Beauty and the Beasts

The beastmen who came early had already finished sowing the seeds and were making trips to and fro between their field and the river to fetch water with their stone basins.

Bai Qingqing stood on top of their stone basin and looked toward the river, asking, “It’s so far away. It’s fine when we just need to water the seeds now, but what will we do when it’s time to fill the pit up with water?”

Parker buried a seed seriously before replying, “The light rainy season will be coming soon. If it comes late, then we can only get water from the river.”

“It’s really hard work.” The first thing that Bai Qingqing thought of was to dig trenches and guide the water over. However, she soon realized that the terrain here was higher than the river, and the land was toward the dry side. It wasn’t possible to dig trenches to guide the water here.

However, since there was going to be a rainy season, then the water source wouldn’t be a huge problem. Therefore, Bai Qingqing didn’t think too much into things.

Curtis circled one arm around Bai Qingqing’s waist, carrying her off from the stone basin and saying, “I’ll water the plants.”

“Mm.”

The three males worked together and spent half a day before completely sowing all the seeds.

Winston had also collected a big bag of wheat weighing several kilograms. Bai Qingqing saw that there was a lot of space here and got them to plant the wheat here as well.

The wheat was planted very casually. They dug up thin rows and then scattered the seeds evenly inside before covering them in soil. They then just needed to water them once more. To the males, who seemed to have an endless amount of energy, this amount of work was nothing. They finished everything in less than half an hour.

Bai Qingqing wore a light, hopeful smile when she looked at the brand new state of the field.

The cold season had just ended and it was hard to find food in the forest. Many birds flew around above this stretch of land. They were clearly habitual offenders of stealing the seeds and could recognize the paddy fields, specially choosing the pits to land. Although the birds were small, they were huge in numbers. They crowded around the fields, chirping away non-stop, being as annoying as flies.

Thankfully, the flatter wheat field belonging to Bai Qingqing’s family hadn’t been discovered yet.

Bai Qingqing felt worried. “I hope the seeds won’t be eaten up by the birds.”

“They won’t. I’ll be keeping guard.” Parker sat down on the ground, looking like he wasn’t planning to leave.

Bai Qingqing threw a glance at him. “You can’t be thinking of keeping guard here until the seeds germinate, right?”

She then looked at the other beastmen, only to realize that those who had finished their work hadn’t left either. They lay next to the fields in their beast forms and would get up to drive the birds away if any of them got near.

Bai Qingqing asked in disbelief, “You’re really going to stay here and keep watch?”

“This is how everyone does it.” Parker pretended to be very experienced, saying, “It’s not only now. When the rice matures, there’ll be even more birds coming to steal the crops. During the growing phase, there’d also be animals coming to eat the young seedlings. Therefore, there’s a constant need to ensure there is someone keeping watch in the field.”

Bai Qingqing’s expression stiffened. It was no wonder they said that farming was hard work. It was really hard work!

Winston, who had been keeping quiet all this while, spoke up, “I’ll take turns with you to keep watch.”

As if because there were more of them on this part of the land that the birds didn’t dare to get near at the beginning. At this moment, a braver bird came flying over. Before Parker got up to chase it away, a “pfft” sound rang out as a young snake jumped up to catch it with his mouth.

The few young snakes around him were all jealous, slithering over to attempt to snatch the small bird. The young snake who had caught the bird quickly stuffed it down his throat.

Bai Qingqing laughed. “Seems like there’s no need for us.”

Curtis looked at Bai Qingqing, then put out his hand to rub her head, smiling as he said, “Then we’ll leave them here.”

Bai Qingqing shook her head. “I’ll be worried to leave them outside. We’ll just let them have a meal here.” After saying that, she smiled confidently. “I’ve thought of an even better idea.”

“What idea?”

“Come with me.” Bai Qingqing beckoned to Curtis and Winston, then headed toward the river, leaving Parker and the young snakes in the field.