Chapter 6: Xiao Pimao, Does It Smell Good?

December 3, 2021 by danmeiheaven

After the hunting team of the Golden Centipede Tribe came back, everyone was happily celebrating.

The only one who was a little unhappy was probably Zhuang Yu because everyone began to guard against him and isolate him, for fear that he would run to pester their young and promising young patriarch. They wouldn’t let him get close to the ancestral beast.

Zhuang Yu touched his nose and said to himself, Even if you don’t show such an anti-thief expression, I will not harass your young patriarch.

He started leaving feeling funny again. He was actually rejected by a tribe for hooking up with men. If this were in modern times, he would be notorious. Well, he’s actually no different from being infamous now.

Zhuang Yu walked to the cave, sighing as he walked.

Suddenly, a shout came, “Feng Wen1, run, your Brother Yu is coming. He must have come to grab your food.”

Zhuang Yu was floored. Him? Robbing food? What’s going on?

It was a group of children. One of the four or five-year-olds was particularly strange because he was covered with bees. The bees are flying around him, wrapping him tightly, leaving only two eyes uncovered.

When Zhuang Yu saw this strange child, two words suddenly appeared in his mind, Feng Wen.

If his memory is right, this child named Feng Wen is also from the Water Lake Tribe and is his…brother.

Originally they lived together, but he later drove him to the collective cave.

We can just imagine how bad the conditions are in the collective cave. Although Zhuang Yu has a hard time now, he at least has his own cave.

Zhuang Yu’s mouth twitched. Did he chase away a four or five-year-old child to the collective cave? How did the original owner of this body be so hateful and abandon a child? No wonder he has such a bad reputation in the Golden Centipede Tribe. No one likes him. And no wonder the young patriarch doesn’t like him.

When Zhuang Yu looked at the child named Feng Wen, the child was also looking at him.

Then, with a swish, the child buried his head in the grass next to him, tilted his little butt, and stretched out a hand backward. Holding a berry in his hand, he kept shaking his hand at Zhuang Yu… I only have one berry.

“Feng Wen, why are you always like this? Run away.”

“Every time you see your brother, you’re so terrified. You deserve to be bullied.”

“Yu from Water Lake Tribe, you are too shameless to rob the berries of Feng Wen again.”

Zhuang Yu also looked surprised. How badly had he been bullied before, so he didn’t have any sense of resistance at all?

The corners of Zhuang Yu’s mouth twitched again. From the words of these children, that is to say, he used to rob his four or five-year-old brother’s food because he couldn’t eat enough?

It’s really embarrassing to have such a past.

Looking at the little child covered with bees, is this his brother? He began to wonder if he himself is a strange species.

Seeing that Feng Wen was so scared that he buried his head in the grass, Zhuang Yu sighed. He couldn’t do what this body did before.

Zhuang Yu stepped forward and reached out to hold the small hand shaking the only berry. At this time, it’s only this hand without bees, otherwise, he would be stung.

Pull Feng Wen from the grass and walk to the cave.

Feng Wen was trembling. He lowered his head in fear and said nothing. To the child who’s used to being picked on, he could only obey.

Back in the cave, he let go of Feng Wen. Feng Wen ran to a corner of the cave and curled himself into a ball.

There’s a nest there surrounded by small animal skins, which Zhuang Yu didn’t know.

Feng Wen seems to be more familiar with this cave than he is. That’s right, he lived here before he’s driven to the collective cave. That little nest should be where he used to sleep.

Zhuang Yu looked at the introverted Feng Wen and sighed. It’s estimated that he had caused a lot of psychological shadow to him before.

Although he didn’t do those things, since he inherited this body, he still had to shoulder some responsibilities.

Looking at Feng Wen covered with bees, Zhuang Yu frowned. He had to make a beehive. Even if one is introverted, he cannot use a swarm of bees to shut himself down and isolate himself from the world.

But now, Zhuang Yu touched his stomach. He’d better solve the problem of eating first. He still has some mushrooms left, which just happened to be roasted.

At this moment, a small mushroom is holding a wooden stick to poke Feng Wen. What strange creature is this? Doesn’t it know this is its territory now? It wants this strange creature to know who’s the boss here.

The corner of Zhuang Yu’s lips twitched as he looked at Feng Wen who didn’t dare resist. He’s actually bullied by a small mushroom the size of a fist? I’m afraid anyone can bully this kid.

It seems that wanting to restore his character to normal is not an overnight matter.

Zhuang Yu hurried over and grabbed the little mushroom that’s just like a victorious general.

Little Mushroom struggled hard, his calf kicking in the air. I still haven’t let him know who’s the boss.

Zhuang Yu said, “I have grilled the mushrooms, do you want to eat them?” 

The little mushroom ran out of the cave.

It’s already evening. When Zhuang Yu brought fire, the moon appeared in the sky.

This is the first time that he has seen the night sky of this world. There are three massive jade discs hanging in the sky. Three moons? Thinking of the ten suns in the daytime, it seems not surprising.

