11: Chapter 11 Braised Pork

The fruit Father picked, Qing Qing couldn't finish it all, and he didn't like sweet things. If it went bad, it would be a waste of the beast god's blessing. It would be better to take it to the Market to trade, and exchange it for some nice animal hides for Qing Qing.

When they lived with Mother before, the fruit Father brought back would disappear before he even got a glimpse of it. Now, they have so much fruit at home that they can't even finish it all. This just shows how foolish they were in the past.

"Let's ask Father if it's okay." All this fruit was picked by Father. What if he gets upset about selling it?

She had also grown tired of eating it these past few days, having completely achieved fruit freedom.

It's just that the variety of fruit isn't great, and many of them taste quite similar. However, she couldn't name most of them because they were completely outside her knowledge.

Meng Qi walked in and spoke lovingly to the siblings, "It's fine, go ahead and trade it. This fruit has been sitting for two days and isn't very fresh anymore. Now I don't have much to do every day, I can go pick the freshest fruit for Qing Qing."

He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Not only was he carefree all day, but he could also stay close to his two Cubs.

Sang Qing smiled and nodded happily, taking a large burlap bag from her Storage Grid and handing it to Meng Lai.

Meng Lai took the bag and skillfully filled it with the fruit.

In the afternoon, after waking up from a nap, Sang Qing went to fertilize the newly cultivated vegetable garden. When she took out a lighter and lit the dry leaves, Meng Qi beside her leapt three feet high, gasped in astonishment, his facial expressions shifting dramatically.

"Qing Qing, fire... fire... how do you have a fire starter in your hand?"

Meng Qi stared at her in amazement, his pupils dilated, utterly incredulous.

With just a *click*, the fire starter appeared. This... Sang Qing rubbed the back of her neck, never expecting her Father to react so strongly.

You must know that the Civet Cat Tribe has only one place with a fire starter. Whenever anyone needs to roast meat, they have to run over there.

Before, she thought it was too far, so she and Meng Lai used a wooden stick to bring back some fire. Later, she realized she could just buy a lighter. It's convenient, small, easy to carry, and an essential for home and travel.

"This was also given to me by the beast god, Father, don't be nervous." Sang Qing smiled, showing Meng Qi the lighter in her hand, signaling him not to be afraid.

Meng Qi slowly approached, seeing the pile of dry leaves indeed burning, and cautiously reached out to touch the lighter in her hand.

Sang Qing explained the lighter to Meng Qi again, telling him how to use it.

"Father, this is called a lighter. Look, press here gently, and fire comes out immediately. But keep it away from yourself, be careful not to burn your hair. And also..."

Meng Qi excitedly accepted this sacred object that could produce fire, holding the lighter and spinning around happily like a child.

He never imagined it could be so simple to possess a fire starter. If this isn't a sacred object, what is?

Sang Qing directly gave this lighter to Meng Qi. After all, she had plenty more in her Storage Grid. One point could wholesale a hundred; she couldn't use them all in a lifetime.

Hey, maybe I should go to the Market tomorrow to see if any beastmen want to buy it. My Father was so excited seeing this thing; other beastmen would definitely want it too.

Sang Qing made a mental note of this idea.

After finishing the fertilization for the vegetable garden, Sang Qing went to the kitchen to light the stove and prepare to season the wok.

Placing the custom-made large iron wok on the stove, it fit perfectly. Clapping the dust off her hands, Sang Qing picked up a kitchen knife to cut a piece of beast fat.

Hearing the sizzling sound from the iron wok, Sang Qing swung the spatula with satisfaction.

The first thing she did after seasoning the wok was render fat. However, there wasn't much prey at home, and the fat was scarce. Sang Qing only rendered a small jar of oil, but it would be enough for a few days.

Meng Qi was in charge of tending the fire. Sitting beside it, he smelled the delicious meaty aroma wafting from the wok, licking his lips so much they almost got chapped.

Such a fragrant meat smell.

After putting away the oil jar, Sang Qing handed him a plate of cracklings sprinkled with salt and a small amount of chili powder. "Father, try these!"

Meng Qi didn't stand on ceremony. He took the plate directly, grabbed a handful of cracklings, and shoved them into his mouth.

"Mmm, so fragrant."

It was truly delicious. He had never eaten such tasty food before, but why did it feel a bit strange?

His tongue felt like it was on fire.

"Sss~"

But his body showed no other abnormalities. Could this be the seasoning Qing Qing called chili?

Strange, really strange.

