Chapter 8: Young Patriarch, You Had Really Misunderstood

December 22, 2021 by danmeiheaven

A group of children with messy hair wearing tattered animal skins had their stomachs bulging after drinking the soup. They’re so full. They haven’t been so sated for a long time.

Zhuang Yu was a little worried, but a bunch of little carrots looked like there’s nothing wrong with them.

And not far from the cave, a child wearing a small fur hat kept swallowing his saliva. What they were drinking looked good, he could still smell the fragrance after such a distance.

Xiao Pimao held a shell in his hand and licked it hard as if he would know what it tasted like in this way. He really wanted to drink soup, but that was the Yu he hated the most…

He was struggling in his heart. When others drink one bowl after another, it is estimated that they’re almost finished.

“It doesn’t matter.” Xiao Pimao gritted his teeth, then hid his fur hat and rolled on the ground, making himself dirty. Now he is also a child in the collective cave.

Holding his shell, he ran to the cave.

Zhuang Yu looked at the dirty child with his head bowed and holding a shell, waiting for him to serve him broth. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help twitching. Did he think that he wouldn’t recognize him if he soiled himself a little? It’s the child who rode a deer and passed by the door of his cave thirteen times today.

Xiao Pimao is very ashamed now because he actually pretended to be a kid in the collective cave, holding a shell and waiting for Yu, who he hates, to give him food.

No matter what, he will fight for the sake of food.

At this time, Zhuang Yu suddenly said, “Why have you been wandering around my cave today, Xiao Pimao?”

Xiao Pimao’s shell fell on the ground and was cracked… Ah, ah, ah, it’s so embarrassing to be recognized! He used to accuse Yu from a high position, but now he comes here to eat together.

His whole face turned red, and then turned around and ran away. What would Yu, who had been despised by himself, think of him? Too humiliating.

Zhuang Yu, who was preparing to put soup in Xiao Pimao’s shell, was also taken aback when he saw him running away. What’s wrong? Why didn’t you suddenly drink broth?

What a really strange kid.

And Xiao Pimao, who ran far away in shame, is also a little angry that he’s actually despised by Yu. It’s just soup made of bones, he saw it clearly just now. Huh, he can do it too.

So he began to boil bone soup by himself. However, when the soup was boiled and he started drinking happily, he vomited out in one mouthful. What kind of monstrosity is this? Why is it different from Yu’s soup? Although he hadn’t tasted it, it made him very greedy just by smelling the aroma.

In fact, what Xiao Pimao did was just boil the bones after washing them. Just stewing, plus no salt, it will taste fishy and smelly. It would be strange if you can stomach it.

At this time, in front of Zhuang Yu’s cave, a group of well-fed small radish heads did not leave but were helping Zhuang Yu catch insects in his pepper field.

There are no pesticides in this world, and there are many bugs.

Zhuang Yu was speechless for a moment. These children drank his soup, so they all used this method as payment?

It’s really a very interesting group of little guys. Has his bug-catching team in his chili field been formed?

Zhuang Yu ignored them, just told them not to step on the seedlings. Then he went back to the cave and took out the beehive he had made, and called Feng Wen over. After doing all the best he can, Feng Wen got all his bees into the beehive. 

The reason why Feng Wen can gather so many bees is that he has a queen bee the size of a fist. The creatures in this world are really magical. The queen bee and an autistic Feng Wen have become inseparable friends.

Feng Wen put the queen bee into the box, and the rest of the bees followed in.

Zhuang Yu said, “We’ll just keep them inside. I won’t let them leave you.” 

As if not understanding him, Feng Wen stood beside the hive and refused to leave.

Without the bees surrounding him, Feng Wen looks very small. He’s even more afraid to look up or even to look at people, autistic to the extreme.

Zhuang Yu sighed. He could only take his time. He placed the beehive at the entrance of the cave so that it wouldn’t be exposed to rain nor would it affect the inside of the cave.

Little Mushroom tilted his neck and observed the beehive there. Looking very curious about everything, he poked the hive with his small stick, which scared Feng Wen so he hugged the beehive tightly.

At this time, the children outside began watering the field. The weather was hotter than before so the pepper field had to be watered sooner rather than later.

It’s just…

“Brother Yu, your house is running out of water.” 

Zhuang Yu was taken aback and ran out to look at a row of shells. These shells were huge and he didn’t know where they came from. He saw that there were such shells at the door of other people’s caves, so they should be specially used to store water.

His chili field uses too much water. In addition, he takes a bath diligently. Looking at the almost empty water storage shells, it can last for one or two days at most. What should he do?

It seems that he has to find a way to fetch water, otherwise his pepper seedlings will die of thirst directly. He also needs continuous water for everyday use.

He remembered that there’s a big river outside the tribe. He had seen it from a distance when he was picking mushrooms on the mountain.

