Chapter 12: Irresistibly Fragrant

The taro was washed, peeled, and cut into irregular chunks. Only a bit of chicken fat was left, so it was added to the pot.

The chicken, which had already been cut earlier, was quickly stir-fried in the wok. A sprinkle of salt and Sichuan pepper was added, followed by the sliced taro and mushrooms. After a quick toss, water was poured in, and the whole thing was left to simmer on high heat.

Before long, the pot began to bubble, and the aroma of meat drifted out of the kitchen, filling the entire courtyard with the mouthwatering smell of food.

Once the chicken and taro had softened and soaked up the flavor, Dog Milkweed was added, stir-fried briefly, and finally, the sauce was reduced over high heat. Just like that, a large, fragrant, and savory chicken stew was ready.

After the stew was done, Xie Jiu’er minced some of the taro and cooked it together with foxtail seeds to make a thick, sticky porridge. The whole family sat around, eating the hearty porridge along with their uniquely made chicken stew.

Wuyang picked up a piece of sticky taro and his eyebrows shot up. “This taro is amazing—it’s as tasty as meat! The mushrooms are so chewy too. Not bad at all.”

Xie Jiu’er took a bite of taro herself, the flavor of chicken filling her mouth. It was indeed delicious.

They’d had rabbit at noon, so none of them were particularly hungry. But with the chicken stew, no one ate ravenously—instead, each of them savored every bite slowly and carefully.

Zhou shi watched her two children eat with such gusto, especially Jiu’er, who relished each bite with a satisfied smile and crinkled eyes.

Seeing that made Zhou shi’s stomach rumble, so she quickly grabbed a piece of meat and started digging in herself.

Xiao Jinyu had spent years in the army, marching and fighting with his fellow soldiers, sharing the same meals and hardships.

Tonight’s meal hit the spot. After a few bites, he felt like his leg injury was no hindrance and thought he might be able to go hunting again tomorrow morning.

Thanks to the addition of taro and mushrooms, and the thick porridge, the meal was more than enough. Each of them left the table with full, rounded bellies and contented expressions.

After dinner, darkness had fully settled. Everyone went to bed. Right after sunset, Jiu’er and Wuyang had already placed basins of charcoal in the three rooms.

That night, they added even more charcoal to the basins. For the first time in a long while, the frigid little rooms had warmth again. The fire in the kang stove burned every day, keeping the entire house cozy.

Xie Jiu’er hadn’t slept so comfortably in years.

The next morning, Xie Jiu’er was still lost in a sweet dream when Zhou shi’s urgent voice rang out: “Jiu’er, Wuyang, get up—someone’s entered the village!”

Jiu’er and Wuyang were still getting dressed when Xiao Jinyu had already stepped outside.

Jiu’er was already thinking about moving things down into the underground cellar—all the food was stored there.

Only the pots, utensils, bedding, and the freshly made charcoal were still left outside. She pulled the charcoal while mentally tallying the things they still needed—water was definitely on the list.

The three of them bustled about, working feverishly to gather everything. Just then, Xiao Jinyu returned from a quick round outside. “No need to move anything. It’s just two people—I can handle it.”

Upon hearing that, Xie Jiu’er went out for a look. By that time, the two burly men had already roamed through most of the village and were clearly headed their way soon.

Jiu’er slipped outside and hid behind a haystack, watching the two from a distance as they rifled through the house of the village chief’s eldest son.

“Damn it, this house is all neat and tidy, but there’s not a scrap of food. It’s cleaner than a dog’s mouth. We’ve been at it all morning and haven’t found a bite,” one of them grumbled.

“Come on, let’s try that place,” said the other, waving his hand as they headed toward the home of the silly Taohua girl.

“These villagers are no fools,” said the first. “Look at this—it’s definitely human meat. In times like this, how could a humble peasant get ahold of meat if not for that?”

“Let’s go. I don’t believe everyone in the village fled. Those hamlets down the slope must still have some old folks, women, or kids. I bet at least one family stayed behind.”

As soon as the topic turned to food, the fat man with the scruffy beard licked his lips and grinned lecherously. “If only there were a young girl… get a little fun in first, then eat. Young girls’ meat is like venison—tender and sweet. Not like that old man from the other day, all stringy and stinky. Nearly broke my teeth, nasty as hell.”

Xie Jiu’er’s heart clenched with unease. Ever since she brought Xiao Jinyu down from the mountains, she had worried soldiers might come searching for him.

She expected soldiers—but instead, two cannibals. Judging from their loud voices and familiarity with such talk, these men were clearly repeat offenders.

She trusted Xiao Jinyu’s skill completely, but he was still recovering from an injury. It had only been three or four days. Though his wound looked healed on the surface, he wouldn’t hold up in a direct fight.

After thinking it through, hiding seemed like the better choice. She rushed back to the house and found Xiao Jinyu. “Those two—those two men are cannibals. I heard them talking about what they did to the elderly and women from the nearby villages… We need to hide. Your leg can’t take a beating. You’ll end up with a permanent injury!”

Xiao Jinyu remained calm, casually carving a wooden arrowhead. “What are you afraid of? I don’t need to fight them head-on. When outnumbered, you win with strategy.”

Jiu’er’s eyes lit up. “You’ve got a plan? How exactly do we outwit them? Between the four of us—one is small, one’s injured, one’s weak—none of us can really fight. No matter how clever we are, we still need a bit of strength, don’t we?”

Xiao Jinyu smirked and laid out his plan. When he finished, Jiu’er’s legs went weak and her face twisted in distress. “I saved your life! Don’t get me killed too. What if they don’t take the bait? I’ll be done for!”

“What are you worried about? I’ll be hiding in the shadows. If anything goes wrong, I’ll shoot the moment I need to. I won’t let them turn you into an appetizer.”

Jiu’er clung to the doorframe, trembling. “Can I even trust you? You’d better remember to repay kindness. I’m your lifesaver, remember that!”

Xiao Jinyu looked at her like she was about to march to her death and urged, “Get up the mountain—find what we need. If you wait too long, we’ll miss our chance.”

Before leaving, Jiu’er told Zhou shi to stew a few taros, then sprinted to the nearest hilltop by their home. She picked a few of the brightest-colored mushrooms and hurried back.

By the time the two brutes reached their door, hollering loudly, the pot of taro in the kitchen had just finished cooking.

“Second Brother! Come here—someone’s home!” one of them called.

Xie Jiu’er grabbed a separate taro from the chopping board, peeled it, and took a bite. What had to come had come. Now it was time for her performance.

“Open the door!”

“Coming,” she replied, munching on the taro as she unlatched the gate. Her heart thumped wildly. The bearded man in front of her had bloodshot eyes.

Suddenly, she recalled the story of Deng Fei in Water Margin—he too had gone red-eyed from eating too much human flesh. “Who are you? What are you doing at my house?”

The bearded man’s eyes lit up at the sight of the white taro in her hand. “Miss, we’re just starving. We came to ask for something to eat.”