"Hey, Ziqian!"
When they arrived at the center of the tribe, three females ran toward them, carrying their bags of red roots.
"Young patriarch," they greeted.
Xue nodded silently beside Ziqian.
The three females didn't mind his cold response—they were used to their young patriarch's stoic nature.
"Where did you go today?" Yan asked.
Yan, Tei, and Qiu were Ziqian's first acquaintances in the tribe. The three were lively, approachable, and part of the group he had previously joined to collect red roots. Yan and Tei were already married, while Qiu had just become an adult this year and would marry at the next Eulogia.
"We went to the swamp today," Ziqian said, signaling Xue to set down the heavy bag he carried. Then he took out several sunflower seeds and handed them to the trio. "Here, try this."
He demonstrated how to open the shells, and the three females quickly imitated him, eating the seeds without hesitation.
"It's delicious!" Qiu exclaimed first.
"Yes, really delicious," Yan agreed.
"What fruit is this, Ziqian?" asked Tei. Being the eldest of the three and a mother, her thoughts immediately turned to her fragile cub, born last year after much struggle, and how to provide more of this fruit for him.
"They're achene seeds," Ziqian explained, handing her an extra handful, fully aware of her situation.
"Achene?! We didn't know it had seeds—and that it was edible," Yan said in surprise. Achene flowers were usually used for decorations during Eulogia because of their large, colorful petals.
"Where can we get more of these flower seeds?" Tei asked eagerly, eyes shining with anticipation.
Ziqian's smile faltered, and he instinctively glanced at Xue. "The place we found them… is far and dangerous."
It wasn't that he was unwilling to share the location—if it were safe, he would have gladly offered. But the area was home to several powerful monsters. Without a monster radar, venturing there would be suicide.
Xue, who had been quietly listening, shifted his gaze to Ziqian. His peach-blossom eyes carried a silent plea, and something in Xue's chest softened. Finally, he spoke in his usual calm, steady voice:
"It's near the cave of the three-horned mantis and the nest of the three-horned crow."
The three females gasped. Even half-transformed, they were far weaker than a two-horned beast—and even ten females together could not hope to defeat a three-horned monster.
What could they do? They wanted the seeds—they tasted amazing—but barging into a territory of three-horned monsters was out of the question.
Tei sighed.
"Don't worry," Ziqian said, trying to lift their spirits. "If we pass that area again, I'll get more for you."
"Okay," Tei replied with a smile.
"Don't forget to save some extra for me," Yan added.
"Me too," Qiu chimed in.
They weren't expecting much. Their young patriarch could fight a three-horned beast alone, but what could a fragile sub-beast like Ziqian do? They were already content that he shared his discoveries with them.
They talked for a while before the trio thanked Ziqian and went off to prepare dinner for their families.
Xue and Ziqian continued toward the place Ziqian was currently living—what had originally been Xue's tent. Along the way, Ziqian greeted several females and familiar beasts.
Xue noticed that, unlike other sub-beasts, Ziqian was naturally friendly. He smiled at everyone, sometimes exchanging brief words, which explained how he had quickly gained popularity within the tribe.
Previously, Xue had paid little attention, but now, watching Ziqian's cheerful interactions, he felt a subtle pang of discomfort.
Upon reaching the tent, Xue set the basket in a corner. "Rest. I will bring you your food." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left swiftly.
Ziqian watched Xue's retreating figure, a playful smile spreading across his face. Today had been full of teasing opportunities, and he was already looking forward to tomorrow.
He admired Xue's ability to appear indifferent even as he blushed so easily when provoked—cute and handsome all at once.
Phi and Ero hovered nearby, silently observing. After the emotional turbulence incident, their Ah-Zi seemed normal, yet they could sense that something was wrong. Unable to pinpoint the cause, they could only wait for Gae's return, confident that he would understand what was truly happening.
"I want to play a little game," Ziqian suddenly blurted out, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"What kind of game? Is it fun?" Phi asked innocently.
Ziqian chuckled. "Yeah, but it's more like a gamble. My coworkers used to call it a love game."
