Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

"Grandpa, we're back!"

As soon as she got back, Chu Qingxuan exclaimed excitedly.

At that moment, the old Party Secretary was curled up on the kang (a heated brick bed) reading the newspaper. Hearing the sound, he looked up and said, "Back so soon? What, did Li Xiangyang have bad luck and catch nothing?"

Just then, Li Xiangyang followed him in, carrying a pheasant: "You're mistaken. I'm lucky today; I caught you a fat chicken."

"Good heavens!" The old Party Secretary put down his newspaper, adjusted his reading glasses, and carefully examined the pheasant. "This pheasant is plump and strong; it must weigh five or six pounds, right?"

Li Xiangyang nodded: "Pretty much, old Party Secretary. I'd like to borrow your stove to stew a chicken."

“Sure, feel free to use the kitchen,” the old Party Secretary replied, pointing to the backyard, “The firewood is in the back.”

"I'll go help too!" Chu Qingxuan had already rolled up her sleeves and rushed to the backyard. "Just wait and see if you can taste our cooking."

Li Xiangyang followed her into the kitchen and was taken aback when he saw Chu Qingxuan already squatting in front of the stove starting a fire.

She deftly stuffed firewood into the stove, her movements incredibly skillful.

"What, are you stunned?" Chu Qingxuan looked up at him and smiled, her hands still busy. "My mom comes from the countryside, after all; I've known how to do these things since I was little. Give me the chicken, I'll clean it."

As she spoke, she stood up and took the pheasant from Li Xiangyang's hand.

Before Li Xiangyang could speak, she had already brought hot water and deftly began plucking the pheasant's feathers.

"A quick scald will make it easier to remove," she said as she worked. "Go find some ginger, scallions, and garlic; they're in the cabinet on the left side of the kitchen."

Li Xiangyang nodded in approval as he watched her skillful movements.

Chu Qingxuan didn't care that her hands were wet and covered in chicken feathers; she removed the feathers quickly and cleanly.

The old Party Secretary listened to the sounds coming from the kitchen from the outer room, a satisfied smile spreading across his face: "Qingxuan, that child, has never been spoiled."

"Oh, Grandpa!" Chu Qingxuan's voice came from the kitchen, "Please don't praise me like that. It makes me blush."

"Alright, alright, I won't praise you anymore," the old Party Secretary replied with a smile, but quickly sighed and said in a low voice, "What a pity, they're all good kids, they just weren't meant to be..."

"What did you say?" Chu Qingxuan, having finished preparing the chicken, poked her head out and asked.

"It's nothing," the old Party Secretary waved his hand. "You all go about your business."

Is Old Zhang home?

Just then, a loud voice came from outside the courtyard.

Immediately afterwards, a man in his sixties pushed open the door and came in.

He led a black hunting dog, which, upon entering the yard, did not bark but stood obediently beside its owner.

The hound was well-proportioned, muscular, and had bright, piercing eyes.

"Squat down," the old man said softly.

The hound immediately sat down, its tail wagging gently.

"Who is it? Old Zheng!" the old Party Secretary laughed. "Come in quickly, we're just in time to cook some stewed pheasant."

"Then I'm really in luck!" Old Zheng laughed heartily, striding into the house. "It smells so good."

"It's a pity I'm not fully recovered from my illness yet, so I can't have a couple of drinks with you." The old Party Secretary pointed to Li Xiangyang, "I'll have Xiao Li drink with you later."

"Oh?" Old Zheng looked Li Xiangyang up and down, then glanced at Chu Qingxuan, and asked with a smile, "Is this your granddaughter's husband?"

"No, no!" Chu Qingxuan blushed instantly and waved her hands repeatedly.

"I'd love to," the old Party Secretary sighed. "What a pity, the two children aren't meant to be."

"Brother, you didn't just come here today to freeload chicken, did you?" the old Party Secretary joked.

Old Zheng's smile faded: "It's like this, we need to organize a hunt before spring to prevent wild boars from causing trouble after the seedlings are planted. Old Zhang, your village will need to send out some skilled hunters this time."

