Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

Chapter 149 Provoked by that old man Han from Caimen

As a hunter, Li Xiangyang had witnessed too many life-and-death situations and should have long since become numb.

But the way the mother tiger unhesitatingly shielded her cubs with her body before her death made his chest feel tight.

This most authentic force in life moved him.

He simply couldn't bring himself to touch the tigress's corpse.

Wang Ergou rubbed his head and couldn't help but mutter, "Sigh, a fully grown tiger, its skin, bones, internal organs... I don't know what got into me today..."

"Let's go down the mountain first; Dahai is still waiting in the car."

Li Xiangyang knew that Wang Ergou was using complaints to mask his inner turmoil.

Along the way, Wang Ergou hesitated several times before finally asking, "Do you think we can keep them alive?"

Li Xiangyang sensed the worry in Wang Ergou's words.

He shared the same concerns.

This is no ordinary kitten or puppy; it's a man-eating beast. Even if it survives, it's best not to keep it as a pet for safety reasons.

What kind of family are you? Keeping it? If it gets bigger, and eats meat every meal, do you have a mountain of gold or silver? Weren't you just worried about the money? This little guy is worth way more than a tigress. The horse dealer, he can afford to keep it.

Li Xiangyang said jokingly.

Wang Ergou's eyes lit up: "That's right! Boss Ma is rich and powerful, keeping this up shouldn't be a problem for him."

As they spoke, the two had reached the foot of the mountain and saw Dahai dozing off in the driver's seat in the distance.

Hearing footsteps, Dahai rubbed his eyes and immediately saw the small bundle wriggling in Li Xiangyang's arms.

"This is..." Da Hai hurriedly got out of the car, took a closer look, and his eyes widened immediately. "A tiger cub?!"

"Keep your voice down," Li Xiangyang gestured for him to lower his voice. "We encountered a Siberian tiger in the mountains, a female. She died protecting her cubs, and we found her."

The sea rubbed its hands together excitedly: "This is truly..."

He reached out and touched the tiger cub's head, which naturally earned him a fierce and menacing response.

"She's quite fierce..."

"That's right, even if it's small, it's still a tiger. Be careful not to get bitten. By the way, when we get back, we'll go straight to Boss Ma's place. We didn't manage to kill the elk, so let's see if he'll take this little cub in."

"Of course we'll take it! You two have struck it rich this time. You have no idea how angry Boss Ma was when that old man from Cai Men humiliated us last time. Imagine if there had been a grown tiger with him back then..."

"Haha, the three of us brothers have hit the jackpot! Don't worry, you'll get your share. On our way..."

Da Hai was overjoyed and quickly started the car.

He couldn't help but look back several times along the way, each time being scolded by Wang Ergou: "Watch where you're going! Watch where you're going! Are you trying to kill yourself?"

The car drove into Mr. Ma's timber processing plant, where several workers were moving timber in the yard.

Upon seeing that the sea had returned, someone quickly went to report it.

Not long after, Ma Laosan strode out of the office.

"Oh dear, Brother Li..."

Ma Laosan's words came to an abrupt halt, because he had already seen the wriggling little creature in Li Xiangyang's arms.

The tiger cub seemed to sense the presence of a stranger and let out a weak whimper.

The sound made everyone present hold their breath.

Ma Laosan's gaze lingered on the tiger cub for a moment, then he turned to Li Xiangyang and said, "Brother Li, let's talk inside."

The group followed Ma Laosan into the office.

The tiger cub was exhausted and dozed off in Li Xiangyang's arms.

Ma Laosan had tea brewed and instructed the kitchen to prepare several braised pork hocks.

Only then did he ask calmly, "Did you bring it down from the mountains?"

Li Xiangyang briefly recounted what happened last night.

After hearing this, Ma Laosan excitedly said, "This little tiger cub was destined to survive; it's fated to be with me. Damn it, once I raise him, let's see who dares to mess with me then. Brother Li, how about five thousand yuan?"

Li Xiangyang knew that Ma Laosan was wealthy and powerful, but he was still truly shocked to hear this offer.

It seems that the incident involving Old Man Han at Caimen left a deep shadow on Ma Laosan.

The other party had better never appear in front of Ma Laosan again, otherwise, once the tiger cub is raised, even if he has extraordinary abilities, he will have to kneel down.

When Wang Ergou heard the amount, he almost slid off his chair.

Even the sea widened its eyes.

Five thousand yuan is an amount that an ordinary family cannot earn in ten years.

"Mr. Ma is indeed generous. Deal."

When Ma Laosan saw that Li Xiangyang agreed, he was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to get the money.

Soon, five stacks of brand-new banknotes were placed on the table.

Ma Laosan even had someone bring him an aluminum lunchbox, filled it with hot water, and poured in some milk.

"Brother Li, why don't you feed it some first? Let me see your technique."

Li Xiangyang carefully took the tiger cub out of his cotton-padded coat, scooped up some warm milk with a spoon, and fed it to it little by little.

The tiger cub was probably hungry, so it didn't struggle much and actually drank about half a bowl.

"For the first month, you should use warm milk with a little honey in it..."

Li Xiangyang kept talking until Ma Laosan remembered it all before he stopped.

Before they left, Ma Laosan insisted that they stay for dinner.

Unable to refuse, Li Xiangyang had no choice but to have a meal with them.

During the meal, Ma Laosan repeatedly toasted Li Xiangyang, saying he wanted to become friends with him and would definitely attend his wedding...

As they boarded the car heading back to the sea, Wang Ergou was still in a daze: "Five thousand yuan, that's enough for an average family to live on for ten years."

"Indeed," Da Hai exclaimed. "Mr. Ma is incredibly generous."

"That was all because of that old man Han from Caimen," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, shaking his head. "That old man better not do anything rash and ever show his face in front of Boss Ma again. Otherwise, he'll be facing a real-life version of Wu Song fighting the tiger..."

Wang Ergou and Dahai both shuddered at the thought of that scene.

The car bumped along, and Li Xiangyang divided the money into three portions, saying, "Dahai, without your help lending the car, this deal wouldn't have been possible. Here, take this thousand yuan."

He then handed one of the stacks to Dahai.

"This...this won't do." Da Hai was startled and quickly declined, "I just need to borrow a car, how can I ask for so much money?"

"Take it." Li Xiangyang stuffed the money into Dahai's hand. "This deal is something the three of us brothers did together. We're all brothers, it would be impolite to refuse."

Dahai's eyes were a little red: "Brother Li, what's wrong with you..."

"Alright, just drive your car properly." Li Xiangyang interrupted him, then handed two thousand yuan to Wang Ergou. "This is yours."

"I'll keep the remaining two thousand. In this deal, neither of us loses out."

As Dahai drove, tears welled up in his eyes.

That thousand yuan is no small sum; he didn't do anything, and they just gave it to him like that.

This is a great favor.

The three of them remained silent, letting the car bump along the mountain road.

Only when they were almost at the village entrance did Wang Ergou speak: "Xiangyang, shall we go into the mountains another day?"

"Sure," Li Xiangyang replied with a smile, "but I have to go home and report first. I'll be gone for several days; my family must be worried."