Cotton Quilt (continued)

Xin Jun: "How can it be that fast? There aren't many people in our tribe. Besides weaving, we also have to send people out to hunt and gather, so weaving is very slow. Besides, the weather is getting colder and colder, and we need to make a batch of clothes from cotton cloth."

Jian Mo: "Don't we wear animal skin robes in winter? Have you changed into cotton-padded clothes?"

Xin Jun: "I also want the animal skin robe, but it must be made into cotton undergarments. Animal skin robes can't be washed often, while cotton undergarments are much easier to wash, breathable, absorbent, and more comfortable to wear."

Hearing his words, and glancing at the cotton wadding outside, Jian Mo had an idea. "If you're not going to change the cotton cloth, could you give us some cotton wadding instead?"

Xin Jun: "Cotton wadding? What do you need this for? To take it back and weave your own cloth?"

Jian Mo: "I want to make a thin cotton quilt."

Winters here are quite cold, but Jian Mo and her friends don't really get cold.

In winter, Wu Jiong transforms back into a giant wolf, and the two of them can sleep together in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

On the contrary, it's not so comfortable to sleep in late autumn when it's not too cold but rather chilly.

Animal hide bedding is thick and soft, but it's not very breathable and can easily make you sweat. It also gets stiff and smelly after a while.

If a cotton quilt could be made, it would be more comfortable than a fur quilt.

It would be best to also make a mattress pad, so you can have a complete set of bedding.

Upon hearing Jian Mo's idea, Xin Jun's first reaction was heartache. "How much cotton wool would that require?"

Jian Mo said, "It does require a lot of cotton, but it can last for many years, so it's more cost-effective than making clothes from it."

Xin Jun: "Alright, if you need some, I'll exchange some for you. Let me make it clear first, we're only exchanging for you because we're friends. If other tribes come, then there definitely won't be any left."

Jian Mo: "No problem!"

Xin Jun thought for a moment, then said, "How do you make those quilts? Why don't you make them here? And teach us while you're at it."

Before Jian Mo could refuse, Xin Jun offered, "We can pay for the supplies. You don't have that many supplies, do you? If you offer some technology in lieu of payment, you won't need to sign an IOU."

Jian Mo: "So you were waiting here. Okay, I'm not very good at it, we'll have to figure it out ourselves."

Xin Jun replied enthusiastically, "That's no problem, or you can suggest an idea, and we can think about it together."

It was getting late, so Xin Jun invited them to stay the night, have dinner first, and then they could talk.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong didn't stand on ceremony either.

The people of the Long Years Tribe really like Jiujiu Ying'ao Ying'ao, and even prepared a special meal for them—a carefully prepared cooked dish.

Jian Mo originally wanted Ying'ao to go out and find food, since the Long Years Tribe had prepared food, which would save them the trouble of going out.

Jiujiu was very fond of everyone who offered to feed it. When the people of the Long Years Tribe fed it, it kept Jiujiu and rubbing its big head against them, jumping around happily.

The people of the Long Years Tribe were overjoyed at the sight and fed the animals even faster.

Jian Mo flapped Jiujiu's wings, finally understanding why it was getting increasingly plump. With that begging technique, how could it not get fat?

While eating the food fed to her by the Long Years Tribe, Jiujiu still had time to turn her head and nuzzle against Jian Mo, Jiujiu.

It focuses on providing ample emotional value.

Jian Mo petted it and couldn't resist joining in the feeding.

After dinner, everyone gathered together to chat, listening to Jian Mo about her idea for the quilt.

Jian Mo said, "A quilt is actually a bit like weaving cloth. You mainly arrange the cotton fibers in a net, or on a piece of cloth, and then beat it with a stick to make it fluffier—"

A member of the Long Years Tribe interjected, "Why is that?"

Jian Mo: "That way, there will be more air inside, preventing the warmth from escaping and the cold air from getting in."

The people of the Long Years Tribe still didn't quite understand, and it looked like they were about to ask again.

Jian Mo quickly made a gesture to stop her. "I don't know why either, but everyone does it this way, and then they can get a warmer blanket. Don't ask."

The Long Years Tribe member. "Okay, what happens after we fluff it up?"

Jian Mo: "Cover it with another sheet of cloth, then wrap all the cotton wool inside. To keep the wool from moving around, we might need to sew large squares into the cloth to secure it."

This step is easy to understand, and no one has any objections.

Xin Jun said, "I see you're in a bit of a rush, how about we make the quilts tomorrow? You can take them back with you when they're finished."

Jian Mo: "That's great."

Xin Jun was eager to try. "Let's see what the differences are between cotton quilts and animal skin bedding."

Jian Mo: "If the cotton quilts are made, there will definitely be a lot of people who want to come to your tribe to exchange them."

Xin Jun: "Haha, our lives are good enough now, so it doesn't really matter if we have more or less."

Jian Mo sense their simple happiness. "It's good."

Xin Jun: "You all should get some rest. We'll try to finish making the quilts a little earlier tomorrow."

Jian Mo responded and walked hand in hand with Wu Jiong back to their temporary residence.

They had traveled a long way that day, so the two grabbed their toiletries and went outside to find a river to bathe in.

They had lived in the Long Years Tribe for quite a while and were very familiar with the area around the Long Years Tribe.

It's not difficult to find a river to bathe in.

The two specifically chose a section of the river where the water was wide and the bottom was full of small stones—if the bottom was silt, it would easily get dirtier the more they washed.

Jian Mo diligently brushed the white wolf's fur. "It seems like autumn has arrived, and you've started shedding again."

The giant wolf turned its head and touched his cheek with its muzzle. "We can collect the fur to make a wool blanket."

Jian Mo held up a wolf hair. "I'm afraid that won't work, it's too coarse."

The giant wolf stared at the wolf's fur. "Is it coarse?"

Jian Mo pounced forward, landing on the giant wolf's back. She plucked a hair from her own head and compared it to the wolf's fur. "Look, your wolf fur is thicker than mine, it'll prick you."