Chapter 113: Seeking Food for the Rest of My Life

Coincidence? Or was it really an attempt to catch a wildcat?

Two questions surfaced in Zhong Di’s mind as he examined the trap. He knew this type well. In these woods, wild rabbits and pheasants were abundant. Though hunting them was strictly forbidden, the reality wasn’t so clear-cut—unless things got out of hand, no one really intervened. Whenever a family craved rabbit or pheasant, they’d set traps, hoping to catch one for their table.

Zhong Di’s own family had done so in the past, back when they still farmed. But since they’d stopped, they no longer bothered. Nowadays, their home-raised rabbits tasted better anyway, so the effort seemed pointless—not to mention, they preferred to follow the rules.

As for the wildcats’ recent gifts, why did he accept them? That was simply the natural order: predators hunting prey. Not eating them would be wasteful, and that he could not abide. Why eat wild rabbits when the homegrown ones were better? Sometimes, after enjoying delicacies for too long, it’s good to change one's palate—just as eating coarse grains is a welcome relief after too much refined food.

But had the wildcat stumbled into the trap by accident, or was someone deliberately targeting it? Zhong Di glanced at the trap, then at the wound on the other wildcat.

The whole process of reasoning seemed long, but in truth, only a few seconds passed.

Zhong Di pondered a moment, and finally decided to take some photos and short videos. He would send them to Chief Xing; whatever action they chose to take was no longer his concern.

His reason for doing so was simple: this might be connected to him. If the trap was set intentionally, it was likely because of him. The short video he’d released previously may have inspired poachers, resulting in this outcome. If that was the case, he could hardly rest easy.

Of course, all would be revealed after investigation.

Carefully, Zhong Di took the photos, avoiding the use of flash so as not to startle the wildcats. Fortunately, the home’s front light was bright enough to make things visible—even the wounds.

When he finished, he put away his phone and fetched the medicine kit. To prevent the wildcat from lashing out, he had Shao Hong bring him clothes and gloves. Once prepared, he began treating the wounds.

First, he removed the trap, then sprayed disinfectant. As soon as the alcohol touched the wound, the wildcat surged up, fierce and wild.

Thankfully, he was ready. The injured wildcat’s companions, possessing a certain intelligence, helped calm things down.

Once the wildcat was soothed, Zhong Di applied medicine—chiefly Yunnan Baiyao and powdered Panax notoginseng, remedies he always kept on hand.

Whether for external or internal injuries, they were remarkably effective.

After applying the medicine, he wrapped the wound in gauze and set it with a splint. The treatment was complete.

The other wildcat’s injury was lighter—just a minor wound. A simple cleaning, some medicine, and a bandage sufficed; a splint wasn’t needed.

Once finished, Zhong Di offered them water mixed with Desert Fairy Bud, then fetched a few eggs.

That was all he could do. He tried explaining to the wildcats that they'd need their bandages changed later, and then they slipped away.

He had felt cheerful, but now gloom weighed upon him. He hoped it was mere coincidence; if poachers were involved and wildcats had been killed or sold, he would bear some responsibility.

With that thought, Zhong Di quickly sent the videos and photos to Chief Xing.

“Shao Hong, where’s Yusheng?” After sending the files, Zhong Di sensed something off. Yusheng often wandered, but it was unusual for him not to return by now—something was wrong.

This was the first time, just after the wildcats came, that he hadn’t heard Yusheng bark. Usually, Yusheng would greet them and drag back any rabbit the wildcats brought.

He’d been so busy tending to the wildcats’ wounds, he hadn’t noticed. Now, settling down, he realized Yusheng was missing.

It felt like having a child who needed no supervision—until one day, you’re distracted by a game of mahjong, then finish and suddenly find your child gone.

That was exactly how Zhong Di felt—frustrated and anxious.

He remembered clearly: Yusheng was there at dinner. How could he be gone now?

“I don’t remember... Oh, right, where’s Yusheng? I fed him chicken at dinner, so when did he disappear? Maybe he went out to play?”

Shao Hong noticed Yusheng was missing too. It was as if two parents had lost their child and didn’t even know where he’d gone.

Woof!

Suddenly, Yusheng’s bark rang out, followed by a thud as the door swung open under his charge.

Yusheng appeared, a rabbit clamped in his jaws, nudging it forward with his snout.

The two looked at Yusheng—so he’d gone hunting, apparently unsatisfied, and brought back another rabbit.

Woof!

Yusheng barked again and nudged the rabbit, making his intent clear: he wanted Zhong Di to roast it for him.

Ah, such is fate! Raising a canine son meant preparing food for him; with another dog, it might have eaten the rabbit raw, but their dog preferred cooked meals.

On the other side of town, Chief Xing lay in bed, enjoying a fresh French prune.

These prunes were deliciously sweet; only in the northwest could one eat authentic, affordable fruit like this. In the interior, they cost dozens of yuan per pound—outrageous.

Perfectly sized, easy to pop into one's mouth, and with a juicy burst that filled the palate—pure delight.

“Mmm, the flavor really is remarkable, such sweetness,” Chief Xing muttered, popping another into his mouth.

Sweet, tinged with a hint of tartness—exquisite.

Just then, his phone rang, again and again, nearly ten times.

Hmm? Who was messaging him?

Chief Xing picked up his phone, lazily at first, but then sat upright.

“What are you doing? You startled me,” Mrs. Xing exclaimed, suddenly alarmed.

It was the middle of the night; suddenly sitting up was enough to frighten anyone.

Chief Xing ignored her and focused on the screen—photos and videos sent by Zhong Di.

After the wildcat population had been discovered, some had suggested establishing a nature reserve, but Chief Xing had refrained, letting things develop naturally.

His reasoning was simple: previously, the population had flourished without interference—what if meddling disrupted their survival?

In fact, this strategy had worked well before.

But the poaching incident was unexpected. Years of harsh penalties had made poachers cautious; even when they did hunt, it was only truly rare species.

It was truly unforeseen. Chief Xing wondered if it was a coincidence, but he leaned toward poaching—the methods were obvious.

After a brief consideration, he made several calls in succession. Investigation was imperative—thorough, without fail. After a moment, he began dressing, ready to act.