The following May, the rafting at Wang’er Village became lively again.
The three villages upstream had already completed their preparations.
They sent people to the forks in the country roads, amidst the blooming wild flowers, to distribute flyers.
The flyers featured stills from local opera performances shot in the countryside, as well as pictures of the village’s local delicacies.
The flyers were exquisitely made; just looking at the snacks on them made one’s mouth water.
Gradually, tourists began to arrive. Upon seeing that the village entrance had been set up like a marketplace, small as it was, with not a shortage of goods, they became interested in browsing.
Practical household bamboo items, exquisite bamboo woven ornaments, as well as bamboo woven bags, bamboo toys, and bamboo baby strollers.
There were also handmade thousand-layered sole cloth shoes and insoles, and tiger-head shoes for the little ones.
A dazzling array, making people linger and reluctant to leave, captivated by the items.
Upon inquiring about the prices, they found them to be not expensive. Once the desire to shop arose, they couldn't stop buying.
They would take them back to share with friends and family, and naturally, these friends and family would also learn about the opera fair on the northern line of the city.
In this way, the villagers of these three villages also reaped some rewards.
Earning money while staying home, not neglecting their work, who wouldn't be happy?
When the county finally sent the notification that their applications for planting tobacco had been approved, and that someone would come to teach them in the spring of next year.
The excitement of the villagers in the three villages could have reached the heavens.
The three village heads gathered for a meeting. Because the management models of the three villages were the same, and the goods they sold were also similar.
Therefore, they needed to set the prices firmly to prevent price gouging and exorbitant demands.
They resolutely could not destroy the current favorable situation.
If it affected Ku Mountain, and Li Zhengguo filed a complaint with the county, their small marketplace could be forced to close.
It wasn’t that they were cowards; it was just that Ku Mountain was the key tourism project supported by the county, and it had its advantages.
...
Zhang Fangcao, carrying her bag, visited the villages one by one.
During the rafting at Wang’er Village, the sheer drop from the cliff caused her screams to be deafening. When the screams stopped, the raft’s speed also slowed down, and she covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably.
The old village head was so startled that he ran over: “Who’s crying? Who’s crying?”
Zhang Fangcao lowered her hands: “Village Elder, I’m sorry, I, I just needed to vent my emotions, I’m much better now.”
“Oh!” The old village head breathed a sigh of relief: “It’s you, child? You’re out?”
“Yes, I’m out.”
“Good that you’re out, live your life well. Look, it’s no less lively here than in the county town. When your Ku Mountain is fully developed, it will be even more bustling.”
“Mm-hmm, thank you, Village Elder.”
“Go on now, go.”
After Zhang Fangcao paddled her raft away, the old village head had just taken a step when someone else started crying.
He quickly turned back: “What’s wrong? Are you injured?”
His question made this female tourist cry even more fiercely:
“Elder, I, I just feel so stifled. I saw the person in front of me crying, and you were so kind when you comforted her. I couldn’t help but want to cry too. When you ask what’s wrong, all the grievances in my heart disappear. I feel like someone cares about me too. Thank you.”
After the woman paddled her raft away, the old village head’s assistant held him back:
“You just stay here. I’ve seen many people shedding tears, and then holding them back.
“I’ll go write a sign and put it here, calling it ‘Weeping Bay’.”
From then on, “Weeping Bay” became the nickname for rafting at Wang’er Village. When people talked about where to go for fun, they said they were going to Weeping Bay.
When Tian Jing heard about it, she laughed, saying the old village head’s assistant was interesting.
Assistant Zhang…
Zhang Fangcao returned and reported directly to the village committee, as she wanted to live alone.
Live alone?
There were no vacant houses in the village, nor could Zhang Fangcao be accommodated in someone else’s old house.
Even with sympathy, no one would want a former convict living in their house.
Li Zhengguo thought for a moment and said: “Zhang Fangcao, the village can arrange for you to live in the small Western-style building opposite for free, but you can only occupy one room. You can use the kitchen and bathroom.
“Additionally, you will be responsible for the cleanliness of the entire interior of the small Western-style building, and the cleanliness of the exterior of all the primary school classrooms.
“This way, it can be considered a job for you, with a monthly salary of one hundred yuan and welfare benefits during holidays, the same as everyone else. Do you think this is acceptable?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Zhang Fangcao nodded repeatedly: “Thank you to the village committee for giving me a job.”
