RPS – Chapter 14 Ginger for Expelling Cold and Seasoning

After waiting several days, the day to pick fruits finally arrived. Once everyone in the tribe had gathered, each person set out with a basket on their back. The baskets came in all shapes and sizes—some were even quite pretty. Anyway, they were much prettier than the ones Li Feng wove.

Li Feng’s weaving had actually improved a lot by now—his baskets were strong and tightly knit, and their shapes were quite close to what he remembered. They just didn’t have as many decorative patterns. Looking at the ones the tribal women were carrying, Li Feng noticed they even had various designs and patterns on them. They were really imaginative. It seemed that as long as they were given a bit of inspiration, they could draw inferences and create even more—truly not inferior to modern people at all!

Since salt had been promoted in the tribe, it had become very useful. Every time they roasted meat, they would add a little. At first, they didn’t know how much to use, but after a few attempts, they began to get a feel for it. Gradually, the seasoning became more precise, and no one over-salted their meat anymore to the point of it tasting bitter and having to rinse it off in water.

There was still quite a bit left from the last batch of salt Li Feng and the others had collected. However, some people had only gathered a little because they weren’t sure it was safe to eat. So this time, the group was split into two: one group went to collect more salt, and the other, who didn’t need any, went ahead to pick fruit.

The mountain was huge. Though they couldn’t go deep into it, there was still plenty of fruit at the edges—especially in such a pristine, untouched environment that had never been logged or damaged.

Li Feng and Li each carried a basket. Li Feng also held the baby in his arms and had tied him to his chest with soft animal skin to avoid any inconvenience. All the tools they might need were placed in the basket that Li carried. This time, Li Feng was determined to look for crops that grew underground rather than just the fruit hanging from branches. Of course, they still needed fruit, but crops were even more important.

Li, worried that Li Feng would get tired, offered to carry the baby for him. But Li Feng didn’t trust him. This man was clumsy—what if he hurt the baby by accident? Just looking at him, it was obvious he didn’t know how to carry a baby. What if the baby started crying? Li Feng had completely forgotten that Li was also the baby’s father. Why would he be careless in taking care of his own child? Still, the way Li Feng doted on and carefully protected the baby made Li extremely happy—he couldn’t stop smiling. Feng was just too adorable now.

At the foot of the mountain, everyone scattered to do their own work. Whoever found the fruit got to keep it—it wasn’t like hunting, which was a communal activity. After all, hunting was dangerous and only safe when done in groups.

Li followed closely behind Li Feng, step by step. He was used to hunting and had great stamina, but since Feng was physically weaker, he made sure to keep a close watch on him. They had set out early today. The mountain forest was cool, and dewdrops still clung to the grass.

Li Feng carefully supported the baby with one hand and used a small wooden stick in the other to poke around, looking for anything useful. In summer, there were still plenty of wild vegetables. Along the way, Li Feng dug up quite a few and tossed them into Li’s basket. Of course, some he instructed Li to dig up for him, since it was difficult to bend over with the baby strapped to his chest.

Li Feng gently parted the grass, being careful in case a snake jumped out—disturbing the grass to startle snakes really did work. Suddenly, he spotted a clump of green, bamboo-like stalks growing densely in the crook of a rock. His eyes lit up—this must be ginger! He remembered how ginger left in the kitchen too long would sprout and look just like this.

He handed the baby to Li and carefully started digging with a stone shovel. Judging by the number of stalks, there was quite a bit. He planned to dig them all up and replant them. Next to the cave, Li Feng had already fenced off a large plot of land with branches. He’d planted plenty of sweet potato cuttings there. There was still a lot of free space left.

Speaking of which, there was still a lot of land outside the cave. They could plant many things! Ever since Li learned of Li Feng’s wild ideas, he had fully committed to following him. And sure enough, he was now digging behind Li Feng, too—though not as carefully, and he broke quite a few of the ginger roots in the process!

As he dug, he asked, “Feng, what’s this good for? It smells awful!” He picked up a broken piece of ginger and held it to his nose. The pungent scent was so strong it almost brought tears to his eyes.

“This is ginger. It’s used as a seasoning. You put it in meat to get rid of the gamey smell. But more importantly, in winter, when people get fevers and chills, boiling this and drinking it helps warm them up. It’s really effective for treating fevers,” Li Feng explained. He knew their old territory hadn’t had ginger, and they’d only recently moved here, so it was fine to share this knowledge.

“Really?” Li asked in surprise. Even Bu turned to look. “People die from fever every winter —does this really work?” If it did, that would be amazing!

“Yes, as far as I know, it works. But not all fevers can be cured by it,” Li Feng added, not wanting anyone to rely on it blindly and end up worsening someone’s condition.

“Feng!” Li suddenly turned Li Feng’s face and planted a kiss on his cheek. Li Feng was completely stunned—the stone shovel in his hand dropped without him realizing it.

His inner monologue screamed: Damn it, my first kiss is gone… Then came the second wave of emotion: You bastard Li, how dare you take advantage of me?! I’ve guarded my first kiss for 24 years and now it’s just gone. Also, you’re a man! A man! Why did it come so naturally to you?!

He wanted to get up and kick him, but then looked at the man who was so excited—if he wasn’t holding the baby, he’d probably be dancing with Bu by now. Li Feng suddenly found it hard to stay angry. Sigh, fine, people do kiss when they’re happy. He comforted himself with that thought. Right? That’s true, right? Are you sure? Um… maybe…

Self-deluding Li Feng had completely forgotten that he was no longer single. He even had a child now—what first kiss? He scrubbed at the spot on his cheek where he’d been kissed. Damn it, why does my face just get hotter the more I rub? Must be the ginger’s fault!

Seeing Bu all excited and Li Feng blushing from ear to ear, Li squinted and smiled, obediently not teasing him for once. Still… this ginger really stings the eyes. Why is my face hot and my eyes sore?

With their eyes red from the ginger’s pungent smell, Li Feng and Bu dug diligently. Dig dig dig—there were indeed quite a few ginger roots all connected underground. Together they managed to dig up almost half a basket. They left the rest to grow a bit more and for others to discover later. Who knew—by next year, it might be another huge patch.

This ginger must have been growing for many years. Its spiciness was intense and eye-watering, but that’s how it goes—the older the ginger, the stronger the flavor. Now they had finally gained another seasoning besides just salt!