Chapter 177: Become Sworn Siblings?
Hearing the team leader call, Ning Xiyue ran over excitedly, her eyes fixed on the black bear (Heixiaozi) sitting on the rack.
Seeing the fluffy black bear up close, Ning Xiyue really wanted to touch it, to feel its texture. Before reaching out, she asked, “Team Leader, can I touch it?”
The team leader laughed heartily: “Haha, of course! Capturing this black bear wouldn’t have been possible without your help, Xiyue girl. Go ahead and touch it.”
Ning Xiyue’s hand moved toward the bear’s furry head. The touch was like Little Gray’s — stiff, slightly prickly, but shiny, smooth, and thick. It looked warm just to the eye.
Seeing Ning Xiyue so fond of the bear’s fur, the team leader had an idea.
Ning Xiyue’s touching also stirred curiosity among the others. No one had dared touch a black bear before; anyone who did usually ended up inside the bear’s stomach. Now with the chance, everyone wanted to ask the team leader if they could touch it too.
The team leader saw everyone excited and waved his hand: “Go ahead, anyone who wants to touch it, come up! Only this one chance.”
“Ah! I want to touch the bear!”
“I want to touch it too! I want to grab its paw!”
Both those touching and those waiting were thrilled.
Chen Ye Chu, Liu Yao, and Wang Mengmeng were the most excited, even attempting bear hugs.
After indulging in her excitement, Ning Xiyue got down to work, tending to a few injured teammates.
Those busy slaughtering pigs continued with their tasks, while others organized the game. The scene was bustling as everyone prepared for the day’s pig feast.
While working, everyone was curious about the hunting process. Many asked the hunting team to share stories, so they could listen while working.
The hunting team was more than willing to recount the three-day hunt, narrating it vividly, full of exciting anecdotes that drew gasps and admiration.
Of course, everyone was especially curious about the biggest prey — the black bear that was usually frightening but now thrilling.
“Team Leader, how did you catch the black bear? Tell us what happened.”
After tending to the wounded, Ning Xiyue and Chen Ye Chu found a warm spot to sit by the cooking fire. The aunts cooked and steamed food nearby, while they listened to the hunting team recount their thrilling mountain adventures.
The question asked was exactly what Ning Xiyue wanted to hear — the process of capturing the black bear had to be exciting.
Zhang Jianguo stepped forward, waving his hands cheerfully: “I’ll tell you! I was the first to face it, so I know best. It really scared me to death.”
“Good!” the crowd applauded and cheered, “Jianguo, tell us every detail!”
“You wouldn’t believe it. I just went to the bathroom, and when I turned around, there it was — a black bear standing right in front of me! I didn’t even have time to pull up my pants. I sat down on the ground in shock and kept backing away.”
As Zhang Jianguo spoke, he acted out the scene, even mimicking a lunge.
“It was terrifying. The black bear lunged — just a hand’s distance from me! I quickly got up, stood farther away, and thought, since the bear couldn’t see me clearly, I’d just hold my breath and quietly touch the medicine in my pocket that Doctor Ning gave me. Guess what happened next?”
He paused dramatically, looking at the listeners.
The audience all looked toward Ning Xiyue tending the fire, curious about what Jianguo would say next, hoping to read some reaction from her expression.
Of course, Ning Xiyue gave nothing away.
Once again, she felt all eyes on her. Calmly, she tossed a few dried corn cobs into the fire, smiling subtly as everyone glanced her way, giving nothing away about the medicine.
In her mind, she thought: This comrade Jianguo is a good storyteller. Let the anticipation build, then deliver a twist.
The crowd smiled politely at Ning Xiyue and returned their attention to Jianguo, urging him to continue.
“How was it, everyone? How did Doctor Ning’s medicine work?”
“Hurry up! I’m dying to know!”
Jianguo smiled gratefully at Ning Xiyue and continued:
“When I reached for it, my hands froze. My mind just thought ‘It’s over.’ I forgot to bring the medicine out.”
The audience collectively groaned: “Tsk~”
Jianguo ignored it, lowering his voice:
“I was terrified to death. The black bear’s mouth was wide open, showing sharp teeth, slowly approaching. I thought I was done for. I even imagined Old Wang from the neighboring team, whose body the bear had half-eaten. My teeth were chattering and my legs wouldn’t move.”
Hearing this, everyone recalled the past tragedy.
“Oh my god, that reminded me of Old Wang next door! So scary! His head and body were half-gone. I couldn’t sleep for a month after seeing it. Jianguo, you’re lucky.”
Jianguo shook his head:
“I could feel the stinking hot breath of the black bear on my face. At that critical moment, the team leader and others descended from above, took out Doctor Ning’s secret medicine powder, and sprinkled it on the bear. I heard a thud — the bear collapsed right in front of me. That’s how I survived.”
He looked at Ning Xiyue with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.
“Thank you, Team Leader, and thank you, Doctor Ning. From now on, anything you need, Doctor Ning, just ask me. I’ll help. Thank you for saving my life. From now on, you’re my sworn sister.”
He then bowed 90 degrees toward Ning Xiyue.
The team leader stepped onto the stage, nodding in satisfaction at Jianguo:
“You really should thank Doctor Ning. Without her, you’d be in that bear’s stomach today. Instead of enjoying the team’s pig feast, it would have been your meal!”
“Ha ha ha!”
The team leader’s comment drew laughter and relief from everyone.
Jianguo nodded repeatedly, thanking Ning Xiyue again. He now fully idolized her.
Ning Xiyue stood and waved off the thanks modestly.
“Quiet.”
Once everyone settled, the team leader addressed the group:
“Today we caught so much game. We especially need to thank Doctor Ning. Without her medicine, we couldn’t have returned safely, and we wouldn’t be enjoying this feast together. Let’s all thank the hero.”
“Thank you, Doctor Ning!”
The unified shout of thanks filled Ning Xiyue with warmth and a small sense of pride. Her medicine had been right.
Smiling humbly, she replied:
“No need to thank me. I’m honored to serve the team and contribute my skills. As the team’s barefoot doctor, it makes me happy that everyone trusts me. As long as everyone is safe, I’m content.”
Her words pleased everyone, and the team leader applauded, announcing:
“All the team leaders have decided to give Doctor Ning one pig leg and one bear paw. Any objections?”
“No objections.”
After hearing the hunting team’s stories, everyone wholeheartedly agreed. Ning Xiyue’s rewards were well deserved.
Those standing beside her congratulated her, the atmosphere festive and joyful.
“Alright, the tables are set, the dishes are ready. Let’s start. After enjoying the pig feast, we’ll slaughter the team’s New Year pig in the afternoon and share the meat for the New Year.”
The team leader’s announcement made the excitement even louder.
“Let’s eat!”
“Ah, time for the pig feast!”
Everyone rushed to the dishes, and in the blink of an eye, all seats were taken.
Zhang Jianguo, smiling, beckoned Ning Xiyue: “Sister Yue, this way. I reserved a spot for you. You’ll be well taken care of.”
“Thanks, Comrade Jianguo.”
Seeing there were no seats left, Ning Xiyue led a few female comrades from the Youth Workstation to her spot confidently.
“From now on, Sister Yue, your matters are my matters. How about we become sworn siblings? From now on, we’ll be like brother and sister. You’ll be my elder sister.” Zhang Jianguo looked at Ning Xiyue expectantly, proposing.
