"It doesn't look good, you should give it some water to drink. I'll leave this here, I won't hurt you," Xia Xiao didn't know if the black bear could understand her or not, but she pushed the ceramic jar toward it regardless and then quickly backed away. After a moment's thought, she decided to throw the last chicken from her "space" over too, figuring she might as well save the bear completely.
The male black bear kept a wary eye on Xia Xiao the entire time, and even after Xia Xiao had thrown a few chickens for the female black bear to eat, he did not let down his guard.
But even though the female black bear had eaten a few chickens, her condition hadn't improved much, especially since she was injured and in labor, it was incredibly tough.
The male black bear suddenly let out a low whine, a sound filled with sorrow. Xia Xiao felt quite distressed watching this and was about to say something when she saw the male black bear cradling the water jar, helping the female black bear to drink.
After the female black bear had drunk half of it, as if invigorated, she let out a few howls and soon two baby black bears were successively born.
"You can drink some too," Xia Xiao gestured towards the vulnerable male black bear, indicating the ceramic jar and then its wounds.
This time, the male black bear seemed to understand Xia Xiao, lowering its head to take a sip of the spring water. But then it stopped drinking and instead fed the two baby black bears, followed by the female black bear, all the while continuously licking the female's wounds.
Xia Xiao was deeply moved by this. The male black bear was truly an exceptional husband; animal emotions were indeed simpler than human ones.
Though humans also possessed such sincere emotions, having seen so many indifferent acts on the news and around her, she knew such true kindness was precious.
Soon, the female black bear became more mobile. She licked the male black bear's wounds and howled softly at him before licking her newborn cubs.
Xia Xiao then saw the male black bear carrying one of the babies over to her.
"What is he doing?" Xia Xiao asked Shitou.
"He wants to give you one of the cubs," replied Shitou.
Xia Xiao shook her head, "I don't want their offspring."
"Probably thinks you're waiting here because you're kind-hearted and saved them, and you want one of their cubs."
As soon as Shitou finished speaking, Xia Xiao hurriedly shook her head at the male black bear, saying, "I don't want your children, it's enough that your family is alright."
Then she said to Shitou, "Actually, animals have quite the spirit."
"All things have a spirit," stated Shitou.
The male black bear, clutching his child, looked at Xia Xiao; the female black bear watched her too and howled softly a few times.
Xia Xiao didn't understand their meaning, but she didn't plan to stay any longer. She waved goodbye to the black bear family and had no intention of taking back the ceramic jar. Though she felt a bit of loss for her chickens and the jar, seeing the emotions between the black bear family moved her profoundly, and she felt that it was worth rescuing them.
The black bear family watched as Xia Xiao disappeared into the air, and when she returned to the production team, she thought of learning how to hunt some day. Catching some wild chickens or hares would be nice.
After drinking some water in the "space," Xia Xiao walked back to Youth Point. Upon seeing her, Yang Xuehua immediately said, "Xia Xiao, you are finally back. How's Gao Jiaxing?"
"He's fine now, just needs to rest and should be able to leave the hospital soon," replied Xia Xiao.
"That's good to hear. Nanhua Mountain really is too dangerous," Wang Aihua joined in.
Xia Xiao nodded in agreement. Nanhua Mountain indeed had many wild beasts and treacherous terrain, making hunting risky.
"Where's Meihua?" Everyone from the dormitory was there except for Dong Meihua. Xia Xiao found it strange, as she remembered Dong Meihua, Wang Aihua, and Yang Xuehua had all returned together.
"She's at Director Li's place," responded Yang Xuehua.
Xia Xiao nodded, no longer finding it strange, and Yang Xuehua handed her a basket, "Here, these are all the ones you picked."
"What about yours?" Xia Xiao asked.
Wang Aihua said, "I gave it to the production team to cook with."
"Then take mine too," Xia Xiao said.
"Xia Xiao is a good comrade who doesn't keep things for herself." Wang Aihua readily agreed and even complimented Xia Xiao.
Xia Xiao laughed sheepishly, feeling somewhat guilty hearing this praise, as only a portion was in the basket, while most had been taken into her space.
"These sour fruits can be used to make pickles or sauerkraut, and they go well with rice," Wang Aihua said.
Xia Xiao nodded. That could work.
Sun Yuhua and Feng Ying didn't say anything, each reading a book and listening to Xia Xiao, Yang Xuehua, and Wang Aihua discuss their trip to the mountain earlier that day.
In the evening, the Gao family returned from the hospital. Xia Xiao had thought that Gao Jiaxing would at least stay in the hospital for a couple of days, but didn't expect him to come back so soon.
The sun was about to set, and Xia Xiao, together with Wang Aihua and Yang Xuehua, went to the production team to get their meals. After eating their fill, they washed up and went to bed.
The first day of the Chinese New Year passed just like that.
On the second day of the new year, as soon as Xia Xiao got out of bed, she heard Wang Aihua and Yang Xuehua saying they were going to weed the fields. Dong Meihua had spent the day at the He family and came back very late, now lying in bed unwilling to get up.
Now that all the village girls who had married out had come back for the holiday, and since the educated youths like them had nowhere to go, the only option was to work in the fields weeding to earn some work points.
Xia Xiao didn't join them. She felt like checking on Black Bear's family, but then thought of Gao Jiaxing's injury. Xia Xiao wanted to collect some spring water for Gao Jiaxing to help his internal injuries heal faster.
After everyone had gone to the fields, Xia Xiao, with some fruits she'd picked the day before, went to the Gao family.
"Auntie, happy new year," Xia Xiao first greeted Zheng Xianghong, who had just returned from fetching water.
"Xia Xiao, you come! Stay here for a meal today," she said.
"No need, Auntie. I just came to see how Brother Gao's injury is doing. I'll take a walk around later," Xia Xiao said as she followed Zheng Xianghong into the house.
"Where are the captain and Brother Gao?" Not seeing Gao Guoqiang and Gao Jiazhi, Xia Xiao asked.
"They went to the fields," replied Zheng Xianghong. "Go check on Jiaxing; he's in his room."
Xia Xiao nodded and walked into Gao Jiaxing's room but was surprised to find Gao Jiaxing sitting on the bed, reading a book.
Xia Xiao was astonished; this was the first time she had ever seen Gao Jiaxing reading a book—a sign he might be gearing up to seriously consider furthering his studies in high school or college.
"Brother Gao, happy new year," Xia Xiao called out.
"Happy new year, Xia Xiao," Gao Jiaxing replied faintly.
Xia Xiao was even more astonished. She glanced at the cup next to Gao Jiaxing and asked, "Brother Gao, would you like some water?"
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "Sorry to trouble you."
Xia Xiao quickly poured a cup of water for Gao Jiaxing, discreetly adding a few drops of spring water before handing it to him.
"Have a seat," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao shook her head, "No, I plan to take a stroll. Brother Gao, you take care and heal up. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Gao Jiaxing frowned slightly, nodding at Xia Xiao and only telling her to be careful.
Xia Xiao didn't linger and, after greeting Zheng Xianghong, left.