Chapter 6 A New Beginning of Daily Life
In the end, I didn't take a nap.
For nights without lights, daytime is especially precious.
Despite her drowsiness, Su Yun forced herself to tidy up the yard again, checked the door and window locks, and set up several traps that were likely to make noise.
It was almost afternoon by now. As Su Yun watched the sunlight gradually disappear, he slapped his forehead and remembered something important.
By the way, I saw a large patch of mugwort by the roadside this morning. I need to cut some to repel insects and mosquitoes when I get back.
Otherwise, it will be difficult to go out after dark.
Su Yun stopped fiddling with the glass bottle, turned around, grabbed her essential travel gear (stick and kitchen knife), and went out.
Early spring is the season when mugwort is tender and fresh. Clumps of mugwort with tender green buds are very lovely to look at.
Mugwort has many uses throughout the year. In spring, the tender shoots can be picked and stir-fried with eggs for a fragrant dish. Alternatively, it can be crushed, the juice extracted, and mixed with glutinous rice to make green dumplings or mugwort glutinous rice cakes. Steamed, these freshly made mugwort glutinous rice cakes are warm and steaming. Taking a bite, the sweet and delicious brown sugar, peanut, and sesame filling flows out from the green opening, carrying the unique bittersweet taste of mugwort, making it especially fragrant.
Mugwort has a unique bittersweet aroma that balances the sweet filling, so it never feels cloying no matter how you eat it. Instead, you can't help but keep savoring the subtle bitterness that brings a sweet aftertaste.
When the Dragon Boat Festival arrives, the leaves of the mugwort turn green, hard, and grayish, they can be cut down, washed, and put into a pot to boil into a soup for washing the body. This soup repels insects and prevents prickly heat, and is very comfortable.
In addition, fresh mugwort can be dried and stored. When soaking your feet, grab a handful; it not only promotes blood circulation but also dispels cold, making it excellent for maintaining health.
Mugwort has so many uses, Su Yun couldn't help but wipe the corner of her lips, suppressing the non-existent drool.
Don't think about it, because thinking about it will only make you crave it.
First, they had to get to work. Su Yun planned to cut some mugwort, light some smoke, and drive away the mosquitoes and flies in the house.
Su Yun, carrying a knife and holding a stick, slowly left the village and came to the roadside, where mugwort could be seen everywhere along the fields and roads.
Artemisia is a very resilient plant. In spring, it is the first thing to sprout in the wild, crowding together by the roadside in clumps, growing tender and beautiful.
Upon seeing the mugwort bushes, Su Yun took out a fruit knife, grabbed the stalks, and cut as deep as possible at the roots. The mugwort leaves were quite tender at this time, with only the lower part barely turning gray. The shoots were too green and tender. They would be good for cooking, but they had too much moisture, and Su Yun was worried that they wouldn't burn properly later.
Therefore, she tries to only cut the slightly more mature mugwort for use.
Looking at the remaining clusters of tender green mugwort seedlings, Su Yun felt a pang of regret.
It's a pity I don't have glutinous rice flour to make qingtuan (green glutinous rice dumplings). The bittersweet mugwort paired with sweet red beans is a perfect match.
Su Yun's mouth was practically watering just thinking about it.
However, even the most skilled cook cannot cook without rice, and Su Yun was helpless even when faced with a vast treasure trove.
After cutting enough mugwort, Su Yun turned and went back.
At this time, the sun gradually sank in the west, like a golden disc slowly falling. The sunset should have been a very beautiful scene.
Su Yun wasn't in the mood to appreciate the beautiful sunset. As the sun set and the sunlight disappeared, it meant more shadows and darkness, and more danger lurking in unseen corners, which wasn't a good thing for her.
So she quickly bundled the cut mugwort into a bunch, picked it up, and hurriedly ran home.
When I got home, I closed the front door and locked it.
Turning around, I saw Ye Feng sleeping soundly in the rocking chair, the afterglow of the setting sun shining on him, everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.
Finally, Su Yun's flustered mood from running around began to calm down. She let out a soft breath, turned around and sat down at Ye Feng's feet to rest quietly for a while.
Waiting for her frantic heartbeat to gradually calm down, she slowly began to gather the mugwort. First, she found a large pile of dry grass to use as kindling, and then mixed it with the dry grass to light the freshly picked mugwort. The green mugwort immediately emitted a large amount of pungent smoke, and Su Yun hurriedly put it into the room with the doors and windows closed.
After we finish dinner, the mosquito repellent should be almost done.
