Rebirth With The Beast_12
Chapter 64 continued....
Tang Yu reflexively tried to pull his hand back, but Jers caught it in his big palm and held it fast.
Jers’s hand was hot—so hot the heat seemed to travel up Tang Yu’s arm until his whole face felt burning.
“Quit it,” Tang Yu huffed, but he didn’t dare struggle much. He was afraid that if he accidentally angered Jers, with that temper of his he’d definitely do something Tang Yu would regret.
Jers’s breath closed in quickly, and Tang Yu shrank back a little.
“What are you afraid of?”
Tang Yu snorted. He wasn’t afraid—okay? He just couldn’t accept these primitives’ way of thinking, that’s all.
“Don’t come any closer.” He pressed a forearm to Jers’s chest, feeling awkward, not daring to look him in the eye.
“You’re already my partner, aren’t you?” Jers lowered his voice a little. Murmured against the ear like that, it was irresistibly seductive.
“Jers, it’s just that I—I’m not mentally ready yet.” Tang Yu’s words came haltingly. Because of the twin tear-moles beneath his eyes, he looked pitiful in a way that tugged at the heart. Jers knew perfectly well that for all that pitiful look, Tang Yu’s true nature was nothing like his face—but he still couldn’t bring himself to be harsh.
“You don’t want to be close to me? Or… you don’t like me?” Jers drew back a little; he only did it so Tang Yu wouldn’t end up hating him.
But in Tang Yu’s eyes, it looked like Jers was hurt. Uneasy, he scooted closer and, cautiously, hooked a finger around Jers’s.
“That’s not it. I’m just not ready yet.”
Jers turned to look at him, those pitch-black eyes locking on him.
“Then forget it. You must be tired—rest.” He subtly freed his hand from Tang Yu’s grip and lay down on the furs to the side.
Tang Yu hadn’t expected him to back off so easily. Staring at Jers’s back, he slowly lay down as well. After that he tried chatting first—but Jers kept ignoring him, leaving Tang Yu’s heart rising and falling, miserable.
Maybe he’d gone too far, Tang Yu thought. In the beastman world, once you settle as partners, how could you not let your lover be intimate? Jers must be unhappy. But counting on his fingers, he and Jers hadn’t known each other that long. Yes, Jers ticked every box—but to jump straight to doing that? Way too fast.
He tossed and turned, sleepless, and finally inched closer to Jers. He hated being ignored by him, and hated seeing unhappiness in his eyes.
“Um, I—I’ll let you kiss me, but you can’t go too far.” No sooner were the words out than the previously motionless Jers rolled over. Now they were face-to-face. Tang Yu didn’t dodge this time; his heartbeat thumped so loud it was practically audible.
Jers didn’t look particularly pleased; lofty and reluctant, he said, “I don’t like forcing females. Since you dislike being close to me that much, why don’t we just call this—”
He hadn’t finished when Tang Yu flared up.
He shot upright, eyes blazing. Whether from anger or something else, his rims were red as he trembled, “Jers, I don’t like you goading me with words, and I don’t like you saying we should split up. I’m not very brave, okay? But let me tell you—if you ever do something that betrays me, I’ll disappear from your life forever!”
Jers sat up too, voice low and hoarse. “I was wrong this time. But, Tang Yu, you need to understand: I like you. That’s why I want to be close to you.”
Tang Yu slid his arms around Jers’s neck, pressed his forehead to Jers’s chin, and muttered, “I’ll let you kiss, let you touch—but you can’t do it. I don’t want to have a kid yet.”
Jers’s eyes softened. He hooked an arm around Tang Yu, pulled him onto his lap, then slid both hands under his shirt. Tang Yu jolted like he’d been shocked, every hair standing on end. He suddenly wanted to take back what he’d said—better to let Jers sulk than dig his own grave like this.
A certain spot below was brushed and Tang Yu couldn’t take it. He shoved at Jers with a furious claw. “Nope, I’m done. You look all ascetic and upright—how are you such a lech?”
He stood, yanked up a fur from the side—he was going to sleep separately.
