Chapter 36: Chestnut Braised Chicken

When Zhao Chun cried out in surprise, the creature hiding in the shadows trembled and quickly slithered away, trying to escape.

But who could have known that Zhao Chun was such a reckless fool? He lunged forward without a second thought, grabbing its tail and dragging it out.

“Ah Chun!” Zhao Mengcheng’s brow furrowed deeply. He had noticed the White Snake’s presence long ago, but since the creature was only watching from the shadows and hadn’t shown itself, he had ignored it.

He never expected Zhao Chun to discover it. This child was born with the heart of a tiger, daring to grab just about anything without knowing what it was.

Zhao Chun had also lunged out of instinct. It was only after he gripped the slippery tail that he realized what it was. He looked up and was instantly frozen with terror.

The White Snake angrily reared its head, opening its massive maw toward the child who had grabbed its tail, intending to teach him a lesson.

“Ah!” No matter how brave Zhao Chun usually was, he was now scared witless.

Zhao Mengcheng coughed sharply, his Mental Power projections pressing down on the White Snake’s head with an obvious sense of threat.

The White Snake dejectedly lowered its head, its sharp fangs unable to strike. Its shimmering blue eyes stared at Zhao Chun, clearly showing its reluctance.

Only then did Zhao Chun react, scrambling backward so fast he fell flat on his back.

“Dad, a snake! A huge White Snake!”

Zhao Mao grabbed the corner of Zhao Mengcheng’s clothes, tilting his head to look at the White Snake. For some reason, he didn’t feel afraid, but rather felt a sense of familiarity.

Zhao Xin was still too young to know fear. Instead, she stepped forward curiously. “It’s so pretty.”

The White Snake paused, tilting its head to look at the little girl, even softening its fierce posture slightly.

It was indeed very beautiful. Zhao Mengcheng had to admit that much. Its scales shimmered in the sunlight as if bathed in a soft-focus glow, looking like a white gemstone hidden deep within the forest.

Zhao Mengcheng coughed. “Ah Mao, this is the White Snake that saved our lives that day.”

Zhao Mao’s eyes lit up. “It’s you!”

He walked step by step toward the White Snake and cautiously reached out his hand.

The White Snake glanced at Zhao Mengcheng and didn’t move.

Zhao Mao’s hand finally landed on the White Snake’s head, and he gave it a gentle stroke. “Thank you for saving me and my Dad.”

The White Snake wasn’t particularly pleased, but it didn’t pull away either.

“But wasn’t the one who saved Dad a hundred-meter-long White Dragon?” Zhao Xin asked in confusion.

She ran over with quick, short steps and tentatively reached out to touch the White Snake’s scales. “Ah, it’s so cold! Dad, is it about to turn into a dragon¹ and fly into the sky?”

The White Snake was much more enthusiastic toward her, even proactively rubbing its head against the little girl’s hand.

Zhao Mengcheng suppressed a smile, thinking to himself that if this creature could speak, it would surely praise Zhao Xin for her sweet words.

“Lord White Snake, are you here to see us?” Zhao Mao looked up and asked, adding, “Dad and I are both doing well and aren’t sick. Please don’t worry, Lord White Snake.”

The White Snake wasn’t worried at all; it only wanted to stay far away from the terrifying man who could control it.

Zhao Mengcheng pulled the two children back. “The White Snake is very busy. We shouldn’t take up too much of its time.”

Zhao Mao waved obediently. “Goodbye, Lord White Snake.”

“Goodbye! When you turn into a White Dragon, you must come back to see Xin’er!” Zhao Xin shouted along.

The White Snake’s departing figure paused for a moment, and it shook its large head with a forced air of elegance before leaving.

Soon, the white figure disappeared into the mountain forest.

Zhao Xin said regretfully, “Did it hear me? Will it come back to see us in the future?”

Zhao Mengcheng ruffled her hair. “Humans and snakes belong to different worlds. Although winter is approaching, there are still venomous snakes on the mountain. A single bite can be fatal. In the future, stay away from snakes and never touch them with your hands. Do you understand?”

