Chapter 206: Morning Sickness

The entire afternoon of negotiations ended in futility. Sha Yi wasn’t particularly concerned at first, but recalling Yeli’s ruthless demeanor at the end, she felt it necessary to take some precautions—just in case.

Xi Yi’s thoughts aligned perfectly with hers.

From mutual probing to an unpleasant parting with Yeli, Xi Yi, though sparing with words, had discerned all the underlying issues. Naturally, whatever she considered, he had already thought of as well. Thus, the matter of tightening surveillance over Yelai’s group was left to Xi Yi to arrange.

Dinner was prepared by Xi Gu and a few other women. Since the brick houses were built, this was the first time they had voluntarily gathered everyone—including those from Garo’s side—to eat together.

Truth be told, ever since Garo and his people arrived, the two groups had never been particularly close. Although relations had eased somewhat during Garo’s absence, a gathering like this was unprecedented.

She wasn’t entirely at ease with a few individuals from Manlun’s group either, but there was nothing to be done. Even Tuge couldn’t exert control over them, as their true allegiances remained unclear. Ignoring the issue would leave it festering like a thorn, yet confronting them outright risked sowing distrust among those who harbored no ill intentions. It was a dilemma.

Xi Yi, however, was far more composed than she was, simply advising her to stay vigilant.

And he was right.

Given the current circumstances, no amount of frustration would solve anything—it would only torment herself. Better to wait and see, addressing problems as they arose.

With that, she finally relaxed, patiently awaiting Xi Gu’s dinner.

The meal proceeded as usual: roasted meat and broth. Tuge even ensured his own group contributed food, no longer freeloading as they once had.

These past days had seen not just her own group but even Tuge’s people grow noticeably more amicable.

If this goodwill and simplicity continued, the merger of the two groups might not be far off.

By evening, the already chilly weather grew even colder. Yet, huddled together in a large group, they remained warm enough. Just as the meat and broth finished cooking, a wind picked up.

Sha Yi had been hungry earlier, but when Xi Yi handed her a perfectly roasted, golden-brown piece of meat, her appetite vanished.

Not only that—she couldn’t even stomach a sip of the mildest broth and began retching.

Alarmed, Xi Yi, who had been sitting beside her, immediately abandoned his meal and called for Xi Gu and Tuge.

He was deeply worried.

But beyond his anxiety, she detected another emotion in his eyes—something akin to hope. It seemed he was acutely attuned to the signs of pregnancy in women.

Previously, she hadn’t exhibited any notable symptoms beyond a persistent lack of appetite. But in recent days, things had taken a strange turn.

Her loss of appetite escalated into vomiting, and with her period long overdue, she was almost certain she was pregnant.

She recalled how, when she first met Xi Yi, the gruesome sight of the giant snake and the bloodshed had made her vomit uncontrollably. Back then, he had given her a peculiar look, but with no shared language, their communication relied solely on expressions and gestures. She had noticed his reaction.

That time, his expression had been inscrutable, and by nightfall, he had even roughly touched her belly. Combined with what he later said in the old settlement’s cave, he must have suspected pregnancy the moment he saw her vomit.

Now, though her nausea had struck suddenly, it was far more severe than the incident that had led to his misunderstanding.

She was almost certain she was pregnant. Given Xi Yi’s sensitivity, even if he were clueless about such matters, he must have guessed. Yet his concern for her outweighed everything—he couldn’t bear to see her suffer, hence summoning Xi Gu and Tuge.

Xi Gu arrived in a hurry, as eager as Xi Yi, skipping dinner to rush to her side. Ma Sa, who had long wished for a playmate his age, had hinted at this back in the old settlement. Now, trailing behind Xi Gu, he stared excitedly at her still-flat stomach, beaming with anticipation.

Sha Yi sighed inwardly.

Even if she were pregnant, it would take years before the child could play with Ma Sa—from birth to understanding the world, it was no overnight process.

Still, it didn’t diminish her fondness for Ma Sa.

