RPS – Chapter 51 Is There Something Good in the Reed Marsh?

Nuo looked at the little bun who had been stuffed into his arms by Li Feng and was smiling happily at him. Wasn’t this his own little nephew? “Then why don’t you make some for them?” Nuo looked at Li Feng.

“Me?” Li Feng looked at Nuo with a smile and countered, “Of course I’ll make some, but can’t the babies have two pairs?”

Nuo looked at Li Feng, momentarily speechless. He wasn’t wrong—would the babies mind having more shoes? “Fine, I’ll make them too. After all, they’re for my little nephews. Their uncle hasn’t given them a present yet, has he?” Nuo let the baby stand on his legs, then held him under his arms and smiled at him.

“That’s more like it. You can’t think only about your fabric all the time. Don’t forget, you have two little nephews now,” Li Feng patted Mo’s shoulder, then looked at Nuo.

“Got it.” Nuo shook his head. He just wasn’t used to it yet. Before, it was always just the few adults. And of course, Li Feng cared about fabric for Li’s sake. Now that there were two little kids around, it wasn’t his first instinct to think of them.

“Hey, let’s go early tomorrow,” Nuo bounced the baby on his leg and said to Li Feng beside him.

“I know, but there’s no need to rush. They still need to have breakfast, and going too early is pointless. We need to scout the place first and prepare the tools,” Li Feng said while handling the reed fibers and thinking about how to weave them.

“Alright, as long as we’re going tomorrow, it’s fine.” Nuo also looked at the stuff in Li Feng’s hands. He really couldn’t imagine how that stuff could be used to make straw shoes.

Li Feng held the reed fibers, thinking about other uses for reeds. He didn’t know everything, but back before he came here, reed mats had become popular for a couple of years. As a kid, they made plenty of them. The orphanage had to earn its own money and couldn’t rely entirely on donations, so those reed mats were one of their main sources of income.

At first, the mats they made didn’t look great, but they couldn’t undo them, so most were nailed to walls as wallpaper or wall hangings. Of course, back then, the real reason was to cover the mud walls of their houses so dirt or dust wouldn’t fall directly onto the beds.

Ordinary reed mats weren’t worth much. Anyone living near a reed marsh could weave them—adults and children alike. But since everyone nearby knew how to make them, they didn’t fetch good prices. Eventually, people stopped making them and sought other work to make money, especially once mass-produced straw mats appeared—they were even cheaper.

But for some reason, people nowadays were becoming more and more particular about “all-natural” products. These reed mats, which had already disappeared by the late 1980s and early 1990s, suddenly surged in value. They could be as expensive as leather, which was unthinkable. Many people even used them for decoration or painting. The price was many times what it used to be.

He didn’t know anything about painting on reeds, but he was still good at weaving mats. And reeds could be used for more than just mats—baskets, containers, and so on. Hibiscus (mùjǐn) could be used too, but hibiscus grew slowly. Though it would regrow after being cut, it couldn’t compare to reeds, which grew prolifically each year.

Besides, the hibiscus nearby was almost all cut down by them already. Of course, the roots were still there, and they’d grow again. But now that reeds were available, they were a perfect substitute.

When Li and the others came back, he had to tell them: reeds were good stuff. And they only needed the parts above ground or above water—the tangled roots below didn’t need to be disturbed. That meant they wouldn’t damage the plant’s growth. After harvesting the stems one year, new ones could grow the next. It was fully renewable, with no pollution or destruction. Truly good material.

That evening, when Li and the others returned, they heard Nuo and the others chattering excitedly about something. Everyone looked happy. What could be so joyous? Mo was even running around excitedly, and the baby was babbling happily as they played.

“What’s got everyone so happy?” Li walked over to Li Feng, who was playing with the baby and Nuo, gave him a kiss on the side of his neck, and then gently touched his throat before naturally sitting beside him.

“Hey!” Li Feng touched the place Li had kissed and glared at him. Why was he being so casual in front of so many people?

“Bu, you’re back?” Nuo called out happily to Bu, who had just entered, and gave him a big smile. As expected, Bu responded with a gentle kiss on the lips—brief and sweet.

Watching the affectionate interaction between Nuo and Bu, Li couldn’t help but glance at Li Feng. “If only you could be like Nuo, happily letting me kiss you anytime.”

