Chapter 25: The Sound of Melting Snow
The survivors of the Graystone Tribe gradually recovered under the care of the Silvermoon Tribe, but the integration of the two tribes was far from smooth. Cultural differences, different living habits, and survival concepts formed in extreme environments were slowly revealed in the warm houses.
Early in the morning, Lin Chen was awakened by the sound of an argument. He put on his fur coat and walked out of the room, only to find Yunshan from the Silver Moon Tribe and Yanbi from the Gray Rock Tribe arguing in the central square.
"We can't stack these firewood like this!" Yunshan pointed at the newly chopped wood. "It will get damp!"
The rock wall frowned and retorted, "We've always piled them like this, and the Graystone Tribe has never suffered from the cold."
Lin Chen stepped forward to mediate and learned that this was due to a difference in the way the two tribes handled their wood. The Limestone Tribe was accustomed to stacking firewood close to the wall to save space, while the Silver Moon Tribe used the overhead stacking method designed by Lin Chen to prevent moisture.
"Perhaps we can combine their strengths to overcome their weaknesses." Lin Chen suggested, "Try to place the firewood overhead, but adjust the arrangement to save space?"
After experimenting, they found a new method that was both moisture-proof and space-saving. This episode made Lin Chen realize that integration requires mutual adaptation rather than unilateral assimilation.
That afternoon, the Stone Rock elders convened a meeting of representatives from both tribes. Twenty-three survivors from the Gray Rock tribe were present, including five children, nine women, and nine men. The oldest was the elder who had spoken in the cave—known as Old Man Stoneheart.
"We will never forget the Silvermoon Tribe's kindness," said Old Man Stoneheart, his voice still weak but resolute. "But we do not wish to become a burden. The people of the Graystone Tribe are skilled in stonework and mining, and we are willing to use these skills to repay the kindness of taking us in."
Canglan responded: "The Silver Moon Tribe considers you family, not guests. Your skills will be an asset to the entire tribe."
Lin Chen proposed establishing a skills exchange program: "The Silvermoon Tribe can teach agriculture, construction, and pottery techniques, and the Limestone Tribe can share stonemasonry and mining knowledge. We can learn from each other and make progress together."
The proposal was accepted by both sides, and the first skills exchange began the next day: members of the Graystone Tribe demonstrated how to identify high-quality stone, while members of the Silvermoon Tribe demonstrated pottery making.
However, difficulties arose one after another. The survivors of the Graystone Tribe, traumatized by their experiences, were deeply afraid of food shortages. Some were caught hiding food, leading to conflicts with members of the Silvermoon Tribe.
"They don't understand!" complained a Silvermoon woman. "We have plenty of food, why should we hide it?"
Lin Chen asked Elder Shixin to explain the reason behind this behavior: "In the Graystone Tribe, there have been three consecutive winters with food shortages. We have lost too many people... This fear has been engraved into our bones."
Understanding breeds tolerance. Lin Chen designed a "transparent storage system": all food reserves are publicly visible, allowing everyone to confirm with their own eyes every day that there is enough food, gradually alleviating the anxiety of the Graystone Tribe members.
The children, however, integrated the fastest. The Silvermoon children curiously learned the Graystone Tribe's games and songs, while the Graystone children were drawn to the Silvermoon Tribe's toys and stories. There were slight differences in language, but playing didn't require much verbal interaction.
In the last month of the winter season, Lin Chen initiated a special project: to jointly build a "Unity Hall" to symbolize the integration of the two tribes.
"Let everyone participate in the construction and get to know each other through labor." Lin Chen explained the profound meaning of this idea to Canglan.
The project's success was unexpectedly positive. The Silvermoon Tribe provided construction technology, while the Graystone Tribe contributed stonemasonry skills. Young people learned from each other's skills, while the elders shared their respective tribes' histories and legends.
During the construction process, Lin Chen noticed a silent girl from the Limestone Tribe. Her name was Xiaoyu, and both her parents had died in the disaster. She always stayed alone in a corner, carefully polishing the stones, and her craftsmanship was surprisingly exquisite.
Lin Chen took the initiative to talk to her and discovered that she had a natural sensitivity to stone and could judge the quality of stone by feel. He encouraged Canglan to let Xiaoyu participate in guiding the stonemasonry work.
At first, some older craftsmen were unhappy about being guided by a young girl, but when Xiaoyu accurately pointed out a seemingly intact but fragile stone, preventing an accident, they began to respect her talent.
"Every tribe has hidden talents." Canglan said with emotion, "Fusion has allowed us to discover more possibilities."
As the cold season drew to a close, a sudden snowmelt flood put the newly constructed drainage system to the test. The members of the Graystone Tribe had never seen such advanced water conservancy projects, and when they saw the floodwaters being successfully diverted away from the tribe, they truly understood the value of the Silvermoon Tribe's technology.
"You not only saved us, but also gave us a better life." Yanbi contributed the most to the flood control project. At this moment, he was soaked all over but had a smile on his face.
The most moving part was the "fusion ceremony" on the last day of the winter season. The two tribes prepared a joint feast, with each member bringing a dish representing their own tribal tradition. Afterward, everyone gathered in a large unity hall—although not yet fully built, it was adequate for use.
Old Man Stoneheart slowly stood up, holding a special stone in his hands. "This is the sacred stone of the Graystone Tribe. It has been with us since the first winter. Now, may it serve as a guardian for both tribes."
Elder Shiyan took the sacred stone and solemnly embedded it into the pillar in the center of the hall: "From now on, Silver Moon and Gray Rock will be like two sides of the same stone, jointly protecting this home."
The young people began to sing a new song that blended the melodies of the two tribes. The lyrics told a story of encounter, rescue, and integration. Many people had tears in their eyes, but this time it was not out of sadness, but hope.
Late at night, Lin Chen and Canglan climbed up the wall to look out. The snow had mostly melted, and the distant mountains and forests were faintly showing signs of spring.
"This winter season, we not only harvested food, but also gained new family members." Canglan said softly.
Lin Chen nodded: "Each tribe has its own unique wisdom and strength. Integration does not mean losing oneself, but becoming stronger."
In the distance, Xiaoyu and Yunshan were patrolling side by side - this was a task they had taken on spontaneously. The two girls who were once strangers were now as close as sisters.
When the first spring star rises in the night sky, the Silvermoon Tribe welcomes a new beginning. The road to integration between the two tribes is still challenging, but the friendship has been firmly established.
In this awakening world, the Silvermoon Tribe is no longer just a tribe, but a truly diverse community with richer knowledge, stronger power, and a warmer future.
Amid the sound of melting snow, new life is sprouting.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
