Chapter 188: The First Time Making Bamboo Shoot Stir‑Fried Smoked Meat

As dusk fell, inside the Cave, Nan Qinghuan and the others finally arranged the brick‑making. Fortunately the Tribe has mud suitable for firing tiles, and now the foundation digging and tile firing proceed together. When she proposed the idea, Youchao Xuan and ChaoJi thought it was good; ChaoJi couldn't help admiring Nan Qinghuan, "Heaven's Daughter, you truly are sent by the heavens to save the Tribe. How did you know that mud could be used to fire tiles?"

These are secrets of the Youchao Tribe; how does she know, and she even knows which mud fires best—truly divine.

She is sure Youchao Xuan couldn't have told her, because it's a tribal secret that must not be leaked.

Nan Qinghuan just smiled, "Don't ask about that. I know it works, that's enough. Tomorrow we'll start building a kiln right beside the foundation."

"Great, then we can keep constructing the houses. Heaven's Daughter, I truly admire you. No wonder Youchao Xuan follows you; perhaps you can help us in the future…"

"ChaoJi, shut up."

ChaoJi looked a bit embarrassed, "Why are you so harsh? I didn't say anything, did I?"

"What's wrong, need me to help with something?"

Nan Qinghuan frowned; why are these two being so mysterious? Youchao Xuan felt a little awkward, "It's nothing. We'll leave early, you all rest. Tomorrow I'll go with the Tribe to work."

"Wait, why rush? Let's have dinner first before we leave."

"Dinner?"

Youchao Xuan and ChaoJi were puzzled—what is dinner? Nan Qinghuan knew they didn't know, "It just means eating food. Axi, are you ready?"

Axi was outside with Gungun, holding a dustpan that contained fresh bamboo shoots and a piece of cured salty meat.

"It's an Iron‑Eating Beast, be good, so cute!"

ChaoJi was delighted and tried to hug the Iron‑Eating Beast, but the beast suddenly let out a hoarse snarl, looking rather fierce.

"Hey, you're going to bite me?"

"This little critter isn't easy to handle. Ying, you keep them company; Axi and I will make dinner, and tonight we'll prepare something you've never eaten before."

Ying hurried forward at the suggestion, and when he saw the box in Axi's hands he frowned, "Nan Qinghuan, this is bamboo shoots for Gungun. Are we supposed to eat these?"

How can bamboo shoots be eaten? "What, you want us to eat bamboo shoots? This is for beasts. Heaven's Daughter, why are you offering us this?"

ChaoJi looked a bit disgusted.

Their expressions were comical; the Ancient People might not know bamboo shoots are tasty, so it's understandable. "Don't be picky; once I'm done you'll see. Axi, come, I'll teach you."

They had all worked a whole day, so the evening felt naturally pleasant. Ying, hearing that it was edible, didn't ask further because he had promised her; he believed everything she said. In fact, Nan Qinghuan's words proved true.

Nan Qinghuan was cooking; he wanted to help but she declined. With no other choice, he dragged Youchao Xuan out of the Cave to chat; the Cave then became the domain of three women.

Only Gungun sat pitifully there, watching its masters fight over food, looking utterly aggrieved.

Nan Qinghuan sliced the bamboo shoots into strips with a Fruit Knife, then sliced the cured meat into pieces. After finishing, she hurriedly asked Axi to fetch a stone slab and place it over the Bonfire to grill.

"Nan Qinghuan, are we eating this tonight?"

Axi was also stunned; this was bamboo shoots for animals, why would they eat them? "Don't be picky, later you'll love it. I'll show you how to make it: tonight we'll do iron‑plate bamboo shoot roast, and it'll be even better once we have a cast‑iron pot."

After saying that, she quickly placed the meat on the stone slab to simmer; instantly the sizzling oil bubbled up and the aroma spread, filling the Cave with the scent of pork.

"So fragrant! Can meat really be cooked on a stone like this?"

