Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 29: Chapter 029-030 How can my wife admire someone else?_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 029-030 How can my wife admire someone else?_1 Muniang laughed, “Coming up the mountain to find some wild vegetables, are you guys going hunting?”

“Yes, we’re preparing to explore the deep mountains, how come we ran into you by such a coincidence?”

“The deep mountains? That sounds dangerous, be careful.”

Wang Qiang smiled somewhat proudly, “No worries, we’re people who frequently venture out, last time we even hunted a fox and made quite a bit of money from its fur.”

Muniang was somewhat moved; fur indeed was valuable, but she did not have such skills, so she couldn’t help but look at Wang Qiang and Li Cheng with envy, “Indeed very impressive!”

Being worshiped by a woman as beautiful as a flower naturally was something every man took pride in, and both Wang Qiang and Li Cheng smiled even more brilliantly.

But Erliang was not pleased, how could his wife admire someone else?! In order to defend his status, Erliang bluntly interjected, “Just hunted a fox and you’re already proud?”

Wang Qiang raised his eyebrows, “You think that’s too few? It’s still better than digging up wild vegetables.”

Muniang frowned, how could this man be so rude? Openly ridiculing her husband!

Li Cheng tugged on Wang Qiang’s sleeve, giving him a look, but Wang Qiang was someone who loved a challenge and couldn’t stand anyone doubting his hunting abilities, refusing to compromise.

Wang Qiang said, “Let me show you what real man’s strength is.”

With that, he walked a few steps into the bushes, and just as a pheasant ran by, he drew his bow and fired, “Pu” went the sound, and he hit the target, picking up the pheasant and holding it up, he smiled smugly at Erliang.

Muniang felt this was pointless and was about to leave, pulling on Erliang, “Let’s not bother with him…”

However, Erliang didn’t move, his expression becoming particularly serious; he could handle losing face, but he couldn’t lose face in front of his wife!

Erliang directly took Wang Qiang’s bow and arrow, aimed at an angle, and fired. Muniang watched him draw the bow with full concentration, feeling that his posture was very practiced.

When Erliang came back with a hare, Li Cheng and Wang Qiang, including Muniang, were all shocked. Muniang had never known that Erliang had such a skill!

How fast do hares run? They can’t even be compared to pheasants, okay? Even Wang Qiang had to admit that it would be very difficult for him to shoot a hare so effortlessly.

“How about that?” Erliang also put on a smug look, imitating Wang Qiang.

Wang Qiang completely forgot his earlier loss, excitedly running over to Erliang, “A real man doesn’t show his face, eh? You’re so capable, come with us to hunt in the deep mountains!”

But Muniang felt this wasn’t right; Erliang wasn’t all there mentally, going into the deep mountains and encountering fierce beasts, if he suddenly lost his skill again, wouldn’t that be like waiting for death?

“No need! You guys go on your own, we’re just going to dig wild vegetables!” Muniang decisively refused.

She then pulled Erliang to one side, leaving Wang Qiang and Li Cheng behind.

Erliang was still immersed in the joy of having hit the hare and couldn’t extricate himself, “Wife, am I not very capable? Aren’t I more impressive than them?”

Muniang didn’t have the mood to discuss this with him, his actions today had scared her to death, okay?

“How come you can hunt and you didn’t tell me? Spill it! How many things are you keeping from me?” Muniang demanded fiercely.

Er Liang, however, claimed innocence, “I don’t know why either? I just felt familiar when I looked at the bow and arrow, and I don’t like my lady admiring others, so I wanted to hit the rabbit. Then as I thought about it, I just did.”

Muniang looked into his eyes, assured that he wasn’t lying, and remembering he had mentioned that morning about feeling skilled at some things, she curiously asked, “So when you shoot arrows, do you also feel that sense of skill?”

Er Liang nodded, “My lady, I’m not lying to you, I also don’t know why I hit it, but I’m indeed better than them, aren’t I?” Er Liang was insistent on emphasizing this point from beginning to end.

A line of black marks formed on Muniang’s forehead, “Enough, enough, you’re amazing, you’re the most amazing.”

“My lady, why don’t I go hunting in the deep mountains? I’m sure I can hunt something good, and then our family will have money!” Er Liang was full of excitement.

Muniang was still worried, “No, no, you might just be intermittently good at archery. What if you suddenly can’t do it anymore? The deep mountains are so dangerous.”

Alright, she admitted that deep down she saw Er Liang as a child. In such dangerous times, her instinct was to keep him from doing it.

