My 1995 Small Farm.

Chapter 515 Triple Pregnancy?
Moonlight night, lake shore.

The cicadas' chirping has gradually faded away.

A crescent moon hangs in the western night sky, surrounded by twinkling stars.

A gentle night breeze blew by, and the leaves on the mountainside began to rustle.

The wind blew from the southeast that night, and the rustling sound grew louder and louder from the southeast, layer upon layer, reaching people's ears.

After passing through the mountains and forests and blowing across the lake, the small lake nestled in the embrace of the mountains began to ripple with shimmering light.

Amidst the dark shadows of the mountains, the moon's reflection seemed to sway with the wind.

Under the pale moonlight, soft rustling sounds could be heard from the reeds from time to time.

If you listen carefully, the cawing sounds have already dissipated in the wind.

Aside from the rustling of footsteps in the wind, the only faint sound could be the desolate roars of wild beasts deep in the mountains.

It appeared particularly tranquil and serene.

In Shen Congwen's words: "This was truly a sacred realm."

……

"Listen, the crane is calling again."

Yu Qi'an whispered excitedly.

Beside him were Bai Huining and people from the provincial television station.

After dinner, I went to the egret forest to wait and prepare to take pictures.

"They're still awake; they're changing shifts."

Chen Ling looked in that direction and responded softly.

At night, he didn't bring his camera or binoculars; even with moonlight, it wasn't as effective as the professional filming equipment used by the TV station.

It doesn't matter.

He can see.

"It's so beautiful. It's a real treat to photograph red-crowned cranes in a place like this."

The people at the provincial television station were still marveling at it.

Chen Ling said, "You came at the wrong time. If you had come any later, the baby cranes would have been hatching soon, and things would have gone much more smoothly. You could have come and film whenever you wanted, day or night."

Because when the chicks are about to hatch, even if the red-crowned cranes are frightened, they will no longer abandon the nest.

This is the same as pheasants and wild ducks.

If you don't notice the eggs have been stolen, it will continue to lay eggs in the nest, and people can come and collect two or three eggs every day without any problems.

If people are greedy and take too many eggs, the pheasants and ducks will abandon their nests and choose another place to build their nests and lay their eggs again when they realize that people are stealing their eggs.

This is why these red-crowned cranes and egrets seize this tail to rebuild their nests and incubate their eggs at the end of the breeding season.

Because the previous settlements were destroyed by the flood.

They migrated here, to a place they considered better, to continue their reproduction.

"In that case, let's wait a few more days. Anyway, we're not in a hurry to go back this time, so we should make sure to complete the mission perfectly."

This is what a junior leader at the provincial television station said.

Yu Qi'an nodded in agreement and chuckled, "I'll stay a few more days and go with Fugui to the Miao village to hunt a wild boar king."

We had a great meal with beer and crayfish right after we finished eating.

The atmosphere was right, so the group chatted about all sorts of things for a while. Later, they talked about what had happened in the Miao village a few days ago, which surprised everyone.

A wild boar weighing over 800 pounds—that's truly something. Perhaps in people's minds, this level of mountain monster is second only to the thousand-year-old giant turtle and the water monster.

“Then let’s go too. This time, we’ll have two shows: red-crowned cranes and the king of wild boars.”

Several people from the provincial television station immediately echoed this sentiment.

After hearing about this at the dinner table, they felt like they had struck gold. A wild boar king, a giant beast weighing hundreds of kilograms, the footage would definitely be amazing. How could they possibly miss it?

I'll go even if it costs me money.

Just now, Rui Rui was playing around with the little clouded leopard. The little clouded leopard barked fiercely at him once, and he could bark back three times. Heiwa and Xiaojin also joined in to bolster their spirits, chasing the little clouded leopard around Wang Susu.

So the whole yard was a mess, and they couldn't find an opportunity to say they wanted to go with Chen Ling.

On the way to Yamanaka Lake, the alcohol kicked in, and I became a little tipsy.

I only remembered it now when I heard Yu Qi'an mention it.

"What do you think, Brother Fugui?"

"You guys are coming too? To film the Wild Boar King?"

Chen Ling hesitated for a moment, "We're going hunting, not sightseeing. We'll be facing the Wild Boar King, which is very dangerous."

"And as I mentioned during dinner, that wild boar king is impervious to blades and spears, its attack power is beyond imagination, even its tusks are a foot long; a single hit could be fatal."

"We are not afraid."

"Yes, the Wild Boar King is a rare sight, and we don't want to miss it."

