Thunk!
Thunk!
Thunk!
The sounds of metal objects embedding themselves in the wooden walls echoed through the crude little hut, blending with the bubbling boil of the pot.
"Can we eat yet?"
A crisp child's voice, carrying a hint of swallowed saliva, broke through the chorus of thunks and bubbles.
The little bald-headed Ming Tai grinned, revealing two rows of teeth missing both front incisors. Without ceremony, he tugged at Chiba, who seemed lost in thought, and asked.
Stare...
After that, the other five children turned their little faces as well, all looking at Chiba. Their eyes silently conveyed the same message: Can we eat now? Can we eat now? We can eat now, right?
"Uh..."
With six pairs of eyes suddenly fixed on him, Chiba, who had been deep in thought, visibly froze.
"Hey, Big Brother Chiba, can we eat yet?"
Seeing Chiba raise his head slightly but remain dazed, the little bald-headed Ming Tai could not help shaking him as he asked impatiently.
Mm-hmm!
At Ming Tai's words, the other five children's eyes lit up with longing, and they nodded again and again.
"Growl..."
Scattered stomach growls even sounded among them.
"Wait a little longer."
The voices and stomach growls clearly pulled Chiba back to himself. He braced himself with both hands and raised his body slightly. His gaze swept over the children seated around the campfire before settling on the boiling iron pot, where white porridge and bits of vegetables churned together. He frowned slightly and said, "But you can take it off the fire."
"Okay!"
At that, the little bald-headed Ming Tai's already wide grin stretched even farther. He nodded vigorously at Chiba, then turned around and called out, "Take it off! Take it off!"
"Quick, quick, quick!"
The five children immediately stood up in perfect