Er Liang frowned, muttering, “Does my lady think I’m stupid, that I can’t do anything right? But I also want to do something for my lady, I don’t want you to think of me as someone without prospects.”

Muniang’s heart suddenly softened, she had always thought about protecting Er Liang, always treating his intelligence as that of a child, yet she had neglected that this man had his own pride, his own desire to prove himself, to contribute to their home.

Seeing Muniang suddenly silent, Er Liang panicked, quickly adding, “My lady, don’t be mad. If you’re unhappy I won’t go, my lady?”

Muniang sighed, “No need, you go. I’ll go with you.”

Er Liang was overjoyed, “That’s great!”

“But not today, we still need to prepare!” Muniang stressed, wanting to verify Er Liang’s true capabilities and also to prepare some necessary weapons for the task at hand.

“Uh! Okay!” Er Liang was giddy with happiness.

In the following period, Er Liang completely shattered Muniang’s expectations; the man was like a godly archer, hitting whatever he aimed at, and nothing escaped his arrows. Muniang was amazed, she hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a treasure.

This kind of skill was a waste just for hunting, wasn’t it?

Back home, Muniang prepared two sketches, one for the Crossbow Arrow, one for sleeve arrows, planning to ask the blacksmith for assistance in making them the next day. She didn’t know if these things existed in this era, but the ordinary bows and arrows used by Li Cheng and Wang Qiang really didn’t catch her eye. The Crossbow Arrow would undoubtedly have greater lethality and speed.

Since they were heading to the deep mountains to hunt, naturally, they needed a big haul, and if they hunted something valuable, selling it would be lucrative.

Er Liang looked at her sketches, marvelling, “My lady, how are you so skilled at drawing? These drawings are so detailed.”

Muniang smiled, “We’ll send them to the town’s blacksmith for help tomorrow. When we go hunting with these, they’ll be very useful.”

Early the next day, Muniang and Er Liang headed to town.

The blacksmith looked at the drawings, somewhat puzzled, “These things do look like weapons. Young lady, what are you making these for?”

Muniang smiled kindly, “We’re going to use them for hunting. Don’t worry, we’re just a small family, we can’t be up to no good. Would you like me to write something down here as a pledge?”

The blacksmith wasn’t the sort to create trouble; he had only asked casually. Seeing Muniang’s amiable attitude, he naturally had nothing to say, merely chuckling, “I was just asking casually. Don’t worry, although the country forbids the private manufacture of weapons, it refers to large quantities. A couple like these, nobody cares about.”

It was nearing noon, and Muniang decided to stop by a small restaurant with Erliang for a meal.

“Husband, once our crossbow and sleeve arrows are ready in a few days, we’ll go hunting in the mountains. If we can catch something rare, we’ll make a fortune. Here, eat more, build up your strength,” Muniang said as she gave Erliang a large piece of meat.

Erliang ate with great enjoyment. “Delicious, but the dishes my wife makes are even better.”

Muniang smiled and continued eating. Suddenly, she overheard people at the next table discussing something.

“The new Local County Official has taken office, I heard he was a Scholar before but never made it to Jinshi. This time he was selected as a temporary Local County Official, and the Royal Envoy personally oversaw the process. All the Scholars in Qinghua City were summoned to Chatu County, around twenty or thirty of them. The Royal Envoy scrutinized each one before making a decision, we can truly say it was fair!”

“I hope so. The Royal Envoy really is a blessing for Chatu Town. Without him, that corrupt official would still be bleeding us dry.”

“The Royal Envoy returns to the capital tomorrow, we must all go to see him off!”

Muniang curved her lips into a smile, it seemed that this Royal Envoy was really quite the catch. But suddenly remembering the strange look he had given Erliang, Muniang couldn’t help feeling somewhat uneasy.

Five days later, Muniang got the sleeve arrows and crossbow, both made quite exquisitely, one set for each of them, costing a total of three pieces of Silver.

Muniang strapped the sleeve arrow onto Erliang’s arm and had him test it out. It worked really well, with both quick speed and great force.

“Wife, this thing is really useful,” Erliang said with a smile, as if he had received a new toy.

Mrs. Lin had been able to get out of bed and move around these past two days. Her body mainly needed recuperation, and as life had become more comfortable these days, naturally she got much better.

Seeing them test the arrows, Mrs. Lin frowned repeatedly: “The deep mountains are too dangerous with many fierce beasts. Isn’t it a bit rash for you to go like this?”

Muniang raised the crossbow in her hand. “Don’t we have preparations? Mother, don’t worry. This weapon is very much reliable, quick, accurate, powerful, and capable of rapid fire. Just wait and see.”

