After finishing their snacks, Shen Miaomiao prepared to take them out of the mountains.
She merely wanted to show her new fishing spot to her nephews and impress Shen Xingshen with her skills while at it.
Regardless of the era, the ability to put food on the table was the barest minimum expectation for a partner. Shen Miaomiao was assured; it can never go wrong.
Just as the group was cleaning up, they heard splashes of water beyond the bushes and spotted a group of wild boars nearing their side.
In that instant, the aunt, along with her three little nephews, shared a single, silent thought with their stomachs.
'Meat!'
Shen Miaomiao fixed her gaze on the automatic free delivery pork and tightened her grip on the machete.
Tonight's dinner promised to be a meaty one.
The group of fatties continued along the water's edge, drawing closer to the drooling group.
Shen Ye and Shen Qiu huddled together to shield Shen An, pulling him to crouch down behind Shen Miaomiao. But while they were forming a protective circle, Shen An accidentally backed into Shen Xingshen, bumping into his rigid, unmoving frame, and nearly lost his balance.
Four pairs of eyes turn toward the frozen human roadblock and belatedly realize that, 'Oh no, they have a stray civilian in their midst.'
Shen Xingshen broke out in a cold sweat, unable to process the danger coming up close.
When Shen Miaomiao's warm hand caressed his cheek, the contrast in temperature broke him out of his stunned stupor.
"First time seeing fast-running pork?" Shen Miaomiao teased, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement. "That's fine. It's alright. Every first time should be thrilling enough to be memorable."
"... Pork is served on the table, in a plate; unmoving, dead, not something that can kick and bite me. Those are wild beasts, a few hundred pounds bigger than me. Who knows which of us is dead meat?"
"Isn't that better?"
Shen Miaomiao's laughter bubbled up, but Shen Xingshen's annoyance broke out.
"Better that it's a few hundred pounds? Or better that it can ram us to death?"
Hearing his fierce tone and seeing his clenched jaw, Shen Miaomiao was truly speechless at how quickly he flips his mood.
"Sister," Shen Xingshen took a shaky breath and adjusted his tone, "Sister, don't provoke them, okay?"
Their eyes sparkled with longing and mischief, making it clear they had already decided to challenge their potential dinner. Even if Shen Xingshen wasn't familiar with how they do things, he could still sense the wild excitement in the air.
"Little aunt!" The three little dumplings protested so fast that Shen Xingshen trembled.
Look, he can't even say that there are children here.
"I'm scared. My legs feel weak. I… I don't feel so good–"
Shen Xingshen pinched his palms, encouraging himself. At worst, he will force them and demonstrate his talent in fainting.
"Okay. Let's go back."
Shen Xingshen paused, "Really?"
"Uh-huh. Really. It's decided, let's go quickly."
"Aww—"
"Shut up, the two of you. If we are noticed, I'll throw you as bait."
Shen Ye and Shen Qiu covered each other's mouths, showing their obedience through practical action.
Shen An, with his sharp wits, gathered up their belongings and held his basket, ready to leave at a moment's notice.
It took a second for Shen Xingshen to react.
Tilting his face, he showed what he believed was his most appealing side, and pursed his lips into a triumphant, joyful smile.
"Sister, you are so nice to me."
Shen Miaomiao, "...."
Foul.
On their return, Shen Miaomiao decided to take another path that connects to the main mountain trail. In this way, the villagers would think that they had gone inside in the direction of the deep mountain.
They had barely gone a few steps when rustling from the bushes revealed a chubby piglet poking its head out.
Little dumplings,"!!!!"
The piglet, who separated from its parents, rebellious and reckless, probably believes it was as ferocious as its heavyweight parents. Facing the threat with courage, it charged towards the group, which the children easily dodged.
Unable to stop itself, it slid across, leaving marks on the ground, before hitting a mass of rock.
Shen Miaomiao,"...."
Their mountains have a silly little thing??
Before anyone could stop them, Shen Ye lunged at the piglet, pinning the moving meat. Shen Qiu quickly followed with a straw rope. Together, they bundled their long-awaited dinner.
Shen Xingshen,"...."
The father boar —or perhaps the mother boar— wasn't far off from its child and witnessed the whole blatant kidnapping scene.
Shen Miaomiao snatched the squealing piglet from them, tossed it in her basket, and yelled, "Run!"
Shen An grabbed Shen Xingshen's hand in haste and pulled him forward into a sprint. At the same time, the instigators, Shen Ye and Shen Qiu, two brave souls, rushed ahead while shouting, "Little auntie, don't worry about Big Brother Zhiqing!"
"He's in our good hands!"
Shen Miaomiao had no time to discipline her reckless nephews, her attention fully focused on the enraged beast.
The wild boar grunted, provoked by the cries of its child; its large body charged at Shen Miaomiao.
Cursing under her breath, Shen Miaomiao turned to run in a different direction and lead it away.
She zoomed in fast towards a sturdy tree, stepped on its trunk, and propelled herself upward. She grabbed the lowest branch and dangled in one hand as the large boar head butted directly onto the tree.
Unlike the squealing piggy, its head was a lot more solid. It wasn't dizzy, nor did it give up. It kept hitting the trunk, obviously smarter, and wanted the shameless human to fall and be trampled under its feet.
The rest of the group of wild boars was startled by the loud noise and the cries of their young. Perceiving the threat, it wouldn't be long until the whole family appears to gang up on her.
Shen Miaomiao lifted her legs to hug the branch and pulled herself up. The branch wasn't big enough, and it kept swaying, but it was enough to change her position. Now lying on her front, she's able to stare down at the wild boar.
Following the thumping of her heartbeat, Shen Miaomiao gripped her knife, then plummeted down with all her weight, letting gravity assist and drive the blade deep into the wild boar's thick hide.
It let out a long, high-pitched screeching scream before collapsing.
Shen Miaomiao let go of the hilt and rolled away. Without pausing to check her kill, she sprang up and dashed off. The squealing piglet was still desperately calling for father and mother and crying injustice to the heavens, certain to summon the rest of its loving relatives to give chase.