By the time the two turned around, someone was already standing at the gap in the wisteria vines, and another was struggling to climb through it.
It was Xigu and Mari. Mari was still halfway through the gap, while Xigu had already entered and was standing there watching them with a meaningful expression.
Interrupted mid-action, Xi Yi was reluctant but didn’t say anything. He simply sat up with her in his arms, completely unfazed by Xigu’s teasing gaze, and even kissed her again.
Xigu burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
For a moment, Sha Yi wished she could disappear into the ground, but her bare upper half made her too embarrassed to move. After struggling for a while with no solution, she could only obediently shrink into Xi Yi’s embrace.
Xi Yi, too, was reluctant to let her go, but with the two of them present—even though they were close relatives—he had to be somewhat considerate. So, he grabbed the animal hide and wrapped it around her.
By the time she was fully covered, Mari had also crawled in, bringing along the stainless steel basin that had been placed in the bathtub, along with some toiletries inside, as well as a piece of unknown animal meat wrapped in leaves and two wooden containers.
When Mari handed the items over, she seemed a bit confused. Xigu, though equally unfamiliar with these things, was more straightforward. She simply shoved the items toward them without much reaction.
Xi Yi, however, was less clueless when receiving the items. Earlier, before returning to the settlement, she had given him some things to use. Though he didn’t fully understand them now, he wasn’t completely lost either.
It seemed Xigu had anticipated they wouldn’t return to the settlement that night, so she brought some supplies—likely out of concern for her relatives. She had even prepared food for the next day.
Xi Yi called them to sit on the large round leaves, and the three began talking.
They spoke quickly, and Sha Yi couldn’t fully follow their conversation. As she listened, she tightened the hide around herself, then remembered the fruits Xi Yi had picked for her. She selected a few and handed them to Xigu and Mari.
The two were stunned by her gesture, taking a moment to react before eagerly accepting the fruits, their faces brimming with unconcealed joy—especially Xigu, who even shot Xi Yi a few meaningful glances, her expression subtly satisfied. Xi Yi, in turn, seemed pleased.
From then on, her name was frequently mentioned in their conversation, and the atmosphere grew exceptionally cheerful. After about an hour, the discussion wound down, and Xigu and Mari stood up.
Sha Yi guessed they were preparing to return to the settlement and stood as well. Xigu glanced at her, then pulled Xi Yi aside and whispered a few words, gesturing toward Sha Yi while nodding and shaking her head. Finally, she waved her hand and repeated certain syllables until Xi Yi nodded in agreement. Only then did she exhale, pat Xi Yi’s arm, and crawl back out through the gap.
Sha Yi was curious about what Xigu had said but couldn’t understand due to the language barrier. Still, it was clear the final exchange had been about her—and it didn’t seem negative. On the contrary, it appeared to carry concern, as if Xigu was reminding Xi Yi to take care.
Xi Yi crawled out after them to see Xigu and Mari off, leaving Sha Yi to slowly sit back down. She fiddled with the items in the stainless steel basin—the toothpaste and toothbrush had been placed inside, so they’d been brought along.
Perhaps because the basin resembled their wooden containers but seemed more advanced, Xigu and Mari assumed it was something essential. As for the unfamiliar toothpaste and toothbrush, they likely didn’t dare remove them, so they simply brought the whole thing.
Xi Yi’s relatives were refreshingly straightforward and innocent. Sha Yi couldn’t help but smile. The only pity was that they hadn’t brought extra clothes—otherwise, she could have used the cotton nightgown to bandage Xi Yi’s wounds again.
While Xi Yi was still away, she quickly fastened the little top that had been pulled open earlier, then reached for the short skirt hanging on the branch. Whether due to the quick-drying nature of silk or the warm night breeze, it had already dried completely in such a short time.
Just as Xi Yi returned through the gap, Sha Yi took the skirt down. When he sat beside her, she gestured for him to raise his arms, which he did without hesitation.
She wrapped the skirt horizontally around his back and chest, relieved that its length was just enough to cover the wounds. She signaled for him to hold the front in place while she took the elastic yellow vine from the round leaf and wrapped it around the outside of the skirt a few times before tying it off.
As she withdrew her hands, Xi Yi embraced her again, his rough palms slipping beneath the hide to caress the smooth skin of her waist.
Sha Yi didn’t push him away, letting him touch her as warmth filled her heart. Instead of pulling back, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Xi Yi loved touching her and adored her affection. The moment she embraced him, he instinctively gripped her waist and pulled her fully into his arms.
Her body was always so uniquely soft and warm—every touch made him reluctant to let go. If they hadn’t been interrupted earlier, he might have lost control!
Yet, he was grateful for the interruption. Otherwise, she might have been hurt.
He never wanted her to suffer any harm or take any risks. His only regret was not meeting her sooner—missing the best time meant enduring this torment now. But even if the suffering was unbearable, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. Keeping even the slightest distance was impossible.
Rather than forcing separation, he’d rather hold her in agony, enduring the torment until the rainy season ended.
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