***
"This is a new toothbrush my grandfather made for me; I've never used it. If you want it, sister, just pick it up and use it."
Pus said generously.
Mai Xiaomai touched the bristles of the toothbrush and said with appreciation, "It's quite exquisitely handmade. Since you're giving it to me, I'll go brush my teeth."
Abis stood up, took out something similar to soap, yet overflowing with fragrance, from the inner room and handed it to her. "This can be applied on the bristles to increase cleaning effectiveness," he explained.
"Oh, like toothpaste."
Mai Xiaomai was very pleased. "I really didn't expect to find something so civilized in an indigenous tribe. Lord Abis, you must have come from outside, right?"
"I was born here and have never left."
Abis shook his head. "All of this is the experience left behind by our ancestors; it's all recorded in books."
"In books? You're not going to tell me that you have a writing system here?"
Mai Xiaomai asked, greatly surprised.