"Look at what you're saying. When have I ever not supported you? There are so many young people out there, you can choose whichever you like," the old Party Secretary said.

Old Zheng curled his lip: "The young men in your village are only good for driving people away."

"Hey, I don't like what you're saying," the old Party Secretary said, pointing at Li Xiangyang. "Look at Li, his hunting skills are absolutely top-notch, at least half as good as yours."

Upon hearing this, Old Zheng squinted and began to scrutinize Li Xiangyang.

He stood up and walked over to Li Xiangyang: "Young man, hold out your hand so I can see it."

Li Xiangyang stretched out his hands.

Old Zheng carefully examined his tiger's mouth and palm, pressing them from time to time.

"Thick tiger's mouth, evenly distributed calluses on the hands, not bad."

Old Zheng nodded, then walked around behind Li Xiangyang. "His back muscles are strong, and his gait is steady; he definitely looks like someone who goes up the mountain often."

Seeing how seriously Old Zheng was observing, the old Party Secretary smiled slightly.

"Hey bro, how's it going?"

"Not bad, this young man has some skills." Old Zheng sat down again, his tone more approving. "He's got the makings of a hunter."

"That's right!" The old Party Secretary immediately perked up. "Since you also think Xiao Li is good, why not give him one of your Nightshade puppies?"

"Want puppies?" Old Zheng glanced at Ye Ying in the yard, then at Li Xiangyang. "It's not impossible. But it depends on their performance during the hunt. If they can't even handle a wild boar, giving them dogs is pointless."

"Li Xiangyang, hurry up and thank Old Zheng," the old Party Secretary said hastily.

Li Xiangyang nodded solemnly: "Thank you, Mr. Zheng. You're right. If we can't even handle wild boars, what good is a dog?"

“That’s right.” Old Zheng smiled with satisfaction. “We hunters can’t do without a good dog. Look at my Nightshade, it’s been with me for over ten years, helped me catch foxes, cornered wild boars, and saved my life several times. If you get its puppies, you’d better treat them well.”

"Old Zheng, a man of his word. Since you agreed, you'd better train him properly."

The old Party Secretary chimed in.

"Is he well-trained?" Old Zheng stroked his chin, looking at Li Xiangyang with a smile. "It's too early to say. Whether he'll amount to anything depends on his performance. If he's really capable, then we'll give him the training he deserves."

"That's great!" Li Xiangyang's eyes lit up. "Master Zheng, just name a date, and I'll definitely be there for the hunt."

"Don't rush," Old Zheng waved his hand. "Let's eat this chicken and have some wine first."

"Yes, yes, yes." The old Party Secretary quickly called to Chu Qingxuan, "Qingxuan, hurry up and bring the chicken up."

Chu Qingxuan responded and quickly brought out a pot of steaming stewed chicken.

The fragrance immediately filled the air, and even the shadowy figures in the courtyard couldn't help but sniff.

"Alright, get on the kang (heated brick bed)." The old Party Secretary pointed to the warm kang. "Old Zheng, it's warm here, sit here."

Old Zheng chuckled, took off his cotton-padded coat, and sat down on the kang (heated brick bed): "Wow, this kang is really hot!"

Li Xiangyang deftly took the wine bottle and glass from Chu Qingxuan's hand and poured Old Zheng a full glass: "Uncle Zheng, I'm honored that the old Party Secretary has allowed me to pour you a drink today. We didn't prepare anything special, so this is just a toast to you."

At this moment, Chu Qingxuan had already placed a large pot of stewed pheasant and several dishes of pickled vegetables on the kang table, and added a pair of chopsticks for each person.

The aroma of stewed chicken filled the house, making even the old Party Secretary's mouth water.

Old Zheng picked up his glass, grinned at Li Xiangyang, and said, "Come on, let's have a drink, you and me!"

"Of course!" Li Xiangyang picked up his cup. "Mr. Zheng, you go first."

The two clinked glasses and downed them in one gulp.

Li Xiangyang immediately poured another drink for Lao Zheng. This drinking capacity and his quick wit made Lao Zheng so happy that his beard stood on end.