Chapter 197: Pressing Her Down

The direction Sha Yi was heading was not towards the group’s settlement. Instead, he led her to another place.

Before reaching the spot they had chosen to build their houses, he turned and wound his way through a few sparse large trees, circling several times before finally setting her down.

It was a stone pit hot spring, its waters clear and shallow despite the misty vapor. Even as night approached, the moonlight was bright, and with winter nearing, the surrounding trees’ canopies were sparse, making the scenery here exceptionally beautiful.

Though she had stayed in this area for a long time, she had never walked in this direction before, let alone seen this hot spring. Now that she suddenly discovered it, she felt a twinge of hesitation.

Perhaps because of the previous volcanic eruption, the sight of the hot spring made her uneasy, stirring worry in her heart and causing her steps to falter.

Sha Yi didn’t understand her thoughts, assuming she was afraid of the water. He pointed at the water in the stone pit and said softly, “The water is shallow. I just found this place today. The temperature is perfect now—much cooler than the clear pool under the waterfall in the new settlement’s cave.”

Squatting down to test the water, Sha Yi still hesitated. “Sha Yi, I don’t know if this place might erupt like the volcano before. I only know that the hot spring there was caused by magma rising from underground. Though the temperature here is much lower, still…”

She didn’t finish, but Sha Yi understood. “You’re worried there might be an underground volcano here too?”

She nodded, though not entirely certain. “I only know some conditions for hot springs. Generally, extremely high-temperature ones are mostly volcanic, but low-temperature ones aren’t necessarily so—they could be from groundwater circulation. I hope it’s the latter.”

“The water isn’t very hot. I think it might be the second case you mentioned,” he said, though he didn’t fully grasp the details. “But don’t worry too much. If a volcano does erupt, we’ll just escape. We’ve done it before.” He ruffled her hair, grinning. “We survived last time. If it happens again, we’ll manage. And if not, well, we’ll die together.”

His words lightened her mood, and she laughed. “True. If things get really bad, running won’t help. Given the water’s temperature, it’s probably the second case. Worrying is pointless—might as well enjoy it. Hot springs aren’t common anyway.”

Sha Yi didn’t quite understand her latter words, but it didn’t matter. In a blink, he snapped out of his confusion and playfully pushed her.

Caught off guard, she tumbled into the shallow warm water. Standing up, she realized the seemingly rocky bottom was actually fine gravel, and the water only reached her waist.

Unlike the cold lake formed by rain in the forest where they encountered the saber-toothed tiger, this warm water was incredibly soothing. After just a short while, she didn’t want to leave.

Eventually, she leaned against the stone edge and sat down, letting the water rise to her shoulders—just perfect.

Seeing her relaxed, Sha Yi removed his animal hide skirt and stepped in.

His entry was forceful, splashing water all over her face.

She glared at him, convinced it was deliberate.

When she turned back indignantly, he was grinning smugly, his beautiful hazel eyes glinting mischievously through the mist.

He had tricked her!

Smirking, she cupped water in her hands and splashed him when he least expected it.

This time, Sha Yi couldn’t dodge in time and got drenched.

But he wasn’t angry—just gazed at her with a smile.

Flustered, she averted her eyes, only to realize something embarrassing underwater—he was completely bare!

Her face burned, and she scrambled to climb out of the pit.

But the muscular man behind her had other plans. He grabbed her ankle with unyielding strength, leaving her no chance to escape or resist.

Sha Yi was trapped.

In an instant, he moved behind her, pressing his heated chest against her back.

Her short skirt had long been used to bandage Saina’s wound, leaving her in nothing but modern undergarments. His touch made her hyperaware.

Soon, his rough hands slid to her slender waist. Before she could react, he nuzzled her neck and chuckled lowly.

Sha Yi loved resting his head against her neck—ever since they’d met, it was his favorite way to show affection.

She didn’t mind, but his curly hair tickled, and his stubble pricked her skin.

Squirming to escape, he only tightened his arms around her waist, trapping her completely.

Resigned, she sighed and stroked his scratchy stubble. “Sha Yi, after we finish here, I’ll shave your beard. It’s too rough—it hurts.”

He mumbled an agreement but then kissed her cheek, his stubble prickling her again.

Helpless, she let him have his way—resulting in another round of intimacy in the hot spring.

By now, she had no defenses left against him.

Exhausted from the afternoon, she had hoped the hot spring would restore her energy. Instead, she was drained further, while he remained energetic.

Leaning weakly against the stone edge, she lamented nature’s unfairness.

Women bore the burden of childbirth—shouldn’t they have the strongest bodies? Yet they were physically weaker than men. Even in reproduction, men took the lead. It was so unfair!

As her mind wandered, Sha Yi began gently washing her.

She realized this wasn’t so bad. At least he was considerate—many men wouldn’t bother.

It fulfilled her romantic fantasies.

Once they finished, he carried her back, knowing she couldn’t walk.

She didn’t protest. After all, they were practically an old married couple now—might as well save her energy.

The thought made her laugh.

Sha Yi, seeing her happy, kissed her again.

She loved his affection—but hated his stubble!

Rubbing her sore cheek, she vowed to shave him as soon as they returned.

Passing the construction site, she saw the dozen red-brick houses already waist-high. At this rate, they’d be roofed and windowed in a few days.

Sha Yi didn’t linger, quickly carrying her back to the cave.

Xigu and the others had eaten and were chatting outside. Masa and Tuge tended to the penned herbivores.

Nearby, Garo’s group sat around a fire, talking. Without shelter, they slept outside—luckily, the weather was mild, and two hides sufficed.

She didn’t see Garo or the frail man and wondered what had happened. But recalling Garo’s cunning, she wasn’t worried.

He wasn’t as calculating as Saina, but his shrewdness was formidable. Against the cold, unyielding man, he’d likely hold his own—maybe even teach him a lesson.

When she refocused, Xigu had already served her and Sha Yi meat soup and roasted meat—while giving them a knowing look.

Embarrassed, Sha Yi buried herself in eating. Sha Yi, oblivious, calmly answered Xigu’s increasingly explicit questions.

Though only the three of them were in the cave, she still flushed. She assumed Xigu would finish soon, but the questions grew wilder—even asking how often Sha Yi “pinned” her daily.

Worse, Sha Yi answered honestly.

Xigu frowned, dissatisfied, and insisted he do it more—twice as much, ideally whenever possible.

Horrifyingly, Sha Yi nodded seriously, agreeing wholeheartedly—then turned to her with a look that promised just that.

Dumbfounded, Sha Yi wished she could vanish.

As soon as she finished eating, she tried to leave, but Xigu grabbed her arm.

No matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free of Xigu’s near-masculine strength.

Xigu, triumphant, groped her belly, complaining she was too thin and that Sha Yi wasn’t “trying hard enough.”

Sha Yi gaped.

Sha Yi laughed, watching Xigu harass her—until she shot him a pleading look. Then he finally rescued her.

But it wasn’t salvation.

She quickly realized this was just trading a wolf for a tiger.

—This would be a sleepless night of him “pinning” her relentlessly.