Chapter 39: Handcrafted Snakeskin Satchel (I changed the book title!)

Chapter 39: Handmade Snakeskin Satchel

"Are there any mosquito-repellent plants nearby?"

Xu Yi felt it was more reliable to ask Su Keke, as he didn't know any mosquito-repellent flora himself. Su Keke shook her head; she knew a few, but since she hadn't paid much attention to the surroundings, she wasn't sure if any were nearby.

"Then we can smear mud on our bodies. Do you think that will work?" Xu Yi hadn't been bitten yet, likely because he was constantly moving.

"As long as it keeps the bites away, it's fine. Keke isn't afraid of getting dirty, just afraid of the itch." Su Keke didn't mind being covered in mud as long as it kept the mosquitoes at bay.

"Alright, I'll prepare some charcoal powder and mix it with mud; we’ll both apply some." Being bitten while trying to sleep at night would be truly miserable. After mixing it, Xu Yi sprinkled a circle of ash around the perimeter of their shelter, which also offered some insect-repellent benefits.

"Once we've applied it, we need to dry the mud, otherwise it’ll be quite uncomfortable." The sticky mud felt unpleasant on his skin. Su Keke quickly sat by the campfire to dry the mud paste on her body as quickly as possible. Once dry, they both felt much better. Additionally, Xu Yi managed to swat quite a few mosquitoes that were flying about. If they hadn't been wearing long sleeves and pants, they would have been bitten mercilessly.

Xu Yi resolved that tomorrow, he and Su Keke must find plants suitable for repelling mosquitoes. He only knew of one: citronella, also known as lemongrass. It wasn't just for repelling insects; it was also a spice used for cooking. However, despite being here for several days, he hadn't spotted any. Citronella is a common grass and a popular herb. The essential oil distilled from its dried leaves is an excellent repellent and works as an air freshener. Furthermore, its stalks are used as a seasoning, quite commonly in Southeast Asian countries. If he could find some, applying its sap to their skin would also provide some protection. He planned to search for it tomorrow, believing the climate here should be perfect for its growth. Moreover, citronella grows in clumps, so if he found one, there would likely be plenty.

"Here, Keke, try out your little satchel." Xu Yi handed over the satchel he had just finished sewing, smiling as he did so. Su Keke jumped off the hammock immediately, took the bag, and slung it over her shoulder.

"Does it look good?" Su Keke spun around and asked.

"It looks great," Xu Yi replied with a smile.

[6666, Number 1 has excellent craftsmanship; that really is a beautiful snakeskin satchel.]
[This handmade, genuine python leather vintage bag could beat any major brand.]
[No matter how young a girl is, she loves beauty. The way Keke spun around just now was too cute.]
[Not bad at all, Number 1’s manual skills are solid; this bag really does look good.]
[Giant Python: Isn't it because my skin is beautiful?]

"Thank you, Dad." Su Keke touched her satchel like a precious treasure and flipped open the flap. The bag had compartments, allowing her to store things separately.

Since they didn't need to keep watch at night anymore, Xu Yi didn't have to rush to sleep. He started marking lines on the remaining snakeskin to sew one for himself. Once finished, he could finally rest. The hammock should have no problem supporting both his and Su Keke's weight. After a while, he told Su Keke to go to sleep, as it was already past 10:00 PM.

Xu Yi sewed until after midnight before his own snakeskin military-style satchel was complete. The torrential rain continued without any sign of letting up. He hoped it wouldn't last too long and that it would stop by tomorrow morning. Su Keke was already fast asleep, and Xu Yi lay down carefully. He had made the hammock quite wide when he wove it. By letting his feet hang off the edge, he could free up quite a bit of space. Conditions were tough, so they had to make do. At least being able to lie down and sleep was a blessing. He fell asleep shortly after lying down.

The next day, Xu Yi was woken up by the sound of thunder. It was already light out. Checking his watch, he saw it was past eight. Su Keke was hugging him, still sleeping soundly. His legs were now inside the hammock; Su Keke must have woken up in the middle of the night and tucked them in.

The rain was still falling, though it had lightened up significantly.

"Is it still raining?" Su Keke woke up, rubbed her eyes, and glanced outside.

"Yes, it's still raining. You go back to sleep for a bit; I’ll get up and take a look." With that, Xu Yi got up. The campfire had little flame left, but there was still plenty of firewood, so he added some more. He then checked the wooden bucket. It was still smoking, meaning it was still burning.

"Good, it hasn't burned through the edges, just downward into the center." Xu Yi noted that the depth exceeded 30 centimeters, though only the center had burned through. He added more charcoal to burn the edges down, intending to remove some of the coals once it reached the desired thickness, leaving just enough to continue burning the center.

"Dad is going to see if I can find some food nearby. Stay in the camp and don't wander off, okay?" Xu Yi instructed. Since it was still raining, animals likely wouldn't be out foraging. The camp remained the safest place. He took off his outer clothes, slung his snakeskin satchel over his shoulder, and stepped out. He carried his spear and machete, hoping to find some food. The chicken mushrooms from yesterday hadn't provided enough energy, and he felt empty in the stomach.

Xu Yi used his X-ray vision, scanning in all directions, hoping to find something filling. It didn't have to be an animal; crops or grains would be just as good. In the camp, Su Keke held her spear and watched Xu Yi’s retreating figure without a hint of fear. Today was their seventh day in this parallel world. Even though their food and living conditions weren't great, Su Keke was incredibly happy. Being with Xu Yi and being taken care of by him felt like bliss. The paternal love Xu Yi gave was something she had always yearned for. Even if they had to live in this world forever, she felt it would be wonderful. Though, she did miss her grandmother and her playmates back in the village.