Chapter 13: Wild Ginger

While the python had lost its ability to fight, Pan Mengyan rushed forward again, pressing down the snake’s head and pounding it fiercely. The python writhed in pain, even coiling around Pan Mengyan’s body. Seeing this, Gouzi immediately ran over and bit the python’s tail, pulling with all his might to drag it off Pan Mengyan.

After about ten forceful strikes, Pan Mengyan finally smashed the python’s head to a pulp. Staring at the dead snake, she was filled with fear and exhaustion. This enormous python had nearly taken her life had she not reacted quickly; the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Seeing that the python was thoroughly dead, Pan Mengyan finally relaxed, collapsing weakly to the ground with cold sweat covering her forehead. She gasped for air, trying to steady her racing heart.

“Finally, it’s over. That scared me to death. Luckily, Gouzi was here to help.” She glanced gratefully at Gouzi beside her. Without his assistance, she might not have been able to defeat this ferocious python.

“Are you alright?” Gouzi asked with concern.

“I’m fine, just a bit exhausted. I’ll rest for a while, then deal with the python,” Pan Mengyan said as she slowly stood up, preparing to dispose of the snake.

Seeing this, Gouzi returned to his nest and lay down again. He knew his owner needed time to recover her strength, so he waited quietly.

After resting for a while, Pan Mengyan felt her energy gradually returning. She stood up, dragged the python’s corpse to the pond, and began gutting it. Once the python was processed, she filled a pottery jar with water, brought it to the bonfire, cut the snake meat into segments, and tossed it into the jar.

Then, she placed the pottery jar in the fire pit where the flames had died down to embers.

“Let it simmer here. We’ll continue working on the vegetable plot. By the time we return, the snake meat should be nearly done.”

“Alright. Let’s also see if we can find some wild ginger. Otherwise, the cold nature of the snake meat might upset our stomachs.”

With that, the two left the cave and headed toward the vegetable plot.

“I’ll go gather rotten leaves. You keep working on the soil, break up the larger clumps and pick out the stones,” Pan Mengyan said before heading off toward the small ditch in the woods.

Jiang Ruoxi crouched down and began turning the soil with a makeshift hoe she had previously fashioned from stone. Midway through, Pan Mengyan returned carrying rotten leaves and spread them over the areas Jiang Ruoxi had already worked.

Working together in this division of labor, they quickly finished preparing the plot. Pan Mengyan mysteriously approached Jiang Ruoxi and said with a grin, “Look what I found?”

Jiang Ruoxi looked up at her hands. “Where did you find ginger?”

Pan Mengyan replied triumphantly, “Right there in that patch of woods! I just spotted a small cluster!”

“Wow, that’s fantastic! We can transplant it and grow our own,” Jiang Ruoxi said happily.

“Mm, let’s head back soon to check on the snake stew and add some ginger to it,” Pan Mengyan said with a smile.

As they chatted, they made their way back to the cave. Upon entering, a rich aroma greeted them.

“Wow, it smells amazing!” Jiang Ruoxi exclaimed in admiration.

“It should be about done stewing. Adding some ginger not only helps ward off the cold but also enhances the flavor of the snake meat.” Pan Mengyan lifted the lid and took a look. “Hmm, it looks really good.” After saying this, she tossed the ginger into the pottery jar, covered it, and continued stewing.

After stewing for another twenty minutes or so, they brought out bowls and chopsticks, ladled a bowl of snake soup, and sat by the cave entrance to slowly savor it.

“The taste is really good!” Jiang Ruoxi took a sip of the soup and praised it profusely.

“Indeed, food made by our own hands just tastes better.” Pan Mengyan also nodded in satisfaction.

Jiang Ruoxi brought Gouzi’s bowl and filled it to the brim, then smilingly carried it over to Gouzi: “Thanks to you today, or we would have been done for. Eat up and treat yourself well as a reward.”

After the meal, they rested for a while longer before starting to discuss their next plan.

“We need to make more fishing cages to catch fish in the sea. I don’t think there are many fish left in this pond, so we should leave some to let them reproduce,” Jiang Ruoxi suggested.

“That’s right, this way we can be self-sufficient,” Pan Mengyan agreed.

Thus, they decided to continue working hard the next day, crafting more tools to ensure they wouldn’t have to worry about food every day.

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