The tide shifted rapidly. Where there had been only hostility and suspicion, now came cautious approval.
Su Qinglan's lips curled ever so slightly. Her fox-like eyes glittered as she turned toward the woman who had spoken up for her.
Her aunt.
The only one in this entire tribe who had always treated her kindly, who had spoiled her despite her reputation, who had raised her like a daughter because she herself had none.
Su Qinglan softened her expression, letting her eyes shine sweetly as she bowed her head.
"Thank you, Aunt," she said gently.
Then she walked down to the wounded wolf.
Han Jue lay sprawled in the dirt, his breaths shallow, his fur matted with blood. His body twitched faintly, but his ice-blue eyes were glassy and unfocused. He was half-unconscious now. He didn't even react when she tugged the blood-soaked hide free from the gaping wound in his side.
Su Qinglan wrinkled her nose at the stench of iron but moved quickly, her hands steady and sure. She poured clean water over the hide, wiping away blood with the clean hide. Her movements were swift, efficient, and well practiced. Exactly like the witch doctor.
The onlookers exchanged glances. Their earlier doubts faltered. She really does look like she knows what she's doing…
When the worst of the blood was cleared, Su Qinglan leaned back with a thoughtful hum. "I'll need medicine. Keep him still. I'll return soon."
No one doubted her.
She slipped away into the forest. Once alone, she scanned the underbrush, sharp eyes searching until she found what she needed, the most common bleeding stopper, an herb almost everyone knew how to use in an apocalypse. She plucked a handful, washed them clean with water, then crouched by a flat stone to grind them into a green pulp.
Carrying it back, she crouched beside Han Jue once more. She pressed the poultice gently into the torn flesh. The crowd watched closely, but no one noticed the faint shimmer that flickered around her palm, like dew glinting in sunlight.
Su Qinglan was using her plant-type healing ability on him. Soon the gentle energy seeped into the wound to knit the wolf's inner wounds together, sealing what the herbs alone could not.
Su Qinglan's face remained serene, but sweat beaded her forehead. She pulled her hand back sharply before she healed too much, letting only the worst damage fade enough to keep him alive.
Careful, Su Qinglan, she scolded herself silently. As she realizes her energy was almost sucked out by the greedy wolf.
She wiped her damp palms on her hide, then calmly bound the wound with clean animal hide. Her voice carried steady authority as she straightened.
"Take him to rest. Don't disturb him. I'll check his wound again later."
The warriors nodded, already convinced.
She handed the remaining herbs to them. "Use these on the others. Do as I did just now."
They obeyed instantly, scattering to treat the less injured.
Su Qinglan exhaled quietly, wiping sweat from her brow. To the crowd, she appeared calm, dutiful, and even admirable. Inside, she was rolling her eyes.
Unreliable system, bloody wolf husband, and now I'm playing tribe doctor… haaa. What a life.
But still, her lips curled.
Her image in the tribe had shifted. One wounded wolf was all it took.
As Su Qinglan was finally making her way back toward her cave, she didn't notice the subtle stir behind her.
Han Jue's lashes trembled, and his eyes opened just a sliver. For a fleeting moment, his deep gaze followed her retreating figure, lingering with something unreadable.
Then, as though nothing had happened, he shut them again, allowing the warriors to lift his battered body and carry him back to his own cave.
On the other side, Su Qinglan wasn't in the best shape herself. The heavy pull of exhaustion settled into her bones, muddling her thoughts.
Only then did she realize her powerful ability had dropped to level one. Using it recklessly had taken a toll on her body, draining her until even her steps faltered and turned clumsy.
Just as she stumbled on a loose stone, a voice came from her side.
"Do you… need help getting back to your cave? You don't look too good."
Su Qinglan turned her head slightly, blinking at the speaker.
It was a young beast warrior. His ears were faintly red, his gaze darting nervously, and to her utter disbelief, he was blushing.
Her lips twitched.
…Wait. Was this cub… trying to flirt with her?
Inwardly, she couldn't help scoffing. My dear, you really have guts to flirt with this aunty.
Because no matter how clean or brave she looked now, she knew the truth of herself, her soul was old. Far older than this bright-eyed cub in front of her. And she was definitely not interested in some shaky, blushing little beast.
Her tastes? Oh no, she liked the type that were big, broad, and masculine. Eight-pack abs, shoulders wide enough to block the sun, the kind of men who made the air heavy just by standing there.
Ahem!
Su Qinglan coughed into her fist, abruptly cutting off her dangerous train of thought before it strayed too far. When her eyes refocused, the young beast was still standing there, stammering, his gaze practically glued to her like she was the first woman he had ever seen in his life.
Honestly, his taste was… really something.
Su Qinglan recalled her reflection in the river. Did he not fear that her sturdy frame might crush him flat?
Smiling faintly, she replied in a sweet, dismissive tone, "No need. I can manage on my own. But thank you."
And with that, she turned and walked away gracefully, leaving him frozen in place.
The young beast, however, was struck harder by that single "thank you" than if she had punched him in the heart. His face flushed scarlet in shame and excitement, so much so that a fluffy fox tail suddenly burst out from behind him.