Lin Wuyue sat in a corner of the cave, her head lowered in deep thought, while Feng Wu piled firewood to start a fire. The cave was dark and damp—far from the best place to rest—yet it was surprisingly comfortable.
Feng Wu glanced at the girl lost in her thoughts and found it rather amusing. A child her age should not wear such a serious expression, as if the world owed her a great debt and she carried countless worries on her shoulders.
He chuckled softly, then quietly approached her and lifted her into his arms.
Pretending to scold her, though his eyes were gentle, he said,
"What are you thinking so hard about? You're so young—why are you always frowning like that? Tell me your troubles. This big brother will help you."
Lin Wuyue rolled her eyes inwardly.
This guy… what was the need to carry me? Courting death like this—he's driving me insane. Ever since I met him, all he does is pick me up. I'm a man too! I don't like being carried by another man. I'm perfectly fine!
Despite those thoughts, she showed nothing on her face. Instead, she smiled sweetly.
"Big Brother Wu is overthinking. Why would Xiao Yue have any troubles? With you protecting me, I have no problems at all. I'm just… worried about being a burden to my big brothers. Because of me, you have to rest so often. Xiao Yue doesn't know what you're searching for, but I don't want to be a burden. I apologize to Big Brother Wu."
Feng Wu's heart ached slightly. Since meeting her, it was true that they had been delayed quite a bit, and wild beasts constantly tried to kidnap her. But hearing her say it herself made him uncomfortable.
He puffed up his cheeks, glaring at her with an exaggerated pout.
"You're going to become our little sister soon. Since you have no parents, we'll take you into our clan. Never say you're a burden. Never. You will never be one."
Lin Wuyue let out a soft, childish giggle, pleasant to the ear.
"Big Brother Wu, Xiao Yue understands."
"If you understand, then that's good. Now help me gather some firewood. Bring me that pile over there."
He set her down and pointed toward the other corner of the cave.
Lin Wuyue nodded and carefully gathered the firewood in her small arms, carrying it over to Feng Wu with a silly smile on her face.
At that moment, Lin Yuan arrived dragging a deer that was still agonizing—yes, it was alive.
When he saw the scene before him, a bitter ache formed in his chest.
What's so amusing? Feng Wu, you idiot—remember, I was the one who found Lin Wuyue first. You even threw her into a lake. And yet she's clearly more attached to you. Do you really think I'll let this slide? What a joke.
He gestured for Lin Wuyue to come over.
What is wrong with these people, calling me back and forth? How annoying. How ridiculous. Leave me alone. What do they think I am? Go to sleep already—I'm in a hurry to cultivate, Lin Wuyue complained inwardly as she walked to Lin Yuan's side.
"Big Brother, how can Xiao Yue help you?"
"Come, help me cut this meat."
"Feng Lin Yuan!!" Feng Wu shouted angrily. "You expect little Xiao Yue to cut meat from a dying beast and dirty her small hands? Are you insane? Are you looking for a beating?"
Lin Yuan shot him an idiot look and handed the knife to Lin Wuyue.
Feng Wu immediately snatched the knife away.
"I'll do it. Don't dirty my little sister."
"Who's your sister? You barely know her and she's already your sister?" Lin Yuan mocked.
"You—!"
The scene looked warm and harmonious. None of them imagined that a pair of phoenix eyes was watching from nearby, amused.
Chen Xi.
"Well, well… it seems the little one does an excellent job of lowering their guard. I'll have to reward her with some sweets later," he murmured to himself with a smile.
"Someone is watching you. Be careful," the snake suddenly warned Lin Wuyue.
She didn't turn around at all.
"Where?"
"In the trees over there. He's been following us for some time. I didn't pay attention at first, thinking he was after those brats, but now I see all his attention is on you. Fool—did you offend him?"
"Not at all," Lin Wuyue smiled. "But he'll be a problem later, so there's no need to worry about him now."
"Lin Yuan, you… you're shameless!" Feng Wu shouted.
"Feng Wu, you dare call me shameless? You're truly an idiot," Lin Yuan retorted.
"Big brothers, there's no need to fight," Lin Wuyue tried to stop their childish argument.
Suddenly, her stomach growled loudly.
The brothers fell silent and stared at her.
"Pff—HAHAHAHA! Little Sister Xiao Yue, you're hungry, aren't you? Big Brother will cook something for you," Feng Wu laughed.
"Feng Wu, stop calling her your sister. She's not your sister," Lin Yuan snapped.
"Fine, fine. When she officially becomes my sister, you'll see. Hmph."
With that, he grabbed the prey from Lin Yuan's hands and dragged it toward the fire.
Lin Wuyue's face turned red. She put her small hands on her hips and protested,
"Who's hungry? You two are the ones who won't stop fighting! Hmph, I'm leaving!"
Feigning anger, she turned around and returned to her little corner, as if that corner could wash away her embarrassment.
Lin Yuan let out a small chuckle but didn't expose his intention, instead turning to help Feng Wu.
"Little fool, why do you want to leave? You don't like those brats?" the snake's voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
"It's fine. I'll leave tonight."
"And how do you plan to escape?"
That was a good question. Escaping from those two wasn't easy. Even though they were young masters no older than fifteen, they were still cultivators.
But Lin Wuyue had a plan.
She discreetly touched the pouch given to her by that brat the other day.
What was his name again…? she thought, unable to remember it clearly.
Chen Xi sneezed from where he was hiding near the cave and looked around in confusion.
"…Who's talking about me at this hour?"