Chapter 492 - 406: That Black Dog is a Lead Dog (Part 3)

At Zhao Jun’s words, the smile on Wang Juan’s face froze. This was the chicken Black Tiger had killed the day before. They’d had dumplings to mark the Start of Autumn, so they hadn’t gotten around to eating it.

Still, with tears in her eyes, Wang Juan had plucked the chicken. When she cut it open, she found a whole string of unformed eggs inside.

If this chicken hadn’t died, it could have laid so many more eggs.

But what was done was done. Wang Juan could only soak the chicken in cold water.

Last night, three generations of the Zhu Family had gone out on their "expedition." Wang Juan couldn’t sleep soundly at home. She stayed up until dawn, and when they still hadn’t returned, she actually felt a sense of relief.

She reasoned that even if there had been an accident, it couldn’t have befallen all three of them. Since none of them had returned, Wang Juan guessed they had successfully hunted the Black Bear and were in the process of dragging it home.

After all, this wasn’t winter with snow on the ground to make things slick. Dragging a Black Bear along a dirt path would be exhausting. Plus, it was hot. They’d be drenched in sweat, which would naturally slow them down.

With this in mind, Wang Juan fired up the wok, heated the oil, and started stewing the chicken. She wanted to give the grandfather, father, and son a proper reward when they returned, letting them feast on chicken before getting some sleep.

So when she saw Zhao Jun arrive, Wang Juan was filled with gratitude. ’If it weren’t for him lending us the dogs,’ she thought, ’my men never would have been able to get a Black Bear Gall.’

"Auntie, please don’t go to any trouble." Zhao Jun quickly stopped Wang Juan when he heard she was about to boil water for his tea. He had really only come to let the Zhu Family know that the dogs had all returned home on their own.

As for hunting a Black Bear... Zhao Jun didn’t even have to ask. He knew it was impossible.

"It’s no trouble! It’s not often you visit, son." Wang Juan said to Zhao Jun with a smile. "I’m stewing a chicken today. You’re staying to eat with us, you hear?"

"No, I can’t." Hearing this, Zhao Jun quickly got up to leave. "Auntie," he said to Wang Juan, "I just came to tell you..."

Before Zhao Jun could finish his sentence, the sound of barking dogs came from outside the window.

Startled, Zhao Jun spun around and ran outside. Wang Juan plunked the kettle she was holding onto the stove and followed him out.

In the Zhu Family’s courtyard, a rooster and two hens had scrambled onto the top of the wall in a panic.

And at the gate, the three men of the Zhu Family were being held at bay by Cyan Dragon and Black Dragon. The two dogs were crouched low, barking at the men and looking ready to pounce.

"Whose dogs are these?!" Zhu Dashan yelled, looking from side to side. When he had visited Zhao Jun’s home the day before, Cyan Dragon and Black Dragon were still locked in the storeroom, so he had no idea they also belonged to Zhao Jun.

"Here!" Zhao Jun bellowed from the courtyard. The two dogs spun around and trotted over to him, sitting at his feet and waiting for his next command.

As Zhao Jun walked toward Zhu Dashan and the others, the two dogs rose and followed him like a pair of little henchmen.

"Grand-uncle! Uncle." Zhao Jun greeted the two elders first, then gave Zhu Jiang a small smile and a nod.

But the three Zhu men just looked at Zhao Jun, not saying a word, only managing to nod back awkwardly.

They still didn’t know that Black Tiger, Big Fatty, and San Pang had already gone home. They thought the dogs had chased the Black Bear deep into the mountains and had even trekked further in to find them.

The three of them had walked on, whistling for the dogs until their cheeks ached, but the dogs never came back.

So, the three of them—grandfather, father, and son—had come to the conclusion that they had lost the dogs they’d borrowed from Zhao Jun’s family.

This made them feel incredibly embarrassed to face Zhao Jun.

Just then, Wang Juan reached the doorway. She peered behind the three men, but seeing nothing, she turned to Zhu Aiguo and asked, "Where’s the Black Bear?"

"What?" Zhu Aiguo froze, having no idea what she was talking about.