He’d taken only a couple of steps when an arm wrapped around his waist. A warm chest pressed to his back. Jers’s slightly shadowed voice floated from behind: “Mm? Where do you think you’re going?”
A chill crawled over Tang Yu’s limbs. He hunched his shoulders and gave a wan smile. “N-nowhere. Not going anywhere.” He tried grabbing the cave wall to make one last, dying stand—but with the slightest tug from Jers, Tang Yu was tossed right back onto the furs.
Before he could start flailing, Jers pinned one leg over both of his, and in a couple of moves had stripped his shirt off. Angry, flustered protests echoed from the cave.
“Jers, you bastard! Don’t—ah—don’t bite, that hurts!”
The next day was overcast, and the rain held off.
Ed and the others returned—with two more rescued females. In thanks for the valley’s help, the winged leopard clan planned to hunt here for several days as a return gift. Su Yi actually wanted to refuse; he didn’t want them lingering. But under Ed’s insistence—and his guarantee they wouldn’t cause trouble—Su Yi grudgingly agreed.
Author’s Note:
Huh? Didn’t publish?
Chapter 65
That afternoon, as usual, Su Yi left the valley with Xinuo. They needed to check all the traps outside and bring in whatever they’d caught. With outsiders from other tribes around, Su Yi didn’t dare go far. Not that he was petty—he just cared about the people in the valley. The more you care, the smaller your margin for error; you can’t allow even a tiny slip.
They bagged two animals and hurried back.
It was still early, and Su Yi wanted to take the two kids out to play in the valley. When he and Xinuo were gone, the little ones always stayed home obediently. With nothing else on today, he planned to let them out to run.
But when he got home, neither child was there.
A stab of panic. He dropped everything and headed out with Xinuo to search.
In beast form, sight and smell both sharpen a lot. To find the kids faster, Xinuo shifted.
They split up: Su Yi went to check Mino’s and Ian’s; Xinuo combed the valley. He wasn’t overly worried. The children were small, yes, but they were still beastmen. And with people everywhere, it wasn’t like someone could just carry them off. He checked the surrounding caves and finally found Little Yilai near a rock wall.
The little snake had his head down, busy with something; catching Xinuo’s scent, he looked up and chirped, “Beast-father!”
Xinuo changed back beside him. He glanced around—no sign of Dino.
“Why are you alone? Where’s Dino?”
Little Yilai ducked his head, aggrieved, and “hmm’d” a long explanation before Xinuo understood: while they were out, some people came looking for Su Yi. Little Yilai remembered a dark, cool-looking beastman among them, but no one else. One of the females seemed to know Dino, and Dino went off with him. Alone and bored, Little Yilai went out to look for Dino—but couldn’t find him after a long time.
Xinuo scooped him up and headed for Ian’s place. If the winged leopards had taken Dino, that’s where they’d be.
He arrived to find Su Yi glowering at Ed.
Ed, displeased, was staring at a female—bandaged and deathly pale.
Xinuo came to Su Yi’s side and asked what had happened.
Su Yi didn’t answer immediately; he just stared at Ed. Ed shot a look at Tiger, who hurriedly pulled the female aside—revealing Dino behind him.
The female looked annoyed, but with Ed present he didn’t dare make much fuss.
Su Yi glanced at Dino and, in front of everyone, asked, “Whose child are you?” He rarely used a severe tone with the kids. This was the first time he’d shown real displeasure.
Dino blanched. He sidled up, trying to take Su Yi’s hand—but Su Yi drew away.
When Dino didn’t answer, Su Yi repeated, “Whose child are you?”
Dino’s heart ached. He was about to speak when someone cut in.
The female who’d taken him—Dino’s elder brother, Iyah. Matter-of-factly he said, “Of course Dino is my mother-father’s child. What, you think you could give birth to a winged leopard?”
Xinuo’s gaze turned icy. His voice could have had ice chips in it. “You’re Dino?”
Iyah started. “I’m Iyah.”
“Su Yi is talking to Dino. If you’re not him—shut up.”