So, Su Yun closed the bedroom door and went into the kitchen.
Meat was stewing in a clay pot on a small stove next to it. When the lid of the clay pot was opened, a rich aroma of meat wafted out. The meat in the clay pot had been stewed until it was tender. The rat was very fat, and a thick layer of oil floated on the soup.
Su Yun thought for a moment and decided to skim off the surface oil and put it in a small bowl to keep as oil.
Finally, scoop out a little more fat and a few spoonfuls of oily broth, pour them into an iron pot, braise a small dish of bright green bok choy, and place it on the table.
Then they brought out a large basin and filled it with stewed rat meat.
He stood at the door and called out to Ye Feng, "Dinner's ready!"
Hearing the shout, Ye Feng sat up sleepily and followed the sound to the dining table.
Above are the bowls and chopsticks set out, along with a rare and sumptuous dinner—meat stewed in a clay pot over a low flame all afternoon, and stir-fried tender bok choy.
The meat is completely tender and flavorful, emitting an enticing aroma.
The bok choy, moistened by the oil, became pleasantly fragrant.
Su Yun first picked up a piece of bok choy and put it in her mouth. The crisp and tender bok choy had a hint of sweetness, which was simply a delicacy. Su Yun couldn't help but praise herself and said, "So delicious!"
Then he picked up a piece of stewed meat that was so tender it melted in his mouth, the aroma filling his mouth. "Wow, this is so delicious! It seems the apocalypse isn't so bad after all; at least there's still plenty of good food!"
Comforted by the delicious food, Su Yun regained some of her optimism.
Looking up at Ye Feng again, although she didn't say anything, she just imitated her, awkwardly holding her bowl and chopsticks, quietly eating her dinner. Her face seemed expressionless, but her ears had already perked up, curving into a small arc.
They must be extremely satisfied.
Looking at the fluttering kitten ears and its expressionless face, Su Yun surprisingly understood the kitten's proud and aloof feelings.
The contrast between those ears, which are completely different from the expression on her face, and her calm expression is just too adorable!
Oh my, so incredibly cute!
But then again, I wonder if he eats vegetables? Are felines vegetarians?
Su Yun had a slight worry while stir-frying the bok choy, but in the end, watching Ye Feng clumsily pick up the bok choy with chopsticks and put it into his mouth, she finally smiled slightly.
Su Yun was finally relieved.
I used to think that felines didn't eat vegetables, but now it seems they can eat them too.
Eating more green vegetables is good for replenishing vitamins, haha.
After Su Yun ate two bowls of meat, she couldn't eat anymore, and Ye Feng finished off the rest of the large bowl by himself.
His wagging tail and sparkling eyes clearly demonstrated his satisfaction with the food.
Su Yun touched her stomach, carefully observing the other person's expression. Ye Feng didn't like to talk much, perhaps because he wasn't used to talking, so Su Yun could only observe him carefully.
However, it seems the other party was very satisfied with the outcome.
So after finishing this dinner, which both sides found very satisfying, it was almost completely dark.
"Night Breeze, come wash your feet!" Su Yun called to Night Breeze to come to the well to wash their feet together.
Ye Feng's ears perked up slightly. He didn't say anything, but silently stretched out his feet, letting Su Yun wash them.
Then Su Yun quickly rinsed her feet with well water and wiped her face.
Then he beckoned Yefeng into the room, closed the door, and propped it shut with thick wooden strips.
After checking that the doors and windows are locked and everything is in good condition.
Su Yun climbed into bed first. The bed was covered with a soft cotton quilt, which was very comfortable to sleep on. Su Yun let out a soft breath, leaving the day's fatigue behind, and crawled into the quilt to lie down.
Su Yun pulled the blanket up, but when she turned her head, she saw Ye Feng still standing blankly by the bed.
Seeing the somewhat bewildered look on the other person's face.
Su Yun suddenly remembered that wicked meme, and with a cheeky expression, she patted the blanket next to her and teased, "Come on up, handsome!"
Hearing her words, Ye Feng looked even more bewildered, his eyes wide open, looking like a virtuous young man who had been harassed.
Su Yun immediately imagined an old auntie forcing a young man into a dramatic scene. Hmm, could it be that this guy is bothered by the difference between men and women?
Really?
Su Yun straightened up, carefully composed herself, and said very seriously, "I was just joking earlier, it won't do anything to you. Come on up, the ground is cold."
As she spoke, she looked at the other person's bare feet with some concern.
To his surprise, Ye Feng listened to her righteous and awe-inspiring words.
