They returned to the tribe after being out for less than half a day.
When some tribesmen saw what they had brought back, their expressions changed. "That's not edible!"
Shu Yue explained to them, "Don't worry, mushrooms of this color are not poisonous. We'll eat a couple of meals first. If we're fine, then you can decide whether to eat them."
Went stopped and nodded at them. "You can wait two days."
After speaking, he flew away,
Leaving a few people somewhat bewildered. "Can that tree mold really be eaten?"
Another person patted him. "Didn't you hear what they said? The ones of that color can be eaten. Such an ugly thing can also be eaten?" He felt his understanding of the world had been refreshed.
"Forget it, why worry so much? If Went and his mate are fine in two days, it means it's really not poisonous."
Someone worried, "What if it's poisonous and kills us?"
After saying this, he was patted again. "Did you forget? Leite's mate understands medicine and can detoxify. Do you think they would be foolish enough to eat something poisonous?"
"...That seems reasonable."
...
News couldn't be kept quiet in the tribe. As soon as their lunch was ready, Balun arrived with three females, drawn by the smell.
Upon entering, he first saw the dried corn kernels on the ground. There was no surprise in his eyes, as if he had already known there were supplies here.
"I heard you picked tree mold to eat?" He sniffed the air. What was that smell in the yard? It was so fragrant!
Leite was roasting mushrooms, skewering a palm-sized mushroom on a thin stick over the fire.
Shu Yue explained, "This is called a mushroom. Ama, please come and sit. You must try it later; it's delicious."
"Heh heh, if Yueyue says it's delicious, then it must be good stuff." Hu Sha and the other two smiled and took their seats.
On the earthen stove in front of Went, a stew of chicken and mushrooms was simmering. It had been newly built after the rain. It was too troublesome to set up a fire pit for cooking, so an earthen stove was more convenient.
Balun always found surprises when he visited. He touched the dry stove, on which a layer of clean leaves was spread, and on the leaves were the plates and bowls to be used for eating.
The rich aroma emanated from the wooden pot, which was covered, so one couldn't see what was inside.
"Went, every time Uncle comes to your cave, I get an indescribable feeling," Balun said to Went from the doorway of the kitchen.
Went raised an eyebrow, not understanding what the other person meant.
Shu Yue seemed to understand and chuckled, "Uncle, do you mean a feeling of home?"
"Home?" Balun was confused.
"Yes, it's a feeling of home. A small place where we eat our three meals a day, and everyone sitting at the table is family, talking and laughing. Isn't this the feeling of home? And we are family," Shu Yue said, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Went as she described the feeling of home.
Unfortunately, she had never paid attention to these things before.
Her mother was a genuine socialite, always dressing herself exquisitely, even eating elegantly and rarely chatting at the dinner table.
Her father was busy with work and spent little time at home. It was only the three of them, mother and daughters, who ate together. However, even during meals, it was like a three-way standoff. She and Shu Xin were like fire and water, and every meal was a war without smoke.
Alas, thinking back to the past, there were too many regrets.
She sighed softly. When she looked up again, she suddenly realized everyone was looking at her.
"What's wrong?" Why were they all looking at her like that?
Shu Xin pursed her lips and slowly smiled, "You're right, this is the feeling of home." It was the part she had always been missing.
Balun came back to his senses and laughed heartily, "Yueyue is right. Uncle does feel that way. Every time I come here, Uncle feels completely relaxed. If I had a place to sleep, Uncle would want to stay for a night."
Of course, the latter part was a joke. Adult males had very strong territorial instincts and would not sleep in unfamiliar places under normal circumstances.
Although they possessed human emotions, they were more inclined towards instinct. They had feelings for their kin, but not much dependence. Mates and food were everything to beastmen.
Females were much more emotional than males. Balun just sighed with emotion, while Hu Sha and the other two felt regret. If they also had cubs, wouldn't their lives be like this now?
The three looked at Shu Yue with loving eyes. This child Yueyue is truly lovable~
"The roasted mushrooms are ready, try them quickly," Leite said, breaking the warm atmosphere.
Everyone's attention was drawn to a plate of roasted mushrooms. Balun picked up a piece first. Without asking if it was poisonous or anything, he took a bite.
As Balun ate, his eyes grew brighter. "This is delicious!"
A little salt had been sprinkled on the mushrooms, just enough to season them.
"Don't the roasted mushrooms taste good?" Shu Yue first gave some to the three Amas, then to Shu Xin, and took hers last. By the time she was done, there were none left on the plate.
Balun finished his in a few bites and found there were no more. He simply took his empty plate and stood in front of Leite, waiting.
A small kitchen was crowded with three tall and strong beastmen, making it feel like the house would collapse.
Leite's mouth twitched. Where was the dignity of a tribal chief for his father now!
Balun urged, "Roast more at once. How can a few pieces be enough for anyone!"
There was a whole basin of mushrooms at Leite's feet, all large pieces. Balun glanced at it. "Mushrooms of this color are not poisonous, right?"
"Yes, Uncle. Brightly colored ones are all poisonous," Went said, putting a roasted mushroom into his mouth.
After eating the mushroom, he had only one thought: his Yueyue was indeed right!
The females ate much more gracefully, taking small bites. Of course, the more they ate, the faster they ate. Shu Xin and Shu Yue hadn't eaten such plain food in a long time.
As for Hu Sha and the others, they had never eaten such good food. If not for the reserve of females, they would have eaten like Balun.
Balun nodded. "Since there are many mushrooms now, tomorrow, no... in the afternoon, we'll arrange for the tribesmen to pick them. In a few more days, the mushrooms will be gone."
For a period after the rainy season, mushrooms were most abundant. In the past, they only found these things troublesome, growing so much and so densely. If they didn't move for a few days, they would rot everywhere. Now, they wished they could slap themselves for wasting so much good food!
Indeed, the Beast God would not let a creature exist for no reason.
Went, as if he had known the other person was impatient, added, "Yueyue said mushrooms can also be dried and preserved."
Balun's bright eyes turned to Shu Yue. "Is that true?"
Shu Yue nodded after finishing her last bite. "Of course, it's true. We'll have another food to eat in winter."
Balun was very happy, so happy he wanted to gather the tribesmen right away. But seeing a new plate of mushrooms being roasted, he temporarily put aside the thought.
A large basin of mushrooms was finished amidst everyone's scramble. However, Shu Xin's combat power was too weak; she ate three pieces and stopped. Each piece was as large as a small fan, and before, she would have been full after eating one.