Chapter Ten: Riding a Tiger with No Way Down

“Brother, you just got back and you’re going out again?” Zhang Xiaohua mumbled through a mouthful of smoked roe deer meat.

“Yeah, I’m going up the mountain for a walk, see if I can find some berries. Eating meat all the time makes you irritable,” Zhang Tiejun said, tightening his stomach as he tried to fit into the roe deer leather vest.

Zhang Xiaohua shook her head vigorously. “No need at all. I think it’s fine just like this. I’d rather be stuffed with meat!”

After tearing off a big chunk of meat, she burst out laughing. “Brother, it looks like you can’t even get that vest on anymore.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. It’s just a bit tight for now. It’ll get better in a few days.” Zhang Tiejun’s voice grew thin, likely because his belt was tightened too much. “Mom’s handiwork can’t be that bad.”

“Enough, enough. Take it off quickly. It’s been so many years since I made you new clothes, I almost forgot your size,” their mother said with a hint of self-reproach. “My skills have declined. Back in the day, I’d only need one look to know anyone’s size. I’m getting old…”

“It’s fine, Mom. If I can’t wear it, that’s okay. When Xiaohua slims down, she can wear it,” Zhang Tiejun glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, who was still gnawing on the roe deer meat. “You eat so much, be careful you don’t get fat and lose your figure.”

“Fat?” Zhang Xiaohua immediately retorted. “Brother, don’t say anything else. I’d rather die from being fat than from starvation.”

Their mother waved her hand, stopping the siblings’ banter. “Tiejun, come here and let me take a look. I’ll patch it up for you.”

“No need, Mom. I think it fits just right.” Zhang Tiejun leaned in to show off to their mother. “Leather clothes are easy to fix. I just need to stretch it a bit.”

“That won’t do. Someone your size wearing clothes like that will make people laugh.”

There’s an old saying: better to die as a high-ranking official than live begging on the street. The sudden surge of motherly love made Zhang Tiejun tremble all over.

He once wanted to live for himself, but now those words made him feel a long-lost tenderness. Though he knew this love wasn’t entirely for him, it was still deeply moving.

“With you here, Mom, it’s the best,” Zhang Tiejun said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Their mother paused, a strange feeling washing over her as if her son had changed into someone else.

“You’re a grown man now, still no sense of propriety. Go early and come back early, don’t make me worry,” she said, taking the still-warm vest.

Whispered words pierce the heart most deeply.

“Got it, Mom.”

Just as Zhang Tiejun was about to leave the house, the bell at the Qiao family shop rang, signaling everyone to gather for a meeting.

“Brother, did something happen in the village again?” Zhang Xiaohua asked.

“Don’t know. Whatever it is, it doesn’t concern our family,” Zhang Tiejun said, picking up his animal trap and preparing to leave.

But just as he stepped out, a loudspeaker’s voice came through.

“Zhang Tiejun, comrade Zhang Tiejun, please come promptly to the sheepfold south of the village upon hearing this broadcast.”

“Brother, it seems they’re calling for you,” Zhang Xiaohua reminded him.

As Zhang Tiejun hesitated, their mother’s worried voice urged, “Tiejun, go see what it’s about. Don’t delay.”

“Alright, Mom.”

With his mother’s encouragement, Zhang Tiejun no longer hesitated and headed straight for the village headquarters.

The Qiao family shop housed over two hundred households, hundreds gathered noisily around the sheepfold.

“Tiejun’s here!”

Someone shouted from the crowd, parting the throng instantly.

“Is that Tiejun?” Qiao Kangzhan, wearing a face of urgency, quickly stepped forward and gripped Zhang Tiejun’s hand tightly. “Tiejun, come quickly.”

Pulling him beneath the damaged sheepfold, he pointed to paw prints in the mud. “Look, look. This is provocation—blatant provocation.”

Zhang Tiejun squatted down and examined the marks quietly. “These are wolf tracks.”

“Just as I thought, you’re the only hunter in our Qiao family shop,” Qiao Kangzhan said, flattering him.

Zhang Tiejun had no idea what was on Qiao Kangzhan’s mind. “The tracks are chaotic and mixed, likely a whole pack of wolves moved out together, probably because a heavy snowfall left them no prey. So, how bad’s the loss?”

Qiao Kangzhan’s father opened his mouth to speak but glanced at his son and quickly shut it again.

Though just a small detail, it didn’t escape Zhang Tiejun’s watchful eyes.

To avoid embarrassment in public, Qiao Kangzhan immediately raised his voice.

“Fellow villagers, I, as the leader of Qiao family shop, am deeply pained by this sudden harm. These sheep have never been touched even in the worst years, but now they’re dead by the hands of beasts. What do you think we should do?”

“Kill them!”

The villagers, unaware of the truth, were roused by Qiao Kangzhan’s few words.

Having achieved his aim of stirring trouble, Qiao Kangzhan no longer hid his expectant gaze on Zhang Tiejun.

“Tiejun, I’m very pleased you’ve taken up your father’s trade. Ever since you brought back that tamed reindeer, I’ve been thinking. There’s still a vacant position for a committee member who doubles as the mountain patrol captain. I think you’re the most suitable in the village. Ten jin of millet and five liang of meat tickets every month—any objections?”

“No!”

Qiao Kangzhan’s distraction tactic worked well. Zhang Tiejun found himself trapped in this role.

Facing the eager eyes of the villagers, he could only respond, “If that’s the case, leave it to me.”

“Good, young, capable, and responsible. Well done,” Qiao Kangzhan said, feigning humility before adding, “But this is a big matter for Qiao family shop. If higher-ups investigate, we need an explanation. So…”

“In that case, five days. I, Zhang Tiejun, pledge to catch those wolves within five days.”

“I’m satisfied to hear that.” Qiao Kangzhan left room for maneuver. “Everyone, you’ve heard it. From now on, cooperate with Tiejun. We must make those beasts pay in full.”

The farce soon dissipated. Zhang Tiejun returned home and explained everything.

“Brother, it’s good you joined the village committee, but hunting wolves… it just feels risky,” Zhang Xiaohua said with worry.

“Son, Mom doesn’t want grain or meat tickets. I just want you to be happy,” their mother shared her feelings.

Zhang Tiejun slung the trap and rifle over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mom. Xiaohua, take good care of Mom while I’m gone.”