Chapter 100

Today is a day worth celebrating, even though Cloudy was feeling dizzy from the heat, it was still a day to rejoice! Because the green monkey that was caught... gave birth to a litter of baby green monkeys, which explains why even though they are animals that live in the canopy, they couldn't climb out of the trap hole and had swollen bellies.

What good luck she has!

Cloudy, sweating profusely, squatted outside the cage, staring intently at the few tiny babies curled up next to the monkey mother. They were very small, probably just the size of a thumb, with dark fur similar to mud brown. There were a total of seven, so there must be both males and females... Maybe because she had been staring for too long, the green monkey was now glaring with wide eyes and growling threateningly at her.

Putting the leaves back over the cage, creating a private space for the monkey mother and her babies. Cloudy happily began her daily routine of "backyard patrol." It had been 25 days since the backyard was first planted, and during these days she had been constantly changing the layout. Currently, she had completely arranged the backyard into a rectangular layout and placed fences around the perimeter.

The fences were quite high, not meant to block neighbors but to serve as climbing frames for the soft-stemmed plants. The plant that needed climbing support was a type of fruit used for spices. After the fruit ripened, which was only the size of a fingernail and grew in clusters like grapes, removing the useless flesh and grinding the black seed inside into powder would release a soy sauce-like aroma, not very strong but sufficient in quantity.

Moreover, the fruits of this aromatic plant grew extremely fast. At this moment, all four sides of the backyard's fence were completely covered with tender green vine leaves, looking very beautiful. After inspecting all four sides of the fence, Cloudy began checking the plants growing in the ground.

The rectangular planting area was divided into three sections. The smallest section on the left was used to plant three shrubs Titus had brought back from outside, but the mortality rate in this area was very high, with 8 replacements so far.

In simpler terms, this small piece of land was actually reserved for Titus to play around with. This guy also wanted to contribute to her planting project, so he kept digging up ready-made plants from outside, planting them, they died, he dug up more... a never-ending cycle. Titus was enjoying it, and she had nothing much to say. It would be a good thing if they could survive...!

The middle section was the largest area used to cultivate healthy and vigorous plants. Rice soup fruits, awakening leaves, and various sweet fruits were all lovingly cared for by Cloudy here. They were growing very well, and she spent a lot of time each day weeding, loosening the soil, and fertilizing. Plus, the hot season was the time when all plants in the rainforest burst into growth, so they were growing rapidly. Cloudy had already seen flower buds on several plants, and they were likely to start blooming and bearing fruit in a few days.

The last section was for experimentation, where there were tender shoots or seeds that hadn't sprouted yet. In the settlement, many people were busy every day.
Nearby, Cloudy only needs to go to the long house to find many fruits or plants she has never seen before. She collects the ones she finds interesting and brings them back here to study their growth.

In addition, many people in the settlement have started learning Cloudy's planting techniques. The open space behind the hunter's residential area has been almost entirely taken over by the mothers, who eagerly plant things. When Cloudy has free time, she also visits other areas to see what's growing and exchanges experiences with the locals.

However, planting and farming cannot be the main source of food in this era; it can only be seen as a supplement. But with gradual progress, one day it might mature... although she probably won't live to see that day.

In the backyard, besides the cage of the green monkeys and plants, there is a small workbench built with stones behind the house. This bench is usually used for separating seeds or making jam. Up to now, Cloudy has made two small jars of jam from unused fruits. Although not very sweet, the crystal-clear appearance after cooking is very pleasing, and most importantly, Titus loves it.

Since the jam is scarce, she only gives Titus a little bit each day. She even tells him that if he eats too much, he'll grow hair in his eyes, and Titus actually believes her.

After tidying up the backyard, getting rid of pests, and fertilizing, it's almost noon. Cloudy looks up towards the entrance of the backyard... and sees a half-hidden face. Titus is currently hiding around the corner, peeking with one eye to see what she's doing.

"..."

Titus is acting this way because he was too annoying a few days ago and after being scolded by Cloudy, they made a deal - Titus cannot disturb her in the backyard when she's working.

So, he can only sneak a look from the corner, and when Cloudy finally turns to look in his direction, the wild man quietly asks, "Are you done?"

"I'm done," Cloudy stretches and walks over. "Shall we go eat?"

Due to the recent hot weather, she hasn't been cooking at home. Either she grabs a few pieces of dried meat or goes to the long house with Titus to eat the "big pot meal" made by the mothers. This big pot meal has become popular recently because Cloudy taught Wowen and Matriarch how to stew vegetables and meat, and everyone found it delicious, so they started making and distributing it collectively. The largest clay pot in the settlement was put into use a few days ago.

Around noon, cooking would start at the long house. If there's one downside, it's that there might be ingredients like bugs in the big pot meal, but Cloudy is too hot to care. Last time, she ate a certain kind of bug leg, which was very big. When she peeled open the warm bug shell, there was a milky white meat inside that tasted and felt similar to shrimp.

After praising the deliciousness of these bugs, Matriarch...
Intentionally instructing the people who usually gather around the settlement to bring back more. From this, it can be seen that her status is already very high... and this is even without her teaching the locals how to make fire.

She intends to fully integrate herself into the settlement, or rather, fully accept in her heart that she can only live here forever, before teaching this skill to others. In this regard, she is still somewhat affected and selfish. After all, she is not the same kind of person as Titus and the others. What if one day she makes a mistake and gets expelled? This possibility cannot be ruled out, so she wants to keep some cards up her sleeve.

Of course, considering the months she has lived in the settlement and the locals' acceptance of her... she has nothing much to worry about.

"What's Cloudy thinking about again?" Titus pinched Cloudy's hand as they walked towards the longhouse.

"Thinking about our future life," Cloudy replied, squeezing Titus's firm hand and swinging it back and forth. She felt happy. Maybe this is the best life now— a secure place to live, plenty of food, and Titus by her side.

The only thing she was a bit dissatisfied with... was this scorching weather. It's just too hot!! She looked at Titus's forehead, which seemed very dry, while hers could probably fry an egg.

How did these wild people evolve in the end?