Chapter 209: He Let Her Ride on His Head

A Hua's face was already very dark, and after what she said her face became impossible to look at, a pair of copper‑bell‑like eyes glared at her fiercely, "You…"

"What about me? You slacked off, have no food—it's your own fault."

Nan Qinghuan divided the mushrooms, and any leftovers this time can be roasted dry to make Dried Mushroom.

"A Mu, listen to what she says. Aren't we members of the Tribe? What does she mean now, what does she call us 'deserved'?"

"Qinghuan is right; you can't blame others for your own laziness. This mushroom won't be given to you; figure out how to get food."

"Ying"

A Hua didn't expect they would abandon them so quickly; she pouted and began whining, "Ying, what are you saying? I just wanted to ask for some food. Can I get up early tomorrow?"

"A Hua, it's not me criticizing you, but you need to fix your habit of sleeping in. During the Rainy Season you have to rely on yourself. If you sleep in, what will your family eat?"

A Mu also thought A Hua was too lazy; there are many females in the Tribe, but A Hua is the laziest. At this point A Mu somewhat agreed with Nan Qinghuan's idea of splitting families, at least the lazy ones would go hungry.

A Hua shamelessly said, "A Mu, it's just once for me, Ying, look…"

"Not even a single one; if you want food, figure it out yourself."

Ying kept saying that. Seeing Ying also listening to Nan Qinghuan, A Hua stamped her foot hard, "Fine, Ying, now you only listen to the females' words, have you forgotten that we are…"

"What is it? I was clear: split families, find food yourself; you slacked off, have no food, it's your fault, get out."

"Did you hear? Hurry and leave, don't delay my soup."

"Nan Qinghuan"

"How? Still trying to threaten me? You slacking off yourself, do you think that's justified?"

"I…"

A Hua's eyes were watery, her stomach growled with hunger; this time the offspring would have nothing to eat either, what to do? "A Hua, aren't you going back yet?"

Ying would not allow any tribe member to be disrespectful to his Qinghuan; although A Hua resented Nan Qinghuan for not giving her mushrooms, Ying couldn't help here, and after she left A Mu let out a deep sigh.

"Ah, what to do? She still has a little offspring at home; it's fine if A Hua doesn't eat, but the offspring is pitiful."

"A Mu, don't be soft‑hearted; A Hua is famously a lazy woman, and her husband is the same. If we don't let them get used to self‑sufficiency they'll always depend on others. Even if we later divide the land, their family won't fare better; diligence brings wealth, laziness is a grave taboo."

Although Ying didn't understand what "wealth" meant, he knew laziness wasn't a good habit; he reached out and grabbed Nan Qinghuan's waist, "Qinghuan is right, A Mu, we can't sympathize with them. There are over a hundred households in the Tribe; if everyone is like this it'll be just as before, relying on the tribe for sustenance, and splitting families would be in vain."

Ying's words were good, Nan Qinghuan was pleased, "Ying is right, A Mu, you don't need to worry about her. I believe after she goes hungry she'll work hard tomorrow. You're all hungry, right? I'll go make mushroom soup for you."

Hearing both her son and Qinghuan say that, A Mu also agreed with them; A Hua being so lazy and hungry is fine then.

"Come, I'll help you."

When Ying came back today he had caught a wild mountain chicken, about two to three jin, quite large; it was perfect for the mushroom soup. This mountain chicken is a great tonic, and outside a light drizzle was falling, pattering.

Inside the Tulou, cooking smoke curled as each household prepared food.

The feeling was very warm.

Because the house lacked furniture, it was still empty; Nan Qinghuan squatted on the floor, plucked the feathers and removed the entrails of the mountain chicken, A Mu helped clean it, and after finishing Nan Qinghuan used the Fruit Knife to chop off the chicken's head. One must say this Fruit Knife is very versatile—it has killed pythons, scared off beasts, and can even serve as a kitchen knife.

She worked diligently: the mushrooms were first washed clean and set aside on a plate, the meat was placed into a stone pot to simmer, and a piece of wild ginger she had dug up was added to remove the fishy smell. Soon the house was filled with the aroma of chicken broth.

Ying crouched in the adjacent room handling wood; it seemed he was making something. When he finished, a simple little stool appeared in his hands.

He wiped his sweat, looking very satisfied.

"Qinghuan, do you like it?"

Nan Qinghuan was squatting by the fire; seeing the stool in his hand she was first startled, then looked at him in amazement, "Ying, where did you learn that skill?"

He actually was making a stool? The stool is so compact that one is enough for her, and it doesn't take up space. When will this man still be making things like this? Ying only smiled, seeing that she liked it, and was willing to do many things.

He let out a simple laugh, "I learned it from You Chaoci; she can make these. Try it—does it feel comfortable?"

The Ying before her, like a clueless youngster, handed her a stool to try. One must say Nan Qinghuan was moved; she reached out, took the stool, and cradled it. Though the stool isn't as sturdy as modern ones, in the Remote Antiquity Era it was a feat.

Well made.

It's unbelievable that this man would humble himself to learn things from a woman.

In the Cave they have stone stools to sit on, but in this wooden house there is only one. Natural stone stools are scarce and hard to find, so Nan Qinghuan gave it to A Mu to sit on, while she herself squatted, not realizing Ying had already noticed.

