ABPUBALC - Chapter 4

 

Chapter 4: Venturing Further into the Deep Mountains

"Whoosh—"

In the early morning light, a pheasant foraged amidst the mud, searching for food seemingly unperturbed by the forest's goings-on. Suddenly, an arrow sliced through the forest, shattering the tranquility of the scene and piercing the bird's stomach. It fell to the ground with a thud, struggling on the ground while flapping its wings incessantly.

"How about that? My aim isn't too bad, right?"

Today, Gu Qiming and Lin Xing woke up at the crack of dawn to go hunting in the mountains together. Without lingering at the outskirts, they headed straight into the deep mountains.

It was more than just okay. Lin Xing thought to himself that few among the most seasoned hunters in the village could have done better.

"Mmm, that's incredible!"

Lin Xing plucked the arrow from the pheasant's body, then swiftly tied the bird's wings and legs with a rope to prevent it from fluttering. With a deft motion, he tossed it into the bamboo basket on his back.

"Alright, let's head straight to the creek and have a look. We might catch larger prey there." Gu Qiming wiped his arrow with a cloth before taking the carrying basket from Lin Xing's hands.

Today's hunt is for prey to sell, not just eat. If he truly wants to live a life without worrying about his next meal, the small game he's currently hunting is nowhere near sufficient.

He now urgently needs to earn money.

Lin Xing understood and, without a word, began to clear the surrounding weeds with a stick, leading Gu Qiming to the little river he often visited.

After turning fourteen, Lin Xing became a frequent visitor to the mountains. In summer, he would forage for wild vegetables and fruits, and in winter, gather firewood and make charcoal, occasionally going up the mountain to collect timber. During the hardest times at home, he would stretch every wen as far as it could go, hating not being able to split it in two. His struggles have left him incredibly familiar with every blade of grass and every tree in these mountains.

"I'll wait here for now. There might not be any prey coming by anytime soon. You go ahead and do your thing." Gu Qiming still remembered that Lin Xing mentioned needing to gather some mugwort leaves earlier in the morning.

"I won't go far, remember to call me if you need anything." It was Gu-ge's first time venturing deep into the mountains, and Lin Xing didn't dare to let his guard down. Although he wanted to continue watching Gu Qiming hunt, he also knew that staying here wouldn't be of much help. It might be better for him to attend to his own tasks first.

Gu Qiming saw that he looked a bit lost, so he couldn't help but rub Lin Xing's fluffy hair,

He thought to himself: Truly both obedient and sensible.

Shortly after, Gu Qiming saw Lin Xing's neck visibly turning red, a sight that could rival the red berries in these mountains.

He thought again: Really, so easily embarrassed... Why does it seem... cute.

Lin Xing could no longer endure Gu Qiming's hair fondling, so he quickly grabbed his bamboo basket and went off to gather mugwort leaves.

In this season, the mountains are abundant with wild vegetables. The deep and ancient forests here are seldom visited, and in just a short while, Lin Xing has plucked nearly half a basket's worth of wild green onions and purslane, plenty to last for quite some time.

The wild scallions possess a pungent taste, making them a superior choice for stir-fries or stuffing buns, far surpassing the flavor of the green onion grown at home.

There are plenty of mugwort leaves. We can dry them when we get back, and by nightfall, they'll be ready to burn as incense. Fresh ones work too; hanging them around the house can repel mosquitoes, although they're not as effective. Still, it's better than nothing.

As Lin Xing was picking wild vegetables, his thoughts inevitably drifted off again. "Gu Ge's hands are so large," he thought, marveling at how Gu's fingers were a whole knuckle longer than his own, which made his face flush with warmth once more. Sigh, the question remained: should he reveal to Gu Ge that he is a Shuang'er?

After Lin Xing left, Gu Qiming found a patch of grass with a better viewpoint to crouch in ambush. It allowed him to see his prey without hindering his archery.