He sent the group of diligent children away. After watching Feng Wen who refused to leave and tearfully guarding the hive against the messy mushroom, Zhuang Yu went to the river alone to fetch water with his huge shell equipment.

Although the sky is already dark, the three moons in the sky aren’t just ornaments, the visibility is still good.

Zhuang Yu quickened his pace because there was a great temperature difference between day and night. It’s so cold in the cave at night, you can just imagine how low the temperature outside is.

In the moonlight, he went straight to the clear river.

Using shells to retrieve water is not convenient at all because the distance is not close. But this is the only tool he has now.

When he arrived at the river, everything was deathly still, except for the cold moonlight.

He thought that he was probably the only one strolling outside at this time. Unexpectedly, there’s a person washing their face by the big river. According to their tall stature, they should be from the Golden Centipede Tribe.

Zhuang Yu glanced at them and ignored them. His relationship with the people in the tribe was not harmonious, so he didn’t take the initiative to say hello.

Run to the upper stream and start fetching water.

It was just when he approached the big river and was about to bend over to scoop water, the river surface was very clear under the moonlight, so he saw fish swimming in it, and…some beasts that looked a bit like crocodiles but were bigger than crocodiles.

The fierce light in the eyes of the bloodthirsty and emotionless beast made Zhuang Yu’s heart contracted. Why is there such a brutal beast here, isn’t this within the deterrent range of the tribe’s ancestral beast?

Without waiting for him to react, there’s a violent splash in the river, and a ferocious beast rushed out of the water.

It’s over. This is Zhuang Yu’s only thought now.

At a critical moment, “boom”, a fist suddenly appeared. Such a big beast was blasted directly back into the water.

Zhuang Yu was startled. The shell in his hand fell to the ground. Before he could react, he felt himself being suspended in the air. In a daze, he realized that he was picked up by someone by his waist.

When he looked up, he saw a clean, young, and tough face, which was pretty good-looking.

Zhuang Yu shook his head. What was he thinking!

However, this face gave him a familiar feeling. Zhuang Yu thought for a while but couldn’t think of when he met this man.

Zhuang Yu was placed not far from the river, and a deep baritone voice sounded in his ear, “The wild beasts in the river are not deterred by the ancestral beast. Only when they leave the water can they feel its existence. Don’t get close to the river in the future.” 

This deep baritone voice.

Zhuang Yu was stupefied. He knew who this person was because he had heard this voice. It’s the young patriarch of the Golden Centipede Tribe. He couldn’t help but glance at this person more, wondering why the nine golden patterns on his face were missing.

The voice continued, “Everyone in the tribe knows that you can’t get close to the river. There are many rivers in your tribe so you should understand it better. Why did you still come here alone?”

Zhuang Yu: “…”

This topic can’t be discussed anymore. Although he’s from the Water Lake Tribe, he’s no longer the original person. How could he know that the beasts in the river can only feel the deterrence of the ancestral beasts when they go ashore?

Zhuang Yu didn’t answer and Shaohao didn’t continue to ask. Instead, he took out some golden dye, applied some in his fingers, and then swiped his fingers on his face, from left to right, twice. Because the last little thumb wasn’t on his face, only nine golden lines were left.

Zhuang Yu: “…”

Didn’t they say that the golden lines on the Golden Centipede Tribe’s faces are inherent? This is the symbol of the tribe, like a kind of ethnic inheritance, which cannot be faked at all.

Zhuang Yu’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. Shouldn’t the young patriarch of the dignified Golden Centipede Tribe not be from the tribe at all?

But the other party didn’t seem to conceal such a big secret. That is to say, he’s not afraid of someone knowing, or did the people in the tribe actually know it?

Zhuang Yu couldn’t help but feel funny. Everyone in the tribe praised his nine incredibly handsome scars that were painted in the first place.

Shaohao glanced at the big shell that Zhuang Yu dropped on the ground by the river, “You came to get water? Didn’t it just rained?”

Zhuang Yu nodded and said in a lukewarm way, “I use water quickly. The collected rainwater will be used up in two or three days.”

This young patriarch doesn’t look particularly difficult to get along with. Talking to him is like two ordinary friends who know each other? It’s not like the tense relationship in the tribe’s mouth.

Shaohao glanced at the big shell then walked over. With each step he took, something oppressive seemed to come out of him.

In the river, the beast that almost bit Zhuang Yu unexpectedly began to wander elsewhere.

Zhuang Yu: “…”

Even wild beasts know how to bully the weak and fear the strong?

Shaohao picked up the shell and filled it with water. He also picked up a big fish and placed it in the shell. Then he walked over and handed it to Zhuang Yu, “I’ll arrange for the ancestral beast to drink water in the river, then you can get water again.”

There are two ways for the Golden Centipede Tribe to store water. The first is to wait for it to rain and collect rainwater. The second is to wait for the ancestral beast to drink water in the river, therefore scaring the beasts away, so that they can draw water together. This large-scale water storage activity is very spectacular.