At that, a soft pop sounded. Phi's fur bristled as if electrified. "L-udus?" he exclaimed incredulously.
Ziqian frowned. "What's wrong? What is Ludus?"
"It—"
Ero floated between them, using his round body to shove Phi, sending the hedgehog-like fluffball stumbling and rolling. "Ludus is one of our friends, but he and Phi always fought before. That's why he reacts like that," Ero explained calmly.
"Oh." Ziqian's peach-blossom eyes narrowed as he looked at the two furballs, as if seeing right through them.
"Hehehe… So what's your plan, Ah-Zi?" Ero asked nervously, attempting to divert attention. "I like playing games too."
"Nothing much. I just want to bet on whether the cold and aloof Xue already likes me," Ziqian said casually.
"If you want to know, we can check for you," Phi offered, calming down. He looked puzzled. How is Ziqian going to tell if someone likes him using Ludus?
As guardians of love, they could assess favorability directly, making such schemes unnecessary.
"Hmm… But I want to find out myself," Ziqian said playfully.
"I—" Phi started, but Ero shoved him again.
"Okay! I also want to know if Xue already likes Ah-Zi," Ero said energetically, rubbing his red fur against Ziqian's neck while silently communicating with Phi.
Ero: Just let him do what he wants.
Phi: But the dark clouds around Ah-Zi are thickening. If another emotional turbulence could occur, it might seriously affect his still-weak soul.
Ero: I know.
Phi's little body trembled with suppressed frustration.
Phi: Master also said that playing with love will only make that person miserable and lonely. That's why Lulu was prohibited from coming with us—because he might influence Ah-Zi to repeat his past mistakes. But look what is happening right now!
He had been stopped by Ero several times, and his patience was wearing thin.
Phi: Do you want him to be lonely? Do you want him to be miserable again?
Ero groaned, twisting his round body as though massaging a headache.
Ero: Of course not! But we can't just tell him to forget and move on, right?
Phi choked on his words. Unable to counter, he only fell silent, praying fervently that Gae would return soon—before it was too late.
It wasn't that Ero didn't care. He was simply torn. Ah-Zi was unpredictable and fragile right now, perhaps still suffering aftereffects of the emotional turbulence… or something else entirely. But one thing was certain: it had been triggered by Huo's departure.
Phi's gaze softened as he looked at their beautiful ward, lying on the grass bed. Ziqian was clearly exhausted, yet stubbornly resisting sleep.
"Ah-Zi, rest first. We'll wake you when Xue comes back with your food," Phi murmured, nuzzling his cheek with soft fur.
"Okay," Ziqian whispered, finally closing his eyes, surrendering to a nap.
_______________.
Two more days had passed, and this was already the fifth day of his food hunt with Xue. Ziqian felt very satisfied with the progress of the quest.
[2nd Main Quest Progress: Find 4 more fruits and 5 more vegetables.]
On the first day, they found bitter melon and chili.
On the second day, they discovered sunflower seeds, string beans, onions, and ginger.
On the third day, they only managed to find pinkish-colored yams and star-shaped tomatoes, but they also came across vines suitable for weaving baskets. Using these, Ziqian made two small baskets and one large basket for him and Xue.
On the fourth day, they ventured deeper into the forest. Along the way, they came across clusters of multicolored mushrooms clinging to massive rocks, cabbage-like leaves sprouting from the trunks of pale white trees, and thorny yellow pumpkins dangling from the edge of a cliff. They even discovered a peculiar fruit shaped like a bottle gourd—its meat as tender as tofu when young, but once matured, the inside dissolves, leaving behind only a hard, hollow shell.
Other than the tender young ones Ziqian planned to turn into sweet and sour tofu, they also harvested the mature gourds, their sturdy shells perfect for crafting water bottles, bowls, and cups. Back in the tribe, people typically used the husks of a fruit called lume. The fruit held a sweet nectar that soured as it ripened, and while its shell served as a makeshift container, it had one major flaw—it molded quickly and had to be replaced every couple of days.
