Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 61: Delivering Venison

"What should we do? We’ll definitely run into people from the brigade." Anmin, carrying the deer, was a bit anxious.

"Tsk, where’s your sense of awareness?" Yi Roujing shook her head and sighed, "Who was it that firmly declared the mountains belong to the brigade, and anything hunted must be shared with them? If we’re seen, share a little out of courtesy."

"But this was gifted to us, it wasn’t something we hunted ourselves, why should we share it with others?" Anmin muttered.

"The pheasant is already hidden, I came early, no one saw it. But the deer can’t be hidden; once we get home, Anguo, you go find the brigade leader. The medicine used to save someone earlier was from the brigade leader’s family. At least half of the deer should be given to them," Yi Roujing said.

"Alright." Ding Anguo nodded.

"Wow, what a large deer, Anguo, did you guys hunt this?"

"Wow, this deer must weigh a hundred eighty pounds at least."

"How much meat could this be...?"

...

"It couldn’t have been us who hunted it; none of our family is skilled in hunting. It was gifted because my sister-in-law and Anmin saved someone."

"Back then, we could help because Aunt Kaiying provided fever reducers and antibiotics. This deer isn’t just for us," Ding Anguo replied with a smile.

Once people heard the deer was also connected to the brigade leader’s family, the gossiping decreased.

Ding Weihe and Li Hongying were busy in the courtyard when they heard a commotion approaching. Before long, the noise arrived at their doorstep, and they were shocked to see their three children enter carrying a massive deer.

"Dad, Mom, I’m going to call the brigade leader and Aunt Kaiying now." Ding Anguo hurried out.

There were quite a few onlookers, a mix of gossip, envy, and wishful comments in abundance.

"Hongying, even if half of this deer goes to the brigade leader’s family, you still get thirty or forty pounds. You can’t possibly eat all of that. Could you trade some with us?" Currently, buying pork required ration tickets, but game like this didn’t need them. Some private trading happened in the village.

"We can’t make that decision. Let’s wait for the brigade leader." Ding Weihe responded on behalf of the family.

Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying arrived quickly, and when they saw the huge deer lying within the Ding family’s courtyard, they were startled.

"Ancheng’s wife, you all helped others. This deer belongs to you, no need to..."

"Brigade leader, they specifically said it’s a thank you to you and us. Even if both Anmin and I wanted to help, we couldn’t have saved the life without Aunt Kaiying’s timely medicine. You mustn’t refuse," Yi Roujing said seriously.

Many didn’t know the whole story, so Ding Xiaoding explained and once more praised Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin for their helpfulness.

Previously, Mr. Hao and his family expressed gratitude to Yi Roujing’s family. Hearing it again, the brigade members were calm, though the deer was still quite a sight.

"Then we will shamelessly take half. As for those wanting to trade for deer meat, you’re welcome to come to my house privately to trade. But the amount will be limited. Even if you end up with none, don’t hold any grudge; I’m saying this upfront," Ding Xiaoding said, "Alright, let’s disperse and get back to work."

Once only the families of Ding Xiaoding and Ding Weihe remained in the courtyard, the atmosphere became harmonious.

"Brigade leader, this is a buck. That elder said both the antlers and the pizzle are good stuff. We’re not familiar with these things, please take them," Yi Roujing said, feigning ignorance and generosity.

"Oh, that won’t do. We’ve already benefited from the meat. Keep those things for your family’s health," Ding Xiaoding felt comforted by Yi Roujing’s openness.

"No, it’s not good for us to keep everything. How about we split it in half since there are two items?" Yi Roujing suggested.

In the end, Ding Xiaoding took the pizzle, only when he was with Ding Weihe, considering he didn’t have the face to mention wanting the pizzle in front of the new wife. Compared to the pizzle, the antlers are more valuable, so he was too embarrassed to take the pricier choice.

Things were unfolding as Yi Roujing had envisioned. The effects of the antlers and the pizzle are similar, and it didn’t matter which she kept. If she intended to sell on the black market, the antlers would indeed fetch a higher price. Offering someone else the choice first, few with thinner skin would opt for the costly item.

Because of the deer meat, especially in households that acquired some, the workers that day seemed extra spirited.

That evening, Li Hongying prepared several sumptuous dishes: braised deer offal, thin slices of lean meat quickly seared in the pan to satisfy Yi Roujing’s craving for grilled meat, two large bowls of meat, plus a few vegetable dishes, inviting Xia Xingchen for dinner. Six people indulged heartily.

With the leftover meat, Li Hongying set aside two pounds fresh, boiled and cured some with salt, and made the rest into smoked meat, making Yi Roujing once again admire Li Hongying’s craftsmanship.

"Let’s buy a bicycle tomorrow," Li Hongying handed money to Yi Roujing that night, along with a referral letter from the brigade leader, "and bring these two pounds of deer meat to Ancheng."

Yi Roujing accepted and nodded her agreement, as she had to make the trip anyway.

On April 10, Yi Roujing, Ding Anmin, and Ding Anguo set off on foot to the commune, took the bus to Huaixi County Town, and arrived there by noon after a bumpy journey.

The three didn’t delay and headed straight to the County First Middle School.

Upon seeing them, the gatekeeper at the school invited them to wait inside, familiar faces and all, and then went to call someone.

Ding Ancheng arrived quickly, spotting Yi Roujing sitting furthest inside, leaning on her left hand and yawning as he entered the gatehouse.

"Big brother." Ding Anguo and Ding Anmin called out in unison, and Yi Roujing stood up when they did.

"Come with me to the dorm to sit for a while." Ding Ancheng walked over, took the basket from Yi Roujing’s hands, and led the way out.

Ding Anguo looked at the large backpack he was holding. Indeed, with a wife in place, a brother is pushed to the back of the line. Ding Anmin turned and gave him an ’understanding-your-place’ look since she was also holding a bundle, clothes Li Hongying had prepared for Ding Ancheng, while the basket Yi Roujing carried was the lightest of all.