Da Lang and Er Lang trimmed the branches they had cut and then worked together to erect a shelter.
The family had several large oilcloths. They draped these over the erected branches, creating temporary, simple tents. Two tents were set up, separated by gender.
After all, Da Lang was married, and Su Shi was a daughter-in-law, so propriety had to be observed.
They spread another layer of oilcloth on the ground and laid out their bedding, providing a place to sleep for the night.
Outside the tent, Jiang Pan had already finished skinning the rabbit completely and handed it over to Chen Yue Zhi for processing. Jiang Pan then set up a frame to roast the meat.
Jiang Wan, holding Su Shi's hand, walked to the campfire. She watched Jiang Pan spread the rabbit open, skewer it, and place it on the frame. Chen Yue Zhi came over to take over, picked up the salt they had found at the general store that morning, and sprinkled it on the rabbit meat.
Soon, the aroma of the meat began to waft through the air.
Villagers nearby couldn't help but swallow their saliva, and many children cried from longing. The adults were also tempted but managed to restrain themselves, patiently coaxing their children and telling them that their families would also have meat to eat soon.
Because of Jiang Wan's family's plump rabbit, almost every household in the village had someone who went into the mountains.
However, this group did not include Jiang Lao Er.
The rabbit was very fatty. As the rendered oil dripped onto the fire, it sizzled. Chen Yue Zhi skillfully sprinkled on seasonings, and the aroma made Jiang Wan's mouth water.
In her previous life, although she was a superpowered individual and lived quite comfortably, that was only relative to ordinary people. In the post-apocalyptic world, resources were scarce, and food was processed from mutated plants and animals. It could only fill the stomach, not be considered delicious, and was often unpalatable.
Since transmigrating here, although there was also little food, everything was incredibly delicious. Even a small piece of roasted yam made Jiang Wan wish she could swallow her tongue along with it.
"Is it ready? Mom, is it ready?"
San Lang was so hungry he couldn't sit still, constantly asking like he was reciting a mantra.
Chen Yue Zhi smiled and shot him a look: "Look at you, so impatient. See, Wan Wan isn't as greedy as you."
After speaking, she turned to look at Jiang Wan and found her little daughter's saliva was flowing quite long. Seeing her looking over, she quickly slurped it back.
Chen Yue Zhi burst into laughter, hugged Jiang Wan's chubby little face, wiped her saliva, and then kissed her. "Wait a little longer, the meat isn't cooked yet. You'll get a stomachache if you eat it."
Jiang Wan's little face turned red. She didn't want to be like this, but how could she resist such fragrant rabbit?
The sky had completely darkened, and those who had gone into the mountains had also returned.
The children ran excitedly towards their fathers and elder brothers, hoping to also receive a plump rabbit. However, the adults all returned empty-handed, looking embarrassed.
The children's hopes were dashed, and they couldn't help but cry.
Jiang Wan's eyes were fixed on the almost-cooked plump rabbit, and she had no energy to concern herself with the broken hearts of those children.
As the meat neared readiness, someone sheepishly approached. "Da Pan Ge... you're eating now... uh, the kids are just too greedy, could you spare a bite of meat for the children?"
Jiang Pan glanced at the person. It was Zheng Da You, who had come to ask him for a kettle at noon.
Jiang Wan looked at him vigilantly. "Uncle Da You, are you here to snatch my meat again, a five-year-old little girl?"
Zheng Da You's facial muscles twitched. "This... Wan Wan... Uncle isn't snatching meat from you, Uncle just wants a small piece, that's all. Your Da Bao Ge is crying from greed..."
Good heavens, he said just a bite earlier, and now it's a small piece. How small a piece?
Absolutely not!
Jiang Pan and Chen Yue Zhi exchanged a look, both troubled by how to handle this.
Even though it was just a matter of a piece of meat, there was a lot of wisdom involved.
If they gave this piece of meat, it would set a precedent. What about other families who came to ask? Would they give it or not?
