C2 Where Is the Chicken?

Xia Churan's expression stiffened, her hand pausing mid-stroke on Tang Tang's head.

"You..."

She intended to ask him how he knew, but before she could get the words out, Tang Jin spoke up again.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what the consequences would be if you got caught?"

Tang Jin's face was etched with sternness. He grabbed the chopping knife from the counter, strapped it to his waist, and headed for the door.

As he walked, he glanced back, issuing a stern reminder.

"I'm going to find some meat. You all wait here for me to come back. And remember, do not go out!"

Watching his retreating figure, Xia Churan's confusion deepened.

What was going on with him?

Once outside, Tang Jin made a beeline for the hills behind the village.

Their village, Yongkang Village, was nestled against a modest mountain—not so small, really, with its elevation reaching several hundred meters. Villagers often trekked up to gather firewood and forage for wild vegetables.

Tang Jin moved swiftly. A group of his old friends, just about to head out for drinks, spotted him and called out.

"Hey, Mr. Tang, what a coincidence! We were just coming to find you. Come on, let's go have a drink!"

One friend had already slung an arm around Tang Jin's shoulder, ready to whisk him away.

But Tang Jin shook his head, shrugging off the hand.

"No, I've got things to do. Go on without me!"

Without waiting for a response, he continued towards the mountain.

His friends stood there, watching his back, momentarily stunned.

Usually, Tang Jin was the first to jump at the chance for a drink.

What was going on today?

Was this really the Tang Jin they knew?

Tang Jin wasn't in the mood to worry about what others thought. His mind was consumed with a singular focus: to find meat and bring it home quickly.

That way, his wife wouldn't perish, and his daughter wouldn't resent him. The dreadful events that loomed ahead could be averted!

With rapid strides, he soon reached the back mountain.

Tang Jin surveyed the surroundings. The mountain lay bare. Usually, it teemed with wild rabbits, but now, in the depths of winter, they were all nestled in their burrows, hibernating. Catching one today would be impossible.

There was a good chance of catching pheasants!

On this mountain, there were plenty of small creatures. With the rabbits hibernating and some birds having flown off to warmer climes, only the pheasants were still about.

With this in mind, Tang Jin swiftly used his chopping knife to cut a few slender bamboo sticks, then expertly crafted a trap.

Once the trap was set, Tang Jin unearthed a few earthworms from the ground nearby.

He placed the earthworms on the trap and camouflaged it with some grass. His work was complete.

To expedite the process, Tang Jin set several more traps in different locations.

If one trap failed, he had others. He couldn't afford to waste time.

He was genuinely concerned that Xia Churan wouldn't believe him and might resort to stealing meat from the ancestral hall, so he waited anxiously.

Luckily, fortune favors the diligent. Within minutes, a foraging pheasant was ensnared!

Tang Jin was thrilled. He sprang from his hiding spot and seized the pheasant. It wasn't large, just over a pound, but it was more than enough to satisfy him.

Without hesitation, he dashed home as dusk began to settle.

Little Milk Bun had only sipped a bit of thin porridge at noon and now her stomach was audibly protesting its emptiness.

She had been perched by the stove for quite some time, gazing longingly at the pot.

"Mommy, when will we have meat?" she asked.

Xia Churan stood by, clutching the fabric of her sleeves tightly.

To spare her daughter's feelings, she had kept the pot covered.

Little Milk Bun had been under the impression there was meat inside, but in reality, it contained only the remnants of the midday porridge.

Feeling a lump in her throat and tears welling in her eyes, Xia Churan looked out at the darkening sky, the weight of her worries heavy in her heart.

She hadn't really believed Tang Jin's assurances. He had just left, and she suspected he was off drinking with his no-good friends again.

She stroked Little Milk Bun's head and managed to say through her tears,

"Be patient, sweetheart, we'll eat very soon. Mommy will go get it for you right now!"

After finishing her sentence, she turned to leave but collided with Tang Jin, who had just burst through the door. Seeing Xia Churan safe at home, Tang Jin breathed a sigh of relief and handed her the chicken he was carrying.

"Churan, I've found us some meat!"

Xia Churan eyed the lively chicken, her first thought being that Tang Jin must have stolen it from another household! With the land recently divided, families were lucky to have enough food to eat, let alone raise chickens. Those who could were influential families they dared not cross.

Her expression darkened as she accepted the chicken.

"Tang Jin, whose chicken did you steal? You need to return it immediately!"

In those times, a chicken was valued more than a person. Being caught would mean more than just an apology.

Anxious, Xia Churan watched as Tang Jin simply smiled.

"Churan, I didn't steal this chicken. It's a wild one I caught on the mountain. Take a closer look; it's not the same as a farm chicken."

Skeptically, Xia Churan examined the bird in her hands. It was indeed smaller than a farm chicken, with larger wings.

She let out a half-hearted sigh of relief, still not entirely convinced.

Understanding her hesitation, Tang Jin didn't press further. He took the chicken from her and turned to Tang Tang with a wave.

"Tang Tang, we're having chicken soup tonight! Daddy's going to make you a big drumstick!"

"Yay, yay!" Tang Tang's eyes sparkled at the prospect of meat, her mouth watering in anticipation.

"I love big chicken legs! I really do!"

Her excitement was palpable as she clapped her hands. Watching her, Tang Jin's heart grew heavy with emotion. He vowed to himself that from now on, they would have meat at every meal.

He proceeded to slaughter the chicken, pluck its feathers, and gathered straw from the field to singe away the remaining down.

Tang Jin thoroughly rinsed the perfectly roasted chicken and sliced it up.

Remembering his daughter's eager anticipation for food, he deliberately saved a large drumstick just for her.

He started by stir-frying the chicken, then added water, and a rich aroma instantly filled the kitchen.

Xia Churan, who had been about to start cooking, was taken aback by the sight. It was hard for her to believe what she was seeing.

Tang Jin, who had always been waited on hand and foot, with meals brought to his bed, had never stepped foot in the kitchen before.

What had gotten into him now?

Seeing Xia Churan with her apron tied, looking ready to cook, Tang Jin gave her a warm smile.

"Churan, let me cook for you and Tang Tang tonight. You've been working so hard these years. Take a break and just help me with the fire, okay?"

His smile was so genuine that Xia Churan found herself sitting by the stove, not even attempting to intervene.

Tang Jin expertly chopped the chicken and added it to the pot, his movements fluid and practiced.

In no time, a pot of delicious chicken soup was ready to serve.

Little Milk Bun was already seated at the table, legs swinging in anticipation, eyeing the chicken soup that was brought out, her mouth watering.

"Dad, this chicken soup smells amazing! Tang Tang wants some!"

"Of course, Daddy will serve you," Tang Jin said with affection.

He took a slightly chipped bowl and ladled a generous portion into it, placing the large drumstick in the center for her.

"Enjoy your meal, Tang Tang!"

Xia Churan, emerging from the background, was once again questioning her own eyesight at the sight.

Previously, any delicacy in the house was first enjoyed by Tang Jin, and only after he was finished could they have what was left.

What was happening today? The more she watched him, the more he seemed like a completely different person.