Chapter 37
Lang Shuo discovered that he might have been infected by the sub-adults. Sub-adults learned one lesson, then immediately learned another. As for him, after one shock came an even bigger shock.
There was a great deal of information contained in Lang Yun’s words. For the first time, Lang Shuo discovered that his imagination could run this far. His first reaction after hearing those words was that he was also a sub-beastman.
Hahaha, how could that be possible? Lang Yun definitely meant that he would know after he had a sub-beastman partner in the future.
Only this explanation made sense.
Lang Shuo worked hard to control his wildly branching thoughts.
However, Lang Yun’s next words pronounced the final answer.
Seeing that he was a little dazed, Lang Yun suddenly remembered something and patted her own head. “I almost forgot. You didn’t like coming out to play before, so maybe you don’t know. You’re also a sub-beastman. In the future, it’s best for you to find a male partner.”
Lang Shuo: “???”
Sister, I’m begging you, sister. Can we stop talking? There have been too many shocks these past two days. Give him some time to recover.
Before Lang Shuo could say this, Lang Yun started muttering again.
“Our tribe allows sub-beastmen and females to become partners, but it’s generally rare. If both people end up pregnant and can’t go out, food can easily become insufficient.”
“Ah?” For a moment, Lang Shuo did not know whether he should be shocked that he was a sub-beastman, shocked that a sub-beastman and a female could become partners and get pregnant at the same time, or shocked at the Snow Wolf Tribe’s degree of freedom.
Seeing his stunned expression, Lang Yun remembered that before, he had always stayed alone and had at most come into contact with the old priest and the chief. He had no chance to hear these things at all, so she carefully explained, “After most sub-beastmen and females become partners, it’s the female who carries the cubs. But there are also cases where both get pregnant at the same time. Our tribe hasn’t had this happen before. We’ve only seen it at the market.”
Their tribe had a small population, so they cherished cubs even more and would try their best to take care of pregnant females and sub-beastmen. Some tribes were different. Those who could not go out to hunt could only pick up some food the hunting party did not want, or their eating order would even be placed after the cubs, causing them to become thinner and weaker.
Lang Shuo listened, feeling that the worldview he had barely pieced together yesterday had shattered again, this time even more thoroughly than yesterday.
Taking a deep breath, Lang Shuo once again persuaded himself. It was nothing. This was nothing. He did not want to find a partner anyway. Being able to get pregnant did not mean he really would.
Thinking of this, Lang Shuo’s mood gradually calmed down.
Since things had come to this, he might as well go feed the cubs.
Lang Shuo had Lang Yun deliver the portions for the pregnant sub-beastmen and females, while he carried the remaining portions in the steamer to feed the cubs.
Although they were all bamboo bowls, the ones used by these cubs were different from those used by the adults. The cubs’ bowls were shallower, making it convenient for the cubs to eat.
The large basket was made of bamboo and vines and was flammable. Therefore, while cooking, Lang Shuo would place the cubs somewhere he could see but that was far away, in case sparks splashed into the large basket or onto the cubs.
After carrying the steamer to the cubs, Lang Shuo first placed several clean wooden boards inside.
The wooden boards were slightly wider than the diameter of the bowls. This way, any crumbs the cubs dropped while eating would be caught by the boards, and the large basket would remain clean.
Perhaps because of the instinct for survival, when it came to eating, cubs were just like sub-adults and understood especially quickly. Seeing the wooden boards, they knew they were about to eat and obediently walked beside the boards and crouched down.
This habit was something Lang Shuo had slowly trained into them. At first, the cubs always liked stepping onto the wooden boards. Every time, Lang Shuo would pick out the cubs who stepped on the boards and wait until the other cubs finished eating before feeding them. After several times, the few troublesome cubs learned that at this moment, they should obediently wait.
The egg custard had only just come out of the pot not long ago and was still hot. Lang Shuo opened it and used the time while it cooled to line up the cubs.
The cubs knew they could not climb onto the wooden boards, but they had no concept of exact positions. Some wooden boards had six or seven beside them, while some only had one or two. Lang Shuo manually arranged them, keeping three to four cubs beside each wooden board.
At this moment, the cubs were at their most obedient time of the day aside from sleeping. Wherever Lang Shuo picked them up and placed them, they crouched there without moving.
After rubbing the cubs one last time, Lang Shuo took out the bowls one by one and placed them on the wooden boards.
The cubs had no resistance toward food. Seeing food, they immediately rushed forward.
Lang Shuo sat beside them, propping his head up with one hand. Watching the cubs eat, he could not help laughing.
But thinking of Lang Yun’s words, his smile gradually disappeared.
Lang Shuo fell into deep thought.
A moment later, Lang Shuo looked around.
The members of the tribe had their own work. Even if they stayed in the tribe, they would not be idle. On top of that, recently they also had to fire charcoal and make clay blanks, making them busier than usual. At this moment, the members were focusing on their own work, and no one noticed this side.