"Good morning, Xue," Ziqian said, smiling as he reached out to hold the man's wrist.
Unlike before, Xue didn't stiffen. Instead, he stepped closer to the sub-beast, the distance between them closing. "Good morning. Have you had breakfast?" His expression stayed composed, but his voice was not as cold as before.
All his effort in flirting with Xue these past few days had finally borne fruit.
Ziqian shook his head.
"Do you want to eat first before we leave?" Xue asked.
"No, I'll eat while we walk. Wait here—I'll get something." Ziqian darted back into his tent. When he emerged, he was carrying a bowl covered with a layer of leaves. With a bright smile, he held it out. "For you."
Xue glanced at the bowl, then at Ziqian. His serious face didn't change much, but the faint flicker in his eyes gave him away.
Xue hesitatingly accepted the bowl. As soon as he lifted the leaves, a rich fragrance spilled into the air.
He had grown accustomed to chewing on dried meat every morning—tough, tasteless, and barely filling. In fact, he had already eaten before coming to find Ziqian. But the moment the scent of the warm dish reached him, his stomach stirred as if he hadn't eaten at all.
For a fleeting second, the ever-composed man found himself at a loss. "…This is for me?" he asked, his voice low, almost unsure.
"It's called sweet and sour tofu with pork. Try it," Ziqian said brightly, placing a makeshift spoon into Xue's hand.
Xue turned the odd utensil over, his brows knitting slightly. Clearly, he had no idea what to do with it.
Ziqian chuckled and reached out, guiding his hand. "Like this. Scoop it up… then eat." His fingers brushed against Xue's knuckles, light and teasing, before he let go.
Xue followed his instructions stiffly, as if he were being tested in front of the entire tribe. He lifted the spoon to his mouth, took a bite—and froze.
The sharp tang of the sauce mingled with the savory pork, while the tofu melted softly against his tongue. His expression didn't change much, but his grip on the spoon tightened ever so slightly and his motions quickened as though he couldn't help but chase the next bite.
"Well?" Ziqian leaned closer, eyes twinkling. "How is it?"
The man, still lost in the rich, tangy flavor lingering on his tongue, heard Ziqian's expectant question. Without thinking, he extended the bowl back toward him, eyes holding an unspoken request for more.
Ziqian burst into laughter.
The sound jolted Xue back to his senses. His brows furrowed, and he quickly pulled the bowl against his chest, as if to erase the slip. "It's… delicious," he said flatly, but the faint pink dusting the tips of his ears betrayed him.
Ziqian took the bowl back and, without a shred of shame, clung to Xue's arm. "This is all I have for now. It's really challenging to cook without proper tools, but I promise I'll make more for you in the future."
Xue only gave a small nod, yet his gaze lingered on the sub-beast, steady and unblinking. A quiet warmth spread through his chest, quickening his heartbeat. In that moment, he realized what had once been mere admiration was slowly taking root, sprouting into something deeper.
Noticing he had achieved his goal, Ziqian took the bowl back into the tent before rejoining Xue. "Let's go."
"How about you? What will you eat?" Xue asked as Ziqian started walking ahead.
"I have this." Ziqian waved the half-peeled red root in his hand with a grin.
Xue's brows furrowed, guilt stirring in his chest. "I shouldn't have—"
"Stop right there! That food was meant for you." Ziqian cut him off before he could finish. "Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."
"You don't need to thank me," Xue replied, his voice quieter than usual. "You were working for the tribe. It's my duty to help you."
"I know. But it's also an excuse for me to give you something," Ziqian said frankly—and before Xue could react, he leaned in and planted a kiss at the corner of his lips. Then he darted ahead, leaving the man frozen in place.
Xue's heart, which had just steadied, thundered violently once more, heat climbing up his neck.
Meanwhile, Ziqian wore an embarrassed smile as he ran, his fingers brushing his own lips. Inside, though, he was laughing. Beyond working on his quest, he was also "working" on Xue—flirting with him whenever the chance arose.
It's really fun!