Zhao Xin pouted and asked, “Not even the White Snake? It likes me, so it definitely won’t bite me.”

“Not when I’m not around.” Zhao Mengcheng had the ability to control the White Snake, but the three little ones did not. Who knew if the White Snake might suddenly take a snap at them?

With a snake this massive, even without venom, a single bite would be more than the children could handle.

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t want to leave the children with the impression that venomous snakes were creatures they could be close to.

Zhao Xin was very obedient and nodded in agreement. “Dad, I’ll remember.”

Zhao Mengcheng held Zhao Mao’s hand with one hand and Zhao Xin’s with the other, carrying his basket as he headed down the mountain.

Zhao Chun, who was still slumped on the ground, grew anxious and shouted repeatedly, “Dad, give me a hand! My legs are weak!”

He thought his father had forgotten about him.

Zhao Mengcheng looked back at him. His voice was gentle, but his words were harsh. “If your legs are weak, then crawl. If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll never learn to be afraid. You dared to grab something without even knowing what was hiding in the dark. Do you think you have lives to spare?”

After saying that, he truly ignored him and led the other two children away.

Zhao Chun watched their retreating figures in disbelief, his eyes reddening as he nearly burst into tears. He struggled to stand up, only to find his legs were still like jelly.

Without the others, the mountain forest instantly became deathly quiet, causing an inexplicable fear to rise in his heart.

Zhao Chun finally knew what it meant to be afraid. He cried as he crawled forward a few steps, then remembered something and sniffled, starting to gather the chestnut husks around him.

The child lay half-prostrate on the ground, his heart filled with genuine regret.

After some time, Zhao Chun finally managed to get all the chestnuts into his basket. His legs could finally support him, and he began to walk down the mountain with the basket on his back.

Usually, Zhao Chun was fearless and often ran all over the mountains.

But the mountain felt exceptionally terrifying today. Zhao Chun gripped his basket tightly, constantly feeling as though a venomous snake would fly out from the shadows and bite him hard.

Zhao Chun’s pace grew faster and faster, moving from a slow walk to a run. He ran until he was gasping for breath, as if a monster were chasing him from behind.

“Ah!” His foot caught on something, and Zhao Chun tumbled forward.

Zhao Chun squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the pain of the fall.

In the next moment, however, he fell into a warm and sturdy embrace.

Opening his eyes, he saw his father’s familiar face looking at him with disapproval.

Zhao Chun couldn’t hold it back anymore. He threw himself into his father’s arms and wailed, “I’m sorry, I was wrong! Dad, please don’t abandon me!”

“I really know I was wrong. I’ll never disobey you again, and I’ll never be so reckless.”

“Dad, don’t leave me behind.”

The child was clearly terrified, sobbing until his body shook, with tears and snot running down his face together.

Zhao Mengcheng had originally only intended to teach him a lesson, but seeing this, he felt a secret pang of regret. Usually, Zhao Chun was the most indifferent; he would agree to something one moment and forget it the next.

Especially after the family’s situation improved, Zhao Chun had been restless and quite lawless.

Even when Zhao Mengcheng disciplined him occasionally, Zhao Chun remembered the treats but never the lessons, acting quite thick-skinned about it.

Just now, he had nearly lost his life several times due to his recklessness. Zhao Mengcheng thought about how this child might get himself killed if he wasn’t around, which was why he wanted to give him a lesson.

He hadn’t expected the usually bold child to be frightened to this extent.

Feeling both heartache and anger, Zhao Mengcheng wiped away his tears. “I was angry with you, but you are my biological son. How could I not want you?”

“Is that true?” Zhao Chun’s voice was hoarse from crying.

“Dad was angry because I was worried your recklessness would lead to you getting hurt or killed. If I didn’t want you, why would I come back to find you?” Zhao Mengcheng asked.

Zhao Chun finally stopped crying and gripped the corner of his father’s clothes. “Dad, I’ll listen to you from now on.”

