Chapter 8: Cooking the Meat with Vegetables

Clara really wanted to take a bath, feeling a bit uncomfortable. As she twisted her back, her injury stung, and she let out a soft gasp. It hurt!

Mateo's nose was very sensitive, and he immediately caught a whiff of the blood. "You're injured!" Mateo said, his voice filled with concern as he looked at Clara.

"It's okay!" Clara reassured him.

"What do you mean it's okay? I'm your partner, and I need to protect you," Mateo said, getting agitated. He reached over, sniffing her back and pulling up her clothes to reveal several scratch marks on her fair skin. He felt anger welling up inside him. "Who hurt you? I'll get revenge for you."

Clara was initially shocked by Mateo's actions. However, his concern warmed her heart. It was the first time someone had shown such worry for her. This Mateo was not only cute but also had a fiery temper.

"It's really nothing! It'll heal in a couple of days," she tried to reassure him. Before she could finish, Mateo leaned in and started sniffing her back, his warm breath washing over her skin, making her blush.

"I know! It was Dani, the fox!" Mateo's nose was truly remarkable. Clara quickly fixed her clothes and said, "It wasn't intentional, and you shouldn't be impulsive!"

"So it was Dani..." Mateo mused.

Clara had the urge to bite her tongue. Oh dear, why was she acting so foolish?

"When she finds a partner, I'll beat up her partner to get revenge for you," Mateo said as he rubbed Clara's back, trying to comfort her.

Clara sighed, worried about Dani's future partner. The poor guy would be targeted for no reason. Dani was just too cute. She had been marked without any cause.

Today, they had another round of roasted meat. Clara washed the vegetables she had collected with clean water and surveyed the messy room. She found a turtle shell and arranged the vegetables in it. She wished they had a pot to make soup with the meat and vegetables. Meat broth with some vegetables would taste amazing. She noticed a broken ceramic pot among the clutter, indicating that someone had used it before. She resolved to ask Gloria about the origins of the pot tomorrow.

Mateo watched Clara washing the vegetables and wondered why she was cleaning them. The grass wasn't edible. She must be a dim-witted female, and he needed to teach her how to identify plants. She should never eat anything poisonous. Many of their tribe members had died from consuming toxic plants.

Clara grabbed a fruit knife, about the size of her palm, and approached Mateo, who had already roasted the meat. She said, "Let me do it!" She didn't want to gnaw on meat today. She wanted to enjoy a meal like a normal human being.

Clara sliced the meat into thin strips and placed them neatly in the turtle shell. If only they had some salt. Mateo watched Clara cutting the meat, and his eyes were fixed on the neat slices. He couldn't believe that this delicate female could produce such perfect cuts. He was also curious about the shiny object Clara held in her hand; it seemed quite impressive.

Once Clara finished cutting the meat into slices, she folded the knife and set it aside. Then she prepared the "vegetable meat wrap." Seeing Mateo squatting nearby, observing her every move, she handed him the vegetable meat wrap and said, "Here! You can have some first!"

Mateo shook his head vigorously, and his emerald eyes remained fixed on the vegetable meat wrap. He acted as if he were looking at poison. Clara thought he must have never eaten this before and assumed it was inedible. "These are edible vegetables," Clara prepared to eat one herself to show him it was safe.

Mateo acted incredibly fast and slapped the vegetable meat wrap out of Clara's hand, shouting, "Don't eat it; it's poisonous!"

Clara was sweating. How could this vegetable meat wrap be poisonous? In Korean cuisine, she loved eating meat wrapped in vegetables. This time, she wrapped another one to eat and show it was safe to Mateo. But once again, Mateo swiftly batted it away, squatting in front of Clara and remaining incredibly vigilant. 

Clara realized that if they continued like this, they wouldn't be able to eat today. "Oh! Gloria, how did you come here?" Clara looked towards the door.

Mateo, upon hearing that someone was at the door, quickly turned to look. Clara took the opportunity to stuff the vegetable into her mouth. But Mateo, realizing there was no one at the door, knew he had been deceived. He turned to see Clara had already eaten the vegetable and urged, "Clara, spit it out quickly! You might die."

Clara swallowed hastily, and with her mouth wide open, she said, "I ate it, and I'm fine. This vegetable is edible."

Mateo was very concerned, and he was still a bit sad. He almost couldn't bear the thought of this female dying. However, after a while, when he saw that she was perfectly fine and still energetic, he became more at ease. He could see that she wanted to give him another vegetable meat wrap. He wasn't sure if it was safe, but he opened his mouth, and Clara placed it inside. He chewed slowly.

Mateo's eyes immediately lit up. It was indeed very delicious. Both of them finished the meat and vegetables, but Mateo felt a bit unsatisfied. Clara, on the other hand, felt increasingly delighted. Having a partner was truly wonderful!

Clara packed up their belongings, brushed her teeth with the clean water, and considered washing her body. However, the conditions weren't suitable, and she couldn't possibly wash herself in this room. Plus, the water in the pot was running low.

Mateo had been waiting for Clara to sleep. When he saw her finally coming, he moved over a bit to make space and patted the ground beside him. Clara looked around and found no other place to sleep, so she reluctantly lay down beside him. Mateo reached out and scooped her into his arms. Clara stiffened, remembering how he had held her while sleeping the previous night. She hoped he wouldn't try anything this time.

Clara remained still, her hands protecting her chest as she curled up. Mateo didn't make any moves either; he simply held her like a pillow. Soon, Mateo fell asleep, treating her as if she were indeed a pillow. If this meant she could sleep safely and warmly, then so be it. Life had to continue, and Clara was determined to make the best of her situation. Tomorrow was uncertain, but she was ready to work hard. Everything could be achieved through determination.

On the second day, Mateo went hunting as usual, while Clara went to the forest to collect willow branches. She needed to make amends with Gloria. In this place, friends were crucial, and Gloria had been very kind to her.

After weaving a basket, Clara headed out to look for Gloria. When she reached the entrance, she realized she had no idea where Gloria's home was. She was completely unfamiliar with the area. So, she took the basket and went into the forest, hoping to meet Gloria or find something useful along the way.

Life had its priorities: clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. Clothing was the most crucial. Clara had changed into animal hide clothing, which made her feel quite stuffy. But for now, it was the best substitute, and she would search for cotton or something similar in the future.

Spinning thread and weaving fabric, with men working the fields and women weaving, was indeed an idyllic vision.

But oh well, what was the point of daydreaming about that now? She needed to find food! At this rate, she might develop high blood pressure.

Clara entered the forest, where there weren't many beast. As soon as she arrived, all eyes were on her. She couldn't spot Gloria, so she decided to search the forest for something edible.

She began by taking out her small knife and started looking for any plants she recognized or that felt warm to the touch when she touched them.

This leaf felt nice, but it turned out to be a vine!

How do you eat this? Clara dug into the ground following the vine. Haha... she found yam! This was her favorite! She could add some to her meat stew, and it would be both a beauty treatment and a nourishing dish! She also found sweet potatoes, their yellow skins surprising her. In her memory, these grew in the autumn, so why were they here in spring? Could they be something other than sweet potatoes?