Sha Yi stood at the mouth of the cave, holding the wolf pup in her arms, noticing that it had been shedding fur quite heavily recently. Every time she slept with it, she’d wake up covered in fur. The new fur growing in was thicker, softer, and darker in color. A gust of wind blew past, carrying a chill and moisture. She gazed at the heavy clouds on the horizon and the misty white haze clinging to the mountains, realizing that the last rain of the rainy season was about to arrive—proof that winter was truly coming.
She buried her face in the wolf pup’s fur, nuzzling it affectionately, thinking how lucky she was to have this little treasure. It didn’t need charging, provided constant warmth, and didn’t cost a fortune to bring home. It could soothe her stomach during cramps and keep her warm in winter! The pup whimpered softly under her playful torment, but then a broad, solid chest pressed against her back. Strong arms encircled her waist, and a deep, steady breath brushed her ear as a low voice called her name: “Sha Yi.” There was a hint of dissatisfaction, even a rare trace of grievance in his tone. Xi Yi was jealous of the little wolf pup.
Sha Yi was enveloped in Xi Yi’s embrace from behind, warmth radiating from him, filling her with a sense of security. Well, if the wolf pup was like a hot water bottle, the man behind her was an air conditioner—one exclusively for her use. She turned her head with a grin and planted a loud kiss on Xi Yi’s stubbly chin, recoiling slightly as the rough hairs tickled her neck. “Are you really jealous of this little guy?” she teased.
Xi Yi was instantly mollified by the kiss, his arms tightening around her. Though he didn’t understand the phrase “eating vinegar,” he could see the amusement in Sha Yi’s eyes. He wanted to chase her lips for another kiss, but she had already tilted her head to rest on his shoulder, one hand cradling the wolf pup and the other draped over his arm, savoring the quiet moment.
Xi Yi shifted his focus—Sha Yi’s fair neck was right before his eyes, half-hidden by her clothes, glowing temptingly even in the dim light. It reminded him of the balo fruit he’d eaten as a child, smooth and delicate. He wondered if it tasted as sweet as he remembered. Acting on the thought, he gently sucked and nipped at a small patch of skin, feeling the pulse of blood beneath his teeth and the slight tremble of the woman in his arms. This was how he confirmed she was his—only his. When he pulled away, a vivid red mark bloomed on her pale neck, a claim of ownership. But it wasn’t enough—far from it. He took a deep breath and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, vowing silently that one day, Sha Yi would belong to him completely.
Sha Yi felt the heat and sting on her neck. For a moment, Xi Yi’s possessiveness and intensity had made her feel as if a wild beast had clamped its jaws around her throat. But she quickly sensed him rein in his emotions, the tenderness in his kiss returning. Her heart ached for him—for his restraint, for his lingering uncertainty about her. She bent down to set the wolf pup aside, then turned to embrace him, running her hands over his straight back to soothe his insecurities.
The two of them stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, perfectly harmonious. But in the darkness beyond their sight, someone clenched their fists, eyes burning with envy.
Xi Yi’s back wound still looked gruesome, the thick scab slightly raised. Every time Sha Yi saw it, her heart ached. She had confiscated his weapons, forbidding him from hunting. The food stored during the rainy season was enough to last them a long time, and she wasn’t so fussy as to insist on fresh game or fruit. Xi Yi had no objections, obediently complying. For him, as long as he could be with Sha Yi, he was content to do nothing at all.
Sha Yi suddenly remembered how Xi Yi’s stubble had pricked her when she kissed him last time. She pulled out a fruit knife, intending to give him a trim. With limited tools, it was up to her skills. Xi Yi, utterly trusting, stretched out his neck and lifted his chin, unfazed even though she was holding a gleaming blade.
Sha Yi cupped Xi Yi’s chin, carefully shaving away the coarse hairs bit by bit, revealing the sharp, handsome contours of his face. Xi Yi blinked his brown eyes, pleased with their closeness. He could study every inch of her face—the gentle curve of her brow, the smile playing on her lips—all of it filled him with adoration. And Sha Yi’s eyes were only on him. Seeing him gaze at her so quietly, she suddenly recalled their first meeting, when Xi Yi had been like a wild man, his hair unruly, pounding a stone against the ground as he declared he’d catch her. Even then, beneath her fear, she’d noticed his striking eyes—innocent yet resolute, inspiring trust.
What was supposed to be a simple shave had turned into another moment of intimacy, the air between them thick with affection.
Afterward, Sha Yi decided to trim Xi Yi’s hair as well. It was quicker than shaving. Measuring the length, she used the fruit knife to chop away, maintaining his usual style—though the knife left it far from stylish. Stepping back to admire her work, she realized Xi Yi now had a bit of a rockstar vibe with his slightly longer hair and determined gaze. She made him flash a “rock on” hand sign, then burst into laughter, rolling on the ground. Xi Yi, baffled but seeing her unable to stop laughing, leaned down to silence her with a kiss. Sha Yi’s hands pressed against his chest at first, then relaxed, sliding up to wrap around his neck as Xi Yi deepened the kiss. When they finally pulled apart, they washed each other’s hair, their scents mingling, before curling up together to sleep. Their love was so fulfilling that even the simplest daily tasks felt meaningful when done together, making Sha Yi feel like they were an old married couple. Xi Yi, however, often found himself on the brink of losing control, kisses no longer enough. But with his back still healing, he couldn’t act on his desires, leaving him frustrated.