“You don’t have to listen to everything I say. You can have your own ideas, but you must use your head before you act, do you understand?”

“I understand. I’ve really committed it to memory.”

Zhao Chun nodded earnestly, though it was unclear how much he had truly taken to heart.

Zhao Mengcheng felt that teaching children was a difficult task. If he didn’t discipline him, he feared the boy would become lawless and eventually meet a tragic end like a villain in a novel.

But if he disciplined him too much, he feared he would make the child timid and overcautious.

No wonder everyone said education was difficult. He feared he would never be able to perfectly solve this eternal problem.

Zhao Mengcheng rubbed his son’s head, but seeing the mess of snot, he found it hard to keep his hand there. He took out a handkerchief to wipe the boy’s nose.

Zhao Chun didn’t notice his father’s hidden disgust and blew his nose with great force.

Zhao Mengcheng’s lip twitched as he asked, “Can you walk?”

“I’m still weak.” Zhao Chun sounded a bit like he was acting spoiled, peeking at his father.

Zhao Mengcheng simply bent down. “Get on. Dad will carry you down the mountain.”

Zhao Chun felt a bit embarrassed.

“Get on,” Zhao Mengcheng urged.

Zhao Chun finally climbed onto his back. In his memory, this was the first time since he was born that his father had bent down to carry him.

His father’s shoulders were broader and sturdier than he had imagined. Lying on them made him feel safe. Zhao Chun cautiously wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and whispered, “If you get tired, put me down. I can walk by myself.”

“I can carry this little bit of weight,” Zhao Mengcheng said with a smile.

Zhao Chun fell silent for a long while before saying, “Dad, when you’re old, I’ll carry you. Wherever you want to go, I’ll carry you there.”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t take the words to heart, only saying, “Alright, I’ll wait for that day.”

The adult carried the child, and the child carried the bamboo basket, as they left the mountain forest step by step.

Zhao Mao and Zhao Xin were waiting on the slope outside. Zhao Xin held her hand to Zhao Mao’s ear and asked in a mysterious, low voice, “Second Brother, do you think Dad is really angry with Big Brother?”

Zhao Mao moved away slightly. “Speak properly.”

He then added, “Even if Dad was angry just now, he’s definitely cooled off by now. Otherwise, why would he go back to get Big Brother?”

“That’s true.”

Zhao Xin propped her chin in her hands, swaying her head as she spoke. “Dad’s temper is so much better now. Before, he never liked listening to me talk and always said he was busy.”

Zhao Mao paused, subconsciously using a twig to scratch at the ground.

Zhao Xin continued talking to herself. “Before, Dad wouldn’t ask if I was hungry or cold. Before, Dad didn’t know how to cook. Before, Dad wouldn’t take us up the mountain to play. And before, Dad would never…”

“That’s enough!” Zhao Mao stopped his sister, a hint of irritation crossing his brow.

Zhao Xin pouted. “All you do is yell at me. Second Brother, you never used to yell at me either. You have such a big temper now. Hmph, Dad has spoiled you.”

Zhao Mao glanced at her. “Isn’t this better?”

“What’s better?” Zhao Xin asked.

Zhao Mao looked at her. “Isn’t Dad being like this better?”

Zhao Xin said curiously, “It’s great. I already said I like the way Dad is now.”

Zhao Mao lowered his head. “I like it too.”

Zhao Xin thought her second brother was acting strange, like a little old man. She leaned in, trying to see his expression clearly. “Second Brother, what’s wrong?”

Unexpectedly, Zhao Mao blinked and suddenly pushed her away. “Why are you leaning in so close? I don’t like it.”

“You’re picking on me again.”

“When did I pick on you?”

“You just did. I’m not going to be your friend anymore.”

Zhao Mao thought his sister was being nonsensical. He stood up and said, “Why hasn’t Dad come out yet? I’m going to look for him.”

“No, Dad told us to wait here, otherwise he’ll be angry.” Zhao Xin grabbed onto him and wouldn’t let go.

