The Infrastructure’s Guide ☆ 25

When Qiu Juan returned to the cave, Luo, who had just let him out with a calm face, was already restless. When he saw his son return, he immediately stood up.

“Lil’ tiger?”

Qiu Juan was aware that Luo was concerned about him and was eager to learn the outcome of the situation. Luo would find out sooner or later, and he had no intention of hiding it, but he had pledged in front of his mother that he would avoid Meng Sheng, but he broke his word in the end.

"I promised him," he murmured, his voice a bit low.

"Tiger, I'm pleased you didn't go against your heart," Luo said with a sigh of relief.

"No, mama, I merely promised to be with him for a short time. I don't plan to be his lifetime partner."

Luo's face shifted sharply: "Why? Did Meng Sheng mention this to you?"

"We'll spend some time together," Qiu Juan said, shaking his head. "If he thinks about it and then changes his mind, we may go our separate ways without regret. It's better for both of us."

Luo understood that Qiu Juan didn't want to be so hasty, but he was too stupid. Although it was customary in the tribe for females to test males first, Qiu Juan had already been together with Kong Jia; thus, if the two of them didn't get along, wouldn't it lead the tribe to believe that Qiu Juan had been with two males and in the end left alone both times? Wouldn't that completely cut off Tiger's future?

But he had already stated that he would support Qiu Juan's choice, so all he could do was sigh: "Tiger, you're always so forthright and never think for yourself."

But, seeing his son's stubborn expression, he knew Qiu Juan would adhere to his decision. Tiger had pinned all his hopes of happiness on Meng Sheng. There was nothing further that could be done about it. But he at least had to find a chance to talk with Meng Sheng about Qiu Juan and Kong Jia to prevent any unnecessary misunderstanding.

Qiu Juan felt a lot more at ease after temporarily resolving the issue with Meng Sheng. Whatever the future held, he felt good right now.

He disregarded his mother's advice and stated, "I'll go practice shooting for a bit."

"Are you not going to eat?"

Qiu Juan dashed to his cave to get his bow and arrows.

“I’m not hungry.”

Luo sighed.

At this time, Meng Sheng tried to fall asleep in his cave, but he didn’t feel sleepy. He wanted to grab something to eat, but he wasn't hungry. The whole person was still immersed in the joy of Qiu Juan's consent and ensuing relationship.

He grabbed a berry and chewed on it while opening the encyclopedia to see whether there was any record of the tradition of courting his partner. He had to be careful not to set off another minefield and make Qiu Juan unhappy. If he spoiled his hard-won opportunity, he could only go find a hole and cry in it.

After researching local customs, he discovered that the tribe will throw a grand event at a specific period. In general, the chief presided over this grand gathering, which lasted one day. On the morning of the grand meeting, the males and females who wished to participate would report it to the chief. Females and sub-females would then stay at the grand gathering location to prepare food, while males went out to hunt for prey and eye-catching trinkets to give to the female or sub-female they preferred.

In this event, not only males competed, demonstrating their hunting abilities, but also females, displaying the favor they receive. The more offerings they get from various males, the more beautiful they will be considered in the eyes of the tribe.

Meng Sheng compared it to a giant blind date, where all the tribe gathered and unattached males and females can freely meet and express their interests. On a typical day, most people stay in their caves and seldom interact with one another while gathering food. With such an opportunity, they have a chance to get closer.

He was thinking about what he should give Qiu Juan at this event to make him happy when he heard a shout outside his cave.

"Are you in the cave, Meng Sheng?" It was Zhong Yang's loud and powerful voice.

He closed his encyclopedia and went out: "What are you doing here?"

Zhong Yang was taunting the baby chicks by the chicken coop. “Let’s go hunting. Didn’t you want to go to a fair? Do you have enough hides and meat to trade?”

"Of course, I'm going to the fair, but it's not like the fair will only trade in hides and meat. What's the point of going hunting every day?"

“Furs and meat are the most valued and may be exchanged for more. In the end, most people want food. Come on, let's go hunting!”

Meng Sheng had no intention of going out: "No, I already have an appointment with Qiu Juan for tomorrow.”

He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

Zhong Yang reflected on how long he had been hunting now that the sun was high in the sky, “Alright. Anyway, it's getting late. I'll accompany you tomorrow..."

Meng Sheng hurriedly rejected, “Don’t, I beg you, give me some alone time with Qiu Juan.”

Zhong Yang raised his eyebrows. “Do you have any sense of decency, Meng Sheng? What do you intend to do when you're alone with him?”

"Of course, it's to cultivate feelings and to bring beauty back home sooner! As an old bachelor, what do you know? Anyway, take my word for it and don't come to see me tomorrow or you will regret it!"

“Right, you're a cruel jerk.” Zhong Yang spat angrily, "In the future, don't expect me to catch pheasants for you."

“No need. Qiu Juan will catch them for me.” Meng Sheng cocked his brow and replied smugly.

Zhong Yang snorted, "Are you a male or a female? Do you have the cheek to let a sub-female catch birds for you?”

Meng Sheng was not only shameless but also extremely thick-skinned: "You don't know the joy of eating soft food!"

Zhong Yang wondered what kind of madness had hit the male in front of him overnight, enabling him to utter such things without blushing. As if he hadn't been the one who stormed into the wild forest a few days ago, his eyes red, slaughtering everything in his path.

He worriedly placed the back of his palm on Meng Sheng's brow: “Have you burned dumb from a fever?”

"You have a fucking fever. Get out!" Meng Sheng kicked the stout male away and turned back to the cave.

Zhong Yang followed him, but as he entered the cave, he was distracted by the basket resting against the wall, which was as tall as his calf. He took a step forward and snatched it.

"What's this? It's so suitable for holding things. Ah, it even has straps and can be carried on my back like a stone tool.”

When Meng Sheng turned around, he saw Zhong Yang with a basket on his back, twirling around like a ballerina, twisting and turning his muscular body.

“It’s a back basket I made to carry things.”

"You're too good. Your hands are even more skillful than those females.”

Meng Sheng was very generous: "If you want it, I'll give it to you."

Zhong Yang's eyes lit up with delight. "Meng Sheng, I wasn’t wrong about you. You are good.”

Meng Sheng gave a bitter smile. He only wanted to get rid of his first dreadful attempt and make a better one and give it to Qiu Juan as soon as possible.

"Then don't bother me tomorrow."

"Don't worry, if you go hunting in the east woods tomorrow, I'll go west, how about that?" Zhong Yang's foul mood was lifted by the gift, and he was willing to forgive his buddy.

Realizing that it was still early and that he didn't feel sleepy enough to make tomorrow go faster, he decided to go out with Zhong Yang to pass the time.

"Why don't you join me in chopping some yellow bamboo? I'll show you how to weave a basket. When there are more, it is more helpful, and this skill can be taught to others in the tribe.”

"All right!" Zhong Yang agreed. It would be more convenient for him to carry more things if he went hunting with a basket on his back. He'd be thrilled to go out and gather more.

When the two of them headed out, Zhong Yang's backpack stayed glued to his back.

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