The dexterous females learned quickly, while the clumsy ones smeared the dough everywhere with oil. Several people even gathered around a small dough wrapper, discussing in hushed tones how to enclose the filling.
Although they could all clearly see how she did it, if you didn't know how, you just didn't know how. The same steps yielded different results.
The task of frying the pancakes was handed over to the beastmen, and soon the first batch of oil cakes was ready.
The rich aroma made the onlookers constantly swallow. The fried cakes were placed in a wooden basin to cool. Balen, unmindful of the heat, picked one up and examined it, "Is this it?"
Shu Yue took a bowl and served herself one, "Yes, it's done. Uncle, try it and see if it's good."
"Alright, let me try." It certainly smelled good.
Taking a big bite, the heat from inside was a bit too much for his teeth. Balen opened his mouth to let it cool for a couple of seconds before chewing and swallowing.
After finishing, he nodded repeatedly, "Delicious, fragrant!"
The tribesmen, watching him eat heartily, were extremely eager. "Chieftain, can we have a taste too?"
Balen laughed heartily, took five or six cakes from the wooden basin, and tossed them towards the crowd, "Try sharing these first, there's plenty more to come!"
The tribesmen didn't care what he said and rushed to grab the cakes. Only six cakes were thrown, which wasn't enough to go around. Those who were stronger managed to get a taste or two, but even then, two bites weren't satisfying!
Next, the tribesmen's attention shifted from Shu Yue's pot to the others.
The beastmen who were frying pancakes felt immense pressure. If it weren't for the fire in front of them, they would have wanted to hug their pans close!
...
Shu Yue waited until the cakes cooled down before breaking them apart and eating them piece by piece. The texture was coarse, not as soft as steamed buns, but filled with the aroma of mixed grains and a hint of salt. They were very delicious.
"Wente, try this." She broke off a piece and fed it to the beastman.
Wente's hands were both covered in dough, so he just opened his mouth for the food, "Delicious."
"Yue Yue, the oil cakes are delicious."
Shu Yue chuckled, "Of course they're delicious. Look at how much effort we put in."
Not to mention harvesting the corn, her back ached from peeling the husks, her hands hurt from shelling the kernels, and it took a lot of effort to clean and dry each kernel before they could enjoy today's results.
Wente gazed at her with burning eyes, "Yes, it was a lot of effort, but without you, I wouldn't be able to eat such delicious oil cakes."
"..."
Shu Yue glared at him, warning him to restrain himself!
There were so many people, his gaze was too revealing!
Beside them, Hu Sha was diligently rolling out the dough and didn't notice. Wente received the signal and restrained himself slightly, shifting his attention to the dough wrapper. His pants felt a little tight.
Shu Yue naturally noticed his unusual state and thought to herself that beastmen were too shameless. She quickly looked around to see if anyone else had noticed. Fortunately, everyone else was busy grabbing cakes and didn't notice Wente's bulge.
She could only continue eating the cakes as if nothing was happening, eating one bite herself and feeding Wente one bite. Soon, two oil cakes were gone.
The new batch of meat cakes was also cooked. Balen was guarding the wooden basin where the cakes were placed, ensuring he would be the first to eat.
Shu Yue fried four batches, two of oil cakes and two of meat cakes. The males preferred the meat cakes, finding them even tastier than roasted meat!
A yawn escaped her, and sleepiness washed over her. Shu Yue couldn't help but say to Balen, "Uncle, everyone has learned now, so Wente and I will head back."
Hearing that the female was tired, Wente quickly put down the dough he was holding, patted the flour off his hands, and stood up, ready to leave.
Balen saw the fatigue on her face and nodded understandingly, "Alright, go back and rest. You've worked hard today."
Shu Yue waved her hand, "It's not hard. I'll take these few cakes with me to let my sister try them."
After saying that, she efficiently packed the remaining five oil cakes and five meat cakes.
Balen, who wanted to take another cake to eat: "..."
Fine, Yue Yue worked hard today, so it was only right for her to take a few more.
Seeing Shu Yue about to leave, the females were a little reluctant. What if they didn't know how to do something and wanted to ask?
"Shu Yue, stay a little longer. You can rest here too."
Shu Yue smiled at them and politely declined, "No, I'll go back and lie down. You'll get the hang of it as you make more. I'll teach you how to make noodles another day."
"Noodles? What are those?" The females' eyes lit up.
"It's another way to eat cornmeal. I'll teach you how to make it another day. For today, focus on learning how to make the cakes."
"Wente, let's go back." Shu Yue extended her arms.
"Okay." Wente tenderly embraced her and nodded at the tribesmen before flying back to their home.
The tribesmen watched, stunned.
Leite was capable, finishing the milling of the flour in a day. Shu Xin was extremely tired. The flour hadn't been sifted yet, and she sat in the courtyard, resting and massaging her waist from time to time.
Shu Yue returned home and saw the animal skin bags placed in the courtyard, exclaiming, "You guys are amazing! You actually finished milling the flour?"
"I was planning to come back early to help you. Leite, stop working so hard. I brought you some cakes, and they're still warm!"
She placed the cakes on the table. Leite, without washing his hands, grabbed one to eat. He had already smelled the aroma wafting from the square!
Shu Xin frowned at his unhygienic behavior, but then thought, he wouldn't get sick anyway, so she wouldn't bother him.
Shu Xin washed her hands clean before sitting down and taking an oil cake. She felt like crying.
It felt like ages since she had eaten grain!
The aroma of the cakes filled her taste buds, and coupled with the fatigue from working, she ate three oil cakes in one go, still feeling a bit unsatisfied.
Shu Yue ate the remaining two oil cakes, while Leite and Wente shared the five meat cakes.
Leite smacked his lips, "Not enough."
Wente agreed.
Shu Yue spread her hands, "That's all for today. When we make them ourselves in the future, we'll make more. Today, some tribesmen couldn't even get a bite of cake."
Wente said, "That's normal. There are too many people. When the cornmeal is distributed, the tribesmen won't get much."
Some might not even get any, like the old beastmen. They didn't participate in collecting corn, nor did they receive any flour. The tribe didn't support idlers; it was a harsh and cruel reality.
He then asked, "How much flour did we mill?"
Shu Xin glanced at the stacked animal skin bags, "About two thousand jin. That's enough for our winter."
"That's great~" Shu Yue looked at the grain in the courtyard, feeling a sense of security.
"Tomorrow we'll pick mushrooms. Let's stock up on dried mushrooms to make soup in the winter."
Wente said, "Okay. Leite and I will go out tomorrow to pick mushrooms and find tree sap."
Shu Yue patted her forehead, slumping onto the table as if exhausted, "Right, we also need to build houses. There's so much to do, just thinking about it makes me tired."
Wente sat beside her and said manfully, "You don't have to do any of the work. I'll do it."
"Mmm, Wente, you're so good~" Shu Yue's eyes instantly sparkled. She shifted her body and leaned against him. His broad shoulders were a reliable support, a different kind of security that even abundant food couldn't provide.
The beastman wrapped an arm around her body to prevent her from falling.