Chapter 35 – Silly Pig: Your luck is too good.
Liu Shufeng was carrying a basket on her way home when several familiar village women called out to her. They greeted her warmly:
“Shufeng, your Xiaoman has really made something of herself now!”
“Her married life is thriving, and that son-in-law of yours is hardworking, capable, and treats your daughter so well. He listens to Xiaoman in everything!”
Hearing these words, Liu Shufeng felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Knowing her daughter and son-in-law were doing well put her heart at ease.
“You really had foresight, marrying Xiaoman to Xie Lao Wu. Who would’ve thought he’d grow up to be so handsome?”
“Of course!” Liu Shufeng replied smugly. After all, she had the eye to spot a hidden gem.
“But I must say, Xie Lao Wu has changed so much since getting married. He used to look so dishevelled and unremarkable.”
The former Xie Mingtu had seemed like no match for the beautiful Su Xiaoman. But after marriage, he transformed into a diligent and charming young man.
—
“They’re saying your Xiaoman has a face that brings prosperity to her husband. She’s truly blessed.”
“That’s right! Look at how Xie Lao Wu was before and how he is now. She’s brought him good fortune.”
“I think their lives will only get better and better. Shufeng, you’re bound to enjoy blessings from now on.”
Thanks to Xiaoman and her husband, the village had a new sewing room, saving the women a lot of effort. Grateful for the couple’s contributions, many villagers were eager to say kind words to Liu Shufeng.
Hearing these compliments filled her with satisfaction.
When she arrived home and opened the courtyard gate, the smile on her face hadn’t faded. She was genuinely happy.
“Mom, you’re back?” greeted her eldest daughter-in-law, Yang Yingzi.
“Yes, I’m back!”
“Mom, Xiaoman has really done well for herself,” Yingzi said with a smile. Her improved relationship with Xiaoman meant hearing good things about her wherever she went, which made her proud to have such a capable sister-in-law.
“By the way, didn’t Xiaoman bring back some leather shoes and belts last time? Second Brother sent some items in return today, including a set of orchid-patterned bedding from his factory. He said it’s for Xiaoman. I’ll take it over to her later.”
“Good, thank you for that,” Liu Shufeng replied, her joy deepening. Her second son, who had initially opposed Xiaoman’s marriage, now seemed to accept her husband.
After drinking a cup of water, Liu Shufeng thought about her daughter and son-in-law moving out on their own and giving her a few adorable grandchildren.
—
Yang Yingzi carried the orchid-patterned bedding to the Xie family home. She had heard complaints from her third brother about the poor living conditions in Xiaoman and Mingtu’s room—broken windows, damp and dark spaces, and a general sense of neglect.
But today, she noticed the small house had been repaired. The tiles on the roof were neatly arranged, a new wooden door with a metal lock had been installed, and a window had been added, letting in the autumn sunlight.
Inside, Xiaoman warmly invited her in.
“Xiaoman, I brought you something from Second Brother—a set of orchid bedding. Isn’t it beautiful? You should wash it and use it while the sun’s still good these days.”
The room smelled faintly of sweet osmanthus, adding to its fresh and inviting atmosphere.
Xiaoman took the bedding, thanked her sister-in-law, and offered her a seat on a newly made bench. She poured her a cup of sweet osmanthus water, with a few beige flowers floating on top, filling the air with a gentle fragrance.
Yang Yingzi noticed the subtle changes in the room. A light and elegant tablecloth covered the table, and a bamboo vase held fresh-cut osmanthus branches. The once dark and dingy room now exuded warmth and vitality.
—
Xiaoman and Mingtu had thoroughly cleaned and repaired the house. Mingtu, skilled in carpentry, had replaced the doors and windows and discarded the broken furniture. Using bamboo and wood from the mountains, he crafted simple but sturdy furnishings.
Xiaoman discovered her husband’s hidden talents during this time. Not only was he adept at woodworking, but he could also weave bamboo baskets and even sculpt intricate wooden figures.
He had recently carved her a small, lifelike wooden dog and a figurine of herself. The wooden Xiaoman had vivid features, a gentle smile, and long braids resting on her shoulders—crafted with care and love.
