Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Remorse

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“Uncle, it’s freezing out here. You should head home quickly and warm up. My mother and sister are both at home.” Lin Xiao rubbed his reddened hands together and exhaled a warm breath as he spoke. “By the way, have you finished the wild boar meat I gave you last time?”

“When you go home later, ask my mother to bring you a couple more pieces. That meat tastes so good when stewed,” he added.

He Qingshan waved his hand hurriedly and smiled in response, “We still have quite a bit left. You don’t have to worry about us.”

Lin Xiao knew well that his uncle’s family was reluctant to eat it.

“You have a large family; plain broth every day just won’t do. Grandpa and the others are getting old; their health isn’t what it used to be. Without proper nutrition, their bodies won’t hold up in the long run,” Lin Xiao said earnestly, looking at his uncle with concern.

He Qingshan patted Lin Xiao on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. They’re all elderly and can’t eat much fat. You up on the mountain need to take better care of yourselves.”

Touched, He Qingshan continued, “You’re a thoughtful child, still thinking of your uncle. Just take good care of your family. Out here in the mountains, nothing’s more important than having your loved ones safe and healthy.”

“It’s icy and snowy, and the roads are slippery. Take your time coming down,” Lin Xiao said with concern as he watched He Qingshan’s retreating figure.

He Qingshan didn’t turn back but waved his hand behind him, smiling, “Don’t worry. You do your work well and guard the forest—that’s more important than anything. The whole village is counting on you; don’t let everyone down.”

Lin Xiao gazed at the softly falling snowflakes, the cold wind cutting his cheeks like knives.

He tightened his worn cotton jacket and turned, heading up the mountain.

Each step left deep footprints in the snow, crunching loudly in the stillness of the forest.

Entering the woods, Lin Xiao bent down to carefully select dry firewood. The brittle twigs snapped easily in his hands, and soon his arms were full.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a dark patch on the ground—wolf droppings.

His brows furrowed deeply as he stared at the scat thoughtfully.

“In this bitter cold, food is scarce in the mountains. The wolves have probably come down closer to the village to hunt.”

He knew well how cunning and fierce wolves were; without a good hunting rifle, they were difficult to deal with.

Thinking this, he eagerly awaited Zhao Hu’s return from the meeting, hoping he would bring back a new rifle to provide some much-needed security in the forest.

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At dawn the next day, He Qingshan arrived at Lin Xiao’s home carrying a logging saw, treading through thick snow.

“Yulan, Lin Xiao, are you up yet?” He Qingshan knocked loudly and called out.

Hearing the voice, Lin Xiao hurried outside. “Uncle, so early!”

“Let’s get started on preparing the timber. It’s getting colder by the day. Once the captain returns, we can begin repairing the house,” He Qingshan said, cracking his knuckles.

“All right, let’s go,” Lin Xiao replied, and the two set off side by side with the saw toward the forest.

They carefully searched for trees unsuitable for timber.

“Nephew, let’s choose these twisted trees. They won’t affect the forest’s growth and can be used to repair the cabin,” He Qingshan said, pointing at several crooked trunks.

Lin Xiao nodded in agreement, and they began their work. The saw grated against the trunks, sending wood chips flying.

During a break, Lin Xiao wiped sweat from his brow. “Uncle, I saw wolf droppings up on the mountain yesterday. The wolves have probably come down.”

He Qingshan’s expression immediately turned serious.

“What? You saw wolf droppings and still went up there to cut wood without a rifle? That’s dangerous! What if a wolf suddenly jumps out?”

Lin Xiao sighed helplessly. “Uncle, the rifle was malfunctioning, and I hadn’t had time to fix it yet. If I used it recklessly, it might explode and hurt someone.”

He Qingshan frowned worriedly. “That won’t do. The rifle needs to be repaired quickly. You can’t be without a gun in these mountains.”

A few days later, Lin Xiao finally fixed the rifle. Just then, Zhao Hu returned from the meeting.

Looking weary, Zhao Hu found Lin Xiao and said helplessly, “Nephew, I’m really sorry! The rifle application didn’t go through. The authorities are strict. They only approved thirty rounds of ammunition.”

Hearing this, Lin Xiao felt a pang of disappointment. He had hoped for a new rifle, but now that hope was dashed.

Still, he quickly steadied himself and said, “Thirty rounds are better than none.”

“It’s all right, Uncle Hu. The rifle was a bit faulty before, but I’ve fixed it now. It’s usable. Don’t blame yourself. Getting thirty rounds approved is already something, considering how tough things are nationwide,” Lin Xiao comforted Zhao Hu.

Then Lin Xiao brought up the cabin repairs. “Uncle Hu, the old cabin is full of drafts. I want to cut some trees for repairs. Would that be okay? If so, could you help me get the logging permit?”

Zhao Hu thought for a moment. “Fixing the cabin is important for your safety in the mountains. I’ll help with the permit, but we have to follow the rules—no cutting more trees than allowed.”

Lin Xiao gratefully said, “Don’t worry, Uncle Hu. My uncle and I only chose trees that can’t be used as timber. We won’t harm the forest.”

“What, you’ve already started cutting trees?” Zhao Hu asked in surprise.

“It wasn’t Lin Xiao. I said we should start cutting first,” He Qingshan interjected.

“You’re acting first and asking permission later!” Zhao Hu said sternly.

“Heh! We knew you’d approve, so we cut first to get a head start. The cold’s been brutal; it’s almost frozen the three of us to death,” Lin Xiao laughed as he explained to Zhao Hu.

“Lin Xiao, you still don’t know better. I’m easygoing, but if someone finds out and complains, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Don’t worry! Who’d dare go up the mountain casually now? It’s good the wolves haven’t entered the village,” He Qingshan said, then told Zhao Hu about the wolf droppings Lin Xiao found nearby.

Zhao Hu grew tense. “You must be very careful. I need to hurry back and inform the villagers!” Before finishing, he dashed off toward the village.

After running about ten meters, he turned back briefly. “Don’t worry about the permit. I’ll handle it as soon as I get back.”

After Zhao Hu left, Lin Xiao slung the repaired rifle over his shoulder, along with some animal traps he had traded for on the black market using local goods, plus a few wild chicken snares he had made himself.

He Qingshan followed behind, pulling a sled. The two walked along the familiar mountain path toward the forest’s depths.

The snow lay thick and white all around. Icicles hung from branches like crystal, sparkling in the sunlight with a rainbow of colors.

Occasionally, a bird would startle from the treetops, fluttering its wings as it flew away, breaking the silence.

Lin Xiao watched carefully, looking for suitable spots to set traps.

“Uncle, how about this place? There are plenty of animal tracks nearby—it should be a common path for them,” Lin Xiao said, pointing to a patch of snow.

Clear footprints of various shapes and depths marked the ground.

He Qingshan nodded with concern. “Good, set them here. Be careful.”

Lin Xiao carefully placed the animal traps.

He partially covered the steel-jawed traps with snow, leaving only the sharp edges visible—intimidating in their silent menace.

Nearby, he skillfully arranged the wild chicken snares, camouflaged so well that they were almost impossible to spot unless one looked closely.