After finishing the slingshot and the wicker basket, Xu Shuangci climbed back down into the cave. Qing had said there were many long-eared beasts in the valley, and indeed there were.

Although Xu Shuangci wasn’t very accurate with his slingshot, when the long-eared beasts came charging, he managed to hit one by sheer luck. But one was clearly not enough to eat.

Xu Shuangci found a hole in the ground, set up a wicker basket, and placed some food inside as bait.

The long-eared beasts did come in, but no matter how many times Xu Shuangci moved the basket and pulled the rope back and forth, he couldn’t snare any.

Xu Shuangci refused to give up. He climbed up to the cave, brought down a basket full of glowing-red plant ash, and set dry grass ablaze to smoke them out. In an instant, the valley was shrouded in wisps of smoke; at first glance, it looked like some kind of earthly paradise.

This drew out even more Long-Eared Beasts.

By the time the sun set, there were four long-eared beasts with their legs bound, lying on the ground.

Xu Shuangci slumped onto the grass, drenched in sweat.

“Finally… I’ve caught enough.”

After resting for a while, Xu Shuangci hauled the long-eared beasts to the stream, then climbed up to the cave to fetch his tools.

Qing saw the head peeking out from the cave entrance and wagged his tail.

“Come over and rest for a bit.”

Xu Shuangci cupped some water to wash his face, then dragged his heavy legs over to sit down in front of Qing.

“Hunting… it’s so exhausting…”

He leaned back, resting against Qing.

Qing: “Practice more.”

Catching small animals in the valley can only be beneficial for a sub-beastman.

Xu Shuangci closed his eyes and buried his face in Qing’s fur.

His limbs were weak and aching; he was completely exhausted, and even breathing felt like a struggle.

The last time he’d exerted himself like this was back in college.

But now, as a working stiff who’d been on the job for several years, his body no longer possessed the health and vitality of those days.

Just catching a long-eared beast nearly killed him.

Qing pulled him closer and pressed his paw pad lightly against Xu Shuangci’s arm.

“If you can’t learn to hunt, at least learn to run.” 

“I know…”

It took him a long time to recover, and Xu Shuangci could barely get back on his feet.

Leaning against the stone wall, he staggered down into the cave to process the long-eared beast.

The long-eared beast looked part rabbit, part rodent, with ears that reached all the way to its back; when it ran, they fluttered like two ribbons. It was grayish-brown in color and incredibly fast. If you looked away for even a moment, it would vanish.

Their meat was chewy and perfect for braising with chili peppers.

But considering there was also an injured big cat, Xu Shuangci stewed three of them and roasted the remaining one. Back at the cave, Xu Shuangci began cooking the meat.

His hands busy, he asked lazily, “Was the stone pot here before?” 

“Yes.”

“Did you find it?”

Qing nodded.

Xu Shuangci: “Do you use the stone pot to cook meat too? How do you cook with paw pads?”

Although Qing was a wandering beastman, he was certainly capable of cooking meat. However, hearing the sub-beastman ask this, Qing found it odd. He replied, “I don’t use my paws—I turn into human form.”

Xu Shuangci stirred the soup in the stone pot slowly and said, “If you can turn into a human, I’ll eat the stone pot.”

Qing glanced at him.

“You won’t have to eat the stone pot—I’ll take you as my partner.”

Xu Shuangci: “We’re from different races…”

Exhausted and barely able to speak, he continued to mumble slowly, “Speaking of which, it’s spring now. You really should find a wife and have some kids. When are you going out to look for one?”

“Also, remember to bring the kids back for me to see once you have them, okay?”

Qing looked at his injured leg and said nothing.

Although he didn’t know what a “wife” was, judging by what the sub-beastman had said, it meant a mate. And his mate was right there in front of him.

As for what his partner had said…

Qing: “You like cubs?”

“Of course! Little tigers and such—how adorable.” Xu Shuangci stood with his back to Qing, a wistful smile on his face. Qing wrapped his tail around him, resting his head on it.

“How many do you want?”

“Is that something I can decide?” Xu Shuangci gathered his composure and chatted casually with him. “You can.”

“They’re so fluffy—a few more wouldn’t be a problem.” 

“Hmm.”

Qing’s gaze swept over Xu Shuangci’s slender waist. Too thin—that probably wouldn’t work.

The stone pot was small, so he had to cook the three long-eared beasts in two batches. Xu Shuangci scooped out the cooked meat, then added fresh water and more meat.

“My pottery pot is still better. You’d better bring those things over soon.”

Qing: “How should I bring them?”

Xu Shuangci moved over to Qing and crouched down. He rested his hands on his knees, staring at the large paw pads, then couldn’t resist reaching out to touch them.

“Have you ever seen a tree with a hollow center?” 

