Epoch 15: Family Dinner.
Once the two main dishes were finished, the simple stir-fried vegetables as a side dish was easy to make because it only had a few ingredients.
He experimented using some of the vegetables they found. In heated oil, he first sauteed the onion and garlic, then added the mushrooms, string beans, and cabbage. He stir-fried it for 2 minutes, added a cup of bone broth, and seasoned it with salt.
Since Hou had never seen the items Tang Tang was using before, he was extremely curious about them. So he had no choice but to approach and inquire. "What is that?" pointing at the ladle.
"That is a ladle. It is used for serving food with sauce and soup," Tang Tang answered.
"And that?"
"It is a frying pan. It is where you can fry meat."
"Fry?"
"It is a method of cooking food using oil."
"Oil?"
"It is a liquid I extracted from the white fat of the monster." Tang Tang shows the lard on a wooden container.
Hou kept asking, and Tang Tang responded to all of them calmly and thoroughly, going so far as to provide detailed explanations.
Hou asked. "Where did you get all this?"
"Xue made them."
Hou fell silent suddenly. Given Xue's extraordinary talent, it is understandable that Tang Tang will like him in just three days; he was even able to create things he had never seen before.
Unlike him, who has all brawn but no brain, he can't even control his emotions and went berserk.
Tang Tang noticed that Hou's inferiority complex acted up again. "You really should prepare. If the tribe leader gives his approval, you will have a lot of work ahead of you starting tomorrow," he said.
"Huh? B-but I don't know how—"
"Didn't I tell you that I would teach you?"
"But Xue—"
Tang Tang cut him off again. "I also told you not to compare anymore, didn't I?"
Hou meekly nodded.
"You seem to have forgotten everything I told you in just three days," Tang Tang said, pouting.
"No! I didn't forget it.. I.. I—ah" Hou's forehead was suddenly flicked by Tang Tang.
"Who is the best or worst doesn't matter; as long as you put your all into whatever you're doing, that is enough. Making comparisons to other people will not help you get better, it will only slow down your progress. All you need to do is have confidence in yourself. How many times do I have to tell you that this time?" Tang Tang then handed a bowl of boiled pork soup. "If you have a lot of energy thinking about unnecessary things, you better send this to Cai."
Hou heaved a sigh of relief. He knows it, Tang Tang is the only person who understands and believes in him.
"I like you so much!" he exclaims as he takes the bowl from Tang Tang and dashes to Cai's tent with a wide grin.
When Hou was out of sight, Xue, who had been silent since earlier, said. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping Hou."
"I just did what I think is right," Tang Tang said as he looked intently at Xue. "How about you? What's the problem?"
"Nothing."
"You seem off. Are you already tired? Hungry?" There are no changes in Xue's expression, but Tang Tang can feel that something is wrong.
"It's nothing." Xue didn't know how Tang Tang noticed, but even he doesn't know what's wrong with him, so he can't tell it to the sub-beast.
"Okay." Tang Tang chose not to pursue this matter. He'd prepare not to pressure Xue to open up more.
After Hou got back from Cai, together, the three of them went to the chieftain's tent. The other tribesmen walking by noticed the pots they were carrying; most of them knew that Tang Tang was approachable, which is why they didn't hesitate to ask.
"Tang Tang, what are the stones Hou and Xue carrying?"
Tang Tang didn't keep it a secret from them; he eagerly explained its uses and even gave them a taste of some stir-fried veggies and fried chili meat that received a lot of praise.
"I will ask first for the Chieftain and Clan's Witch permission if these things can be used in our tribe," Tang Tang said with a smile.
"You really are a good sub-beast." One elderly beast said that was agreed upon by the other beast and female around them.
Before all the food they were carrying was consumed, he bid farewell as they continued on their way.
Outside the tent, Lia welcomed them excitedly. "What took you so long? I can't wait to try Tang Tang's cooking. I couldn't eat red root after eating a dish made from bitter fruit yesterday."
"I'm glad you like it. Today we made a different dish."
"Let's go inside and talk, Bei is already waiting." Then Lia leaned and whispered to Tang Tang. "Bei is eager to try new foods as well. If you have time, could you teach me how to cook? I'm going to surprise him."
"Of course." Tang Tang thumbs up to Lia.
