Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Weaving Rattan Sandals

“Rattan sandals, huh…”

Here we go again, something new.

Chen Rong paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll go collect the fish baskets and set the new ones in the water. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

The sun was dipping west, dusk not far off.

As the day drew to a close, he mentally tallied their supplies. He wanted to go hunting, but knew Chang Xia wouldn’t agree, so he decided to catch more fish and shrimp instead.

“Dig a pit by the lakeshore,” Chang Xia said, not looking up as she measured the rattan strips against her feet, giving instructions offhandedly.

At that, Chen Rong’s mind stirred.

“You want to keep the fish and shrimp we catch alive?”

Chang Xia looked up at him in surprise. “You’re smart. That’s right, I want to keep the extra fish and shrimp alive. When we have enough, I’ll invite the tribe over. Our tribe lives by the White River, so fish and shrimp are plentiful. During the warm season, everyone eats their fill, but once the cold season comes, food becomes scarce and wild beasts grow fierce. That’s when the tribe has to tighten their belts. Now that I’ve found a new food source, our tribe should be able to get through this winter safely.”

She’d grown up supported by the tribe, and now she finally had a chance to give back.

Chang Xia wasn’t stingy—of course she wanted to repay the tribe’s kindness.

“As you should,” Chen Rong praised her decision. “Should I dig a few more pits?”

“No need,” Chang Xia shook her head and explained, “I’ll just teach everyone how to make fish balls. If they want to eat, they can catch fish themselves. Besides, we still need to build a kiln. I want to finish it before winter comes.”

Building a kiln was a big deal—more complicated than making a beast den. Plus, they still had to go out gathering, so time was tight.

“Alright, I’ll go set the baskets,” Chen Rong said, taking the newly woven fish baskets and heading toward the lake, carrying a back basket as well. The broken basket from the morning hadn’t been thrown away; Chang Xia had left it by the lake, just in case it could still be useful.

Chang Xia watched him leave, then glanced at the sky and sped up her weaving.

Tonight, she planned to eat the piece of meat the chief had given her.

Lately, the weather was getting warmer, and meat didn’t keep well. If they didn’t eat it soon, it would spoil.

Thinking about dinner, Chang Xia’s hands didn’t stop moving. After a few tries, she finally managed to weave a sturdy pair of rattan sandals. She took off her hide sandals and tried on the new ones, walking a few steps to test them. Then she took them off and made some adjustments. After two more tries, she finally had a pair of rattan sandals that were just the right balance of soft and firm.

Looking at the pile of rattan strips beside her, Chang Xia didn’t rush to start the fire for dinner. Instead, she turned and wove another pair.

When she’d brought Chen Rong back to the tribe, she’d promised him food and shelter. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but the conditions were a bit rough. Since she still wanted his help building the kiln, she figured she should treat him a little better.

A pair of rattan sandals seemed like a good start.

When she finished, Chang Xia tidied up the messy doorway, ending her busy day and getting ready to reward herself and Chen Rong.

As night fell, Chen Rong returned carrying a back basket with two green carp and more river shrimp than in the morning. A female walked beside him. They didn’t speak, quietly making their way to the house.

“Chang Xia—” Nan Feng called softly as she entered the beast den.

Hearing her voice, Chang Xia looked up.

“Nan Feng, when did you get back?”

Nan Feng was the chief’s child, older than Chang Xia. She’d practically raised Chang Xia, and the two were very close.

Unlike the frail Chang Xia, Nan Feng was strong—she could even hold her own against the tribe’s males, a true heroine.

She hadn’t gone to the Normandy market this time because she’d been out hunting. When she returned and heard that Chang Xia had found herself a sickly male as a mate, Nan Feng was furious. She dropped her prey and ran straight to Chang Xia’s den.

“You got married and didn’t even tell me?” Nan Feng raised her hand and rapped Chang Xia on the head a few times. She hadn’t expected Chang Xia to go to the Normandy market—after all, Chang Xia had always said she didn’t want to marry or find a mate.

Who would’ve thought that after just a few days away, Chang Xia would get married?

“Hehe!” Chang Xia covered her head and grinned sheepishly.

She couldn’t exactly say it was because the tribe kept nagging her, or that the food was too awful.

Chang Xia knew that if she dared say that, Nan Feng would definitely beat her up.

Nan Feng had always spoiled and cared for her, but when it came time for discipline, she never held back.

“Don’t hit her—you’ll hurt her,” Chen Rong said, reaching out to stop Nan Feng’s hand.

Nan Feng paused, her face unreadable, but she silently approved of Chen Rong a little more. Chang Xia was too weak—Nan Feng hadn’t even dared take her out gathering, afraid she’d get hurt.

