She led the whole village to prosperity by raising koi fish.

Chapter 5: Plenty of Prey

For Zhou Xi, hunting is a very arduous task. Not only does it require chasing prey for a long time, but it also requires enduring the sun. However, with companions chatting and laughing together, he doesn't feel tired.

As an archer, Zhou Xi shot several rabbits in succession; some were white, and some were gray.

Gradually, Su Yuning's heart seemed to be encouraged by an invisible force. Her heart, which had been trembling with fear, gradually calmed down and was replaced by an unprecedented courage and determination. She actually dared to follow behind Su Xi to clean up the prey. Su Dong, who was standing to the side, applauded and cheered for her.

"Sister, how do you cook wild rabbit to make it delicious? I've never eaten wild rabbit before," Su Yuning asked, her face full of doubt and curiosity.

Zhou Xi bluntly stated, "Eating rabbit meat will only make you hungrier, so I suggest you don't try it."

Su Yuning couldn't help but laugh. "Sister, you're not joking with me, are you? I've only ever heard of unlimited food, I've never heard of anyone saying that the more you eat, the hungrier you get."

Zhou Dong, standing next to her sister, quickly explained, "It's true! The more rabbit meat you eat, the hungrier you get. This is an experience our family has accumulated over the years!"

Seeing that Zhou Dong was very serious, Su Yuning finally believed what the siblings had said.

“Uncle Su is recuperating, so why don’t you take the pheasant back with you and have your aunt make chicken soup for him to help him recover?” Zhou Xi kindly suggested.

"This is all thanks to my sister, how could I expect to get something for nothing? I appreciate your kindness, but I'll pass," Su Yuning replied gently.

At this moment, Zhou Xi gave his younger brother a look, and the younger brother quickly took the pheasant out of his basket and put it in the bamboo basket that Su Yuning was carrying.

Su Yuning gave a gentle bow and replied, "Then I'll gladly accept your invitation. Thank you!"

"We're all good friends, no need to be so polite!" Zhou Xi replied nonchalantly.

In the sweltering summer heat, the sun blazed down, enveloping the earth in a fiery heat. Yet, atop that towering mountain, a vibrant and verdant scene unfolded. To Su Yuning's surprise, the mountain not only contained spring water but also unknown trees, and surprisingly, water could even be drawn with a dagger—truly amazing!

The three of them fetched water in the mountains using various methods. Su Yuning used a gourd to collect water, Zhou Xi used a cup, and Zhou Dong eagerly scooped up a handful of clear, cool mountain spring water and drank it down in large gulps. The cool, sweet taste slid down his throat, as if a clear spring was nourishing every cell in his body, making him feel incredibly refreshed and happy.

"Besides spring water and tree sap, what else can quench our thirst in the mountains?" Su Yuning asked curiously.

"Glug, glug!" Su Xi was drinking water, so she didn't respond.

Su Dong helped explain.

“You can collect dew in the morning; dew can be used as a substitute for drinking water.”

Su Yuning slapped her forehead. "Oh dear, how come I didn't remember? I used to drink dew, it was sweet and delicious."

Zhou Xi added with a smile,

"Wild fruits can also replenish water. If you really can't find mountain spring water, you can pick a few fruits to eat. They can quench your thirst and fill your stomach at the same time, killing two birds with one stone!"

Su Yuning nodded, "This method is quite good!"

The mountain spring water tasted so pure and natural, without any impurities or off-flavors. Several people eagerly filled their cups and drank, one cup for you, one gourd for me, and then we drank heartily again.

Finally, the three of them were able to quench their thirst!

Along the mountain path, all sorts of wildflowers vied for attention. Pink and blue morning glories crisscrossed the landscape, while the wheatgrass, a common sight in wheat fields, swayed gently in the breeze with its pale yellow blossoms. Shepherd's purse flowers, growing at varying heights, were also in full bloom. These wildflowers, though unassuming, adorned the entire hillside with their beauty. Su Yuning and Zhou Xi were collecting wildflowers to make wreaths, while Zhou Dong, standing nearby, was speechless, wondering what was so special about them.

"You vain big shot, nyah nyah nyah!" Zhou Dong mocked them while making faces.

The two girls couldn't take it anymore and chased after Zhou Dong, beating him up.

"I was wrong, I was wrong! Please forgive me, ladies!" Zhou Dong begged for mercy repeatedly before the two girls finally let him go.

