RPS – Chapter 15 Indirect Kisses and Whatnot

Unknowingly, Li Feng and Nuo had already dug up quite a lot of ginger. Meanwhile, the other two, who were supposedly skilled hunters, had ended up picking fruit instead—not that far away, luckily.

Originally, Li and Bu didn’t want to go. But ever since they learned how useful ginger was, they had been overly excited, constantly interrupting and even stepping on the work area from time to time. In the end, Li Feng and Nuo simply kicked them off to join the women in fruit-picking. If there hadn’t been other grown men also picking fruit, they might’ve flat-out refused to do it—especially since Li was carrying a soft, chubby baby in his arms.

Still, Li was in a good mood and didn’t mind their well-meaning teasing. He and Bu picked fruit while thinking how this coming winter would be better than any before. Especially since Li Feng had taught them how to make smoked and cured meat. That way, they wouldn’t need to go hunting when prey was scarcest during winter. As long as they hunted a bit more each day now, they’d have enough stored up to get through the cold months.

Since they only came out to forage every seven or eight days, they’d spend the whole day out. Naturally, that meant lunch had to be eaten outside too. Li Feng brought along some smoked meat. The sweet potatoes they had before were already gone—they hadn’t dug up much to begin with. Today was a good chance to look for more.

For lunch, they had fruit and smoked meat. But Li Feng always felt that eating smoked meat plain was a bit dull and hard to get down. So they’d brought a small clay pot along—not heavy, and Li carried it anyway since he was strong. Li Feng didn’t feel bad making use of that strength. No need to waste it!

Li Feng built a simple tripod stove using the plentiful stones around the mountain. He boiled the smoked meat until it was soft, then fished it out and cut it into small pieces. He added a bit of animal fat and stir-fried the meat on a clean flat rock, before tossing everything into the clay pot to simmer. He also added some wild vegetables and freshly unearthed old ginger. From there, all it needed was a low flame to cook the meat thoroughly.

While the stew was cooking, Li Feng stir-fried some wild vegetables in animal fat. These veggies were already tasty on their own, but with animal fat they became even more fragrant. There wasn’t any plant oil, but animal fat had its own charm! Back when there was no meat, stir-frying veggies in fat was already a treat.

There was plenty of wild veg around, so Li Feng made quite a bit. Though there was no rice or steamed buns to pair with the dishes, eating the veggies and meat together made for a unique and delicious experience. They hadn’t brought many bowls—just three wooden ones for the three members of their family, light and easy to carry. Li carried all the kitchen gear: a clay pot, three wooden bowls, a stone knife, and a small lump of salt rock. Not heavy at all.

Li Feng poured a bowl of soft, fragrant stew for Li, then poured one for himself. The baby’s portion had been scooped out earlier without any salt. Nuo, drooling as he watched, could only chew on the cold leftover roast meat from breakfast. His pitiful expression made Li Feng feel guilty, so he quickly pushed a bowl toward him. “Here, you drink this,” he said—mentally adding: The baby and I can share one bowl.

Nuo immediately shoved his cold meat into Bu’s hands and took the bowl, then shared it with Bu—taking a sip, then handing it over in turn until they drained it. Li Feng shuddered at the sight. Too nauseating, he thought, suppressing a chill. Better to focus on feeding the baby.

When Li saw that Li Feng had no more soup, he silently placed his own bowl—just sipped from—next to Li Feng’s mouth. Without saying a word. Li Feng nearly cried. I’m feeding the baby! Can’t you see that? And why are you feeding me anyway? The baby and I are sharing one bowl! Go away! Of course, he could only think that in his head. There were too many people around to refuse outright—especially since, in name at least, he was Li’s “wife.”

Li Feng tried to communicate with a glance: I’m not drinking that—take it away. Unfortunately, he and Li weren’t at the level of reading each other’s eyes yet. He had no choice but to open his mouth and take a sip. At least it wasn’t from the same spot Li drank from earlier. Just as he was silently feeling relieved, Li promptly drank from the exact spot Li Feng had just used. What the hell?! Seriously?! First a kiss on the cheek, now an indirect kiss from the same bowl?!

Li Feng hadn’t been that sensitive about man-on-man stuff before, but ever since giving birth and becoming someone’s “wife,” he couldn’t help but think in that direction. He used to be so pure—who would’ve thought he’d one day end up living the life of a BL protagonist?! His thoughts spiraled into a chaotic, blushing mess.

Inside, he was swearing nonstop, but on the surface, he kept a calm face. I didn’t see anything. I don’t know anything. I’m just feeding the baby…

The stew was just too delicious. Its aroma wafted through the air, drawing the attention of many nearby tribe members. They gathered around, tempted but too shy to ask for some. After all, there wasn’t much cooked, and there was a baby to feed too. Li Feng had chosen a small clay pot on purpose to avoid trouble, but now it was obviously not enough. Four grown men and one child—no way that was going to be satisfying.

Luckily, there were still fruits and wild veggies. They managed to get about seventy percent full. This time, Li got into the habit of feeding Li Feng, too—drinking a sip, then feeding him one. Just like Nuo and Bu. Li Feng wanted to splash the soup right back in his face. Baby, you better eat quickly so I can use your bowl! he pleaded silently. But the baby didn’t hear his internal cries, and he had no choice but to share the bowl with Li—one sip each.

He was hungry too, after all. He wasn’t dumb enough to starve just to avoid some weird indirect kiss. Being hungry was worse.

Finally, after they finished eating, Li Feng quickly said he’d go wash the bowls and dragged Nuo off to the nearby creek.

He took a deep breath. Damn, that was suffocating. His heart had been thudding the whole time, and now it was racing.

Nuo watched him and burst out laughing. “Feng, you two are already a couple, so why are you still so shy? Look at your face, all red…”

Li Feng slapped his cheeks. “Nonsense. I was running, didn’t you see?” He avoided eye contact, trying to hide the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.

“Oh really? Feng, are you sure your red face and ears are just from running?” Nuo looked back at Li and them not far away. From there to here—is that enough to get you that red? Who are you trying to fool?

“Alright, stop talking nonsense and help clean the bowls. We still have to find more food later.” Li Feng grabbed a clean leaf to scrub the grease. Bare hands weren’t enough to clean it off.

Nuo rolled his eyes. Nonsense? I only said one thing! But whatever—Feng is shy again. He’s always like this…

As Li Feng turned his head by the creek, his eyes suddenly caught sight of something incredible—something that could be just as useful as another important discovery!