The Amusing Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Dad and Daughter-Chapter 159

The dream of planting the entire valley with peach trees was a bit too ambitious, but planting a few by their doorstep was certainly doable.

They continued wandering through the mountains, hoping to find more peach trees.

While others were street loafers, this father-daughter pair had become mountain roamers. The mountains weren’t just home to them—there were also many villages, big and small, scattered throughout.

With so many mountain ranges, settlements were far apart, and no one really knew just how many people lived in these hills.

Occasionally, they’d come across villagers hunting in the mountains. The friendlier ones would exchange greetings.

The villagers hunted in organized groups—no one went alone. Of course, if someone had exceptional skills and wanted to venture into the mountains solo, no one would stop them.

This time, the father and daughter encountered a group of younger villagers, none as wary as the elders.

They walked together for a while, and upon learning that the pair was searching for fruit trees, a young man named Jin Fu casually clapped Old Gu Six on the shoulder.

“No need to look, brother! Our village has plenty of fruit trees. What kind do you want? Come back with me and dig some up—my family grows lots of peach and plum trees.”

Old Gu Six smiled warmly. “I can trade you something for them.”

Jin Fu was about to say it wasn’t necessary—just a few trees, after all—but then he realized being overly eager might make him seem suspicious.

He scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. “W-well, sure.”

Since the villagers were heading out to hunt, the father and daughter couldn’t follow them the whole time.

Old Gu Six asked Jin Fu where his village was, suggesting they could go there themselves to trade. “You don’t have to escort us back—just focus on your hunt.”

Jin Fu, who lived in Lijia Village on the western mountain range, explained that his village had about twenty households.

The big banyan tree at the entrance was their landmark. He even sketched a rough map on the ground with a stick, showing them how to get there.

The father and daughter nodded with expressions that said, “Got it, no problem.”

In reality, they were thinking, What kind of scribble is this?

Assuming ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍they understood, Jin Fu hurried off after his companions.

Left behind, the pair stared at the crooked lines on the ground for a long while.

First of all—which way was west? They had no idea.

The squiggly route looked anything but straightforward.

Old Gu Six called out Silver Wolf, who had been hiding in the bushes, and patted its head. “Go scout the western mountains and see if you can find a village with a big banyan tree. They should also have plenty of fruit trees. We’ll wait here.”

“Awoo!” Silver Wolf acknowledged and darted off.

“Chang’an, how about we trade sweet potato seeds, potato seeds, and cotton seeds for the fruit trees?”

“Sounds good, Dad. But don’t you think Silver Wolf forgot something?” Chang’an couldn’t help but feel that Silver Wolf and Little White weren’t exactly model wolf parents.

Old Gu Six absentmindedly asked, “Forgot what?”

“Their cubs.”

The two exchanged a glance, blinking their big eyes. Old Gu Six murmured, “Maybe we shouldn’t tell Silver Wolf?”

“That doesn’t seem right.”

“You’re right. They’re still our wolves. We should tell it. If it wants to go back for the cubs, we can let Little White go with it.”

Their worries were unnecessary. The two wolf cubs, left to fend for themselves long ago, had already forgotten they even had parents.

Now fully grown, they roamed the forest freely and fearlessly.

Silver Wolf returned the next afternoon after scouting. Chang’an handed it two prepared rabbits and waited until it finished eating before asking, “Silver, did you find it?”

“Awoo!” Found it. There are lots of fruit trees there.

“Wolf, do you remember your sons?”

The happy wolf suddenly froze, its eyes nearly bulging out of its head.

“Awooo—!”

Finally realizing it had lost its cubs, Silver Wolf began darting around frantically.

Old Gu Six asked, “Do you want to go back for them?”

The question stumped the wolf. Would its mate even agree to travel that far?

Maybe it was better not to go. Six or seven years had passed—the cubs were grown now. They didn’t need their parents.

And just like that, the wolf father cheerfully abandoned its offspring, its earlier panic vanishing as if it had never happened. It calmly led the way again. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Watching this, Chang’an felt a pang of sympathy for the two wolf cubs. With parents like these, you’re better off on your own.

They followed Silver Wolf for nearly a full day before reaching Jin Fu’s village, Lijia Village.

Instead of entering immediately, Old Gu Six first packed his basket with sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cotton seeds.

It was harvest season, past planting time, so they couldn’t trade sweet potato vines.

Some of the village’s young men were out hunting, others working in the fields. Only the elderly and children remained at home.

The father and daughter entered through the village’s landmark banyan tree, Old Gu Six carrying a full basket on his back.

The elders resting under the tree eyed the strangers warily.

One approached and asked, “Who are you looking for in Lijia Village, sir?”

Old Gu Six gave a good-natured smile. “Good day, ma’am. Do you know which family Jin Fu belongs to?”

“Ah, you’re here for Jin Fu? He’s Carpenter Li’s youngest son. He’s not home right now—he’s out hunting.”

“That’s all right. I met him in the mountains. I’m here to trade for some fruit trees. Do you know where Carpenter Li’s house is?”

“I’ll take you there.” The old woman slowly led the way with her cane, a three- or four-year-old boy trailing beside her.

The little boy was sturdy and lively, with two trails of snot dangling from his nose, dangerously close to his mouth. He wiped them with his sleeve, smearing some on his cheek.

Noticing Chang’an watching him, the child blushed and scurried ahead of the old woman.

She chuckled affectionately. “Why run so fast? Be careful you don’t trip!”

Carpenter Li’s house was on the eastern side of the village. They arrived in no time. Carpenter Li wasn’t home—only Li’s Mother was there, tidying up.

“Jin Fu’s mother, this gentleman says he made an arrangement with your Jin Fu to trade for fruit trees.”

After delivering them, the old woman prepared to leave with her great-grandson.

Old Gu Six grabbed a handful of cotton seeds from his basket. “Ma’am, wait a moment. Please take these cotton seeds as thanks for guiding us.”

Hearing they were cotton seeds, the old woman swallowed her initial refusal.

After a brief hesitation, she took out a handkerchief, carefully wrapped the seeds, and tucked them into her robe.

Next to food, cotton was their most precious commodity. She simply couldn’t bring herself to decline.

Remembering Old Gu Six had come to trade for trees, she pointed toward her own home. “My house is just up ahead. We have some fruit trees too. After you’re done here, come take a look. If you see any you like, you can dig them up.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll come by later.”

The old woman left first, heading home to wait for them.

Li’s Mother had been about to say their fruit trees weren’t for trade—but when she saw the cotton seeds, she held her tongue.