In return, Xiaoman created paper and fabric flowers to decorate the house, even giving her sister-in-law a red silk flower as a small gift.
After Yingzi left, Xiaoman intended to wash the new bedding herself. But Mingtu returned just in time, and she playfully “assigned” him the task.
Obediently, he carried the bedding to the well, washed it, and hung it out to dry.
As he finished, Xiaoman offered him a cup of sweetened osmanthus water and pulled him into the house.
For Mingtu, the transformation of the house was deeply personal. A place he had lived in for over ten years, once dark and lifeless, now brimmed with light and vitality.
And at the centre of it all was her.
Sitting by the window, her foot on the sewing machine pedal, her soft hair framing her face, she worked with quiet focus.
Taking a sip of the honeyed water, Mingtu felt a sweetness that filled his heart, realizing how fortunate he was to have Xiaoman by his side.
—
Later, Xiaoman delivered the finished red wedding dress to Sun Xiaoqiao. It was so beautiful that no one would guess it had been made from an old dress with added red fabric.
When Xiaoqiao saw it, tears welled up in her eyes.
“This is my wedding gift to you,” Xiaoman said warmly.
“Xiaoman, thank you so much!” Xiaoqiao was overcome with gratitude and insisted Xiaoman join her family for a meal.
Though her family wasn’t wealthy, they slaughtered some meat to prepare a hearty meal in Xiaoman’s honour.
Before Xiaoman left, they insisted on giving her a large basket of chestnuts and wild grapes from the mountains.
Back home, she peeled a chestnut and tasted its sweetness, and the tiny, dark red wild grapes were equally delightful, with a tangy sweetness that lingered on her tongue.
Carrying such a large basket of goods back would definitely draw attention.
“With all these sweet chestnuts, it’s worth celebrating a bit,” Su Xiaoman thought.
She returned to the old Su family house, set the basket down, and found Xie Mingtu, who was just about to change shifts from driving the tractor. Grabbing his hand, she dragged him along to the mountains for a chestnut-roasting adventure.
Su Xiaoman had been looking forward to the joys of outdoor cooking for a while now.
Although the countryside was poor and resources were scarce, the surrounding natural beauty was stunning. Rolling mountains stretched endlessly, and in autumn, everything was painted with signs of a bountiful harvest. The mountains were dotted with wild osmanthus trees, their subtle fragrance carried by the wind.
The region’s abundant rivers and streams flowed through the forest, with small waterfalls hidden here and there. Pebbled brooks babbled as they meandered into bamboo groves, and an old bamboo bridge creaked rhythmically underfoot.
“Let’s go somewhere farther away,” Su Xiaoman suggested.
“Farther from the village.”
Xie Mingtu nodded, carrying the large basket of chestnuts with ease as he navigated the mountain path. His strides were steady and swift, while Su Xiaoman, panting for breath, called out, “Can you slow down? Just a little slower!”
They had barely left the village, and she was already struggling to keep up. The uneven, rocky paths, especially near the creek, made walking a challenge.
Clutching Xie Mingtu’s sleeve, she shot a jealous glance at his long legs. Each of his strides seemed to cover twice the distance of hers. Here she was, sweaty and gasping for air, while he remained as composed as ever, even with a basket full of chestnuts on his back.
It was infuriating.
“Manman, do you want to rest for a bit?” Xie Mingtu asked, noticing her state.
She shook her head, sighing. “Forget it. I’ll just walk slowly. Let’s not rest—we’re short on time…”
Before she could finish, Xie Mingtu shifted the basket to his front and crouched down. “Manman, I’ll carry you.”
Su Xiaoman paused for a moment, then decided not to stand on ceremony.
Climbing onto his back, she was quickly whisked away as Xie Mingtu moved effortlessly along the path.
She directed him to a spot near a brook. Once there, they set up a cooking area using large stones to support a pot. Yes, he had even brought along a small pot, along with rice, oil, and salt. After setting up a fire, he went to cut bamboo stalks to make bamboo tube rice.
“Manman, wait here. I’m going to grab something,” Xie Mingtu said.
Before she could respond, he disappeared like a gust of wind, bounding off into the mountains. This was clearly his element.
