Reborn in 1985: Starting from Contracting a Ranch

Chapter 14 Tracking

Shan Yaowen probably didn't think owing money was a big deal; after all, who in later generations doesn't owe some money? It's either owing friends or owing banks.

Even if no one lends you money, the apps on your phone still have the function of advance consumption.

But for people nowadays, being in debt can make them feel uncomfortable all over, and they won't feel at ease until they've paid off their debts.

When you owe money, you feel like the things don't even belong to you anymore. It's like a ranch; when you owe money, you feel like the ranch belongs to the creditors.

"Isn't my sister-in-law worried that I'll be a burden on the family?" Shan Yaowen spread his hands. "Besides this, what other solutions can you find?"

"Didn't your family help you pay off the IOU you signed?"

"So what do you suggest we do?"

"Can't you just shut up and talk about the contracting next year?"

Shan Yaowen sighed; he really didn't want to miss this year's opportunity.

After all, this year's heavy snowfall has killed countless livestock, and the price will definitely not be the same next year. If things go well, starting with contracting this year might even lead to a profit next year.

"How about this, I'll go and earn some money during this time, and whatever I earn before the people from town come down, that's how much we'll contract out, okay?"

There was no other way; Shan Yaowen had to do this.

"How much can you earn? The Party Secretary said it's only for half a month..." Shi Fang wanted to complain, but her husband pulled her back, and she stopped talking.

"Okay, that's settled."

Father Shan nodded, not wanting to argue any further. Besides, his second son's method seemed safe enough and wouldn't result in debt.

This is a good opportunity to let this kid experience the hardship of making money. He shouldn't think that making money is easy just because he's been hunting for two days.

After making the arrangements with his family, Shan Yaowen breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't want to fall out with his family, but his sister-in-law didn't trust him, so he could only try to prove himself through his actions first.

As for his sister-in-law's distrust, Shan Yaowen didn't feel anything. After all, if he hadn't done something wrong, she wouldn't have distrusted him.

Watching his younger brother leave, Shan Yaowu sighed, "The second brother has really changed. He's not the idle second brother he used to be."

"That depends on his actions. What if it's just for a short while? What if he takes over the ranch and then leaves to play? You and Dad will still have to manage it then, won't you?"

Shi Fang didn't care about any of that. She rubbed her lower back and planned to get up and sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) for a while. Sitting on this chair was really uncomfortable after she got pregnant.

When Shan Yaowu saw this, he quickly helped his wife up. Although his wife and younger brother did not get along, he knew that his wife was doing it for the good of the family. She had argued with outsiders many times over the years of their marriage, all to protect herself and her family.

The next morning, after getting up and having breakfast, Shan Yaowen went to his room and took out the gun he had hidden under his bed.

He doesn't usually sleep here because there aren't many things for heating like firewood and coal these days. In winter, everyone sleeps crammed together on a kang (heated brick bed). He only keeps some of his own things in this room.

After checking his equipment, Shan Yaowen was about to leave when he turned back to get a burlap sack.

The mountain is home to not only animals, but also many valuable plants.

Tongliao is rich in resources, to say the least.

Regarding medicinal herbs, the purchasing station has always been buying ephedra, astragalus, licorice, and so on.

Even if I don't hunt any game or gather any medicinal herbs on the mountain, I'll still bring back a sack full of mushrooms and wood ear fungus. If I don't get any of those, I'll just have to gather firewood.

In short, there are many good things in the mountains at this time, and most of them have not yet been developed into protected species.

"Brother Yaowen, are you going up the mountain?" Shan Yaowen had just picked up his gun and sack and was preparing to go into the mountains to make money when he heard a familiar voice at his doorstep.

"Xiao Nian?" Shan Yaowen smiled at him. "Is your brother feeling better?"

Lin Nian nodded, "Much better, I can even work in the fields today."

After saying that, she generously took out a pair of boots from behind her back. "I made these, they're for you."

"Why did you give me boots?" Shan Yaowen took them and examined them, looking at Lin Nian with curiosity.

The boots are very nice; the leather workmanship is exquisite, and they must have been made by her own hands.

"You gave me soap last time, and my brother said I should give you a gift in return."

"..."

While the two were chatting, a man stood at the corner of the road, constantly rubbing his hands together and occasionally peeking out to look at the situation outside the Shan family's door.

