Chapter 24 Caught Rabbits.
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Zhao Yuyan offered a knowing smile. Unlike Zhang Yingyue, she wasn’t naive. Liu Chunhua’s comment didn’t escape her sharp intuition; it was clear as day what she was hinting at.
But Zhao Yuyan was no fool. With Song Shengdong sti in good health and Wei Zhilan ruling the household with an iron grip, suggesting something as bold as splitting from the family would only invite trouble–possibly even banishment.
Zhao Yuyan chuckled. “Oh, Chunhua, how can you say such a thing? Yingyue’s life hasn’t been easy, you know. Compared to her struggles, we have it much easier, don’t you
think?”
Liu Chunhua hesitated, then let out a forced laugh. “Well, I suppose you’re right about that.”
Realizing that Zhao Yuyan was far too clever to be drawn into her schemes, Liu Chunhua bit back any further words. Both women, each harboring her own guarded thoughts, fell into a contemplative silence as they continued their labor in the fields.
Despite their deep disdain for Wei Zhilan and the occasional, unspoken wish for her early demise, when they truly considered the possibility of her passing, none of them could bring themselves to feel any joy.
If Wei Zhilan were to die now, it wouldn’t take long for Song Shengdong to marry a widow. That, in tuņi, would only invite a new layer of complications into their already strained lives. And so, even as they resented Wei Zhilan, they found themselves hoping she would simply grow old–old enough to see ear of them with grandchildren, at least.
As for Zhang Yingyue, though she had freed herself from the overbearing shadow of a mother–in–law, her future was fraught with uncertainty. The approaching winter loomed large, and whether her family could/ endure the bitter cold in their ramshackle house was anyone’s guess.
The heavy snow might prove too much for the fragile structure, causing it to collapse.
Song Zhenyu and his family had no idea what happened to Song Lingzhi. As soon as Song Lingzhi left, Song Zhenyu, along with his two sons, resumed tilling the land. With Song Ruying looking after Zhang Yingyue, Song Zhenyu didn’t have to worry.
Song Zhenyu had dug up the ground twice, looking at the thick pile of grass and roots that had been cleared away. The hard soil was difficult to dig through, and if those roots weren’t excavated, his land wouldn’t yield much because the grass grew faster than the crops, so he had to turn out all the roots in one go while tilling the land.
After a whole day’s work, they had only managed to clear a small patch of land not even half an acre. After having dinner and freshening up, the children all went to sleep.
No sooner had Song Zhenyu fallen asleep than Zhang Yingyue gently traced her fingers over the blister on his palm, which had burst open. Her heart ached for him. “Take a day off tomorrow,” she pleaded softly.
With a reassuring smile, Song Zhenyu replied, “It’s nothing to worry about. I’m in good health. The ground may be tough now, but once it’s cleared, next year’s work will be much easier.”
Zhang Yingyue’s fingers lingered over the blood blister as she leaned against him, silent tears streaming down her face. “Starting tomorrow,” she said quietly, “let’s ask Ruying to stop collecting the chicken eggs. We’ll let the hens hatch a brood. If my timing is right, we could have chicks by October. When it gets cold,
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Chapter 24 Caught Rabbits
we can bring them into the house.”
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Zhang Yingyue began formulating a plan. It was like a ben nesting–once the nest had accumulated enough eggs, the hen would stop laying.
Typically, it took about twenty–one days for a brood of chicks to hatch. With today being the eighteenth of August, barring any unforeseen issues, they should have a new brood of chickens by October.
Song Zhenyu worked tirelessly for their home, and the thought of him bearing the burden alone was unbearable to Zhang Yingyue. The eggs that were cooked for her–how could she possibly eat them with a clear conscience?
Song Zhenyu nodded in agreement. “All right. It’s all thanks to Lingzhi for bringing those eggs over. As long as you get to eat eggs, I won’t worry,” he said, his voice filled with quiet resolve.
Song Lingzhi had delivered forty eggs. By noon, five hall already been consumed, leaving thirty–five remaining.
At one egg per day, Zhang Yingyue could stretch the supply to last an additional month and five days. However, the three children would have to go without. They were remarkably mature for their age and wouldn’t complain, even if they couldn’t have any. Yet, the thought of it tugged painfully at Song Zhenyu’s
heart.
He resolved that once they had more hens laying eggs in home, all his children would enjoy eggs every day.
With that in mind, Song Zhenyu eventually drifted off to sleep.
