After we dealt with the Yellowskin's body, Uncle Qi instructed everyone to pack up and immediately descend the mountain without stopping for even a moment.

Descend the mountain?! Fatty and I were both a bit puzzled. We hadn't even loosened up and started hunting properly yet. Why did we have to descend the mountain?

We only had a few wild chickens and rabbits in our hands. How could this meager catch be enough for the New Year? It was quite pitiful!

So I told Grandpa that I didn't want to descend the mountain and wanted to stay for a few more days.

Grandpa slapped my head, saying, "When I tell you to descend the mountain quickly, don't talk nonsense. In order to save you two, Uncle Qi shot and killed the Yellowskin. I've told you before, Yellowskins are not to be provoked. Now that we've provoked them, do you want to stay on the mountain and wait for the Yellowskin to seek revenge?"

It suddenly dawned on me. We had killed a Yellowskin, which was causing trouble! Remembering the story Uncle Qi had told us before, shivers ran down my spine.

Fatty seemed scared. He grabbed Uncle Qi's sleeve and said, "Let's go, Uncle Qi, descend the mountain, quickly!"

We all descended the mountain under the cover of night. Since we hadn't caught any game, everyone's mood was not great because it meant that our families would have nothing for the New Year.

This was really an inauspicious start. We had encountered such a stroke of bad luck.

Fatty and I felt guilty, feeling that it was all our fault. If we hadn't been mesmerized by the Yellowskins, Uncle Qi wouldn't have provoked them, prematurely ending our hunting trip.

And I was even more worried about Uncle Qi. He had shot and killed the Yellowskin. Would the Yellowskin come back to trouble him?

I blamed Fatty, saying, "It's all your fault. You, at such a young age, peeping at women bathing, now look what trouble you've caused!"

Fatty shrugged, "But didn't you enjoy watching too?"

I was momentarily speechless. "I... I wasn't watching for you..."

When we returned to the village, it was already dawn. Uncle Qi's complexion was noticeably not good.

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Everyone went their separate ways, and Grandpa patted Uncle Qi's shoulder, asking with concern, "Brother, are you okay? Are you worried about the Yellowskin?"

Uncle Qi took a deep breath, touched the hunting rifle in his hand, and said, "I'm fine. My gun has a strong killing aura. I bet that Yellowskin wouldn't dare to come looking for trouble with me easily!"

Grandpa nodded. "If anything happens, just let us know. We'll face it together!"

I followed Grandpa back home. Seeing us return, my dad was very surprised. "Dad, you've only been gone for a day, why are you back already? Aren't you going to prepare for the New Year?"

Grandpa shook his head, threw the only two wild chickens on the table, then unscrewed a bottle of liquor, and as he drank, he recounted the events of last night.

"Uncle Qi killed a Yellowskin?!" My dad was astonished, and even the spatula in his hand fell to the ground.

My dad picked up the spatula, his face filled with concern. "No one has dared to provoke Yellowskins since ancient times. Uncle Qi has really stirred up trouble this time!"

Grandpa put down his wine glass. "It was all for the sake of saving these two boys. The situation was urgent at the time, and Yang Cheng and Fatty were about to fall into the stream. Uncle Qi's marksmanship is accurate, and only he could save them. Uncle Qi has a good heart. Let's hope that the heavens will bless him and help us all get through this!"

After a pause, Grandpa said to me, "Tomorrow, take a chicken and buy two bottles of good wine at the village entrance. Get Fatty and go to Uncle Qi's house to give him a gift and say thank you!"

I nodded. Uncle Qi had saved our lives, and we really should show our appreciation.

The next morning, I changed into clean clothes, took the chicken, and left the house.

Grandpa gave me fifty bucks. I went to the village entrance and bought two bottles of liquor, as well as some candies and peanuts. Then, I called Fatty, and together we went to Uncle Qi's house to express our gratitude.

Our mountain village was originally quite poor and backward. Usually, the villagers drank white liquor that cost a few bucks per bottle. Buying two bottles of liquor for over ten bucks each was considered "good liquor."

Fatty and I, carrying the items, happily arrived at Uncle Qi's doorstep. After knocking for a while, the door creaked open a crack.

Through the crack, I saw Uncle Qi standing behind the door.

It had snowed a few days ago, but today's weather was nice, with bright sunshine. However, Uncle Qi's attire was strange. He was wrapped in a long military coat, wearing a melon hat on his head, fully armed, with only his eyes visible. He seemed very cold.

"What are you here for?" Uncle Qi's tone was cold.

Fatty and I smiled awkwardly. "Uncle, we bought you two bottles of good liquor and brought a wild chicken. There's nothing else, just to express our thanks!"

"There's nothing to thank me for. Go back quickly and don't bother me!"

Uncle Qi slammed the door shut, his attitude unfriendly.

Fatty and I stood at the door in shock. We hadn't expected to be shut out after coming with good intentions to express gratitude.

Fatty said, "What's wrong with Uncle Qi? Is he angry?"

I scratched my head, feeling puzzled. Uncle Qi seemed like a different person today. Our impression of Uncle Qi had always been very mild. That's why Grandpa had such a good relationship with him, and we always hunted together. Moreover, Uncle Qi had treated us well all along. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked offending the Yellowskins and risking his life to save us.

I murmured softly, "Maybe it's because he provoked the Yellowskins, so his mood isn't very good."

Fatty nodded and lifted the items in his hands. "Then what do we do with these? Take them back and use them ourselves?"

"Dream on!" I gave Fatty a smack on the head. "These are gifts for Uncle Qi. If we don't give them, Grandpa will definitely scold us when we get back!"

Fatty frowned. "But Uncle Qi won't open the door for us. How do we give him the gifts?"

I thought for a moment, then grabbed Fatty and walked around Uncle Qi's small courtyard. I noticed a pile of grain stacks behind the courtyard.

Pointing at the grain stacks, I nodded to Fatty. "Climb in?"

Fatty asked, "Climb in there?"

I nodded. "Quietly. Don't let Uncle Qi catch us!"

Fatty looked displeased. "We came with good intentions to give gifts. Why are we sneaking around like thieves? Won't we be mistaken for thieves?"

I pushed Fatty's buttocks from below. "Hurry up! No more nonsense. Be careful not to be seen!"

Fatty and I climbed onto the wall using the grain stacks. Uncle Qi's house was silent, without a sound, making it feel deserted.

I couldn't help but wonder, "Isn't it too quiet here?"