Regarding this, Wen Ran’s response was, "If that thief slaughters the cow, then you should slaughter the thief."

Captain: "..."

He’s getting old now and can’t handle this kind of shock.

Holding his head, he moved to the side, sobbing and sniffling softly.

Xiao Chenye pulled Wen Ran, "You have no other way either?"

"What way could there be?"

Wen Ran sighed, "For now, we can only look for them one by one, and ask them carefully."

She looked up at the mountains before her and murmured, "A cow so big, walking on the road, will definitely catch people’s attention as long as it passes through populated areas."

"Right!"

Xiao Chenye sniffled, "How about this, I’ll go with the captain to the brigade, spread the news about the lost cow, and see if there are any clues."

"That’s right," Wen Ran frowned, "Actually, if that’s the case, then there’s nothing to worry about."

The fear is that the person stole the cow to eat it.

If it’s for consumption, most likely the cow cannot be saved now.

"Here’s the plan," Wen Ran decisively said, "You go to the brigade to inquire, I’ll head into the mountains. If there’s no news in the brigade, then there’s a ninety percent chance the thief went into the mountains."

"Into the mountains?"

Xiao Chenye was worried, "But what if it’s a group that stole the cow, and you run into them, what then?"

He disagreed, "I don’t care, I have to go with you. That way, even if something happens, we can look out for each other."

Wen Ran smiled slightly, "I get that your intentions are good, but don’t rush just yet.

Do you think you’d be helping me, or causing trouble?"

She sighed, patted Xiao Chenye on the shoulder lovingly, and said, "Trust me, in the mountains, I’m definitely much safer than you are."

Xiao Chenye: "..."

He was a bit embarrassed; damn, he was being dismissed.

Boo hoo, but he had no way to refute it, what to do?

"Alright," Wen Ran got up, "then let’s split up and get started?"

"Let’s do it!"

To the captain, every extra minute of hesitation meant more danger for his little cow.

Xiao Chenye wanted to say more, but the captain had already hustled him away quickly.

Wen Ran lifted her foot, planning to head into the mountains, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a hunched group of people in a shabby wooden house on the side.

She was stunned.

Honestly, it’s been more than half a year since she came to the countryside.

This was the first time she encountered the people living here.

She knew that these people had unusual backgrounds and ending up like this was really just the fate of the times.

"It’s alright," Wen Ran comforted them for once, "the captain is reasonable, even if the cow is gone, he won’t do anything to you."

Those people looked at Wen Ran with eager eyes, "We are guilty, we really are sorry."

They seemed used to being humble.

Standing there, bone-thin, hair disheveled and graying, covering most of their faces, with dark skin etched with deep lines.

For a moment, Wen Ran couldn’t bear to look.

Has getting married softened even her heart?

She knew that no matter what she said, it wouldn’t help.

Finding the cow was the main goal.

If it hasn’t been butchered yet, there might be a chance.

If it has been slaughtered, then...

Thinking about this made Wen Ran inexplicably agitated.

Damn cow thieves, worse than animals, only picking the easy targets to bully.

"Just wait," Wen Ran didn’t say much more, "Don’t be afraid, I’ll go get the cow back."

She stepped into the mountains, and the wolf pack quickly came out to greet her.

However, this time the lead wolf looked at Wen Ran from afar, hesitantly, seemingly not daring to approach.

It hesitated for a long time, not getting excited, but instead cautiously moved closer.

Wen Ran chuckled, "What’s up, you’ve grown cautious today?"

She reached out and ruffled the wolf’s head, casually saying, "Are you pregnant? Why are you walking so carefully?"

Lead Wolf: "..."

It was so angry its fur stood on end, howling and whining.

Even though Wen Ran didn’t understand, she unceremoniously tapped the lead wolf on the head several times, damn pup, daring to curse so crudely.

Anything not understood is considered cursing. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lead Wolf: "..."

"Alright, enough of this nonsense," Wen Ran patted the wolf’s head, asking, "Have you seen anyone leading a cow up the mountain?"

A cow?

The lead wolf’s ears perked up, howling a couple of times.

Wen Ran, anxious, scratched her head, damn it, still couldn’t understand.

When will humans and wolves be able to communicate without barriers?

"Alright, take me to find it!"

"Awooo~"

With the wolf pack leading the way, Wen Ran didn’t take any detours in the mountains.

In half an hour, they found the location.

Good news, the cow was found.

Bad news, the cow had already been made into beef skewers.

Amid the smoke and flames, an enticing aroma wafted through the air.

Wen Ran: "..."

Emm, these damn thieves, why couldn’t they be patient for a bit with their insatiable appetites?

"Hahaha," a man raised an eyebrow, "I told you, the cow from the cowshed is the best to steal."

"Big brother, is it really okay for us to do this?"

"What’s the problem?"

Stuffing the skewered meat into his brother’s mouth, Hu Dacheng sneered, "Even if there is a problem, it’ll just be from eating too much beef and taking a dump that’s stinky enough to kill."

With his mouth full of meat, Hu Ercheng took a big bite, "It’s not that I fear anything else, but what if those old men get tormented to death over this, what should we do?

Big brother, you’re still learning medicine from them, if they die, we won’t have anywhere to learn from anymore?

Then..."

"Tsk!"

Hu Dacheng was annoyed, "Can you not mention such annoying things? It gives me a headache.

I don’t know what’s in those old guys’ heads.

Why are they so stubborn and obstinate? If they don’t listen to reason, I can’t help but use some means.

No matter if they live or die, we don’t lose out. We’ve eaten the meat, and what’s left can sell for a good price on the black market.

By then, the money to marry a wife will surely be there, maybe even with plenty left over.

Even if those old guys die, we won’t be left with nothing.

If they don’t die, then..."

Mentioning this, Hu Dacheng sneered, "Adding flowers to brocade and providing timely help are vastly different.

I’m more certain I can take them down once and for all; aren’t they tough?

I want to see how they can stay tough when someone’s providing timely assistance."

Hu Ercheng was dumbfounded, listening to his brother’s arrogant monologue, he exclaimed, "Bro, you’re getting more impressive."

"Yes," Hu Dacheng raised an eyebrow, boastful, "My good little brother, as long as you listen, there’ll be no lack of benefits for you in the future."

Hearing this, Wen Ran decided she’d heard enough.

She emerged from the bushes, smiling broadly, "Oh, that’s quite the skill you’ve got, I could smell it from afar."

"No way!"

Hu Dacheng was shocked, "Where did you come from?"