Chapter 225: Completion

The two of them froze for a brief moment before simultaneously turning their heads, just in time to see the person emerging from the woods.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Sha Yi sighed in relief, while Kapa let out an “Ah” but didn’t say anything more. She merely glanced at Sha Yi with slight confusion, only calming down when she saw Sha Yi’s relaxed expression and lack of reaction.

Xi Yi, however, was quite different from Sha Yi and Kapa. The moment he stepped out of the woods, he quickened his pace, as if the sight of an extra person had made him nervous.

Still, Sha Yi thought that, given Xi Yi’s temperament, he wouldn’t act as recklessly as Jialuo. So, she wasn’t particularly worried.

On the other hand, Kapa, after a moment of silence, couldn’t hold back any longer. She bent down and whispered in Sha Yi’s ear with a horrified tone, “Who is this man?”

Sha Yi had absolutely no desire to answer that question.

If she told Kapa, there was no guarantee that her inability to keep secrets wouldn’t lead to Jialuo stirring up trouble again. Moreover, saying too much might create rifts in their cooperation.

After all, Jialuo’s tendency to throw tantrums and act sly was well-known, especially when it came to matters he was willing to risk his life for.

With that in mind, Sha Yi decisively chose to ignore the question.

Just then, Xi Yi reached the edge of the hot spring pool.

She immediately noticed what he was holding in his hands. But when she looked up at him with a mix of surprise and confusion, he simply smiled and said, “I didn’t go to the place you mentioned. Instead, I went back to fetch clean clothes for you.”

This was indeed an unexpected delight. Just as Kapa had soaked her clothes, Xi Yi had brought fresh ones for her to change into—perfect timing.

Instantly, her face lit up with a smile. “That was a great decision. And what a coincidence—my clothes just got completely drenched.”

“I originally intended to get you a change of clothes because you prefer cleanliness. Bathing in winter is more troublesome than in summer; it’s not as carefree.” Xi Yi chuckled warmly. “As for the silk-like thing you mentioned, I figured it was in that area over there, so I didn’t go further.”

That was a wise choice.

Initially, she had only been looking for an opportunity to bathe without him around and hadn’t given much thought to the current whereabouts of those items. His decision suited her just fine.

Before she could dwell on it further, he gently lifted her out of the pool. The moment her wet skin met the chilly air, she shivered violently, goosebumps rising all over.

Xi Yi immediately sensed her trembling. Without a word, he pulled her tightly into his embrace while wrapping a fur around her, likely intending to dry her off.

She stayed still, letting him wipe her down.

Beside them, Kapa remained motionless in the water, her dark eyes fixed on Sha Yi and Xi Yi with a mix of curiosity and envy.

From the moment Xi Yi arrived at the pool, Kapa had stayed silent. But now, after watching the two of them being affectionate for so long, she finally couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted out, “Sha Yi, you still haven’t told me who he is!”

Sha Yi sighed in exasperation, still unwilling to answer. However, having her intimate moment with Xi Yi interrupted did leave her feeling a bit frustrated.

But she wasn’t the only one annoyed—Xi Yi also seemed displeased by the interruption. The person he had initially ignored now stood directly in front of him again.

At that moment, Xi Yi’s eyes held clear wariness, to the point where even Kapa felt a little awkward. Yet, it didn’t deter him from scrutinizing her with unwavering determination.

Sha Yi had assumed he might introduce himself to Kapa, but she was mistaken.

Xi Yi was perceptive. He had noticed Sha Yi’s reluctance to answer and, likewise, chose to remain silent.

Not getting the response she expected, Kapa deflated completely and stopped asking.

Xi Yi was more than happy with this outcome. He lowered his head again and carefully dried Sha Yi off. Once she was mostly dry, he took out another set of fur clothes and helped her dress with great care.

The scene spoke for itself—there was no need to explain the nature of her relationship with Xi Yi.

By the time she was fully dressed, Kapa grew impatient. Without giving Sha Yi or Xi Yi a chance to speak, she stepped out of the hot spring, grabbed her own belongings, and hurried away.

Kapa didn’t even spare a single word before fleeing as if escaping, which was rather amusing to watch.