Zhuang Yu lamented a little. He came to this world and started anew. He thought he’s alone, but now he has a little mushroom and a younger brother. This kind of encounter was something he had never thought of before.

Just thinking about it, the little mushroom started to yell. Brothers are all burned by you.

Zhuang Yu quickly removed the mushroom from the fire, took one, and put it in the shell. The little mushroom had already run to the side of the shell and waited for its brother to cool down.

Zhuang Yu took a bunch of roasted mushrooms into the cave. In the corner, Feng Wen is like a frightened little beast, his curled body becoming even smaller.

Zhuang Yu squatted down and handed over a bunch of mushrooms. Feng Wen didn’t dare take it at all and hid in the bee colony in fear.

He sighed. Some things couldn’t be rushed. He opened Feng Wen’s hand, stuffed the mushrooms into his hand, got up, and left. An introverted child must be given independent space.

After Zhuang Yu left, Feng Wen revealed his little head, blinking at the string of fragrant mushrooms in his hand. Yu didn’t grab his berries, but gave him something to eat?

He still remembers that when he’s still in the Water Lake Tribe, Yu did the same, giving him the best food. Until they came to the Golden Centipede Tribe, everything changed.

Feng Wen waited for a long time and was sure that this was really for him. Then he took a shivering bite. He’s really so hungry. He’s a foreign child in the collective cave. His days can be imagined.

He took a bite of the mushroom and looked outside the cave, seemingly still in disbelief that Yu had left such a delicious thing for him. He seemed to think of something again, and a shy dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Outside the cave, Zhuang Yu encountered something. The sturdy woman who distributed the fruits was standing at the entrance of his cave.

The stout woman had a big bag in her hand, “Today our hunting team is back. Everyone can get meat. This is your share. You certainly don’t have a share with the dinosaur meat. It’s just the feet of these cuckoo birds.” 

The cuckoo bird’s feet have no meat at all. Who makes Yu so annoying? He can only be given these.

Zhuang Yu hadn’t even reacted yet, the fierce woman had already put the big bag in the hole and turned around.

Then she turned her head and said, “I heard you robbed your brother’s berries again today, you…be humane.”

Hmph, even if the conditions are tough, our Golden Centipede Tribe is very united. At least we can’t bully a child as adults. But this Yu was doing things that broke their lower limit every day.

This is the fundamental reason why the tribespeople disliked Yu. After all, there are so many people who like their young patriarch, can they hate them one by one?

Zhuang Yu: “…”

Unexpectedly, he also had a day where people were disgusted by him. Before, when he’s on the archaeological team, he had a good relationship with everyone. Others said he had a good personality and a kind heart.

He shook his head, opened the bag on the ground, and was taken aback. Cuckoo bird’s feet? This is obviously chicken feet, and there are still a lot of them.

He thought for a while. It’s so hot now, he estimated that it’ll be rotten when he goes back. In this weather, if it’s not preserved, it will smell in a short while.

No food can be wasted.

It just so happens that he now has salt and chili. He can make chicken feet with pickled peppers. The taste may be a little monotonous, but it’s definitely better than barbecue without any seasonings.

He started cleaning these chicken feet. Okay, cuckoo bird’s feet. To make the flavor stick quickly, it had to be boiled for a bit. But this is embarrassing, he doesn’t have a pot.

It seems that he has to obtain a stone pot by himself. Zhuang Yu looks at the shells for storing water, he can only use these shells as a substitute for the time being. Although it’s likely that the shells will become calcified and shattered once they’re heated.

Zhuang Yu began to boil water to remove the blood from the chicken feet. While boiling, he used salt to soak the chili water.

The little mushroom has been gnawing his brother. While chomping, he looked at Zhuang Yu curiously. What is he doing?

Zhuang Yu boiled the chicken feet to soften them a bit, then started deboning them with a bone knife. After finishing these, he soaked the chicken feet in the chili water. After this is done, he can barely eat it tomorrow. In fact, it would be more delicious if it’s pickled for a period of time, but in this weather, he guessed that all food will be spoiled soon.

Putting some mushrooms, it looked pretty nice. Then he returned to the cave with a large shell of pickled pepper chicken feet.

In the cave, Feng Wen had fallen asleep in that little corner in a daze. 

Zhuang Yu also thought that the weather was too hot, but as the night deepened, it suddenly became extremely cold.

Is the temperature difference between day and night so big?

Watching Feng Wen in the corner, he’s already shivering and had shrunk into a ball. Zhuang Yu quickly found an extra animal skin to cover him, and then returned to his animal skin den and shrank into a ball. It’s too cold.

The next day, Zhuang Yu was awakened by a sound. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Little Mushroom poking Feng Wen with a wooden stick. He looked fierce yet cute. While jabbing, he pointed to chicken feet with pickled peppers placed high beyond reach. You get me something to eat, and I won’t bully you.

Feng Wen replied in his head, I don’t dare to take it. I’m timid.

The corner of Zhuang Yu’s mouth twitched. A courageous and lawless leopard and a timid mouse who could be bullied by anyone. It’s a strange picture.