Sang Qing was just about to hand him a pair of chopsticks, but the plate was already empty... Well, as long as he likes it.

After washing her hands, Sang Qing took out a sealed bag of rice. Considering the appetites of the three of them, she started cooking.

Finally, I can eat hot, steaming white rice.

Without carbs, I feel weak all over, and my happiness has diminished greatly.

With the rice steaming, Sang Qing pondered what dish to prepare.

We only have meat at home. How about making braised pork?

No, too greasy. Should I buy some vegetables from the Mall? Maybe get some potatoes; they can last a while.

As Sang Qing was thinking, Meng Lai's voice came from outside. "Hey, you Little Cubs, what are you doing at my house?"

Meng Qi and Sang Qing both turned their heads to look outside.

They saw Meng Lai holding a few plump Long-Haired Beasts, questioning some other family's Little Cubs who only came up to his waist.

These were truly Little Cubs, probably only four or five years old, with exceptionally tender little faces, topped with messy, fluffy curls, looking utterly adorable.

There were five Little Cubs in total. They were all standing at Sang Qing's doorstep, their eyes darting around, peeking into the house. Caught by Meng Lai, they bit their fingers, staring at him shyly.

"Uncle Meng Lai, we smelled a really, really delicious meat smell, so..." The Little Cub who took the lead was a bit braver. Hearing Meng Lai's question, he obediently stepped forward to answer.

Meng Lai sniffed the air. Mmm, it's so fragrant.

"Qing Qing, are you cooking?" The only reason Meng Lai could think of was this.

He looked at his sister holding the spatula, feeling like the entire area was enveloped in the aroma.

Sang Qing walked out, nodded, and then looked at the Little Cubs beside him.

Wow, so cute!

Are Civet Cat Beastman Cubs this adorably dumb?

Sang Qing's heart instantly overflowed with affection, her eyes sparkling, wishing she could reach out and give them a good squeeze.

The Little Cubs felt their hair stand on end under Sang Qing's gaze. But the next second, when Sang Qing took out some cracklings from the kitchen and offered it to them, smelling exactly like the delicious aroma, the Cubs immediately swarmed forward.

Just as their little paws were about to touch the cracklings, Sang Qing pulled her hand back.

Although she liked them, their paws were just too dirty—all black.

The Little Cubs tilted their heads, looking at her in confusion.

Sang Qing smiled like a doting aunt... but children must be clean. She couldn't accept them eating with such dirty hands.

She quickly took them to the water vat to wash their hands.

Meng Lai also caught a scent in the air he had never smelled before. He asked Father, but Father didn't know either, only saying it was food.

Well, he wouldn't ask anymore; Qing Qing would give him some anyway.

*Crunch, crunch...* Meng Lai happily munched on the cracklings his sister had specially saved for him. If he were in Beast Form now, his tail would definitely be wagging like a propeller.

The Little Cubs who had finished their own cracklings stood in front of Meng Lai, drooling as they stared at him.

It was so delicious; they had never eaten anything so tasty.

Meng Lai felt the weight of so many little eyes on him, but he showed no trace of embarrassment. Instead, he ate small bites as if showing off.

Hehehe, my sister treats me best. I want to be the number one best in the world with my sister.

The drool from the Little Cubs could practically water the ground. The more they stared, the more they craved, but Meng Lai acted as if he didn't see them, eating by himself.

Meng Qi slapped his own cub, snatched the cracklings from his hand, and distributed them.

No ambition. What's so delicious about cracklings? Can't you see Qing Qing is cooking? If you fill up on cracklings now, how will you eat later?

After thanking Meng Qi, the Little Cubs ran off with a big handful of cracklings. They wanted to take them back to their sister (or elder sister) to eat.

Meng Lai licked his fingers, giving Meng Qi a resentful look.

He hadn't had enough yet.

Meng Qi pointed to the kitchen. Just then, a *sizzle* sound was heard, and an incredibly rich meaty aroma immediately wafted from the kitchen.

Meng Lai's eyes lit up.

Meng Qi told him to go help Sang Qing with the fire, while he took the prey Meng Lai brought back to the stream to process.

This cub, didn't you say you were going out to play with Qing Que? Why did you bring back so much prey?

Besides, Long-Haired Beasts taste a bit strange. females don't like to eat them. Aren't you afraid of stinking up the house?

A ladle of hot water was poured into the wok. The sugar-glazed braised pork struggled with a gurgling sound, but Sang Qing mercilessly covered it with the lid, letting it simmer.

Wiping her hands, she took out potatoes from the bag and began peeling them.

