Chapter 135: Four Dogs Find Their Master

“The mountain shouldn’t be too high; it would be hard for our parents to climb.”

“The water shouldn’t be too deep; Mengmeng can be quite a handful. If something happens to her, it would be unimaginable.”

“And we can’t be gone for too many days; the cows at home still need feeding.”

Cheng Xiaolin counted on her fingers, realizing that planning a trip wasn’t as easy as she thought. Eventually, she threw up her hands in frustration. “Honey, I can’t think of anything.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t have to leave first thing tomorrow. Take your time to think it over,” Cao Shujie reassured her.

Mengmeng ran over from somewhere and leaped into her father’s arms. She shouted “Daddy!” before looking up with a big smile. “Daddy, what are you doing?”

“Nothing much. Mommy and I are planning a trip for you and your grandparents,” Cao Shujie explained.

“A trip?” Mengmeng’s face lit up with joy. She loved the idea.

Seeing her grandmother approaching, she ran over to share the news. “Grandma, Daddy and Mommy are taking us on a trip!”

“Where are we going?” Wang Yuelan asked instinctively.

Mengmeng scratched her head. “I don’t know, Daddy said so.”

Cao Shujie noticed his mother looking over and said, “Mom, Xiaolin and I were thinking that since we’re not too busy now, we could take a couple of days off for a trip.”

Before he could finish, Wang Yuelan waved her hand dismissively. “You two go ahead. I have a lot of work to do at home.”

Cao Jianguo chimed in, “You go. I’ll look after the orchard and feed the cows.”

“Dad, it’s just two or three days. It’ll be fine,” Cao Shujie tried to persuade them.

But Cao Jianguo and Wang Yuelan were adamant. They felt there was too much to do at home to leave for even a couple of days.

Cheng Xiaolin also tried to convince her mother-in-law to relax a bit.

For Cao Jianguo and Wang Yuelan, who had spent their lives working hard, the idea of a trip was unfamiliar. They had never experienced such leisure.

Seeing his wife still trying to persuade them, Cao Shujie shook his head and whispered, “Let’s talk about it later. We can start by exploring nearby places to change the scenery and unwind.”

“That’s all we can do,” Cheng Xiaolin sighed as she sat down, resting her chin in her hand. “Do you think my parents are the same? They never want to go anywhere.”

“They’re used to being busy. We have to persuade them slowly,” Cao Shujie replied.

Understanding this, Cheng Xiaolin didn’t press further.

Clouds covered the moon, making the night even darker.

Cao Shujie looked up at the pitch-black sky and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s rest and talk more tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Cheng Xiaolin agreed, still pondering. “If nothing else, we could have a picnic somewhere nice.”

“We could go to the Yellow River. Bring some fishing rods, maybe catch a couple of carp and grill them right there,” Cao Shujie suggested.

Cheng Xiaolin pouted. “I can’t remember how many times we’ve been there this year. We could just ride our electric bike there anytime. Why now?”

Over the next couple of days, Cao Shujie settled accounts with Chen Lei, Xia Changhong, Chen Xingquan, and Tian Xinhua, transferring their wages.

Chen Lei received 30,000 yuan, Tian Xinhua 183,000 yuan, Chen Xingquan 92,000 yuan, and Xia Changhong 62,700 yuan.

By this point, the initial investment in the second plot of land Cao Shujie had contracted had reached 367,700 yuan.

But the work wasn’t done. The cowshed, sheep pen, and pigsty were still unfinished, and the workers from Cao Zhenggang’s group hadn’t been paid. For future security and management, Cao Shujie planned to install a comprehensive surveillance system, which would cost at least tens of thousands.

“One step at a time,” Cao Shujie thought as he stood in the orchard, watching the 50 cows frolicking. He felt a mix of emotions.

People often think starting a business in the countryside, engaging in large-scale farming and breeding, is easy. But once you do it yourself, you realize it’s not as simple as it seems.

Fortunately, Cao Shujie had expertise. As an agriculture university graduate, he understood animal and plant diseases and prevention. His past research on promoting plant growth and preventing diseases was invaluable.