He got up and looked at the pickled chicken feet he made last night. It’s barely edible.

The little mushroom was already waiting there holding a shell as a bowl.

Zhuang Yu clipped two chicken feet, almost the same size as the little mushroom. After eating these two, it’s probably almost impossible to walk.

Then he took a shell and clipped some pieces for Feng Wen. The portion of the chicken feet with pickled pepper is still enough, maybe about 50 or 60.

Feng Wen was stunned silly as he hold the shell. Yu gives him food again. Yu seems to have changed himself.

In the past, people didn’t like the cuckoo bird’s claws that were meatless. Why did they look so delicious now?

Thinking of yesterday’s delicious mushrooms, he couldn’t help but pick up one and eat it.

Zhuang Yu looked at the two little guys sitting in a row with their eyes narrowed as they ate. He also smiled in his heart, feeling a strange emotion. He used to live alone, but now he has the feeling of family.

Feng Wen only thinks that the cuckoo’s feet are too delicious and it’s still boneless. Before he knows it, he has eaten so many. He couldn’t help but freeze. He used to only eat two berries before. He looked at Zhuang Yu with some fear.

Zhuang Yu was amused and gave him some more.

Feng Wen was stunned and remained motionless.

Zhuang Yu didn’t care about him. He has a lot of things to do today. He has to water his pepper field as soon as possible. Once the suns come out, watering it again will burn the seedlings.

He had to make a beehive for Feng Wen, otherwise, it would be a problem that Feng Wen looks like this.

He also had to make a stone pot. He used shells as an alternative last night, which was burned through. It’s really inconvenient to have no pot.

I have to make jars for pickling peppers and salt…

Zhuang Yu is busy.

Feng Wen, carrying a lot of pickled pepper chicken feet and one or two pickled pepper mushrooms, walked out of the cave.

When he sees people, he deliberately lifted the shells high. See? My brother gave me something to eat. My brother didn’t bully me.

The crowd was stunned. This kid is stupid.

Feng Wen went all the way like this and then came under the huge centipede.

At this moment, Shaohao was standing on its back, and then he saw a little guy covered in bees staring at him holding shells. Shaohao was shocked. Isn’t this… 

Feng Wen held the shell up high, “My brother made this for you.”

He thought in his heart. This brother is very kind. When he lived in the collective cave, this brother often gave them some leftover dinosaur meat.

Shaohao was confused. Didn’t he make it clear yesterday? That they’re not suitable? Why did he ask his brother to deliver food? He hesitated then jumped down.

When he hadn’t reacted, the child stuffed the shell into his hand, turned around, and ran away.

This…

Shaohao looked at the cuckoo’s feet in the shell. His first thought was that it’s all bones and no meat. He didn’t like this before, but why does it look delicious now?

The chicken feet with pickled peppers are white and tender. They really look appetizing.

When he’s hesitating, a child with a small leather hat and riding a deer ran over. The deer is still fluffy and should just be a cub.

“Brother Shaohao, did Feng Wen send you food for his brother just now? How could Yu from the Water Lake Tribe be like this? If the tribesmen wouldn’t let him see you, he would let his younger brother come.”

Shaohao frowned. It seems that he really needs to find time to talk to him. For some things, indecisiveness is actually harmful to the other person. Looking at Xiao Pimao2 with his mouth raised, “Don’t worry about adult’s affairs.” 

Xiao Pimao tilted his mouth, “Yu must have found out your identity somewhere, that’s why he’s so obsessed. Otherwise, their Water Lake Tribe is sitting on salt stones, they’re the richest of several tribes recently. If it weren’t for your identity, why would he come to our tribe to endure hardship? That’s what everyone says.”

Shaohao ignored him, but he can’t waste food. He ate the chicken feet in the two shells until there’s no residues left. As a giant beast warrior, his food intake is very huge. This is not enough to even plug the teeth, but Shaohao is indeed bewildered. What’s the taste? It’s delicious.

Just now, Feng Wen said that his brother made this for him?

Shaohao was a little surprised. Why is he completely different from the Yu he had known before?

Yu, from the wealthy Water Lake Tribe, knows nothing but enjoyment and splashing around.

Xiao Pimao snorted, “It must not be delicious at all. And only Big Brother Shaohao can tolerate his nonsense all day.” 

At this time, on the giant centipede’s back, someone shouted, “Young patriarch, the witch has something to discuss with you.”

Shaohao nodded and handed the empty shells to Xiao Pimao before leaving.

Xiao Pimao was angry. What’s delicious? Looking around, he saw no one, then he stuck his tongue out and licked on the shell. Hum, let me try how unpalatable it was.

But right away, his eyes widened. Oh my god, what a fairy flavor is this.

Xiao Pimao held the shell and licked it…

 

 

Translator’s Notes:

 蜂吻 – 蜂 [fēng] wasp; bee; in swarms and 吻 [wěn] – lips; an animal’s mouth; kiss.  小皮帽 – small leather hat. It’s not his name, just a monicker.