Chapter 70: Gaining a Fluffy Little Brown Bear

Within the depths of the shadowy cave, the light was exceptionally dim. Inside, all was silent save for the occasional crisp crackle from the blazing pile of firewood, which shattered the stillness now and then. The flickering flames cast their glow upon the surrounding stone walls and floor, bringing a touch of warmth and brightness to the cavern.

Atop the fire was an old, earthenware pot, its mouth tightly sealed, yet from within came the soft, bubbling sound peculiar to simmering chicken soup. As time passed, a rich and tantalizing aroma gradually permeated the air, filling every corner. This fragrance was like an invisible hand, lightly teasing everyone’s taste buds, stirring up ripples in calm hearts, and awakening the hunger within.

The little golden monkey was the first to succumb. Though it usually ate bananas and peaches, it sometimes joined in for a proper meal. Like a person, it relished meat, especially chicken. Previously, Lin Xiaodou had prepared spicy chicken pieces; the monkey’s mouth had burned to the point of swelling, yet it still clamored for more, a testament to its fondness for chicken.

This time it was chicken soup, even more irresistible in its savory allure. “Ooh ooh ooh!” The little golden monkey fidgeted anxiously by the fire, unable to contain its craving.

“All right, all right, I’ll serve you some,” Lin Xiaodou said, searching the pot and picking out the chicken head, neck, tail, and wings. She ladled out two pieces of chicken and some mushrooms, filling a bowl and handing it to the little monkey. For some reason, the little creature favored these odd scraps, which suited Lin Xiaodou just fine, as she never ate them herself and would otherwise have wasted them.

With a bowl of fragrant chicken soup in hand, the little golden monkey beamed, baring its big white teeth in delight. It cradled the bowl carefully and made its way toward the cave entrance. This creature had another odd habit: whenever it obtained something delicious, it liked to hide away to eat, as if fearing someone might snatch it away.

Lin Xiaodou paid it no mind, serving herself and Zhou Qinglang each a hearty bowl, heaping with wild chicken meat. The bird weighed just a little over three pounds, so there wasn’t much meat to go around. After these two servings, the pot was left with only mushrooms and broth.

Lin Xiaodou lifted her bowl, sipping the soup first. The rich flavor of chicken unfurled on her tongue—utterly delectable! She bit into a piece of meat—tender, juicy, and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste.

“Is it good?” Lin Xiaodou asked, pleased with her own handiwork, though unsure of Zhou Qinglang’s opinion.

Zhou Qinglang turned his head, a gentle smile gracing his lips. “Delicious. The soup tonight is especially wonderful.” His voice was low and resonant, almost heavenly to hear. The firelight illuminated his handsome profile, accentuating the sharp lines of his face.

Lin Xiaodou found herself momentarily lost, her gaze drawn irresistibly to the man before her. She had to admit, Zhou Qinglang possessed a face one could hardly forget.

His features seemed chiseled by a master sculptor—well-defined and exuding a singular charisma. His brows were thick and elegantly arched, like frost-laden branches, imparting an air of mystery and depth. A prominent nose, flushed lips—all lent him a heroic bearing. At that moment, though he sat there casually, a unique aura emanated from him—both elegant and noble, yet calm and self-contained, as if the world itself lay within his grasp.

And yet, for all his flawless perfection, he lacked his sight, reduced to blindness by fate’s cruel whim. Lin Xiaodou could not help but feel a pang of regret. If not for those unfocused eyes, how much more dazzling might he be?

She brushed aside the strange feeling stirring within her and said, “If you like it, have some more—there’s plenty of soup and mushrooms left in the pot.” It pleased her to have someone appreciate her cooking, no matter the era.

Lin Xiaodou seldom interacted with men, whether in the modern world or this time. Zhou Qinglang was the first. She couldn’t quite name the feeling—there was some pity, some fondness, perhaps for his eyes, perhaps for his handsome face. In any case, she thought it would be quite nice to have such a friend.

As they ate their chicken and soup, a sudden cry echoed from the mouth of the cave—the little golden monkey! Lin Xiaodou paused mid-bite and rose. “I’ll go see what’s happened.”

“I’ll come too,” Zhou Qinglang said, pulling a self-defense knife from his pocket.

“Okay,” Lin Xiaodou nodded.

Outside the cave, the little golden monkey was tussling with a chubby figure. The bowl had spilled, chicken soup scattered across the ground. When Lin Xiaodou and Zhou Qinglang reached the scene, they were greeted by a comical sight: the little golden monkey perched atop another small creature’s head, yanking its ears and scratching furiously.

That creature turned out to be a brown bear cub, just a few months old, with a dense, chocolate coat and a plump, round body. On its round little head were a pair of fuzzy ears; its eyes, big and grape-like, rolled with innocent curiosity.

The bear cub had just ambushed the monkey, snatching away its chicken soup and making off with the only two pieces of meat left. Now, it held a chicken wing in one paw and the head in the other, gnawing contentedly. The little monkey, robbed of its favorite treat, shrieked in outrage, frantically pulling at the bear’s fur—though the bear remained completely unfazed.

Two little creatures, one frantic and indignant, the other calm and unbothered, made for an amusing tableau. Lin Xiaodou couldn’t help herself and burst out laughing.

“Comrade Lin, what’s going on?” Zhou Qinglang, unable to see, asked with curiosity.

Lin Xiaodou explained the situation and stepped forward to mediate. “Little Mischief, stop fighting. I’ll get you something even better later.” She had some cooked food in her stash that the little monkey especially loved; she’d give it an extra treat before long.

“Waa, waa, waa!” The little golden monkey clung to the bear cub’s ears, baring its teeth in protest, clearly unwilling to let the matter drop.

By now, the bear cub had finished its spoils. It sniffed the air, its round eyes fixed on Lin Xiaodou with interest. She had always had a weakness for furry animals, and this cuddly cub was no exception. A thought occurred—perhaps she could win it over.

“Come here,” Lin Xiaodou called out with a smile, beckoning to the cub. Without hesitation, the little bear trotted over.

Seeing her gesture, the golden monkey grew anxious and leapt from the bear’s head into her arms, hugging her tightly like an octopus as if to declare, “Lin Xiaodou is mine—no one else can have her!”

The little jumping spider, sensing a threat, crawled out from her pocket and perched on her shoulder, waving its furry legs at the bear cub as if to warn, “I’m the boss here—step out of line and you’ll get scratched!”

The bear cub was utterly unafraid, rubbing its head affectionately against Lin Xiaodou’s leg. Lin Xiaodou smiled—this little fellow was trying to charm her, knowing she held the food.

When she led the cub toward the cave, the golden monkey protested loudly, but she promptly silenced it with a marinated chicken drumstick. The fragrant treat took the monkey by surprise—a moment of stunned silence, then a broad, toothy grin. It abandoned its protest and scampered outside to enjoy its prize.

“Huh, why did the little golden monkey go quiet? Where did it run off to?” Zhou Qinglang still hadn’t grasped what had happened.

“It was being too noisy, so I sent it out to play,” Lin Xiaodou replied, and, just as easily, produced another large drumstick from her stash, popping it into the bear cub’s mouth.

The little bear, delighted with its treat, flopped onto the ground, exposing its belly—a gesture of total submission and trust. Lin Xiaodou’s apricot eyes sparkled as she reached out to stroke its fur. Oh, how soft and silky it felt—this plushness was simply irresistible!