Chapter 6: Anyone Will Do, Just Not Su Yan

"This is impossible..." Su Yan muttered to herself.

In her memory, Li Xiangyang should have been that foolish boy who was so eager to please her that he would even hand over his family's rations. Yet, the man before her now walked with a confident stride and did not even spare her a glance.

"What's the matter? Smitten?" Wang Ming appeared beside Su Yan, his tone laced with mockery.

"What are you talking about?" Su Yan snapped out of it and quickly denied, "I just find it strange. How could he possibly have a gun..."

"Heh, what's so strange about that?" Wang Ming sneered. "Doesn't his family have two rabbits and a few pheasants? He probably traded them for it."

Su Yan’s heart stirred at these words.

That’s right. With a gun, wouldn't hunting be much easier? Thinking of this, she couldn't help but lick her lips. Because Li Xiangyang had stopped bringing them meat lately, the food she and Wang Ming ate had become significantly worse. Even the other educated youths had begun to look at them with strange, judgmental eyes.

"I have to find a way..." Su Yan bit her lower lip.

"What are you planning to do?" Wang Ming asked, guarded.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Su Yan patted Wang Ming’s hand. "Everyone is gossiping about us now, and they've even written letters of complaint. I need to find a way to shut them up."

Wang Ming wanted to say more, but Su Yan had already turned and walked away.

Li Xiangyang was unaware of everything that had happened behind him; he walked straight toward his home. As he reached the gate, he heard bursts of laughter from within.

"Big brother is back!" Li Xiaohua was the first to rush out. "Wow, what kind of gun is that? It looks so new!"

"A Type 56," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, ruffling his sister's hair. "Now, brother will be able to hunt even better things for you to eat."

"That's great!" Li Xiaohua cheered.

Their mother also came out of the house. Upon seeing the hunting rifle strapped to her son's back, a flash of worry crossed her face. "This gun..."

"Mom, don't worry," Li Xiangyang knew what she was anxious about. "I have the proper permits. And..." He pulled the hazel grouse from his bag. "Look, today's catch."

"Is this a flying dragon?" Li Xiaohua exclaimed. "I heard the uncles in the village say this meat is delicious!"

"It is," Li Xiangyang laughed. "We'll stew it with mushrooms today."

Just as they were speaking, a familiar voice drifted from outside the gate: "Xiangyang, are you home?"

It was Su Yan.

Li Xiaohua immediately frowned. Her brother had only just started to change for the better, and this woman was back again. Ever since she learned that this woman was the reason their family had run out of food, she had held no affection for Su Yan.

Li Xiangyang’s brow furrowed slightly. Without turning his head, he said, "I'm not home. If you have something to say, say it tomorrow."

"But..." Su Yan’s voice was filled with feigned grievance. "I came to apologize..."

Li Xiangyang sneered. "Apologize? Just like you used to? Wait until I catch some game, and then you come to apologize? And then..."

"No, that's not it!" Su Yan interrupted him eagerly. "I truly know I was wrong. Can you—"

"Get lost!"

Li Xiangyang turned around abruptly, his gaze icy as he looked at Su Yan outside the gate. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Now that I have a gun, you want to try and curry favor with me again? Let me tell you, I, Li Xiangyang, am not the fool I used to be!"

Su Yan’s face turned pale; she hadn't expected Li Xiangyang to be so blunt and disrespectful. Gritting her teeth, she turned and ran away.

"Brother, you’re so cool! That’s exactly how you should treat a bad woman!" Li Xiaohua watched her brother with admiration.

Li Xiangyang smiled, but a sense of vigilance rose in his heart. He knew Su Yan too well; this woman would not give up so easily.

"Son, isn't it a bit too harsh to treat Su Yan that way?" Seeing her son's attitude, Mother Li spoke up with concern.

Li Xiangyang was stunned; he hadn't expected his mother to say this. "Mom, don't you know what kind of person she is?"

"I know," Mother Li sighed, her voice heavy with worry. "But you aren't young anymore. If you keep pushing girls away like that, who in the village will dare to marry their daughter to you?"