Gu Qiming was intent on hunting something big. Along the way, he spotted a wild rabbit coming to drink water but dared not make a move, fearing that any movement would beat the grass and alarm the snake.[e/n: 打草惊蛇 / dǎ cǎo jīng shé : lit. beat the grass to scare the snake (idiom); fig. to inadvertently alert an enemy; to punish sb as a warning to others ] '

Here it comes!

It was a sika deer, and not a small one at that.

Gu Qiming carefully positioned his bow, unconsciously slowing his breathing as he aimed at the neck, swiftly releasing the arrow. The sika deer, hit in the neck and panicked, started to dash about wildly. Seizing the moment, Gu Qiming aimed again, focusing on the deer's staggered retreat before shooting another arrow. Seizing the opportunity as the deer struggled to move, he drew his dagger and slashed towards its neck.

The sika deer possessed no small amount of strength, especially when it was fighting for survival. Even Gu Qiming couldn't completely restrain it, and was even forced to repeatedly step back by the deer's charge, nearly failing to control it.

Eventually, the sika deer lay on the ground, its limbs twitching, blood still gushing from its neck. Gu Qiming dragged it to the creek, ready to wash away the bloodstains.

The scent of blood is too strong; if it attracts wolves or dogs later, that would be troublesome.

This dagger was snatched from Li Biao[e/n: If you forgot who Li Biao is... He was the one who chased after Gu Qiming in chapter 1!] . Ever since transmigrating, Gu Qiming had carried it on his person, and this time, it came in handy. Quite fortunate- the ingrained instict that led to his drawing it to slash at the deer probably saved him some grief. Gu Qiming thought to himself, "This damn thing finally did something useful."

Gu Qiming finished preparing the deer, and the basket on his back instantly became heavy. He calculated the time and decided it was time to go find Lin Xing.

"...Lin Xing!"

In the empty mountains, even the slightest sound was clear. When Gu Qiming arrived, Lin Xing was still sawing wood.

"Weren't you supposed to be picking mugwort leaves? How did you end up sawing logs?"

Lin Xing wiped his sweat and replied, "I've collected enough mugwort leaves. There isn't much wood left at home. Since this tree has fallen, I'll chop it up and take some back to make some small things."

The trees here are mostly spruce. Lin Xing usually collects timber from the neighboring village for his work. He doesn't really make large items, so a casual collection can last him a long time. Their location, being close to the mountains, means that wood is not very expensive, and one can collect a whole truckload just by paying.

"Will it sell well in town?" Gu Qiming asked.

Lin Xing shook his head. "I don't sell them myself. The carpenter's shop in town usually collects some stools and jewelry boxes."

Gu Qiming understood, isn't this just outsourcing?

"Let me do the sawing," Gu Qiming gave a smirk and smiled at him, eager to show Lin Xing the doe he had hunted. "Take a look at what great thing I've got."

Gu Qiming pushed aside the weeds he had used to cover the prey, revealing a spotted deer lying underneath.

!!!

"Brother Gu is too amazing!"

His eyes lit up. This is really a good thing. With such a big spotted deer, he could sell it for twenty or thirty taels of silver in town.

Gu Qiming smiled. No matter if it's placed in modern times or ancient times, this sika deer is a rare item. Even wealthy people can't eat it as they please, let alone this one he'd hunted.

Perhaps heaven took pity on him for just arriving, fearing he might not survive here, and thus finally showed a bit of compassion.

Lin Xing, despite spending so many years here, was seeing a sika deer for the very first time. He couldn't resist reaching out to poke it. The deer's body was still warm, and it felt different from the animals raised in town; its flesh was very firm.

Gu Qiming rolled up his sleeves and started sawing the wood seriously, while Lin Xing stood by to instruct him on which part to saw. They didn't take back too much wood, as Lin Xing picked out pieces that fit his needs.

