Chapter 15: The Warm-Hearted Chen Rong
“Changxia, bird eggs can be eaten like this?” Chen Rong exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing the shocked expression on Chen Rong's handsome face, Changxia chuckled, her mud-stained hand waving, “They're delicious; you'll know after you…try them. Before, I couldn't get used to the tribe's roasted meat and stew; roasted bird eggs were my only comfort and daily pleasure.”
Her body was too weak.
She had been bedridden in the den for years.
Occasionally, when she woke up, Nanfeng would carry her out of the den to bask in the sun.
At that time, let alone roasted meat and stew, she could only drink fruit powder paste. Before adulthood, Changxia ate mostly herbal medicine and fruit powder paste. Even with countless ideas, limited by her weak body, she could only be a burden, supported by the tribe.
Roasted bird eggs were Changxia's only rebellion.
She secretly hoarded bird eggs; when the chief and others weren't paying attention, she would bury the eggs in the firebox.
“Did the chief know?” Chen Rong asked.
Given Gen and the others' care for Changxia, they probably wouldn't allow Changxia to touch unknown things. Otherwise, how would Changxia have had the chance to leave the tribe until adulthood? Cubs were the apple of the beastmen's eyes; every cub was precious to the beastmen.
Let alone a weak one like Changxia.
She would be watched over by the entire tribe, for fear that she would die.
“What do you think?” Changxia rolled her eyes, playfully rolling her eyes at Chen Rong. If Gen knew she was eating things randomly, what would happen?
In some ways, Gen was more nagging than Muqin and Nanfeng.
Outside the den, the sky was full of sunset clouds; the red sunset was dazzling and colorful, illuminating the entire He Luo tribe.
“Changxia, are you rushing to build the cave dwelling because you're worried about the rainy season?” Chen Rong said solemnly.
He had been away from the Dusk Forest for many years, but…the rainy season left an impression on him that was no less terrifying than the cold season.
During the rainy season, the area of rivers and waterways in the forest would dramatically increase.
Floods, mudslides, landslides, and various natural disasters would follow the rainy season.
Accompanying these natural disasters were various ferocious beasts.
“Is the rainy season very scary?” Changxia hesitantly asked.
Before adulthood, she had been confined to a corner of the He Luo tribe.
She had only heard about the rainy season from the tribespeople; Changxia hadn't experienced it herself.
“Scary,” Chen Rong's expression was serious, “In the warm season, the earth recovers, and everything is full of life. When the rainy season comes, the forest will be flooded, and beastmen will reduce their hunting time.”
Actually, beastmen reproduction was difficult.
Besides the beastmen themselves, it was mostly due to environmental factors.
The harsh environment constantly squeezed the living space of the beastmen. Cubs didn't have much survival ability; once they were lost in the wild, they rarely had a chance to survive.
Changxia had lived to adulthood thanks to her tenacity, and the careful care of the witch and the He Luo tribe.
“The witch and the chief never said these things…” Changxia murmured.
No wonder Gen was so excited when she offered the method for making fish balls, without asking much about the cave dwelling. Although the rainy season had abundant food, limited by various natural disasters and beasts, it was no less dangerous than the cold winter.
“They probably didn't want you to worry,” Chen Rong comforted her.
Privately, several tribespeople besides Chief Gen had approached Chen Rong, under the guise of sparring and getting to know each other. Actually, they were telling Chen Rong to take good care of Changxia.
Even Nanfeng was no exception.
Yesterday morning, the two had sparred by White Lake.
The bruise on Chen Rong's abdomen was left by Nanfeng.
However, neither Chen Rong nor the tribe mentioned these things.
“We need to finish building the cave dwelling as soon as possible,” Changxia said seriously.
Seeing Changxia's worried expression, Chen Rong regretted mentioning the rainy season.
“Don't worry, you've lived in the tribe for many years, and you haven't heard anyone say anything happened during the rainy season; why would anything suddenly happen? I was just talking casually…” Chen Rong comforted her.
