Chapter 179: The Arrival That Never Came

Sha Yi did not follow him to the shallows, choosing instead to stand at the cave entrance and continue watching.

Though she was somewhat worried about Xi Yi’s safety, she was even more unwilling to wait there.

Because she truly did not want to see Saina appear.

She had hated him, resented him, and even sworn to make him pay. But when the moment came, she suddenly felt that he was merely influenced by the environment of his childhood—after all, he had usually been cooperative and helpful with them.

Yet, even if she couldn’t bring herself to hate him, she still held a lingering grudge. She didn’t want to see him, let alone face him.

All she wanted was to sever all ties with him after that incident.

From a distance, she saw Xi Yi plant the faintly smoking wooden stick into the shore of the shallows, waving and shouting.

The two or three black dots in the distance maintained a steady pace, neither responding nor speeding up.

Sha Yi had a growing suspicion that it might not be Xigu and the others.

If they were coming from that direction, it was likely only those who had once lived with them in the same settlement. As for those who had stayed behind in the old cave settlement—without rafts, without food, trapped during the flood, and then caught in the volcanic eruption with the surrounding areas submerged—she believed their chances of survival were slim to none.

On the other hand, Saina and his group had been in a similar marginal position as theirs. Given Saina’s vigilance and thoroughness, it wasn’t impossible for them to have left early due to the increasing tremors. Moreover, that place was hardly suitable for long-term habitation, and the volcanic eruption had occurred at night.

While rafts couldn’t match the speed of the giant-toothed eagles, they had plenty of time, and in the water, a raft was far better than swimming. So she had every reason to believe they were still alive.

As for Xigu, she wasn’t so sure.

Back then, they had parted ways at the waterfall of the main river. Xigu and the others had likely turned toward the areas she and Xi Yi had visited before reaching the settlement. Those places were indeed quite far from the volcano, but during summer and the rainy season, they were hardly ideal for habitation. Anyone with a bit of planning or sense would probably choose to move forward along the route.

It was worth mentioning that she had once seen the dried-up tributary of the main river near where they encountered the largest serpent. So their raft still had a viable path. At the very least, their usual struggles in finding new settlements might have unexpectedly saved them. Moreover, after such intense tremors, caution would be even more necessary.

Even if they knew nothing about volcanic eruptions, the underground tremors would still affect the raft’s movement—just as the massive waves caused by the tremors had once capsized her.

If both Xigu and Saina had managed to escape, Saina’s group would undoubtedly arrive first. Xigu’s group, however, would have to take a detour, and no matter how fast they moved, they couldn’t overcome the disadvantage of the longer route.

After a brief analysis, Sha Yi became increasingly convinced that those approaching figures couldn’t be Xigu and her people.

At the shore, after waving and shouting proved futile, Xi Yi pulled the smoking torch from the sand and began waving it vigorously.

The two or three black dots drew closer.

After much deliberation, Sha Yi still felt the situation might not be as Xi Yi had guessed. She decided to head to the shallows herself. After all, compared to Xi Yi, they might not be as harsh toward her. At the very least, Saina would likely leave some room for negotiation.

But just as she took a step forward, she noticed the black dots, which had been heading straight for the shore, suddenly changed direction, veering away from their stretch of shallows toward another area.

Their deliberate avoidance was unmistakable.

Sha Yi was now certain of her suspicions.

At the shore, Xi Yi’s waving arms froze mid-air. After a pause, he slowly crouched down, planting the smoking stick back into the sand.

He, too, seemed to have noticed something amiss, his entire demeanor shifting strangely.

Sha Yi guessed that Xi Yi had recognized the group.

It wasn’t Xigu, and so he was disappointed—perhaps even harboring some grim speculations.

Unsettled, Sha Yi walked over to him.

Hearing her footsteps, Xi Yi turned his head. He didn’t say a word, merely reaching out to her with a sorrowful expression.

Without hesitation, she took his hand.

Holding his rough palm, Sha Yi didn’t dare speak carelessly. She simply crouched beside him in silence.

Gazing at the water, Xi Yi remained quiet for a long while. Only when the black dots had faded into the distance, disappearing around a bend, did he finally murmur, “Sha Yi, I didn’t see Saina, but those people were definitely his followers.”

“Not Xigu?” She sighed softly, asking the obvious.

Shaking his head, Xi Yi replied quietly, “Perhaps Xigu and the others will never appear again. If not for you—if not for Galo’s strike—I might have shared their fate in that disaster.”

“Don’t think like that. There’s still hope.” She squeezed his hand gently, offering comfort. “Maybe in a few days, they’ll arrive here too.”

“Really?” He looked up briefly before his expression darkened again. “But they were heading the opposite way on the main river—right into the disaster zone. Xigu and the others… they might not have made it. They were deep inside that area, the journey was too long, and they’d never faced anything like this before. I don’t think they could’ve escaped.”

“Xi Yi, let’s try to stay positive.” Sha Yi propped her chin on her hand, forcing a smile. “Look, the eruption started at night, and the tremors had been happening for a while. If they were on a raft during the flood, they might’ve faced the same conditions we did on the main river. Plus, before the eruption, the tremors and their effects would’ve intensified. And who knows? Maybe after parting with us, Xigu’s group had been searching for a new place to settle—somewhere with fewer tremors?”

Xi Yi nodded slightly, managing a faint smile, though it was strained.

Sha Yi could tell he still believed Xigu and the others were gone. Her words might soothe him momentarily, but they couldn’t pull him out of his grief.

Xi Yi had always been more emotional than rational.

But she couldn’t blame him. Raised by Xigu and Ximang since childhood, he’d never known his parents. With a lifetime of insecurity, those two had been his only anchors.

