Chapter 31: Boss Su Returns Home

Su Yanwen did not care in the slightest about how Su Xing was doing. Nothing mattered as much as that howl they had just heard.

Cao'er was pale with fright, clutching Su Yanwen’s leg with eyes full of terror. Zhao Yue'e’s expression was grim; she gripped the corner of her clothes tightly, looked at Su Yanwen with deep worry, and whispered, "Is it that wolf that was crouching at the mouth of the cave?"

Even though Su Yanwen had claimed that the wolf was dead, he had not brought it back the next day. That fact alone was enough to prove that the wolf was still alive. Otherwise, why would Jiang Beichen have let go of all that meat and a perfectly good wolf pelt?

"Damn Su Xing. It seems the commotion he made earlier attracted it," Su Yanwen said irritably. Ever since moving out of the cave, he had been extremely cautious, trying his best not to make a sound. Now that they could hear the wolf howling, it was possible that the beast had been hunting for them all along.

"The plan to build a house will have to be moved up," Su Yanwen said, looking at the dense pine trees. "If we have ten people, a small log cabin will take at most two days." Once they had a cabin, they wouldn't have to worry about how to expand or live in constant fear.

"Ten people?" Zhao Yue'e gasped. Her eyes dimmed, but without another word, she stepped forward, picked up the hunting knife, and began struggling to chop at a tree.

"Cao'er will help too." Although she was scared, Cao'er knew that as long as her father and mother were by her side, she could overcome any fear. Besides, her father had protected her just moments ago.

"This isn't work for you two," Su Yanwen said, quickly stopping them. He immediately ordered them to return to the tent area and then chopped a large pile of firewood to stack nearby. He gave them careful instructions: "I am going down the mountain now to discuss building the house with Dalang. You must be careful up here. First, the fire must never go out. Second, if you see any wild beasts, strike your pots, pans, and bowls—anything that can make a loud sound."

Wolves were generally afraid of fire. Furthermore, the sound of metal clashing would carry far in the wilderness and serve as a deterrent. Since it was still early in the day, it was easier to observe their surroundings. Finally, he told them not to cook for the time being to avoid attracting predators with the scent of food.

After finishing his instructions, Su Yanwen hurried down the mountain. Having made the trip several times, he was now much more familiar with the terrain. With his agile movements and the improved physical strength he had gained from better nutrition lately, he moved quickly. He packed some of the recently caught game into a burlap sack and sped down the mountain.

The village remained shrouded in a stifling, oppressive silence. Villagers were everywhere, scrounging for food; some were even coming to blows over a tiny potato. Aunt Zhang, who was busy stripping tree bark with her child, let out a cry when she saw Su Yanwen. She hurried over and asked, "Where is my Yue'e? Why didn't she come back with you?"

"Traveling back and forth is tiring, so I left them home to wait," he replied.

"Really?" Aunt Zhang asked, clearly suspicious. "But your brother just came down the mountain, and he said there are wolves in the woods."

Because of his recent actions, Su Yanwen had become a well-known figure in the village. Seeing him return, a crowd quickly gathered around.

"Boss Su, are there really wolves in the mountains?"
"How many are there?"
"How big are they? Are they really moving in packs?"

The presence of wolves was a matter of great concern for the entire village. After all, the mountains were too close, and the place where Su Yanwen was living was no longer considered deep wilderness. If they could see wolves there, it meant there was no food left in the mountains. If the beasts charged down, it would be a bloodbath for the whole village.

Su Yanwen nodded, then shook his head. There were wolves, but only one. He didn't understand why a pack animal was alone.

"Boss Su, what do you mean? Are there or aren't there?"

Looking at the sky, Su Yanwen grew even more anxious to build the house. He couldn't be bothered to deal with them and headed straight toward Dalang’s house. He walked away just like that.

"Boss Su, give us a straight answer!" came the anxious, desperate voices from behind.

Someone immediately added, with a sneer, "Why keep asking? Don't you see he’s already come down the mountain?"

"A coward is a coward. He was just lucky before that he didn't run into anything scary. Now that he has, he’s just abandoned his wife and daughter to save himself. Why bother with him? I, for one, hope the wolf eats them so it doesn't come down the mountain."

Su Yanwen’s heart turned cold.

At Dalang’s doorstep, Miao Qin was busy hitting Huzhi when she suddenly heard someone call out "Mother."

"Glue won't help you; do you think I'm afraid of her?"

"You dare laugh at my son? I’ll smash your face in!"

Miao Qin prepared to attack on the spot. Aunt Zhang was no pushover—she wasn't like Zhao Yue'e, who only knew how to cry. Seeing her son being bullied, she rushed forward to fight.

"Ouch!" Miao Qin was pushed and stumbled. In the past, the two might have been evenly matched, but now Miao Qin was shoved to the ground and couldn't climb back up for a long time. She gasped for air while leaning on the ground. Suddenly, she saw Su Yanwen. She was startled at first, then a flash of panic crossed her face, but her eyes darted around and she steadied herself.

A look of triumph appeared on her face as she snorted and shouted, "You ungrateful, treacherous thing! I raised you, and this is how you repay me? You gave the good things to your enemies while your own family has nothing to eat, no salt, and no strength, letting others bully us so miserably!" She wailed, sitting on the ground and slapping the earth.

Su Yanwen felt nothing but disgust and hurried to avoid her. Seeing no reaction from him, Miao Qin paused, then continued, "Are you blind? Don't you know how to strike back?"

"That wouldn't be very appropriate, would it?" Su Yanwen said with a faint, mocking smile. "After all, you are my stepmother. If I hit you, people would criticize me." He emphasized the word "stepmother" heavily.

Miao Qin’s face went white. She said weakly, "You... you bastard! You heartless wretch! With that attitude, you still want to come home? Keep dreaming!"

Su Yanwen rubbed his ears in disbelief. "Did I hear that right? I wouldn't even step foot in your house if I were paid to; why would I want to come back?"

Even Aunt Zhang was confused. She asked, "Boss Su, then why are you here?"

"I'm looking for Dalang," Su Yanwen said. "I need his help with something on the mountain. I’m planning to build a house."

"Build a house?!" Aunt Zhang and Miao Qin shouted in unison.

Aunt Zhang looked worried. "With just you and Dalang, who knows how long that will take? Besides, it’s too dangerous in the mountains. You should just come back!"

Miao Qin burst into mocking laughter. "Hahaha! Boss Su, what kind of pity-play are you running now? Do you think I’ll soften my heart? Let me tell you the truth: when my son went to call you, all you had to do was make your wife serve me well and bring back the food. But now..."

Since there were wolves, it was even easier to manipulate Su Yanwen. "In addition to the daily game, you must give me ten copper coins every month."

"Get lost!" Su Yanwen spat out the two words and strode straight into Dalang’s courtyard.

Miao Qin was choked by his attitude, unable to speak for a long moment. Her chest heaved violently, and she let out an angry roar: "Build it then! Let’s see what you can build! With just you and that soft-headed fool next door, don't be surprised when the house isn't finished and you get eaten by wolves instead! Boss Su, don't say I didn't warn you. Letting villagers into the mountains is a worse sin than killing them. I advise you to behave and do as I say. Don't come crawling back to beg me later, because I won't be interested then!"