"Qing Qing, what is this?" Meng Lai squatted in front of Sang Qing. Every time she took out something new, he would turn into a walking encyclopedia of questions.

"This is called a potato, brother. But you can't eat it raw; it must be cooked in a pot before eating, understand? Otherwise, you'll go meet the beast god."

Sang Qing knew Meng Lai had a bad habit of wanting to put everything in his mouth, so she had to warn him first.

Raw potatoes can cause diarrhea, and in severe cases, signs of poisoning. Although beastmen have strong digestive systems, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Meng Lai, who had just picked up a potato to sneak a bite, stiffened and had to put the potato down with a sulky mutter, "I know."

Sang Qing's lips curled slightly. She washed the peeled potatoes, cut them, and set them aside.

The meat needs to simmer a bit longer. Adding the potatoes too early would turn them into mashed potatoes.

She just saw Meng Lai bring back a few sheep. Hmm, maybe have hotpot with mutton tomorrow?

Never mind. Today we have stew, tomorrow mutton. The two ounces I finally lost would just come back.

Shaking her head, Sang Qing dismissed the thought.

While the meat was simmering, she went back inside to spray some water on the Mung Beans covered with a white cloth. The Mung Beans were already sprouting. Tomorrow... maybe we *should* have mutton tomorrow. Blanch it with the Mung Bean sprouts—crisp and refreshing. We can even have some sesame sauce or a dipping oil.

Meng Qi returned with the skinned Long-Haired Beasts just as Sang Qing's braised meat was ready.

Two large basins of brightly colored potato stew were placed on the usual wooden stump used for meals. Instantly, the aroma overflowed, rushing forcefully into their nostrils. All three beastmen swallowed their saliva in unison.

So fragrant, it's intoxicating.

Not only that, but this aroma drifted far across the Tribe. Almost every Tribesman smelled it, and their hearts instantly felt as if being scratched by a cat.

Who's roasting meat? It's so fragrant!

But no matter how much they thought, they couldn't figure out what beast this meaty aroma came from.

Nina, who was eating, threw down the roasted meat in her hand and said to her mate with displeasure, "I don't want to eat this anymore. Go see who's roasting what. It's so fragrant; I want to eat that."

Smelling that aroma in the air and then looking at the roasted meat in her hand, even if it were the tenderest part of a beast, she had no appetite left.

Her mate, who was tending to her meal, agreed without hesitation. "Alright. Nina, wait. I'll go see who's roasting meat."

"Thor..."

The Young Male had just reached the doorway when he heard his mate call him again.

"What is it?" Thor asked, turning back in confusion.

"My... my stomach hurts." Nina held her stomach, her toes curling slightly, feeling a dampness below.

Thor watched as his mate's rosy complexion turned deathly pale.

"Nina?" What? Stomach pain.

He quickly ran back to Nina's side.

"Nina, are you okay?"

How could her stomach hurt? Could the food be bad? But that can't be; Nina is pregnant with a cub.

Nina gritted her teeth, breathing rapidly, unable to utter a single word.

Seeing this, Thor became frantic and at a loss. "What do I do? Right, I'll go find the Shaman, find the Shaman."

The Shaman will surely have a way.

Hoo~

Letting out a breath, Nina patted her round belly and shouted sharply, "Come back!"

Thor screeched to a halt and turned to reassure her again. "What now? Nina, just bear with it."

Idiot! Nina rolled her eyes at him, stroking her uncomfortable belly, and said with great force, "No, I'm going into labor."

Labor? Thor froze for a moment before finally reacting.

"Cree, Songen, Romu, come in quickly! Nina is going to have a cub!"

He quickly shouted to the other males outside.

While Nina's place was bustling with preparations for childbirth, Sang Qing's family was just starting to eat.

By the time Sang Qing served the rice and washed her hands to sit down, Meng Lai and Meng Qi, who had been waiting obediently, were already impatient.

"Eat slowly, it's a bit..." Hot... Before she could finish, Sang Qing saw Meng Lai use his clumsy chopstick skills to quickly pick up a steaming meat chunk and stuff it into his mouth.

"Ah... Hoo ha, hoo he..."

"So hot, so hot..."

The meat danced a breakdance in his mouth, and Meng Lai flailed along with it. Even though tears welled up in his eyes, he was still determined to chew through it.

"Spit it out, brother!" Sang Qing winced, looking at Meng Lai with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

This is meat straight out of the wok, bro.

Could you please not be so impatient? I haven't even finished speaking.