Chapter 15: A Serious Conversation

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As the two chatted, the Howl Hare returned, balancing a large wooden bucket filled with water atop its head. Perhaps to keep the water from sloshing out, it moved much more slowly than when it had gone out. When the little creature finally reached the edge of the field, it slipped out from beneath the bucket. Its fluffy little face was flushed red, clearly from the effort. Watching the Howl Hare hop back and forth, watering the crops, Chu Jiu muttered to herself, “We really need to build a waterwheel soon...” With only one plot of land, fetching water was already so time-consuming and laborious. Once the farming area expanded, getting water would become even more troublesome.

Actually, the “Guide” recorded an old-fashioned waterwheel called a “tube wheel,” capable of lifting river water to the shore using a ring of small bamboo tubes and pouring it into a prearranged trough. Chu Jiu knew that both the main body of the waterwheel and the trough would require a large number of bamboo tubes. According to the collection locations on the illustrated card, there were no bamboos nearby. To gather bamboo, she would have to venture deep into the heart of the Forgotten Forest. Hmm... besides bamboo, perhaps there would be bamboo shoots? Maybe even plump bamboo chickens! Just as she was imagining bamboo shoot soup and roasted bamboo chicken, she suddenly heard the Howl Hare’s voice: “Howl, howl, howl!” — “Today’s planting is finished, howl, howl, howl!”

Chu Jiu focused her gaze and saw the Howl Hare standing proudly by the dark soil, its three-lobed mouth stretched into a big smile, long ears perked up and curved into a heart shape. At that moment, the system also popped up a notification:

[Planting complete. Estimated harvest time: 72 hours.]

Smiling, Chu Jiu walked over and crouched down to pat the furry little head. “Great job! Such a big field, and you sowed all the seeds so quickly.” The Howl Hare replied, “Howl, howl, howl!” — “Hehe, I really love farming; it’s so much fun!” Chu Jiu praised again, “That’s wonderful. Besides these cabbages, we can plant more vegetables — radishes, corn, tomatoes... all of them!” The Howl Hare answered, “Howl, howl, howl!” — “Yay, yay, but I don’t want to eat radishes!” Chu Jiu reassured, “Don’t worry, no radishes. I’ll fry some lamb chops for you later!” Hearing the words “fried lamb chops,” the Howl Hare jumped higher than Chu Jiu. On the system interface, the chibi icon representing the Howl Hare even emitted a string of tiny hearts, showing just how happy it was.

Chu Jiu smiled and was about to tuck the two little ones into the pioneer’s cabin when another system notification appeared:

[Spirit Beast No. 2 has triggered “Growth.”]

[Current growth level of Spirit Beast No. 2: Level 1.]

[Please continue to properly assign tasks and maintain the spirit beast’s physical and mental happiness to help it grow quickly.]

...This? So these tiny little creatures could actually grow up? Judging from the system prompt, the trigger for growth seemed to be—doing work they liked? Being happy in body and mind? Thinking this, Chu Jiu involuntarily made a small sound in her mind and instinctively pressed the small canned food in her pocket. This little one chose to sleep all day and refused any work assignments. How was it supposed to grow? Chu Jiu almost blurted this out, but recalling the little canned food’s displeased expression earlier, she swallowed the words back down.

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Well, once the opportunity arises, I’ll have to find a good way to entice this little kitten!

*

That night, as promised, Chu Jiu used a newly purchased frying pan to make fried fish fillets for the little canned food and fried lamb chops for the Howl Hare. The fish fillet was lightly salted and fried until both sides were crisp and golden. Gently prying it open with chopsticks revealed the soft, delicate white flesh beneath the crispy crust—so mouthwatering it made one salivate at the sight. The lamb chops were caramelized all over; besides salt, finely shredded green onions were added to enhance the flavor. The slightly spicy scallions perfectly complemented the tender, savory lamb, making the taste richer.

The two little ones sat at the dining table, tails raised, focused on devouring the food on the large plate Chu Jiu had brought home. Chu Jiu herself made a flatbread, and with chunks of carrot and potato along with the lamb, prepared a small pot of stew. The potatoes melted in the mouth, the carrots were sweet and soft, and the lamb was fragrant and savory. Chu Jiu enjoyed mouthfuls of meat and bread with great satisfaction. Unfortunately, the stew only had salt and ginger slices; a bit of pepper would have made it even more flavorful.