People don't worry about scarcity but about inequality. If they gave to this one and not to that one, they would be in a bad position both inside and outside the family.
But if they refused, they would also offend people. They were all from the same village, seeing each other daily, and had often helped each other. The children were so greedy; it seemed unreasonable not to give.
While they were deliberating, Jiang Lao Er suddenly appeared with his two sons.
The father and sons acted as if they were family, coming over and sitting by the campfire. He said to Zheng Da You, "I say, Da You, don't you know the current situation? Every grain of rice is precious. How can you have the nerve to ask my brother for meat? Do you know how much grain a small piece of meat is worth? You come empty-handed and ask my brother for meat, you truly have the nerve to open your mouth."
Zheng Da You was extremely embarrassed and didn't dare to stay any longer, quickly turning and leaving.
After driving away Zheng Da You, Jiang Lao Er, as if nothing had happened, turned around and reached out to grab the roasted rabbit.
Er Lang, quick as lightning, regardless of the heat of the roasted meat, snatched the roasted rabbit away.
Jiang Lao Er's fingertips brushed against the meat, getting a bit of oil on them. He quickly put them in his mouth and licked them. It was indeed incredibly fragrant!
Looking at the half-roasted rabbit in Er Lang's hand, Jiang Lao Er and his two sons' eyes turned green.
He put on a stern face and looked at Er Lang displeasedly. "What are you doing, child? I am your paternal uncle! Is this how you treat your uncle? Quickly hand over the meat. I'll take it to share with Grandpa and Grandma. They haven't eaten meat for many days."
Er Lang sneered. "Jiang Lao Er, did a dog eat your memory? Our family severed ties with you yesterday. Did you forget after sleeping for a night?"
Jiang Lao Er's eyes widened in anger. "How dare you speak to me like that, you little brat? You can't call me Jiang Lao Er! See if I don't teach you a good lesson on behalf of your parents today!"
Jiang Wan saw Jiang Lao Er stand up as if to strike. Jiang Pan pressed him down. "You have the nerve to lecture my son over me? Take a look at yourself in the mirror! You want to eat meat? To tell you the truth, I'd rather throw this meat to the dogs, let it rot and breed maggots, than give it to you and that old shrew! Get lost before I have to deal with you!"
Jiang Lao Er gritted his teeth in anger and, unwillingly, tried to stand up to teach Jiang Pan a lesson. However, he was already physically weak, and Jiang Pan's strength was greater than that of ordinary people. He was pinned down by Jiang Pan's single hand and couldn't move.
Several nearby families watched and laughed.
The village chief said with a cold face, "Jiang Lao Er, don't cause trouble in the ranks, or don't blame me for driving your family out!"
Jiang Lao Er dared not resist and had to flee dejectedly.
However, his two sons remained, their eyes fixed on the roasted rabbit in Er Lang's hand.
Jiang Wan, with a mischievous glint in her eye, tore off a piece of rabbit meat and walked up to the two brothers, waving it in front of them.
Si Lang and Wu Lang reached out to snatch it.
Jiang Wan popped the meat into her own mouth.
Seeing her eat the meat, Si Lang and Wu Lang became anxious and cried out, "Meat, our meat!"
Jiang Wan deliberately smacked her lips. "Wow, it's so fragrant, so delicious. Too bad you can't eat it."
Those two brothers were useless good-for-nothings. Upon hearing Jiang Wan say this, they immediately sat on the ground, rolling and throwing tantrums.
This trick had always worked well with their mother and grandmother. As soon as they used it, they could get whatever they wanted.
But would Jiang Wan's family indulge them?
Certainly not.
The two rolled on the ground until they were covered in mud, but Jiang Wan just watched them with a smile.
When they were tired from crying and rolling, the brothers were at a loss.
Jiang Wan giggled. "Do you want to eat meat?"
The two nodded frantically.
Jiang Wan said mischievously, "But I hate Jiang Yu. You are her younger brothers, so I can't give you meat."