Chapter 43

Ye Chuan noticed his sister’s displeased expression and felt he might have said too much. He spoke up. “Sister, this is just the way things are. Many female beasts in our tribe live like this.”

“It’s not just our tribe—other tribes are the same.”

“So don’t be upset.”

“I guess seeing how you are made me realize the difference. Comparing you to them, their behavior seems wrong.”

“You know, our aunt is actually quite capable. But most of the time, she stays at home while our uncle goes out hunting and working.”

“But she cares about him—she cherishes him, so he never feels burdened. That’s already quite good.”

“But there’s no one like you.”

“You’re busy all day, barely resting, and you even cook.”

“You know so much.”

“Even Lin Caocao and Qiu Cai, who went foraging with me before, are strong—but they still go out to gather food.”

“Once they marry beast husbands, they’ll have someone to take care of them, and they won’t need to go out and work anymore.”

Hmm…

Ye Baizhi had never really thought about it before. She recalled that every time she returned, she would see a long line of male beasts waiting outside the mill to grind soybeans. The few female beasts there were usually those who had yet to marry.

Like Grandma Li, who had fallen ill—she had once had a beast husband, but after he passed, she had no choice but to personally manage her household while raising her grandson. This was a common reality in the Beast Continent.

“No wonder there are so few elderly male beasts in the tribe while the number of female beasts is much higher.”

When Ye Baizhi mentioned this, Ye Chuan immediately recognized the pattern. “Male beasts are the ones who go out hunting and working. How could they not get injured?”

“Some suffer from old wounds, while others are simply overworked and exhausted. That’s why they tend to pass away earlier than female beasts.”

Ye Baizhi frowned slightly. “We should think of a practical solution.”

She never intended to change the rules of the Beast Continent—only to find a way to work within them. She believed the key lay in building her own strength. Later, she could set up a stall in the marketplace, or even open various shops and workshops. That way, she could hire tribe members to work. Those she hired would follow her rules.

She needed to strengthen herself—only with enough power could she protect those she cared about and seize the opportunity for revenge. Her enemies still resided in the imperial city. However, she couldn’t rush things and had to do them step by step.

As they talked, they continued working.

Ye Chuan wanted to help, so Ye Baizhi let him give it a try. After a few attempts, he shook his head. “It looks simple, but I didn’t expect it to be this difficult.”

Ye Baizhi reassured him, “Don’t be discouraged, big brother. Nothing is achieved overnight—keep practicing, and you’ll improve.”

“Oh, by the way, Yuchen and I gathered some pine resin. We can make candles.”

Ye Chuan’s eyes widened in shock. “Candles—the kind only noble beastmen can afford?”

“No way, sister, you can make candles too?”

Ye Baizhi laughed. “Not the same kind as those sold in the market—they’re a bit rougher, but they work just as well for lighting.”

“Big brother, start by heating the pine resin in a pot, like rendering oil.”

“Once it melts, strain it.”

“After filtering, pour it into small wooden tubes, like bamboo segments. Poke a hole at the bottom, thread a wick through it, then pour in the melted pine resin and let it cool to solidify.”

Ye Baizhi explained the basic method to Ye Chuan. He immediately began working on it. Whenever he encountered difficulties, Ye Baizhi gave detailed guidance.

By evening, the pine resin candles were ready.

Meanwhile, Ye Baizhi had crafted many exquisite ceramic wares using the potter’s wheel.

Ye Chuan stared at them in awe. “Amazing!”

“These are so smooth, and the craftsmanship is excellent.”

“They’re much more refined than the pottery we traded for in the market—those were rough in comparison.”

Ye Baizhi used her abilities to craft pottery swiftly and skillfully. Without them, she wouldn’t have been able to make as many ceramic jars.

Meanwhile, Xue Youchen had already helped build a clay kiln along the courtyard wall.

Ye Baizhi explained the firing process. Once the firewood was placed, the pottery could be fired. Noticing the late hour, she said, “It’s getting dark. You keep an eye on the kiln—I’ll go prepare dinner.”

“The chives we gathered today will be perfect for stir-frying with meat.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll cultivate a small vegetable patch in the yard and plant the chive seeds.”

With her wood-based abilities, she could accelerate their growth—even in winter—so there was nothing to worry about. First, she wanted her mother and brother to learn how to farm. Once spring arrived, she could organize the tribe to expand their fields and grow more crops. Everything had to be planned ahead.

She started by picking the chives. As she did, she reflected once again on the simple joy of eating purely natural food—not synthetic or engineered crops.

After gathering the chives, Ye Lu returned. Upon learning that they were firing pottery, she was both excited and thrilled. She had also brought back a collection of bird eggs.

Ye Baizhi used bird eggs and sweet potato starch to make egg pancakes. She boiled a few sweet potatoes. Then, she prepared stir-fried chives with meat.

Lighting a candle, Ye Baizhi watched as its warm glow spread through the room. At that moment, Ye Lu and Ye Chuan were speechless with emotion. Their eyes shimmered with appreciation, treasuring the sight—so much so that they couldn’t bear to blink.

Ye Baizhi reassured them, “From now on, when night falls, we can use candles for light.”

“I made plenty, so don’t hesitate to use them.”

Ye Lu’s eyes glistened as she spoke hoarsely, overwhelmed with emotion, “It’s wonderful.”

Since her daughter’s return, every day felt full of hope, and they no longer lost.

During dinner, the family gathered together under the candlelight, and the atmosphere was incredibly warm.

Ye Chuan’s face shone with excitement. “Having light at night makes such a difference.”

They were truly happy, and the delicious meal Ye Baizhi had prepared added to the joy.

Ye Lu quickly ate her food and exclaimed, “Chives are delicious! I knew so little before—I actually thought they were just weeds.”

“And the onions you mentioned—I couldn’t tell the difference between them and grass either.”

Ye Chuan nodded. “Even when I was out foraging with the team, I never would have guessed these were edible.”

“To me, they were just grass. When my sister brought them home, I thought, ‘How could grass be food?’ I never realized there was a distinction.”

Even Xue Youchen found the taste remarkably unique.

A few days later, the scheduled time for Ye Chuan’s talent bone transplant arrived. After completing the transplant, Ye Wulan seemed to have exhausted a great deal of his strength—his face was paler than ever. He coughed softly, exuding a fragile air.

Ye Baizhi hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Ye Wulan offered a faint, weak yet mesmerizing smile. “Miss Ye, there’s no need to fear me. I promised not to harm you or the Rabbit Tribe, and I will keep that promise.”

With another light cough, he presented a bundle he had prepared for Ye Baizhi. “Miss Ye, these are for you—I believe you’ll like them.”

“Thank you for your generosity.” As she looked at the items, her eyes lit up with delight, and she broke into a smile. “Doctor, where did you find these?”

Ye Baizhi’s heart raced with excitement.

It was rapeseed—fresh rapeseed that could be eaten, and once it matured into seeds, it could be used to extract oil. This was an incredible find!