She secretly hoped that if she did have a child, it would be as innocent, adorable, and endearing as Ma Sa.

Tuge, however, was entirely different. Whether due to ignorance of pregnancy symptoms or a lifetime of avoiding women, he refused to put down his roasted meat. Xi Yi had no choice but to drag him over like a misbehaving chick.

As expected, Tuge’s diagnosis was the same as always: no illness, no injury. As for pregnancy, he had no clue.

Xi Gu, however, declared with absolute certainty that she was pregnant.

More convinced than ever, Xi Gu was overjoyed, her excitement surpassing even Xi Yi’s. But her elation was short-lived. After a moment, she stood and called over several other women, whispering among them.

Xi Yi, meanwhile, remained frozen in place, supporting Sha Yi in stunned silence. Only when Xi Gu nudged him did he snap out of it, scooping her up and carrying her back to the brick house.

The distance was short, but she could feel his trembling—his entire body quivered with barely contained emotion. His heartbeat pounded like a drum, each thud resonating fiercely against her.

She knew he was overjoyed.

Having a partner for just a few months, then suddenly expecting a child—in this ancient era, any man would be ecstatic. Especially since, before the arrival of the peculiar female migration, women had been scarce in every group.

To have a woman entirely his own was rare enough, let alone a child to carry on his bloodline.

Yet Xi Yi was different from other men.

Initially, his desire for a child had been evident—his repeated insistence that they “wait until after the rainy season” made that clear. But after witnessing the mare’s difficult birth, his perspective had shifted.

Though he had later confessed his wish for her to bear his child by the pond after slaying the giant saber-toothed tiger with Garo, she understood that the child was merely one of his reasons to keep her.

He was clever but inarticulate, stubborn in his convictions—especially about her. Once he set his mind on her, he would forsake everything, even his own life, without hesitation.

She didn’t know how such an extreme devotion was possible, but she was certain: he would abandon everything for her, even a child.

The worry and tension in his eyes earlier might have seemed like mere concern for her sudden illness to others. But she knew better—it wasn’t confusion but distress over her suffering from pregnancy symptoms.

Now, Sha Yi desperately hoped her symptoms wouldn’t worsen. Otherwise, Xi Yi would be beside himself with anxiety.

Though the timing of this child was far from ideal, since it had come, she would cherish it—just as she had seen in Xi Yi’s expression moments ago.

He had always longed to possess her, and as a man of this era, offspring were an unquestionable priority. Yet when he feared her pregnancy might mirror the mare’s or Xi Gu’s ordeal, he had bluntly stated he could forgo a child.

In this era, childlessness among men was common, but the conscious choice to reject fatherhood was unheard of. A man with a partner refusing children defied all norms—yet he had said it.

That alone showed how deeply he valued her.

So now, she was willing to endure hardship for him. No matter the unknowns or dangers ahead, if he could sacrifice everything for her, what did she have to fear?

Though hungry and nauseous, her heart was light, the frustrations of the afternoon’s negotiations long forgotten.

Leaning against Xi Yi’s sturdy chest, Sha Yi felt a sweetness unlike anything before.

She would cherish his child—just as he cherished her.

Yet her resolve did little to ease her morning sickness. From outdoors to indoors, sitting to lying down, her retching persisted relentlessly.

By nightfall, she was drained, her face pallid, devoid of strength.

Xi Yi refused to leave, sitting by her side, clutching her hand, his face etched with anguish.

Midway, Tuge arrived with roasted meat, likely guilt-ridden over their skipped dinner. But Xi Yi promptly shooed him away.

Baffled and aggrieved, Tuge watched as Xi Yi even waved his hands as if clearing the air where he’d stood. Defeated, he slunk off.

From her bed of soft furs, Sha Yi saw it all. Despite her discomfort, the sight of their interaction made her laugh.

Xi Yi had chased Tuge away because he knew she disliked roasted meat—and lately, the mere sight of it worsened her nausea. Ever attentive, he wouldn’t let it near her now, especially in her fragile state.