Chapter Thirteen: Even Mountain Spirits and Wild Beasts Possess Feelings

“I know what you’re thinking, boy.” Zhao Youde didn’t answer Zhao Ningning’s question. Instead, he turned to Zhang Tiejun and said, “My main reason for coming up the mountain this time is to harvest ginseng. Hunters and mountain runners are different trades. This is a bit outside my usual line of work. To avoid drawing attention, I didn’t light a fire. The rules in Guandong Mountain are strict, especially with these old ginseng roots that seem almost enchanted. I didn’t bring a gun simply because I didn’t want to scare it.”

After a brief explanation, Zhao Youde sighed, “I discovered this ginseng over twenty years ago. Back then, I had just become a hunter. When the Japanese invaders came, life was harsh. Even during those toughest years, I never thought of taking it. But now... things are different.”

“Grandpa.” Zhao Ningning softly called out twice.

“Boy, you saved me, so I should repay you properly, but I really don’t have any extra money right now,” Zhao Youde glanced at Zhao Ningning. “The reason I dared to risk going up the mountain for this ginseng is to sell it and buy some food.”

“The black market?” Zhang Tiejun asked instinctively.

Zhao Youde nodded. “Exactly. In a few days, a group of traders passing through from Changbai Mountain will come by Guandong Mountain, then head to the Russians’ territory. I see you’ve skinned a gray wolf, probably for the black market too.”

“So what do you want me to do?” Zhang Tiejun understood immediately.

“Logically, I should be the one to check it out, but in my current state, I can’t make the trip. Ningning is still young, so I hope you can go with her.” Zhao Youde paused. “If the deal goes well, you get ten percent of the ginseng’s value. How about that?”

The deal sounded fair enough—he was planning to visit the black market anyway.

“When will they arrive?” Zhang Tiejun asked.

“Tomorrow night, at Heixiazi Ditch.” Zhao Youde pushed the red cloth-wrapped ginseng towards Zhao Ningning and instructed, “Ningning, put this away carefully. You go out first; I have a few words to say to this young man.”

After Zhao Ningning left, Zhang Tiejun spoke calmly, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll keep the red cloth ginseng for myself?”

“In our line of work, we’ve seen too many life-and-death moments with wild beasts. I still have some skill in reading people.” Zhao Youde said confidently, “I don’t see any murderous intent in your eyes.”

After leaving Zhao Youde’s house, Zhang Tiejun sat silently by the stove until dusk. Then Zhao Ningning approached with a bowl of wild vegetable soup and some wild vegetable dumplings.

“Have something to eat,” Zhao Ningning offered tentatively.

Zhang Tiejun was surprised. As he took a dumpling, he pulled a piece of smoked roe deer meat from his basket and handed it to her.

At first, Zhao Ningning wanted to refuse, but having gone so long without meat, she couldn’t resist and accepted it.

Realizing her sudden forwardness, Zhao Ningning cautiously glanced at Zhang Tiejun, who was eating the dumpling heartily. Seeing he wasn’t upset, she ventured, “What did Grandpa say to you?”

Zhang Tiejun shook his head. “Nothing much, just told me to protect you.”

“You boys have it so good...” Zhao Ningning sighed with envy.

“What’s so good about it?” Zhang Tiejun looked up in confusion, then noticed Zhao Ningning’s gaze fixed on the hunting rifle behind him.

“I want to be a hunter too, but Grandpa won’t allow it. He says hunting and mountain scouting are men’s work.”

Only then did Zhang Tiejun realize how deeply ingrained male preference was in Guandong Mountain during the 1960s.

“Where are your parents?” Zhang Tiejun asked, recalling the photograph.

“They’re gone.” Zhao Ningning replied casually, but Zhang Tiejun could sense the sorrow and hardship beneath her words.

“I’m sorry,” Zhang Tiejun apologized.

“It’s okay. It’s been so long.” Zhao Ningning shook her head.

Just as Zhang Tiejun was unsure how to comfort her, a seductive “ah ah ah” sound came from outside—like a girl’s coquettish call.

Zhang Tiejun’s brow furrowed sharply. He knew this wasn’t a prank; it was the cry of a fox.

Normally, foxes don’t attack humans, but at this hour, anything could happen.

“Don’t get worked up. It’s here for me.” Zhao Ningning raised her hand to stop Zhang Tiejun.

With a look of disbelief, Zhang Tiejun watched as Zhao Ningning pushed open the door. Through the crack, he saw something limping toward them.

It was a white fox, its fur as smooth as satin, with big round eyes suddenly fixed on Zhao Ningning.

The white fox showed no hostility toward her. It sat down about ten meters from the house, like a gentle puppy.

The fox opened its mouth, dropping a lively crucian carp about the size of a palm onto the ground.

Zhao Ningning gazed at the fox as though greeting a long-lost friend. “It’s been days since I last saw you. Are you well?”

The fox nodded in understanding, licking its lips as if smiling.

Its snowy white fur shimmered softly beneath the moonlight like flowing water.

Zhao Ningning crouched and gently stroked the fox’s nose and back. The fox seemed to relish the touch, wagging its bushy tail back and forth on the ground.

“That’s Xiaodunzi. She’s Ningning’s only friend.”

Zhang Tiejun turned to see Zhao Youde hobbling out, leaning on a wooden staff. He explained, “When this white fox was young, a lynx nearly tore off her hind leg. I saved her, planning to sell her for a good price, but Ningning wouldn’t allow it. So she’s been raised here ever since. A few years ago, some folks from the collective came by. Ningning thought they had bad intentions and let the fox loose. You know, this fox seems quite intelligent—she comes back every few days to check on Ningning.”

“If that’s true, it’s strange she has no other friends. Someone as kind-hearted as her should have many,” Zhang Tiejun wondered.

“Ningning isn’t my biological granddaughter. I found her.” Zhao Youde looked affectionately toward Zhao Ningning in the distance. “Her father was a bandit from Wild Boar Mountain. Back when Guandong Mountain was just liberated and land reform was underway, those bandits caused havoc. Many special agents were sent to pacify them, but the bandits often burned, killed, and looted. Ningning’s mother was from Zhao Family Village and was taken away. When the bandits were finally crushed, her mother returned. Ningning was already three years old by then.”

“That kind of thing...” Zhang Tiejun was taken aback by the story. “Then who’s in the photo?”

“That’s my son and daughter-in-law,” Zhao Youde narrated quietly.