Chapter 354: Chickens Out of the Coop

After registering and storing everything properly, Zhou Dazhong headed to the Transport Department to find Zhou Dafu.

When he arrived, he saw Zhou Dafu attentively listening to Li Feng’s explanation.

“Dafu!”

Zhou Dazhong gave Zhou Dafu a pat on the shoulder!

Zhou Dafu turned around but didn’t see anyone, only to feel a tap on the other shoulder. When he turned his head, he saw Zhou Dazhong standing beside Li Feng.

“What are you doing here?” Zhou Dafu asked with a bit of confusion.

“Uncle Sixteen told me to go back tomorrow. The village chickens are ready to be taken out of the coop. He asked me to come get Captain Li and ask for help tomorrow,” Zhou Dazhong replied honestly.

“Oh, I see.”

“Master, is that okay?” Zhou Dafu turned to Li Feng.

Li Feng heard it was Zhou Yimin asking for help—someone with strong standing at the factory—plus it was just a small matter, so there was no reason to say no. “Team Leader Zhou, since you’re personally asking, of course it’s fine!”

“I’m going to take a break. You two chat,” he added.

Zhou Dafu then pulled Zhou Dazhong aside, feeling something was off. Normally, Uncle Sixteen would personally handle such matters—why was Zhou Dazhong in charge this time?

“Dazhong, how come you’re the one doing this?”

“Procurement Department,” Zhou Dazhong explained the whole backstory.

Zhou Dafu was incredibly envious. When would it be his turn to get promoted?

They chatted for around half an hour.

When Zhou Dazhong saw Li Feng slowly walking back over, he sensibly took his leave, so as not to interfere with Zhou Dafu’s learning.

The next morning, Zhou Dazhong arrived at the steel factory early, but Zhou Dafu and Li Feng were already waiting.

“Sorry I’m late!” Zhou Dazhong said. He thought he’d come early so Li Feng wouldn’t have to wait, but hadn’t expected Li Feng to be even earlier.

“It’s fine. We’re just used to arriving early,” Li Feng replied.

Zhou Dazhong didn’t exchange more pleasantries and hopped straight into the truck.

Although it wasn’t his first time riding in a truck, it still excited him every time. With no outsiders around, he couldn’t help poking around curiously.

Zhou Dafu teased him, “Dazhong, why do you look like someone who’s never seen the world before? Look at me—calm and composed. It’s just a truck, not like I’ve never ridden in one.”

Seeing Zhou Dafu’s smug expression, if Zhou Dazhong hadn’t had some self-control, he’d have gone over and smacked him.

Li Feng called him out directly: “Dafu, back when it was your first time, you were even worse—you nearly kissed the tires!”

Zhou Dafu was dumbfounded. He didn’t expect Li Feng to air his embarrassing moment like that.

“Dafu, I didn’t know your tastes were that special—not even sparing the tires!” Zhou Dazhong laughed, patting Zhou Dafu on the back.

Even someone as thick-skinned as Zhou Dafu couldn’t take it—his face turned red. “Hey, at least let me explain! Everyone has their youthful moments. I was just young and foolish!”

“You’re not that young anymore,” Zhou Dazhong replied, showing no mercy.

Just as Zhou Dafu was passionately defending himself, he suddenly fell silent—his mouth open, but no sound coming out, like it was blocked.

Li Feng watched the two of them and chuckled helplessly, then focused on driving.

Maybe because the two kept the mood lively, the trip felt much quicker.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Zhoujiazhuang Village.

Seeing the familiar truck, the village security didn’t stop them and waved them through.

Zhou Dazhong rolled down the window and tossed a few cigarettes to the security guards.

Recognizing him, they didn’t stand on ceremony and lit up on the spot.

Soon, the truck arrived at the chicken coop, and the three quickly got out.

The old village secretary was already waiting with some villagers but found it strange not to see Zhou Yimin. “Dazhong, it’s just you three? Where’s Yimin?”

“Uncle Sixteen,” Zhou Dazhong explained everything that had happened at the Procurement Department again.

The old secretary didn’t say much. “Let’s begin!”

Hearing that, the villagers sprang into action.

One after another, people charged into the chicken coop. The chickens, unused to such a scene, panicked—feathers flying, dogs barking.

Some tried to jump out, but no matter how high the chickens jumped, the people had higher skills. Zhou Xucai, for instance, simply reached out and caught a “fleeing” chicken.

Then he tied its legs with rope so it couldn’t escape.

Even though Li Feng was a seasoned truck driver and had seen much of the world, this was a first for him.

He took out a cigarette, about to light it, but Zhou Dafu spotted him and immediately struck a match to help.

Seeing that, Li Feng couldn’t help but feel gratified—clearly, he’d chosen the right apprentice.

Zhou Xuqiang then grabbed two chickens in one hand and expertly tied their legs.

All in all, it showed the power of numbers. Despite there being hundreds of chickens, the villagers were efficient and experienced.

If such a scene happened in the modern day, it would be jaw-dropping. Many people today don’t even dare to touch a chicken—some find it dirty, others are just scared.

Once the timing felt right, the women also entered the coop and carried the tied chickens to the truck.

Worried about dirtying the truck bed, the old village secretary even had someone lay down burlap sacks on the floor.

Li Feng originally wanted to say it wasn’t necessary—they could just hose it down afterward—but seeing the care, he didn’t object. His fondness for Zhoujiazhuang rose again. Every time he came here, he felt truly welcomed.

He didn’t have to think or help—just smoke on the side, and everything would be taken care of.

The “battle” lasted just over an hour and ended in a complete victory for the villagers of Zhoujiazhuang. Every chicken in the coop had been “captured.”

Soon after, the truck was fully loaded.

In less than half an hour, every chicken was on board.

The old village secretary, very thoughtful, handed a pack of Da Qianmen cigarettes to Li Feng. “Captain Li, thank you so much for today.”

“Old Secretary, no need to be polite,” Li Feng replied, taking it without hesitation.

Then Zhou Dazhong said, “Old Secretary, we’ll head back now!”

They had to make deliveries to several places, so time was tight.

Li Feng, already familiar with the route, needed only a brief mention from Zhou Dazhong to understand. He’d come along with Zhou Yimin in the past, delivering to places like the instant noodle factory, the research institute, and the subdistrict office. When people saw his truck, they let him through without question.

Soon, they had made all the deliveries—only the steel factory remained.

Li Feng drove back toward the steel factory. When they arrived, it was just about noon, and the workers were taking their lunch break.

The guards at the security post, seeing all the live chickens on the truck, stared wide-eyed, itching to grab a couple for themselves.

(End of Chapter)