I ONLY HAVE TRICKS TO DEFEAT MY ENEMIES

Chapter 5

“They’re here! They’re here!” We are still a few steps from the front yard when I see Cree running towards me. Surely, Uncle Jiang and Seeley come out and help us to bring our loads.

“You made quite a harvest in the mountain, ei” Uncle Jiang said as he took the two trophies in my hands.

“WAH! IT’S MEAT! IT’S MEAT” Cree jumped with excitement.

“You greedy rascal only knows how to eat meat” Elder Brother pricked his forehead and received a pout from Cree. After entering, Seeley gave us both a chair and personally gave me a cup of water.

“Thank you, Bal” I smiled at him and reassured him that I’m fine. “Hmm” He just nodded and gently lifted my legs and massaged them. 

“Uncle Jiang, I need you to make some bamboo traps later so that we can go back and put it and oh—I plan to make some adjustments to it” I had seen some traditional and primitive ways on the traps in the mountain although, it is working and it was based on luck. What I plan to make is a sure-win trap so that we would not waste time and effort. 

“Okay, just tell me what you need” It was quite late so I planned to make lunch.

“Bal, please start the fire and boil some water on it. Uncle Jiang, please clean the pigeon. Dage and Didi please clean a sufficient amount of Cassava and mushroom, that is enough for us.” As I instructed them, I grabbed a wooden tub and made my way through the back door. We are fortunate enough that the previous owner was well-off despite being old village folks. Maybe because they had a son who is a*****e owner in the nearby county. I scan the yard and I can see a row of planted garlic and onion. There is also a row of chili plants and tomatoes. I see some coiled cucumber plants. Unfortunately, all the fruits had been swept off and the plants are not in great condition. Hmm, previously in my past life I always wanted to have a backyard like this but the commercial building I live in does not allow me to. However this time I promised to make a great backyard that is full of luscious meals. *insert evil laugh*

“Jie, what is that?” Cree curiously pokes his head out. 

“It’s a surprise” and just wink at him. I put the clean leaf jelly in the wooden tub and pour an ample amount of hot water. I stir until it is thickened and put it in a ‘bilao’ that allows the liquid residue to flow freely to the wooden tube under it. I left it outside after covering it with a white ‘Katcha's. I made my way through the kitchen and start cooking. I first put the cleaned pigeon in an earthenware pot and added some salt and yellow ginger to make a simple Pigeon Soup. After that, I started slicing some garlic, onion, ginger, and mushroom. 

“Jie, what dish are you making?” Cree greedily looked at the meat.

“HAHA you little rogue. It is a plain stir-fried dish with mushrooms and wild plants.” After cooking it, I place the cassava in a wooden steamer on the bottom and settle the cooked stir-fried dish at the top to keep it warm. 

“You kids should go and rest outside. I will manage things here” Uncle Jiang remarked. I nodded and live some instructions and made my way out. 

 “Dage I can see that some parts of our fence are broken”

“Hmm—I see” He then called Seeley and both of them picked a small machete then went to the bamboo grove. 

“Cree come here, we need to plant this around the perimeter of our fence” I called Cree and started digging. I teach him a couple of times and we both start planting. After a quarter of time, Both Eldest Brother and Cree came back and started to mend the broken fence. I tell them to add some sharp and pointy shards in each point so that the yard cannot be easily broken into. It was a habit of mine, formed from my first life, to always add some protection since the nature of my job is a bumpy road. We were almost finished when Uncle Jiang called us to eat.

We wash up and head inside. On the table lay a simple meal but everyone feels warm inside. The steamed cassava was cute to pieces so it will be easy to eat. Seeley put the meatiest part of the pigeon into my bowl and Eldest Brother did the same with Cree. 

“Thank you, Bal” as I put meat into his bowl 

“Thank you Eldest Brother! WAH! It's been a long time since I last ate meat” Cree said and we all laughed, forgetting the etiquette of silence when eating. He then gulped down to his food. 

“Delicious” “WAH! It was so yummy ``'' It was so flavorful” Each of them commented on the food. It was clearly a simple dish but the freshness of the ingredients made both the soup and the stir-fried dish add a gentle touch.

After eating, Uncle Jiang cleaned the utensils and we got back to work. Afterward, Uncle Jiang joined us and started making the bamboo trap based on my instruction.

“Euno, you go and nap a little bit” Seeley tugged at my arms

“Yeah. You and Cree are still growing so you need to sleep a little bit more. We are almost finished” I just nod at them and hold a little Cree. 

“All of you should also rest, it is still early to go up the mountain.” I tuck in Cree and sleep beside him. It was early in the afternoon when Seeley woke me and the three of us headed to the mountain. We managed to collect some wild mushrooms. We plan to eat early at night because we don’t have enough fuel to use an oil lamp. I simply made a cassava porridge and prepared some mushrooms seasoned with chili. We warmly end our meal and work a bit. All of our wash out and end the night.