Volume One, Chapter 18: Water-Linked Pearls

The bald old man seemed to know that his words weren’t exactly welcome, so after saying just a few sentences to the couple, he turned and went back home.

It was only then that the couple finally pulled Wang Dong inside their house.

In the inner room, Wang Dong finally saw the patient, Xiao Hong, lying on the bed.

One had to admit, despite being bandaged all over his head and body, Xiao Hong still looked quite spirited. When he saw Wang Dong enter, he hurriedly expressed his thanks and even tried to get out of bed, but Wang Dong quickly stopped him.

Old Hei brought out a plate of pine nuts he had roasted himself, and his wife poured a cup of hot water. Wang Dong sat on the kang stove and chatted with them for a while.

Of course, when away from home, identity is self-bestowed. Wang Dong was no longer a poor mountain herder but the team leader and procurement officer of the Second Team at North 102 Farm.

Old Hei’s real name was Liu Fuquan, and his wife was named Wang Feng. The person Wang Dong had saved was their only son, Liu Hong.

Hearing that Wang Dong was someone of status and background, the couple grew even more fond of him, and Liu Fuquan held Wang Dong’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

“You’re our benefactor, the one who saved our child’s life. You’re a great blessing to our family. From now on, whenever you come to Sanlitun, this is your home! You can stay here anytime!”

Liu Hong was also deeply moved: “Brother, without you… cough cough… without you, my life would have been lost on the mountain. From now on, this life is yours. If you need anything… cough cough…”

“I understand, I understand!”

Seeing Liu Hong coughing as if he might cough up a lung, Wang Dong quickly pressed him back down.

“I get it, brother, I understand how you feel. But now isn’t the time for that. You should focus on recovering your health. There’s a long road ahead, no need to rush anything. Uncle Hei, Aunt Hei, I actually came just to check on Xiao Hong. If he’s okay, I’ll feel at ease.”

Without waiting for their politeness, Wang Dong stood up.

“I have other matters to attend to. You all must take good care of Xiao Hong. I won’t take up more of your time—I’ll be going now.”

He then gave Liu Fuquan a meaningful look.

Liu Fuquan caught the hint, realizing Wang Dong had something he couldn’t say openly. He quickly stopped his son from getting out of bed and instructed his wife:

“Quick, watch over Xiao Hong. I’ll see our benefactor out.”

Wang Feng tended to Liu Hong while Wang Dong and Liu Fuquan stepped outside.

“Uncle, I didn’t just come to see Xiao Hong. I also brought something for you. Xiao Hong left his gun on the mountain. I picked it up when coming down and, by chance, encountered that bear. I killed it on the spot. Here’s the bear’s skin, paws, and some meat.”

What?

Though Liu Fuquan had already sensed the bloody smell from the package Wang Dong carried, he never expected it to be from the very bear that had nearly killed his son!

Though Wang Dong spoke casually, as a local Liu Fuquan knew it wasn’t so simple.

No matter how you looked at it, that was a living bear! When his son was sent down, he was carrying bullets; the shotgun held at most two shots. Yet this young man had managed to take down a bear with two shots?

Noticing Liu Fuquan’s astonished gaze, Wang Dong modestly replied:

“It’s not just me. That bear was already half-dead after Liu Hong chased it. When I found it, it barely had a breath left. That’s why I thought I shouldn’t keep the bear all to myself—I had to share it with Xiao Hong.”

Then Wang Dong pulled the bear skin out of the bag.

“I already gave one front paw to Old Lady Wei. The rest of the skin, the bear paws, and this meat…”

“No, no!” Liu Fuquan interrupted before Wang Dong could finish, waving his hands rapidly.

The man, whose face was as black as a burnt pot, was now faintly flushed.

“Ah, son, you’re too honest. If we accept this, how could we face anyone? I know your intentions are good, but we still have our dignity! You saved Xiao Hong’s life—just that is repayment enough…”

Wang Dong paused, then laughed wryly to himself.

Indeed, his intentions were genuine, but he hadn’t considered the feelings of Liu Fuquan’s family.

“Then how about this…”

After a moment’s thought, Wang Dong said:

“Well… I honestly don’t know how to prepare this bear skin. Could you help me clean it up? Also, I’ll be staying in the mountains for a while. I’d like to use that hunting rifle and borrow some bullets from you. As for the bear meat and paws, just take them as payment. How about that?”

“Huh? Well… you’re welcome to use the bullets and the rifle. Cleaning the bear skin isn’t a big deal. But the meat and such—we really can’t…”

Liu Fuquan shook his head repeatedly.

Seeing Liu Fuquan’s reluctance, Wang Dong sighed:

“Uncle Hei, I only managed to hunt this bear thanks to Xiao Hong’s efforts. He’s injured now and needs this to help him recover. Please don’t refuse, alright?”

Hearing Wang Dong’s sincere words, Liu Fuquan bit his lip.

“Alright! Then keep the bear skin. Benefactor, you…”

“No need for ‘benefactor.’ Just call me Xiaodong, or Dongzi—any of those work. At your age, calling me benefactor would shorten my life!”

“Alright, Xiaodong, come with me.”

Leading Wang Dong into a low, wooden side room, Liu Fuquan rummaged in the dark corner and finally produced two boxes of deer cartridges.

But instead of handing them to Wang Dong, he pulled out something wrapped in oiled paper from a nearby pile of grass.

Judging by its shape, Wang Dong knew it was a gun—and possibly a rifle.

“Xiaodong, that double-barreled shotgun has a short range and only two shots. It’s fine for guarding the house. But if you’re going to stay on the mountain long-term, and you encounter a wolf pack, it won’t be enough. Take this.”

Liu Fuquan tore open the oiled paper to reveal a Type 53 Ma rifle.

This was the first domestically produced Ma rifle, modeled after the Soviet Mosin–Nagant, also famously known as the ‘Water Drop’ rifle.

This rifle was nearly identical to the Mosin–Nagant, so many locals referred to it as the Water Drop. It was a reliable piece.

“This rifle was used by our old man to fight the foreign devils. Don’t be fooled by its age—it’s sturdy! It holds five rounds, better for self-defense than the shotgun. You keep the shotgun to guard the house; take this one up the mountain.”

Without waiting for Wang Dong’s refusal, Liu Fuquan pressed the Water Drop rifle into his hands.

Well, well!

The Type 53 had ceased production back in the 1960s, and many had been turned over to the state to support the war effort. Who would have thought it could still be found here!