“There’s no way I’d let you kiss me like Nuo does.” Li Feng glared at Li—always trying to take advantage.

Li Feng didn’t realize that what Li did wasn’t considered taking advantage at all. He was openly kissing his “man.” Nothing could be more normal. Yet here he was, still grumbling about being taken advantage of. This wasn’t about taking advantage—it was a plump piece of meat delivered straight to someone’s lips.

“Nuo didn’t let me kiss him. I want to kiss you!” Li gently stroked Li Feng’s neck again and gave him another kiss on the lips.

Li Feng was mortified. “Hey, that’s enough! Mo and the baby are still here!” He quickly pushed Li away and looked around nervously, as if they were sneaking around.

Li couldn’t help but laugh gleefully. But Li Feng was right. Mo was holding the baby—who Nuo had passed to him earlier to greet Bu—and was watching them curiously, his face full of innocence and wonder. He looked like a wide-eyed little observer, thoroughly entertained.

“What are you doing? Is it fun? Can Baby and I play too?” Mo asked happily and expectantly.

Hearing that, Li Feng pinched Li hard under the ribs. But Li was all muscle, so instead he just gave him a solid squeeze. Serves you right for not controlling yourself in front of the kids. Now let’s see how you explain this. I’m not saying a word. Let’s see if you dare to do it again. How embarrassing—to kiss in front of children. And Mo even wanted to bring the baby along to play? Absolutely not. His son wasn’t going to end up with a man. If Mo really ended up not liking girls because of this… he’d strangle Li.

“This is something adults do. Kids shouldn’t join in, and especially not with Baby,” Li said solemnly to Mo, and even took the baby from his arms. He couldn’t let his son be taken advantage of at such a young age. Otherwise, Li Feng would skin him alive.

Mo was already a little afraid of Li’s serious face. Now, seeing his stern expression—which in Mo’s eyes was downright terrifying—he quickly nodded his little head. “Oh, I got it. I won’t. I promise.”

Only then did Li nod in satisfaction and give him a faint smile, expressing how pleased he was with his obedience. After hearing this exchange, Li Feng quickly got up to serve the food. This scene was too humiliating. To be caught by a kid, who then wanted to “join in”? He could die of shame.

Li Feng had originally thought Mo would ask him about it later, but surprisingly, Li’s warning seemed to have worked. Still, during the meal, Li Feng glared at Li several times.

“What were you all so excited about earlier? I asked, but you didn’t answer,” Li asked as he ate.

“Oh, that? I was planning to tell you once you got back. You’ll be happy to hear it,” Nuo said. Seeing that Li Feng had no intention of answering—probably still upset from the earlier scene—Nuo took over. After all, they had planned to tell them anyway.

Even Bu was curious now. “What’s the good news?”

“Li Feng found something great today! We can use it to make shoes. That way, we won’t have to worry about freezing our feet in winter. Not the straw shoes we wear now—these are real winter shoes that’ll keep us warm!” Nuo quickly swallowed his food and proudly told Bu, as if he already had the shoes on.

“Really? What is it? Sounds amazing!” Bu was excited and asked eagerly.

Li, on the other hand, listened calmly, his gaze fixed on Li Feng. When Li Feng glared at him, he just smiled back, until Li Feng finally gave up and pretended not to notice. Fine, stare all you want.

Seeing Li Feng give in, Li went further. This man didn’t need any coaching on how to pursue someone—he was a natural hunter. Pursuing someone and hunting prey really weren’t that different. So, he made another move: “Li Feng, why don’t we stay tomorrow and go with you?”

Li Feng wouldn’t ignore anything that concerned serious matters.

As expected, when Li Feng heard him ask that, although he still rolled his eyes, he went ahead and said what he intended—after all, he had planned to discuss it with them anyway.

“Mhm, no need. We’ll go check it out tomorrow first to see how much there is, and then decide whether we need your help.”

“Very few people go to that place, and there’s a ton of the reeds you mentioned—so many that you can’t even see the end of them. I won’t feel at ease if it’s just a few of you going. Why don’t we go together tomorrow?” Nuo had already thought of this while they were talking. Their parents hadn’t forbidden them from going there without reason. That place was full of riverside marshland, thick with dense reeds, and who knows what kind of wild animals might be hiding there? How could they feel at ease?