The beastfolk were strong and tough, unafraid of pain or injury. But Chang Xia had always been frail; she was the exception.

“Chen Rong, I’m fine,” Chang Xia said, coming back to herself and introducing them, “Chen Rong, this is Nan Feng, my best friend.”

Changxia held Nanfeng’s hand, beaming with happiness.

She kept asking Nanfeng about her hunting trip.

Changxia had never left the tribe before, let alone joined the hunting party. She longed for the outside world. When she agreed to go to the Normandy Grand Market, it was partly to find a suitable mate, but also to broaden her horizons.

Unfortunately, they’d been too busy hurrying along the way.

*Slap!*

Nanfeng slapped her forehead in annoyance. “Wait here, I need to run back to the tribe. I’ll bring you a chunk of meat...”

Earlier, Nanfeng had been too worried about Changxia.

She’d left her prey in the clearing back at the tribe, hadn’t even gone home. It wasn’t until Changxia asked about the hunt that Nanfeng remembered.

Before she finished speaking, she turned and dashed out of the animal den toward the tribe.

Inside the den, Changxia and Chenrong exchanged glances.

Clearly, they were both startled by Nanfeng’s hurried, fiery behavior.

In Changxia’s memory, Nanfeng was always calm and steady, with a cool, commanding presence. For her to act like this today must have something to do with Changxia.

“Chenrong, can you take care of the bluefish? Tonight, I’ll teach Nanfeng how to make fish balls, then have her show the rest of the tribe.” Changxia thought for a moment and decided to leave the fish ball business to Nanfeng, freeing herself up to build a kiln with Chenrong.

“You sure?” Chenrong asked.

“I’m sure. We need to build the kiln, there’s no time to teach everyone how to make fish balls.”

“Alright, whatever you say.” Chenrong nodded, accepting her decision. He picked up two bluefish and squatted outside the den to clean them quickly.

Changxia didn’t feel like eating roast meat; she planned to make a clear meat stew.

With no seasonings, she’d just simmer the meat slowly in cold water, skimming off the scum as it cooked to get rid of the gamey taste. Of course, she didn’t forget to add some wild onions to help with the smell.

As she added cold water to the clay pot and skimmed the blood foam, Chenrong came in with the cleaned bluefish. Without being told, he began to skin, debone, and chop the fish into pieces.

Seeing this, Changxia was very pleased.

Suddenly, she remembered the woven sandals she’d made. “Chenrong, I made you a pair of vine sandals. Try them on later and see if they fit. If not, I’ll adjust them for you...”

As she spoke, she started thinking about making a pair for Nanfeng too.

If Nanfeng got a pair, then the chief, the shaman, and Baiqing couldn’t be left out.

The shaman had brought Changxia to the Heluo tribe, and visited every few days. It had been over a month since the last visit, so the shaman would probably come by in the next few days. Baiqing was the shaman’s apprentice, destined to take over as shaman and guard the Twilight Forest. He was still a child, always putting on a serious face and pretending to be an adult. Changxia loved pinching his cheeks, just to watch his expression change.

“Okay,” Chenrong replied with a smile.

Actually, he’d already noticed the vine sandals on Changxia’s feet when he came back.

They looked a lot like the feather shoes the Bird Tribe wore, just less delicate. The Bird Tribe loved beauty and vanity, but the Beast Tribe couldn’t get used to feather shoes. Vine sandals, on the other hand, matched the Beast Tribe’s rugged aesthetic—durable and practical.

The man and woman in the den fell silent, but their teamwork was seamless.

With the firelight flickering, the scene felt especially warm and cozy.

“Changxia, since you gave me sandals, I’ll give you something too.” Chenrong smiled, then took off the miracle necklace from his neck and handed it to Changxia. This time, he deliberately raised his voice, speaking gently: “This is called ‘Miracle.’ They say it’s a keepsake from my late mother. I’ve always worn it, but now I want you to have it...”

“Are you sure—” Changxia hesitated as she took the necklace. The snowflake-shaped pendant was the color of yellow jade, cool and smooth in her hand, still faintly warm from Chenrong’s body.

Especially since—

Chenrong said it was his late mother’s keepsake, which made it all the more meaningful.

“You’re my mate. From now on, we’ll walk through life together. I don’t have much to give you—other than this, I have nothing else.” Chenrong spoke softly. He remembered his father telling him that when you meet the one, you have to act quickly and decisively.

Chenrong found life with Changxia comfortable and natural.

He longed to spend the rest of his life with this woman.

But when he thought of his own body, his eyes darkened.