In a daze, Gu Jin heard hurried footsteps echoing in the courtyard, quickly followed by the voices of Uncle and Little Uncle conversing, accompanied by familiar, anxious cries.
"Uncle, my dad went hunting with some others on Qingluan Mountain, and now they're surrounded by a pack of wolves up there. The village chief wants all the men from every household to gather at his place now." said a tense and uneasy young voice.
A woman's voice cried out next: "Brother Gu, if something happens to the child's father, what will become of us, the orphans and the widow?"
Gu Jin sat up from the bed, looking through the window glass to see what was happening in the small courtyard.
She saw Aunt Liu from next door and Brother Shan coming to their house.
Upon hearing Aunt Liu and Shan's cries, Gu Decang asked, "How did you get this news?"
