02 Overnight, it felt like the world had changed.
How on earth did that woman, Sha Yi, suddenly have a little brat?
It’s honestly a bit hard to believe.
Alright, I admit I’m a little regretful that I’m not the father of that child, but it’s not my fault. Even that cunning bastard Saina couldn’t get his hands on such luck, yet somehow, that silent gourd Xi Yi ended up with it!
To be honest, I’ve been thinking about how to come up with a good way to make Sha Yi accept me, but unfortunately, I haven’t figured it out yet.
At first, I thought about dragging Saina into it, but he hurt his head and isn’t quite right in the mind anymore. He ran off like his life depended on it—utterly spineless.
But I don’t necessarily need him anyway.
Ideally, a man and a woman should be alone together, but since I’m already at a disadvantage, I thought I’d rope Saina in. Who knew he’d be completely useless? Might as well kick him to the curb so he doesn’t get in the way.
Speaking of Saina, though, I’m really pissed.
Losing to Xi Yi in the fight for a woman is one thing, but what’s the deal with him trying to snatch people from me?
These women clearly came from Kasan’s side. I don’t know how he had the nerve to take them away. On the surface, we’re still one group, but I’m not stupid—he’s obviously trying to challenge me for leadership, just like Yeli did!
What was it called again? Ah, right, Sha Yi said that a large gathering formed by multiple smaller groups is called a tribe.
Let’s just call it that for now, since I can’t remember the proper term.
Now he’s taken over the open land outside the forest—all the good land, water, and resources swallowed up by him. What does that leave for us?
I have to give it to that dumb gourd Xi Yi for staying calm. If it were me, I would’ve… but never mind the past.
What I want to say is, when Sha Yi gave birth today, the commotion was huge. I was woken up early, but I didn’t realize it was her giving birth, so I didn’t pay much attention. But when I came out to check, it wasn’t even fully light yet.
That’s when I noticed a figure on the distant slope.
It definitely wasn’t Xi Yi, because he was pacing in front of his own brick house. The figure on the slope was still there, and noticeably leaner than Xi Yi.
I think it might’ve been Saina.
After the whole Yeli incident, he stopped talking much. When he left, Tuge said he couldn’t remember a lot of things.
That’s a strange way to put it, but I believe Tuge. I asked him about it later, and he explained that Saina had selectively forgotten parts of his past.
From his behavior before he left, it really did seem like he’d forgotten Sha Yi.
I remember back then, it was probably because he was competing with Xi Yi for Sha Yi that he schemed against both of us and betrayed the group.
At the time, I was a little regretful—after all, he was originally on my side. But then again, since he was already useless and not fully aligned with me, I’d have had to deal with him sooner or later. Maybe this was for the best?
But after what I saw at dawn, something feels off.
Could it be… that Saina’s amnesia is fake?
Otherwise, why would he be watching us from that slope?
I’m absolutely certain there’s nothing left here that he cares about!
Well, except Sha Yi!
That damn woman always manages to ensnare men’s hearts. Even giving birth is enough to drag a supposedly amnesiac idiot out for a midnight stroll!
But all complaints aside, I’m convinced Saina’s amnesia might be fake.
Still, I can’t figure it out—he was willing to betray his own people just to get Sha Yi before, so why would he back off now?
If you ask me, he should’ve just taken the chance to snatch her. Who knows? He might’ve succeeded. I even noticed Sha Yi treating him a little better afterward—no idea what she was thinking!
Maybe he thinks I’m in the way?
If that’s what he believes, then fine by me. I never planned on giving him an opening anyway.
Either way, I think I need to stay alert. Who knows what underhanded tricks that sly bastard might pull next?
But annoying things don’t stop there.
That old bastard Tuge somehow hit it off with Kasan. The two of them are always making eyes at each other, to the point where I can’t even enjoy my meat anymore. And to make matters worse, that damn woman Kapa is constantly clinging to me. It’s unbearable.
Honestly, I really want to move out, but then I think—why let Saina have the advantage? Even if Xi Yi and Sha Yi are accepted by everyone, I’ll still make things difficult for them. Otherwise, I’d just be stewing in frustration.
So, I’ve decided to tough it out.
But I’ve already started looking for a man for Kapa. I really wish it was Kapa who had the kid, not Sha Yi—then she wouldn’t have time to bother me.
Besides, ever since Sha Yi gave birth, I haven’t seen her come out at all.
