Chapter 12: Fractures Between Brothers

The two brothers never had a good relationship to begin with. Before the family split, Zhao Weimin used to accompany Zhao Dajun on mountain patrols. The two often quarreled and sometimes even came to blows. However, Weimin never dared to confront his elder brother directly, since Dajun carried a hunting rifle. And with Dajun’s reckless nature, getting shot was not worth the risk.

After Weimin got married, his sister-in-law, Zheng Qiuhua, frequently bullied Lin Qian, which only deepened the rift between the brothers. Naturally, when they ran into each other at the supply and marketing cooperative, Zhao Dajun wasted no time stirring up trouble.

“What’s the matter, Weimin?” Zhao Dajun called out as Weimin walked past him. “Not even a greeting?”

Weimin stopped and turned to look at him. Lin Qian, not wanting any trouble, quickly greeted the elder brother. But Zhao Dajun acted as if he hadn’t heard and, parting the girls surrounding him, went straight to Weimin. “Weimin, your sister-in-law told you and your wife to come home yesterday. Why didn’t you?”

“No need.”

“Fine, if you don’t want to come back, that’s your choice.” Then his tone suddenly turned harsh. “But what do you mean pointing a knife at my son?”

At that moment, he took down the hunting rifle from his back. Lin Qian shivered in fear and quickly pulled Weimin away, forcing a smile. “It’s all a misunderstanding, big brother, just a misunderstanding.”

“Men talk, this isn’t your business,” Zhao Dajun roughly shoved Lin Qian aside, nearly knocking her over. If not for Weimin’s quick reflexes catching her, she might have fallen hard on the snow.

That angered Weimin. “Zhao Dajun, what do you think you’re doing pushing my wife?”

“Doing what?” Zhao Dajun shook the barrel of the rifle. “I’m asking why you pointed a knife at my son?”

“Forget it, Weimin.” Lin Qian tugged at him again. “Let’s go.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Zhao Dajun wasn’t about to let them off easily and immediately aimed the rifle at Weimin.

The girls watching nearby gasped in terror.

Sibling feuds like this were rare in Beiling.

Seeing the dark barrel of the gun, Lin Qian didn’t hesitate to step in front of Zhao Weimin. Tears streaming uncontrollably, she pleaded, “Big brother, please have mercy. I’ll kneel and apologize, okay?”

She was about to drop to her knees when Weimin grabbed her arm, stopping her. Then he pulled her behind him, shielding her with his broad back.

“Zhao Dajun, you only dare act high and mighty because you have that rifle,” Weimin shot back mercilessly. “One day when you don’t have it, I want to see if someone won’t beat you to death!”

Those words seemed to enrage Zhao Dajun. He pressed the rifle’s barrel against his brother’s temple. “I’m going to blow your brains out right now!”

The gun was already cocked, his finger tightening on the trigger. One squeeze and a bullet would pierce Weimin’s skull—blood staining the white snow.

Lin Qian nearly fainted from fear, just as a stern voice barked nearby, “Zhao Dajun, have you lost your mind?”

The voice was authoritative enough that even the man holding the gun turned to look. It was Zhao Dabao, the village party secretary, walking out of the cooperative with his hands clasped behind his back and brows furrowed.

Seeing Zhao Dabao, Zhao Dajun immediately lost his nerve. Smiling awkwardly, he lowered the rifle. “Just joking, Uncle Zhao!”

“Is that how you joke?” Zhao Dabao strode forward, glaring at him fiercely. “Whether he’s your own brother or not, you don’t point a gun at him.”

“Uncle Zhao, you’re overreacting. We’ve been like this since we were kids.”

“Doesn’t look like kids’ play to me.” Zhao Dabao’s gaze shifted to the rifle in his hand. “I’ve heard rumors about you bullying people in the market. Today I see the truth. If you treat your own brother like this, what about outsiders?”

“Not at all!” Zhao Dajun’s voice rose a few octaves. “My gun only shoots animals, not people.”

Even now, he was trying to speak ambiguously, but everyone knew exactly whom he meant by “animals.”

“Get out of here!” Zhao Dabao didn’t want to waste more words. “One day they’ll take that gun away from you, and you’ll be the one crying.”

“Heh, then I’ll be off.” Not daring to cause trouble in front of the party secretary, Zhao Dajun shot a hateful glance at Weimin before disappearing from the cooperative’s entrance.

After they left, Zhao Dabao looked Weimin over. “You okay, Weimin?”

Weimin shook his head. “I’m fine. He wouldn’t dare shoot me where there are people around.”

“*Sigh*.” Zhao Dabao sighed deeply. “Born of the same mother, yet such a difference between brothers. When he became a mountain patrolman, I put in a lot of effort. Over the years, he’s done nothing in return. I’m just grateful he hasn’t caused trouble, but now it’s clear—I have to get him removed from that patrol position. If that gun stays in his hands, it’s only a matter of time before something terrible happens.”

“You’re right. I’m not the one at fault here. Actually, I care about him. I agree with you—he can’t keep that gun. If something happens, it won’t be good for anyone.”

“Good. I finished the paperwork last night. I just have to meet with Wang Youwei and then report this to the police.”

“Understood.”

“By the way, you came for firewood, right? It’s all right here in the cooperative yard. I’ll grab two bags of salt for you, too.”

“Uncle Zhao, I brought some roe deer meat.” Weimin set down his basket. “I’m not asking for anything free—I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”

Seeing the meat in the basket, Zhao Dabao was first taken aback, then laughed heartily. He didn’t refuse, crouching down to take out the roe deer meat. “You’re a thoughtful kid. This meat isn’t just for me; consider it your payment for firewood and salt.”

“Anything works.”

...

After the couple gathered the firewood and salt, they started heading home. Along the way, Lin Qian remained deeply worried, lost in thought until they neared their house.

Finally, she voiced her fears. “Weimin, your brother won’t just let this go easily. We have to be careful, especially when you go up the mountain. If he shoots at you with his rifle, no one will be able to help us seek justice.”

Weimin understood what she meant. Hunting accidents involving rifles weren’t unheard of in the mountains. If Zhao Dajun shot him and claimed it was a mistake, there’d be nothing to do.

But such worries were unnecessary. He couldn’t let fear of that rifle keep him from going up the mountain.

“Don’t worry,” he patted Lin Qian’s back. “I’ve already talked with Uncle Zhao. We’ll find a way to strip Zhao Dajun of that patrol title. Without the gun, let’s see how he can still act all tough!”