters-in-law had gone back to report the news in advance.

Everyone came to see the roe deer. Looking at my sister-in-law who was carrying the roe deer in front of me, looking very proud and confident, and Zhang Xingwang who was in a mess and exhausted behind me.

The words he muttered were not only hurtful to his self-esteem, but also directly insulting to his personality. Besides, there was no gossip these days, so I guess the villagers could talk about this scene for a year.

"Zhang's grandson is already weak"

"It was OK before, but the kids in the city couldn't carry anything on their shoulders or hands."

"I guess I won't even be able to beat my wife after this."

After finally reaching the cafeteria, everyone's attention shifted to the roe deer after Uncle Yougen appeared. Zhang Xingwang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The village chief, Uncle Yougen, looked at the roe deer and said to Zhang Xingwang in surprise:

"Xingwang, you are awesome! You have brought a big surprise to the village. All of us in the village have to thank you very much. Come on! Let's cheer for him!"

The applause broke out, making Zhang Xingwang feel embarrassed.

Afterwards, without any formalities, Uncle Yougen waved his hand, and several men and a few skillful aunts started to process the roe deer.

While everyone was looking at the roe deer eagerly, the village chief called Zhang Xingwang aside and whispered in his ear:

"You killed the roe deer. Your grandfather should have told you the rules, but I can't let you work in vain. Take a roe deer leg and bring it back when you go home."

"Uncle Yougen, that's not necessary, but I have a special situation. Can you think of a solution for me?"

Uncle Yougen was stunned for a moment after hearing this. After all, this was the first time he had seen someone who refused to eat meat. He said to Zhang Xingwang:

"Tell me what you think"

"My eldest aunt's family is having a hard time, they are almost out of food. Can you spare some corn flour? I will ask grandpa to send it over when the time comes. I will be going back to the city tomorrow."

Zhang Xingwang thought that this was a good opportunity to solve his aunt's food problem without having to trouble the old man to step in.

"I think it's okay. I'll mention it to everyone later. After all, it's a collective thing, but everyone should agree."

“I have one last question.”

"You kid, tell me."

"How about the village cook's cooking? Don't waste good food!"

Uncle Yougen heard this, laughed and replied:

"Have you forgotten your uncle?"

"Uncle Daniu?"

"It's Erniu's father"

Then he pointed to the middle-aged strong man not far away and said proudly:

"He's a famous chef in the area. He has cooked roe deer countless times. Don't worry."

Just as he finished speaking, the old man also came over, looked at the roe deer being skinned, and heard Uncle Yougen muttering in his ear for a while. He gave Zhang Xingwang a thumbs up from a distance, then staggered back with his hands behind his back, probably asking the old lady to come over and wait for them to eat meat together.

Uncle Yougen really didn't lie. Not long after the food was put into the pot, a strong aroma of broth spread.

At this time, a group of children had gathered around the big pot, drooling at the aroma of meat, and they couldn't be driven away.

Not to mention the children, even the adults would unconsciously sniff at the big pot and swallow their saliva after a while. Everyone's face was full of smiles.

The sun had already set and a bonfire had been lit outside the cafeteria, with the rich aroma slowly filling the entire yard.