Xu Ying shook her head weakly. “I… I don’t know.”
Huo Chen’s expression shifted into one of quiet guilt, but Lao Hui, lying nearby, simply shook his thick fur and gave a reassuring grunt, signaling he was alright.
Just then, Xu Jing and Xu Xue came rushing over. But the moment they caught sight of Lao Hui sprawled on the ground, their faces went pale, and without thinking, they both darted behind Xu Ying, trembling. “Sister… let’s go back!” Xu Jing whispered nervously.
Their eyes darted past the clearing, taking in the streaks of blood staining the earth, the wild boars’ bodies scattered like discarded rags, and the mess of crushed grass all around them. It was impossible to miss that a brutal battle had just taken place here.
And when they remembered Huo Chen had single-handedly killed three wild boars, their fear deepened. Xu Jing and Xu Xue exchanged glances, their hearts pounding in their chests.
Meanwhile, Lao Hui slowly stood up. But as he straightened his large, muscular frame, something strange seemed to happen. His once-weary eyes now gleamed with a renewed light, his steps steady and strong. His fur, dull moments ago, shone faintly under the dappled sunlight. It was as if, in that moment, the old wolf had regained a piece of his youth.
Huo Chen, catching the change from the corner of his eye, did a double take. His brows furrowed. Had he imagined it? He stared again, but no—it was real. Lao Hui’s gait was firmer, his spirit more alive than it had been in years.
Questions circled in Huo Chen’s mind, but he kept them to himself. Instead, he turned to Xu Ying with a somber look. “I’m sorry… I was just… too worried earlier.”
Xu Ying simply waved it off with a small smile. After all, Lao Hui was like family to Huo Chen. If she’d seen her own parents lying half-dead on the ground, she’d probably have lashed out too. She couldn’t blame him.
But Huo Chen only felt more embarrassed by her understanding.
With Xu Jing and Xu Xue’s support, Xu Ying carefully started making her way down the mountain. Huo Chen followed behind, slinging a wild boar cub over one shoulder while dragging the enormous adult boar with the other. Lao Hui, not to be outdone, carried another boar cub in his jaws, his head held high as they descended together.
“Yingying,” Xu Jing whispered conspiratorially, sneaking glances at the man behind them. “How is Huo Chen so ridiculously strong?”
She’d almost called him a wolf cub out of habit, but stopped herself just in time—half-afraid he’d turn around and wallop her if he heard.
Xu Ying wasn’t surprised in the least. She’d long gotten used to Huo Chen’s feats. She’d once seen him carry nearly a hundred kilos like it weighed nothing, as effortlessly as cradling a child.
Xu Xue gazed at Huo Chen with open admiration, a soft longing in her eyes. “If only I were that strong… then Mama wouldn’t have to work so hard. I could help her more.”
“We can’t envy what people are born with,” Xu Ying replied gently, though as she spoke, a sudden, sharp pain twisted her abdomen. She winced, her smile faltering.
Xu Jing noticed instantly. “Cousin? What’s wrong? You were fine when we climbed up. Did that wild boar bump into you coming down?”
Xu Ying shook her head and leaned closer, whispering quietly in Xu Jing’s ear.
Understanding dawned in Xu Jing’s expression, and she let out a sympathetic sigh. “Ah… so it’s that time. Poor thing… I never get cramps.”
Xu Ying nodded faintly. Everyone’s different. She usually didn’t hurt this bad, but today the pain felt worse than usual.
“You’d better ask Aunt to bring a doctor over later,” Xu Jing advised seriously. “You can’t keep suffering like this.”
“Mm.” Xu Ying managed a small nod.
Behind them, Huo Chen had been watching in growing concern. Seeing her pale face and stiff posture, he quickened his steps. “Xu Ying,” he called, his voice filled with worry. “Where are you hurt? You need to bandage it fast—if you don’t stop the bleeding, you… you could die!”
His alarmed words made Xu Jing and Xu Xue burst into giggles.
But Huo Chen wasn’t joking. His face was dead serious. “I mean it,” he insisted.
Raised on Lao Hui’s milk, his senses were sharper than most. The faint, persistent scent of blood clung to Xu Ying, growing no weaker. His instincts screamed that something wasn’t right. She’d been bleeding all this time—how could she not be in danger?