Without these skills, his work would be even harder.

Thinking of this, Cao Shujie couldn’t help but recall Cao Jianhua.

Busy with his own affairs, he hadn’t kept up with others. He wondered how Cao Jianhua was doing after the last loan.

And Cao Zhen, who had gone to Xinjiang, had been silent. How was he faring there?

After a busy day on the mountain, Cao Shujie returned home. Before he could catch his breath, his wife said, “Shujie, how about we go to Huaxi Mountain? I heard there’s a small waterfall and rafting. There are many things to do, and lots of local eateries. What do you think?”

Cao Shujie had no objections and nodded. “Sure, tomorrow?”

Huaxi Mountain, a tourist spot in the neighboring county, was about 100 kilometers from Cao Family Village. It was a popular destination during holidays.

The mountain wasn’t very high, known for its recreational facilities. In late autumn, the yellow trees turned deep red, attracting many families.

The local eateries were famous for their authentic flavors, drawing companies and organizations for team-building meals.

The distance wasn’t far; they could go in the morning and return by afternoon.

Realizing his wife’s thoughtful choice, Cao Shujie appreciated her effort.

After deciding on the destination, Cheng Xiaolin quickly informed her in-laws.

Cao Jianguo and Wang Yuelan initially hesitated, citing household responsibilities and costs.

But the destination wasn’t far, and Mengmeng’s excitement persuaded them to join the trip.

That evening, Cao Shujie and his father, Cao Jianguo, went up the mountain to prepare ample grass and feed for the calves, ensuring they wouldn’t miss their meals the next day.

At this moment, Cao Shujie realized he truly needed to find a reliable long-term worker.

Tasks like adding Nutrient Solution, Cao Shujie could handle himself. However, for daily chores like pruning the fruit trees, managing the mountain fields, mixing feed, and feeding the cattle, he needed to hire someone.

“Dad, who in our village is reliable for work?” Cao Shujie asked casually.

Cao Jianguo didn’t quite catch his son’s meaning and asked, “Shujie, what did you just say?”

Cao Shujie explained, “I want to find someone for long-term work. Once the more than 100 mu of land across from us is in use, and the number of cattle, sheep, and pigs increases, mixing feed will be quite a task. Plus, when these over 50 mu of fruit trees grow, it will require significant labor.”

“Later on, when we plant pasture grass, we’ll also need to mow it.”

These were facts, and Cao Jianguo didn’t argue. Even if he wanted to take on all the work himself, he couldn’t manage it.

He said somewhat despondently, “The young people in our village who can work have all gone out to earn money. Those who stay are generally older. As you raise more pigs, cattle, and sheep, the workload will only increase. Hiring someone too old isn’t suitable…”

“Yeah, someone in their forties or fifties would be ideal. They’re at the age where they work most steadily,” Cao Shujie replied.

“I’ll think about it. Now that you mention it, I can’t really think of anyone,” Cao Jianguo said.

The father and son came down from the mountain and returned home just in time for dinner.

Knowing they would leave early the next morning, after dinner, Cheng Xiaolin began packing, mostly preparing things for Mengmeng.

Even though they were only going out for a day, she managed to fill a bag.

The next morning, a little after 5 a.m., Cao Shujie got up and took four dogs for a walk on the Yellow River Dam to the east. Seeing no one on the dam, he tentatively unleashed Daha and Erha, letting them run freely while he held onto the two German Shepherds, following behind.

Seeing that Daha and Erha didn’t run off wildly and would stop and wait for him if they got too far ahead, he felt relieved.

“Daha, Erha, run a bit more, then we’ll head home,” Cao Shujie called from behind.

“Owuu.”

“Oh, oh…”

Two wolf-like howls echoed back, as if Daha and Erha were responding to him in their own way.

The two German Shepherds turned their heads to look at Cao Shujie, and he seemed to see a longing to run in their eyes.

Moved, he crouched down, patted their heads, and whispered, “You two mustn’t run off, understand?”

“Oh!”

A deep howl sounded, and the two German Shepherds shook their heads up and down, as if saying they understood.