Lang Shuo slowly lifted the animal hide covering his upper body, lowered his head to glance once, then quickly covered it again.
There was not much difference from his previous life, aside from being thinner and the abdominal muscles he had trained being gone.
He knew his own body structure. This life had not added anything extra either.
So why could he carry cubs? How would he give birth?
Unable to understand, Lang Shuo began to doubt life.
After a long while, Lang Shuo shook his head. Forget it. If he could not figure it out, then he could not figure it out. In any case, he was not giving birth.
The cubs did not know about Lang Shuo’s inner conflict. They only cared about eating the food in their bowls. The egg custard was tender, smooth, and delicious. The cubs especially liked eating it, but they did not get it every day, so they ate very happily.
After eating, the cubs licked the crumbs inside the bowls clean, then lowered their heads to search the wooden boards.
Finally, they searched each other’s left and right sides to make sure not a single bit had been missed before lying back down and licking their paws.
Lang Shuo collected the tableware. The bamboo bowls were perfectly clean. If they had been porcelain or stainless steel, they probably would have reflected light.
Adult beastmen ate faster than cubs. When Lang Shuo carried the tableware over, Lang Yun was already busy with other work. Beside the stove were several bamboo bowls that had been finished.
Lang Shuo placed the bowls together. The tribe’s water had to be transported from the river, so washing dishes was never done here, but by the riverside.
Lang Shuo had not gone to the riverside yet. Previously, his leg had not been well, and he could not go far. After his leg healed, he had been busy sowing seeds. Only in these past two days had things become a little easier.
Now the weather was warm, and if the used bowls were left for too long, they would dry. When that happened, they could only soak them before washing. Since there was nothing else to do for the moment, Lang Shuo simply took a basket, packed the tableware and wooden boards, and went to the riverside to wash them, taking the chance to stroll around.
Going to the riverside was not suitable for bringing cubs, even if they were packed in a basket. The river was too deep, and the cubs were so small. If one fell in, they would not even be able to find it. Meanwhile, Lang Yun was picking vegetables on that side and had no time to watch the cubs. Leaving the cubs outside alone was even more unsafe. If some clumsy sub-adult kicked the large basket, it would be terrifying.
Lang Shuo thought about it and sent the cubs back into the cave. The cave was relatively dark. During this period, the cubs had developed a habit. Once they entered the cave, they began sleeping.
It was still morning now, and only Lang Zhao was in the cave. Seeing him come in, Lang Zhao immediately asked, “Shuo, are there not enough people making clay blanks? I’ll go in the afternoon.”
“No need, no need.” Lang Shuo hurriedly stopped him. “I’m sending the cubs in. There are enough people over there. You don’t need to hurry. Rest properly recently.”
Although the information Lang Yun had revealed these past two days had shocked him until now, Lang Shuo had not overlooked the key point. The reaction of pregnant sub-beastmen was not as strong as that of female beastmen. Only when the cub was about to be born would they feel uncomfortable. It was equivalent to the cub’s reminder, telling its father that it was about to come out and to prepare.
Breeding season was also the season when cubs were born in the tribe. No matter how anxious Lang Shuo was, he would not arrange for Lang Zhao to work at this time.
Lang Zhao was indeed a little uncomfortable, but he was still concerned about the work outside. “You really don’t need me to go?”
Lang Shuo was afraid he would really go out and quickly persuaded him. “Really. Absolutely true. The clay blanks made these past two days are already enough. We have to wait for a while before they can be used. Rest more. If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you must say it.”
Only then did Lang Zhao give up the thought of going out to help.
After soothing Lang Zhao, thinking of the sub-beastmen and female beastmen still working outside, Lang Shuo coaxed the cubs to sleep. After going out, he was not in a hurry to go to the river and first found Lang Yun. “Yun, Zhao and the others’ work isn’t urgent. Remember to let them rest.”
Lang Yun waved her hand. “It’s fine. They’ll stop if they feel uncomfortable.”
Lang Shuo: “…”
What a terrifying thing to say. Only stopping when they felt uncomfortable.
Lang Shuo said, “It’s not that they should rest only after feeling uncomfortable, but that they can’t work for long periods. Being too tired isn’t good for the cubs either.”
“Is that so?” It was Lang Yun’s first time hearing this kind of statement. Even though their tribe treated pregnant members relatively well, it only meant letting them stay in the residence, because during hunting, it was easy to bump the belly, causing the cubs to be unable to be born or to be born disabled. As for those who stayed in the tribe, they still had to work, just on relatively easier tasks. They only returned to rest when they were tired or uncomfortable, just like Lang Zhao.
Lang Shuo nodded, recalling the pregnant women he had encountered in his previous life, and reminded her of a few more points. “They can move around appropriately, but they shouldn’t maintain one posture for a long time. They should rest every once in a while.”