He didn’t know much about women’s matters. Without a mother or elder sister, and with Grandma Huo never teaching him such things, he was left ignorant.
Xu Ying’s cheeks flushed in frustration and embarrassment. “I’m… I’m on my period, okay? I’m not dying!”
She knew he was only concerned, but still—how could a grown man chase after a girl to announce she was bleeding to death?
Xu Jing and Xu Xue froze at her blunt confession, wide-eyed.
Xu Jing pulled her aside, scolding in a whisper. “You shouldn’t say that out loud! A girl’s reputation matters.”
Xu Ying rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t say it, he’d drag me to a hospital. Trust me—he’s probably going to ask me what a period is next.”
“…He wouldn’t,” Xu Jing said, half uncertain.
But sure enough, Huo Chen tilted his head, utterly baffled. “What’s… a period?”
Xu Jing gawked at him. “Huo Chen, are you messing with my cousin?”
“I’m not!” Huo Chen’s face turned pink, his voice rising. “I’m really worried about her!”
Seeing his panic, Xu Ying sighed and gave him a hasty, awkward biology lesson. But the moment he understood, Huo Chen’s ears went red as he frantically waved his hands. “That’s enough! I get it! I get it!”
Xu Jing and Xu Xue exchanged looks. In that instant, Huo Chen seemed a little more human, less mysterious—just a boy who happened to be a lot stronger than others.
“Still…” Xu Jing couldn’t resist teasing. “You sure you weren’t following her on purpose? Huh, Huo Chen? Chasing after her like that?”
Huo Chen’s eyes widened in horror, his teeth chattering nervously. “No! I swear! I wasn’t—!”
Before Xu Jing could press further, Xu Ying shook her head with a tired smile, quietly stopping her cousin.
Their laughter and conversation carried them down the mountain path until the village fields came into view. Farmers bent over rows of crops straightened up, squinting toward them.
“Look over there!” someone shouted, pointing excitedly. “The wolf cub’s caught wild boars! And the captain’s girls are with him!”
A murmur spread through the fields. The wolf cub had caught wild boars—big ones at that! They’d finally get to eat meat again.
In Yushan Commune, it was customary: anyone who brought down wild game had to share it among the village. But the hunter would be compensated, either in money or precious work points. Otherwise, who’d risk their life for nothing?
Hearing the commotion, Xu’s family turned to see the group approaching.
“My daughter—what’s wrong with her?” Mother Xu gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. Xu Ying was being supported on both sides—clearly something was wrong.
Father Xu’s face tightened with worry.
“What are you all staring at?” he barked at the gawking villagers. “Get back to work! We’ll divide the meat this afternoon.”
The words sent a jolt of energy through the crowd. Their tired faces lit up with anticipation. Meat! It had been so long since they’d tasted it.
Mother Xu rushed over in her small, hurried steps. “My girl, what happened to you?”
Before Xu Ying could answer, Huo Chen spoke up solemnly. “She’s… on her period. You’d better take her home to rest.”
Mother Xu froze mid-step, her face cycling through a dozen colors. Then she shot Huo Chen a fierce glare, practically vibrating with frustration.
Without another word, she scooped Xu Ying onto her back with surprising strength and stomped off toward home, muttering under her breath.
Lao Hui lingered, watching Xu Ying leave, his golden eyes filled with reluctant worry. A low, mournful howl rumbled from his throat as he lifted his head skyward.
Only then did Mother Xu finally notice the wolf following them—and she let out a startled shriek, nearly leaping into the air. “Xu Jing! Xu Xue! Hurry up and come inside!”
But neither girl was afraid with Huo Chen around.
Still, Mother Xu glowered at the boy, clearly unhappy. “Why would you—telling a man such things…”
Before leaving, she shot Huo Chen one last fierce look.
Huo Chen scratched the back of his head in confusion, then grabbed the wild boar again, dragging it toward the wheat field at the edge of the village—just as Father Xu instructed.
The flat, open land would make dividing the spoils much easier.
And so, the wolf cub, the wild boar, and the quiet boy with strength beyond measure disappeared down the path, leaving whispers and stories in their wake.