Chapter – 68
The Matriarch’s Room Is So Warm~
Jiang Xi had completely forgotten that Duan Si helped her gather food because she had helped him soothe his ability sea.
After all, these past few days she had been combing Lu Liufeng’s ability sea, treating the unfamiliar little beastman Xiao Di, healing Mu Ling and Huo Lun, and even before meals helping Yi Yuexi remove the dark circles around his eyes.
Tomorrow, she would also be trying to treat a curse on a beastman she didn’t even know.
Healing, to her, had become an everyday thing.
Instead, it was the delicious food that reminded her every day—once she finished eating, she should go to Hot River Valley to gather ingredients and ask Duan Si for help.
Naturally, the help Duan Si provided gradually gained weight in her heart.
Mu Ling said, “The matriarch doesn’t need to care about him. He can hunt on his own—he won’t starve.”
Jiang Xi: “……”
Mu Ling, do you even know what it means to feel indebted after eating someone else’s food?!
Mu Ling stuffed a piece of boiled, soft potato into his mouth, completely unaware that the food had anything to do with Duan Si.
Lu Liufeng naturally chimed in.
“Good. Then we can have lunch at Hot River Valley.”
That way, the matriarch wouldn’t go hungry for an entire noon like last time.
As far as he was concerned, as long as the matriarch wasn’t doing anything dangerous, he fully supported it.
After eating, digestion followed; after digestion, sleep followed.
Lu Liufeng replaced the matriarch’s room’s fuel with red-hot charcoal. The icy room quickly warmed up.
Jiang Xi’s hands—perhaps from frequently using her healing ability—had become whiter faster than the rest of her body. Large areas of fair, delicate skin showed, jade-like finger by finger, exceptionally beautiful.
Lu Liufeng’s gaze lingered for a moment on the matriarch’s long, slender fingers, and his heartbeat inexplicably sped up.
The matriarch had said… once her body recovered…
His heart beat even faster. His face heated up, and he didn’t even dare look at her, fleeing in embarrassment.
“Matriarch, I’ll head back now.”
Jiang Xi nodded quickly. “Mm, thank you!”
She got up to see him out.
Even though it was only a few steps, it was still better than not seeing him off at all.
Jiang Xi leaned against the doorframe, watching him return to his own room.
She withdrew her gaze and was about to close the door when her eyes suddenly swept across Mu Ling standing by his own doorway, looking over with an expression that clearly said he wanted to come over.
Jiang Xi hurriedly retreated into the room and slammed the door shut.
That was close—she almost let Mu Ling come over.
Otherwise, with his speed ability…
“Is the matriarch avoiding me?”
Suddenly, Mu Ling’s voice sounded inside the room.
Jiang Xi slowly turned around, only to see Mu Ling already sitting on a chair, warming himself by the fire.
The room was lit only by the red glow of the charcoal. The dim light made him look even more cold and tall. When he glanced sideways at her, the red light and shadows cast across his sharp, angular face—it looked like something straight out of a horror movie.
Jiang Xi almost couldn’t catch her breath.
She snapped angrily, “Mu Ling!!!”
“Do you know people can be scared to death like that?!”
Mu Ling rubbed his nose awkwardly, his eyes flickering as he said, “My room is too cold. The matriarch’s room is much warmer.”
Jiang Xi’s small head filled with big question marks.
Was he planning to sleep in her room?!
She walked over, intending to drag him out.
But just as her hand touched Mu Ling’s shoulder, he suddenly grabbed her wrist. He turned sideways, ears pricked up, lowering his voice.
“Shh. There’s movement outside.”
Jiang Xi froze, subconsciously turning her head toward the door.
But outside, there was only the sound of wind and snow—nothing else.
Her heart started racing, and she felt an inexplicable fear.
Just then, the hand he was holding was gently squeezed.
She turned back and saw Mu Ling lean close to her fingers, his nose twitching as he sniffed. With a slightly intoxicated tone, he said, “The matriarch’s hands are whiter now… and they smell so nice.”