Shaohao said again, “As for this fish, treat it as your reward for letting Feng Wen give me food.”

Zhuang Yu was floored. When did he ask Feng Wen to give him food?

By the way, Feng Wen did carry a shell of some chicken feet with pickled peppers outside. He didn’t even bring back the shell he used. Wouldn’t he… give it to him?

Shaohao kept his voice low and calm, and persuaded him, “The food you made is delicious, but we’re really not suitable. If this goes on…”

Zhuang Yu almost laughed. This misunderstanding is getting deeper and deeper. He still thinks he’s pestering him.

Then he frowned. It really wouldn’t work to be misunderstood like this. He’s now basically crowded out in the tribe, making it impossible to move.

Shaohao is still thinking about how to persuade the other party to be more sober.

Suddenly, Zhuang Yu said, “Young patriarch, after experiencing so many things, I found that I don’t like you anymore. Let’s make things clear today. From today on, you won’t have to bear any more burdens. In the future, we will be like strangers. How about it?”

Shaohao: “…”

Zhuang Yu continued, “As for Feng Wen giving you food, you may have misunderstood. I really didn’t let him do that.”

Shaohao: “…” 

After Zhuang Yu finished speaking, he felt a lot more relaxed. This was something that the original owner had done before. Now that he cut it off, it can be regarded as one less trouble.

He smiled and then left. Maybe there will be no communication anymore.

Shaohao was speechless, showing a trace of embarrassment. What’s the situation now? The one who used to chase him at every turn, suddenly told him that they would be strangers in the future?

Also, the food is not specially made for him at all?

Suddenly, there was a strange feeling in his heart. Perhaps it’s because the gap between Zhuang Yu’s front and back was too great. He couldn’t help shaking his head. Isn’t this what he wanted?

He returned to the tribe in a strange mood. On the centipede’s back where he lived, Xiao Pimao was surreptitiously watching. Seeing Shaohao’s return, he ran over quickly.

“Brother Shaohao, I have something to look for you.” Xiao Pimao said.

Shaohao recovered, “What’s the matter?”

Xiao Pimao said solemnly, “Can you spend a few days with Yu, just a few days.”

As long as Brother Shaohao and Yu get along, he can blatantly go and eat. In order to eat, he can only wrong Brother Shaohao for a few days.

The corner of Shaohao’s mouth twitched. He picked up Xiao Pimao and threw him out. To pick the kettle that is not boiling1. He was regarded as a stranger by someone without any reluctance.

He threw away Xiao Pimao who had been urging him for several days and walked to the position of the golden centipede’s head. Compared with the clansman, the patriarch and the witch would have to sleep much later because they’re busy with the tribe’s affairs.

Shaohao said, “Many tribesmen are running out of water. Witch, please arrange for the ancestral beast to drink in the river.”

The witch was surprised, “Didn’t it just rained? How many people are there? Why not save water.”

Shaohao: “…Anyway, there’s  a lot.”

At this point, Zhuang Yu also has some worries. Although he had just walked chicly, in fact, he was still somewhat embarrassed.

Now looking at the fish in the shell, the young patriarch caught it in the river as a reward for him. He left in a hurry and forgot to give it back to the other party.

Now because of a fish, the other may think that he still has any thoughts for him. A section of the arrowroot is separated, but the clinging fiber remains2.

But he can’t waste food. Zhuang Yu smiled. He’s also broad-minded. He can treat this as a parting gift.

Zhuang Yu started to kill the fish and then put salt on it. Although the temperature is low at night and should be able to be left alone through the night without it, he still puts salt on it to rest assured and make it tasty. He can eat the fish tomorrow. It weighs five or six catties3, enough for him, Feng Wen, and Little Mushroom to eat.

After dealing with the fish, he returned to the cave. In the corner, Feng Wen was shivering, even the little mushroom was cold, and kept drilling into Feng Wen’s animal skin quilt.

He couldn’t help it, all of his animal skins were already used. The temperature difference between day and night was really outrageous.

Zhuang Yu also got into his nest. It was so cold.

Seeing Zhuang Yu’s return, Little Mushroom shifted his position, plunged into Zhuang Yu’s quilt, and covered himself well.

This is a hard but peaceful night.

 

 

Translator’s Notes:

哪壶不开提哪壶 [nǎ hú bù kāi tí nǎ hú] – literally means “to pick the kettle that is not boiling.” It’s used to indicate that someone is saying or doing something that shouldn’t be mentioned in front of others, or that someone is bringing up a sensitive subject. 藕断丝连 [ǒu duàn sī lián] – A section of arrowroot is separated, but the clinging fibre remains; Even when the lotus root breaks, the fibres still hold together; not completely cut off; One’s love, like a lotus root, linked by fibres though divided.Catties or jin in Chinese – a unit of weight, used especially in East Asia, traditionally equal to about one and a half pounds but formalized as 0.5 kg in mainland China.