Su Yi had come spoiling for a fight, but Xinuo’s line almost made him burst out laughing. He’d always thought Xinuo was gentle; who knew he could snipe like Jers when he wanted to. Must be the bad influence of familiarity.
Iyah’s face went green then white. He looked around at his clansmen; seeing none stepping up to help, he was both angry and embarrassed.
“Dino, I know you’re still little. Seeing your old family again—of course you’re moved if they’re a little nice to you. But don’t forget they abandoned you. If they did it once, they can do it again. I’m no saint, I don’t have that much pity to spare. If you go with him today, and they throw you out again later—don’t you dare come back to beg me. I, Su Yi, don’t raise cubs that can’t be tamed.”
Dino’s nose stung. He grabbed Su Yi’s wrist, practically hanging from him. “I didn’t, I didn’t,” he quavered, aggrieved.
Seeing those big eyes fill with tears—this ever-obedient, never-crying child suddenly sobbing—made Ian’s chest ache. He wanted to go soothe Su Yi, but Mino held him back.
Su Yi pried off Dino’s little hands and pointed him toward Iyah. “Then why weren’t you at home, and ended up here instead?”
Dino shook his head—he didn’t really know. As usual, when Su Yi and Xinuo left the valley, he’d been home playing with Little Yilai. They’d heard voices calling for Su Yi outside; Dino and Little Yilai opened the door to find Ed and company. Ed had come to drop off game for Su Yi and, finding him out, left it in the yard. When they went, one female stayed—Dino’s once-doting older brother Iyah. He was only three or four; at that age, seeing a familiar family face and a few sweet words were enough to lead him away.
Dino didn’t understand much, but he knew going off like that wasn’t right. He didn’t want to leave Su Yi and the valley folk. But the winged leopards were where he’d grown up; Iyah said he could persuade beast-father and mother-father. Since the ill-omened valley had helped them, the tribe would be lenient to the ill-omened—and Dino could reunite with family.
Iyah gave Su Yi a cold look, then spoke gently to Dino. “Be good, Dino. Come back with brother—no one will trouble you at the winged leopards anymore. Don’t you miss your mother-father?”
Su Yi saw Dino wavering. A child is a child—easily swayed. He sighed and let go of Dino’s hand, disappointment weighing on him. If the boy truly wanted to return to his parents, he couldn’t interfere too much. If he forced Dino to stay now, when the boy grew up he might regret it—and resent Su Yi. Better to loosen the reins early if he truly meant to go.
The instant Su Yi let go, Dino understood.
Chapter 66
If he really chose to go back, he would lose Su Yi completely. He lunged to clutch Su Yi’s hand again, tears streaming down his face. Dino wasn’t a crier. Even when abandoned by family and cast out by the tribe, he’d only shed a token few tears. This time was different. Su Yi letting go had stabbed him right in the heart.
It was this person—this very one—who had appeared when he was near despair. This person whose not-so-gentle arms had held him, lulled him to sleep. This person who had finally given him a beautiful home: an adorable, attention-hogging little brother, and a beast-father who always smiled kindly.
“I don’t want to—I don’t.” He threw himself at Su Yi. The kid had gotten sturdy; the sudden pounce nearly knocked Su Yi over.
Iyah panicked and moved to grab him, but Dino dodged fast.
That single dodge said it all. Iyah’s face went from bad to worse.
Su Yi was, at last, a little satisfied. He knew he’d gone too far today with a child—but he hated raising someone else’s kid, pouring heart and soul into him, only for the birth parents to show up and he toddles off after them. There were plenty of stories like that back in the original world. His mother had one: a classmate took in a pitiful child; the old couple spent their savings to raise and school him—only for him to leave with his birth parents in the end. Of course, there were also cases where kids wanted nothing to do with those birth parents.
Su Yi wasn’t a saint; he didn’t have time or mood to raise other people’s children. Today’s scene was a lesson. He wanted Dino to remember what pain felt like.
Back home, Dino developed a bit of a shadow. If Su Yi so much as stepped out of reach, he panicked that he’d been abandoned. Even when Su Yi went to the kitchen, Dino toddled along behind.
Tang Yu arrived right at dinnertime, to find Su Yi’s family eating in the courtyard.
