She poured some water from the small clay pot into one of the larger pot and set it over the fire. Once it began to warm, she sliced the meat into thinner strips and dropped them in, letting the heat slowly coax it back to life.
The smell wasn't great, but it was food.
She turned to the potatoes next, washing off the dirt and carefully scraping the skins with the stone knife. They were misshapen and small, nothing like the ones from home, but they would fill the stomach.
As she worked, her mind drifted back to the males who had blocked the path earlier.
Female is female.
Her grip tightened slightly.
In their eyes, she wasn't Ningning. She was a womb. A scarce resource. Something to be passed around.
Her gaze slid to the cave entrance.
Weijie had not hesitated for even a breath.
Touch her and you are courting death.
The memory sent an unfamiliar warmth through her chest.
She dropped the potatoes into the pot and tied the thyme and rosemary together before adding them in. The herbs floated briefly before sinking, releasing a faint, comforting scent.
"This is really starting to feel like a survival game.." she muttered.
The ingredients were too limited for her to use the cookbook, if she wanted to use it she would have to pick out a recipe from the book and then look for the ingredients beforehand.
And she didn't have the strength to do that today.
[Doudou: Would you like to receive your reward now? You are alone in the cave..]
Ningning shredded the meat with her hand and then placed it on top the potato.
Luckily for her the cooking equipments also came with cutlery.
"Sure thing. Give it to me."
She hadn't seen the face of this body since she woke up in this new world. Even though she was still chubby, she was curious as to what her features were.
[Doudou: Reward for task completion 1]
[One wooden mirror]
[Additional reward: Addition of a new book. {How To Ride A Beastman 101} This is a book containing one hundred and one sex positions to try out with your partner. I will encourage Dumpling to read it diligently]
-_-
What?
WHAT?!!!
"Doudou, why the hell would you give me this type of book?!"
[Doudou: If you haven't noticed, there are alot—scratch that, all the females here also have their eyes on Weijie, if you're not careful they will take him away from you..]
Ningning bit her lips, staring at the book with slight disgust.
Being herself was no longer an option?
"This sucks big time. Give me that world view book as well. I'll read them both.."
[Done.]
Two leather covered book appeared in her hand as she sighed, it needed to be done.
"Let's clean this place up. I will eat as I read.."
She placed the pot containing the food on the table and used a small pot to cover her food. Next she gathered the spoon, knife and whatever she used to cook.
She brought them to the small clay pot and began scooping some water into it.
The food she made wasn't particularly greasy, she didn't have oil but it seemed the cooking might have left some residue.
Her eyes searched through the basket, looking for anything even close to soap.
"There's no soap.."
Ningning tapped the ground, deep in thoughts.
Having no soap at a time like this would be dangerous.
And with the way these horndogs go at it.
There would be alot of bacterial and fungal infections going around.
Soap was a necessity.
"My handsome, lovely Doudou.." she called out sweetly.
[…]
[No. No. I won't give it to you free of charge]
Ningning beamed, at least he didn't say he won't give her, he said just not for free.
She could work with that.
"State your price, I'll do anything.."
If only she could see the smile that appeared on Doudou's face when she said this.
[Very well. My request is for you to do position 78 on the sex guide book.]
Ningning sighed, she knew this was a trap but she would risk it anyways.
"Sure, I accept and in exchange you give me two soap types, one for bathing and make sure it doesn't irritate the skin and one for washing. And I want a year's supply, I should have one of those system inventory right? Keep it there.."
[…]
[You really are something. Very well, I'll grant you this request.]
Ningning smiled at least one crisis was averted.
[Ding!]
[Exchange successful]
Two bars of soap appeared in her hand.
The one of her left hand had a flowery scent while the one on her right hand had a rough smell.
At least it was easy to differentiate which was which.
She placed the bathing soap on a leaf and then began washing the pots.
Once she was done it was time to toss out the dirty water.
She grabbed the pot, then walked to the entrance.
Just when she was about to throw the water out, a shadow appeared.
"Ah fuc—"
Ningning nearly twisted her wrist to avoid the water touching the person and the clay pot fell to the ground.
Scattering into a million pieces.
"My pot!"
Ningning sighed, she just started using this pot, if even if it was glued back together it wouldn't be the same.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to startle you.."
Ningning looked up to see a fair skinned, blonde woman in front of her.
Her lips twitched when she saw her clothing, the skirt was even tinier than the one Weijie got for her.
"It's okay. I can get a new one." Ningning sighed and started picking the pieces. Weijie didn't wear shoes so it would be best not to leave these laying around.
"I'm Xiaoli. I live in the cave next door. I smelled something delicious and it led me to your cave. What are you cooking that smells so good?"