CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: STAKING FIREWOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIBE

After Su Qinglan carried all the hides into her cave, she stacked them neatly in one corner.

Her spoiled arms ached from hauling them all the way, but she didn’t mind. Looking at that pile of bright, soft hides, she felt like she had just robbed a treasure vault.

She picked one up and rubbed it against her cheek.

"Mmm, soft," she whispered. "Not bad at all."

Her father was really considerate. He remembered her even when he was tired and heavy-hearted. It made her feel warm inside.

But it also reminded her too much of her original father in that cruel apocalypse world. Her chest tightened. She quickly shook the thought away before she got too sentimental.

Turning to the stone bowl filled with water, she crouched down and peered at her reflection.

Her green eyes gleamed back at her, her lips were rosy, and her skin was surprisingly smooth. She tilted her head left, then right, then puckered her lips playfully.

"Still looking good," she muttered with a smirk.

Satisfied, she dusted her hands, patted her clothes, and set off toward the tribe’s center, where the feast would be held.

***

The walk was long, but when she finally arrived, the place was already alive with noise and movement.

Beastmen were everywhere.

Some were dragging prey, others arranging skins, while a few bickered loudly over who was stronger. A couple of them even flexed their muscles for no reason at all.

Su Qinglan couldn’t help but stare.

"These guys... Is this a feast or a wrestling competition?" She muttered under her breath.

Then her eyes landed on something far more interesting.

Right in the middle stood a massive hill of dried firewood.

She blinked.

"Wait... Are they seriously going to make a fire? Like...real fire?!"

Last time she had grilled meat, these very same beastmen almost fell on their knees, crying about fire being sacred and only controllable by the witch doctor.

And now they built this giant mountain of sticks?

Her curiosity shot through the roof. She tiptoed closer, circling around it like a cat eyeing fish. The pile was tall, neat, and carefully arranged.

"Wow...whoever stacked this is a perfectionist," she whispered, reaching out as if to poke one branch.

But before her finger even touched the wood, a sharp voice rang out.

"Female! Stay away!"

Su Qinglan jumped like a guilty thief caught red-handed.

She spun around and saw a tall, sturdy beastman standing there with crossed arms. His whole expression screamed serious guard dog.

His gaze pinned her to the spot, and for a second, she almost raised her hands like a criminal surrendering.

"...I wasn’t going to ruin it," she muttered weakly.

The beastman didn’t move. His face was carved from stone, his brow furrowed as if she were the most reckless creature alive.

"Go back. This place is dangerous. If you come closer again, I will carry you away myself." His voice was deep and firm, with no room for argument.

Su Qinglan stared at him, her mouth twitching.

Carried away? By him? In front of everyone?

She imagined the scene and almost choked on her own spit.

No, thank you.

Her pride would not survive it.

So, she obediently backed away while muttering under her breath. "Fine, fine. Don’t glare at me like that; I’ll go."

In her heart, though, she muttered," Tch. Overprotective. What do they think, that I’d throw myself into the firewood and set the whole tribe ablaze?"

Still, she decided not to provoke him. Better to retreat gracefully than be hauled away like a naughty cub.

Wandering off, she soon caught sight of another area.

And oh boy, it was a sight.

Piles of meat, stacked so high it looked like a bloody mountain. The smell hit her nose before her eyes even adjusted, and she almost gagged.

Behind the pile, beastmen were busily tearing prey apart, separating hides from flesh, some even chewing raw meat as they worked.

Her face twisted.

"...Savages," she muttered, fanning her hand in front of her nose.

But then she spotted a familiar figure.

Rong Ye.

There he was, crouched on the ground, diligently pulling apart meat with surprising focus. His muscles flexed, his brow furrowed, and he actually looked...serious.

Su Qinglan blinked.

"Ohhh... So this lazybones actually knows how to work?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

And this same man had dared to laze around her cave, acting weak, demanding food, and shouting about his aching body?

She clenched her fists, remembering every time he had made her cook more while he lay around like some spoiled lord.

A sly smile crept onto her lips.

’Wait until tomorrow,’ she thought gleefully. She would make this fox into her ox.

With that, she did not dare linger more; the smell was getting on her nerves.

Su Qinglan wandered aimlessly around the bustling tribe center. She sighed.

Everyone had something to do. Everyone had their place.

Except her.

She didn’t have friends here. She didn’t even have a group to belong to. Her father was back in the cave, and the rest of the beastmen were too busy running around like ants before a storm.

She folded her arms and muttered, "What am I supposed to do? Just stand here like a lonely mushroom?"

Her feet kicked at a pebble as she walked in circles, her expression sulky.

And then...

"Qinglan-jie! You’re here!"

A sweet, bright voice rang out from behind her.

Su Qinglan froze, then spun around in surprise.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

It was that cute female, the one she had roasted meat with before!

Her cheeks were pink from running, and her eyes were sparkling like little stars. She looked fresh and lively, like a bunny that had just hopped out of the forest.

Su Qinglan’s lips curved into a genuine smile.

"Oh! It’s you!" She called back, her voice carrying more warmth than she expected.

Finally. She wouldn’t be alone anymore.

Her heart secretly cheered.

At last, someone she could talk to...someone who wasn’t too busy lifting half a cow with one hand or shouting orders.