After much deliberation, she felt she should emphasize to Xi Yi once again that life was more important: “Xi Yi, think about it—what if a direct confrontation doesn’t achieve the expected outcome? Those savages are used to robbing. If we end up losing companions and food after the conflict, what then? Wouldn’t it all be a waste of effort?”
Xi Yi fell into silence, saying nothing for a long time.
Sha Yi waited for a while, but he still didn’t speak. Growing anxious, she widened her eyes, trying to see his expression, but the darkness made it impossible.
With danger looming, she didn’t dare let her guard down. When he remained silent, she reached out to touch his face. Unexpectedly, he immediately grabbed her hand.
Though he held her hand, Xi Yi still didn’t utter a single word. Sha Yi waited patiently for a while before tentatively calling, “Xi Yi?”
He let out a low sigh but still didn’t respond, as if deep in thought or struggling internally. Eventually, her patience ran out, and she blurted, “If something happens to you, I’ll just find another man!”
The words stunned him. Xi Yi instantly tightened his grip on her hand, the force so strong she couldn’t help but gasp. Yet he seemed oblivious, even increasing the pressure.
She wanted to cry out, but he flipped her over and pinned her down again. The next second, his mouth covered hers, and his hands grew restless.
Sha Yi was utterly bewildered. By the time she regained her senses, Xi Yi had already taken full advantage. Not only that, his attitude toward her was identical to that rainy night in the old settlement’s cave—rough, angry, and laced with jealousy. Even the force of his kisses intensified, making her lips ache from the pressure.
She tried to push him away, but his weight and strength left her helpless. In the end, she had no choice but to let him continue. Though she regretted provoking him, it was too late now. He was likely teetering on the edge of furious jealousy, so it was best not to provoke him further.
Resigned, she decided not to resist, planning to wait until he calmed down. But her silence made him pause, as if puzzled.
Yet Xi Yi still didn’t speak. After stopping, he sank back into silence, the atmosphere between them growing heavy.
After a long while, he slowly lay back beside her, his movements filled with defeat and gloom.
Sha Yi didn’t dare call out to him immediately. After all, this was her fault. Xi Yi was stubborn, and her words had undoubtedly stirred his thoughts. He was already tense about their relationship, and now he was probably tangled in frustration.
Her concern had come from a good place, but she’d framed it as a threat. She didn’t know if he could read between the lines, but she was certain his focus had shifted to the wrong thing.
No matter what, she wanted him to be safe—just as he wanted her to stay with him. She could only hope her words hadn’t become a weapon that hurt him.
After a long silence, just as she was about to lose patience, he finally spoke her name, his voice hoarse.
A wave of guilt and tenderness washed over her. Tentatively, she reached for his hand. The moment her fingers brushed his arm, he seized her and pulled her into his embrace.
Resting his chin on her head, he finally spoke softly, “Sha Yi, I know you don’t want anything to happen to me. I understand what you mean. But… I don’t like it when you talk about finding another man. Even though I know it was just a spur-of-the-moment remark, I really don’t like it. I don’t want you to leave me. Even though you’ve reassured me many times, I still worry every time. I’ve always wanted to find a way to keep you by my side forever…”
Nestled in Xi Yi’s warm embrace, Sha Yi felt she could never say such words again. If he insisted on staying awake, she’d stay with him. If she couldn’t persuade him, she’d follow his lead.
Losing Xi Yi was unimaginable.
At this moment, she realized—just as he couldn’t bear a life without her, neither could she.
“Sha Yi,” his deep voice murmured by her ear again, “I’ll listen to you. You’ll stay with me forever, right?”
Amused, she stifled a laugh and softly hummed in agreement.
Dissatisfied, he pinched her waist. Sha Yi sighed and placated him with another promise before he reluctantly let her go. Later, when he tried teasing her again, someone banged on the bathtub.
Remembering Xi Yi had to stay up for night watch, Sha Yi quickly stopped his antics and urged him to sleep. Helpless, he complied but still clung to her tightly. She adjusted to a comfortable position and let him have his way.
…
Sha Yi didn’t know when she’d fallen asleep. When she woke, the sky was already bright, and Xi Yi was no longer beside her.
Recalling the events of the previous night, she cursed herself for sleeping so soundly and scrambled up in a panic.
She hadn’t heard a single disturbance all night—no one else could’ve slept through it like she had. And now, the cave was empty except for her.
Frantic, she rushed outside, only to find the entire group gathered at the cave entrance—Xi Yi among them.
The moment she emerged, he spotted her. Seeing her worried expression, he immediately grinned and reached for her hand.
Sha Yi had no idea what was happening. Following the crowd, she saw a severely injured man at the center, drenched in blood and water, as if he’d swum a long distance from a river.
When someone turned him over, Sha Yi recognized his face.
He looked familiar—probably from the old settlement’s cave—but she had no strong impression of him. They’d never interacted, and she didn’t recall seeing him during the tree incident, whether helping or hindering.
Now, his body was covered in wounds—none fatal, but each one spoke of the attackers’ brutality. The cuts from bone knives and spears were deep enough to reveal bone. Even if they weren’t lethal, excessive blood loss was dangerous.
Still, despite their shock, the onlookers hesitated. Some likely recalled the indifference they’d faced in the old settlement and were torn between helping and holding back.
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