"Thank you, I like it a lot."

"As long as you like it, I'll make you wooden beds, tables, anything you want, okay?"

Ying said this cautiously, because he always feared Nan Qinghuan might be wronged. He had heard that the Ape Tribe lived very well, so he also wanted Nan Qinghuan to have a good life here.

Even better than the Ape Tribe; only then would she stay, not despise him.

Actually, Ying deep down was very insecure; Qinghuan is so beautiful and a Goddess, he knows he's unworthy of Nan Qinghuan, but he doesn't want to let go, no matter who advises him.

These words moved Nan Qinghuan to the point of tears; heavens, who could bear this?

"Fine, I'll wait for that day."

A Mu saw Nan Qinghuan about to cry, "Oh dear, silly Qinghuan, why are you crying? Try the stool, okay?"

Nan Qinghuan hurriedly placed the stool under her bottom to try it; one must say Ying's hands are skillful. Although modern people wouldn't find this stool special, in the Remote Antiquity Era it was definitely a luxury, and it was made by Ying himself.

She naturally sat extremely comfortably.

"Very comfortable, Ying, you're truly clever."

Ying saw her sit down and was happy; his worries vanished. He walked to her side, squatted, reached out to gently stroke the disheveled hair on her face, his eyes full of indulgence, "With a stool, later when we have offspring it won't be so hard."

She was first startled by this, then nodded heavily.

"Mm."

Indeed, "offspring" is this man's catchphrase.

But the fact that he could think of pregnancy shows he is really attentive.

A Mu also laughed brightly, pleased with how well they were getting along now, "Ying is right; this female's pregnancy is very hard, squatting is uncomfortable. Qinghuan, you must be diligent and strive. Look, A Tian next door already has (something), and you still drank the medicine I gave you obediently, you…"

"A Mu, my body is fine, I don't need to take medicine. You keep saying medicine is bad for the body, that it's three percent poison; I can still conceive without drinking it, Ying…"

She thought of that bowl of Lime water and felt uneasy; Ying naturally knew she didn't want to take the medicine, "A Mu, don't give Qinghuan those things; if she says she won't drink them, then she won't."

"But…"

Nan Qinghuan hurriedly stood up, "The soup is ready, let's eat."

"Eat?"

The mother and child stared at each other, wondering what "eat" meant. "We'll call it eating now, even though there's no meal, but someday I'll let you know what rice is."

Ying didn't understand, but he knew it was a good thing; whatever they called "meal" must be delicious.

"Alright, come, eat."

After the meal, A Mu took charge of washing dishes and tidying up. Nan Qinghuan watched as the light rain outside stopped, walked to the railing, glanced at the fish swimming in the pond, and then looked at the misty forest not far away.

At that moment, she inhaled the fresh air deeply and had to admit that the Primeval Forest's scent was wonderful.

Her heart felt carefree and delighted.

"Qinghuan, what are you thinking about?"

Today the Tribe had nothing else, the Ditch issue was resolved, the Tulou was peacefully getting through this Rainy Season, awaiting the bustle to resume.

Nan Qinghuan turned her head toward him beside her; Ying's beard had been shaved clean, his hair twisted with a Wooden Stick, he wore an ancient Hemp Robe and hemp trousers, looking vigorous, and his sharply defined face was quite distinctive.

She squinted slightly, unable not to recall the first time she saw Ying; back then he was a completely different person from now.

One was a wild man, the other a wild man she had transformed.

They were clearly the same person, but now, with a different outfit, it was a world apart.

"Ying, I want to go to the highest place and look, to see our Tribe, to see the vast land that belongs to us."

"The highest place?"

Ying led her to the top of the Tulou, the platform on their house, where one could look down over the entire forest and the Tribe under their jurisdiction.

In fact, many distant clan members didn't live here; they still resided in the Cave, living the most primitive life.

Ying and Nan Qinghuan discussed, deciding to build the second Tulou slowly after the first one was completed.

"The third."

On this Tribe's land, any of our people have clothing to wear, food to eat, a house to live in; they are free from want.

This is the couple's wish, and also what they are now striving to accomplish.

To let her see higher, Ying crouched and pointed to his neck, "Qinghuan, come up."

"Come up?"

Ying wanted her to ride on his neck to overlook the area; Nan Qinghuan didn't hesitate, grabbed his neck and climbed up. Ying was already tall, and from his neck she surveyed the jungle, feeling a sense of reigning over the world.

This land, everything here, belongs to them.

"Ying, I see it, I really see it."

The distant mountains held a hint of indigo, white mist drifted ethereally; their Tulou seemed as if within a cloud palace.

So beautiful, this land's vitality is dim, awaiting the Rainy Season's end to revive its vigor.

Ying had never seen her so happy; his younger brother laughed and grasped her calf, "Qinghuan, as long as you like it, I'll definitely snatch it for you."

Nan Qinghuan held her head, about to say something, when footsteps came from behind; Ji Lei arrived and immediately saw Nan Qinghuan riding on Ying's neck.

This scene made him and the people behind instantly dare not move.

The Clan Leader let a female ride on his head.

That's… overly pampering.

"Ying"