Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Freshly Pressed Rice Noodles

Breakfast passed in a lively, bustling atmosphere.

As soon as it ended, Gen arrived with a large group from the tribe. Everyone greeted Su Ye first. Gen had the tribe members set down ten baskets of sun-dried white nuts, five jars of fried meat, and three baskets of yams they’d brought from the settlement. There were also plenty of wild vegetables and fruits.

“Changxia, don’t refuse,” Gen raised his hand, stopping Changxia from turning them down. He explained, “You taught the tribe how to build kilns, and we have nothing better to offer in exchange. All we can do is bring you these foods. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Chief…” Changxia rubbed her forehead, helpless. With Gen saying this, she knew she couldn’t refuse anymore. Besides, as Gen said, this time it was the tribe that owed her a favor.

Su Ye smiled, watching this harmonious scene.

The most important thing for a tribe is unity and harmony—internal strife is the greatest taboo.

Among all the beast tribes, the Heluo tribe was undoubtedly one of the most united and loving. That was exactly why Su Ye favored them so much. Infighting and conflict would only weaken the tribe.

In the crisis-filled Twilight Forest, if a tribe isn’t united and caring, all that awaits them is decline.

“Changxia, didn’t you say you’d invite me and the tribe for lunch? I’m afraid these few baskets of white nuts and yams won’t be enough. Gen, go back and bring more from the settlement. At noon, we’ll have freshly pressed rice noodles at Changxia’s place—oh, and fish noodles and cold rice noodles too.”

Su Ye said with a smile, directly instructing Gen to take people back for more ingredients. Of course, she didn’t forget to remind Gen to bring white leaves and branches as well. After all, this was important for the tribe’s future development, so Su Ye made sure to help Changxia remember.

“Looks like we’re in for a treat today!” Gen laughed heartily and immediately called for people to return for more supplies, eager to taste Changxia’s new dishes.

Immediately, the tribe members around started chatting.

Some were curious about the freshly pressed rice noodles, fish noodles, and cold rice noodles Su Ye mentioned; others were looking forward to seeing the kiln dwellings Nanfeng and the others had talked about.

Today was the day they’d all been waiting for.

“Nuan Chun, you take everyone to visit the kilns. I’ll stay here and get lunch ready,” Changxia said, looking at the expectant faces around her, then turned to Nuan Chun. Of everyone, Nuan Chun cared most about the kilns—besides Changxia herself, no one knew more about them.

Besides, Nuan Chun was close to giving birth.

A bit of walking would do her good.

After all, Changxia wouldn’t dare let her help with the cooking here at the beast den.

Muqin nodded in agreement with Changxia’s decision. “He Yun, you all go with Nuan Chun to see Changxia’s kiln house. When you’re done, come back and help us. That way, you can help prepare lunch and learn how to make flour-based foods from Changxia.”

Thanks to Changxia, the tribe had almost finished harvesting all the white nuts they could find nearby. They’d even started picking from farther away.

With this, even if the tribe didn’t go out hunting during the rainy season this year, they wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry.

With the delicious foods made from flour, plus the fish and shrimp from the White River, just those two things would be enough to fill everyone’s bellies.

If they found one or two new ingredients, the Heluo tribe could have a truly comfortable rainy season this year. Muqin’s smile grew even warmer at the thought.

Changxia was really making the tribe proud!

“Alright!” He Yun responded cheerfully. “Nuan Chun, let’s get going. Once we’ve seen the kilns, we’ll come back to help with lunch. I want to learn Changxia’s cooking skills—if we build our own kiln later, we won’t have to worry about the rainy or cold seasons.”

The other females nearby all chimed in in agreement.

This time, it seemed Gen had given some instructions—none of the elders or beast cubs had come along, only the males and females.

The males stayed quiet, just listening nearby.

But when He Yun mentioned building kilns, the males’ expressions showed clear interest—it seemed Yadong and Shankun had said something to them as well.

Soon, as Nuan Chun and her group left, the once-bustling beast den quieted down again.

“I’m heading out,” Chen Rong stood up and said.

Changxia waved and replied, “Chen Rong, if you finish early, remember to take some people to the reed beds by White Lake and catch a few chickens or ducks for lunch.”

“Alright, I’ll remember,” Chen Rong replied with a smile.

With the tribe members off to visit the kilns, Chen Rong and his group set out again, hurrying to finish plastering and drying the walls of the kilns at Nanfeng’s and the others’ homes, and to install doors and windows.

Meanwhile, Changxia and the few who stayed behind tidied up the messy table and got busy. With at least thirty or forty people coming for lunch today, preparing food for that many was no small task.

After all, the beastfolk’s appetites were like bottomless pits—it was never easy to fill them up. This time, even Granny Su Ye and Bai Qing joined in, though for now they could only help with things like tending the fire or passing bowls and basins.

“Changxia, how do you use this press?” Nanfeng crouched down and pulled out the press Changxia had mentioned from the beast den.

The press had been made by Chen Rong from wood and beast bones, based on Changxia’s description. It looked rather odd.

It’s no surprise that Nan Feng doesn’t know how to use it.

During the long summer, Chang Xia had Nan Feng move the press over the stone pot. She placed the fermented dough into an animal bone container that had been drilled with dozens of small holes, then pressed the dough hard, forcing it through the holes into thin, round strands of rice noodles. The noodles dropped directly into the boiling water in the stone pot. After cooking for a few minutes, they were scooped out—freshly pressed rice noodles, ready to eat.

If it weren’t for the need to ferment the dough, making these rice noodles wouldn’t be difficult at all.

The real challenge was preparing the dough—making it half-cooked, half-raw, and then fermenting it.

“Chang Xia, you’re so smart!” Mu Qin half-squatted, staring in amazement as the dough turned into fine noodles and fell into the pot.

Nan Feng, operating the press, was just as astonished.

Su Ye listened to Mu Qin’s praise, nodded seriously, and chimed in, “Chang Xia, your whole brain is focused on food.”

“Chang Xia, are these freshly pressed rice noodles tasty?” Bai Qing, for once, looked like a child, eyes fixed on the delicate white noodles swirling in the pot. The greedy look on his face was exactly like Nan Feng’s.

No—actually,

All food lovers in the world wear the same expression.

Chang Xia: (｡•﹃•｡)

“Pfft!” Chang Xia burst out laughing, not caring that her hands were covered in rice paste. She reached out and pinched Bai Qing’s cheeks twice, explaining, “Didn’t eat enough just now? These are freshly cooked noodles, but if you want to eat them, you’ll need broth and toppings.”

“I’m full. Not hungry, just curious.” Bai Qing took two steps back, dodging Chang Xia’s eager hands.

He said he was full, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at the stone pot simmering with bone broth. He was clearly full, but still felt he could have another bowl of soup.

Chang Xia had said she’d saved a cave for him, so he could stay here.

But would the shaman agree?

Bai Qing’s childish side made everyone burst out laughing.

Ever since he was chosen as the next shaman’s successor, he’d become unusually steady—so steady he didn’t seem like an underage child at all.