Chapter 34: A Meaty Treat
She wanted to prove to the world just how exceptional she was through her own efforts. She wanted to make the parents who had heartlessly abandoned her regret their decision.
She worked hard for a long time and finally found news of her birth parents. She had planned to seek them out after this "soul journey" was over. She would stand before them, proud and accomplished, and tell them that even without them, she had lived a good life, a very good one.
Unfortunately, man’s plans are no match for fate. Before she could fulfill this wish, she went from being a renowned doctor of the 23rd century to a young farm girl in this strange, unfamiliar world.
Hu Feng kept his gaze fixed on the girl before him. On her still-childish face, her eyes were beautiful—bright and intelligent, yet they also held a hint of profound hesitation and complexity that belied her age.
"I must disagree. Memories are a person’s past. How can one’s past be erased simply over a matter of preference? Is a person without a past even a whole person anymore?"
Hu Feng rarely spoke at such length. He rarely spoke at all. But today, he seemed to have said a lot. When he was with this young girl, he was always talking, just like the other villagers. In front of her, he seemed to become more of a normal person.
Bai Zhi sighed. "You’re right. Everyone’s situation is different. I can’t just assume that losing some memories is no big deal just because I have some bad ones. Perhaps your memories contain many wonderful things that you don’t want to, and can’t, forget."
She looked up at the handsome, dazzling face under the mottled light and shadows. The expression on her young face was more serious than ever. "Hu Feng, don’t worry. I will cure you and help you recover your memories soon."
Although he didn’t know how much substance her promise held, or what the chances of success were, he still felt a warmth spread through his heart. He felt that life once again had hope, a goal to strive for.
Just as he was about to say thank you, a faint rustle came from behind Bai Zhi. His gaze shot past the side of her neck and landed on the tree trunk behind her. A snake with a patterned back and a green belly was flicking its long, red tongue, about to strike at Bai Zhi.
Without a second thought, he shot one hand out to grab the venomous snake and shoved Bai Zhi away with the other.
The shove was so forceful that Bai Zhi tumbled to the ground, getting a mouthful of stinking mud. She scrambled up, ready to give him a piece of her mind, only to see him gripping a large, patterned snake—one as thick as a child’s arm. It had its mouth open, revealing its small fangs, and a strange sound was coming from its throat.
’So there had been a snake behind her just now. If Hu Feng hadn’t saved her, she’d probably have been bitten by now.’
Hu Feng gripped the large snake by its weak spot, just below the head, and slammed it violently against a nearby tree trunk, smashing its head to a pulp.
He turned his head to look at her. "Are you alright?"
Bai Zhi shook her head. "I’m fine. What about you?"
Hu Feng shook his head too. "I’m fine as well. Let’s go. We should hurry and find the herbs you’re looking for. If we dawdle any longer, we won’t make it down the mountain before dark."
Bai Zhi pointed to the thoroughly dead snake under the tree. "Let’s take this with us. Later we can find Uncle Hu and my mother in the fields, and we can all roast it and have a proper meat meal."
Hu Feng’s eyes went wide with disbelief. "Eat the snake? Can you even eat snakes? This is a venomous one."
Bai Zhi looked just as incredulous. "You’ve never eaten snake?" ’Snake is delicious! The meat is tender and flavorful. Fried, roasted, stewed, or deep-fried—it’s good no matter how you cook it.’