Transmigrating to the BeastWorld,I Picked Up an Adorable BeastHusband! Chapter 36: A competition for the better cook

Xiaoli gave her a knowing smile before turning back to the pot.

"Nala, did you wash the fish? And soone wash the tubers as well. The last batch was too sandy."

Nala nodded and opened a dium-sized clay pot filled with water. On a spread of palm leaves, she began washing the fish.

Ningning’s eyes widened. Well, that was certainly one way to wash fish, though she wouldn’t recomnd it.

If they didn’t have a bowl, then it would be better to wash the fish at the stream.

"Xiaoli, can I take over cooking for today? If you let , I’ll teach you sothing new."

Xiaoli hesitated for a mont, then nodded. She had seen Ningning’s excellent basket-making skills, and figured her cooking wouldn’t be too bad either.

"Let just get permission from the other females..."

Xiaoli managed to get the go-ahead from Nala and another woman, but today’s head cook wasn’t keen on giving up her role.

"Why should I let so human take over today’s cooking?" the woman hissed. "She doesn’t know our tastes. Let her wait her turn." She turned back to the pot.

"Dana, don’t be like this. Ningning might have sothing interesting to share. We should give her a chance." Xiaoli tried to persuade Dana, but it only annoyed her even more.

She frowned and turned to look at Ningning, her lips twisting in disgust.

Because Ningning had to sit while slicing the vegetables, the folds of her stomach were plainly visible.

"This fatty probably only knows how to eat," Dana sneered. "What would she know about cooking? She’ll eat all our food before winter even cos. Weijie made a mistake."

Her words fell sharp and ugly in the middle of the cooking area.

For a mont, no one spoke.

The won washing fish and scraping tubers slowed unconsciously, their hands still moving, but their ears clearly tilted.

Even Xiaoli’s smile stiffened.

"Dana," she said quietly. "You’re going too far."

Dana snorted, as if she’d heard the greatest joke in the world.

"Too far? I’m telling the truth. Winter is coming, and food is already tight. Now we’re expected to feed another mouth that only knows how to sit and eat? If she cooks the way she looks, we’ll starve before the first frost."

A few won exchanged awkward glances.

So wanted to laugh.

So didn’t dare.

Ningning, however, didn’t react at all.

She simply continued slicing the tubers in her hand, as if Dana had comnted on the weather.

Her expression remained calm.

Too calm.

That, sohow, only annoyed Dana further.

"You’re pretending you didn’t hear ?" Dana folded her arms and raised her voice. "I’m talking to you, human. Or are your ears stuffed with fat too?"

"Dana," Xiaoli warned again, a deep frown on her face.

But Dana was already on a roll.

"I’ve seen plenty like her. Useless hands, huge appetite. When winter cos, people like this are always the first to cry for food. If Weijie really bonds with her, he’ll regret it. Maybe she’ll even eat his share."

A couple of the younger won giggled nervously.

Ningning finally put the knife down.

Not loudly.

Just gently.

Then she stood.

Dana thought she was going to argue. Or cry.

Instead, Ningning walked over calmly, until she stopped directly in front of her. They stood close enough that Dana had to tilt her chin up slightly.

For so reason, her heart skipped.

"...What?" Dana said, forcing her voice to sound fierce.

Ningning studied her for a long mont.

Then she smiled.

Not angry. Not embarrassed.

Just a calm, faint smirk that irritated Dana more than any insult could have.

"Are you done?" Ningning asked mildly.

Dana blinked. "What?"

"Your rant," Ningning continued. "Are you finished? You’ve been talking for quite a while."

The won around them froze.

Xiaoli covered her mouth.

Soone coughed, badly hiding a laugh.

Dana’s face flushed red. "You—!"

Ningning didn’t let her finish.

"You said I only know how to eat. You said I don’t know how to cook." She tilted her head slightly. "Then let’s not waste ti arguing."

She gestured toward the fire pit and the baskets of ingredients.

"I don’t need an oracle or anyone’s words to prove anything."

Her voice remained light, but every word landed clearly.

"I’ll cook. You cook too."

Dana stared at her.

Ningning’s faint smile widened just a little. "Let’s see whose food the tribe finishes first."

Silence.

Then—

"What?" Nala gasped.

"A competition?" soone whispered.

Dana’s pride flared instantly.

"You want to compete with ?" she laughed harshly. "I’ve been cooking for this tribe since I could hold a stone knife. You think you can win?"

Ningning shrugged. "If I lose, I’ll admit I’m useless."

She t Dana’s gaze head-on.

"But if you lose..."

Dana’s throat tightened.

"...then don’t call dead weight again."

The air between them seed to spark.

For so reason, the other won felt a sudden rush of excitent. It was just cooking.

So why did it feel like two hunters were about to clash?

Dana scoffed loudly. "Fine! Don’t cry later when no one eats your food."

Xiaoli slapped her thigh. "Alright then! Since you both agreed, we’ll split the ingredients evenly."

She turned, already energized.

"Nala, divide the fish! You two, bring more firewood! If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly!"

The quiet cooking area burst into life.

Won hurried about.

Soone muttered under their breath, "This is more interesting than the bonding ceremony preparations..."

Ningning looked down at the pile of ingredients placed before her and calmly rolled up her sleeves.

A cooking competition?

Please.

In her original tiline, she’d survived university dorm kitchens and budget groceries. Compared to that, this was easy mode.

Behind her head, Doudou’s lazy voice chid in.

[Oho— look at you. Go on, girl. Crush her.]

Ningning’s lips twitched.

Yeah. She planned to.

She was going to crush Dana so thoroughly she wouldn’t dare show her face in broad daylight again.

And afterward?

She’d remind her of this loss every single ti they crossed paths.

I play dirty, bitch.

You should never have crossed .

Because now, I won’t let you off easy.