He carried a little hand-woven basket, grinning as he showed it off. Su Yi gave it a quick glance while wiping Dino’s tears. Only then did Tang Yu notice the odd tension.
“Well now, who bullied our little Dino?” he asked. Su Yi and Xinuo ignored him; Little Yilai sneaked a finger point at Su Yi as an answer.
Tang Yu didn’t buy it. He’d long since pegged Su Yi as a kid-softie. The idea that he’d bully a child was a joke. But Little Yilai’s solemn look made him squint suspiciously at Su Yi.
Su Yi covered with a cough. He accepted the accusation.
Hearing him cough, Little Yilai ducked his head and ate. Today had left a deep impression—even if he didn’t know what “impression” was, exactly. He just knew it was serious. To avoid angering Su Yi further, he was extra good and didn’t fight Dino for a spot in Su Yi’s arms.
Tang Yu had already eaten, but seeing the feast at Su Yi’s, he sat right down without ceremony.
Su Yi nodded at Tang Yu’s basket. “Mm. Not bad. Modeled after the pack basket?”
“Yep. Young Master’s very first basket—one of a kind. Seeing as you gave me a pack basket, I’ll gift this to you.” That day they’d started laying out his house plan; he and Jers hashed out the layout, then Jers and Dilson dug the foundation. Tang Yu couldn’t help much, so he sat aside and fiddled with weaving. Persistence paid off—he produced a basket. It wasn’t much to look at, but since it was made by his own hands, he wasn’t about to sneer at its looks.
After dinner, Tang Yu helped tidy up. When Xinuo took the kids in to rest, Tang Yu finally asked about the little crossbow he’d seen Su Yi use hunting the day before.
He wasn’t stupid—those weren’t things this world produced. And the idea that Su Yi made them himself? Even less believable. Sure, the guy’s combat power was high—but if it came to handiwork and brains, Tang Yu didn’t rate him above himself.
Su Yi didn’t try to hide it—he couldn’t have, anyway.
He sketched the business about the jade pendant and the storage space. Tang Yu listened with an “ah, I knew it” face; one look and Su Yi could tell his guesses had been ninety percent right already.
Su Yi picked two weapons out of his space: a compact short sword, and a crossbow like the one he’d used.
Tang Yu looked at the gifts, a little overwhelmed. Even if Su Yi had kept the space secret and given him nothing, Tang Yu had no leverage over him. Instead, Su Yi had told him—and handed over precious weapons. It gave Tang Yu the warm shock of meeting an old friend in a strange land; he almost wanted to hug Su Yi and call him a good bro. But Su Yi didn’t give him the chance; after passing the gear over he said, “Live well with Jers. Consider these your pairing gifts. When you have a cub, I’ll give your baby something even better.”
A cub?
Right now those two syllables were the tightening headband curse to Tang Yu’s Monkey King.
Clutching the weapons, face a little stiff, he asked, “Su Yi… have you and Xinuo already, uh, done it?”
Su Yi was rinsing bowls. The question blindsided him. “What? Done what?”
Tang Yu flushed, hid it well, and swirled a hand in the river. “I mean… have you and Xinuo… slept together?”
“Oh—yeah,” Su Yi said, puzzled. “Haven’t you and Jers?”
Bull’s-eye. Tang Yu suddenly wanted to bolt. If he was going to ask anyone, it shouldn’t have been this soldier-rogue.
Catching his expression, Su Yi burst out laughing, eyes crinkling. “Ha! Everyone says the Tang family’s little young master is a playboy with lovers lined up like a train. Who knew you were such a pure little thing. I thought you’d have had your way with Jers already.”
Tang Yu shot him a glare, sour inside. Those rumors back in the original world were his own doing. He wasn’t some promiscuous philanderer; even there he hadn’t had many lovers. In fact, he’d been a virgin, thank you very much. And he’d always planned to be on top—not the one being topped.
Author’s Note:
It’s so hot my brain’s getting floaty while I write. I wanna borrow Little Yilai to cool me down~
Chapter 67
"But Su Yi, aren’t you worried about getting pregnant?" Tang Yu asked. As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Yi almost choked on his own saliva.
