Chapter 25: Encountering a Black Bear

If Sanlang recovers, he will certainly continue his studies. If not, he will have to rely on the care of his older brothers, Dalang and Erlang. If the two of them can make a success of their business, the burden on the family will be lighter in the future.

Gu Lizong patted his sons on the shoulders and said solemnly, "No matter what you decide, your mother and I will support you. Have no worries; at worst, the family will return to the life of simple farmers. There is nothing to fear. How much worse could it be than it is now?"

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai understood this well. They clenched their fists, secretly resolving to seize this opportunity so that the whole family could live a better life.

Zhen Mi'er took in the expressions of everyone in the family, then looked at Gu Tingzhi, who was focused on playing with Yibai. A sense of determination flickered in her eyes; she, too, would work hard to earn money and provide for her husband.

Action followed thought. Early the next morning, the Gu family rose. They changed into their best clothes—the ones kept at the bottom of their chests—and, after breakfast, set off for town together.

Zhou and Gu Lizong, being older and less fond of crowds, stayed home. Lin Huiniang, pregnant and concerned about the bustle of town, also stayed behind to avoid any accidental bumps. She asked Zhen Mi'er and Su Hehua to pick out two bolts of fabric for her new year clothes, specifying the colors, and requested that they buy the same gifts for her natal family as they were planning for their own.

Zhen Mi'er and Su Hehua noted her requests carefully.

The ox cart was not large. Several large sacks of sweet potatoes were stacked at the back. Gu Qinghe and Su Hehua sat on the left, with Zhen Mi'er opposite them. Gu Qingsong drove the cart, while Gu Tingzhi and Gu Qingbai sat on the shafts on either side.

Gu Tingzhi was delighted to be going to town. Before leaving, he had wanted to bring his pet, Yibai, along, but Zhen Mi'er persuaded him otherwise, explaining that the pet might get lost in the crowd. Reluctantly, he returned Yibai to the room and boarded the cart, looking back at every step.

As they traveled, the scenery along the road soon distracted him, and he forgot all about Yibai. At some point, he had picked up a few pebbles and was tossing them back and forth.

Since his brain injury, he had not been to town, so everything he saw felt novel. Whenever he found something interesting, he would lean over to tell Zhen Mi'er, prompting Su Hehua to tease her throughout the journey.

Gu Qingsong, driving the ox, would chime in from time to time, while Gu Qingbai silently turned his head away, a complex look in his eyes. His third brother should not have been this way; alas, fate was cruel, and one could only lament the unpredictability of life.

Gu Qingsong, who visited town often, was very familiar with the main road. After passing through a vast stretch of farmland, two great mountains loomed on either side of the path ahead. These were the notorious Liangwei Mountains of Yun'an County.

As the name implied, these mountains were treacherous.

Large boulders often tumbled down, threatening passersby, and wild beasts frequently descended at night to attack people.

Villagers once lived at the foot of these mountains, but after their children began disappearing one after another, an official investigation revealed that the beasts were snatching them. From then on, they became known as the Liangwei—or "Two Dangers"—Mountains.

To prevent further tragedy, the government distributed silver to relocate the villagers to safer areas, leveled the houses, and turned the land into fields for the original residents to farm.

During planting and harvest seasons, the villagers would travel in groups. The beasts, seeing so many people, would usually remain in the mountains, and eventually, the people grew less fearful.

However, when villagers went to town, they still tried to return before sunset, fearing the beasts would raid under the cover of darkness.

With the women of the family in the cart, Gu Qingsong was more cautious than usual. He slowed the pace and scanned the surroundings. Seeing no immediate danger, he carefully urged the ox forward.

Yet, sometimes, what one fears most is exactly what happens. They had traveled only a short distance when the roar of a wild beast echoed from the mountain on the right. The old ox, terrified, began to pace restlessly, refusing to move forward.

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai tensed. They quickly pushed Gu Tingzhi into the cart, and while keeping a watch on their surroundings, they pulled out long wooden staves from under the seat and gripped them tightly.

If it were just the two of them, it would be one thing, but with their third brother and the women along, they steeled themselves and held their breath.

Su Hehua and Gu Qinghe huddled together in fear. Zhen Mi'er gripped Gu Tingzhi’s hand tightly, leaning forward to shield him while keeping a sharp eye on the activity outside.

The ox refused to budge. Gu Qingsong tried to turn it around, but the animal was paralyzed with fright; the sound of the approaching roars had rendered it unresponsive to the whip.

Seeing this, Gu Qingbai knew they couldn't wait. He turned, pulled back the cart curtain, and said to Zhen Mi'er, "Third Sister-in-law, take Third Brother and get off the cart quickly. There are beasts ahead; we must retreat to the farmland."

He pulled Su Hehua and Gu Qinghe down, then turned to help Zhen Mi'er. She, however, appeared calmer than he was. She pulled Gu Tingzhi forward, had him jump down, and then followed herself. Without hesitation, she spotted a long wooden pole by the roadside, snatched it up, and gripped it firmly in her hands, leaving everyone stunned.

Zhen Mi'er saw two more poles further ahead, but they were too far to risk grabbing.

Su Hehua felt a pang of shame. Being older than her sister-in-law, she had been the first to lose her courage in the face of danger. A sudden burst of resolve took hold of her; she shielded Gu Qinghe, and the group began to retreat, keeping a close watch on the path behind them.

But they had not gone far when two massive black bears burst from the mountain on the right—two of them!

The black bears were seven feet tall, with thick trunks and powerful limbs. Fierce and hungry from the cold, they had descended to hunt.

Even Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai turned pale, but they knew they could not retreat. They swung their staves with all their might, keeping the bears at a distance of about a yard.

The bears, seeing the weapons, hesitated, not charging headlong but inching forward slowly.

Gu Qingbai and the others retreated step by step.

At this moment, Zhen Mi'er had no room for fear. She pulled Gu Tingzhi tightly behind her and backed away with the others, step by step.