The gers laughed. "The weather’s getting colder. We need to weave more winter clothes, it’ll be harsh soon."
"..." Come to think of it, shouldn’t I and Brother Heng also prepare some?
Noticing Wang Jin’s thoughtful expression, Mu ger smiled. "Don’t worry about yours and Brother Heng’s, I’ve already prepared them. Go wash up and eat before your breakfast gets cold."
"Alright. Have you all eaten? Would you like to join me?" Wang Jin asked the other gers.
They waved their hands. "We’ve already eaten. Go ahead, Jin ger."
As Wang Jin went inside, the gers chatted while weaving.
"Hey, did any of you see the leader and Brother Heng return last night?" one of the gers asked.
The others shook their heads. The ger continued, "I saw them when I got up last night, they came back very late. The leader was carrying a lot of mist fruits, probably for Yue ger."
"Wow, Yue ger is so lucky."
"Well, he’s always been blessed. After all, he was once the most beautiful ger in the tribe."
"That’s not what I meant," the ger clarified. "It’s just... before, the leader and Brother Heng didn’t get along. But last night, they seemed quite friendly."
"You didn’t know?" another ger chimed in. "My beastman told me the leader’s been asking Brother Heng for help gathering fruits in dangerous places. All that back-and-forth has eased their tensions."
"I heard that too," another ger added. "My beastman said if this keeps up, they might even become brothers!"
"Wow, then the tribe will truly be at peace. With the leader guiding us and Brother Heng’s ancient beastman strength, we’d fear nothing, not even beast horde!"
"We never feared beast horde anyway. Doesn’t the Beast God protect our tribe? We can avoid them every year."
"That's true, ever since we moved here, the beasts seem to deliberately skirt around our land."
"I bet they’re scared of Brother Heng. He saved us from those beasts before."
"Brother Heng’s strength goes without saying. The only worry was his rift with the leader. Now that they’re reconciling, it’s such a relief."
"My beastman says we should thank Yue ger for this," one of the gers said with a smile.
The others were puzzled. "What does Yue ger have to do with it?"
"My beastman said Yue ger is sharp-minded and kind-hearted. He wouldn’t keep asking his beastman to gather rare fruits beyond his ability unless he planned for Brother Heng to join him. This way, they’d have to work together, which should reduce their tensions. My beastman says Yue ger has the potential of to become the leader’s ger."
"Now that you mention it, it makes sense. A ger knows his beastman’s limits, so none would constantly demand life-threatening tasks. Yue ger asked for several rare fruits in one day, especially the mist fruit, which is the most dangerous and requires two beastmen to gather at night. He must’ve been creating opportunities for the leader and Brother Heng to work together, to reconcile them."
"If Brother Heng and the leader truly make peace, it’ll be a great benefit for the tribe."
"Yue ger is amazing."
"Exactly! The leader is so lucky to have married him."
"Indeed. If Brother Heng had married Yue ger instead, maybe he’d be the fortunate one."
"!" Mu ger, who had been silently listening, suddenly stood up and slammed his loom onto the table. "How can you say that? Are you saying Brother Heng has no fortune marrying A-Jin? You’re in Brother Heng’s home, with A-Jin right inside! How dare you!"
The ger who’d spoken seemed to realize his mistake, covering his mouth.
The others quickly mediated. "H-He didn’t mean it! He just meant Yue ger is outstanding. Don’t be angry, Mu ger, Jin ger is wonderful too."
Mu ger’s fury didn’t subside. He glared at the offender. "Say something like that again, and don’t come back here."
The ger slapped his own mouth, apologizing repeatedly.
"..." Wang Jin sat inside, eating his breakfast. The door was open, naturally he’d heard every word of the argument and discussion.
His mood soured.
It was good that Yuan Heng and the leader were reconciling. He was happy for his man...
But now, people were saying Yuan Heng would’ve been better off marrying Yue ger!
Would... his man think so too? Would he start believing Yue ger was better?
After all, Yuan Heng strained relationship with the leader had always been his biggest problem...
Wang Jin’s fingers clenched tightly.
He had always been supremely confident, but now, for the first time, he felt uncertain. He hadn’t been able to mend the rift between Yuan Heng and the leader, but Yue ger had.
Perhaps it was because he cared too much that he grew so sensitive over such things.
Wang Jin’s spirits sank. The mist fruit beside him held no appeal now.
He remained listless all day. Mu ger worried but didn’t know how to comfort him.
That evening, after everyone left and Lai Yuan came to fetch Mu ger, Yuan Heng still hadn’t returned. But he’d sent Wang Jin a package of fruits and meat through Lai Yuan.
In low spirits, Wang Jin set the food aside, barely touching it. But remembering Yuan Heng’s earlier reminders, he forced himself to eat half.
He wanted to wait for his man, but Yuan Heng returned too late. Wang Jin ended up dozing off while waiting.
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