The word "pregnant" exploded in Su Yi’s mind.
Huh? He, Su Yi, really hadn’t thought about this issue. So when Tang Yu suddenly asked, Su Yi froze, not knowing how to answer.
"H-how can it be that easy to get pregnant? In the orc world, it’s very difficult to conceive children. That’s why omegas and young orcs are so precious here." Su Yi spoke with a hint of guilt. Actually, he really didn’t know if pregnancy was possible.
Thinking about how Mirel and Xinor hadn’t done it many times before conceiving little Eli, Su Yi suddenly felt a headache coming on. Could Mirel’s body be the type that easily gets pregnant? What if one day he really did get pregnant?
Su Yi imagined himself with a big belly, laying eggs for Xinor, and suddenly felt an inexplicable chill.
Tang Yu huffed, "When you gave birth to little Eli, was it an egg birth? Xinor is of the Winged Serpent Clan, and Jares is a dragon. It seems both are egg-laying? Just thinking about the day I have to lay eggs makes me feel like my life is a joke."
Su Yi glared at Tang Yu in disgust. He felt he couldn’t discuss egg-laying with Tang Yu anymore. If this continued, he’d feel brainwashed by Tang Yu. Next time he was intimate with Xinor, if he thought about this, there would definitely be a problem.
"What nonsense are you thinking about? With your small frame, it’s probably hard to get pregnant. It’s not like it happens in one go. Get out of here!" Su Yi pushed Tang Yu away, telling him to leave.
Tang Yu, though unwilling, looked at the sky and obediently left. If he returned too late, that guy Jares might get angry.
After sending away the big trouble, Su Yi went to check on the two little troubles at home.
Dino and little Eli were already asleep. Dino’s little face still had tear stains, which made Su Yi feel uncomfortable.
He knew his behavior today was a bit excessive for a three- or four-year-old child.
But that was just how he was—once he said something, he stuck to it. He hoped the children he taught would also have this resolute character. Everything in life came with sacrifices.
Actually, Su Yi was still soft-hearted.
Although many in the Winged Leopard Tribe had begun to change their views on ominous orcs, they no longer avoided or spoke ill of ominous orcs as before.
But not all ominous orcs were as harmonious and kind as those in their valley.
Most ominous orcs, having been abandoned by their families and tribes, were filled with resentment. They abducted omegas from other tribes, stole precious food, and even destroyed others’ homes.
Yi Ya, as Dino’s brother, might not have intentionally abandoned Dino at first. Now that everyone’s views on ominous orcs had changed, he wanted to take Dino back home.
Perhaps when Dino first returned, everyone would maintain a cold attitude. But if one day someone in their Winged Leopard Tribe was harmed by other ominous orcs, the tribe would unite against them. Then, Dino would be abandoned again.
Okay, even if the Winged Leopard Tribe didn’t encounter other ominous orcs, a large tribe was bound to have all kinds of incidents. Maybe if a young orc got sick, in a primitive society without advanced medical measures, the first reaction would be to blame others for bringing misfortune. At that time, no matter what bad things happened, they would first think it was because Dino had returned.
Su Yi didn’t want to see Dino get hurt again. Maybe next time, Su Yi wouldn’t be able to stay by his side. Thinking about the cruel environment and the dangers Dino might face...
Su Yi sighed and left the children’s room.
Su Yi, who was about to return to his room to rest, heard someone calling him from outside the courtyard. Although the voice was very low, Su Yi still heard it. Su Yi opened the gate and saw Aide’s apologetic face.
Actually, Su Yi didn’t like him much. Whatever Aide was thinking, Su Yi could figure it out with a little thought. But Su Yi didn’t want to think about it. He didn’t want to bring the scheming from the original world here.
"This matter—I didn’t handle it well. I forgot that among the captured omegas, there was Dino’s brother."
Aide was actually a very proud person, but recently, Su Yi had noticed that Aide’s attitude was quite accommodating, as if he was deliberately yielding.