Garo had returned.
Sha Yi didn’t learn of this until two days later. The two of them had been so wrapped up in each other, treating the cave as their own little paradise, that they’d been oblivious to the outside world. Sha Yi felt a twinge of embarrassment.
Garo had returned even more brooding and somber, his eyes like stagnant pools, as if trying to drag others down into his darkness. Sha Yi ignored him every time they crossed paths, walking straight past as if he were invisible—neither caring nor hostile.
Garo’s heart felt as if it were being crushed, suffocating and agonizing. Was this the first time he’d ever felt heartache? And was it because of her?
He remembered her struggling beneath him, her face smeared with green juice, glaring at him like a cornered animal. He remembered her skin… Garo took a sharp breath, then recalled how she’d shielded Xi Yi during their fight, worried but fearless.
Her love was reserved for Xi Yi alone. Every time Garo saw Sha Yi’s back, it stung. He pressed a fist to his chest, his heartbeat pounding as if urging him to chase her, grab her, say something—but what? Love? Garo closed his eyes.
Sha Yi planned to spend the winter with Xi Yi. By this time next year, their child might even be crawling around. The thought made her touch her flat belly. Their child—a continuation of their lives—was a moving idea. And Xi Yi… he’d be overjoyed. Though Sha Yi didn’t want to rely on a child to give him security, she couldn’t deny that a baby would strengthen their bond.
Xi Yi’s wound was healing well. Thankfully, such a severe injury hadn’t happened in summer, or infection would have been a nightmare. Tuge’s herbal medicine had worked wonders—the wound no longer looked like it might split open at any moment. Sha Yi secretly wondered if it would affect her plans for motherhood.
Now, they occasionally took walks after dinner. The ancients had so few pleasures—eat, sleep, repeat. Sha Yi was grateful she wasn’t prone to weight gain, or she’d have ballooned by now. Would Xi Yi still love her if she got fat? She glanced at him. He was holding her hand, walking slowly with a serious expression, as if their stroll was a solemn affair. Sensing her gaze, he flashed her a bright smile, as if asking, “What’s up?” Sha Yi shook her head, hugging his arm. She might not get fat from eating, but what about pregnancy? She tried recalling her mother and cousins who’d given birth. If she did gain weight, how would she lose it? Did they have anything like shapewear back then? The thought made her laugh. Was she overthinking it? Even if she did become a big fatty, this man would still be hers! She playfully bit his arm, leaving a neat row of tiny teeth marks that seemed to smile back. Xi Yi didn’t ask why, just affectionately ruffled her hair, indulging her whims.
While wandering farther from home, they stumbled upon a large patch of green-and-yellow shrubs. Early winter had turned most of the land brown or yellow, so the green was a rare sight. Exchanging a glance, they decided to investigate.
The shrubs grew on a small slope, hiding what lay beyond. As they approached, they realized the green resembled banana leaves—large, veined, and covered in a thin layer of frost. The sudden northwest wind must have frozen them overnight, just as they were maturing. The green wouldn’t last much longer; another night of wind would wither them to brown, then scatter them into nothingness. In winter, the wind was often more fearsome than snow.
The yellow leaves, however, had likely been that way before winter. Sha Yi guessed it was their mature state. She gently touched one, finding it thick and peelable, with a layer of grayish fuzz inside. Scooping out a handful, she marveled at its warmth and thickness. Could this be… cotton? Overjoyed, she exclaimed, “Xi Yi! Xi Yi! Let’s take these back—they’re treasures!” Seeing her excitement, Xi Yi immediately drew the knife strapped to his leg and began harvesting the large leaves. Sha Yi’s mind raced. If they could find a way to weave them, they could make quilts, clothes, even sanitary pads!
They carried two huge bundles back. Sha Yi decided to call the plant “cotton fan.” This was going to be a lucky winter! Eager to start, she began experimenting immediately. She extracted the “cotton” and stored it in a leather pouch, then tested the leaves’ toughness. No matter how hard she pulled, they wouldn’t tear. She tried soaking them in water—no change. What about hot water? Without delay, she had Xi Yi boil a pot and tossed the leaves in, stirring with a stick. The brittle outer layer flaked off, revealing a thin, translucent membrane, crisscrossed with veins but still sturdy. She fished it out, laid it on a heated rock to dry, and it retained its leaf shape. Stuffing it with cotton, she created a plump pillow—no more prickly surface! Excited to make a quilt next, Xi Yi stopped her. It was late, and he wouldn’t let her lose sleep over this. He scooped her up, forcing her onto the wooden pallet, then covered her eyes with a large hand, insisting, “Sleep! You can finish tomorrow.”
Sha Yi wriggled excitedly but was no match for Xi Yi’s strength. She closed her eyes, already dreaming of making a padded mattress tomorrow to soften the hard pallet. A smile curled her lips. Sensing her restlessness, Xi Yi kissed her forehead. Goodnight, sweet dreams.
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