Beauty and the Beasts

Two hours later.

Bai Qingqing changed into her snakeskin skirt, which didn’t get wet, before getting into the water and touching a fish basket. The knocking movements inside the fish basket made her feel delighted.

“There’s fish!”

Parker, who was snoozing under the tree by the river, woke up upon hearing her voice. When he saw Bai Qingqing soaked in the water, he instantly jumped up.

“You’re still bleeding. How can you enter the water?” Parker said angrily as he pulled Bai Qingqing up from the river.

“Ouch.” Bai Qingqing stroked her arm that was being gripped painfully by Parker.

Seeing that Bai Qingqing had changed into the snakeskin, Parker’s jealousy was triggered. He lifted her up and walked right back into the house.

“Ouch, my stomach.” Bai Qingqing slapped Parker on the shoulder and swung her legs as she spoke. “Let me come down. Tsk. Your shoulders are bumping against my tummy and it’s hurting me.”

Parker only set Bai Qingqing down after entering the house. With a displeased look, he said, “I’ll go and keep the fish baskets. Be good and stay at home.”

She indeed shouldn’t have gone into the water while still on her period. Bai Qingqing knew that she was in the wrong, so she didn’t talk back at him.

After Parker left, Bai Qingqing entered the bedroom, changed into her animal skin skirt, and replaced her cotton with a fresh piece. She had just finished changing when Parker came back with all the fish baskets—there were fishes in each and every one of them.

“Shucks!” Bai Qingqing kicked the fish basket on the ground, smacked her head, and said, “I knew I forgot something. How do we get the fish out?”

On the other hand, Parker seemed pretty happy. “It’s great that we managed to catch the fishes. In any case, they’re so small, even if we take them out, there won’t be enough to eat.”

“It’s not enough for you, but it’s enough for me.” Bai Qingqing’s eyes darted around, then landed on the bamboo poles that they brought back conveniently. An idea struck her.

The thickness of the bamboos was about the same as the bamboo basket. Bai Qingqing cut down a section of the bamboo and stuck it into the bamboo basket, shook twice, and two fishes came tumbling out, flopping weakly on the floor.

There were a total of 13 fishes in the five bamboo baskets—the big ones the length of a palm, and the small ones only as long as the index finger. Also, there were five prawns and one lobster. This was enough food to sustain Bai Qingqing for a day.

“You’re so clever.” Parker gazed at Bai Qingqing with astonishment.

Bai Qingqing smiled at Parker. “Here’s our lunch. Start the fire!”

Parker got up and prepared right away.

Bai Qingqing hesitated for a moment as she stared at Parker’s back view, but ultimately, she still said, “Let me do it myself. I’ll cook for myself in the future and won’t trouble you anymore.”

Parker halted in his actions for a moment, then continued striking the flint. Without turning back, he said, “I’m your male, I’ll be responsible for your food.”

Bai Qingqing felt dejected. She had said all that needed to be said, and there was no use in repeating herself. In any case, Parker was still young, so she could probably drag this out a little.

While Parker started the fire, Bai Qingqing went to the river to prepare the ingredients.

The fishes were too small, so they certainly couldn’t be barbecued. Just like how he had seen Bai Qingqing do it before, Parker used two stones to build a simple stove over the fire, then placed the stone pot over it.

When Bai Qingqing came back, the stone pot had just heated up. Parker waved to her and said, “Quick, hand me the willow branch.”

“Mm.” Bai Qingqing retrieved the willow branches as she was asked. At this moment, there was suddenly a tightening sensation on her left ankle. Yet, she didn’t notice that and merely felt like her body suddenly had unlimited strength, and her hands that were holding those willow branches easily snapped them with no effort.

“Pa!”

The willow branch snapped at that sound, leaving behind a stream of oil in the stone pot.

Bai Qingqing and Parker were both stunned.

“Did you snap them?” Parker asked with uncertainty as he gazed at Bai Qingqing.

“I snapped them?” Bai Qingqing also had a dumbfounded look on her face. Since when did she have such enormous strength?

While feeling perplexed, Bai Qingqing’s body suddenly went limp and collapsed to the ground.

“Qingqing!” Parker speedily grabbed her. He felt an invasive gaze all of a sudden, leading him to look outside warily.

In the middle of the river stood a man with red hair watching them coldly. From the river surface, his black and red snake body could indistinctly be seen.