Behind Aide was the little follower Teg, who was holding a prey with very good fur. Su Yi felt it looked familiar but couldn’t remember what it was called.
"Speak. What’s your purpose?"
Su Yi didn’t beat around the bush and asked very directly.
Aide’s emerald-green eyes fell on Su Yi’s face. To be honest, Su Yi was the most special omega Aide had ever seen. At first, he had even wanted to take Su Yi by force.
But as he got to know Su Yi, he was infinitely grateful that he hadn’t used force. Su Yi was the kind of person who responded to kindness but not to force. If Aide had taken him by force back then, with Su Yi’s personality, he would have killed him and escaped.
Aide smiled, "As straightforward as ever."
Teg also laughed. He raised the thing in his hand and said to Su Yi, "This is a Silver Moon Beast, a token of Aide’s sincerity. We hope to establish a long-term friendly relationship with your valley."
Su Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. So this was a Silver Moon Beast? He had heard that every part of it was valuable.
These two must have spent a lot of effort to hunt this beast.
"I hope to send a few people to learn from you long-term. Of course, we will provide you with food in return. Now that it’s the rainy season, when winter comes, food will be scarce. We want to learn how to preserve food and how to build beautiful houses like yours."
Su Yi rubbed his chin and thought for a while, then suddenly asked, "Besides food, what else do you have to offer?"
Aide didn’t show any surprise. On the contrary, he seemed to have expected Su Yi to ask this.
Aide calmly said, "I wonder, do you need luminous pearls?"
Luminous pearls?
"What luminous pearls?" Su Yi’s expression changed slightly, suddenly wondering if it was the pearl he was thinking of.
"They can be used as candles, like a glowing moon." Teg said, magically producing a luminous pearl and handing it to Su Yi.
In the moment Su Yi saw the luminous pearl, he thought: Isn’t this the night pearl I’ve been wanting? I didn’t expect it to be called a luminous pearl in this world!
Su Yi played with the luminous pearl in his hand. "How many do you have?"
"How many? Teg and I almost lost our lives for these two broken pearls." Teg spoke with a glare at Su Yi.
Chapter 68
Su Yi wasn’t angry and returned the luminous pearl to Teg.
"I don’t want these pearls. I only want a large amount of salt and food."
Aide hadn’t expected Su Yi to propose such a simple condition. He asked again, a bit uncertain, "Uh, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?"
Su Yi waved his hand. He was about to speak when he heard the sound of the gate opening behind him. Without turning around, he knew who it was.
"You can’t send too many people. We’ll only teach you once, and then you can take it back to teach your tribesmen. The people you choose must not be troublesome. This is not a place to pamper your delicate omegas."
Hearing this, Teg coughed lightly. Regarding the previous incidents with Ruisha and Yi Ya, they had already heard about it from others. It was their Winged Leopard Tribe’s fault, and they had decided to send them and the injured orcs away tomorrow.
"And about food and salt, for long-term friendly cooperation, we won’t ask for too much. During your learning period, ten prey per day. You’ll also be responsible for your own meals. As for salt, I don’t know how much you have." Su Yi said, glancing at Xinor behind him.
Xinor looked at him without speaking, focusing intently on Su Yi.
Aide thought for a moment before saying, "After we came to your valley last time, we specifically collected a large amount of salt because of the delicious food Ian made. Tomorrow, we’ll leave with our tribe members and return in a month with a large amount of salt and food. At that time, we’ll definitely choose the most suitable people and won’t let what happened these past few days repeat itself."
The two discussed some more details before Aide and his group left. Su Yi yawned and pulled Xinor back home.
Su Yi was really tired. He leaned on Xinor, entrusting his weight to him.
"Do you think I’m too kind-hearted?" Su Yi turned his head to look at Xinor.
The requirement of ten prey per day wasn’t much for a large tribe like the Winged Leopard Tribe. Even in the rainy season, with so many people, they could hunt in groups.
Xinor slightly shook his head. "If you think it’s appropriate, then it’s fine. If we go too far, we might provoke the Winged Leopard Tribe. We’re not strong enough yet."
