Ancient Eden

Mu Qing guessed that the settlement, at this moment, was probably following some kind of tradition. The former chief, being old, was pre-selecting a successor. But this successor was not taking up the duties of the chief right now, he would after the death of the current chief. This was evident from the fact that the chief had only plucked off a pheasant feather instead of putting the entire crown on Li Mang’s head.

When Li Mang went out hunting a few days ago and ran into her, that young man was probably doing the same as him. It was like those sport competitions that Mu Qing knew well, it was to determine who could get the most preys during a given time, adding to that their personal prestige, the entire clan would then choose the candidate they felt was suitable for becoming the next chief.

Next to Mu Qing, Youyou looked very happy, she let go of Mu Qing’s hand and ran towards the middle, while limping. Her mouth constantly called out Li Mang’s name.

Hearing this, Li Mang separated the crowd and strode towards Youyou, he then picked her up with one arm and lifted her above his head, just like Mu Qing had done today.

Youyou burst out laughing.

Mu Qing and Li Mang’s eyes met again.

This time, she saw a glimmer of happiness in his eyes.

He was probably very happy that he won today, too.

Mu Qing pursed her lips, turned around and started to walk towards his hut.

When night fell, Mu Qing hid behind the animal skin curtain and watched the various bonfires outside. On top of these bonfires, various meats were being roasted, and people laughing loudly were surrounding them. It looked like a celebration for the election of the next chief. There were several young men gathered around that young plump girl, she looked very cheerful.

Mu Qing couldn’t get cheerful. She felt hungry again. Those two bowls of vegetable porridge and those few potato roots she had eaten in the morning, had long been digested by her vigorous gastric system.

She stopped looking and turned back to lie down on that piece of animal skin. Lying down was her way of saving energy.

She was swallowing her saliva when the curtain was lifted, and a small figure came in.

It was Youyou.

She handed her a leaf packet, which held a piece of roasted meat still warm, and a few wild fruits.

Mu Qing took it. She was about to hug and kiss Youyou when she stretched out her other hand to her.

With the light of the fire outside, Mu Qing vaguely saw that it was a small piece of some brownish-black stuff, but she did not know what it was.

She looked at Youyou with some hesitation, but she let out a bell-like laugh before bringing the piece to her mouth.

Mu Qing was a little reluctant to try it but seeing that the little girl’s eyes were glowing with light, she decided to stuck out her tongue and lightly lick it.

She tasted a strange, sweet taste. Except for the wild fruits who tasted sweet and sour, this was the only pleasant taste her taste buds had in a few days.

It was probably a piece of beehive with honey.

Mu Qing wondered why this place was so isolated that not even a trace of modern civilization could be found. She had read before in travel notes that even in the primitive African jungle, in the local indigenous tribes, they were impacted by modern civilization, they had watches or other things for example. But here, there wasn’t even salt to eat.  How precious was sweet honey in this place where even basic salt couldn’t be found, she naturally was very clear about it.

She slightly licked it, before smiling and nodding. She made a very satisfied look like it was very delicious, before closing Youyou’s hand and pushing her hand towards her mouth. Youyou hesitated, but then stretched out her tongue and licked it a few times, a low hum came from her throat, that was the sound of satisfaction.

Youyou licked the piece of honeycomb until there was no more sweetness on it, and only then left happily.

Mu Qing ate the piece of roasted meat and found that it was a little more tender than the meat she had eaten before. These few days, she had been somewhat accustomed to chew mechanically the bland meat in her mouth before swallowing it down her esophagus. After eating the wild fruits, Mu Qing then sat on the animal skin, as she listened attentively to the movements outside. She felt that sitting in such a position on the ground for a long time made her legs a little numb, so she lied down.

She didn’t dare to fall asleep. She was waiting for Li Mang to come back, thinking about what would happen later.