"Whether it's about closing the door to build a car or closing the door to engage in gay activities, it means the same thing. That painter said that always staying indoors confines one's thoughts, and one needs to go out and absorb inspiration. Su Hang is playing with high technology, so he definitely needs inspiration, right, Su Hang?" Uncle Three said.
Su Hang nodded, a smile on his face. Uncle Three's words livened up the atmosphere at the dining table.
After hearing Uncle Three's words, Su Youhua's expression eased, his gaze falling on Su Hang, "If that's the case, then play as you like, but don't forget your responsibilities."
"Don't worry, Dad." Su Hang quickly nodded.
"You, who actually took a leave from school, are really becoming more and more troublesome."
Although Su Youhua was scolding him, there was a hint of pride in his voice. Liu Guifen had praised Su Hang heavily over the phone just now.
In the early morning, sunlight poured over the mountains, as if gilding them with a layer of gold. Breathing in the scent of the grass and trees, and listening to the birds chirping, it was a natural oxygen bar, free from the noise of the secular world, distant and tranquil.
When Su Hang said he was going into the mountains today, Su Xi got up very early, insisting on going with him. Su Hang couldn't resist her, so he took her along. When they left, his father repeatedly warned him and even gave him his treasured old bird gun for protection.
Actually, for Su Hang, the bird gun was of little use, but to make his parents feel at ease, he had to carry it. The gun was made by Su Hang's grandfather, with only two in existence. One was given to his father, and the other to Uncle Three. Both cherished the guns dearly, especially Su Hang's father, who treated it as a family heirloom. He never let Su Hang touch it, but this time, he was willing to hand it over, which somewhat acknowledged Su Hang as an adult. In the future, he would have to take on more responsibilities in the family.
"Brother, do you think Dad is lying to us? There can't really be mountain ghosts in these mountains, right?"
The little girl was bouncing around like a butterfly, her mood clearly very happy. She would jump to the front and then to the back, humming a little song, her heart full of joy. Looking back at Su Hang, Su Xi's face was only filled with curiosity, not fear. This little girl probably wanted to find the legendary mountain ghosts.
The thoughts of the post-00s generation are really hard to guess. Su Hang shook his head and smiled, "If there really were mountain ghosts, I'd like to see one. Catching one and selling it would surely fetch a good price."
"Hehe, Brother, you really have a good mind. Let's go to Black Bear Gully." Su Xi showed her two white fangs, praising Su Hang openly. In her eyes, her brother was the best in the world.
Last night, Uncle Three had told her about the strange things he encountered in Black Bear Gully. Whether it was true or not, Su Xi wanted to see for herself. With Su Hang by her side and the gun in hand, she wasn't afraid at all.
"Walk slowly, be careful not to fall."
Seeing Su Xi bouncing around, Su Hang was at a loss with this little sister. This time, his main purpose for entering the mountains was to gather some ingredients and spices to prepare the secret recipe he got from Cai Jiu Xia, to cook a meal for his parents and let them taste the skills of a national second-class chef.
As for hunting, Su Hang had never thought about it. Although the mountains were not short of game, he had the awareness to protect the ecological balance.
The mountains were well-protected, and there were many wild animals. However, the villagers only hunted wild chickens and the like, rarely touching other beasts.
A few years ago, when Uncle Three started raising chickens, he raised free-range chickens, letting them roam the mountains. That year, he lost a lot of capital, with over 500 chickens left only about 30. They all ran into the mountains.
It was also due to lack of experience. Uncle Three found it somewhat amusing when he thought back. After that, he decided to raise them in pens, and over the years, he had built a considerable scale.
However, the chickens in the deep mountains had become somewhat rampant. Domestic chickens, wild chickens, and hybrid chickens could be easily encountered in the deep mountains. Many tree roots were dug up, so many villagers liked to go into the mountains to hunt wild chickens, and Uncle Three was particularly enthusiastic about it.
Wild chickens were delicious and fresh. If Su Hang could catch one, he wouldn't mind taking it back to stew a pot of wild chicken soup, which would be very nourishing.
Su Hang was bold and skilled, and it was broad daylight. Although the mountains were dangerous, they were not a big deal to him. Whether there were mountain ghosts or not, even if there were, he wouldn't be afraid.
Black Bear Gully.
A forest, a small stream running through it. The water in the stream was small, only slightly larger during the rainy season. The cool, thin stream trickled over the stones in the stream, flowing down to the Su Xi River below.
The forest was dense, and the trees were very lush. This place could be considered a deep, old forest. It was said that bears used to appear here, and there were many, hence the name Black Bear Gully. The village elders said they had seen bears here a few decades ago, but in recent years, they had rarely been seen, possibly having moved deeper into the mountains.
The two siblings entered the forest. Su Xi, who had been jumping around earlier, now tightly followed behind Su Hang, her eyes constantly darting around, a mix of curiosity and fear. She almost clung to Su Hang's back.
The forest was not large but not small either. Because the trees were very dense, sunlight had difficulty penetrating, making the forest seem eerie. Without company, few people would have the courage to walk in such deep mountains, which was why Su Xi looked afraid.
Su Hang found it amusing, thinking that this little girl, who seemed fearless, also had her moments of fear.
In the forest, there was a stone pile, square and about ten meters in length and width, covered with trees. According to the villagers, the stone pile was a bear grave, where bears were buried. However, no one could guess how true this was. After all, the stone pile had been there for many years. It was called a grave, but there was no tombstone, and who knew what was buried inside.
Anyway, the villagers rarely took this path when entering the mountains, as the forest was indeed eerie.
...
—
At the back of Su Xi Village, on a cliff called Eagle's Beak, stood two women in their twenties, both with beautiful faces. They stood at the edge of the cliff, looking for something.
"Senior Sister, we chased from Emei to Leshan, and then from Leshan to this small mountain valley in Tenglong County, but we haven't even seen a single hair of that little guy. Is this information inaccurate again?" The girl in the light yellow clothes, holding a white puppy in her arms, asked the woman in white beside her.