At that moment, Cao Shujie felt as if he were speaking to a person, to his own children.

The next moment, he unleashed the German Shepherds too, gently patting them on their backs and pointing forward. “Go on, come back in a bit.”

Freed from their leashes, the four dogs ran wildly for the first time.

From time to time, deep howls echoed, sounding particularly spirited and loud to Cao Shujie.

He smiled silently, whispering, “Seems like they don’t want to be restrained either.”

Cao Shujie strolled leisurely behind, holding the four leashes, reflecting on how in his past life he was always busy with work and never truly enjoyed life. But in this life, even though he was still busy, he genuinely enjoyed it.

About 20 minutes later, the four dogs, having run enough, returned to his side, circling him and nuzzling his legs. Their faces and eyes were full of affection, and their gazes at him seemed to have changed.

“Owuu!”

This time, their howls were not as high-pitched and sharp, more like a child’s affectionate call upon seeing their parents.

Cao Shujie’s eyes crinkled with a smile. He crouched down, hugging each of them, his hand stroking from their heads to their bodies, and they seemed to enjoy it immensely.

At that moment, Cao Shujie realized that after all this time and effort, these four dogs truly saw him as their master, their best companion.

Ten minutes later, Cao Shujie stood up and said, “Let’s go home now. We have other things to do today. We’ll come out to play again tomorrow.”

The four dogs, understanding, extended their necks one by one for him to leash them, playfully heading home together.

Without needing guidance, they knew the way back!

Upon returning home, his mother, Wang Yuelan, had already prepared breakfast, and his wife, Cheng Xiaolin, was eating.

Seeing Cao Shujie come in, Cheng Xiaolin called out, “Hurry and eat. Let’s leave while it’s still cool.”

“Where’s Mengmeng? Still not up?” Cao Shujie asked.

Cheng Xiaolin shook her head. “No, I doubt she’ll be up anytime soon. Let her sleep a bit more. We can bring some food for her to eat on the way.”

That seemed like a good plan. Cao Shujie washed his hands and quickly ate breakfast.

In just a few bites, he was full. He loaded the things they were taking and Mengmeng’s stroller into the trunk. Seeing his parents and wife still eating breakfast, he went to the bedroom to wake Mengmeng.

Watching Mengmeng roll around on the bed, rubbing her eyes and about to fuss, he said, “Mengmeng, how about you stay home and sleep? Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma are going out to play.”

“No, I don’t want to!” Mengmeng’s temper flared at the suggestion, her voice sharp and piercing.

“Then hurry and get up, so we can leave early,” Cao Shujie said.

“Daddy, dress me,” Mengmeng quickly crawled out of the covers, no longer fussing.

She stretched out her arms, demanding her father dress her, insisting that her parents wait for her.

This delay took 20 minutes. Once she was ready, Cheng Xiaolin carried their daughter Mengmeng to the back seat with her mother-in-law, while Cao Shujie drove, and his father, Cao Jianguo, sat in the front passenger seat.

Cao Jianguo remarked, “Shujie, it seems driving this car isn’t that hard.”

Cao Shujie replied, “Dad, it’s automatic. No clutch, just use one foot for the gas and brake, and keep the steering wheel steady.”

“I’ll buy a seven-seater later, and you can have this car,” Cao Shujie said.

No sooner had he spoken than Cao Jianguo waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t need it. I have no use for a car.”

Curious, he asked, “Why are you getting a seven-seater? A minivan?”

“Dad, why would I need a van? I was just thinking that when we have more free time, we could take you, Mom, and Mengmeng’s grandparents out for trips. A seven-seater would be perfect for that,” Cao Shujie explained.

Hearing his son’s reasoning, Cao Jianguo didn’t say anything further.

As they chatted and laughed along the way, they arrived at Huaxi Mountain without even realizing it.

Upon arrival, Cao Shujie noticed that there were quite a few cars with out-of-town license plates.

Although Huaxi Mountain isn’t famous nationwide, it still attracts a fair number of visitors from nearby counties and cities.

“So many people,” Cao Jianguo remarked in surprise. “Doesn’t anyone have work to do?”

(End of chapter)