A warmth spread through Li Xiangyang's heart. So, this was what his mother was worried about.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "Your son won't be a bachelor forever."

"You child," Mother Li’s voice choked up. "That’s not what I meant. I’m just afraid... afraid that you’ve become cold-hearted because of this whole business with Su Yan. Your father left early, and I wasn't able to find you a good match. Now, seeing you like this..."

"Brother won't be a bachelor! My brother can hunt now, and he's become so responsible. Who wouldn't like a man like that?" Li Xiaohua said proudly.

"You child, what do you know?" Mother Li scolded, though her eyes held a smile.

"My brother is so good, he’ll definitely find an even better wife," Li Xiaohua said earnestly. "Anyone is fine, as long as it's not Su Yan. All she does is try to trick my brother out of his things."

Listening to his sister's childish voice, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but laugh. In his previous life, his mother and sister had passed away before he could even start a family. In this life, he was determined to let them see him marry a good wife with their own eyes.

"Mom, don't worry," Li Xiangyang said softly. "Once things get better for our family, I will definitely find you a kind and caring daughter-in-law."

Looking at the firm gaze in her son's eyes, Mother Li swallowed the words she had intended to say. She had seen the changes in her son. It wasn't just that he had become capable; more importantly, he had become a man of his own mind. Perhaps she really didn't need to worry as much as a mother.

Looking at the thin clothes worn by his sister and mother, Li Xiangyang felt a pang of concern. Even though the family could afford to eat meat now, their clothing was still a problem. He figured he would have to venture deeper into the mountains tomorrow. It was dangerous, but that also meant more game. To help his family survive the winter comfortably, these small catches wouldn't be enough.

At night, the family sat around the heated *kang*. The aroma of the pheasant stewed with mushrooms filled the air. Li Xiaohua squinted her eyes in happiness as she ate.

"Eat slowly," Li Xiangyang said, placing a piece of meat in his sister’s bowl. "There will be plenty of good things in the future."

Mother Li watched her son’s determined expression, feeling warmed inside. Since her husband’s passing, she hadn't seen her son act with such conviction.

"Mom, I have to go into the mountains again tomorrow to try and find some larger game. It’s getting colder, and if we don't have proper clothes for winter, it’s going to be hard," Li Xiangyang said, his heart aching as he looked at his sister’s thin clothing.

"You must be careful," Mother Li worried. "The wind has been strong these past few days."

"I know," Li Xiangyang nodded, thinking about his limited supply of bullets—if he ran out, he would have to spend money to buy more. "I have to find a way to make more money. It's not just for paying off debts; bullets are expensive, too."

As he spoke, he set down his bowl and chopsticks and fetched a few sticks to sharpen. This was a technique he had learned while hunting in Africa in his previous life. Sometimes, when his ammunition ran out, these simple weapons could save his life.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Li Xiaohua asked, leaning in curiously.

"This?" Li Xiangyang explained with a smile. "You can't just rely on a gun for hunting; you have to prepare some spare tools."

Watching Li Xiangyang’s focused expression, Mother Li hesitated to speak. She knew he was doing this for the family, but she couldn't help but feel that he had changed too quickly—so quickly that it made her feel a bit uneasy. However, looking at the pheasant meat on the table and smelling its rich fragrance, Mother Li smiled. At the very least, life was moving in a better direction.

The family chatted and laughed as they finished dinner. After cleaning up, Li Xiangyang sat under the lamp and continued to polish the wooden sticks. Although the Type 56 rifle was effective, ammunition was a significant issue. Each round cost a dollar; he had to secure a kill every time he fired to break even. Besides, he couldn't keep running to the forestry station; it was too conspicuous. So, he had to save wherever he could.

Li Xiangyang ran his hands over the smooth surface of the wooden stick, his eyes firm. In this life, he was determined to give his family a good life. No matter what difficulties lay ahead, he would not retreat.

Outside the window, the cold wind howled, but the room remained warm and cozy. The lingering heat of the *kang* and the scent of pheasant and mushrooms made this cold winter night feel exceptionally comforting.