But that damn Xigu won’t let me get close. It’s been days, and waiting around isn’t getting me anywhere. I don’t even know if her kid is a boy or a girl. It’s frustrating.
But I’m not in a hurry. I’ll get my chance eventually!
And when I do, you’ll all see!
—
03 My name is Xigua, and I’m five years old.
My father is Xi Yi, my mother is Sha Yi, and I have a little sister—though I haven’t met her yet because she’s still in my mother’s belly.
I also have an older brother named Masa, but he’s not my mother’s child.
My mother told me that Masa really likes me. He liked me even before I was born, so now we’re especially close.
My brother Masa is very strong. He has a sturdy body almost as tall as my father’s. My mother says that in a little while, Masa might have children of his own, and then I can teach his kids just like he teaches me.
I’m really looking forward to that, so when he teaches me how to hunt, I pay close attention.
I’ve also learned how to catch shrimp because my father says my mother loves eating them. I don’t want my father to work so hard—I want all of us to be happy.
But my father won’t let me catch shrimp anymore. They say there’s an old man in the tribe who’s gone crazy lately, always lurking by the shallows and sometimes even biting people.
Just hearing about it is scary!
So, I only dare to go there when I’m with Masa, and only until that old man stops showing up.
I did see him once, though.
He’s not actually old, and I’ve never seen him act crazy. I don’t know why my parents make him sound so terrifying.
Later, he’d often play with me and give me delicious roasted meat, but he kept trying to pull down my pants. I really didn’t like that because wearing pants is such a hassle, and I didn’t want to keep bothering my mother.
Grandpa Tuge said the old man kept tugging at my pants because I look a lot like my mother, and he didn’t believe I was a boy.
But I *am* a boy! And since I’m my mother’s child, of course I look like her!
Besides, he has the same parts as me!
This old man’s thoughts are really strange.
Later, I heard people call him Jialuo. That must be his name—it sounds nice, but like him, it has a bit of a wild feel.
Even so, I admire how fearless he is—except when it comes to Kapa. The moment he sees her, he runs the other way. It’s hilarious, and I always end up laughing for ages.
What I don’t understand is, Kapa and Jialuo seem really close, so why do they act like enemies?
Jialuo once took me riding on a bird.
A really big black one, but they don’t fly very steadily. He often falls off with them. Once, my father saw it and almost beat him up, but I still admire him because he runs away so fast!
I think if I could learn his escape skills, I’d be amazing—at the very least, I could run away quickly after doing something bad.
Of course, I haven’t learned much yet, but when I grow up, maybe I’ll master everything he knows. He even said I’m smart.
But he told me not to tell anyone else that he’s teaching me.
He also said that when my sister is born, he’ll teach her how to ride birds too.
I think that’s a great deal.
Unfortunately, my father found out right away and forbade Jialuo from coming anywhere near me. I was upset about that for a long time.
Aside from that, though, life in our tribe is really good.
Everyone I’ve met is very kind, and they all care about me.
Masa says it’s because our mother is smart and knows many things they’ve never heard of, so they treat us well.
But my mother told me that the reason everyone here gets along so peacefully is because we have a great leader—his name is Saina.
I’ve seen him before.
He’s a gentle but distant man.
He’s about the same age as my father but looks a little older, probably because he’s been through a lot.
The first time I met him, he was very nice to me. He knew who I was and who my parents were. When I asked how he knew, he wouldn’t tell me.
I asked my mother later, but she didn’t say either. I figured it didn’t matter, so I stopped asking.
But what I don’t understand is why the leader doesn’t have any children. There are so many kids in the tribe, but I’ve never seen anyone call him “Father.” Every time I visit him, he’s always alone—only during hunts does he join the others.
He must be very lonely.
I think I should spend more time with him.
My mother, father, and sister are here, and Masa has his own parents who love him. But Saina… it seems like I’m the only one he’s close to.
So, I decided to give him the promise I made to Jialuo.
I told him that when my sister is born, I’ll bring her to spend time with him too.
He said he was happy, but I didn’t see him smile.
Somehow, I felt like his mood was the opposite of what he said—he looked sad.
But I didn’t know how to comfort him.
As I was leaving, he suddenly told me he wanted me to be the next leader of the tribe.
I don’t know what sorrows he carries, what painful memories haunt him, or what he’s been through.
But I think this must be the most important thing he’s ever said to me.
—Well then, if you insist, I’ll obey!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage