Goat Milk
Summer’s heatwave and torrential rains arrived together.
In the tribe, everyone no longer needed blankets at night. They lay sprawled in their nests with arms and legs outstretched, enjoying the evening breeze and sleeping soundly—it couldn’t be more pleasant.
Bai Wu was an exception.
Even in this heat, he insisted on covering his stomach with a feather blanket while sleeping, a habit he’d brought from Earth.
Summer had arrived, and the sun rose exceptionally early.
People used to wake up long before the sun had risen.
Now, they woke up according to their original biological clock, and when they did, the outside was already bathed in the golden sunlight.
Bai Wu, carrying a dental floss stick, went to the riverbank and squeezed among a large group of tribespeople to brush his teeth and wash his face.
When he returned, he saw An sitting by the hearth, breaking off branches and placing them under the earthenware pot to simmer vegetable soup. He went over and asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”
“What can you help with? Go play with your spicy herbs.”
“Who’s playing with them?”
“What else would you do with your spicy herbs all day?”
“Eat them, of course. I’ll pick a few scallion leaves to add to the soup later, it’ll be so convenient.”
An chuckled, tilting his chin at the patch of scallions he had cleared on the edge of the cliff. “How much spicy herbs can you possibly grow here? If we really want to eat them, we can go dig some up; we can get a whole basketful in a morning.”
Bai Wu’s eyes lit up, and she squatted down in front of him. “Brother, do you know where we can dig up a lot of wild scallions?”
An cautiously took a step back. “What do you want to do?”
“We’ll dig some up and pickle them. They’re so sour and fragrant, so delicious!”
“Come on, you’ve got so many injuries that haven’t fully healed. Who would dare take you out?”
“Then will you dig some for me?”
“I don’t have time for that.”
An said he wouldn’t help Bai Wu dig wild scallions, but when he returned in the evening, his basket was half full of wild scallions with sprouts.
Meeting Bai Wu’s gaze, An raised his chin. “I just picked some on the way…”
Before he could finish speaking, Bai Wu suddenly pounced on him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, brother!”
An’s ears turned slightly red, and he tried to pull him off with both hands. “Aren’t you being too mushy?!”
Ignoring his brother’s insincerity, Bai Wu hugged him tightly and picked up the scallions to prepare.
These wild onions were quite old, their leaves yellowed and almost too tough to pinch. The round, plump bulbs looked like little marbles, and a gentle pinch released a pungent, spicy aroma.
Bai Wu used a bone knife to cut off the roots and leaves, then peeled off the dried, old outer skin. He placed the prepared, tender onions on a winnowing basket to dry.
An helped him, but soon the pungent smell brought tears to his eyes. He coughed, tilting his head. “Will this kind of spicy onion root really taste good?”
“What wouldn’t taste good?”
“Others are other things, spicy onions—I’ll have to taste them to know.”
“Tsk, you’ll know how delicious pickled onions are once you’ve tasted them.”
The cleaned onions were washed, dried on the basket, rubbed with salt to squeeze out excess water, then packed tightly into a ceramic jar. The jar was sealed with dry leaves and mud and placed in a cool, shady place to ferment. It would be ready to eat in five or six days.
Bai Wu wasn’t in a hurry. He needed to tend to his vegetable garden these next few days.
Since Bai Wu’s foot injury hadn’t fully healed, and the work of collecting firewood and burning stones a few days ago had been too strenuous, his two fathers wouldn’t let him go out. They hoped he would rest and recuperate in the tribe for a few days.
Bai Wu planned to use this time to cultivate his vegetable garden.
There was a 50-60 square meter open space in front of their hearth.
Bai Wu cleared the space, pulled out the weeds, picked out the roots, and turned the open space into a vegetable garden.
The soil in the garden was yellowish-brown. Bai Wu felt it wasn’t fertile enough, so he added some ash and mixed the soil to make it grayish-brown.
The only crops he had collected that were worth planting were wild leeks and onions.
He planted a little wild leeks and onions in the garden, but not much, only about two plots.
The remaining space was empty. Worried that it would slowly fall into disuse again, Bai Wu gathered some appropriately sized sticks from the firewood at home, intending to build a fence around the vegetable garden.
That afternoon, Bai Wu was vigorously hammering stones into the soil with the sticks to create a fence.
The large white bird that Mo had transformed into flew back, carrying a sheep in its claws. It swooped past Bai Wu’s head. The sheep’s bleating instantly captured his attention.
The sheep was enormous, resembling a robust calf, but its white wool was stained with blood, especially on its rump and hind legs, indicating serious injuries.
Bai Wu stared blankly at the large bird and sheep above him, forgetting even topping the fence.
Mo circled in the sky, and when it was about two meters above the ground, it dropped the sheep to the ground with a thud.
The sheep, having fallen to the ground, didn’t hesitate for a moment. It leaped to its feet and, dragging its leg, fled swiftly down the mountain.
All of this happened in an instant.
The sheep’s movements were so agile that Bai Wu was stunned for a moment before he reacted and cried out, “Father! The sheep has run away!”
