Leisurely Life in the Beast World - Chapter 111

Ji Nuan walked carefully beside Xiu Yan, sneaking glances at the cold and severe beastman. Being with him like this reminded her of the first time she’d met Xiu Yan.

Behind them, Xiong Da followed cheerfully, hauling the large bundles of crisp sweet fruits back to the Watson Tribe.

“You’re back so soon?” Ge Xing asked, surprised to see them.

Ji Nuan let out a small laugh and gestured to the beastmen from the Grizzly clan carrying the large hide bundles behind them. “We found some crisp sweet fruits and returned them to trade.”

Ge Xing’s eyes widened when he saw the massive hide sacks behind them. “All of that for trade?”

That’s a lot!

Ji Nuan nodded. “Yes, all of it. When we return, I’ll share some with Xiao Ye and grandmother.”

Hearing that Ji Nuan had thought of his mischievous little one, Ge Xing felt touched. “I’ll contribute some hides, too, then!”

Ji Nuan quickly waved her hands. “There’s no need, uncle. I already got the hides for Xiao Ye from Song Yu. No need for yours!” With that, she gestured to the Grizzly beastmen and headed toward her tent. “Uncle, you can get back to your work. I’ll take them to collect the hides.”

As the group left, Ge Xing chuckled and shook his head. “That little cub.”

On the first day of the gathering, most tribes displayed only part of their trading goods. Everything would be organized by tomorrow, and the formal exchanges could begin.

“Alright, just leave everything here,” Ji Nuan said, pointing to a spot near the entrance of her tent, signaling the Grizzly beastmen to unload the crisp sweet fruits from the hide bundles onto the ground.

Xiong Da, however, was captivated by the peculiar structure in front of him. Placing his bundle on the ground, he walked around the tent twice, inspecting it with great curiosity.

“What is this thing? I saw that other beastman go inside!” he asked, looking at Ji Nuan with wide eyes.

Ji Nuan smiled. “This is a tent. Our tribe uses it for living and storing things. Xiu Yan went inside to fetch the hides for you.”

Xiong Da’s eyes lit up. This was a fantastic idea! Living inside would keep them safe from rain, and storing goods there would also prevent them from getting wet. Seeing his evident enthusiasm, Ji Nuan explained how to build a tent. Her helpfulness immediately raised the Grizzly Tribe’s opinion of the Watson Tribe. They even promised to bring more crisp sweet fruits to the Watson Tribe for future trades.

Through the conversation, Ji Nuan learned that the Grizzly Tribe didn’t just trade crisp sweet fruits during the gatherings. Once the fruits ripen, they would bring part of the harvest to wealthier tribes to exchange for goods.

When Xiu Yan returned, he handed over ten thick, soft hides to the waiting Grizzly beastmen. Delighted, they stroked the hides and broke into broad grins, thrilled by the quality of the trade.

Carefully carrying their new hides and wrapping up their crisp sweet fruits with some older hides, the Grizzly beastmen left in high spirits.

Ji Nuan’s fluffy ears twitched as she cautiously raised her head to glance at Xiu Yan’s stoic face.

Whimper…

Even though the silver wolf cub was adorable, the serious and cold beastman was still intimidating enough to make her nervous.

“Xiu Yan,” she said hesitantly, “I’m going to check on the crisp sweet fruits. Heh… heh…” Grabbing one, she hurried off toward the river.

As she ran, she glanced back to see if Xiu Yan was following her. Seeing him still standing in the tent, she breathed relief and crouched by the river to wash the crisp sweet fruit.

It really looks just like a radish…

But how does it taste?

After cleaning it, Ji Nuan dried the surface and carefully took a bite.

Hmm?

This flavor!

It tasted exactly like sweet potatoes!

Ji Nuan froze for a moment, feeling oddly embarrassed. A sweet potato that looked like a radish? Hugging the partially eaten crisp sweet fruit, she returned to the tent.

Lost in thoughts about the crisp sweet fruit, Ji Nuan had forgotten her earlier fear of Xiu Yan. She looked up at him eagerly. “Xiu Yan, bring me a ceramic pot! I’ll make something delicious for you!”

After cutting the crisp sweet fruits into evenly sized pieces, Ji Nuan carefully took a ceramic bowl of purple fruit grains from her basket. She couldn’t help but swallow hungrily, remembering the sweet and soft potato porridge her best friend had made back home.

Placing four large stones in a square, Ji Nuan lit a fire in the center and set the ceramic pot on top. First, she simmered the purple fruit grains, then added the crisp sweet fruit pieces, worried they would dissolve if cooked too long.

As time passed, a rich and unique sweet aroma filled the Watson Tribe’s camp. Beastmen all around twitched their noses, trying to locate the source of the fragrance.

The smell of the cooked, crisp sweet fruits was strong and inviting, and Ji Nuan couldn’t help but drool as she waited.