Back in the room, Su Yi suddenly remembered the Silver Moon Beast. He took it from Xinor’s hand and looked at the pure white fur without a single impurity. This fur could be made into earmuffs and mittens for winter.
Seeing Su Yi staring at the Silver Moon Beast, Xinor couldn’t help but ask, "Do you like it?" As soon as he asked, Xinor felt stupid. Omegas all liked beautiful furs, and this Silver Moon Beast not only looked good but also tasted delicious.
"It’s okay. If we’re talking about what I like, I prefer eating fresh fruits." Su Yi put down the Silver Moon Beast, planning to carefully skin it tomorrow. Speaking of fruits, Su Yi magically produced one. He knew Xinor didn’t like this, so he didn’t force it on him.
The next day, Su Yi and the others saw off the Winged Leopard Tribe.
Aide had wanted to stay a few more days, but after the incident with Yi Ya, and since Aide had other purposes, he had no choice but to leave.
Afterward, Su Yi returned home and chose a spot in his backyard for Xinor to dig a cellar. Although Su Yi had spatial storage and didn’t need to worry about food storage, to avoid suspicion and for when the Winged Leopard Tribe people came, he didn’t want them to notice anything unusual.
That day, Su Yi called everyone over and had them watch Xinor dig the cellar. Su Yi only gave occasional guidance where needed.
Soon, a cellar was dug. Su Yi specifically had Xinor build steps at the cellar entrance with stones. The cellar floor was covered with a thick layer of dry grass and waterproof beast hides. Then, beast bones used for building houses were placed over the cellar. These bones wouldn’t corrode for hundreds of years and were much better than wood. Over the bones, coarse beast hides were laid, and finally, the cellar was completely sealed with stones and soil, leaving only a slanted entrance just wide enough for one person.
Su Yi explained the use of the cellar to them. In the original world, many poor places in the north had such cellars. They were usually used to store perishable vegetables and could also store ice. Tang Yu also happily came to join in the fun. To be honest, as a reincarnator, he had never seen a cellar before. Growing up in a wealthy family, he was curious and peeked into the cellar. After looking, and hearing Su Yi explain the cellar’s uses, he happily ran off again.
As soon as Tang Yu returned home, he made a simple iron shovel. Now that Jares was busy building the house, Tang Yu felt he couldn’t bother Jares with everything. So he went to the corner of his future courtyard and started digging diligently.
When Jares and Dirsen returned with stone materials, they saw that Tang Yu had already dug a sizable pit. Jares looked at Tang Yu’s dirty little face and recalled the first time he saw Tang Yu. At that time, Tang Yu was completely filthy, and his true appearance couldn’t be seen at all.
After putting down the materials, Jares walked to Tang Yu’s side and, with one hand, lifted him out of the pit.
Tang Yu turned and glared at Jares, leaving a scratch on Jares’ arm with his small hands in retaliation. Jares completely ignored his little actions, his cool gaze falling on Tang Yu’s knee. There was a fresh wound on Tang Yu’s knee. This was from when Tang Yu was digging the pit—no, the cellar—and in his eagerness, he had used too much force and injured himself. Although it had hurt Tang Yu at the time, he had completely forgotten about the wound afterward.
Now, with Jares looking at it, Tang Yu suddenly felt embarrassed. He didn’t dare to tell Jares how he got the wound.
"Jares, let’s make a cellar too," Tang Yu tried to change the subject, but Jares wasn’t having it.
"How did you get hurt?" Jares’ voice was still cold.
"It was an accident. I’m not a child. A little fall won’t hurt me." As he spoke, Tang Yu swung his leg, but the movement pulled at the wound, making him stiffen in pain.
Because of the unexpected injury, Tang Yu was ordered not to move around freely.
With nothing to do, Tang Yu sat and watched Jares busy himself. Thinking about how Su Yi could do this and that, Tang Yu felt useless. From the way everyone in the valley treated Su Yi, Su Yi must have helped them a lot before. So everyone in the valley subconsciously felt Su Yi was reliable.
Tang Yu wasn’t jealous of Su Yi, but compared to Su Yi, he felt useless.
