Chapter 10 The Flower Thief's wine slowly flowed down her slender neck...
Bai froze, knowing full well that what was coming was bound to happen.
"Hmm? Tell me, young clan leader..." Bai Shu drawled, leaning down to pinch the little white tiger by the scruff of her neck, lifting her up to eye level with him.
Bai Ye's big, round amber eyes rolled around, but he just wouldn't meet Bai Shu's gaze.
"Look at me, young clan leader!"
"Mother~~~" Bai called out sweetly.
Bai Shu hardened his heart and reprimanded her: "Being cute won't work! Do you know what you've provoked? It's a fifth-tier ferocious beast, and you dare to mess with it?"
In these wild and desolate mountains, monsters are divided into two types: spirit beasts and ferocious beasts. Spirit beasts are mostly gentle in nature. Even the great demons of the eighth or ninth rank, such as spirit deer and black birds, will not attack humans who enter the mountains.
Ferocious beasts, on the other hand, are completely different. Most ferocious beasts are brutal and bloodthirsty, and extremely aggressive.
Bai opened his mouth, unsure how to explain. If he were to tell the truth, he would have to reveal Zhong Jiuli's existence and Xiao Wang's affairs.
She didn't trust Zhong Jiuli much. The difference in their strength was too great. She wasn't capable of protecting her mother yet, so it was best not to let her mother have any contact with Zhong Jiuli.
Bai also raised her eyes, her bright eyes looking directly into Bai Shu's eyes: "Mother, I can't tell you the reason, but I really didn't provoke the ferocious beast on purpose. Can you believe me this once?"
The mother and daughter looked at each other for a moment. Bai Shu looked at her serious expression and said softly, "Your mother will always believe in you, but you have to ensure your safety. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" Bai nodded emphatically.
"Then tell your mother what this strange plant that appeared in your palm is."
Bai scratched his head, looking bewildered: "I don't know where this thing came from either. I accidentally ate a nut when I went to the Demon King's Hive before... I don't know if that thing sprouted."
"What kind of kernel is it?" Bai Zhu asked.
She was worried that the plant would harm Shiro, although, as things stood, it seemed to be protecting Shiro.
Bai also stretched out his paw to indicate the size: "It's a golden kernel, somewhat like an almond or a peach kernel."
Bai Shu pondered for a moment without success; she had never heard of such a thing. "Later, I'll have the witch doctor take a look at you."
After saying that, she picked up Bai Ye and strode towards the drying ground.
By this time, it was already dark. A bonfire was lit in the open space, and several iron pots were placed on the fire. The flesh and bones of the black-scaled dragon were bubbling in the thick soup. The dragon meat was stewed until it was soft and tender and the soup was milky white.
The golden pheasant was also simmered into a fragrant chicken soup, and the misty aroma drifted in the air, making people feel completely relaxed.
On the other side of the fire, there was also golden-brown, glistening dragon meat. The rich aroma of the meat filled the night, making one's mouth water.
The stone table was covered with wild fruits picked from the mountains, as well as homemade fruit wine.
The children stared longingly at the broth in the pot, a suspicious trace of water clinging to the corners of their mouths.
The aunties in charge of cooking laughed and scolded a few times, shooing the naughty children away, "Don't crowd around the fire, be careful not to burn yourself. If you're hungry, go eat some berries first."
A tall, strong, and extremely robust boy slurped his saliva and said loudly, "We can eat berries all day long, but this is the first time we've ever eaten dragon meat. We want to eat dragon meat."
"That's right, that's right!" the children echoed in unison.
"Dayue! Take your sisters and get away from the fire!" A furious roar came from afar.
The tall, sturdy child named Dayue made a face in the direction the sound came from, then led a group of little kids away. The children were running so fast that she couldn't stop in time and bumped into Bai Shu's arms.
Dayue covered her forehead and looked up. Seeing that it was Bai Shu, she immediately shrank back and asked in a low voice, "Chieftain, I'm sorry, did I break your back?"
Bai Shu chuckled and pinched her rosy cheeks: "With your small frame, you can bump into things a few more times without any problem. Don't run around with your sisters. It's time to eat."
Dayue followed closely beside Baishu, muttering softly, "My mother said that the clan leader's waist is so thin, it looks like it could snap in two..."
Before he could finish speaking, a loud shout echoed through the night sky.
"Da Yue!!!!!!!" Da Yue's mother rushed over, carrying a large iron ladle, and covered her daughter's mouth with it.
Her cheeks flushed, and she gave Bai Shu a few forced laughs: "Children...talk nonsense! This kid is just talking rubbish..."
Bai Zhu waved his hand: "It's nothing, don't worry about it."
Bai Ye leaned close to Bai Shu's ear and whispered, "Mother, are the aunties lusting after you?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Bai Shu lightly patted her bottom as a warning.
As they spoke, the mother and daughter reached the campfire. The plump auntie in charge of cooking, seeing the clan chief and young clan chief arrive, shouted at the top of her lungs, "Dinner's ready!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the open space became lively. Everyone crowded together, eating meat and drinking wine heartily, creating a lively atmosphere.
Even though everyone ate to their hearts' content, only a small portion of the mountain-sized black-scaled dragon meat was consumed.
Looking at the mountain of dragon meat, Aunt Pang said with some heartache, "It's such a waste to make such good meat into jerky."
Another person chimed in, "That's still better than letting it rot. Alright, let's start grilling the meat now that we're full."
The aunties had barely put down their bowls and chopsticks when they got back to work with great enthusiasm.