The He Luo tribe was a famous and powerful tribe in the Dusk Forest.
It wouldn't be defeated by the rainy season.
“I understand,” Changxia waved her hand, no longer dwelling on the danger of the rainy season.
Building a cave dwelling, identifying plants, and collecting supplies.
These were the most important things.
The rest, as Chen Rong said, the He Luo tribe had survived in the Dusk Forest for thousands of years and naturally had a way to deal with the rainy season.
“Come, try it—”
Chen Rong smiled and handed the roasted meat to Changxia.
He could see that Changxia liked to eat, especially delicious food.
This time, Chen Rong had added the ginger, scallions, and garlic Changxia had mentioned to the roasted meat, making it even better than before; he believed Changxia would like it.
“This is amazing!” Changxia collected her thoughts, took the roasted meat, and took a bite.
Without saying a word, she gave Chen Rong a thumbs-up, praising him repeatedly.
Chen Rong was very clever; he could learn from anything. Fortunately, she didn't have big ambitions, otherwise, she would be stifled.
“Do you like it? If you like it, eat more. You've been busy all day; you must be tired! I've boiled some water; after dinner, you can take a bath and then sleep,” Chen Rong served Changxia another bowl of soup; a clean stone pot with boiling water was nearby. He remembered what Gen and the others had said; Changxia's body wasn't good.
Even in the warm season, she needed to use hot water to wash her body.
Beastmen not bathing for ten or fifteen days was normal.
But the He Luo tribe had Changxia, this unique person. Even in the cold season, she would wash her body every other day. Let alone the warm season.
Chen Rong wasn't particular; the den was close to White Lake, and he could go to White Lake to bathe anytime. Changxia couldn't; a large wooden barrel was placed in the corner of the den; it was Changxia's bathtub.
It could be said that the bathtub was one of Changxia's few large pieces of furniture.
“Who told you about this?” Changxia was slightly embarrassed, her face flushed.
It wasn't that she was spoiled.
Loving to bathe was one of her few remaining hobbies from the apocalypse.
It had long become a habit.
Before adulthood, she was always watched over by Chief and Nanfeng.
Bathing had become the only thing Changxia could enjoy.
“I saw that…tub,” Chen Rong pointed at the bathtub in the corner. He didn't reveal Gen and the others' presence because it wasn't necessary to say.
Changxia blushed and explained, “Frequent bathing is good for physical and mental health. You too, you should frequently rinse your mouth, wash your hands, and wash your face…”
“After dinner, I'll go to White Lake,” Chen Rong replied.
Like Changxia, Chen Rong was a little bit of a neat freak.
It was just not very obvious.
For now, Changxia hadn't noticed it yet.
“This good habit should be maintained,” Changxia smiled lightly, “Our cave dwelling needs a bathroom and a toilet.”
Speaking of toilets, Changxia showed a complicated expression.
She had been struggling with the tribe for half a year to get the tribespeople used to going to the toilet instead of digging holes wherever they pleased.
Because of this, she had been teased a lot by the witch and the tribespeople.
“I'll listen to you,” Chen Rong subconsciously repeated these three words.
The longer he knew Changxia, the more he discovered her different side from other beastmen. Another person might be curious and ask questions.
But Chen Rong wouldn't.
This was exactly what Changxia liked most.
After dinner, the two didn't do anything else. Changxia bathed in the den, and Chen Rong went to White Lake. When he returned, Changxia spread out the vine mats and animal hides and prepared to sleep.
These two days were the busiest Changxia had ever had.
Although her body had gradually adapted, her spirit was still a little behind.
After a hot bath, she was drowsy.
When Chen Rong stepped into the den, Changxia mumbled a greeting and fell fast asleep.
“Goodnight!” Chen Rong imitated Changxia and said goodnight.
Then he lay down on the vine mat next to her; his shallow breathing made Chen Rong, who had been suffering from insomnia, feel at ease. Someone had once told Chen Rong: where the heart is at peace is home.
He finally had his own home.
It was truly wonderful!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 16: Making Tables and Chairs
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