Beichuan set the crutch aside, carefully avoiding Bai Ning’s wounds, and gently picked her up.
As her delicate body entered his arms, Beichuan caught that faint scent of fruit again. His heart rate involuntarily quickened. His throat felt dry, and a powerful urge surged within him to pull her tight against his body, to feel her warmth and softness completely.
He suppressed the impulse, took a deep breath, and struggled to steady his emotions. He carried Bai Ning toward the cave entrance as if she were a precious treasure, his steps firm and steady.
Because Bai Ning had changed into animal skins, her arms and shoulders were exposed. As Beichuan held her, physical contact was inevitable. The heat radiating from him made Bai Ning wonder if he had a fever.
How can someone’s body be this hot!
She shifted her body slightly, trying to maintain a bit of distance. Beichuan noticed the movement and stopped. He looked down at her with a trace of concern in his eyes and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
Bai Ning was startled by his question and quickly shook her head, answering flusteredly, “Ah? No, no! Let’s just go outside!”
Seeing that she wasn’t in pain, Beichuan breathed a sigh of relief and continued carrying her out of the cave.
The moment they stepped outside, Bai Ning was once again stunned by the scenery. The sky was approaching dusk, and the setting sun hung in the west like a giant ball of fire, dyeing the entire world gold. The warm orange glow spilled over them, draping the pair in a dreamlike veil of light.
Beichuan carried her to the side and gently placed her on a rock in front of the cave. “How is that? Any discomfort?”
His voice pulled Bai Ning back from her thoughts. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Beichuan, smiling as she shook her head. “No, I’m fine. It’s beautiful here.”
Beichuan looked into the distance. He had lived here since he reached adulthood and was long used to the view; he didn’t think there was anything special about it. But hearing Bai Ning say so, he suddenly felt that the scenery really had become much more beautiful.
Scanning the area, Bai Ning noticed several logs on the clearing in front of the cave, with wood shavings scattered on the ground. They hadn’t been there when she looked earlier that afternoon, so those muffled thuds she heard must have come from these logs. No wonder he made the crutches so fast—he already had the materials ready.
“Did you just bring these logs back? What are you planning to make?”
Bai Ning was curious. Such thick trees—what kind of tool did he use to make the cuts look so smooth? And how did he carry them back?
Beichuan looked at the pile of wood, a hint of bashfulness appearing on his face as he remembered what Chi Li and the others had said earlier:
“Yo, Beichuan, have you finally decided to settle down and find a mate?”
“Is it that little female you brought back? Is she pretty enough to make you actually want to mate?”
“Hahaha… she must be beautiful! Otherwise, how could Beichuan want to mate? The females in the tribe stare at him every day, and he never gives them the time of day. He’s broken so many hearts already.”
“Mating is a good thing! Once Beichuan is off the market, the rest of us single beasts might actually have a chance!”
“Tsk tsk… soon Beichuan is also a beastman with a female to hold. I’m so jealous! Hahaha…”
Thinking of this, Beichuan couldn’t help but recall how it felt to hold the little female just now. She was so soft, so fragrant… he really wanted to take a bite…
Seeing that Beichuan hadn’t answered, Bai Ning looked up at him in confusion. Had she asked something she shouldn’t have? Instead, she saw Beichuan looking incredibly shy, his entire ears turned bright red.
No way! She thought. I didn’t ask anything inappropriate, did I? Why the hell does he look like he’s in heat?!
Bai Ning couldn’t help but shimmy backward. This was a bit scary! She hadn’t even said anything!
Although her movement was small, Beichuan noticed it immediately. Seeing Bai Ning look at him as if he were a creep, Beichuan felt terrible. Why is the little female looking at me like that? I… I didn’t do anything strange, did I? She just moved away—is she disgusted by me? But why? I didn’t do anything!
Beichuan’s powerful yet fragile little heart shattered slightly under Bai Ning’s gaze.
Silence fell in front of the cave as neither spoke. Beichuan racked his brain trying to figure out what he had done to make the little female dislike him. Meanwhile, Bai Ning quietly reached her hand down the side of the rock and grabbed a tuft of wild grass growing underneath. With a thought, the grass instantly vanished from her hand.
“One Light Grass detected. Points +20.”
Hearing the notification, Bai Ning almost laughed out loud. She quickly controlled her expression and peeked at Beichuan. Seeing that he was still dazed, she sighed in relief and inconspicuously reached for another blade of grass.
However, fearing she might pluck the area bald and alert Beichuan to the anomaly, she stopped after collecting a few. The main reason was that Light Grass gave too few points—after the initial discovery bonus of 20 points, each subsequent stalk only gave 1 point. Unless she plucked the entire prairie bald, it would take forever to save enough for the “Golden Dream.”
Bai Ning looked toward the distant forest. That was where she really wanted to go…
Beichuan thought for a long time but still couldn’t figure out why Bai Ning was acting distant. Seeing her lost in thought, he rubbed his nose and didn’t dare disturb her. He walked silently to the side to continue his unfinished work.
When Bai Ning heard the movement and turned around, her jaw nearly hit the floor.
Wow… fiction really is becoming reality!
She watched as Beichuan’s hand—er, claws?—swiped a few times, and a massive log was instantly transformed into smooth planks. What kind of God-tier worker is this!
Beichuan glimpsed Bai Ning’s wide eyes from the corner of his eye. His movements stiffened, and his ear tips turned red again. “Sorry… did I disturb you?” he asked in a low, nervous voice.
Bai Ning snapped out of it and realized she was staring. She waved her hands hurriedly. “No, no! I just think your skill is amazing! If you were in my old world, you’d definitely be a master carpenter.”
A flash of confusion crossed Beichuan’s eyes. “Old world?”
Bai Ning realized she had slipped up and quickly explained, “Uh… I mean, my old tribe.”
Is that so? Beichuan was puzzled, but he couldn’t find any reason to doubt her. He scratched his head and didn’t press further.