Bai, with her round little belly, nestled comfortably in her mother's arms as she was carried towards the shaman's house.
The witch doctor picked up the little tiger and examined her from head to toe, then rubbed her round little belly and chuckled, "The young chieftain is fine, she's just a little full. She'll be fine after a nap."
Since the shaman said everything was alright, Bai Shu was relieved, thanked the shaman, and carried Bai Ye home.
Upon entering the courtyard, Bai noticed the net bag placed there and realized that he had forgotten to bring the monkey wine for everyone to drink.
“Mother, that yellow gourd contains monkey wine. Please share some with the aunties tomorrow.”
Bai Shu replied, "I understand, I'll handle it. You go wash up first."
Bai got down from her arms, ran to the water tank to fetch water to wash his face, and after cleaning himself up, went straight back to his room.
Before falling asleep, Bai squinted and mumbled, "Xiao Wang, set an alarm to deliver wine to your female lead later."
As she finished speaking, she let out a big yawn, a few tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. This whole day had been incredibly thrilling and exciting.
"Okay, go to sleep now, I'll wake you up later." Xiao Wang's electronic voice had become a little gentler.
Insects chirped softly outside the window, and a cool evening breeze swept through the open window.
The little tiger on the bed was sleeping soundly under the covers.
Xiao Wang monitored the surroundings, and only after confirming that Bai Shu had fallen asleep did she wake up the sleeping Bai Ye.
"Hmm... what time is it?" Bai rubbed his sleepy eyes, his voice filled with weariness.
[3:00 AM.]
"Will I wake her up if I go at this time? Will Zhong Jiuli beat me up?"
As he said this, he nimbly climbed onto the windowsill. The night breeze swept by, carrying away some of his remaining sleepiness.
Bai was much more sober now. She leaped out, her limbs outstretched, and landed silently. She quickly untied her bundle, slung a jug of monkey wine over her shoulder, and stealthily slipped out of the courtyard gate.
Honestly, looking at you, anyone who didn't know you would think you were a thief trying to steal something.
"How can you blame me? You're clearly my system, yet you make me take care of other women before you give me a reward. Other people's systems just 'ding' and their cultivation levels skyrocket."
Xiao Wang's voice suddenly lowered: "Ah Ye, have you ever had any other chieftains?"
"Huh?" Bai was a little surprised. Could this little thing actually feel disappointed?
"I'm just giving an example, you understand what I mean by giving an example?"
Ah, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want something, you always have to pay a price.
Bai paused for a moment, her eyes shining brightly in the moonlight, but her voice was firm: "Of course I know! I will get what I want through my own efforts."
The familiar tree hollow soon came into view. Instead of leaping up as usual, Bai moved quietly and climbed up the thick branches.
Xiao Wang complained: "This makes them look more like thieves, and specifically, womanizers."
Bai was too lazy to pay attention to the talkative system, so he quietly poked his little head out and looked into the tree hole.
The moonlight, as clear as water, illuminated the scene inside the tree hollow.
Zhong Jiuli leaned against a haystack, her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes gently closed. Moonlight fell on her ethereal face, making her seem to glow.
Like... a goddess under the moon.
Bai couldn't help but hold his breath, his bright eyes finding it hard to look away from Zhong Jiuli.
"Have you seen enough?" A slightly hoarse female voice suddenly rang out.
Zhong Jiuli raised her eyelids and looked straight at the cave entrance, meeting the gaze of the little white tiger whose head was the only part of its body showing.
Bai Ye, like a startled deer, quickly withdrew his head, avoiding Zhong Jiuli's gaze.
"Come in." Zhong Jiuli's emotionless voice came from the cave entrance.
Bai also poked his head out again, looking into the tree hole.
Zhong Jiuli had already sat up and was casually tidying her disheveled clothes. Her slender fingers ran over her clothes, carrying an indescribable air of languid nobility.
"Did I wake you up?" Bai asked, lying at the entrance of the cave.
Zhong Jiuli didn't even lift her eyelids. With a flick of her finger, silver light flew out from her fingertip, turning into a silver ribbon that wrapped around the little white tiger's waist and pulled her into the cave.
"Awooo!" Bai let out a short cry of surprise. When he came to his senses, the tiger had already fallen into the haystack.
"Heh~" Zhong Jiuli chuckled. This little thing is really easy to get angry about.
To the clueless Bai Ye, the laughter sounded somewhat terrifying, making him fear that this ruthless woman might choke him at any moment.
She quickly sat up, took off the yellow gourd from her back, and handed it to Zhong Jiuli: "I found some monkey wine today, but it took me a while to deliver it to you."
Zhong Jiuli gently stroked the gourd's oily surface with her slender fingers, her voice softening slightly: "Just for this, you rushed here overnight?"
"Try it first, this monkey wine is delicious, it might even heal your injury!" Bai looked at her expectantly, "Do you want me to feed you?"
“No need, I can do it myself!” Zhong Jiuli raised her eyes slightly, pulled out the cork, and brought the gourd to her nose to sniff it.
Her movements were casual, with a touch of unruliness.
Bai also watched as her sleeve slipped down as she raised her hand, revealing half of her fair wrist. That snowy white color was even more translucent than the plain clothes she was wearing.
The clear wine poured from the gourd's mouth, falling into her slightly parted red lips. A few drops of wine splashed out and slid down her delicate chin. As she swallowed, the glistening wine flowed slowly along her slender neck, eventually disappearing into the shadow of her collar.
A note from the author:
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Bai Ye: I get scared when my wife smiles [doge emoji]
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