“Yes.”

“Where?!”

Qing lifted his paw and pressed it against the back of Xu Shuangci’s hand.

“In the central region. It’s far away.”

“Aren’t there any around here?” Xu Shuangci reached back to grasp his paw pad, running his fingers through the soft fur. “I’ve never seen any.”

Xu Shuangci sat down on the animal hide and slumped against Qing. “Then are there any trees with bark that can be peeled off in one piece?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never tried.”

Xu Shuangci hugged the claws he’d gathered, sounding slightly disappointed. “Then I’ll go out and look for it myself.”

Qing rested his large head against Xu Shuangci’s shoulder. “You can’t leave the valley.”

“Then how am I supposed to build my boat?”

“Wait until I’m better, and I’ll go look for it.”

Xu Shuangci tilted his head to look at him.

“How much longer will that take? I’ll start building it now, and by the time you’re better, we’ll be ready to sail across.”

Qing insisted, “No, we can’t leave the valley.”

Xu Shuangci rested his chin against his nose and stared into his eyes.

“What if I insist on going out?”

Qing: “I’ll help you.”

Xu Shuangci: “Try moving just a little.”

Xu Shuangci rolled over and let out a long sigh.

“This makes me look pretty useless… Should I just dig a new kiln and fire it again?”

Qing gave him a shove with his paw, and Xu Shuangci fell straight onto the animal hide. Qing lay down, resting his chin on Xu Shuangci’s chest.

“You’re useful. Don’t dig anymore. You’ve worked hard.”

Xu Shuangci raised his hand to rub his ear and said with a smile, “Digging a cave is hard work—doesn’t building a boat count as hard work too?”

Qing tilted his head slightly, making it easier for him to reach.

Listening to Xu Shuangci’s heartbeat, he said, “What’s a boat? If that’s tiring too, then I won’t…”

Xu Shuangci pinched his lips shut.

“If I go by what you’re saying, I might as well do nothing at all.”

Qing kept his gaze fixed on his face.

Xu Shuangci: “I won’t dig, but the boat has to be built.”

After lying down for a while, Xu Shuangci brought the now-cooled meat soup to Qing and poured half of the contents from the stone pot into a bowl.

Xu Shuangci ate only a small bowl of the stew, along with a roasted long-eared beast leg. He let Qing finish the rest.

After dinner, Xu Shuangci had to climb up and down again to wash all the used items. He then filled another wooden basin with hot water and wiped Qing down first.

As for himself, he simply took a quick shower and washed his hair while he was at it.

The cave was horizontal, with stone walls on both sides of the entrance to block the wind. The stone bed for sleeping was on the left side of the entrance, and the fire was burning on the left as well. Xu Shuangci stood behind the stone wall, stripped off his clothes, and began washing.

As soon as Qing opened his eyes, he saw a completely naked figure. His ears turning red, he urged him repeatedly, “Hurry up.”

Xu Shuangci protested, “I’m already being quick!”

Roughly drying off, Xu Shuangci ducked into the animal hide. Qing immediately spread his legs and pinned him beneath him. Qing’s nose brushed against his rosy-cheeked face, and then he couldn’t resist licking his damp hair.

Xu Shuangci snapped, “Don’t lick me!”

Qing pressed down on his resisting hand, managing to wipe away quite a bit of the water from his hair.

With his hair dried by the heat, Xu Shuangci tugged at Qing’s beard.

“Are you dirty or what?”

“I’m not dirty. You brushed my teeth for me.”

Xu Shuangci grunted.

“If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been allowed to touch me at all.”

Qing pressed his nose against his smooth, soft cheek and gave a soft “Mm.” Holding him close as he fell asleep, Qing dared not sleep too soundly.

He was afraid he might get sick again.

Xu Shuangci felt the same way; he kept reaching out to check Qing’s nose and ears. With such a large wound, if it became infected, it would be a real problem. Fortunately, both of them were fine.

As dawn broke, one of them clung to the other’s ear with a hand, while the other rested his nose against his forehead, and they drifted off into a deep, clinging sleep. At noon, Xu Shuangci got up on an empty stomach.

The aching in his limbs felt even more intense.

He stumbled slightly while hooking his arm around the animal hide, and Qing lifted his tail to steady him. Xu Shuangci braced himself against the stone wall and said weakly, “My back and waist ache…”

Qing nudged his face with the tip of his nose. “Are you sick?”

“I’m not sick. I ran too much yesterday.” Xu Shuangci ran his fingers through his hair, his voice sounding a bit heavy. “Let’s have some wild vegetable and fish soup to tide us over first, then we’ll go hunt the long-eared beast.”

“If you can’t run, just stop.” 