As Su Xiaoman rinsed the rice and prepared the bamboo tube rice, she experimented with roasting the chestnuts. The bamboo tubes turned black from the fire, and a fragrant aroma of rice began wafting through the air, stirring her appetite.
Just as the bamboo rice was ready, Xie Mingtu reappeared, leaping down with something in hand—a plucked and cleaned chicken.
Su Xiaoman was stunned. “Where did this come from?”
“It’s from the chickens I raise. Do you want to go see?”
She shook her head, remembering the arduous trek here. Xie Mingtu’s “not far” would undoubtedly mean quite a distance. Brushing off the dirt and leaves clinging to his clothes, she thought, No wonder he’s always so dusty despite daily baths. Running around the mountains like this, it’s impossible to stay clean.
“Let’s make chestnut chicken!” she decided.
Originally, the plan was to roast chestnuts and cook bamboo rice, but with the addition of a chicken, the meal turned into a feast.
Soon, the two of them had a large pot of chestnut chicken simmering over the fire. The sweet aroma of the chestnuts blended with the rich scent of chicken, making their mouths water.
Su Xiaoman ladled some into a bamboo tube to take back for her mother before grabbing a pair of bamboo chopsticks and digging in.
The chicken, infused with the sweetness of the chestnuts, was tender and flavourful. The chestnuts were soft, powdery, and sweet. Paired with the fragrant bamboo rice, it was an unbeatable combination.
Both of them ate heartily, finishing the entire pot of chestnut chicken, two pounds of bamboo rice, and the roasted chestnuts from the basket.
Su Xiaoman glanced at Xie Mingtu, her expression indescribable. He was indeed her treasure trove of talents—but his appetite was like a bottomless pit.
“Manman’s cooking is the best,” Xie Mingtu complimented with a satisfied smile.
“How did you cook chicken before?” Su Xiaoman asked curiously, wondering about his culinary habits during his time alone in the mountains.
“Just boiled it with water and salt,” he admitted after a pause.
“Didn’t you add ginger or scallions?” she asked, incredulous.
“Ginger? Scallions?” His blank expression made it clear he hadn’t even considered it.
Su Xiaoman shook her head, realizing how much this man used to neglect the simple pleasures of life. Whether it was his living space or his meals, he had always settled for the bare minimum.
“That won’t do. From now on, I’ll cook you lots of delicious meals,” she declared, patting his shoulder.
Xie Mingtu smiled and nodded eagerly.
The joy of sneaking off to cook together was unparalleled. Su Xiaoman wrapped her arms around Xie Mingtu’s neck and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
As expected, the simple gesture left him both flustered and elated.
He was so easily pleased. Even a small kiss on the cheek filled him with endless happiness.
Su Xiaoman hoped he would always remain this pure and content.
She wasn’t even sure how much Xie Mingtu understood about romantic relationships. After all, the flow of information in this era wasn’t as accessible as in modern times.
For now, though, she was happy with their small gestures of affection—holding hands, a kiss on the cheek. That was enough.
She left Xie Mingtu by the stream to tidy up while she went nearby to gather wild vegetables. Since they had come so far, she figured it was worth taking advantage of the untouched bounty, as most villagers didn’t venture this deep into the mountains. Before long, her basket was nearly full, including a few clusters of wild grapes.
“Mingtu, let’s head ba—” she turned around to call for him, but before she could finish her sentence, Xie Mingtu was already sprinting toward her at an incredible speed.
“Manman!” He pulled her into his arms, leaving her stunned. She had no idea why he was acting this way until, moments later, a hulking black figure emerged from a bush about a hundred meters away.
It was a wild boar.
The massive creature barrelled toward them at breakneck speed, its sharp tusks gleaming like knives alongside its enormous snout.
Su Xiaoman froze in terror, letting out a scream. She knew all too well that wild boars, while technically pigs, were extremely dangerous and could easily kill someone.
Her heart sank. She regretted coming to such a remote place. They had just enjoyed a joyful meal of chestnut chicken, and now it seemed they were paying for their indulgence.
She instinctively tried to pull Xie Mingtu to run for safety, but before she could, he pushed her aside and grabbed a sturdy bamboo pole from the ground.
With a loud *CRACK*, he struck the wild boar square on its back. The pole, as thick as a human arm, snapped in half from the force of the blow. The wild boar let out a deafening howl, its cries reverberating through the mountains.