Ignoring his still-healing leg, he dropped the stone and limped after it.
Mo landed on the ground, transforming back into human form. He quickly straightened his feathered skirt, rushed forward, and like a gust of wind, passed Bai Wu. His strong paw pressed down on the fleeing sheep. “Don’t worry, it can’t escape.”
The sheep bleated and struggled in Mo’s palm.
Bai Wu limped over and, together with Mo, pinned down the sheep, his face flushed with excitement. “Wow, Father! Where did you catch this sheep? I’ve never seen you catch one before!”
“Today, the priest took us to a new hunting ground. As soon as we arrived, we saw a huge herd of sheep running around. It must be the Beast God’s blessing.”
“Great! Father, shall we have mutton tonight?”
“If you want some, I’ll go kill it. It’s injured and won’t survive long. Go ahead and slaughter it. I’ll make you some mutton soup.” Bai Wu’s mouth was practically watering. “We have scallions at home; adding some to the mutton soup will make it extra fragrant.”
“Then I’ll go kill the sheep. I’ll save the hide to make you a couple more pairs of shoes.”
“Okay! Father, I’ll go get some salt water. Sheep’s blood is good too; we can’t waste it.”
Bai Wu turned to get the salt water, but as soon as he turned, he noticed something strange about the sheep’s lower abdomen.
He turned back in surprise, looking closely, and discovered a pinkish area protruding near the sheep’s hind legs.
It looked like—a breast?
Bai Wu was about to look again when Mo grabbed the sheep with his arm muscles bulging. He flipped it over, lifted it upside down, and was about to take it down to slaughter.
“Father, wait!” Bai Wu, ignoring the salt water, ran after it. “Does this sheep have milk?”
Mo, puzzled, “What?”
“I mean, sheep milk—” Bai Wu ran closer and could see the large udder near the sheep’s hind legs. “Father, it really does!”
The sheep was nursing!
Mo stopped and glanced at the sheep in his hands. “Yes, it does. What’s wrong?”
Bai Wu’s eyes lit up with excitement. “It has milk! We can squeeze some sheep milk to drink!”
“That doesn’t taste good,” Mo waved his hand. “Some people in the tribe have tried it before, but the milk of the sheep beast isn’t good. It runs out of milk after a few days, and when you kill it again, it’s much thinner than when you first caught it—just bones.”
“Perhaps they didn’t cook it well. It’s actually quite delicious when it’s made well. Father, please keep it for a few days so I can experiment.”
Mo’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Not eating the sheep meat anymore?”
“We can eat it in a few days.” Bai Wu turned to look at the vegetable garden he had just fenced off, pointing, “Father, put it in a corner of the garden, I’ll go find a vine to tie it up.”
Mo met his excited eyes and smiled, “It’s fine to leave it there for now. You can only keep it once your Dad and An agree to let you raise it.”
“No problem, I’ll talk to them properly. Father, I’ll cook something delicious for you tonight. Do you want dumplings?”
“Didn’t you want sheep meat soup? I’ll go get some sheep meat from someone else.”
“No need, no need. We don’t have many supplies left at home. We’ll make do.”
Chuan and An returned quickly.
The two immediately noticed Bai Wu’s fenced-off vegetable garden and the sheep tied up inside.
An, leaning against the fence, asked, “Aren’t you going to eat the sheep today? Its leg is injured.”
“No. I want to keep it, milk it, and see if I can make it something good to eat later. But Father hasn’t completely agreed yet; he told me to ask you and Dad’s opinion.”
An’s first reaction was also, “Sheep milk doesn’t taste good.”
“I’ll make it taste good if I cook it well,” Bai Wu said. “If I can make it delicious, we’ll have new food later.”
“Suit yourself, but I won’t help you raise the sheep.”
“No need for you, I’ll cut grass myself.”
Bai Wu carefully bandaged the sheep’s wound with scallion leaves before putting it in the vegetable garden and cutting grass for it to eat.
The sheep didn’t eat much.
Bai Wu asked his father and brother to help hold the sheep down and milked half a can of sheep milk.
The squeezed goat milk had a slightly fishy smell; it didn’t smell very pleasant.
Bai Wu boiled half a pot of goat milk in the pot that evening, adding a little salt after it boiled.
After dinner, the family each sat by the fire pit, drinking goat milk with a large bowl in hand.
An took a deep sniff. “It smells better with salt.”
Bai Wu: “In a couple of days, I’ll go get some honey to cook with sheep’s milk; it’ll taste even better.”
An immediately sat up straight. “I’ll go with you. I found two nests of honeybees a while ago. They’re huge, but I haven’t had a chance to get them yet. This is a good opportunity.”
Chuan said: “You two sub-beastmen shouldn’t go alone. Wait until your father has time, then he’ll go with you.”
Bai Wu looked at Mo. “Father, you’re making offerings to the priest this month, and the tribe’s warriors have to hunt every day, right? You won’t have time.”
Mo said: “Then next month. Aren’t you building a house? Next month, I’ll go chop some wood with you.”
