It took about five or six days. Since hunting and gathering were carried out simultaneously, the group didn’t venture far, so within the small area they explored, they didn’t find anything resembling modern bamboo, not even a trace of bamboo baskets. However, a rudimentary shelter built on a wooden raft was finally completed.
The group felt a great sense of accomplishment, and since the weather wasn’t too cold, the men without partners found it quite comfortable to live in.
The remaining men and women followed her idea, temporarily using thick tree branches as base pillars, laying leafy branches horizontally across them, and surrounding the exterior with smaller branches. Covering it with vine-like grass and leaves provided some shelter from the wind and sun.
Even Xigu’s family adopted this method. Although it wouldn’t offer much warmth during extremely cold weather, winter was still some time away, and they weren’t particularly sensitive to the cold.
Only the couple who had originally joined Saina’s group, due to the issue of caring for their infant, remained huddled in a corner outside the stone cave. Though inconvenient, there was no other choice. To move into a proper shelter, they would need a better solution.
Xiyi’s injury had healed remarkably well. He had been applying the herbal paste left by Tuge, and by now, a thick scab had formed. Participating in hunting no longer posed any major issues.
During these past few days, his movements toward her while sleeping had also become more pronounced.
Outside the stone cave, the couple from the dense forest tribe also seemed restless. Several nights in a row, she had heard strange noises, including some breathy, low moans that made her blush.
On this particular day, their hunting yielded a bountiful harvest. Aside from medium and large-sized animals, they caught many of the large white rabbits they had seen in the previous forest, as well as several brightly colored mountain pheasants she had never encountered before. These birds looked peculiar and were much larger than modern chickens. They could only glide short distances, making them relatively easy to catch. For now, she simply classified them as chickens.
A significant portion of the captured animals were still alive. The areas she had previously prepared for domestication were now enclosed by the group using branches, grass, and vines to form a large, fully enclosed fence.
The rabbits and chickens didn’t seem accustomed to captivity. When first placed inside, they sat dumbly for a long while before finally starting to scratch and explore.
The entire group couldn’t help but laugh.
After the communal dinner, with no entertainment to pass the time, everyone returned to their respective shelters—Sha Yi and Xiyi were no exception. After washing up, they too went back to the stone cave.
However, since the outer cave was still occupied by the couple, at Sha Yi’s request, Xiyi had to hang a thick animal hide at the entrance of the inner cave, just as they had done in their old settlement.
This makeshift partition prevented direct exposure, but while it blocked sight, it did nothing to muffle sound.
They had barely lain down on the wooden raft for a short while, and the dim torch hadn’t even gone out, when Sha Yi’s ears were once again filled with the sounds of the couple outside the cave engaged in their nightly activities.
Frustrated, Sha Yi covered her ears, hoping for some peace, but it was no use. Xiyi immediately pressed closer.
Just like the previous nights, whenever there was activity outside, he would hold her tighter, as if struggling against some inner torment.
Sha Yi had always been mindful of his injury, so she never responded to his advances. In fact, she had even explicitly resisted, insisting that he focus on healing first.
But tonight, something was different.
At the first unusual sound from the outer cave, he pressed against her, his chest burning with an alarming heat.
Soon, a rough hand reached out, pulling her tightly into his embrace. Moments later, he even rested his chin against her neck, his stubble tickling her skin until she couldn’t help but laugh and turn toward him.
In that instant, he completely pinned her down. When she tried to push him away, he didn’t budge. Instead, he whispered in her ear, “Sha Yi, I want… we…”
Though she didn’t resist his closeness, she couldn’t help but worry about his injury. Hesitantly, she replied, “But… your wound…”
Before she could finish, he quickly grabbed her hand and guided it to the scar on his back, panting in protest, “This little injury? It’s been so long. I can even hunt now—it’s long healed. Are you…?”
Running her fingers over the rough, scabbed wound, Sha Yi still felt uneasy, but compared to his insecurity, she feared his overthinking even more. Relenting, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
This was her silent consent.
Xiyi was instantly electrified, lowering his head to kiss her.
Sha Yi didn’t pull away.
This was inevitable—she was bound to face it sooner or later. Though inexperienced, she wasn’t entirely ignorant.
But Xiyi’s actions were far from what she had imagined. He seemed to lack any technique, relying purely on primal instinct, and his approach could only be described as rough.