"This second son of the Shan family is quite lucky with women. Has the Lin family's young lady taken a liking to him?" Zhao Laosan said sourly as he looked at the two people at the door.

Since returning home yesterday, he had been thinking about it all night but still couldn't figure out where Shan Lao Er's family got so much money to contract the ranch, given that the accident had only happened recently.

So he got up early in the morning and waited at the door of the Shan family's house, but unexpectedly he didn't see the secret, but instead saw the two of them "dating".

"I hope I can find something on this kid or a secret to make more money. It's really uncomfortable to be out here in this cold weather; it's much more comfortable to play cards in a warm room..."

Amidst Zhao Laosan's rambling, the two finally moved, but instead of going out, they went inside.

Zhao Laosan was so angry that he grimaced. He wanted to turn around and go back, but he was afraid that Shan Yaowen would come out. Torn between these thoughts, he could only wait where he was.

They waited for half an hour.

"Damn, if I weren't broke, would I be freezing here?" Looking at Shan Yaowen who had finally come out, Zhao Laosan secretly vowed that he would give him a good beating after he found out Shan Yaowen's secret.

When Shan Yaowen came out again, he was unaware that he had a tail following him. He was just curious about Lin Nian's sudden visit.

Then some different thoughts began to arise in my mind.

No wonder Gou Dan didn't like me that day, now I know.

He was alone until old age in his previous life, but he never expected to meet Lin Nian right after being reborn in this life. Of course, it might have been the same in his previous life, but he didn't realize that something had happened to his family back then.

He suddenly realized that having other goals besides making money after being reborn wasn't bad.

As he thought about it, Shan Yaowen smiled happily, and even his walking pace became much more cheerful.

Seeing Shan Yaowen's expression, Zhao Laosan, who was following behind, was overjoyed. He knew that the guy was so happy because he was going to make money.

The two walked one after the other, and after leaving the village, they turned directly up the mountain.

Zhao Laosan hesitated when he saw Shan Laoer going up the mountain alone. This was too conspicuous compared to the past, but when he thought of the money, he gritted his teeth and followed.

So what if we get caught?

It's not like you're the only one who can climb this mountain. At worst, I'll just deny it. What can you do to me?

After climbing the mountain, Shan Yaowen determined the direction and headed towards a forest that he remembered as being rich in astragalus.

"It would be better to have hunting dogs." Shan Yaowen sighed, tightening the gun on his back. Although he came for the medicinal herbs, he also wanted to hunt some more game to take back.

But along the way, there wasn't a single wild boar, roe deer, or even a pheasant, let alone any.

Ok?

Just as Shan Yaowen found a large rock to sit and rest, he suddenly noticed a figure not far behind him on the mountain path.

He didn't care at first, since at this time of year, people with nothing to do would want to go up the mountain to try their luck, and if they could catch a wild boar, they wouldn't have to worry about food all winter.

But that person looks a bit familiar, is it Zhao Laosan?

Would he go anywhere else besides the card table? Let alone up a mountain.

After thinking for a moment, Shan Yaowen didn't rest and got up to walk up the mountain. However, he walked much faster. After Zhao Laosan disappeared from sight, he found a fork in the road and hid there.

About ten minutes later, just when Shan Yaowen thought he had guessed wrong and that Zhao Laosan was not coming for him, a figure panting heavily appeared in his field of vision.

"Ha—ha—this second-in-command, ha—he's really fast—don't let me catch you."

Looking at Zhao Laosan, who was panting heavily, Shan Yaowen squinted. When he heard Zhao Laosan say "Shan Lao Er," he knew that this guy was really after him.

"Bang!"

Just as Zhao Laosan was hesitating about which path to take, a large rock suddenly flew from behind and landed at his feet, startling him so much that he turned around and started cursing:

"Which bastard...?"

Before he could finish a complete sentence, the sky suddenly darkened, followed by a barrage of punches and kicks.

"what!"

In his past life, Shan Yaowen was alone. In order not to be bullied, he had to be ruthless. If anyone dared to bully him, he had to do everything he could to get back at them, otherwise he would always be looked down upon and anyone could kick him.

When Shan Yaowen realized that Zhao Laosan was targeting him with malicious intent, he had no intention of letting the matter drop.

Being beaten up with a sack over one's head is the least of one's worries; otherwise...