"We still possess the basic qualities of journalists."

"..."

"Well... it's not that you can't go, but I'm making it clear beforehand that I'm not responsible for your safety and can't take care of it. Once you get there, you'll have to abide by the Miao village's rules."

Even when Yu Qi'an wanted to go along, his tone was just as serious.

Everyone understands.

After all, Chen Ling's description of his and the lynx's encounter with the wild boar king made them feel as if they were there, and they were extremely nervous.

In that situation, who can care about whom?
"Don't worry, Brother Chen, we understand... Wait, what's that?"

"What? Don't startle people so suddenly at night!"

"...Yes, there really is something crawling on the southeast cliff top. Didn't you see it?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling squinted and looked over. In the dim moonlight, there was a long, dark shadow with a strange shape, moving slowly on the top of the cliff.

Look closely, and it's not the same thing.

Instead, it was four figures linked together.

"I see it. Don't panic, it's a fox. It's probably eyeing the egrets in this forest too."

Chen Ling said.

"No way, Brother Chen? That long black shadow looks more like a python than a fox!"

A young person from a TV station questioned, "People say there are giant pythons that have become spirits deep in the Qinling Mountains."

"They are foxes, but they are a large one with three smaller ones, and they are biting each other's tails, so what you see over there is a long string of them."

"...Huh? Let me take another look. Hmm, that tail really does look a bit like a fox's...a fox biting its own tail? Is it that amazing?"

"Hmm, this kind of scene is rare. It's probably the big fox that brought it out to teach it skills. Otherwise, usually the big fox would come out to find food on its own while the little ones wait in the den."

"It's amazing, so amazing."

The young couple, Yu Qi'an and his wife, were also quite amazed by what they saw.

Yu Qi'an almost couldn't resist shining his flashlight over there, squatting down and muttering to himself, "It's still better to stay here and guard the mountain, it's still better to stay here and guard the mountain."

……

Sure enough, after the four foxes came down from the top of the cliff, they scattered, sometimes going left and sometimes right, taking small, quick steps towards the egret's nest.

Before long, the woods became lively.

The squeaking and flapping of wings continued for quite a while...

Chen Ling and the others squatted in place, watching quietly without making a sound.

Because this was not the end, but only the beginning. In the next half hour, foxes, civets, and a small animal that looked like a yellow-throated marten came to visit one after another.

Relatively speaking, the fox's movements are the most noticeable.

Both the mountain lemur and the yellow-throated marten come from and climb trees.

People had no idea when they arrived.

By the time they hear the startled cries of egrets, they have already snatched their prey and fled far away.

One time, Chen Ling and his companions couldn't resist shining their flashlights in the direction of the sound. They saw a civet carrying a white egret several times its own size, its eyes glowing green as it turned its head, raised its tail, glanced at them, and then quickly disappeared among the branches and leaves.

The mountain fox is very steady.

The yellow-throated marten was a bit less effective. Although, like the mountain weasel, it could effortlessly kill egrets several times its own size with a single blow.

However, when Chen Ling and the others shone their flashlights on it, it was so startled that it lost its grip on its prey and fell off the tree.

However, the egret that fell down was already dead. Chen Ling and the others went over to take a look, but did not pick it up.

Egret meat isn't exactly a delicacy, so it's best to leave it on the mountain for predators to take.

The group simply used flashlights to search the area and retrieved all the recently laid eggs from the dead egret nests on the cliff.

They didn't take much with them when they went up the mountain, so they'll have to wrap these eggs in three or four layers of clothing to get them back.

This shows that these egrets have had a very difficult life.

They have only recently built their nest and laid their eggs.

They become someone else's meal; this is the cruelty of nature.

Back down the mountain, Wang Susu and Qin Qiumei were bathing Rui Rui in a large wooden tub.

When Chen Ling and the others went to the mountains, this brat got into trouble. He chased away the little clouded leopard and then started messing around with the family's little tabby cat.

Later, he filled the area in front of him with all the little turtles he had raised, and used his toy white elephant to wind up a rope so that the white elephant would run back and forth and bump into the turtles.

Sometimes when the little white elephant ran off and went far away, he would have the black-haired boy Xiao Jin block it, then bring it back so they could continue their antics.

Fortunately, there were many people in the family who could take care of the kids today.

Qin Qiumei and Zhong Xiaoyun didn't go home because it was late, and they helped Wang Susu keep an eye on him and prevent him from causing trouble.

