Translator: CinderTL
The two walked side by side toward the wooden cabin.
Xun Ancai's fingers were intertwined, her expression conflicted as she hesitated, as if she had something to say.
Xu Sanyan tilted his head slightly. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing."
"Oh."
Xun Ancai couldn't hold back any longer. In a barely audible voice, she asked, "What did the clan chief say to you?"
A mischievous grin spread across Xu Sanyan's face as he drawled, "Nothing much. Just asked which girl I liked..."
Xun Ancai's eyes widened, taking him seriously. "And what did you say?" she pressed urgently.
"Guess?"
"Hmm..."
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Xu Sanyan burst into laughter and strode ahead.
Xun Ancai's cheeks flushed crimson as she muttered to herself, "It must be me. He doesn't know anyone else, and didn't he say before that I'm the only one in his heart?"
As she mentally reassured herself, a secret joy bloomed in her heart. This old lady's finally getting a man!
"Wait for me!" Xun Ancai hurried after him.
Xu Sanyan stopped before a ramshackle wooden hut, observing it carefully.
He rarely used the word "ramshackle" to describe wooden huts, but this one truly deserved the term.
Between two large trees, a platform had been built using seven or eight logs, each bound together with vines and laid flat on the ground.
Four crooked wooden stakes served as corner posts, supporting a roof made of piled-up weeds.
Yes, the hut had no walls; only the overhanging weeds provided a semblance of privacy. The entire structure resembled a haphazardly constructed gazebo.
"This is... your home?" Xu Sanyan asked, his eye twitching.
"Yep! Come on in," Xun Ancai replied, showing no embarrassment.
"Your front door is always open? Oh... you don't even have a door." Xu Sanyan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Did you build this yourself?"
"Yep!"
Xun Ancai pulled a piece of meat down from the rafters, sniffed it, as if checking for any off-putting odors.
"Didn't your parents offer to help?"
"Among the Dog Clan people, after our first blessing ceremony, we must leave home and survive on our own. Even if you starve to death, your parents won't lift a finger to help."
Xu Sanyan clicked his tongue. After thirteen, you're expected to fend for yourself?
Xun Ancai conjured a pile of firewood from somewhere, retrieved a flint, and crouched down to strike it vigorously. Sparks flew, igniting the dry grass, and she carefully lit the withered branches.
She casually skewered the meat and placed it over the fire to roast, glancing up at Xu Sanyan. "Do you prefer it rare or well-done?"
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. "What level of doneness?"
"Hmm?"
"Well-done."
"Oh." Xun Ancai focused intently on roasting the meat.
Xu Sanyan surveyed the cramped room, his gaze finally settling on the only bed.
Calling it a bed was generous; it was merely several layers of dried animal hide stretched over a bed of straw.
"Your family only has one bed?"
"Mm..."
Xun Ancai's face flushed crimson in the firelight, as if struck by a sudden thought. She stole a glance at him before letting out a heavy sniff.
The sky outside gradually darkened. Xun Ancai's house was quite remote, and few people had passed by in the long hours since they'd arrived.
Xu Sanyan quickly tidied up the room, making it look less chaotic.
"Here," Xun Ancai said, handing him the roasted meat. Her large eyes fluttered as she watched him.
"Thank you," Xu Sanyan replied.
He was already ravenously hungry. He took the meat and tore off a large chunk, devouring it in big bites. Though it lacked seasoning, the meat tasted remarkably good—firm, chewy, and satisfying.
Gulp...
Xun Ancai swallowed hard, her gaze fixed intently on the meat in Xu Sanyan's hand.
"Is this... all the meat you have left?" Xu Sanyan paused, his mouth full.
"Mm... I was supposed to go hunting today, but I ran into you halfway there and didn't get a chance," Xun Ancai said with an awkward smile, scratching her head.
"Then let's split it," Xu Sanyan said, tearing the meat in half and offering her the larger piece.
"You eat it. I can go a day without food," Xun Ancai insisted, waving her hands dismissively.
"Eat!"
"Oh."
The three-headed dog lay listlessly outside the hut, its pitiful gaze fixed on the meat in their hands, drool dripping from its jaws.
After eating their fill, it was time to rest.
Xun Ancai suddenly felt awkward and pointed to the bed. "You should sleep there. I... I'll just sleep on the ground."
"Mm."
Xu Sanyan didn't hesitate. He lay down on the bed fully clothed, casually pulling a nearby animal hide over himself. The hide still carried Xun Ancai's scent—an indescribable odor that was definitely not pleasant, like a mix of sweat and the wild, musky smell of beasts.
Xun Ancai curled up carefully beside him, her bright, glistening eyes fixed on Xu Sanyan, her thoughts unreadable.
By now, it was completely dark outside. Xu Sanyan wasn't sleepy and found it difficult to fall asleep in such a place. He simply closed his eyes to rest.
"Are you asleep?" Xun Ancai asked cautiously.
"No."
"What's it like in the outside world? Can you get enough to eat?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful! Unlike us, who often go hungry," Xun Ancai said, her voice tinged with envy.
"Ah..." Xu Sanyan sighed. "The outside world isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you can eat your fill, but people's hearts are complicated, and there are plenty of bad guys out there. You have to constantly watch out for others' schemes, living in constant fear. It's exhausting."
Xun Ancai nodded thoughtfully. "If everyone outside were as simple and kind as you, it would be perfect."
"Heh... yeah." Xu Sanyan shamelessly agreed.
Xun Ancai gradually scooted closer to the bed. "I'm suddenly feeling a bit cold..."
Xu Sanyan curled his lip. With your physique, you're cold?
"Then... why don't you come up and sleep?"
"Mm-hmm." Xun Ancai flipped over in a flurry and dove under the covers.
Before Xu Sanyan could react, a tall, voluptuous figure had already settled beside him.
Xun Ancai's fingers trembled with nervousness, but she desperately tried to maintain her composure.
She remembered her mother's words from years ago: If you want to find a man, you have to swallow your pride. Shamelessness is the key to success.
Xu Sanyan lay flat on his back, while Xun Ancai lay on her side, her cheek pressed close to his. Her warm breath brushed against his face, sending a ticklish sensation through his heart.
"You smell so good..." Xun Ancai said, grasping for conversation.
"Hmm?" Xu Sanyan recognized this line from somewhere.
"You're so pale..." Xun Ancai racked her brain for another opening.
Xu Sanyan turned his head slightly, glancing at her. Their breaths mingled between their faces, stirring a wave of emotion.
An unspoken tension filled the drafty room.
Xun Ancai's cheeks flushed crimson, almost dripping with blood, her eyes brimming with desire.
"Turn around," Xu Sanyan said.
"Why?" Xun Ancai asked, puzzled.
"Turn around," Xu Sanyan repeated, his tone firmer.
"Oh..." Xun Ancai obediently turned her back.
Xu Sanyan wrapped an arm around her waist, feeling her body tremble violently.
Xun Ancai suddenly felt something digging into her waist. She instinctively reached back to touch it. "What's this...?"
"Shh... don't talk."
"Oh~"
(End of the Chapter)
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