Zhao Mao insisted, “I’ll just go in a little way to look. I won’t go far.”

“No, no, you have to be obedient.” Zhao Xin hung onto Zhao Mao like a little lead weight.

When Zhao Mengcheng came out with one child on his back, he saw the two younger ones scuffling together, with Zhao Mao’s brow knotted in frustration.

“What’s going on here?”

Before Zhao Mao could speak, Zhao Xin immediately said, “Second Brother isn’t being obedient. Dad told us to wait here, but he insisted on going back to find you.”

“Dad, I’m the one who held him back and didn’t let him go.” She even knew how to take credit for herself.

Zhao Mengcheng laughed. “You’re both good children. Let’s go, time to head down the mountain.”

Zhao Mao’s gaze fell on his eldest brother. Seeing him happily perched on their father’s back made him a bit unhappy. “What’s wrong with Big Brother? Is his leg broken?”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Zhao Chun said immediately.

Zhao Mao then asked, “Then why are you making Dad carry you? Dad is already very tired, and now he has to carry you too.”

Zhao Chun immediately felt embarrassed and struggled to get down.

Zhao Mengcheng saw that the three children were starting to compete with each other. Suppressing a smile, he set the boy down and grabbed the back basket. “Do you still want to eat chestnut stewed chicken? Let’s go, down the mountain.”

Zhao Mao immediately followed, asking, “Is Dad tired? I’ll help you carry the basket.”

“I’m not tired,” Zhao Mengcheng refused with a smile.

Zhao Chun immediately understood what was happening. He caught up and mouthed to his younger brother, “Suck-up.”

“Nuisance,” Zhao Mao mouthed back without hesitation.

Zhao Mengcheng was well aware of the little squabble between the brothers but ignored it. He let the children settle their own business, otherwise, as a father, favoring one would be wrong. It would be seen as partiality.

Halfway down the path, Zhao Xin refused to walk any further, looking at him pitifully. “Dad, I’m tired.”

The little girl really was exhausted. Today she had climbed the mountain, gathered chestnuts, and picked mushrooms, all without asking for help along the way.

Zhao Mengcheng saw that her eyelids were starting to droop, so he simply picked her up. “Sleep for a bit if you’re tired. we’ll be home soon.”

Zhao Xin leaned against his shoulder and fell asleep as if someone had pressed a power button. She even started to let out little snores.

The two brothers were stunned and walked forward with their heads hanging low.

Zhao Mengcheng had no choice but to shake the hem of his clothes, offering one side to each.

Zhao Chun and Zhao Mao immediately perked up, each grabbing a side of his clothes and refusing to let go.

“Mengcheng, you’re back.” Auntie Wang was at her door preparing vegetables. She found the sight of him carrying one and leading two quite amusing.

“We gathered some mushrooms and chestnuts. Auntie, take some to try,” Zhao Mengcheng greeted her.

Auntie Wang quickly refused. “If I want to eat some, I’ll go up the mountain and pick them myself.”

“We gathered so many we can’t finish them all. if you like them, you can go pick more to store. Dried mushrooms can be eaten slowly.” Zhao Mengcheng left a small bamboo basket.

Auntie Wang smiled and nodded. “Alright then. I’ll go gather more later. Don’t keep taking the children up the mountain. I’ll bring some over to your house when I do.”

Zhao Mengcheng naturally agreed.

Auntie Wang pulled him aside again. “You probably don’t know yet, but Zhao Laoda sold all the grain in his house.”

Zhao Mengcheng asked in surprise, “All of it?”

“Exactly. People tried to advise him against it, but he wouldn’t listen. He even cursed at them.”

Auntie Wang looked down on Zhao Laoda immensely and warned, “I’m just letting you know so that when they run out of food later, they don’t come looking to take advantage of you.”

“We’ve severed ties. I won’t involve myself in their family’s affairs,” Zhao Mengcheng said calmly.