Li Feng frowned. If Li and the others went with them, it would delay their hunting for a day. And now was the most critical time to store food. “Will the chieftain agree?” In the past, when something came up at home, the chieftain had allowed them to stay. But this time, they weren’t even sure if those reeds were usable or easy to harvest. If it ended up being a waste of time, they wouldn’t be able to explain it to the chieftain.

“We’ll just go straight to the chieftain. He’ll agree. After all, if those reeds can really be woven into shoes for winter, he’ll definitely support it. He might even assign a few more people to come with us and send others out to hunt.” As Li spoke, his hand slid once again around Li Feng’s waist. Of course, he didn’t do anything else—he didn’t want to be caught by Mo and the others again.

“Alright, it’s up to you. I don’t mind. I just want us to live well and get through the winter safely.” Li Feng brushed his hand off his waist and spoke while feeding the baby. The baby was already four months old, and little teeth had started to emerge. So now, Li Feng would occasionally feed the baby some broth or mashed meat and fruit, and the baby seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

“Great. Then after dinner, we’ll go.” Li, using the hand Li Feng had knocked away earlier, gently wiped the baby’s mouth.

Li Feng looked up at him. “I’m not going. You go.” He didn’t want to always be dragged along to the chieftain’s place. He’d rather stay home and play with the baby.

Li patted his head. “Alright, if you don’t want to go, then you don’t have to. I’ll go with Bu.” He understood that Li Feng didn’t like going to the chieftain’s place after last time’s rumors, so he didn’t push him. As long as Li Feng was happy, that was enough. He didn’t like the chieftain’s ways either, but if it helped the tribe live better and survive more easily, he was willing to do it.

Bu looked up at Li. Of course, Li was going to drag him along too. But it was fine. After all, it was a good thing. Plus, tomorrow could even be considered a disguised day off, and he’d get to spend the whole day with Nuo—why not?

“Sure, I think the chieftain will definitely agree.” After all, this was a big deal and a good one, especially since it was all thanks to Li Feng’s discovery. It might even change people’s views of him.

After dinner, Li and Bu went straight to the chieftain’s house. Meanwhile, Li Feng and the others stayed home chatting and discussing how to weave the shoes. He only had a rough idea—he had never actually done it before. He didn’t know if it would work or if the shoes would last the whole winter. If not, maybe they could each make a few extra pairs as spares, especially since Li and the others were out hunting all the time and would wear them down faster.

Li Feng was now a full-on house “husband.” A classic case of Li handling the outside while he handled the inside. But there was no helping it. Their household had no women—only men—and he was the weaker one. The idea of him going hunting and leaving Li at home was laughable. Not only would the chieftain disapprove, but even he thought it was unreliable.

Not that he looked down on himself—he just knew his own limits. Hunting was something he couldn’t manage. Although he did everything at home like a woman, it couldn’t be helped. He wasn’t going to let a silly sense of pride ruin their daily life.

So even though he was doing all the “women’s work,” and household chores, he still considered himself a man. He wasn’t a woman, even if he did everything a woman could do—including giving birth.

Li Feng often felt frustrated about his identity and his role. In other people’s eyes, he must seem like a woman, right? Just thinking about it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He had been struck by lightning for no reason, then transmigrated into the body of a man giving birth in a primitive society where men like that were treated like women.

Could he not feel heartbroken, pained, or upset? At first, he tried to numb and convince himself. He kept busy every day so he didn’t have time to think—otherwise, he might have had a breakdown.

Thankfully, the baby—this baby that his new body had given birth to—brought him a growing sense of connection. Taking care of a baby was exhausting: the baby cried when hungry, when wet, or when needing to poop—over and over every day. And unlike the modern world, there were no diapers here. They used animal pelts, which were too precious to throw away. So he had to wash the “pee pelts” himself. By the time he was done cooking and cleaning, the day was a whirlwind. He had no time to think.

Even at night, he couldn’t rest. After a long day, he’d fall asleep instantly, only to be woken shortly after by the baby’s cries. Then it was the same cycle again. He barely had a single peaceful night. It was endless.