"Juan," Zhu Dashan said, reacting first. "Don’t ask about that right now."

Hearing her father-in-law say that, Wang Juan’s expression changed, and a wave of displeasure washed over her.

It wasn’t for any normal reason, though. She thought that her father-in-law, seeing Zhao Jun here, was afraid he’d have to share the meat and the Bear Gall, and that’s why he wouldn’t bring up the topic of the bear.

That’s right—Wang Juan was absolutely convinced her family had gotten the Black Bear.

Furthermore, Wang Juan was a woman of principle. In her eyes, since they were able to get a Black Bear Gall this time, they absolutely had to thank Zhao Jun. Being so secretive about it was just wrong.

Zhu Dashan had no idea how much drama was playing out in his daughter-in-law’s head. He just said to Zhao Jun, "Zhao Jun, my boy, Grand-uncle has something to tell you."

At this point, Zhu Dashan decided he couldn’t hide it any longer. Bracing himself, he said to Zhao Jun, "Those three dogs of yours..."

Zhao Jun cut in with a smile, "They all came home!"

"They’re not back," Zhu Dashan replied automatically, then instantly caught himself. A look of delighted surprise spread across his face as he stared at Zhao Jun. "The dogs went back?"

"Yup!" Zhao Jun confirmed. "That’s why I came over. I just wanted to let you know that all three of them are back at our place."

Hearing this, the three generations of Zhu men could only look at each other in bewilderment. Zhu Dashan frowned and asked Zhao Jun, "When did they get back?"

"That I don’t know." As he spoke, Zhao Jun noticed Zhu Dashan’s expression looked a little strange. He said to them, "Grand-uncle, my mom has some chores for me to do, so I should be getting back."

Zhu Dashan was too stunned to react or reply. But Zhao Jun didn’t mind. He turned to Zhu Aiguo and said, "Uncle, I’m off then."

Without waiting for Zhu Aiguo to reply, Zhao Jun turned to Wang Juan. "Auntie, thank you for the offer, but I won’t be able to eat here today."

Wang Juan, still oblivious to what had happened the previous night, felt she owed Zhao Jun. Hearing his refusal, she quickly said, "The chicken is almost ready. Let me pack some up for you to take home."

"No, no, that’s alright." Zhao Jun quickly waved his hands in refusal as he walked out of the courtyard. He nodded at Zhu Jiang as he passed, then led Cyan Dragon and Black Dragon away, quickening his pace toward home.

Wang Juan chased him out of the courtyard, waving at his retreating back. "Zhao Jun, come visit when you have time!"

After he was gone, Wang Juan turned back to Zhu Aiguo. "Look at you. The boy said goodbye before he left, why didn’t you say anything?"

Zhu Aiguo, who had been up all night, had a pale face that was now slightly flushed. He gave Wang Juan a long look, sighed, and said, "My brain’s all foggy. I just didn’t process it."

At this, Zhu Aiguo glanced at Zhao Jun’s retreating figure and the two little dogs trotting behind him. "He’s a good kid," he said, "but his dogs are another story."

He seemed to have forgotten that he himself had praised Black Tiger several times.

Wang Juan was taken aback. Then, remembering what had happened the previous day, she shook her head. "Is this just about it killing a chicken? I’ve already stewed that chicken for you. It smells delicious! Think of it as your victory feast."

When none of the three men responded, Wang Juan smiled again. "It’s just one chicken. Compared to a Black Bear, which one is more important?"

After she spoke, she saw the father and son, Zhu Dashan and Zhu Aiguo, staring blankly at her.

Wang Juan was completely baffled, but then she heard Zhu Jiang say, "Mom, what Black Bear?"

...

「Ten minutes later.」

The chicken and mushroom stew was served. A huge platter was placed in the center of the low kang table, its fragrant aroma filling the air.

But none of the four members of the Zhu Family picked up their chopsticks.

Suddenly, Zhu Dashan slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Eat! Once we’re full, I’m gonna go find someone and get a couple of blasting charges. I’m going to blow that damn Black Bear to bits!"