Thinking this, Tang Yu shook his head. This won’t do. Su Yi has his strengths, but I’m not an idiot. I’m a top student, after all.
Author’s Note: Taking a break! The last two supernatural chapters are about to conclude, and the pressure is too much. No update tomorrow.
Chapter 69
Su Yi yawned and, with Xinor, built a shed over the cellar. Then, he transplanted some vines at the base of the shed. By next cold season, the vines would climb up the pillars and cover the shed. Then, the lush greenery in the yard would look comfortable.
Mino silently memorized what Su Yi taught him. Recently, Dirsen had been helping Jares build a house, so the cellar at their home would have to wait. But the cellar and shed weren’t difficult problems. Mino felt that as long as he remembered, it would be fine.
Afterward, Su Yi told them how to cure meat, including drying and curing the fish from the river. After such treatment, the meat could be preserved for a longer time.
When Tang Yu came again, he eagerly looked at Su Yi, making Su Yi inexplicably uneasy.
"What’s wrong?" Su Yi glared at him.
Tang Yu rubbed his hands together. "Su Yi, haven’t you thought about firing pottery?"
Su Yi narrowed his eyes and looked Tang Yu up and down. Of course, Su Yi had thought about pottery. Before, he had been too busy, and there were shell substitutes, so he hadn’t rushed into it. Now that Tang Yu brought it up, Su Yi became a little interested.
"From the way you’re talking, do you know how to do it?" Su Yi asked with a smile.
Tang Yu didn’t beat around the bush with Su Yi. Imitating Su Yi’s roguish manner, he narrowed his eyes and smiled mischievously.
"Of course. This young master may not know how to build houses, but in college, I once joined a pottery club."
When Su Yi heard "pottery club," he paused, then laughed bitterly. He, Su Yi, had at least been to college, but his college didn’t have a pottery club. This young master was indeed a young master—his interests were always unconventional.
Seeing Su Yi mocking him in his mind, Tang Yu huffed, "Don’t doubt it. Tomorrow, I’ll select the clay, and we’ll see."
Su Yi waved his hand at the slightly ruffled Tang Yu and continued with his own tasks.
In the evening, it started raining again.
Su Yi looked outside and thought that Jares’ house-building would have to pause.
Su Yi boiled hot water, intending to reward Xinor, who had been busy all day. Xinor was pushed by Su Yi into the backyard. "Come, come, let me serve you well." Su Yi smiled and reached out to pull at Xinor’s clothes.
Xinor was a bit confused but instinctively complied with Su Yi’s actions. When he was immersed in the wooden tub, he realized Su Yi wanted him to bathe.
"Aren’t you joining me?" Xinor grabbed Su Yi’s wrist, his eyes fixed on Su Yi.
Su Yi coughed lightly, then said seriously, "No, I’ll just give you a massage."
But Su Yi’s so-called massage didn’t fully happen. Because halfway through, Xinor suddenly pulled him into the water as well.
Su Yi swore to the heavens that he really had intended to give Xinor a massage, but Xinor was just uncooperative. He was completely forced.
The next day, it was still raining.
Su Yi used a spined dragon beast hide to make a strangely shaped umbrella. When Tang Yu came to visit, he pointed at the somewhat horrifying-looking umbrella and laughed endlessly. Su Yi ignored him and went into the kitchen, intending to cook all the meals for the next few days at once. Su Yi’s way of cooking was the quintessential lazy homemaker style.
In the afternoon, Tang Yu also appeared with an umbrella similar to Su Yi’s horrifying one, strolling in the beautiful valley. He had completely forgotten who had mocked Su Yi’s craftsmanship earlier.
Mino looked at the large leaf over his head and enviously eyed Tang Yu’s horrifying umbrella.
Dirsen, who was with Mino, walked up amiably to ask Tang Yu how he made it. Tang Yu had intended to keep it a secret, but he caught a glimpse of a familiar tall figure out of the corner of his eye. So he hurriedly told the eager-to-learn Dirsen how to make the umbrella.
The familiar tall figure didn’t look in Tang Yu’s direction, but Tang Yu knew Jares had definitely seen him.
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