Now that there were more people at home and the baby was a bit older and easier to manage, he finally had a bit of free time, so it was natural to think about things—especially after feeling wronged. Li treated him well, and he wasn’t heartless. Gradually, he could accept Li’s closeness. He didn’t know if it was affection or love, but with Li by his side and being considerate, it eased his homesickness. Even though his “home” in the previous world was just a rented apartment, it had still been his own little nest.

Now, he still occasionally thought about that little apartment and felt lost and sad, but there was nothing he could do. He could only bury those thoughts deep down and pretend they didn’t exist—though sometimes, they’d pop out on their own.

Like during that rumor incident—it made him especially homesick and upset. If Li and the others hadn’t been there, he might have actually tried to commit suicide again to see if he could return. Of course, if it failed, he’d be dead for real.

Truth be told, Li Feng was scared of dying. He once read a saying: “Living is exhausting, dying is a loss.” That’s exactly how he felt now. Life in this primitive society was brutally hard. Material life was tough, and mental life even tougher. Every day was about surviving and improving things. And to think even here, people schemed and plotted—proving that intelligence inevitably breeds such thoughts.

Living was exhausting. But dying? That would be such a waste. After all, this was like a second chance at life. If he killed himself, it’d be a real pity. Besides, he didn’t have the guts for suicide. No matter how you do it, it’s terrifying. The only way he might consider it was if another lightning strike came. But mostly, he couldn’t bear to leave the baby behind. He hadn’t even seen him grow up yet. How could he die? What if suicide didn’t send him back? That’d be the ultimate loss.

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t find a conclusion. So while his heart twisted with inner conflict, reality demanded that he keep struggling just to survive—just to eat, to wear clothes, to make it another day.

“Why aren’t Li and the others back yet?” Li Feng felt like it had been quite a while. The baby and Mo had long since fallen asleep. Only he and Nuo were chatting intermittently, lost in their thoughts about life in this new world.

“Yeah, what’s taking so long?” Nuo was also watching the door. In the center of the room was a stone firepit with a burning fire. A few sweet potatoes were roasting inside as snacks—and for light. Using torches made from animal fat produced too much smoke and smelled bad. Plus, they didn’t last long. The weather wasn’t cold yet, so the fire wasn’t too hot—actually, it was quite cozy, especially after two autumn rains. They didn’t even need to wear animal pelts indoors anymore.

Both rains had come just in time. The first one fell right after they sowed seeds themselves, and the second came after Li Feng helped the tribe finish sowing. It saved them from carrying water to irrigate.

Now the wheat seedlings were just starting to sprout—tiny hints of green that could only be seen from afar, not up close. Just like the line from the poem: “The grass seems visible from afar, but not up close.” Except in this case, it was wheat.

Li Feng used a stick to poke the sweet potatoes from the fire and then tossed the stick in as kindling. He split a sweet potato open and handed one to Nuo. Just as they were about to eat, they heard Li and Bu’s voices outside.

Perfect timing—just as they wondered where they were. And their sweet potatoes hadn’t even reached their mouths yet. Li Feng and Nuo exchanged a glance and then took synchronized bites of the hot sweet potatoes before looking up. Li and Bu strode into the room.

The two men did the same thing almost simultaneously—each grabbing their partner’s hand and taking a bite out of the sweet potato right where they’d bitten.

“What took you so long?” Li Feng snatched back his sweet potato and resumed eating while sitting two steps from the fire. Too close and it was too hot; too far and the light was too dim.

“The chieftain was very interested and agreed to go with us tomorrow. He also wants to bring a few more people, and even more from the tribe—so it’ll be safer.” Li grabbed Li Feng’s hand again and took another bite of his sweet potato.

“And? Why did it take so long? Just talking shouldn’t take that much time, right?”

Li Feng chuckled at Li’s expression. “Then we went to inform a few families, and others will spread the word.”

Li Feng was satisfied with that answer. He nodded, finished the rest of his sweet potato in a few bites, washed his hands, and patted his butt, ready for bed. Tomorrow, they were going treasure hunting. If what Li said was true, then those vast reed fields might be full of treasures.

Li Feng chuckled to himself. He wouldn’t say anything now—he wanted to see their surprised faces tomorrow. Especially Li’s poker face—er, though he had been smiling a lot more lately, he still wanted to see that “found a treasure” look on him.