Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Discussion and Exchange

“Nanfeng, where did Chang Xia and Chen Rong go?” Gen paced back and forth anxiously.

Chang Xia had only just recovered, and she was already running around again? Why didn’t Chen Rong try to stop her? Gen had interacted with Chen Rong before and thought he was a steady, reliable kid. But now, he seemed not quite steady enough—Gen figured he’d have to give him a talking-to.

With nothing else to do, Nanfeng helped Chang Xia fill the stone vat with water.

“Father, I already told you. Chang Xia decided to go to the salt lake today to get some salt, and pick some ginkgo nuts while she was at it. If you count the time, they should be back soon.” Nanfeng lifted her right foot to show Gen the vine-woven sandals she was wearing. “Father, why don’t you go sit by the den? I’ll teach you how to weave vine sandals. Later, you can make a pair for Mom. That way, when she goes out foraging, she won’t have to worry about her feet getting hurt by rocks.”

Gen relaxed a bit after Nanfeng’s explanation.

He asked Nanfeng to take off her sandals so he could examine them closely.

He even tried them on for size. The vine sandals were just the right balance of soft and firm, much more comfortable than the fur shoes or wrapping leaves around his feet.

“Did Chang Xia teach you to make these sandals too?” Gen asked happily.

It was Chang Xia who had taught the tribe how to make fur shoes, after all.

“Mm!” Nanfeng nodded, sighing, “Father, Chang Xia is really smart. It’s just a pity her health isn’t so good.”

“Her health isn’t just ‘not so good.’ If it weren’t for the shaman’s precious medicines all these years, and her own determination, she wouldn’t have even made it to adulthood—she might not have even survived her transformation.” Gen sighed, thinking back to when the shaman first brought Chang Xia to the tribe.

Back then, everyone worried that this poor little beast cub wouldn’t live long.

But Chang Xia really was tough.

With the shaman’s medicines, she’d survived death more than once, and her stubborn will had kept her alive.

Because of this, the tribe was always very patient with Chang Xia.

Whenever anyone got something good, they’d always save a share for her.

Just like this time, when Chang Xia built the kiln—if it had been anyone else, Gen might have scolded them harshly.

“Don’t worry, Father. The shaman said that as long as Chang Xia makes it through adulthood, she’ll be able to live peacefully from then on.” Nanfeng picked out a few thin vines from Chang Xia’s pile and started weaving a new pair of sandals, copying the ones she was wearing.

In no time at all, she’d managed to make a pair.

“Father, try these on—”

Gen took the sandals, took off his fur shoes, and walked back and forth a few times.

“These vine sandals really are comfortable, better than the fur ones.” Without another word, he crouched down, grabbed some thin vines, and started weaving a pair for his mate. As he worked, he told Nanfeng, “Nanfeng, when you have time, gather some more vines and teach the other tribe members how to make these sandals.”

“Let’s wait for Chang Xia to come back and ask her first,” Nanfeng said.

“You’re right, we should check with Chang Xia. I was too hasty just now. After all, these sandals could have a big impact on the tribe.” Gen agreed with Nanfeng. The Heluo tribe was simple and united, and even as chief, Gen couldn’t just take something from a tribe member without reason.

Time passed as the two of them wove sandals.

Around noon, a dark shadow approached the den.

Gen and Nanfeng quickly looked up, sensing a familiar presence, and both broke into smiles.

“They’re finally back,” Gen said happily, putting down the vines.

“Chang Xia, we have visitors—”

Chen Rong, still in beast form, carried Chang Xia and all the baskets and back baskets straight toward the Heluo tribe. As soon as they arrived, Chen Rong sensed two people waiting at their den.

“Who is it?” Chang Xia asked curiously.

Who would come by at this time?

“I think it’s the chief and Nanfeng,” Chen Rong replied. His beast eyes narrowed, guessing that Gen’s visit probably had something to do with Chang Xia—maybe because she’d said she’d teach the tribe how to make fish balls.

And maybe also about the river shrimp and stewed meat.

“The chief is as impatient as ever,” Chang Xia said with a sigh.

