Gu Mengmeng shook her head. The storage area in their cave had been expanded to more than three times its size. For the first year, Gu Mengmeng knew it was to ensure she had enough food. Elvis and Lea both ate very little, just enough to stay alive.
Last year, Cole had led her by the nose to spend winter in Sauder. Elvis did not have much time then to make preparations, but luckily they had help from the three little ones. They managed to prepare enough food in the end.
This year…
Ha, Elvis had gone into rampage mode. It was as if he couldn’t wait to butcher every single prey in sight and bring them all back. The cave was now filled to the brim. Even if the three of them ate ravenously, they would not be able to finish so much food over the winter months.
What else could she want? Nothing, really nothing…
Over the next few days, Lea left early in the morning and returned late at night, looking very travel-weary.
Gu Mengmeng’s heart ached to see him constantly on the move. She said that she could prepare the meals herself during this period and told him not to return everyday just to cook three meals for her.
After all, Lea could settle his own meals out in the wilderness. He could get more rest if he didn’t need to spend time cooking.
But Lea didn’t agree. He hugged her and said, “The daily three meals are an excuse for me to catch my breath. If I don’t make use of this reason to come back and see you, I will probably not be able to make it through these long, tiresome days.”
Gu Mengmeng’s heart was suffused with sweetness, but she still couldn’t bear to see him suffer. Hence, she offered to prepare the three meals, and he could just come back to eat with her.
But Lea held her little hand firmly. “Silly girl, your male is still alive. How can he let you suffer so?”
Failing to convince him, Lea continued to come back promptly everyday to prepare the three meals. He would hurry out to continue his work only after ensuring Gu Mengmeng was well taken care of.
The weather had turned cooler. Even without any prior experience of it, one could tell winter should be approaching soon.
“Mengmeng.” Lea draped an animal fur over Gu Mengmeng’s shoulders before wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her forehead. “It will be winter soon. Should we hold a bonfire party to celebrate a bit?”
“Mmm?” Gu Mengmeng didn’t understand. Everyone was busy preparing their own food supplies. Who would have the time to organize some bonfire party?
Lea said, “Saint Nazaire was not too peaceful the same time last year. You are back holding the fort this year and no one dares to come and create trouble. But the hearts of our people still harbor a lingering shadow of fear. Yesterday when I met Maya, she said that she still feels as if some enemy might charge in at any moment and snatch away her family’s food and kill all her males…”
“Maya..” Gu Mengmeng pondered for a moment. She had nearly forgotten about that female.
Maya was previously on good terms with Nina, and just stood by watching coolly as Nina bullied Sandy for so many years. Thereafter, Gu Mengmeng had arrived and Nina lost power. Only then did Maya distance herself from Nina and started hanging out with them.
Because of the high value of females and the desire to keep the peace and harmony within Saint Nazaire, she had not given much thought to Maya.
They lived in the same tribe but they were not close at all.
“Mengmeng.” Lea hooked Gu Mengmeng’s chin. His slanted eyes met hers and she detected the slyness behind his faint smile. Lea said in a low voice, “I want you tell Maya that you wish to get a male vulture as a partner. And that we are going to the Motou mountain range to seek out a treasure during the monsoon season.”
Gu Mengmeng looked at Lea in puzzlement. “Why should I tell her that?”