Chapter 54: Shadow

From then on, everything seemed to fall into a more harmonious rhythm. Upon learning that I had actually extracted salt, Qu Xiang and Lan Fang, though skeptical, were oddly excited.

Qu Xiang, in particular, took the initiative to shoulder the risky task of tasting the food from the stone pot. Despite the great danger, I understood there was no other way. Though I was confident about these foods, survival here was a matter of life and death.

I had intended to eat first, but even Lan Fang refused to let me go ahead. This was her first time stepping forward, and her reasoning was simple: if we wanted to survive, we needed me around. I was somewhat surprised by Lan Fang’s change in mindset but ultimately felt comforted.

Qu Xiang’s actions were also expected. Watching her drink the soup mixed with black salt, Lan Fang couldn’t help but swallow hard. I wasn’t sure if Lan Fang was truly hungry or if the fear of potential consequences gnawed at her, but unease was evident in her eyes.

Of course, I understood most clearly that we were not divine farmers with miraculous powers. To survive here, we had to experiment. So, I wouldn’t let Lan Fang drink the soup again until a certain amount of time had passed.

The little stone pot was small, but once heated by the fire, food cooked quickly. Although I hadn’t asked Lan Fang to join the risky endeavor immediately, I boiled the soup vigorously, continually adding bear heart and mushrooms to the pot. As the food gradually cooked, I packed it away piece by piece.

I knew the taro leaves weren’t damaged and could hold water, but due to their nature, they were unsuitable for holding cooked soup. Containers were a problem; unlike the resourceful people online who could craft utensils at will, I had to make do, which was a source of regret.

I remembered when collecting the banana tree hearts, how local natives once used banana leaves as bowls when eating rice noodles back in Yunnan. So, I had collected quite a few wild banana leaves, which now became the best makeshift containers.

If there was a future, I promised myself I would cut down the feather bamboo and keep it, at least to hold water, soup, or for other uses.

Watching the wild mushrooms and bear hearts sliced and simmering in the stone pot, even though no one was eating yet, the hungry Lan Fang seemed barely able to restrain herself. I understood this, but I held firm and didn’t let Qu Xiang eat immediately.

Both mushrooms and bear heart were risky foods in this environment. Every ecosystem differed, and the black bear we had seen was stung to death by wild bees, likely carrying toxins in its blood.

Water was plentiful and firewood free, so I took the trouble to blanch the bear hearts in the pot water before cooking them with the mushrooms. Although it wasted time, I felt much more at ease.

After cooking, I pulled out a few charred bear paws from the embers—blackened from the burnt fur—and scraped them clean with a knife. Seeing each bear paw finally reveal its tempting appearance stirred a pang of desire.

Food with salt and without salt was a completely different experience. Noticing Lan Fang’s surprised expression, I smiled at both women and said, “If these foods are truly edible, tonight we can cook one and satisfy your cravings!”

“This must be the most luxurious meal I’ve ever had!” Qu Xiang laughed while eyeing the bear paws I held. Turning to Lan Fang, she smiled and said, “Fang, if we get back, you have to invite Ah Jing for a proper feast to return the favor!”

“Of course! Anything to eat!” Lan Fang’s reply was immediate, without hesitation.

Seeing Qu Xiang suffer no discomfort and that the food was likely digesting, Lan Fang’s hunger was clearly overwhelming. She couldn’t contain herself and said, “When the time comes, we’ll all go eat the best seafood and all kinds of gourmet dishes!”

I didn’t respond. Though such dreams were enticing, the harsh reality of survival demanded our full attention.

Still, I forced a smile and, using the taro leaves filled with river water, asked Qu Xiang to help wash a bear paw clean. Though I lacked experience cooking this kind of food, simply being able to cook it thoroughly was the greatest delicacy we could hope for.

In the darkness of this deserted rainforest, a quiet melancholy crept into my heart.

If we were back on the coast, in that city where we worked, Lan Fang would surely be out with friends, laughing and having fun, or attending social gatherings. For us laborers, what we longed for most was simply to see her smile in our direction.

Now that it was real, how I wished this moment could last forever. Truly, as the saying goes, even if death comes, one should die joyfully.

Though I warned myself countless times not to let my guard down, lest danger befall us all, I couldn’t help but drift into daydreams. The crackling firelight seemed suddenly unreal.

“Ah Jing, what you said earlier—is it true?” Qu Xiang suddenly nudged me, interrupting my reverie. Startled, I snapped back to attention.

Lan Fang beside me still looked pale; her leg wound was clearly severe. Even if there was no deep infection yet, the pain—especially for a girl—was something she simply didn’t voice.

“What… what are you doing?” I glanced at Lan Fang, then stared at Qu Xiang, trying to mask my awkwardness.

“Did you say those people really eat humans?” Qu Xiang asked unexpectedly, her gaze fixed on the bear paws in the pot. I vaguely understood why; if I hadn’t prepared the bear paws before their eyes, they might have recoiled in fear.

For some reason, Lan Fang seemed struck by curiosity rather than fear upon hearing this. She glanced at Qu Xiang, then looked at me, as if waiting for my answer.

Indeed, Brother Wen’s words had left a deep shadow in their minds.

“Don’t move. Eat this—it will help your wounds heal,” I said, handing the soup I’d prepared to Lan Fang.

Since Qu Xiang showed no signs of discomfort, though it was too soon to be certain the food was safe, hunger was tormenting them both. I looked at Qu Xiang with a faint smile and said, “They’re starving. Do you think they’d really eat someone if pushed?”