Further in, you can see tall, straight trees standing amidst the mountains and forests. Some have canopies so dense they block out the sun; others have thick, sturdy trunks with clearly visible grain. Pine, cypress, fir, and other trees intertwine, forming a green ocean. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows and creating a sense of tranquility and mystery.

Besides common flowers, grasses, and trees, the mountain also boasts some rare and unique plants, such as wild medicinal herbs like Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng, which have extremely high medicinal value and are hailed as "treasures of the mountains." In addition, there are mountain delicacies such as mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and shiitake mushrooms, which can not only be used in elaborate meals but also as medicinal ingredients.

Afterwards, Su Yuning discovered a fawn drinking from a mountain spring. Excitedly, she winked at Zhou Xi, signaling her to capture the prey.

However, Zhou Xi did not do that, but simply walked away.

Confused, Su Yuning frantically started running in the direction Zhou Xi had gone, as if afraid of missing any news. As she ran, she kept shouting, "Wait for me! Please wait!"

Zhou Xi stopped and turned around, puzzled, to ask her.

"Any questions?"

"Sister, aren't deer excellent prey? Why did you let it go?"

“I know, deer hide, venison, and antlers can all be exchanged for silver, but Father won’t let us catch fawns.” Zhou Xi’s answer was unusually calm, as if there was no emotion at all.

"Why?" Su Yuning's doubts grew stronger. She frowned and fell into deep thought, trying to find some clues from the complicated threads, but she could not find a solution.

Zhou Xi gazed at the distant mountains in silence, seemingly unwilling to answer the question.

At this point, Zhou Dong, who arrived late, helped to explain.

“A long, long time ago, my father went hunting in the mountains alone. Unfortunately, he got lost in the fog. He was desperate and helpless. Just when he was at his wit’s end, a sika deer appeared in front of him. My father earnestly asked the deer to lead him. The deer seemed to understand him and actually led the way, allowing him to successfully get out of the fog and return home.”

“Everything has a spirit. No wonder Uncle Zhou forbade you from harming the little deer,” Su Yuning replied.

“Let’s keep walking and see if we can find any other prey. If the sun sets, we’ll go home,” Zhou Xi suggested.

"Okay!" the younger brother and sister agreed in unison.

They continued on their way.

Suddenly a wild goat was spotted.

Zhou Xi and Zhou Dong exchanged a glance, then one stayed put and nocked an arrow, while the other hid in the bushes, preparing to work together to capture the goat.

Su Yuning was a little confused at this moment. It was the first time she had seen such a scene, and she knew nothing about catching goats. She could only quietly wait for Zhou Xi's instructions.

Then, several feathered arrows flew out with a "whoosh," and the wild goat, by leaping and bounding, actually dodged them.

Just as Zhou Xi was feeling a little disappointed,

Zhou Dong, who was hiding in the bushes, picked up a thick tree branch and threw it at the goat. By sheer coincidence, the goat was knocked unconscious.

"Amazing! I never imagined Zhou Dong was a hidden master!" Su Yuning clapped repeatedly, praising him highly.

Zhou Dong felt a little embarrassed after being praised by Su Yuning, and her face turned red instantly.

"You two hurry up and help! Once the goat wakes up, we're doomed!" Zhou Xi urged urgently.

So the three of them worked together to tie the wild goat up tightly.

"Sister, what if the goat wakes up halfway through?" Su Yuning voiced her thoughts.

“This is no problem for me!” Zhou Xi said, as he plucked a few blades of grass from the side, rubbed them, and fed them to the wild goat.

"Could this be a hypnotic herb?" Su Yuning asked curiously.

"That's not all it's used for. This is yeast grass. If sheep eat it, they'll get drunk and won't wake up for a while."

"That's good!" Su Yuning replied with a smile.

Finally, the three men laboriously carried their prey down the mountain.

Because Su Yuning couldn't stop thinking about the wild rabbit, she ended up getting one, two pheasants, and a small handful of mushrooms. Then they all went home.

That evening, the Su family's dining table was laden with fragrant chicken and delicious chicken soup. Su Yuning ate the chicken leg with great relish! Old Su, reluctant to eat the good stuff, only ate a piece of chicken and drank a bowl of chicken soup. The woman first served Old Madam Su a small bowl of chicken, and finally ate a wild vegetable pancake with the chicken soup.

"Are you going hunting again tomorrow, girl?" Old Su asked.

Su Yuning replied, "I'm not going."

"What?"

"The Zhou siblings are going to the city to sell mutton, and I want to go with them to broaden my horizons!"

"Alright then, get some rest!"