Mrs. Lin shook her head with a worried expression, knowing she couldn’t persuade them. In the days they spent together, she saw her daughter becoming more and more decisive, planning things by herself. She sighed, unable to help feeling that her daughter had grown up.

Erliang and Muniang bade farewell to their family and prepared to go up the mountain. They both strapped sleeve arrows to their right arms for use in emergencies and each held a crossbow, much more fierce than regular bows and arrows, looking like excellent equipment in every aspect.

Muniang had trained in Taekwondo and Judo before; she was very good with her fists and feet. These days, as she recuperated, she had regained her physical strength, so going hunting in the mountains wasn’t a big issue. In fact, it would be alright even if Erliang went alone, but she just couldn’t feel at ease—after all, it seemed inappropriate for a simpleton to act alone.

However, the reality turned out to be unexpected.

Erliang might have been simple-minded, but when it came to serious matters, he seemed to be more focused than anyone.

The vegetation in the deep mountains was even more lush, as the area was rarely visited by humans. The two of them crouched low, moving stealthily through the bushes while looking for game and defending against attacks from wild beasts. Mentally, it was an exhilarating process.

Erliang suddenly made a stopping gesture and crouched down, hiding in the bushes. Muniang followed suit, somewhat perplexed.

Erliang mouthed a sentence: “There’s noise.”

He then raised his crossbow, aiming at a spot outside the bushes. Watching his focused profile, Muniang’s heart rate quickened. They say men look their most handsome when they’re serious, a sentiment she had never acknowledged before—the simple-looking engineering students from the agricultural college never piqued her interest whatsoever.

Does this mean looks really do matter?

Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the grass, indicating the presence of a large animal. Muniang’s heart tightened—was this luck or misfortune?

Erliang released an arrow with a whoosh.

Only to hear a howl—the creature was actually a tiger!

Muniang turned to look at Erliang, a bit panicked. Erliang was completely focused, having already angered the tiger. It was now a fight to the death; retreat was not an option.

Erliang swiftly shot three arrows, each hitting its mark, but the tiger charged at them with even greater ferocity. The three arrows clearly were not enough to kill it.

Both Erliang and Muniang reacted quickly, dodging to opposite sides to escape.

Unable to follow both, the tiger randomly chose to pursue Muniang, but Erliang immediately shot another arrow, diverting the tiger’s attention. Now thoroughly enraged, the tiger leaped and pounced on Erliang.

“Be careful!”

In her anxiety, Muniang raised her crossbow and fired three arrows in rapid succession at the tiger’s vital spots, hitting her target! The tiger was gasping for breath. Erliang fired two more arrows to ensure it was truly dead before crawling out from under its body. Fortunately, though the tiger had pounced on him, he was unharmed thanks to Muniang’s timely shots.

“Wife, look how big this tiger is—we’ve made a fortune!” Erliang shouted excitedly at Muniang.

Muniang glared at him, “You recklessly risked your life! Were you nearly killed just now? Are you hurt?!”

Erliang obediently allowed Muniang to examine him, and only when she was certain he was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief.

“Don’t be so foolish next time trying to distract it! I can outrun it, and even if I can’t, I can climb a tree. A wild beast in a rage is terrifying. What would we do if you got hurt?” Muniang scolded him. Her heart had nearly stopped when the tiger pounced.

Erliang nodded obediently; he now understood Muniang’s temper like the back of his hand—playing the obedient card was most effective in critical moments.

Indeed, after Muniang scolded him for a while, she calmed down and turned to assess the quality of the tiger.

“Tsk tsk, not bad at all—this will definitely sell for a lot. Husband, let’s carry it back!”

When Erliang carried a tiger down the mountain, the whole village was abuzz. Onlookers gathered all along the way, and Muniang, walking alongside, felt especially honored.

When they reached home, naturally a large crowd had gathered. Muniang’s family had never experienced such a commotion before. Mrs. Lin, who at first did not understand why the yard was so noisy, stepped out of the house to see a bloody tiger lying in the yard, which gave her a start.

“Muniang, did you two hunt this?” Mrs. Lin could hardly believe her eyes.

Mrs. Du said with a smile, “Indeed, your son-in-law carried it down the mountain personally, quite the spectacle! Just look, all the villagers have come to watch.”

The villagers’ perception of Erliang shot up drastically, from a simpleton to a hero in a swift leap.

“Erliang’s not bad, hunting a tiger—no one in Tupo Village has done it before!”

“With Erliang’s strong build, no wonder he’s so formidable. I wonder how much money this tiger could fetch. Just the skin alone is worth a fortune!”