Seeing Lang Shuo so serious, Lang Yun still decided to listen to him. She had grown used to it recently. When it came to things she did not know or was unfamiliar with, listening to Lang Shuo was definitely right.
“All right. I’ll go tell them now,” Lang Yun agreed.
After instructing Lang Yun, only then did Lang Shuo feel reassured and carry the basket away. However, after he had only walked a few steps, the sub-adults saw him.
“Shuo, where are you going?” Lang Nuo glanced into the basket and discovered it was all bowls, but he could also smell a faint food fragrance. He reacted. “You’re going to the river to wash bowls? I’ll do it, I’ll do it.” After saying this, he snatched the basket over.
Going to the riverside to wash bowls was one of the sub-adults’ favorite jobs, because they could openly play with water. Even if they got their animal hides wet, Lang Shuo, Lang Yu, and Lang Yun would not say anything. Besides, with them here, how could they let Lang Shuo wash bowls? Lang Shuo already worked hard enough helping cook.
Lang Shuo understood sub-adults. From just one sentence by Lang Nuo, he could guess what Lang Nuo was thinking. He did not hold onto it either. After Lang Nuo took the basket, he said, “Fine. You go wash them. I’ll go over and take a look too.”
Lang Nuo said, “Ah?”
With Lang Shuo there, how were they supposed to play freely in the water?
“I can’t go?”
Lang Nuo hurriedly shook his head. “You can go, you can go. We’ll go together. Then Shuo, be careful.”
If they could not play in the water, then they would not play. They could not make Lang Shuo angry.
Lang Shuo nodded and followed behind the dejected sub-adults.
The slope by the river was not consistent. Some places were steep, and some were gentle. The gentlest place was covered in footprints. Whether washing bowls or vegetables, they all used this spot.
Unable to play freely in the water, Lang Nuo was a little disappointed. However, Lang Shuo’s safety was most important now. Knowing that this was Lang Shuo’s first time coming to the riverside, Lang Nuo handed the bowls to the other sub-adults and followed closely beside Lang Shuo. “Shuo, walk slower.”
Lang Shuo understood his worry. Even the gentlest place was still rather slippery because there was water on the ground.
Lang Shuo walked two steps, looked around, and asked Lang Nuo, “Is there always this much water in the river?”
Lang Nuo shook his head. “During snow season, there’s more. It reaches here.” As he spoke, he pointed to a position.
Lang Shuo looked and discovered that from the shape and marks of the riverbank, he could faintly infer the water levels in different periods. One was the snow season water level Lang Nuo mentioned, and the other, much higher, should be the growing season water level.
Harvest season had the least rain of the year. At that time, the water level should be lower than now, so it could not be seen now.
However, what could be confirmed was that during snow season, breeding season, and growing season, this gentle slope could all be used.
It was fine now. The current was relatively slow, so even if someone accidentally slipped into the water, there was no need to be afraid. This group of sub-adults often bathed in the river. But after a while, when growing season arrived, there would be abundant rain and the current would become rapid. Then it would not be safe. Slipping into the river would be very dangerous.
Lang Shuo pointed at the stones around them and said, “Move these stones over and pave a path here.” The soil by the river was wet. If stones were laid down, after being stepped on a few more times, they would sink in and would not easily slip away. Compared with wet mud, it would prevent slipping better.
As soon as Lang Nuo and the others heard this, aside from the one carrying the basket staying behind to wash bowls, everyone else went to pick up stones.
Lang Shuo reminded them, “Don’t take the round ones.” Smooth pebbles were not suitable for paving here.
Lang Nuo loudly agreed.
Lang Shuo did not follow them. He carefully walked to the water’s edge and observed the scene in the water.
This was the most important reason he had come over: to see if they could catch a few fish.
Their tribe did not have the habit of eating fish, but fish were very nutritious and very friendly to pregnant beastmen. Cubs could also eat them.
Fish meat had a high protein content, was easy to absorb, was rich in nutrients, and had many cooking methods. Roasting, pan-frying, deep-frying, and boiling were all possible. It was a rare good ingredient.
The sub-adult washing bowls saw him keep looking into the water and grew curious. “Shuo, what are you looking at?” Was there something good in the water?
“I want to catch fish,” Lang Shuo answered honestly.
Hearing this, the sub-adult could not help touching his throat. “You mean that kind of fish with especially many bones, the kind you can’t spit out or chew through, that just likes staying stuck in your throat?”
Lang Shuo: “…”
He could hear it. The sub-adults had quite a deep grudge against fish.
But even if there was a grudge, they still had to catch them. Lang Shuo nodded. “That’s right. Do you know how to catch them?”
Since they had eaten it before, they should know how to catch it.
The sub-adult hesitated. The sub-adult wavered. The sub-adult did not want to say.
Lang Shuo understood. Not refusing meant he knew how. He said, “Then it’s you. Catch one for me to look at.”