“I know…”

Xu Shuangci took the red-feathered beast out of its cage and set it free, then used a wicker basket to scoop up some small fish and shrimp from the stream.

He then plucked a handful of tender wild celery, washed it, and carried it back to the cave.

The fish were small, so he simply pinched the tail to squeeze out the innards.

Back at the cave, he pan-fried them first, then brought water to a boil and added the greens. Once the greens had blanched and changed color, he sprinkled on some salt for seasoning, and they were ready to eat. It looked simple, but the taste was actually quite good—its strength lay in its freshness.

With his stomach full, Xu Shuangci sat down in front of Qing and let him use his paw pads to massage his legs.

Once he’d regained his strength, he didn’t rush to hunt the long-eared beast but instead headed down the mountain with a wicker basket and his tools on his back. Qing walked a few steps with the animal hide in his mouth, then lay down at the cave entrance.

Xu Shuangci was chopping down a tree with a stone axe.

It took some effort to fell the tree, which was as thick as an arm. After whittling away the branches, he dragged them over to this side of the cave.

Qing asked, “What are you doing?”

Xu Shuangci looked up and met the face of a big cat; his eyelid twitched.

“Don’t strain your wound!”

Qing replied, “I’m walking on three legs.”

Xu Shuangci’s expression softened, and upon reflection, he found it rather amusing. He said, “We’re going to build a shelter to keep the Red-Feathered Beast in.”

The shelter needed to be weatherproof and sturdy. It would require quite a bit of wood, and he wouldn’t be able to cut enough in a short while. Xu Shuangci chopped down a few logs, dragged them back, and then stopped.

Instead, he turned his attention to hunting.

Qing watched as the sub-beast approached the prey with keen hearing in the valley. He crouched among the flowers, his slender back hunched. In one hand he clutched a wooden stick; in the other, a piece of animal hide threaded with sinew.

Pebbles whizzed past, sounding incredibly loud in Qing’s ears.

But the half-beast clearly lacked hunting skills—he didn’t even know how to set a basic ambush.

Qing watched him walk from the far side of the valley to this side, watched him toss that slingshot-like contraption onto the ground, purse his lips, and then set a trap using a wicker basket.

He’d missed his shot just now.

Qing spoke up, “Let me try.”

Xu Shuangci looked at the half-exposed paw pad and the big cat’s head peeking out of the cave entrance, looking somewhat skeptical.

“Can you do it?”

“Let’s see.”

Xu Shuangci grabbed the slingshot and flung it toward the hole. Qing hooked it with his paw and held it up to examine it.

Xu Shuangci ignored him and instead used smoke to lure the long-eared beast out, then struggled mightily to catch it.

“Snap—”

Xu Shuangci pounced, lifting the long-eared rabbit by its ears, a smile appearing between his brows.

“One.”

“Snap—”

Qing: “Two.”

The entire valley was filled with smoke thanks to Xu Shuangci.

He caught three himself before returning to the cave, panting heavily.

Watching Qing inspect the slingshot, which was now broken, he sighed.

“This thing isn’t much use.”

“That’s all we got this afternoon.”

Qing: “Let’s look around—there might be more.”

Xu Shuangci thought he hadn’t eaten enough, so he set the long-eared beast down and turned away.

Qing had made sure he was well-fed when he was in charge of hunting, so he couldn’t very well let him go hungry, could she? So he walked over to another spot he hadn’t yet plundered.

The grass rustled, and Xu Shuangci snapped his wicker basket toward the sound.

“Got it!” The sub-beastman’s voice was clear and bright, a touch livelier than usual with surprise.

Qing tossed aside the slingshot and rested his head on his paws.

Xu Shuangci carefully reached into the wicker basket to grab the long-eared beast, only to find blood on its head. Moreover, the long-eared beasts in this area were practically up for the taking—they didn’t even run away when he approached.

Upon closer inspection, they were all maimed from being beaten.

Xu Shuangci tossed the long-eared beast into the wicker basket and turned to look at the cave entrance. The big cat lay there quietly; when he looked over, it was as calm as could be. 

Qing: “That’s all.”

Xu Shuangci: “Did you take them all out?”

Qing fiddled with his slingshot: “It’s broken.”

Xu Shuangci smiled, suddenly feeling the weight on his shoulders lift considerably. How amazing is that big cat!

“It’s fine, I can handle it.”

“I’ll go gut them. We’ll be able to eat them in a little while.”

Qing’s gaze followed the half-orc’s figure for a long time before finally turning away. Spotting the slingshot beside him, he hooked it with his claw.

Clack—

The slingshot fell to the floor of the cave.

Qing’s tail twitched.

He closed his eyes to rest, waiting for Xu Shuangci to return from the stream.

After a long while, Qing’s ears twitched.