When they entered the tent, Tang Tang immediately prepared the cutlery, plates, and bowls. He also instructed Xue and Hou to place the pots in the middle.
They started eating when Lia inquired. "Are these the same items you and your tribe were using? Has your memory come back?" as he inspected every item, but he had his attention on Tang Tang.
Tang Tang was expecting this question. As he and Ude have already discussed this, it is impossible not to question all of his ideas. As of now, there are only foods and tableware. However, as he reveals more knowledge from Earth, people may become suspicious or misunderstand him. It is preferable to give some information about his origin.
Tang Tang was also aware that, despite Lia's eccentricity and Bei's intimidating demeanor, they are both trustworthy. While Xue is always considering what is best for the tribe, Hou likes him.
Ude is the only thing he is unwilling to disclose. He still needs to give himself a safe haven.
Tang Tang reluctantly nodded.
Lia became ecstatic. "What is your tribe's name?"
"I don't have a tribe." Tang Tang looked at everyone's confused expression before he continued. "In my original world, we don't have a tribe. What we have is called the government."
"Government?"
Then Tang Tang explained, as simply as possible, the basic concepts of government, economics, and education on Earth.
He talked a lot, and while the four were attentively listening while eating, they didn't even notice the food was already finished.
"It appears to be composed of elders, a chieftain, and a vice chieftain, just like a tribe. In the Winged Tiger Tribe, Bei is the chieftain, and Xue is the vice chieftain, who is normally the next in line of descent. Occasionally, when we need to make a decision that could significantly affect the tribe as a whole, we consult the elders for guidance," Lia said.
"The trading and market you mentioned is a good idea. Exchanging goods of equal value with other tribes is a good way to establish a friendly relationship," Bei said.
"Right! Only once a year did the tribes get together to fight over a hunting area. Why did no one consider trading goods?" Hou exclaimed.
"Additionally, the education you suggested is a good idea. The tribe will benefit tremendously in the long run from the kids learning to read and write," Xue added.
Hou inquired suddenly about what had been bothering him ever since Tang Tang had told tales about where he came from. "The place you mentioned was quite nice, do you want to return there?"
With expectation, all four of them glanced at Tang Tang. Although their reasons vary, they are all opposed to the sub-beast leaving.
"To be honest, I have no idea how I came to this world. I am just aware that this is someone's will."
Lia flinched. After receiving an oracle last time, he is now certain that Tang Tang was sent by the Beast God.
Tang Tang chuckled. "But it doesn't matter. I plan to fulfill that being's wish and stay here."
Hou and Lia both stood up at once and gave Tang Tang a hug. Though they were equally pleased with the sub-beast choice, Bei and Xue remained silent.
While Xue and Hou were cleaning all the dishes and pots they had used, Tang Tang continued to tell Lia and Bei stories about Earth.
Lia also didn't forget to reprimand Hou about what happened earlier. He was not allowed to leave the tribe for 3 days, and he needed to take care of Cai until he was completely recovered.
Hou wants to object since he wants to accompany Tang Tang into the forest, but he doesn't want to act irrationally in front of Tang Tang—especially since it is his fault and going berserk is already a huge humiliation.
"Hou, learn how to carve tableware in three days in order to properly teach the other beasts. I will help you, okay?" Tang Tang said.
Lia and Bei allowed the use of pots and tableware throughout the tribe. Since this is just the beginning of Tang Tang's many plans, Xue and Hou's assistance is necessary, as he is unable to complete them on his own.
"Of course! I will learn it in no time," Hou boastfully said.
He laughed.
They continued their conversation before Tang Tang was escorted by Hou and Xue back to his tent.
'Is this the feeling of having a family dinner, Ude?'
[...]
Tang Tang never felt the warm feeling of having a family dinner before. His parents were so busy working that they didn't have time to accompany him. When he was abandoned by them to his grandmother, he became preoccupied by the thought of where to get enough money to buy their next meal.
He knew that his grandmother tried her best to make him feel loved, but at that time, his life was so messed up. This time, it's different; even though this place is lacking, he feels at ease here with his new life.
'I miss grandma!'
[She surely misses you too, Tang Tang ( ･ั﹏･ั)]
'No! I don't want her to miss me. I want her to forget all of our sufferings and be reincarnated in a better place where she can have all the good things that I failed to give her. I want her to be happy.'
[(╥﹏╥)]