Sha Yi couldn’t bring herself to look at his face. She even considered reaching out to extinguish the dim torch.
But Xiyi immediately stopped her, leaning down to give her a reassuring kiss.
Sha Yi suddenly recalled their first accidental night together by the small lake.
Aside from that brief, unexpected moment in the water, he had never gone beyond holding and kissing her. Now, he was staring at her so intently that she grew nervous and embarrassed, trying to turn away. But he immediately pinned her arms, refusing to let her escape.
She had no idea how she looked in his eyes.
But Xiyi saw her as if she were aflame.
Though there were few women in the settlement, he had seen his share of female bodies. Yet he swore the petite woman beneath him possessed the most perfect form he had ever laid eyes on.
Even that fleeting glimpse by the lake paled in comparison to this clear, unobstructed view.
Before, even when half-naked, she had always covered her most private parts. Those strange wrappings only made her more alluring, and there had been times he’d barely restrained himself.
And now—though she usually appeared slender, her curves were undeniable. Combined with her smooth, delicate skin and soft frame, she was utterly irresistible.
However, reality didn’t unfold as she’d imagined.
Xiyi suddenly recoiled as if startled, leaping away from her.
Sha Yi was equally shocked. By the time she regained her senses, Xiyi had already flung aside the animal hide partition and bolted from the cave.
Sha Yi couldn’t understand why he had stopped midway and run out, but at least it spared her further suffering.
Honestly, she had known what to expect, yet she hadn’t anticipated it being so unexpectedly painful. It took her a long while to shake off the lingering discomfort.
At the same moment, hurried footsteps echoed outside the cave. Before she could react, Xiyi rushed back in, followed closely by Xigu.
Sha Yi hadn’t even had time to cover herself with the hide.
Xigu froze for a second upon seeing her, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Xiyi, utterly baffled, glanced between the two women before finally shoving Xigu impatiently. “I asked you to check why Sha Yi was bleeding! Is it what you mentioned before? Why are you laughing?”
The moment he spoke, Sha Yi understood.
No wonder he had stopped halfway and fled in panic.
He really was that innocent!
Watching Xigu’s unrestrained laughter, Sha Yi almost joined in. But remembering the earlier pain, she held back.
She didn’t want to continue—at least not tonight.
Meanwhile, once Xigu had laughed her fill, she clapped Xiyi on the shoulder, turning him away from Sha Yi before whispering an explanation.
Sha Yi assumed Xigu was clarifying his earlier misunderstanding.
He really needed to learn more—otherwise, he might think she’d injured herself again.
Glancing at the faint bloodstains on the hide, Sha Yi could only hope this pain marked the end. The next time they were intimate, she prayed it wouldn’t hurt like this again—otherwise, she might lose her mind.
With that thought, she quietly pulled out the white fur he had given her back in their old cave and wrapped herself in it.
Xigu and Xiyi’s conversation didn’t last long. Soon, Xigu left the cave.
As for Xiyi, Sha Yi was certain he now understood everything.
Though still somewhat embarrassed, she felt relieved. Just like Xiyi, who soon lay back down beside her.
This time, he decisively extinguished the dim torch.
In the darkness, he held her close again—but this embrace was purely affectionate, devoid of earlier intensity. Sha Yi relaxed.
Perhaps tonight, he too had no intention of pushing further.
After a long silence, just as she was drifting off, his low voice murmured by her ear, “I’m sorry… Sha Yi… I didn’t know…”
His words were fragmented, laden with emotion, failing to convey a complete thought.
But Sha Yi understood perfectly.
Xiyi truly hadn’t known. He was apologizing for his roughness, for his naivety. Heartbroken over her pain yet newly enlightened by Xiyi, he—a man already plagued by insecurity—must have felt an overwhelming mix of emotions in this unfamiliar situation. Joy, perhaps, though he likely believed he shouldn’t show it.
So, all those tangled feelings culminated in an apology.
She understood, so she didn’t blame him.
In fact, she was beginning to realize how fortunate she was to have a man like Xiyi.
Rolling over to return his embrace, Sha Yi stayed silent, letting her actions speak for her—she wasn’t upset over these small setbacks.
Xiyi immediately understood, holding her even tighter.
Sometimes, words weren’t necessary. Some emotions needed no explanation to be fully felt.
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