When the forest rangers left, apart from Bolati, the other three rode their horses, holding the reins in one hand and a bottle in the other, drinking as they headed back.
One even sang as he drank, clearly delighted.
After watching Bolati and the others leave, Li Long began loading the goods into the Jeep.
There was too much, especially the deer antlers, for one trip in the Jeep. Li Long simply loaded the medicinal herbs-codonopsis, fritillaria, and snow lotus-first, along with two pairs of deer antlers.
Then he fished the half wild boar he had kept out of the large basin beside the Spring Eye, packed it into a sack, and put it on the passenger seat.
"Xiao Sun, stay here for now. I'm heading back," Li Long told Sun Jiaqiang. "I'll bring another load this afternoon to replenish the supplies here. Be careful on your own, and bolt the door at night. Don't be too accommodating when you trade with people, or they'll push you around."
"Don't worry, boss. I'll remember." Sun Jiaqiang stopped carrying goods into the wooden cabin and gave Li Long his assurance.
Yes, that was a good attitude.
Li Long drove the Jeep back to the Big Courtyard just in time for lunch.
It was late April, and the temperature had begun to rise. Mingming and Haohao were still playing in their wheeled crib, which had now been moved under a tree.
The trees in the courtyard did not have many leaves yet. Sunlight filtered through them, casting dappled light and shadows on the ground-just the right light for the two children to bask in.
When they saw Li Long return, both children excitedly babbled at him. A cluster of little animals gathered around the Jeep too, as though welcoming him.
Gu Boyuan joked