The Primitive Adventures of a Chipmunk 52

Chapter 52

Choosing the crooked-necked tree had been the right decision. The thick trunk hung over the tree hollow like a corner of an eave, a simple and unadorned pavilion, sheltering a small world at the foot of the tree.

Although it couldn’t block the biting cold wind, it could at least prevent rain and snow from eroding. Hua Shi’an thought for a moment and, with the beastman, built two small stoves two meters in front of the tree hollow with the stones he had picked up from the riverbank.

The wind had been a bit strong these past few days. Worried that the wind would blow down the stoves, Mo Huaishan ran to the river to dig some mud and carefully reinforced the small stoves.

One for boiling, one for stir-frying, two people, two stoves, just right.

He had been fussing over the details for too long. Just as the two stoves were finished, the fire in the camp had already gone out. The green smoke that had been circling in the air dissipated with the wind. The people picked up their back baskets and left one after another, their laughter gradually fading, until finally, only the tall giant trees stood in the jungle.

The forest returned to silence. The once lively camp became desolate and deserted. Another cold wind howled past. Hua Shi’an shrank his neck and looked into the distance, a strange feeling that they were the only two people left in the world.

Sigh, it’s a little hard to get used to.

Unaccustomed as he was, the tribe members had finished their work, and it was their turn to use the stone pots in the camp. Thinking that the tribe members wouldn’t be using these stone pots for a while, Hua Shi’an didn’t stand on ceremony and directly took away one large and one small stone pot with the beastman.

The large stone pot was for holding water, saving them the trouble of running to the river. The small stone pot was for boiling soup, just enough for two people. As for stir-frying, the clam shells that the beastman had brought back earlier would come in handy.

He hadn’t eaten breakfast and was already hungry. After the stone pots were brought back and put away, Hua Shi’an told the beastman to go to the river to fetch water and wash the potatoes, while he himself shouldered an empty back basket and walked straight to Chief Mu’s tree hollow.

“Thump thump thump, thump thump thump—”

At the foot of the giant redwood tree that soared into the clouds, Hua Shi’an squatted on the ground and knocked on the closed bamboo door.

The person seemed to be right by the door. Before he could even lower his hand after knocking, the bamboo door was suddenly pushed open from the inside. Fortunately, Hua Shi’an reacted quickly and dodged to the side in time. Otherwise, his nose would have been scraped by the bamboo door.

Having his peace disturbed, Chief Mu was more resentful than a ghost. He didn’t even look at who it was and started scolding, “Knock, knock, knock. You knock as soon as I close the door. If you had something to say, why didn’t you say it in the camp just now? I just warmed up my bed, you—”

His words came to an abrupt halt. The spitting Chief Mu inadvertently glanced out and finally saw the visitor’s bright smile.

This was awkward. Chief Mu touched his nose and immediately forced a smile. But before he could speak, Hua Shi’an spoke first, “Sorry, Chief. I didn’t think of it in the camp just now. I’m sorry to disturb your rest. I just came to tell you that I’m going to the warehouse to get some seasonings, like sheep oil and chili peppers.”

“What are you talking about? It’s no disturbance at all.” Chief Mu’s attitude changed 180 degrees. He immediately pushed open the bamboo door, squeezed out of the tree hollow, and rubbed his arms as he gestured to Hua Shi’an with his chin. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to get them.”

Hua Shi’an raised an eyebrow in surprise. “No need. It’s such a cold day. You should rest, Chief. I can go by myself.”

“It’s no trouble. I happen to have something to talk to you about.”

As soon as he stepped out, the wind blew, and he got goosebumps all over. Chief Mu reached back into the tree hollow, took out a sheepskin, and wrapped it tightly around his upper body, grinning. “Much warmer now. Let’s go.”

Hua Shi’an chuckled softly and walked to the warehouse with the chief.

Chief Mu was not idle either, chattering as they walked, “Shi’an, you are the priest of the tribe. You can take whatever you want from the tree hollow, food or supplies. You don’t have to come and tell me specially. In the early years, when life was better, the priest didn’t even have to work. Now… sigh, you’ve been wronged.”

Is that all he has to say? Hua Shi’an shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s there to be wronged about? I’m a person who can’t stay idle. If you really made me stay and do nothing, that would be wronging me.”

“Hahaha!” Chief Mu laughed heartily twice, then suddenly fell silent, his expression gradually becoming solemn, and his gaze towards Hua Shi’an became complicated. “Oh my, you are a good child, the most sensible and smartest sub-beastman I’ve ever seen.”

“I remember you said last time that you’ll be of age after the winter, right? A sub-beastman like you should find a powerful beastman mate. What do you think of Hong Yong? He’s smart and strong, and the beastmen all respect him. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be the chief of the tribe in a few years.”

After going around in circles, this was what he was waiting for. Hua Shi’an walked unhurriedly, his tone neither salty nor bland. “He can be the chief. He’s very suitable. But as for a mate, forget it. Don’t try to set us up. I’m not interested in him.”

“You don’t even like Hong Yong?” Chief Mu was relentless. “Then what about Hong Yunlang, Hong Jian, Yan Qiuyu…”

He had called out all the beastmen’s names, but Hua Shi’an just shook his head. “Not interested.”

“Not interested in this one, not interested in that one. You’re only interested in that big oaf.” Chief Mu was anxious, his voice getting louder and louder, the last three words almost a roar.

As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Worried that Hua Shi’an would think he was being too nosy, he quickly turned to look at him.

