Chapter 34: Wolves Everywhere

The village of Big Willow Tree was in an uproar!

Every household, young and old, able-bodied or not—everyone rushed out to the fields.

Fires sprang up in clusters. The leaves along the roadside shrubs were nearly stripped bare.

Beyond the thick smoke, the air reeked with a strange, sweet-sour stench.

“Look! Locusts!” someone suddenly shouted, voice trembling with panic, pointing toward the horizon.

A vast, dark cloud of locusts descended from afar.

But just before reaching the edge of Big Willow Tree, they scattered like a storm splitting apart—diving left and right, neatly bypassing the village.

The villagers: ……

Staring at the endless black swarm passing on either side of their homes, they felt a mix of relief and creeping dread. Goosebumps rose on their arms.

Some elderly men, shaken to their core, collapsed onto the ground as if they’d narrowly escaped death.

Then, laughter broke out—first hesitant, then wild and unrestrained.

“Hahaha… Our crops are saved!”

“Right! Our food supply’s safe!”

“Hahaha… The locusts flew away!”

Suddenly, the fields erupted in cheers.

“Ah… I wonder how Stone Village fared?” the village chief, Wang Zhengyi, sighed suddenly.

His daughter had married into Stone Village. She probably hadn’t escaped the plague.

Su Old Man stayed silent.

When disaster strikes, everyone can only save themselves first.

Even with a method to drive off the locusts, time was too short. Saving Big Willow Tree’s crops had been a miracle.

Who could spare a thought for another village?

Su Old Man patted the chief’s shoulder. “You sent Fugui to warn Stone Village, didn’t you? Maybe it’s not too late…”

“Hope you’re right,” the chief said, gazing at the lush fields around him. His heart swelled with relief.

At least their harvest was safe.

“Uncle Su,” the chief said, eyes full of gratitude, “on behalf of the entire village, thank you.”

Su Old Man waved his hands quickly. “Chief, you’re making me blush! What thanks? Really…”

“Thank you for raising such a fine daughter,” the chief added with a grin.

Su Old Man: ……

***

The Su household buzzed with activity.

“Big Tiger’s mom, take these eggs—keep them for Tangbao to eat boiled,” the chief’s wife said with a bright smile, shoving a basket of eggs into Su Grandma’s hands. “Tangbao’s our whole village’s treasure!”

Su Grandma: ……

My own daughter is my treasure—don’t go stealing her attention!

“Sister-in-law, this is impossible—we can’t accept this,” Su Grandma protested, trying to push the basket back.

Normally, only gifts came *to* the chief’s house. Now, the chief’s family was giving gifts *out*. It felt heavy, awkward, almost dangerous.

“You brought them here already,” the chief’s wife laughed. “How could you possibly take them back?”

Her eyes lit up as she turned to Tangbao, who was happily munching on roasted grasshoppers.

Tangbao: ……

She felt like prey being eyed by a wolf.

“Such a darling child—how can anyone resist wanting to steal her home?” the chief’s wife cooed, pinching Tangbao’s cheek.

“Tangbao, come visit Auntie’s place when you’re free. My grandson Wanglai would love to play with you.”

Wanglai was the chief’s grandson.

Tangbao: ……

You’re already trying to snatch me—how dare I go near your house?

I’ll be walking straight into the lion’s den!

Su Grandma’s expression darkened.

The idea of an arranged marriage haunted her. Every time someone mentioned their son or grandson, she sensed hidden intentions.

Just as she exhaled in relief after seeing off the chief’s wife, the wife of the clan leader arrived.

Same basket. Same eggs.

Then neighbors followed—Zhang, Wang, Li, Zhao…

Every woman in the village, carrying something—some more, some less—headed straight for the Su house.

Su Grandma was exhausted.

It felt like being surrounded on all sides by wolves.

Everyone was sharpening their claws, ready to claim her little girl.