He still didn't step forward. Instead, his face stiffened slightly, his expression somber. He lowered his head and asked slowly and haltingly, "What do you mean by 'how can you treat me'... You... can't hurt me..."
Looking at Ye Feng's indifferent, somewhat cold expression.
Su Yun almost jumped out of bed. What did she mean by "how could I treat you"? She couldn't possibly hurt him; she'd be lucky if she could even hurt a chicken.
Without comparison, there is no harm. Look at your robust body, and then look at her thin and pitiful little body.
Not to mention the sharp claws hidden in their sheaths.
That's absolutely impossible, okay?
Su Yun gripped the quilt angrily, almost shouting out loud.
But looking at the silent expression on the other person's face, their golden eyes were somewhat dark, and their expression was not so much defensive as it was more like conflicted and sad.
Looking at the drooping cat ears and the slightly childish face, illuminated by the moonlight streaming into the room, the night breeze seemed all the more innocent.
Suddenly, after a series of thoughts swirling in Su Yun's mind, a flash of inspiration struck him: Ah, could it be that he actually doesn't understand anything at all?
Su Yun recalled the other person's words about escaping the base, and she suddenly realized that the other person might really not know this kind of knowledge!
Ah, it was her own stupidity.
Ye Feng, who wasn't even very skilled at using chopsticks, naturally didn't understand these deeper, more advanced physiological concepts.
So they might not have understood their own joke or the explanation that followed.
Looking at the other person's slightly childish features, Su Yun thought to herself, maybe Ye Feng is really younger than her, especially considering he's been trapped in the base for so long...
Therefore, she felt that her speculation was very reasonable, and that the other party really did not know the difference between men and women.
Sigh, it's all because she overthinks things.
It seems I still haven't been able to adapt to the post-apocalyptic environment and people.
Sigh~ Looking at her now, still injured, looking a bit tired, with her ears drooping, Ye Feng.
Sigh~ Why are you still arguing? The kitten is injured!
Su Yun's heart softened instantly, and she said gently, "That's not what I meant, I didn't mean to hurt you..."
"What does that mean?" Ye Feng's eyes lit up, showing a strong desire to know.
"Um, it's...it means that..." Su Yun's voice grew lower and lower as he spoke, his face flushing red with embarrassment as he gazed into the kitten's inquisitive golden eyes. He almost buried his head in the blanket in shame. Finally, unable to bear the gaze any longer, he resignedly uttered the usual response parents use when dealing with unruly children, "You'll find out later..."
"In the future?" Ye Feng asked blankly.
"Don't think about it anymore, come up and go to sleep. Anyway, I won't hurt you." Su Yun buried her head in the blanket, and then murmured a muffled sentence, "It was never going to be possible anyway..."
Ye Feng remained silent, listening to Su Yun's rambling words with a head full of questions.
But seeing Su Yun burying her head in the blanket, it was clear that the other party didn't intend to explain.
Seeing Su Yun's hesitant and unsure of what to say, he didn't want to dwell on it too much. Humans are always unpredictable, and he was used to it.
However, the other party seemed to have no ill intentions, spending the entire afternoon treating his wounds and giving him food.
So even though he didn't understand what she was saying, he knew she meant no harm.
So, faced with a completely unfamiliar bed, Ye Feng finally obeyed and, following Su Yun's example, climbed onto the bed and covered himself with the blanket.
Lying in bed, covered with a soft blanket, he was enveloped by a comfortable feeling from the night breeze.
The quilt, after being aired out, was warm and soft, and he felt completely relaxed.
The sun-dried quilt was very soft and had a strange warmth. Ye Feng's sense of touch was already very sensitive, and at this moment he felt as if he had fallen into a pile of cotton. He felt extremely comfortable and just wanted to roll around in the quilt.
I held it in for a long time before I finally managed to suppress it.
He turned his head to look at the human girl lying beside him. After a busy day, she seemed to be exhausted and fell asleep soon after, her breathing becoming long and shallow.
She turned her face to the side, her soft hair spreading out gently, revealing her snow-white neck, which looked so soft and delicate, as if a light touch would cut it. She had no claws or sharp teeth, seeming very fragile, yet unexpectedly... she was incredibly strong...
They can start fires, catch fish, find herbs... and much more...
She was more formidable than he had imagined; it wasn't impossible for her to hurt him if she really wanted to.
But she said she wouldn't, and it was impossible for her to.
Humans are always cunning and full of lies.
For some reason, Ye Feng couldn't help but want to believe the other person and felt happy about it.
What a strange feeling.
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