Zhang Yingyue could see how exhausted Song Zhenyu was and chose not to continue the conversation. She gently patted Song Shuying, soothing her to sleep Soon, Zhang Yingyue herself drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
Song Ruying slept beside Song Shuying, and the latter stirred awake in the middle of the night. Quietly, she fed her sister a small amount of the spiritual spring water before lying back down.
By
the early morning of August nineteenth, Song Zhenyu went out to check his traps. To his great satisfaction, he had caught four rabbits. While the other traps yielded no catch, they were still intact, which was a relief.
He carried the rabbits back home and temporarily confined them.
The rabbits appeared lively and healthy. Busy with tilling the land, Song Zhenyu hadn’t had time to visit town. He decided to build a large cage to house them as a temporary solution
When Song Ruying woke up and saw the rabbits, her face lit up with joy.
After breakfast, Song Zhenyu set to work crafting cages for the rabbits. Meanwhile, Song Ruying led her brothers, Song Tianqi and Song Tianheng, to gather seeds and pull grass to feed them.
She knew just the spot–lush, green patches of grass where she often washed diapers, perfect for the rabbits‘ meals.
Inside the house, Zhang Yingyue busied herself making clothes. When she heard about the capture of four 2/4 rabbits, a wave of joy swept over her. Nursing Song Shuring, she murmured softly. “We are truly blessed
11:46 Wed, Mar 26 AB-
Chapter 24 Caught Rabbits
by the heavens.”
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After her feeding, Song Shuying burped a tiny milk bubble and smiled sweetly at Zhang Yingyue.
She no longer worried about the family freezing or starving. The insects that Song Ruying caught carried faint traces of spiritual energy, and there was little concern about Song Zhenyu’s traps coming up empty. The mountain was vast–if one spot didn’t yield results, they could simply try another.
Her role was straightforward: eat her fill and continue producing spiritual energy.
Every day, she would share the precious spiritual spring water with her diligent and kind sister. As Song Ruying’s health improved, she would catch more bugs, allowing her to work even harder. It was a positive cycle.
After finishing the cage, Song Zhenyu stepped inside to check on Song Shuying and play with her for a moment. With a gentle smile, he said, “Shuying. I’m heading to the fields now. Be a good girl and listen to Mom, all right?”
Song Zhenyu found immense joy in talking to Song Shaying, and his youngest daughter responded with a soft, radiant smile. Blinking her bright eyes, she let out a small gurgle, as if to say. Go ahead, Daddy. I send my love to you.
Her innocent expression warmed Song Zhenyu’s heart Every glance at his youngest filled him with renewed energy, as though her presence alone could wash away his exhaustion.
After spending a tender moment with his daughter, Song Zhenyu turned to Zhang Yingyue and said gently, “Take your time with the sewing, my dear. Don’t overwork yourself. I’m heading out now.”
Zhang Yingyue returned his gaze with a warm smile and nodded in agreement.
Before leaving, Song Zhenyu leaned over and said to Song Shuying, “Shuying, keep an eye on your mother for me, okay? If she doesn’t listen to my advice, you have to tell me when I get back.”
In response, Song Shuying let out another gurgle, as if to say, No problem, I’ll make sure to report her
Zhang Yingyue couldn’t help but laugh, her heart brimming with warmth as she watched the playful exchange between father and daughter.
While Song Zhenyu headed to the back hill to continue digging the tough ground, Song Tianqi and Song Tianheng worked diligently alongside him, clearing roots and weeds.
Meanwhile, Song Ruying busied herself helping Zhang Yingyue with tasks like changing and washing Song Shuying’s diapers, pulling weeds, catching insects, and tending to the chickens and rabbits.
The four rabbits occasionally made soft, restless noises Every time Song Ruying came with fresh grass, they froze in fear, their ears twitching cautiously.
With a soothing tone, Song Ruying reassured them, “Don’t be afraid, little bunnies. Go on, enjoy your Incal
The lush green grass was their favorite treat, and soon enough, they resumed nibbling, flowever, Song Ruying noticed one of the rabbits tugging at another’s r. Picking up a small stick, she gently nudged it away, saying with a chuckle, “Grey, that’s not nice. If you pull your friend’s fur, they won’t look as pretty.”
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Chapter 24 Caught Rabbits
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Song Zhenyu planned to sell the rabbits, and their appearance would directly impact their value. If they were bald or scruffy, it might lower their price. For this reason, Song Ruying made it her mission to stop the rabbits from plucking each other’s fur. Each time she intervened, the mischievous gray rabbit would scurry away, only to sneak back moments later to resume its bad habit. She would often catch it tugging at the others’ fur again when she checked on them.
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