Returning from the riverbank, Bai Sasa and Xiao Shan were greeted by the sight of Bai Junjun holding a crossbow and smiling triumphantly.
They were initially stunned, but soon started to giggle foolishly along with her.
Bai Sasa also proudly held up the cleaned wild boar, her face conveying a plea for praise, "Big sister, look!"
The wild boar was already on its last breath, and had stopped breathing halfway back, so Bai Sasa felt much less psychological pressure while handling it.
Although the wild boar was small, it was covered in bristles, and without salt or oil, they didn’t know the best way to deal with it.
After some discussion, they decided to roast it over a fire.
Bai Sasa had often helped Madam Liu as an assistant, from whom she had learned quite a bit about cooking, so the task of roasting the wild boar was entrusted to her.
Bai Sasa never imagined that by going out to look for her younger brother, she would somehow end up stealing a wild boar and even roasting it.
But while roasting a pig was easy, the organ meat posed a dilemma.
Bai Junjun felt that it was edible.
But when looking at the colorful intestines and big heart, it was too easy to associate them with Zombies, so although it was edible, she thought it better not to eat it, since they weren’t short of food here.
Bai Sasa agreed, having experienced on the road that when desperate, even clumps of dirt could be nibbled on, let alone these livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys. But the thought of those driven by famine to eat their own children made it difficult for her to swallow the organ meat.
Xiao Shan was more straightforward, stating, "We hunters don’t eat the organs."
"Then what do you eat?" Bai Junjun was intrigued.
"We eat meat," Xiao Shan answered as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Both Bai Junjun and Bai Sasa were amused by his response.
"But we would skin it and either sell the hide or make it into water bladders. This pig’s bladder can also hold water."
Xiao Shan pointed out the usable parts like a little adult explaining things.
Bai Junjun was somewhat surprised, recalling the four or five water bladders Old Uncle Qiu had given her, which were black and... perhaps also made from pig bladders???
All of a sudden, Bai Junjun felt somewhat uncomfortable looking at the water bladder she had always carried with her. Eventually, she coughed lightly and said, "We have water cups now, so not using animal products is also an option. Only with environmentalism can we have sustainable development."
Xiao Shan didn’t quite understand, but it didn’t really matter anymore.
The group had already decided to give up on the pile of organs and bury them on the spot.
Being unable to finish an entire roast pig in one sitting, Bai Junjun led them to the storehouse after they had eaten.
Seeing the former bedroom turned into a storehouse and another room added to the tree was a surprise for both of them.
Yet Bai Junjun took it in stride, "Actually, I started digging yesterday, and I rushed it a bit just now. However, we still lack some food containers, tables, chairs, and so on. This afternoon, you two will do some handcrafting here."
"What about you, big sister?" Bai Sasa perceptively sensed something amiss about Bai Junjun.
"I’m going to check the traps to see if there’s any news of Xiao Yu," Bai Junjun conceded without concealing it.
Bai Sasa was startled at first, and although she really wanted to follow, she knew Xiao Shan would insist on going too, which could potentially hinder their elder sister; that would be even worse.
The sensible Bai Sasa weighed her options many times before reluctantly accepting the decision to stay at the main base and wait for news.
So, after ensuring the two would stay home and guard the place, Bai Junjun ventured out once more.
Before leaving, Bai Junjun didn’t forget to take a sip of Magical Wood Water to warm up her body.
Fortunately, despite the overcast weather, it didn’t rain, and Bai Junjun moved through the forest as she tried to determine just how large the area was.