After filling their bellies, the two little ones collapsed on the table, exposing their bellies in relaxation. Chu Jiu cleared the dishes and began discussing the next plans with them. She told them she intended to start brewing soy sauce the next day. The two didn’t know what “soy sauce” was, so Chu Jiu explained: a dark brown liquid seasoning made by fermenting soybeans. Hearing the word “ferment,” the Howl Hare shuddered, “Howl? Howl, howl? Howl, howl, howl?” — “Ah? Ferment? Could it be like that fish meat sauce we smelled at the spice shop?” The little canned food glanced at it disdainfully and meowed, “No way. One’s made from beans, the other from fish.” Chu Jiu nodded, “Right, the tastes differ greatly. Our soy sauce will be milder and more convenient for cooking.” Hearing this, the little canned food proudly flicked its tail, “See? I told you.” The Howl Hare, meanwhile, looked a little disappointed and lowered its head.

Chu Jiu cleared her throat, “But the principle is basically the same. Howl Hare’s concerns aren’t unfounded.” The Howl Hare immediately perked up. Chu Jiu coughed again and quickly shifted the topic: “I plan to use spirit energy to brew the soy sauce. That way, we only need to prepare soybeans and the equipment; we won’t have to stir the beans daily.” “By the time I figure out the recipe and start brewing soy sauce, the crops should be ready to harvest.” “Then we’ll go to the forest to look for bamboo.” “Once we have bamboo, we can build the waterwheel!” The little canned food nodded with determination, “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you.” The Howl Hare, however, looked somewhat puzzled and after a while asked, “But I want to stay and farm!” Chu Jiu was taken aback, “You want to stay by yourself?” The Howl Hare’s ears pointed like an arrow toward the vegetable field outside: “I want to keep farming. As long as you give me seeds, I can keep planting... Farming is really fun!”

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Chu Jiu rested her hand on her chin, hesitating, “But you’re so small. What if a large monster appears...” At that moment, the little canned food flicked its tail and meowed, “Tsk, even if a big monster shows up, if it roars, the monster will run away.” The Howl Hare nodded vigorously: “Right, right, I’m not afraid of monsters!” Chu Jiu finally laughed, “Oh, I forgot your voice is super loud—you almost got mistaken for a giant troll.” Having arranged the itinerary, Chu Jiu left the two little ones in the cabin, instructing them to sleep well, then went to the river to wash up and fetch water. The moment he stepped outside, the little canned food sat up straight, its small feline face showing surprisingly serious expression. It looked at the Howl Hare and solemnly meowed, “Guard this place well. Any difficulties?” The Howl Hare’s ears stood straight up, and its speech slowed considerably, “Rest assured, I can do it.” The little canned food nodded gravely.

After their soft, childish exchange, both felt puzzled: Why had they just spoken so seriously? And this strange sense of familiarity... it was as if they had been communicating like this for a very long time. They didn’t understand. Oh well, no matter. So sleepy, time to sleep. The Howl Hare shook its ears and ran to the rabbit nest Chu Jiu had made to sleep. The little canned food licked its paws, first curling up in its small nest, then stood up and gazed curiously at Chu Jiu’s single bed.

That afternoon, Chu Jiu had added a mattress made from cotton sheep’s hide, a set of linen sheets he sewed, and a pillow made from linen and dried grass. The little canned food tilted its head and stared blankly at the light gray pillow. Hmm... earlier, this human had let me sleep beside him. Was it because he was afraid of the dark? Timid? Didn’t want to sleep alone? Then where should I sleep tonight?

Just as it was hesitating, Chu Jiu returned, freshly washed, carrying a towel and toothbrush. By the faint glow of the glowing grass, he happened to see the little canned food staring at his pillow in a daze. Hmm... it must be because this little kitten likes human body warmth and wants to sleep together with me. Thinking this, Chu Jiu gently scooped it onto the bed and pressed its little nose, “Go to sleep now.” The little canned food silently curled up into a ball. Indeed, this silly human really wants to sleep with me.