Chapter 37: Gathering Chestnuts – Part 2Tie Mu really wanted to keep going, but he stopped and told the other four beasts, “That was fun! You should try it later!”
Red Fruit scolded them jokingly, “Stop playing, you silly boys. Get over here and help us gather the chestnuts!”
The males hurriedly started picking th.o.r.n.y fruit from the outside.
The chestnut husk had already split apart from the fall. Some of the chestnuts still remained in the husk, so everyone had to pick chestnuts and check if there were any left inside.
Everyone was energetic and worked swiftly. Before long, the chestnuts they gathered were one meter high!
“Willow, bring the animal skin over so that we can move this batch of chestnuts back first!”
Yellow Fruit waved at a pet.i.te female standing in the corner. The female walked over meekly with her head lowered, carrying the animal skin.
Su Tang looked at Willow curiously. Since Willow had little presence, Su Tang would not have noticed her if Yellow Fruit did not talk to her.
Willow seemed to sense Su Tang scrutinizing her, so she lowered her head even more until only the top of her head could be seen!
Green Fruit explained softly, “Her name is Willow. She just came of age, but no male wants to be her partner as she doesn"t look good! The young don"t want her to watch over them either because of her looks, so Chief a.s.signed her to the gathering team!”
Su Tang immediately veered her head and said to Green Fruit apologetically, “Sorry, I didn"t know about her situation…”
Green Fruit shook her head as she smiled. “Don"t worry about it. Willow is really nice. Just give her a chance and get to know her!”
Su Tang nodded.
As they chatted, the other gatherers had transferred the chestnuts onto a piece of animal skin. Red Fruit was instructing two males to lift the skin by the corners and carry them back to the tribe!
Su Tang turned her head to ask Green Fruit, “Do you usually use animal skin to transport things? Do you use any other tools?”
Green Fruit was unsure what Su Tang asked. “What tools?”
Su Tang shook her head and stopped probing.
She mulled in her heart. If they could weave a basket or something, it would make gathering easier and more efficient!
It was so tiring to carry the chestnuts back to the tribe bit by bit!
Su Tang stood up and asked Tie Mu, “Brother Mu, I want to take a look around here and see if there is any food. Can you come with me?”
Tie Mu turned to look at Red Fruit uneasily.
Red Fruit was the leader of the gathering team, so everyone had to report to her.
Red Fruit overheard their conversation. She did not mind since Su Tang was the one who told them about the th.o.r.n.y fruit. If Su Tang could find any other type of food, it would be even better!
“Sure. Tie Mu, you must keep a close eye on Su Tang and don"t go too far. Although the hunting team has already cleared the forest of any dangerous animals, some animals might have gotten missed, so be careful!”
Tie Mu instantly nodded and straightened his back. “Don"t worry, Red Fruit! I will take good care of Su Tang!”
Su Tang smiled sweetly at Red Fruit before she told Tie Mu, “Let"s go over there for a look, Brother Mu!”
In a matter of a night, other than the males out to trade salt with the priest, everyone, including all the females and young, knew that the Chief fancied the female he had brought back to the tribe!
Hence, the moment Su Tang greeted him so sweetly, Tie Mu panicked!