Xi Yi, however, seemed slightly surprised. He stared at the retreating figure for a long moment before finally snapping out of it and asking curiously, “Who was that woman just now? Do you know her?”

“She’s Kapa, Kasan’s daughter. She suddenly barged in earlier, which scared me a little. She was acting strangely at first, but after she explained herself, I felt better.” Sha Yi gave him the simplest explanation before smiling. “I also got some other information from her—about Yeli. We can discuss it later tonight.”

“Alright.” Xi Yi nodded understandingly, completely at ease with her handling of the situation.

With that settled, she nestled comfortably into Xi Yi’s arms, and he carried her back home.

It was just past noon, and they arrived right in time for lunch.

Xigu had already prepared the midday meal, including her special shrimp soup. However, Sha Yi immediately remembered the rice Ma Sa had been cooking earlier that morning and gestured for Xi Yi to go check on it with her. He happily obliged.

In front of their brick house, Ma Sa was still tending to the pot of rice. Likely worried about repeating the morning’s mishap or overcooking it, he had reduced the heat, letting it simmer gently.

Seeing her again after half a day, Ma Sa was visibly excited. He eagerly took her hand and urged her to taste the freshly cooked rice.

Sha Yi didn’t refuse. After taking a bite, she found the flavor vastly superior to the morning’s attempt—proof that patience and care yielded the best results. Delighted, she pulled Xi Yi over to try it as well.

As expected, Xi Yi was equally thrilled after tasting it, his gaze growing intense as he looked at her.

Afraid he might get too worked up, Sha Yi quickly recounted Ma Sa’s explanation about the new terms of cooperation between Jialuo and Kasan.

With that, the issue was resolved.

At noon, everyone got a small portion of the rice. The group, tasting such a mild and refreshing plant-based food for the first time, was overjoyed.

The only downside was that if they all ate it together, the rice would be gone in a few days. So, they needed to conserve it rather than consume it all at once.

As Sha Yi pondered this, Ma Sa spoke up, “Sha Yi, this was just a treat. Everyone else is healthy and can eat roasted meat just fine. We should save the rice—there isn’t much, and you’re pregnant with a sensitive appetite. Like Jialuo said, it’s best to keep it for yourself.”

Ma Sa’s reasoning was sound, and Sha Yi silently agreed.

So, for lunch, she stuck to her shrimp soup while the others enjoyed roasted meat, the atmosphere cheerful and harmonious.

In the afternoon, the group resumed digging the trench. Xi Yi, having worked tirelessly the previous night, took the time to rest.

Sha Yi didn’t hesitate to join him, napping until dinnertime.

Dinner followed the same routine as lunch, with Ma Sa even bringing her shrimp soup to the edge of the wooden platform.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Sha Yi watched as Xi Yi grinned, ruffled her hair, and left the house—likely to eat elsewhere, as he had been doing for days to avoid triggering her nausea with the smell of roasted meat.

Touched, Sha Yi felt her nose sting but held back any emotional display, not wanting to burden Xi Yi with her feelings.

After dinner, the large trench was finally completed. Sha Yi went out with the group to inspect it under the moonlight.

The trench was impressively deep—if someone of Xi Yi’s stature stood inside, the earthen walls would still tower over them by four-fifths. It was also wide enough to fit two people side by side, and the steep slope made climbing out without tools or weapons quite difficult.

Moreover, if sharp wooden stakes were planted at the bottom, they wouldn’t have to worry much about Yeli and his men.

Falling into such a trench would leave at least nine out of ten people severely injured, if not dead.

Aside from the stakes, the only remaining task was covering the trench. Sha Yi figured this would be easy—given Xi Yi and the others’ strength and labor capacity, they could finish it in a day.

Plus, they now had excellent weapons, so minor concerns were negligible.

Pleased, Sha Yi allowed Xi Yi to carry her back home once more.

That night, the two of them slept soundly. After tomorrow, they’d be fully prepared—all that remained was to stay vigilant.

After all, their encounter with Kapa had been highly advantageous.

Not only had Sha Yi learned much about Yeli, but she also suspected his attack wouldn’t be long in coming.