Chen Rong paused in beast form. Of all people, did Chang Xia have the right to call someone else impatient?

“Chang Xia, isn’t that a bit much salt and ginkgo nuts you brought back?” Gen was about to wave hello, but his eyes landed on all the things Chen Rong was carrying, and he was shocked.

“Too much? I don’t think it’s that much at all,” Chang Xia said, jumping down from Chen Rong’s back with Nanfeng’s help. Seeing Gen’s stern face, she quickly explained, “Chief, the salt is for pickling vegetables and meat. I’ll store it properly so it doesn’t get damp. As for the ginkgo nuts, I plan to experiment with them and turn them into food that’s easy to store.”

“Fruit mush?” Nan Feng teased.

Chang Xia pinched the soft flesh at Nan Feng’s waist and defended herself, “I’m not making fruit mush, I’m making noodles or flour. Just wait and see—when I’m done, I’ll tell you. Anyway, I’m not going to waste these ginkgo nuts.”

“Alright, whatever you say.” Gen didn’t press further. Once he confirmed that Chang Xia wouldn’t waste food, he turned to help Chen Rong unload the baskets from his back.

“So much!” Nan Feng put a hand to her forehead, looking at Chang Xia with exasperation.

Gen, on the other hand, said nothing more.

He trusted that Chang Xia was a sensible child.

If she promised not to waste anything, she’d keep her word.

“Spread the ginkgo nuts out on the ground to dry. Move the salt into the animal den for storage,” Chang Xia instructed Chen Rong to move the salt first. The ginkgo nuts needed to be dried right away while the weather was good, so they could be ground into flour later. Looking at the baskets full of ginkgo nuts, Chang Xia muttered, “There’s a lot—I'll need to trade with the tribe for some pottery jars. Otherwise, once I grind them into flour, I won’t have anywhere to store it.”

“I can make wooden barrels,” Chen Rong said.

Since they didn’t have anything to trade for pottery, Chen Rong could make things like wooden barrels or woven baskets himself.

“You can?” Chang Xia asked in surprise.

Chen Rong nodded. “I can.”

“Then make a few more barrels, in different sizes. They don’t all need to be the same, just like the woven baskets,” Chang Xia instructed.

Nearby, Gen and his daughter quietly listened to the conversation between Chang Xia and Chen Rong, feeling a mix of emotions.

Sure enough, after getting married, the child had grown a lot.

“Chang Xia, if you need pottery jars, I can help you trade with the tribe. You’ve already helped a lot by sharing your fish ball recipe,” Gen said seriously.

That morning, he’d sent Nan Feng to Bai River to catch a few fish. He’d had Mu Qin follow Nan Feng’s instructions, and they’d successfully made delicious fish balls. Even though Nan Feng said they didn’t taste as good as Chang Xia’s, Gen and Mu Qin were already very satisfied.

The fish balls were tasty and springy.

Besides being delicious, they were perfect for the elderly and the young in the tribe.

It also meant the tribe now had a new food source. Even in the cold winter, there’d be something extra to fill their stomachs, which greatly eased the burden on Gen.

“Chief, I’d like to trade the fish ball recipe for some tree resin. Is it still possible to trade for pottery jars?” Chang Xia nervously rubbed her hands together. For now, she and Chen Rong couldn’t participate in hunting.

Not being able to hunt meant they couldn’t get animal skins or bones.

Most of the tribe’s trades were for things like skins and bones, with food coming second.

“It’s possible,” Gen nodded, helping Chang Xia pour the ginkgo nuts onto the ground as he explained, “Nan Feng said that besides fish balls, you also know how to prepare river shrimp and a new way to stew meat. If you’re willing, I hope you can teach these to the tribe as well.”

“I’d be happy to,” Chang Xia nodded quickly. With all the ginkgo nuts poured out and the salt moved into the animal den, she turned to Chen Rong and said, “Chen Rong, could you go to the lake and catch some fish and shrimp? Chief and Nan Feng, please stay for lunch today.”

Neither Gen nor Nan Feng refused.

Chen Rong nodded, washed his face, grabbed a basket, and headed to the lake.