As Gu Qiming moved, the muscles in his arms tensed continuously, displaying immense explosive power. He was still wearing the shirt of Lin's father, which was somewhat tight on him. Because it had been soaked with sweat, the fabric clung tightly to his skin, showcasing the beautiful contours of his muscles.

Gu Qiming definitely possessed a physique that could make most men envious, and even back during his time in the army, his build was impressive enough to outshine many.

Unfortunately, only Lin Xing could witness this scene at the moment. He knew his face must be blushing furiously by now. Gu Ge's physique was truly enviable, unlike his own. Despite working out every day, his body remained soft and his strength couldn't match that of a robust man.

Damn it.

He envies too.

"Why is your face so red? Are you tired? Go sit under the tree and rest for a while. I'll be done soon."

Gu Qiming noticed that Lin Xing's face turned as red as an apple, thinking that he might be feeling hot. Considering that Lin Xing had been working for a long time and must be tired, he suggested that Lin Xing take a rest first since he had already gotten a hang of what to do.

Lin Xing silently retreated. Indeed, he was not suited to stay here any longer, truly a case of lust clouding one's judgment. He had already begun to feel somewhat dazed.

He shook his head, dispelling the wicked thoughts from his mind, and began to contemplate what to do with the deer.

Selling directly in town would undoubtedly fetch the highest price, but deer are not like rabbits. Unless it's the wealthy, it would be difficult for a single family to afford such a large game animal. The best option would be to sell to the taverns in town. Game meat, unlike other goods, rarely has a steady supply source, but the price would certainly be much lower.

Lin Xing couldn't afford to think too much about it. The weather was hot, and if they couldn't sell the deer within two days, they would undoubtedly suffer losses.

After Gu Qiming finished sawing the remaining wood, the two of them quickly headed downhill. Noon had long passed, and in between, the two only ate some prickly pears Lin Xing picked. The yellow fruits were sour and sweet. Delicious, but not filling. After working for so long, Gu Qiming felt the gnawing of hunger pangs acutely, his vision blurred.

On the way back home, the two happened upon an acquaintance of Lin Xing's. Auntie Zhang, from next door, was just returning from delivering a meal to her family working in the fields. It takes a great deal of strength to care for their land, so for lunch, she had prepared a large bowl of stir-fried cucumbers and eggs for them. She used lard for frying, giving the eggs a golden hue that mixed with the cucumbers made the dish both fragrant and tender. Wrapped in freshly baked flatbreads, it was a meal her whole family enjoyed.

"Who is this?" Aunt Zhang glanced at Gu Qiming, surprised to see such a tall and handsome young man.

"...Um, Auntie Zhang... he,"

Lin Xing hasn't figured out how to introduce Gu Qiming yet... Saying he's a distant brother isn't quite appropriate. Everyone in the village knows the situation in his family, so where would the brother have come from?

Gu Qiming took the lead and said, "You must be Auntie Zhang. Lin Xing often mentions you. I am Gu Qiming, an apprentice at the carpentry workshop in town. I came here these days specifically to learn some craftsmanship from Lin Xing."

He can lie without batting an eye, but in reality, he is not good at greeting others and doesn't know whether this excuse is believable or not. For now, this clumsy excuse is the only thing he can think of.

"So that's how it is, I was just wondering," Aunt Zhang held Lin Xing's hand and said, "The wood work done by our XiaoLin is really top-notch, our family has been using it for many years and it's still good, so learn well. Come to Aunt Zhang's house for a meal sometime, Aunt Zhang will make delicious food for you!"

Lin Xing nodded quickly and said he would go see her as soon as he had time. Aunt Zhang didn't ask much, and left after exchanging a few pleasantries. There were still many tasks at home waiting to be taken care of.

When they got home, Gu Qiming fetched a basin of well water. They washed their faces before preparing dinner.