Now that Ximang was gone—a loss that had haunted him for a long time—losing Xigu too might break him completely.

Though she held a significant place in his heart now, it was a different kind of bond. Losing either would leave him incomplete.

Unlike Saina and Galo—the former, shaped by a complex environment, had grown cunning and calculating, his rationality outweighing emotion; the latter was a stubborn, opportunistic brute, direct and ruthless, resorting to force without hesitation.

But Xi Yi was gentle and considerate. Aside from her, he had no desire to fight for anything. Though no less perceptive than the other two, he disliked scheming and rarely bothered with such matters. His thoughts revolved around how to cherish her.

That was one of the things she loved most about him. As a woman, having such a man’s devotion was rare and precious.

She truly didn’t want him to suffer any more pain. Subconsciously, she found herself hoping fervently that Xigu and the others were safe.

For now, though, letting him wallow in sorrow wasn’t helping. Since she couldn’t fully console him, she decided to change the subject.

Standing up, she tugged at his hand. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

Xi Yi responded instantly, springing to his feet. Before leaving, he pulled her into an embrace, his sorrow replaced by concern.

Mission accomplished, Sha Yi sighed in relief. But back in the cave, another problem arose.

The little wolf pup had been whining for a while, but they’d been too preoccupied with the situation outside to notice. Afraid of fire and still young, it had only cried without venturing out to call them.

Faced with the mess before her, Sha Yi sighed.

Between inspecting the cave’s potential for livestock and their melancholy by the shore, they’d left the meat to burn and the broth to dry up. The fire under the roasting meat, fueled by resin, had blazed uncontrollably, while the one under the pot had nearly died out.

Dinner would have to be delayed again.

Her stomach growled, but there was no time to complain. If they wanted to eat, they had to act fast—regrets were useless now.

Grabbing the cooled stainless steel pot, Sha Yi headed for the shallows to fetch water, only for Xi Yi to intercept her. He pressed her onto a stone and went out himself.

Sha Yi called after him, worried about his wound.

But his recovery seemed remarkable. Over the past few days, the injury hadn’t reopened. With regular application of the herb paste and sleeping on his side to avoid pressure, it had healed well.

Aside from heavy labor, she hadn’t seen any hindrance in his movements. So she let him go—it was just a short walk and carrying a pot of water.

He wasn’t as delicate as modern folk.

Turning her attention to the charred meat, Sha Yi sighed. The damage was extensive—some pieces were nearly carbonized, the blackened parts unyielding even to her fingers.

Salvaging was impossible. She set out fresh cuts to roast, while using a fruit knife to scrape off the burnt portions of the others. The remaining edible bits could still be eaten.

As she worked, she noticed the pup had crept to her feet, gnawing eagerly on the discarded charred scraps.

Worried it might damage its budding teeth, Sha Yi tried to take the blackened pieces away, but the pup stubbornly refused to let go. When she lifted the largest chunk, the pup dangled from it, limbs limp but jaws locked.

Its ridiculous determination made her laugh. Relenting, she let it keep its prize.

Victorious, the pup happily resumed chewing at her feet, though its efforts mostly resulted in drool coating her toes.

Resigned, Sha Yi sliced a tender piece of meat for it instead, cradling the pup in her lap while musing about crafting a makeshift broom from dried grass.

When Xi Yi returned, he found the heartwarming scene—Sha Yi with the pup, bathed in the firelight. The sight eased his lingering sorrow.

This was the life he wanted most.

Not a crowded settlement, but a space of his own, with the woman he loved by his side. Waking with the sun, resting at dusk, raising children together—free from strife and complications.

Just imagining it made him smile.

Neither noticed his gaze. Not wanting to disrupt the moment, Xi Yi quietly set the refilled pot over the fire and lit the banana leaves.

As dusk fell, the giant mosquitoes would soon emerge. The smoke from the leaves would keep them at bay—he couldn’t bear to see Sha Yi’s delicate skin ravaged again.

Thankfully, the timely smoke had effectively blocked the pests these past few days.

Only when the scent filled the cave did Sha Yi realize Xi Yi had returned. Releasing the contentedly chewing pup, she handed him a piece of the salvaged meat with a smile. “Here, eat this to tide you over. The fresh batch will take a while.”

Smiling back, Xi Yi didn’t take the meat. Instead, he leaned in and bit directly from her hand.

Sha Yi laughed, shifting to sit beside him and feeding him bite by bite.

Overwhelmed, Xi Yi pulled her into his arms after a few mouthfuls.

Feeling his mood lift, Sha Yi relaxed, indulging his affectionate groping—a small price to pay for his happiness.

After feeding him two pieces, her own hunger gnawed at her. She settled into his lap to eat, only for him to snatch the meat from her hands and offer it back to her lips.

Biting automatically, Sha Yi blinked.

Was this reciprocity?

She fed him, so now he fed her?

Xi Yi’s childish side was both exasperating and endearing—undoubtedly born of his adoration for her.

In high spirits, she ate without protest, though at a far slower pace than him. By the time she finished, the leaf-covered broth was ready.

Xi Yi didn’t let her lift a finger. With wooden containers within reach, he served the soup swiftly.

The fresh meat, unlike the pre-cooked pieces in the broth, took longer. By the time Sha Yi finished a bowl, the roast was finally done.

Her hunger sated, she ate only a small portion, leaving the rest to Xi Yi’s bottomless appetite.

He devoured it all with astonishing speed.

Sha Yi marveled, but was relieved—eating well would aid his recovery, and his hearty appetite suggested he’d shaken off some of his gloom.

For that, she was truly glad.