Chapter 63: Scrub-a-Dub

“Big Brother, what do you think? We finally found water, so let’s all take turns washing up. I—” He wanted to say he already smelled bad.

Yan Huaiwen coughed to cut him off. “Then let’s move. While it’s still light out, everyone, hurry and pack up.”

Loose-lipped, saying everything out loud… Look at everyone—who here doesn’t have a smell?

Yan Yu’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at her father, unable to look away.

Outstanding! Handsome! Reliable!

He hunted a wild boar and found a water source.

Dad, you’re amazing!

They decided to move in two groups: half the people and supplies would go first, while the rest stayed behind to finish packing.

Even with Sanbao scouting ahead, the journey was still rough.

The donkey cart got stuck on a large rock and had to be pushed free.

The mule threw a tantrum and refused to move, so they had to drag it forward by force.

They had to stay particularly alert, in case something suddenly jumped out.

The men gripped their wooden sticks tightly—if anything dared approach, they would beat it back without hesitation.

When people have a goal, nothing can stand in their way.

Rocks in the path, grass underfoot—they kicked them aside and stomped through.

Finally, they saw the small creek glistening in the sunset.

Everyone fell silent, as if making any noise might scare it away.

“Giggle…”

The children didn’t care about that. Their love for water made them rush forward without thinking.

They were swiftly grabbed by their mothers.

Suppressing their thirst, the group first set up camp in the area marked out by Yan Lao’er.

Meanwhile, those who had been waiting finally spotted the unmistakable figure of Sanbao.

After unpacking their things, they didn’t just sit idle—they made plenty of torches, attaching some to the carts and holding others in their hands.

The flickering flames illuminated the darkening forest.

The mountains at night were far less safe than during the day.

Carnivorous beasts were most active after dark.

Fortunately, the journey was eventful but not dangerous.

When they reached their destination, the surrounding fire pits lit up the forest brightly.

Yan Huaiwen forbade anyone from getting into the water at night. Even fetching water required two people—one to scoop, the other to hold a torch.

But that didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for washing up.

The mountain stream was cold, so they didn’t dare use it directly. Instead, they heated the water before washing, and the dirt practically melted off without scrubbing.

It was horrifying to look at!

The women started with the children, grabbing whichever one they could.

These little dirty kids hadn’t bathed in a month. They were reluctant, not thinking they were dirty at all.

But when the filthy water dripped to the ground, they stepped in it, covering their feet in mud again.

Only after getting a few swats from their mothers did they finally settle down—until they started playing and splashing water again.

Don’t ask. Just know it was exhausting.

Once the children were clean, they were repeatedly warned: Don’t get dirty again. Don’t mess up your fresh clothes.

The freshly scrubbed kids looked at each other curiously.

“So this is what you look like when you’re clean…”

When the women finally took turns washing themselves, Yan Lao’er found a few trees growing closely together and, rather extravagantly, used coarse cloth to create a private space.

He had been fetching water nonstop and now moved the charcoal stove over, heating water continuously.

Seeing that the small charcoal stove was too slow, he started digging a pit nearby to build a proper stove.

Before he could finish, Da Ya shyly approached.

“Uncle,” she called softly.

Yan Lao’er nodded at her without a word and walked away.

Li Xuemei carried a basin of soapberries that Da Ya had mashed and soaked in water for half a day.

Step by step, she steadily walked over.

She pushed both Da Ya and Er’ya inside and stood guard outside.

Inside, her daughter was already protesting:

“Da Ya-jie, I can wash myself! You don’t have to scrub me—I can do it myself!”

Da Ya said nothing, firmly holding Er’ya’s little arms and scrubbing away.

“Da Ya-jie, really! Let go, and I’ll wash myself to show you—”

Da Ya remained silent, turned Er’ya around, and kept scrubbing.

“Da Ya-jie, can you be gentler? Waaa! It hurts!”

Hearing this, Da Ya lightened her touch—and gently continued scrubbing.

Outside, Li Xuemei chuckled as she handed them water, imagining how unwilling her daughter must be.

But the poor girl was small and weak—no match for Da Ya’s determined hands.

“How about I wash your hair instead, Da Ya-jie? I can do a great job!”

“Er’ya, I can wash my own hair.”

“But it’s hard for you to do it alone. Let me help!”

“Not yet, Er’ya. Your hair needs another wash first.”

By the time Yan Yu and Da Ya emerged, Yan Yu looked dazed.

She had washed her hair five times!

And judging by Da Ya’s expression, if she hadn’t used up all the soaked soapberries, she would have been dragged in for a sixth round.

Was she really that dirty?!

“Mom! Can you soak some more soapberries for Da Ya-jie? I used them all up.” Her cheeks were flushed—either from the hot water or from newfound embarrassment.

“It’s too late today. Let’s eat and sleep first, then wash again tomorrow,” Li Xuemei told Da Ya.

Da Ya nodded. Unlike Er’ya, she and her aunt had short hair, which could dry by the fire.

It was best for them to wash their hair during the day to avoid catching a chill at night.

Back at camp, the village women all had their hair tied up, contrasting with their freshly washed faces.

Tonight, Yan Lao’er truly showed off his skills.

He made red-braised pork.

Using the fatty cuts, he cooked them in rich soy sauce until they gleamed a mouthwatering deep red. As the wok spat and sizzled, the trembling, glistening pieces of pork seemed to greet Yan Yu.

Yan Yu: Drooling uncontrollably.

Whoa!

Her dad even had two stoves going—on the other one, a pot of white rice was bubbling away.

Waaa! White rice! Red-braised pork!

Tears of joy welled in her eyes.

The rice was perfectly cooked—fluffy and distinct grains.

Her dad was getting better and better at using the earthen stove, mastering the right amount of water and heat.

She placed a piece of red-braised pork on top of her rice—this deserved a picture.

The ultimate classic combo.

Too bad it had no skin.

A small regret, but she understood.

Wild boar skin was difficult to clean and a bit unsanitary—removing it was the right choice.

With nimble fingers, she used chopsticks to mash the pork into her rice.

Chomp!

The fragrant rice, with its slight chewiness, blended perfectly with the soft, tender pork.

But, to be honest…

This wild boar wasn’t as flavorful as domesticated pork. Even with soy sauce, there was still a lingering gamey taste.

Maybe this was the so-called “wild taste”?

After dinner, Li Xuemei brewed some honeysuckle tea to cleanse the palate.

One by one, the villagers drifted off to sleep, exhausted from the day’s work.

The Yan family was no exception.

Only the three of them fought off sleepiness, waiting for the platform to open.

(End of Chapter)