Today's harvest was good, so Lin Xing decided to cook something nice. There was a piece of preserved meat left from the Chinese New Year in the house, which was the only meat left. Lin Xing cut the preserved meat, which was about the length of a finger, into thin slices and placed them on top of the rice. After cooking, diced vegetables were added, then topped with soy sauce dressing, making it mouth-watering.

He even specially prepared a whole bowl of steamed refined rice. If used for porridge, it could have lasted several meals. However, now was not the time to be frugal.

Gu Qiming was tending the fire while nibbling on a cucumber. Lin Xing's home garden was rich with vegetables, but there was a notable scarcity of fruits to eat, except for the loquat tree planted in front of the house.

The steamed rice was fragrant, mingling with the distinctive smoky scent of the cured meat. The slices of meat were thin and almost translucent, bursting with a rich, cured flavor with each bite. It was fatty, yet not greasy, a testament to the homemade quality that was leagues beyond anything available in the supermarket.

Not to mention the sauce made by Lin Xing, which is not only fresh and fragrant but also slightly sweet. Gu Qiming couldn't stop praising 'Master Chef' Lin after the meal.

After dinner, Lin Xing picked the cucumbers from the yard, reasoning that they wouldn't taste good if they were left to overripen. He planned to take them to town tomorrow. However, his intention wasn't to sell them. In the countryside, every household grew their own, and cucumbers weren't considered valuable. Instead, he intended to offer them along with the deer as a gift to the tavern, hoping to leave a good impression. Only after he had finished this task did he bring out his tools to start woodworking.

A gentle breeze came through, lightly lifting the stray hairs on Gu Qiming's forehead as he sat under the grape trellis, watching Lin Xing busily at work. The young man's eyes were sharp and focused when he worked, his movements both swift and efficient. Holding a plane, chisel, and a bunch of other tools that Gu Qiming couldn't name, Lin Xing was completely absorbed in planing the wood, and then, he would methodically apply tung oil to the lumber...

Watching intently, Gu Qiming couldn't resist the creeping tide of sleepiness brought on by the hypnotically smooth and repetetive work, and soon found himself lying asleep in the chair.

After Lin Xing finished his work, he placed the two wooden jewelry boxes he had made in a well-ventilated spot to dry in the shade. When he turned around, he saw that Gu Qiming had already fallen asleep.

Now that the day is hot, sleeping in the courtyard won't easily lead to catching a cold. Lin Xing's gaze was unconsciously drawn to the person sleeping soundly. The man had profound facial features, with two sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples, giving him a striking and handsome appearance. Truly, his looks were of the finest quality.

Gu Qiming actually has a rather imposing appearance, especially when he fixes his gaze on someone. It's akin to that of a big cat[e/n: Cheetah? Not... tiger? or lion?? author: cheetah! e: ...], instinctively invoking fear. However, Lin Xing knows the truth—that Gu Qiming is a person of gentleness, both tender and strong.

Lin Xing stared at Gu Qiming, lost in thought. He wasn't foolish; he could tell that this person harbored many secrets. His sudden appearance, strange attire, and apparent ignorance about the place gave him away. Lin Xing, though uneducated and having never ventured beyond Shiqiao Town, was aware that a vast world lay outside. Gu Qiming didn't seem like someone from a small mountain village. Whether or not he would stay here was something Lin Xing couldn't ascertain.

He sighed, pondering whether these concerns were fitting for some debt-ridden, muddy-legged peasant[ 泥腿子ní tuǐzi: lit. muddy legs, fig. country bumpkin, someone who is inexperienced, unsophisticated, or unrefined ], to fret over.

Gu Qiming slept deeply, and by the time he woke up, dusk had already set in. The sun had sunk behind the mountains, and the evening sky was strewn with fragments of twilight. In the distance, one could see wisps of cooking smoke curling up, creating a scene both tranquil and comfortable.

He stretched his body upon rising, then heard Lin Xing's crisp voice call out, "Time to eat, Brother Gu!"

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Lin Xing: Working hard to build muscle.