ChaoJi, never having seen this method, found it novel. Nan Qinghuan crouched there and began stir‑frying. Though conditions were poor, she had gathered most seasonings: wild garlic, wild celery, Salt, and two‑stem chili strips—enough to awaken a primitive palate.

She hadn't cooked for Ying in a long time; in a good mood, she wanted everyone to taste.

"Watch, and later you can make this for the men you like."

"Men?"

ChaoJi frowned, "What is a man?"

"Oh, I know, it's a male, right Nan Qinghuan?"

It must be said, Axi, learning from Nan Qinghuan, has picked up many modern terms; she now understands "man" and "woman."

"Exactly, a man is a male. There's an old saying in our hometown: to win a man's heart, win his stomach. It's not entirely accurate, but good food certainly adds points."

"Capture the stomach?"

It must be said, tonight's talk made ChaoJi respect Nan Qinghuan even more. She stir‑fried the meat until it curled, added blanched bamboo shoots to the pan, then tossed in more seasonings. Without a pot, she resorted to iron‑plate cooking. Though crude, the aroma was intoxicating, drifting far beyond the Cave.

Outside, a gentle breeze blew.

Two men stood side by side; Ying's gaze drifted into the distance. Inside the Tribe's Cave, Bonfire and candles lit the night sky. Youchao Xuan looked at Ying enviously, "Ying, with the Goddess present, I believe your Tribe will surpass all others. Over time I've seen your change; your temper truly improved."

It must be said, Youchao Xuan felt Ying had changed a lot, his temper too, but the Heavenly Maiden had also changed. He recalled they used to argue constantly, yet now… Ying seemed to grow closer to the Goddess.

If that's the case, then… Ying only gave a bright laugh at the remark, "People do change. You're right; Nan Qinghuan is the Goddess, and she has her reasons. I should cooperate with her to build the Tribe better. Youchao Xuan, when the houses are finished, ask for anything you want; whatever I have, I'll …"

"No need. I didn't come here for any benefit; I am …"

"Don't think you can take Nan Qinghuan away; I can't tolerate that. Apart from that, whatever you want I'll grant."

Ying saw Youchao Xuan's thoughts. Indeed, he had just heard ChaoJi's words; perhaps Youchao Xuan also wanted Nan Qinghuan's help with something. What exactly? Was Youchao Xuan's pursuit of Nan Qinghuan ulterior? When Youchao Xuan noticed Ying had figured it out, he didn't deny, only said bitterly, "Don't worry, I won't do that."

"Smart move."

The atmosphere grew tense, then suddenly ChaoJi's voice came from behind, "Hey, come quickly, these bamboo shoots are delicious, hurry up."

The previously solemn mood instantly lightened. Ying's mouth curled into a mischievous grin, "Youchao Xuan, let's go eat."

It must be said, that meal let them taste supreme flavor; even Ying had never known bamboo shoots could be so tasty.

Ying, still not satisfied, ate the last bamboo shoot, licked his fingers, then teased Gungun, "From now on, bring back more bamboo shoots."

Gungun: "……"

After the group ate their fill and left, Nan Qinghuan and the wolf Mos escorted them to the Cave Entrance. Once they were gone, Ying suddenly grabbed her from behind.

"Huaner…"

She was startled but realized the man was being coquettish, quickly turned and gently looped her arm around his neck; the two were quite intimate. She flashed a sweet smile, "Ying, was the bamboo shoot tasty tonight?"

Although conditions were poor, her cooking was fine; the few diners almost licked the very leaves that held the vegetables clean.

Ying nodded contentedly, then whispered in her ear, "But I want to eat you more…"

"What?"

Suddenly he hoisted her sideways, and Nan Qinghuan cried out, "Hey, put me down!"

Ying instead laid her on the Stone Bed, then gently lay atop her. This time he wasn't frantic, very restrained, yet his breathing gradually quickened, a flash of desire passing through his bright eyes.

He bites her little ear, breathing at her ear, "Huaner, I want you."