Chapter 207

As the rice porridge bubbled away in the earthenware pot, the group stayed busy. The game and mushrooms gathered that day needed to be spread out to dry, so they had to clear a space specifically for them; otherwise, everything would spoil. Fortunately, they had chopped plenty of dry bamboo in the cave the day before, which was now perfect for the fire. Madam Zhang brought out ten catties of chestnuts for everyone to sample—just enough for each person to get a taste. The crisp, sweet nuts boosted everyone’s morale. They piled up loose rocks from inside the cave to build stoves. The cave itself was vast and empty, so Si Boyan spent the evening reorganizing the layout. For now, they were using wooden frames as partitions; starting tomorrow, they would weave bamboo screens to properly divide the space, giving each family a private area to rest. Everyone spread reed mats on the floor, topped with pine branches, then oilcloth, and finally their bedding. Compared to the freezing world outside, the cave now felt like a sanctuary for the gods.