Chapter 24: Discussion

Lin Manzhi walked into the kitchen, glanced at the ceramic jar filled with water in the corner, and recalled the price she saw at Yang Suo's.

These water‑storage ceramic jars are expensive; only Yang Suo sells them, costing three thousand Beast Coins each, and Mo Lie said that buying twenty would cost about sixty thousand Beast Coins!

With that money… we could do more things, right?

That's too uneconomical.

Lin Manzhi may have the mindset that "earning money is for spending," but she still cares about cost‑performance.

Mo Lie followed her into the kitchen, saw her staring at the water jar, and began preparing lunch.

Today they only hunted one Small Exotic Beast.

Mo Lie pondered that the female seemed to prefer roasted meat, so they would make roasted meat.

The meat of the Small Exotic Beast is a pale pink; the whole animal weighs just over a hundred jin, and Mo Lie sliced along the rib grain with a knife, sprinkling some salt for seasoning.

Lifting the Leather Bag, he poured the Black Oil onto the ash in the Mud Stove, then took out two black flint stones, struck sparks, and lit the mud stove.

Then he took a Wooden Stick, skewered the whole Small Exotic Beast, and placed it over the fire, turning it continuously until roasted.

Mo Lie busied himself beside her, while Lin Manzhi walked around her kitchen, then went downstairs for a loop, and actually, within the space, she produced a handful of Lettuce.

In the current space, to quickly increase planting cycles, she continues to grow the fastest Lettuce; after arriving here she harvested another batch, and instead of taking it out, she stored everything—except what she eats daily—in the warehouse.

Lin Manzhi washed the Lettuce, returned, and sat cross‑legged in front of the mud stove.

She watched Mo Lie standing by the mud stove; the fresh tender meat, being roasted over the fire, crackled with a light pop‑pop sound, the pink flesh quickly turned white, then emitted a rich meaty aroma.

Lin Manzhi can cook, but moving from a modern kitchen to an otherworldly one felt like switching to a new map; everything was fresh and she didn't understand anything.

Moreover, Mo Lie always prepared the meal in advance, so she had never cooked herself.

While waiting for the roasted meat to finish, she didn't idle; she thought about the water‑storage methods she had seen online.

Lin Manzhi looked up at Mo Lie and said, "I think buying ceramic jars is expensive and takes up space; how about digging a large water cellar in the yard to store water?"

Mo Lie lowered his eyes slightly, looking with interest at the Little Female.

He has traveled across the entire continent and read many ancient texts; he hadn't heard of the water cellar she mentioned, but if it's just digging, it's probably similar to digging a pond?

In the past, at a residence in Ansen City, Beastfolk of the Snake clan would dig a pool in the backyard of their mountain home, channeling warm spring water from the hills for bathing.

However, here, the Little Female's idea might fall flat.

He pointed out, "Zhi Zhi, your idea is good, but unfortunately the soil here can't retain water."

Lin Manzhi showed no trace of frustration; her dark eyes, lifted, had slightly rounded corners, sparkling with a clear faint light.

She had previously browsed many wilderness constructions online, and had seen several rapid water cellar builds in the desolate northwest, so now she could try it out in practice.

However, there's no guarantee she could master it instantly.

She left herself some leeway, didn't state it too rigidly, tilted her head toward Mo Lie and asked, "How about we try it my way?"

Mo Lie's gaze fixed steadily on Lin Manzhi.

The delicately featured female sat obediently in front of the fire, looking up, her expression warm and gentle, showing no trace of aggression, and now she gazed up at him with hopeful anticipation.

Mo Lie's cold heart stirred slightly; he seemed unable to refuse any request the Little Female made.

Previously he complied with everything because she was the Wife Master, but now a feeling from deep within made him not want to see her look despondent.

In his low, deep voice he said, "Alright, if you want to try, I'll follow your instructions."

"Mm-hmm, I think that works. This afternoon we can go for a walk by the lake; I want to find some wet, sticky soil and dry hay."

Lin Manzhi nodded happily, thoughtfully raised her hand, rested her elbow on her knee, propped her chin on the back of her hand, and mentally rehearsed the water cellar method.

The whole Exotic Beast meat, roasted on the fire, after a while the outer layer turned golden, and Mo Lie lifted a dagger, sliced off that outer layer and placed it on a plate.

"It's ready to eat." Mo Lie first handed it to Lin Manzhi, then turned and sprinkled a bit of salt on the freshly exposed tender roast.

Lin Manzhi inhaled the rich charred aroma of the roast, took a Lettuce leaf, wrapped a piece of roast inside, and ate it.

The roast had no gamey smell, but after eating meat these days she craved some staple food.

Rice, noodles, buns, steamed buns, pancakes… I really want to eat!!

Lin Manzhi thought that these staples also exist in books, but when she crossed over she was too flustered and forgot that food is the most important thing when relocating.

She hadn't bought them in Ansen City; here the price had multiplied tenfold, and at Yang Suo there is only one kind of Shiny Rice staple, costing twenty Beast Coins per cup.

But even though it's pricey, she still needs to buy it; perhaps after earning Beast Coins tomorrow, she'll go buy some Shiny Rice first.

She chewed slowly, wrapped roast in a Lettuce leaf, handed it to Mo Lie beside her, "You eat too; I can't finish these."

Mo Lie paused, his deep blue eyes, leaned down, opened his mouth at the female's hand, and ate the Lettuce‑wrapped roast.

The cool lips brushed past in an instant, without any muddy thoughts; Lin Manzhi at that moment slightly furrowed her brow, a bit distracted.

Mo Lie's body temperature was a bit low—this had to remind her of his Spirit Core fracture, a serious issue.

After the two finished lunch, Mo Lie cleaned the kitchen thoroughly, took the dishes to the courtyard behind the kitchen to wash, and the dish‑washing water wasn't wasted—it was poured onto the roots of the water weed in the yard.

Lin Manzhi followed him out of the courtyard, first inspecting the Meat Jerky hanging there; the wind was strong and the weather hot, so after a day the Meat Strips had shrunk considerably, the pink meat turning deep red.

After another day or two of drying, they could be collected.

Having finished looking at the jerky, Lin Manzhi looked around her spacious courtyard, pointed to the shady corner of the wall, and said to Mo Lie, "I want to dig a pit here the size of our kitchen to turn into a water cellar."

Here it's convenient for the male Beastfolk's Beast Form; the buildings are relatively tall, and the kitchen is roughly seven meters high and four meters wide.

Mo Lie stepped forward.

Lin Manzhi: "The pit's shape should resemble our household water jug, with a small opening and a larger interior."

Mo Lie gave a gentle nod, "Just digging a pit of that size is easy."

Later they'll transport some rocks to line the bottom, adding several layers, perhaps preventing any leakage.

He thought silently that he would do his best… not to disappoint her.