But with one glance, not only was Hua Shi’an not angry, but he even smiled and nodded. “Yes, you’re right, Chief. I am indeed interested.”

He admitted it directly, he admitted it directly!

Without a care, he had dropped such a shocking piece of news. Hua Shi’an’s smile was light and breezy. But Chief Mu was dumbfounded, as if he had been struck by a sudden bolt of lightning, his mouth agape and his eyes wide, frozen in place.

After walking a few steps and realizing the person beside him was gone, Hua Shi’an finally stopped and turned back, asking with concern, “What’s wrong, Chief?”

“What’s wrong? You’re asking me what’s wrong?” Chief Mu slapped his forehead and finally came to his senses. He rushed to Hua Shi’an in three big steps, his speech stuttering, “You, you, you actually fell for the big oaf!”

Hua Shi’an: “He has a name. Besides, didn’t you guess it long ago?”

“How can guessing be the same as hearing it with my own ears!”

Chief Mu pounded his chest to catch his breath and gave him a look of disappointment. “Tell me, what do you see in him? He’s clumsy, not very smart, and he even laughs foolishly when he’s bullied. How is he better than Hong Yong? Just because he saved you?”

One sentence had belittled the beastman to be worthless. Hua Shi’an’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, but his tone was still kind. “He didn’t abandon his companions in a time of crisis, which means he’s kind-hearted. He doesn’t argue with people when he’s bullied, which means he has a good personality.”

“As for being clumsy and not very smart, that’s pure nonsense. He’s actually very smart. Digging traps, weaving fish traps… which one didn’t he learn as soon as he was taught? He grew up in an environment where he was disliked. He didn’t have the opportunity to come into contact with many things, and no one taught him, so he seemed a bit clumsy.”

Chief Mu was silent. It wasn’t that he was convinced by Hua Shi’an’s words, but that he saw Hua Shi’an’s displeasure and seriousness. But some things had to be said. He let out a long sigh and lowered his voice, “Alright, even if you’re right, but, but…”

It seemed difficult to say. Chief Mu stammered for a long time without getting to the point.

His curiosity was piqued. Hua Shi’an asked, “An ill omen?”

“No.” Chief Mu sighed again and said very seriously, “A long, long time ago, I heard that there was also a person in the tribe like the big oaf, Mo Huaishan, with a strange beast form and an ill omen. It is said that besides being an ill omen, they have a hidden illness, and, and… they can’t have cubs!”

C-Can’t have cubs?

Chief Mu’s words were vague, but Hua Shi’an understood at once.

Not being able to have cubs didn’t mean he was impotent. It should be something like a reproductive disorder? The beastman was a descendant of a leopard and a squirrel. Perhaps, like a mule, which was a cross between a horse and a donkey, he couldn’t reproduce due to chromosomal problems?

But a beastman was first and foremost a human, right? How could he be affected by the distant reproduction of animals? Hua Shi’an couldn’t figure it out and stroked his chin, pondering.

His silence had another meaning in Chief Mu’s eyes. Chief Mu coughed lightly and struck while the iron was hot, adding, “Other things can be ignored, but cubs, not being able to have cubs is a huge deal! Every sub-beastman has to give birth to cubs. Shi’an, there will be no result if you are with him. You don’t want to have no cu—”

“Thank you, Chief,” Hua Shi’an suddenly smiled. Under the shadow of his long eyelashes, his clear eyes grew brighter. “Thank you for telling me this good news. To be honest, I’ve never thought of having cubs.”

Without further explanation, Hua Shi’an turned and left with his back basket, leaving Chief Mu in a mess in the wind.

He took some sheep oil, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried sour papaya. Hua Shi’an grabbed two handfuls of the rock ear that the beastmen had picked on the mountain, and also packed the konjac that he had dug up with the sub-beastmen a while ago into his back basket. Finally, he took two bundles of dry firewood and went home happily.

He had been delayed by his conversation with Chief Mu. By the time he returned to the crooked-necked tree, the virtuous and hardworking beastman had already tidied everything up.

The large stone pot was filled with clear water, the small stone pot was boiling, the potatoes and clam shells were washed, and two stone stools, with coir sheets on them, had been added in front of the simple stone stove.

The crackling of the burning dry wood covered his footsteps. By the time he noticed Hua Shi’an, he was already in front of him. Mo Huaishan quickly stood up, took the dry wood from his hands, and helped him take off his back basket. “Why didn’t you let me get so many things? Is it heavy? Are you cold? Quick, sit down and warm up for a while.”

More than half a back basket of konjac was, to be honest, quite heavy.

Hua Shi’an stared at him without blinking, pointed to his reddened shoulder from the back basket, and muttered, “It’s heavy. My shoulder hurts from the strap.”

Mo Huaishan glanced at his shoulder and was slightly taken aback. He then lowered his gaze, averted his eyes, and pursed his lips unnaturally. “You, you should rub it.”

“I should rub it?” Hua Shi’an shook his arm and sighed softly. “Sigh, my arm is also sore from carrying the dry wood.”

“Then, then…”

The dry wood and back basket were placed on the ground. Mo Huaishan sat back down by the stove, his head bowed as he said in a low voice, “Then, I’ll cook. You, you rest, Shi’an. Warm up by the fire.”

He was so easy to tease. His head was almost in the cracks of the ground, and he was starting to stutter again.

Hua Shi’an smiled and patted the back basket. “It’s too cold. I’ll go and put on the sheepskin first. There’s rock ear in the back basket. You can soak half of it in water. We’ll have smoked meat stir-fried with rock ear for lunch.”