Xiao Shan was only wearing a grass skirt, and after being washed by the river, any remaining dirt on everyone had been cleaned off. At this moment, Xiao Shan looked like a peeled egg, white and blinding to the eyes.
Bai Sasa made a great effort not to laugh.
She stood up with concern, "Xiao Shan, do you feel any better? Why don’t you rest a little more?"
"His fever is gone, but he’s also hungry," Bai Junjun stated calmly.
Bai Sasa understood and stood up.
"I’ll go get some food right now."
Bai Junjun calmly walked to the edge of the grass and picked up the frog that was struggling until it was exhausted, and asked.
"!" Bai Sasa’s eyes widened, where did this frog come from, and why is it so big!
Just as Bai Sasa was dumbfounded, Xiao Shan took a gulp of water and loudly answered.
The two silently looked at Xiao Shan, unsure.
"Mountain frog," Xiao Shan calmly pointed at the frog.
Since Xiao Shan said so, it should be alright. After all, Xiao Shan did come from a hunter’s background.
So Bai Sasa and Bai Junjun exchanged a glance and silently got to work.
Bai Sasa went to the stream to deal with the frog, while Bai Junjun continued Bai Sasa’s work, using a stone awl to carve cups and bowls.
Xiao Shan watched Bai Junjun do the handcraft with a trace of interest kindling in his eyes.
Bai Junjun noticed and asked with a smile, "Want to give it a try?"
"Mhm," Xiao Shan nodded.
So Bai Junjun waved him over, and Xiao Shan silently walked over to work beside her.
Although the block of wood was large, it was soft and easy to carve into bowls. Bai Sasa by the brook, however, was not having an easy time.
She had dealt with frogs in the jungle before, but those were small, palm-sized frogs, and the one now was as big as a faceplate.
The frog’s eyes were bigger than her fist; how was she supposed to deal with that?
It took Bai Sasa a great deal of effort to persuade herself. She closed her eyes, slit open the belly, cleaned it up, and carried it back, all in one go.
Bai Junjun couldn’t help but laugh at the complex expression on Bai Sasa’s face.
"If I knew you were afraid, I should have dealt with it before giving it to you."
Bai Sasa showed a resigned smile, "No, I’m not squeamish at all. Please continue to leave it to me next time!"
"..." Bai Junjun sighed helplessly.
Indeed, she had been negligent. She would pay more attention next time.
Yet, Bai Sasa was happy. Having overcome the challenge, she felt capable of not only dealing with large frogs but also tangling with big tigers.
By then, Bai Sasa, with her chef’s spirit high, was all set to roast the frog, so Bai Junjun collected Xiao Shan’s clothes for him to change into.
Xiao Shan, not daring to stray too far from them, didn’t go upstairs and instead changed in the corner.
Bai Sasa couldn’t help but ask Bai Junjun, "Elder sister, how’s Xiao Shan’s mood?"
"Don’t you find it a bit strange?"
"Indeed, very strange," Bai Junjun nodded candidly,
Xiao Shan had survived several dangerous situations and had witnessed Madam Liu falling into the river.
Theoretically, upon waking, he should have been in tears, yet Xiao Shan hadn’t mentioned Madam Liu at all. Aside from being a bit clingy, there was nothing unusual about him. Wasn’t it weird?
The sisters looked at each other but said nothing until the frog meat turned from red to white and then to golden brown, emitting waves of mouth-watering scent, and only then did they gather together to formally eat.
Xiao Shan ate a frog leg, Bai Sasa ate a frog leg, and Bai Junjun, being slightly disadvantaged, ate two wings.
While Xiao Shan was earnestly nibbling on a frog leg, Bai Junjun felt the time had come to start a conversation.
"Xiao Shan, do you remember what your name is?"
"Xiao Shan," he blinked and calmly replied.
"Elder sister, you just mentioned his name. Of course, he knows what he’s called," Bai Sasa said, weakly resting her forehead in her hand.