Auntie Wang nodded. “Good, stay out of it. That family is becoming more and more outrageous. Selling their own daughter just like that, and now selling their food supply. That whole family has only ever had eyes for money.”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t let this matter ruin his good mood.

Since he had promised chestnut roasted chicken, after setting down the sleepy Zhao Xin, the first thing Zhao Mengcheng did was slaughter the chicken.

His movements were extremely efficient. He gripped the neck and gave a firm stroke. Before the chicken could react, it was gone. The blood was collected in a bowl, not a single drop wasted.

Zhao Chun had already boiled the water and remarked from the side, “Dad is even the best at slaughtering chickens. I still have a lot to learn.”

“Can’t you learn something else?” Zhao Mengcheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

While he was plucking the feathers, the two boys spontaneously began peeling the chestnuts.

Peeling chestnuts was more troublesome than slaughtering a chicken. You had to use scissors to cut a slit in the shell, then scald them with boiling water and peel them while they were hot. Otherwise, the inner brown skin would stick to the nut and wouldn’t come off.

Zhao Chun and Zhao Mao weren’t afraid of the heat, their hands moving nimbly as they worked.

By the time Zhao Mengcheng had finished cleaning the chicken, the two of them had a full basin of chestnuts in front of them. The golden chestnut meat was enough to stimulate anyone’s appetite.

“It’s getting late today, so I’ll just stew the chestnut mushrooms in the same pot. We’ll also have a smashed cucumber salad to cleanse the palate.”

The two children naturally didn’t object. One went to the backyard to pick cucumbers. These were autumn cucumbers. While other people’s cucumbers had already grown old and tough, their backyard still had a couple of fresh ones to eat.

He heated oil in the wok, tossed the chestnuts in first to sear them before scooping them out. Then he added green onions, ginger, and garlic. The aroma rose as soon as the chicken hit the pan. Once the meat changed color from stir-frying, he added the chestnuts to stew together.

The chestnut mushrooms were also cleaned. These things grew quite large, so he only used two, which was plenty. Zhao Mengcheng had the children wash and break apart the rest so they could be dried into mushroom jerky tomorrow.

Zhao Mengcheng was always generous with seasonings. With enough ingredients, the flavor was fragrant. Soon, the two boys were sniffing the air, their stomachs growling.

Even the sleeping Zhao Xin was woken up by the scent. She rubbed her eyes and walked over dazed, but she instantly perked up when she saw the food.

“It smells so good.” Zhao Xin stood on her tiptoes to look at the stove.

Zhao Mengcheng saw her cheeks were flushed from sleep, with a faint pillow mark on one side. Finding her adorable, he couldn’t help but pinch her chubby cheek.

Zhao Xin didn’t mind being pinched by her father at all. She even tilted her head and said, “You can pinch this side too.”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed heartily and cautioned, “You can’t let others pinch you.”

“No one except Dad. Not even Big Brother or Second Brother,” Zhao Xin said seriously. She took her father’s words to heart.

“I don’t even want to,” Zhao Chun said, pulling at his own cheek. “I have my own.”

Zhao Mao, however, looked up and asked, “Dad, my cheeks are easy to pinch too. Give them a pinch.”

This left Zhao Mengcheng caught between laughter and tears.

When he lifted the lid, the scent of chestnut roasted chicken could no longer be contained, filling the entire house. “Go get the bowls. It’s time to eat.”

Zhao Mao felt it was a pity he didn’t get a pinch, but he obediently went to fetch the bowls.

A full pot of chestnut stewed chicken, containing freshly picked chestnut mushrooms. The bright reddish-brown color alone made one’s mouth water.

Once at the table, Zhao Mengcheng moved his chopsticks, and the three little ones began eating with their heads down. They couldn’t say anything other than how delicious it was.

Zhao Mengcheng’s first bite was a piece of chicken. He was a typical meat-lover. This chicken was one he had bought later, and having been raised for less than a year, the meat was very tender.

The chestnuts had been cooked until they were soft and powdery, melting in the mouth with a single bite.

