Chapter 6 Prelude to the Rainy Season
Before the excitement of his pottery success had subsided, Lin Chen noticed that the elders in the tribe began to look worried. The air became humid and hot, the clouds in the sky grew thicker, and even the wind was unusually damp.
"The rainy season is coming." Elder Shi Yan looked at the gray sky and said solemnly, "This year's rainy season seems to have arrived earlier than in previous years."
Lin Chen asked curiously, "How are the seasons divided here?"
Canglan had come to his side at some point and explained, "A year is divided into the warm season, the rainy season, the golden autumn, and the cold season. We are now at the end of the warm season, and the rainy season is about to begin." He pointed to the distant mountains. "When the rainy season arrives, the rivers rise, the roads become muddy, and hunting and gathering become difficult."
Berry was directing the orcs to gather more dry firewood: "The hardest thing about the rainy season is keeping the fire going. The rain soaks everything, making it nearly impossible to start a fire."
Lin Chen's heart tightened. The Silver Moon Tribe had only just learned to use fire; losing this valuable skill due to the rainy season would be a huge setback.
"We need to build a place to store firewood and keep it dry," Lin Chen immediately suggested. "We also need to reinforce the food storage area to prevent it from being soaked by rain."
The entire tribe sprang into action: the orcs felled more wood and built shelters on higher ground, while the sub-orcs busied themselves gathering the last of the wild fruits and roots before the rainy season.
Lin Chen inspected the potato storage holes and instructed everyone to coat the walls with clay mixed with hay to improve moisture resistance. He also designed a simple drainage ditch to prevent rainwater from flowing back.
"These pottery pieces are perfect for this purpose," Yunshan said, excitedly arranging the newly made pots neatly. "We can store clean drinking water and food, even without worrying about the rain!"
Canglan returned with his hunting party, having reaped a larger harvest than usual. "During the rainy season, large prey hide out, making hunting difficult," he explained. "We must stock up on meat in advance."
Lin Chen looked at the pile of raw meat and suddenly had an idea: "We can preserve the meat by smoking and salting it. This way it can be stored for a longer time."
Under Lin Chen's guidance, the tribe built a simple smoker. The orcs prepared the prey, while the sub-orcs cured the meat with freshly made salt. Smoke rose day and night, filling the air with the alluring aroma of meat.
"Can this really keep the meat from spoiling?" asked the young orc Liefeng curiously.
Lin Chen nodded. "Smoking and salting can inhibit bacteria... uh, prevent the meat from spoiling. This way, even if we can't hunt during the rainy season, we'll still have meat to eat."
Elder Shi Yan looked at the busy tribe and sighed, "In previous years, the rainy season was always filled with fear. Food was scarce, fires were extinguished, and it was damp and cold... But this year is completely different."
The signs of the rainy season were becoming increasingly apparent. When the first tentative showers fell, the Silver Moon Tribe was fully prepared. Firewood was piled under the rain shelter, food was properly stored, and everyone had a rainproof animal hide cloak—a modified version of a modern raincoat designed by Lin Chen.
On a rainy night, the tribesmen gathered in the largest cave, with a bonfire burning in the center. Over the fire, a clay pot was placed, stewing pickled meat and potatoes, and the aroma filled the air.
"Remember last year's rainy season?" the old orc Qingye lamented. "Back then, we had no fire and could only eat the hard food we had stored. The children cried all night because of the cold."
Morning Dew hugged her sister, Evening Glow. "The most terrifying thing is the darkness. On a night without firelight, the howling of wild beasts amidst the rain seems especially close."
Canglan sat quietly beside Lin Chen, his silver-grey eyes flickering in the firelight: "This year is different. We have fire, plenty of food, and shelter from the rain..." He turned to Lin Chen, his voice low and warm, "This is all because of you."
Lin Chen felt his cheeks getting hot: "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."
Suddenly, there was a loud thunder outside the cave, followed by a torrential downpour. The rain poured down from the cave mouth like a waterfall, but the cave was dry and warm, and the fire burned steadily.
Yunshan excitedly ran to the cave entrance and reached out to catch the rainwater: "Look! The rainwater can't get in at all! Our gutters are working!"
The children were no longer afraid of thunder, but instead gathered around curiously to watch the "water curtain" at the cave entrance. The adults smiled at each other, their fears of previous years replaced by a sense of peace this year.
Elder Shi Yan stood up and looked around at everyone in the cave: "This rainy season will be the first rainy season for our Silver Moon Tribe without suffering from hunger and cold. Let us thank Lin Chen and everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for the rainy season!"
Everyone raised their ceramic bowls, drinking water instead of wine, and cheers echoed throughout the cave. On this stormy night, the Silver Moon Tribe was filled with unprecedented warmth and hope.
While no one was paying attention, Canglan gently touched Lin Chen's hand and said, "The rainy season usually lasts for a month. During this month, the tribe will gather in the cave most of the time." His voice was soft, "I can teach you more about our language and legends, if you like."
Lin Chen's heartbeat quickened as he nodded, "I'm willing to learn."
Outside the cave, a torrential downpour raged, while inside, a warm firelight shone. On this rain-soaked night, Lin Chen felt not only physical warmth but also a sense of belonging. When he looked up at Canglan, he saw his silver-grey eyes gazing at him tenderly, as if silently telling him something.
The rainy season had just begun, but the Silver Moon Tribe was already prepared. With fire, stored food, and shelter from the elements, the rainy season was no longer a dreadful time, but instead a special time for the tribe to gather and connect. Unbeknownst to Lin Chen, during this rainy season, his relationship with Canglan would grow like the plants outside the cave, quietly nurtured by the rain.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
