Chapter 48: Grilled Snake Meat

“Sanbao! Free and random cow dung drop!” Yan Yu shouted the command.

The family of three did nothing but wait.

They were too curious.

Similar yet different dried forage plopped onto the ground.

Truly—an eye-opener.

Yan Lao’er collected the forage cakes—nothing could be wasted. Mixing them with fresh greens would still make good feed…

This time, they received about two pounds each of chicken, fish, and pork, along with rice, flour, and seasonings. Perhaps because they had emptied the shelves last time, the platform thought they were short on these and increased the quantity.

As usual, they turned the meat into jerky.

Yan Lao’er fed Sanbao some water, instructing it to clean itself thoroughly. Then, he emptied all the bottles and jars of water into Sanbao’s mouth.

“Next time we trade for water, let’s just have Sanbao open its mouth and stand there—see if we can pour it straight in. We waste too much with all this back and forth,” Yan Lao’er said, pained by the thought.

“But you still had it drink water to rinse itself. That alone took nearly half a bottle,” Li Xuemei pointed out as she mixed dandelions, elm seeds, and shepherd’s purse—wild greens they had foraged.

Yan Yu shrugged. “It’s really just psychological. Sanbao can sterilize forage at high temperatures—its stomach is cleaner than the outside.”

She used a little water to rinse two sausages that had fallen to the ground.

Breaking one into three pieces, she popped one into her mouth, stuffed one into her father’s, and handed the last to her mother.

More starch than meat—but who cared? They craved that familiar taste.

“Nothing comes with packaging anymore—it’s a headache. We’d better eat this fast before it spoils,” Yan Lao’er said, snatching the remaining sausage from his daughter’s hand and devouring it in two bites.

Every time the platform opened and closed, they were on edge—anticipation before, excitement after.

Li Xuemei finished sorting the wild greens and moved on to the beans.

“Perfect for making three-bean soup. Great for cooling off in summer. The platform is surprisingly thoughtful.”

Yan Yu nodded. “Sister Yu got the inflatable boat she wanted. Once she recovers, she can head to an inland city. Things should be better there.”

“Not necessarily. You think it doesn’t rain in inland cities?” Yan Lao’er was skeptical. “The real solution is for the platform to give her a proper ship. Actually—why stop there? If the winds keep getting stronger, she’ll need something bigger—how about an aircraft carrier? Solve the problem once and for all!”

“Dad, you’re more imaginative than a novelist.” Yan Yu was impressed.

“We should head back soon. Best to store everything away while it’s still dark,” Li Xuemei said, patting the neatly stacked parcels beside her.

“Heh, we can finally swap out those empty bundles. They were stuffed with straw…”

Yan Lao’er thought of the village’s mules and donkeys.

“I’ll sneak over and feed them later.

Horses grow strong on midnight snacks—why not mules and donkeys? Who doesn’t love a late-night bite?”

And while he was at it, he’d clean up after Sanbao…

—

Back at camp, Yan Lao’er waved to the night watch, briefly illuminating his face with a torch.

The person across nodded and raised their torch in response.

“Dad, it’s only been a few days, and you guys already have secret signals?” Yan Yu whispered.

Yan Lao’er lowered his voice. “Pitch dark out here. Gotta use some kind of signal. Shouting would wake the whole village.”

He deliberately led the ox through the livestock area, quietly dropping off a few bags of feed.

When they reached their cart, the three of them moved carefully.

Yan Lao’er and his wife swapped out the empty bundles while Yan Yu stood guard, eyes wide with seriousness.

Luckily, everyone was sleeping soundly.

Yan Lao’er hauled several sacks of straw away, chopped them up, then returned with a rake to the mules and donkeys.

Mixing fresh and dried feed, he poured it into the trough. The animals instinctively came over and began eating.

Da Ya drowsily shifted when she felt her aunt and cousin climbing in, making space for them.

Li Xuemei massaged her waist, lay down, and instantly fell asleep.

Yan Yu yawned and unceremoniously hugged her cousin, quickly dozing off.

—

By the time Yan Lao’er returned, the entire family was asleep—except him.

He grabbed a handful of dirt, patted his face, ruffled his already messy hair, and shook off his fatigue. Then, leading Sanbao, he went to find the Qi brothers.

“Brother Qi Da, Brother Qi Si, Brother Qi Wu—wake up!”

His trembling voice could have scared anyone else awake in the dead of night, but the Qi brothers were thick-skinned.

“Yan Er? What’s wrong?” Qi Da was the first to wake, followed quickly by Qi Si and Qi Wu.

“Keep it down! Come with me.” Yan Lao’er crouched low and climbed onto his ox without explaining, urging, “Hurry, hurry!”

The three brothers, trusting him, followed without question.

Yan Lao’er rode ahead while they jogged behind, soon reaching the charcoal-burning site.

He tumbled off the ox, pointed with a trembling finger, and shrieked, “Look! Look over there—my god, I nearly died!”

Raising their torches, the Qi brothers followed his gaze.

Good heavens!

What a massive snake!

They instinctively backed away in alarm.

Then they noticed—it was already dead.

Under the flickering light, they examined the enormous creature.

“That was close! So close!” Yan Lao’er acted thoroughly shaken.

“I don’t know where it came from—it just appeared and started chasing me…

I lost my shoe, lost my charcoal…

Thank god for our ox…

Lucky my wife and daughter went back early. If they had run into this thing—I don’t even want to think about it!”

Qi Wu stretched out his hands—the snake was so thick he couldn’t wrap them around it.

“Damn, Yan Er, this thing’s huge! Almost a demon!”

“I’ve heard rumors that oxen eat snakes—turns out it’s true!” Qi Si eyed Sanbao with newfound respect. A guardian beast, full of spiritual energy.

Having worked at a coffin shop, he had heard plenty of strange tales. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Yan Lao’er’s ox had come to repay a debt of gratitude.

Qi Da clapped Yan Lao’er on the back. “As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters!”

Yan Lao’er: I’d be better if you stopped slapping me…

Once the initial shock passed, the Qi brothers’ eyes gleamed.

Meat!

So much meat!

The snake had transformed from a terrifying beast into a feast in their minds.

—

Sanbao lost the battle for carrying rights—the Qi brothers insisted on hauling the snake themselves.

By the time they returned to camp, dawn was breaking.

Yan Lao’er, concerned about scaring the women and children, suggested butchering it first. The Qi brothers agreed.

They swiftly skinned it, chopped the meat into large chunks, and placed them in several basins.

Children who had woken up early abandoned their breakfast, gathering around the fresh meat, staring hungrily and sucking on their fingers.

Yan Lao’er, ever generous, called out, “Talk about a blessing in disguise! Let’s all share in the good fortune—no need to cook separate breakfasts! Everyone, come taste some little dragon meat!”

After all, a snake this big—it wasn’t wrong to call it a ‘little dragon.’

Even those reluctant to take advantage of Yan Lao’er couldn’t resist a bite.

—

(End of Chapter)