What surprised Zhao Mengcheng even more were the chestnut mushrooms. The mushrooms carried a pine-like fragrance, and their texture was surprisingly like shredded chicken. The flesh was tender yet had that unique mushroom crunch.

Eaten together with the chestnut stewed chicken, the flavor of the mushrooms was even deeper. Zhao Mengcheng couldn’t help but eat several more bites.

Not just him, the children loved them too. Zhao Xin said with a full mouth, “I want to go pick mushrooms again tomorrow. I’ll pick a whole room full of mushrooms to eat slowly.”

Zhao Chun added, “The chestnuts are good too. We didn’t finish picking them today, let’s go again tomorrow.”

Zhao Mao didn’t say anything. He liked to mash the chestnuts, mixing them with the broth and rice. It didn’t look like much, but one bite was all it took to understand the appeal.

Zhao Chun and Zhao Xin knew he was the pickiest eater, so seeing him eat so happily, they followed suit. Both of them ate so intently they didn’t even look up from their bowls.

Even Zhao Mengcheng couldn’t help but join in, giving his second son a thumbs-up. “Our Mao knows how to eat best. It really does taste better this way.”

Zhao Mao smiled happily, his eyes sparkling.

By the end of the meal, the one adult and three children had stuffed themselves once again. Zhao Mengcheng was fine since he digested quickly and his Mental Power was like a bottomless pit.

The three little ones, however, were clutching their bellies and groaning, clearly feeling the effects of overeating.

Zhao Mengcheng simply picked them up. “Let’s go look at the new house. We can take a walk to help with digestion while we’re at it.”

As soon as they heard they were going to the new house, the three children perked up immediately. They followed him with their little bellies sticking out, looking like three little ducklings.

The new house had been finished a few days ago. Zhao Mengcheng had already started moving furniture inside, but he wasn’t in a hurry to move in, planning to leave the doors open to air it out first.

The house was built according to his blueprints. There were some differences due to technical limitations, but the general layout remained the same.

As soon as Zhao Chun entered, his eyes fixed on the target in the courtyard. “Starting tomorrow, I’m going to practice archery here.”

“But Big Brother, you don’t even have a bow and arrow,” Zhao Mao reminded him.

Zhao Chun scratched the back of his head. “Then I’ll practice with my slingshot. I have the one Dad made for me, and it works great.”

Zhao Mao didn’t want to bother with him and walked into the house to look around. “Dad, I want to sleep in the room right next to yours.”

“Then where do I sleep?” Zhao Xin asked.

“You’ll sleep with Big Brother. You take the inner room and he takes the outer one, so he can guard the door for you,” Zhao Mao arranged.

Zhao Xin was unhappy. “I want to sleep near Dad too. Why do you get to pick first?”

“I’m your older brother, so of course I pick first. Besides, we’re both men. It’s more convenient for men to live close together,” Zhao Mao claimed.

Zhao Xin would not give in. “No, I don’t agree.”

Zhao Chun joined the fray. “I don’t agree either. If an older brother gets to pick first, then I’m the eldest, so I should pick. I want to sleep in the room outside Dad’s.”

“Didn’t we already agree on this? How can you go back on your word?” Zhao Mao grew anxious.

Zhao Chun countered, “When did we agree? You were just talking to yourself. How about this: you and I still share a room. If we both stay in this one, then Little Sister can have two rooms to herself, one for sleeping and one for playing.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Zhao Mao hesitated.

Zhao Xin was almost moved to tears by her two brothers. She threw herself into Zhao Mengcheng’s arms. “Daddy, they’re bullying me! I want to live in this room. I’ll be scared if I’m too far away from you.”

The three little ones all looked at their father at once. “Dad, you say who gets to live here.”

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Translator’s Notes

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1. turn into a dragon: In Chinese mythology, snakes can cultivate spiritual energy to evolve, transforming first into a jiao (flood dragon) and eventually into a true dragon (long). The child is referencing this known progression. ↩