Su Xiaoman’s heart raced. She was terrified for Xie Mingtu. What should she do? In her panic, she glanced around and spotted the sickle in her basket. Grabbing it, she held the sharp blade tightly in her trembling hand, her ears filled with the boar’s ferocious roars.
Turning back, she saw Xie Mingtu—lean and tall—pinning the wild boar to the ground. Using a large rock, he smashed the creature into unconsciousness.
Her hand still shook as she clutched the sickle.
The wild boar lay on the ground, its coarse black fur matted with dirt and its sharp tusks protruding menacingly. It was a terrifying beast.
But somehow, the man who had subdued it seemed even more fearsome. Xie Mingtu’s usually handsome face was now filled with a raw intensity, his veins bulging as he caught his breath.
It was the first time Su Xiaoman had seen this wild, feral side of him. Her heart pounded, unsure if it was out of fear or something else entirely.
She finally found her voice. “…Is it dead or just unconscious?”
“Unconscious,” Xie Mingtu replied, standing up and stepping away from the boar. He hesitated before approaching her, worried about the mud and odour clinging to him after wrestling with the filthy animal.
“Manman, don’t come near me. I’m dirty—”
But Su Xiaoman didn’t care. Dropping the sickle, she ran over and hugged him tightly. “You scared me to death! Thank goodness we’re both okay.”
Xie Mingtu stiffened, unsure how to respond. His Manman, soft and fragrant, was in his arms, but his hands were covered in mud. He didn’t know whether to hold her or keep his distance.
“You’re bleeding!” Su Xiaoman exclaimed, grabbing his hand.
“It’s not mine,” he said honestly.
After checking him over thoroughly and finding no injuries, Su Xiaoman stared at him in disbelief. “You took down a wild boar without a scratch? That’s incredible!”
“But if it’s just unconscious, won’t it wake up soon?” she asked nervously, worried about the boar “coming back to life.”
Xie Mingtu didn’t answer. Instead, he found some vines and tied the boar securely.
“Are we taking it back? Can people eat wild boar meat?” Su Xiaoman asked, confused.
“Wild boar meat isn’t tasty,” he muttered, a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
Judging by his response, Su Xiaoman could tell he had likely tried cooking wild boar meat before—probably in his usual plain, boiled style—and found it unappetizing. If it had been good, he might have considered raising wild boars in the mountains too.
Her gaze softened as she looked at him. Her “obedient” and “pure” partner was also incredibly strong, quick, and resourceful—like a young leopard who had grown up in the wild.
“I feel like I’m falling for you even more,” she thought with a smile.
“So, do we just leave it here and head back to the village?” she asked. Both of them reeked of wild boar; holding hands as they walked back together, they’d be equally smelly, with no room for complaints.
Xie Mingtu nodded.
“Then why tie it up?” she asked, puzzled.
He hesitated before replying, “Manman was scared.”
Su Xiaoman: “…”
So, because she had been frightened by the possibility of the boar waking up, her considerate partner had tied it up to ease her fears?
“Let’s take it back and see what my uncle says,” she decided. If they returned filthy and smelly, they needed a good explanation for the village. Plus, releasing such a dangerous animal could lead to future problems.
When they returned, Su Xiaoman explained everything to her uncle, Liu Zhaoqiang. He was thrilled to hear they had captured a wild boar alive.
“This is a gift from the heavens!” he exclaimed.
He quickly organized a few villagers to carry the boar back to the production team, planning to keep it until the end of the year and distribute the meat among the villagers.
As the boar was being hauled away, the villagers teased Su Xiaoman and Xie Mingtu:
“What were you two doing up in the mountains to run into a wild boar?”
“Whenever I go up there, I don’t even run into a rabbit that hits a tree, let alone a boar!”
“Look at this beast—it’s got to weigh two or three hundred pounds!”
Su Xiaoman laughed. “If I told you my husband knocked it out, you wouldn’t believe me, would you?”
The villagers glanced sceptically at Xie Mingtu, who stood tall and lean.
Yeah… they didn’t believe it.
It must have been a dumb boar they happened to find while gathering wild vegetables.
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