Chapter 57: The Du Family’s Loyalty

Returning once more to the spot where the roe deer had fallen, they found the wounded animal already lifeless from blood loss. Grandpa Du Yun looked at the dead deer and, without much regret, reached out to begin handling it. After all, roe deer were common in these mountains—usually skinned and eaten. Whether alive or dead, there was little difference.

“Come on, let’s go home!” Grandpa Du Yun gazed at the hefty, sixty or seventy-pound deer, feeling pure delight in his heart. Such a large catch—his wife would surely be pleased. In previous years, whatever they brought back was sold to pay off debts, but now those burdens were gone. Perhaps this time the family could keep the deer for themselves.

His spirits high, Grandpa Du Yun worked with renewed vigor. He tied the deer’s legs together with rope, broke two sturdy branches to form a carry pole, and together with Du Huai, hoisted the deer up. They walked unsteadily down the mountain, smiles spreading across their faces.

“Grandpa, are you tired? Do you want me to carry it for a while?” Halfway down, Grandpa Du Yun was already breathing heavily. Du Yun, carrying a basket of rabbits on her back, couldn’t help but ask as she noticed her grandfather’s fatigue.

“No need. I’m not that old yet! You little girl, could you really carry something this heavy?” Grandpa Du Yun laughed heartily, his face radiant with satisfaction thanks to their bounty.

“Hehe, I couldn’t carry it. I’ll just keep an eye out for more rabbits or pheasants and see if I can bag a few more.” Du Yun giggled. She was coming to terms with her small stature; though she looked energetic and wasn’t lacking in ability, she still wasn’t as strong as the men.

She recalled climbing mountains in the zombie world, and even just now weighing the deer—a sense of weakness lingered. With this realization, she felt she ought to strengthen her physical abilities.

As they descended, Du Yun pondered ways to improve her fitness while scanning the surroundings. Whether it was luck or something else, she managed to shoot two more pheasants and another rabbit.

With their spoils growing, all three wore broad smiles. Even their heavy steps seemed lighter. Not long after, they appeared at the entrance of Lotus River Village, carrying their deer under the golden rays of the setting sun.

“Hey, did you just come down from the mountain?”

“Wow, so much game! Old Du, you’ve really got skills!”

Villagers lounging at the entrance—young and old alike—gathered around, their eyes shining as they stared at the deer Grandpa Du Yun and his companions carried.

“It’s been ages since anyone in Lotus River caught a roe deer this size,” said an elderly man, puffing on his pipe, full of envy.

“Exactly! Such a big deer must be worth a lot,” a grandmother holding her grandson chimed in, her face showing jealousy.

“Haha, it’s not that big—sixty or seventy pounds at most! Once it’s skinned, there won’t be much left,” Grandpa Du Yun replied, unable to hide his pride.

For years, their family had hunted, but never dared bring game into the village, always hauling it straight to the county town to sell and pay off debts. Now the debts were gone, and with such a catch, Grandpa Du Yun wanted nothing more than to parade the deer through the village, basking in pride.

“Old Du, you’ll have to sell this deer to pay off your debts, right?” Someone, sour from seeing Grandpa Du Yun’s satisfaction, couldn’t resist a jab.

Mention of debts dampened Grandpa Du Yun’s mood, his smile fading. Du Huai’s face clouded as well; they’d worked tirelessly for years to pay what they owed, never even saving enough for marriage, and the future remained uncertain.

Du Yun wanted to retort but didn’t know who the speaker was, nor the details of the family’s debts. Just as she was about to speak, a loud voice called out from the crowd.

“You’re absolutely right! The Du family is honest—if it meant starving, they’d still pay their debts. Now the debts are settled, and finally, what’s hunted can go on their own table!”

“Grandma!” Du Yun called joyfully. Her grandmother’s arrival was perfectly timed.

“Hello, my dear granddaughter!” Grandma Du Yun smiled, walking over to her husband and Du Huai. Seeing the deer they carried, her eyebrows shot up in delight.

“Oh my, such a huge roe deer! That’s a lot of meat. Keep it, and I bet we’ll still have some left by New Year!” She slapped her thigh and laughed exuberantly.

“Come on, let’s go home! Some people can’t pay off their own debts and hate to see others do well. If your own rear is dirty, don’t stare at someone else’s trousers!” Grandma Du Yun’s words were crude but unexpectedly effective, sending the sour-tongued person retreating in embarrassment, fleeing amidst the villagers’ laughter.

“For so many years, our family suffered to pay back what we owed. We scrimped and saved, but look at our grandchildren—they’ve grown strong, all for the sake of paying debts, holding back and never complaining,” Grandma Du Yun, triumphant, seized the chance to tout her family’s virtues, supporting Grandpa Du Yun and chatting with the others.

“It’s true, the Du family is trustworthy. Through years of hardship, others might have defaulted, but they paid up,” said the creditor from the last loans settled earlier that year, nodding in agreement.

Debts from decades ago—most would have forgotten. Yet the Du family not only repaid the principal, but added interest, proving their integrity.

“Exactly. Only a good family could raise such fine children, young but already hunting with their elders.”

“That boy is great—is he the second son? My sister in the next village has a daughter…”

“I prefer their eldest, apprenticing in the county town.”

Grandma Du Yun, hearing the villagers’ praise, felt elated. Looking at the deer and Du Yun’s heavy basket, she felt as if walking on clouds, floating with pride.

“Oh my, a big roe deer, two large rabbits, two pheasants, and a whole nest of baby rabbits—so much food! Come on, let’s go home and stew some meat!” Her voice rang out, cheerful and strong, as she strode ahead, head held high and spirits soaring.