Otherwise, with his tendency to cause trouble, he would definitely have gotten a beating from Wang Susu.

Chen Ling was also very frustrated.

This little toddler, just over a year old, I don't know where he gets so much energy.

They seem to never get tired, even every day.

After entering the grotto-heaven after the full moon, it turned out like this?

"father!"

The little rascal saw several of them returning carrying a bundle of clothes, chatting and laughing as they walked. He suddenly stood up from the wooden tub, his bright black eyes staring curiously at them. He pointed with his little hand and said, "That~"

"What do you mean 'this' and 'that'? There's nothing here. Go to bed after you take a shower."

Chen Ling flicked his little nose.

That brat is such a troublemaker.

Everyone laughed along, squatted down to tease him, and said they would tickle him and flick his little bird.

Upon seeing this, the little rascal screamed and dodged around, kicking and splashing his little feet in the basin, causing the water to splash everywhere.

Chen Ling then took the opportunity to lead his men to put the egret eggs they had collected into the kitchen in the backyard.

no way.

There haven't been any brooding hens at home lately.

He was too lazy to look outside.

If there's no other way, we'll just eat it.

……

What were those things you just brought back?

"These are egret eggs. A lot of egrets have died recently, and there must be two baskets full of eggs. It would be a waste to leave them in the nest, so I might as well collect them."

That evening, after finally getting Rui Rui to sleep, Chen Ling and her husband took a shower and talked in the room next to their bedroom.

"So many? It would be a real shame not to pick them up."

"You must come back soon after your trip. My belly is getting bigger and bigger, and I keep feeling anxious."

Wang Susu stroked her smooth, white belly and said, "People say my belly looks like I'm carrying three babies. You could put a bowl on it and eat from it. If it really is three babies, it won't be as easy as giving birth to Rui Rui."

As she spoke, a worried expression began to appear on her face.

With her wet hair, she looked somewhat pitiful, just like always.

This made Chen Ling feel even more sorry for her, and she comforted her, "Don't keep thinking nonsense. Your belly wasn't small when you were pregnant with Rui Rui. It's just that our child is strong, it doesn't necessarily mean you were carrying a lot."

You forgot that when you gave birth to Rui Rui, the woman in the next delivery room was crying and wailing, but you didn't have to do much; you just gave birth without any trouble.

The doctors all praised your good health.

Just eat and drink well, and take good care of your health.

Are you all washed? Wait a minute, let me dry you off first before I carry you out.

It's so smooth and slippery.

Then, while wiping herself with a towel, she continued, "When I come back this time, we'll move to the county town. We can be right next to the hospital then, so we can give birth whenever we want..."

Just like when Rui Rui was born, let's get through this as soon as possible.

My wife's belly is getting bigger and bigger.

The mountain road was difficult to travel, and Chen Ling also had this concern.

Even though it's only been less than eight months, looking at this belly... it's best to go to the county town early to prepare.

"What about the household chores? You still have to come back every day? That's too much trouble."

"It's alright, I'm very fast on horseback, and taking care of things at home is just so-so, I don't need to worry too much."

As Chen Ling spoke, he carried his pregnant wife out and helped her wrap herself in a thin blanket. The two talked softly, but there was no romantic thought in their minds at that moment.

The brat is gone, no more bouncing around and making noise.

The young couple nestled together, enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquility in the gentle night breeze.

……

I spent two peaceful and comfortable days at home.

On the morning of the ninth day of the seventh lunar month, after a simple breakfast, Chen Ling drove out the tractor, packed up the equipment, and set off with a large group of people and two strong, sturdy dogs.

Meanwhile, in several Miao villages in Leijialing, within just two days, caravans and villagers traveling through the mountains had been attacked several times by the wild boar king.

This pig king is far more intelligent than people imagine.

Seeing the hunting dogs meant there were hunters, so they hid early on.

Moreover, he seemed to be able to smell the sulfurous odor of the explosives. Not only did the wild boar cannon miss, but he also tried to avoid the villagers with guns, as if he were fighting a guerrilla war.

They specifically target the weak or caravans.

The various caravans, completely unaware of the Wild Boar King, were attacked repeatedly, and several people were killed.

The county is prepared to continue the fight and will not give up until the wild boar king is eliminated.

Yu Qi'an, who came with Chen Ling, heard about this and his playful thoughts vanished instantly.

The provincial television crew, who initially approached the matter with the intention of filming sensational news, suddenly took it much more seriously.

(End of this chapter)