Seeing that their daughter had been provided with accommodation and a job by the village, Zhang’s father and mother finally felt relieved.
Li Daniu glanced from a distance and turned to leave.
Some villagers saw this and sighed, lamenting Li Daniu's misfortune; her mother had come out, and her father had gone in again.
A villager next to them scoffed: “What’s there to pity? Is she more pitiful than Zhang Fangcao? Her mother has been counting the days, and she hasn’t even visited. As for Li Aiguo, we truly thought he had reformed, but he was just hiding it. He’s raised a good daughter to be selfish and self-serving.”
Hearing the villagers’ unfiltered loud voices, Li Daniu looked up and held back the tears in her eyes.
…
It was summer vacation.
Zeng Jingrong invited Tian Jing to the back mountain to see the new campsite.
Upon seeing the location of the new campsite, Tian Jing’s forehead twitched: “What about the wolf pack on a mountain about ten miles from here?”
Zeng Jingrong was surprised: “Wolf pack? I didn’t see any.”
Tian Jing took off running.
Could Xiao Hei be in trouble?
Zeng Jingrong chased after her.
“Xiao Hei, Xiao Hei.” As soon as she landed in the mountain forest, Tian Jing anxiously called out.
“Ao wu wu.”
A low wolf howl carried a warning.
Tian Jing turned and waved at Zeng Jingrong, signaling him not to come closer.
She walked toward the direction of the sound herself.
Behind a patch of bushes, at a hidden cave entrance, a wounded wolf’s head was revealed.
Tian Jing’s eyes reddened: “Xiao Hei, what’s wrong with you?”
“It was probably abandoned by its pack,” Zeng Jingrong’s voice came from the treetop.
“Ao wu…”
Xiao Hei let out a low growl at Zeng Jingrong.
Tian Jing waved at Xiao Hei: “Xiao Hei, come here, he’s my friend. Were you really abandoned by your pack?”
Only then did Xiao Hei emerge from the cave.
As soon as it came out, Tian Jing saw its numerous wounds, some of which were already festering.
“It must be the wolf king?”
Zeng Jingrong spoke again.
“Yes,” Tian Jing stroked the obedient Xiao Hei: “Hearing you ask this question, I understand. Xiao Hei is old and was dethroned by a younger wolf.”
“Xiao Hei, come down the mountain with me, I’ll take care of you in your old age.”
“Wu wu wu.” Xiao Hei wagged its tail.
Tian Jing waved at Zeng Jingrong in the treetop: “You go back first. After I’ve settled Xiao Hei, I’ll go to the campsite.”
Zeng Jingrong glanced at the wounded Xiao Hei and turned to leave.
Tian Jing wove a large green net bag and asked Xiao Hei to get in: “I’ll take you to see Xiao Song.”
As soon as Xiao Song saw Xiao Hei’s condition, it urged Tian Jing to quickly use the tree core essence to treat Xiao Hei:
“I’m telling you, Tian Tian, I’ve already learned how to tie knots. I can tie them myself and untie them myself.
“Now, I’ve tied over a dozen knots. In a while, I’ll be able to tie all the essence into the tree roots.
“Just wait, I’ll get you the essence right away…”
“Wait a moment.” Tian Jing stopped it: “I brought Xiao Hei here for you to ask what happened. After its wounds are treated, I’ll see if it’s necessary to use the essence.”
After Xiao Song translated, Tian Jing knew her guess was correct. The wolf pack had indeed gotten a new wolf king.
The specific reason was that the young wolves thought there were people nearby, making their location unsafe.
However, Xiao Hei believed that the mountain they were on was chosen by Tian Tian for them, and if the people who entered were bad, Tian Tian would notify it, and there was no need to leave.
There was a difference of opinion, and the young wolves didn’t obey Xiao Hei, which led to a challenge.
Xiao Hei was indeed old and couldn’t defeat the young wolves.
The young wolves decided to migrate, but Xiao Hei was unwilling to leave, so it was abandoned.
“Wu wu wu…” Xiao Song cried: “Xiao Hei is so pitiful.”
Tian Jing, somewhat exasperated, exposed Xiao Song: “Stop faking tears. I’m taking it down the mountain.”
“Wu wu wu…” Xiao Song really cried: “I want to go down the mountain with you too.”
“Aren’t you in love anymore?”
“The freshness has worn off.”
Tian Jing left with Xiao Hei, saying, “Unless you turn into a tiny sapling, I’ll take you down the mountain.”