An said: “Next month is too long, when will we ever get there? We’ll go in a couple of days, and be careful not to get bitten by the honey bees.”
Chuan said, “No, I’m not comfortable with that. If you think it’s too long to wait, I’ll go to the Ta family later and ask his father to borrow some honey. We’ll return it to them when we get it.”
“That works too. If we can really borrow some, I’ve thought of another food.”
An’s eyes were full of curiosity. “What?”
“A dessert, it’s fragrant and smooth, very delicious. If we really get the honey, I’ll cook it for you to try tomorrow.”
“Why wait until tomorrow? I’ll go borrow the honey right now!”
An went immediately, putting down his bowl and running to the Ta family to borrow a small jar of honey.
Bai Wu tasted it; the honey was a bit milder than sugar, not as sticky, and had a sweet floral aroma.
This level of sweetness was enough for making a dessert.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Bai Wu was already up.
He went to the vegetable garden to milk the goats.
This morning’s milk was less than yesterday’s; only about half a jar was collected.
An, knowing he was going to make something delicious today, didn’t stay in bed and came early to squat beside him, watching him milk the goats.
Bai Wu examined the goat milk in the jar, and An also came over to look. “There’s a little less. Is it enough for everyone?”
“Add some other things and cook it together; it should be enough.”
Bai Wu shook the goat milk; the thick milk clung to the walls of the earthenware jar, taking a while to drip down.
The goat milk looked to be of very good quality.
Satisfied, Bai Wu poured the goat milk into five bowls, covered them with a large plate, and then steamed them.
The goat milk in the bowls quickly steamed, filling the air with a milky aroma.
An watched as Bai Wu took the bowl out, his eyes gleaming with longing. “Can we eat it after adding the honey?” he asked.
“No, there’s one more step.”
“Why is it so complicated?”
“Good food is complicated, you know. Wait a minute.”
Bai Wu hummed a tune as he placed the bowl of goat milk in a basin of water to cool.
A thick layer of pale yellow milk skin quickly formed on top of the goat milk.
Bai Wu punctured the milk skin, and poured the goat milk into a large basin. He added the egg white from the bird’s egg and the honey, stirred well, then carefully lifted the milk skin with chopsticks and poured the goat milk back in.
An watched intently, his stomach gradually growling.
Bai Wu ignored him, directly placing the mixed goat milk back into the steamer, covering it, and steaming it vigorously.
The goat milk with the egg and honey quickly solidified; it even bounced back when gently pressed with chopsticks.
Perfect.
Bai Wu wrapped the bowls with leaves and placed them on the leaves. “Let them cool a bit before eating.”
An took a deep breath. “This smells so good!”
“Of course,” Bai Wu raised an eyebrow. “Just wait and eat.”
Bai Wu poured out some honey, making a thick syrup. After the double-skin milk cooled slightly, he ladled two spoonfuls of the syrup into each bowl.
The black earthenware bowls held a layer of pale yellow milk skin on the white double-skin milk. The honey syrup glistened on top, looking extremely tempting.
Bai Wu called to An, “Brother, call Dad and Father back for breakfast.”
Without a word, An transformed into a large white bird, took a couple of steps to the side, flapped his wings, and flew down the mountain to call for them.
Bai Wu smiled and looked away, boiling water to make a cold dish.
The family soon returned and sat down by the fire to eat breakfast.
Chuan picked up the bowl of double-skin milk pudding, took a deep sniff, and examined it closely. “Is this goat’s milk? Why is it solidified?”
Bai Wu smiled mysteriously. “Dad, you’ll know once you taste it.”
Before Bai Wu finished speaking, An, who was beside him, couldn’t wait and scooped up a large spoonful of double-skin milk pudding along with the honey syrup, and popped it into his mouth with a “Ah!”
The bottom of the double-skin milk pudding wasn’t completely cool yet, and when he took such a big bite, it was so hot that he jerked, his eyes widening in surprise.
He quickly forgot about the heat; the smooth double-skin milk pudding entered his mouth, and a rich, milky aroma filled his mouth—unfamiliar yet astonishing.
He had never imagined goat milk could be so smooth, so tender, and so sweet!
It was even more tender than bird egg custard, with a completely different aroma from meat.
An’s expression was dazed. He scooped up another spoonful of double-skin milk, staring at it and muttering to himself, “Such a wonderful thing exists in this world?”
Bai Wu ignored his brother’s exclamation, carefully scooping up a small spoonful of double-skin milk and savoring it.
He had never known double-skin milk could be so thick and sweet.
Perhaps because goat milk is completely uncontaminated, every sip he tasted was rich in milk flavor and had a high fat content, even a bit like cheese.
Not to mention this was the first time in his life he had tasted such delicious double-skin milk. Even including his previous life, he had never had this kind of luck.
Author’s Note:
The author, having finished revising the draft, quietly reminds readers: Generally speaking, ewes have 2N udders, but there are exceptions. Anyway, this is a fictional story, please don’t take it too seriously.