Jiang Xi: “!!!”
Her eyes flew wide open. She yanked her hand back and pointed at him, scolding in the most civilized way possible.
“You have no shame!”
Mu Ling touched his own face. Thinking the matriarch was about to hit him, he tilted his face toward her.
“Go ahead, matriarch. Hit me.”
Jiang Xi: “?”
She was truly, truly talking past him!
Asking her to slap him at every turn—he was simply, simply a masochist!!
“Get out! I’m not hitting you! I’m going to sleep!”
A trace of regret surfaced in Mu Ling’s eyes.
“The matriarch really won’t hit me?”
Her hands were fragrant and soft. Just thinking about that feeling made him want to be slapped by her again…
Jiang Xi had had enough. She went to drag him up.
“I won’t! Get out!”
Mu Ling dragged his feet, unwilling to leave. “My room is really cold…”
Shamelessly, he started advertising himself.
“In weather this cold, the matriarch can sleep on my wolf form’s belly. It’s soft—very comfortable.”
Jiang Xi was indeed tempted by fluffiness—but she absolutely did not want to sleep with him!
Mu Ling was like a piece of sticky gum: give him an inch, and he’d cling on shamelessly.
Just as they were at a stalemate, the door was pushed open.
Lu Liufeng stood at the entrance. Snowy wind blew in behind him, lifting his ink-black hair. Snow dusted his brows and eyes, and his gentle, refined face was tinged with cold.
He looked at Mu Ling and said flatly, “Mu Ling. Come out.”
Jiang Xi looked outside, saw it was Lu Liufeng, and immediately let go of Mu Ling. She ran over, clutched Lu Liufeng’s arm, and complained.
“Lu Liufeng! Hurry and help me kick Mu Ling out! He’s too awful—he actually wants to sleep in my room!!”
This kind of competition for favor often played out in tribal households.
If the matriarch hadn’t decided who to keep for the night, then it depended on who had the ability to make her not drive him away.
Today, while investigating the tribe, Mu Ling had consulted married beastmen who told him: you must have thick skin. No matter how the matriarch scolds or hits you, don’t leave!
That way, amid the scolding and hitting, the matriarch would develop the “interest” to let you stay the night.
So, after Lu Liufeng left, Mu Ling nervously began his plan.
Which was: stay in the matriarch’s room and refuse to leave!!
Unfortunately, despite all his calculations, he had still overlooked Lu Liufeng.
Mu Ling pulled a long face as he walked out. Passing by the matriarch, he saw her quickly hide behind Lu Liufeng, as if she didn’t want to touch him at all.
Mu Ling felt a little hurt.
Over the next few days, he would continue investigating within the tribe. When the time came, he’d keep consulting married beastmen.
They said different personalities of females liked different styles—you had to cater to their preferences…
But… what style did the matriarch like?
Mu Ling stopped at the doorway and looked back at her.
The matriarch hid behind Lu Liufeng, only revealing a pair of dark, sparkling eyes. She peeked at him like a small animal, making his heart itch.
He really wanted to pull her out, cradle her in his hands, and give her a gentle squeeze…
If Jiang Xi knew what he was thinking, she would absolutely jump up and bash his head!
After Mu Ling went out, he immediately saw Yi Yuexi leaning against his own doorway with arms crossed, watching from afar and enjoying the show.
Mu Ling didn’t speak to him, instead turning and heading outside the courtyard.
Because earlier, while he was in the matriarch’s room, he had vaguely heard movement outside.
Although they hadn’t found any other contaminated beastmen in the tribe today, he still didn’t relax his guard.
Lu Liufeng stood by the door, glanced in the direction Mu Ling left, his eyes shifting slightly.
He didn’t follow, but instead turned back, gently wrapping an arm around the matriarch and soothing her softly.
“Don’t be afraid, matriarch.”
