The next morning, the bed was empty, and there was no sign of anyone in or outside the house. Breakfast was, once again, prepared and waiting on the table.
Soon, Mu ger arrived to keep him company.
From Mu ger’s expression alone, Wang Jin didn’t need to ask - Yuan Heng had been invited to hunt with the leader again.
This continued for several days.
Though they lived under the same roof, Wang Jin hadn’t seen Yuan Heng in days. Their schedules perfectly misaligned, no matter how late Wang Jin stayed up, he couldn’t catch him.
Yue ger, meanwhile, had been oddly well-behaved. After that last incident, he hadn’t come to bother Wang Jin again...
Hah! He isn't targeting me directly anymore—instead, he has stolen my beastman’s time.
Wang Jin sneered inwardly, fury simmering in his chest with no outlet. The frustration gnawed at him like thousands of ants devouring his heart.
At the same time, rumors spread through the tribe that Yuan Heng and the leader were growing closer, often seen entering and leaving the tribe together, now like brothers.
With this development, people credited Yue ger, calling him capable and blessed.
Some even whispered that Yuan Heng regretted not marrying Yue ger instead...
Each rumor drove Wang Jin’s heart deeper into despair.
One morning, after yet another failed attempt to see Yuan Heng, Mu ger walked in.
Seeing him, Wang Jin’s heart sank completely, unable to rise again.
His body, still warm from the blankets, now felt as if plunged into an icy abyss.
"He... went out hunting again?" Wang Jin asked.
Mu ger nodded silently.
"At the leader’s invitation?"
Mu ger sighed. "This time, it’s for the cold cocoons on the snow mountain."
Cold cocoons were a type of fruit, resembling silkworm cocoons, pure white and icy to the taste, hence the name.
The snow mountain was dangerous, rarely visited by beastmen. But Yuan Heng had gone a few times before to gather the cocoons for Wang Jin. After learning of the risks, Wang Jin had forbidden him from returning.
It had been a while since Yuan Heng last went—yet now, at the leader’s request, he’d gone again...
Wang Jin fell silent.
Mu ger sighed, stepping forward to help Wang Jin dress without another word.
"What is he trying to do?!" Wang Jin allowed Mu ger to clothe him, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
Mu ger paused, knowing exactly who "he" referred to. He shook his head, he didn’t understand Yue ger’s motives either.
Wang Jin muttered, "At this point, it’s like he’s Brother Heng’s ger instead."
His voice dripped with jealousy. Mu ger frowned, chiding gently, "A-Jin, don’t say such things. You know how much Brother Heng adores you. He prepares your breakfast every morning before leaving, worried you’ll go hungry or cold. He reminds me repeatedly to take care of you, he even wanted to assign another ger to help, fearing my pregnancy would make it hard for me. Only after I insisted did he relent. If he heard you say this, he’d be heartbroken."
Wang Jin knew he’d gone too far. But days without seeing his man had left him unbearably aggrieved. He rubbed his nose bitterly. "But... am I wrong? Now, everything Brother Heng does is because of Yue ger. If Yue ger wants a fruit, Brother Heng fetches it, even I have to share the same treats as him!"
"A-Jin." Mu ger’s voice turned stern. "You know Brother Heng is helping the leader, not Yue ger."
"..." Wang Jin’s nose twitched, his eyes reddening at the corners. He said nothing.
He understood. Yuan Heng was an ancient beastman, he’d brought the Danmu tribe back to integrate them. Mending ties with the leader was crucial...
He knew he should be understanding. But... everyone kept saying Yuan Heng would’ve been better off marrying Yue ger!
Of course, he trusted his man. But Yue ger had solved Yuan Heng’s greatest problem...
Wang Jin’s heart felt drenched in vinegar, the sourness seeping into every crevice, bubbling up relentlessly.
He hated his own inadequacy, that he couldn’t resolve his man’s biggest struggle.
Mu ger sighed. "A-Jin, let’s wait and see. Brother Heng is smart, if Yue ger is scheming something, he’ll realize it. He won’t let this continue. If this truly reconciles him with the leader, then it’s worth the heartache now. Right?"
"..." Wang Jin pressed his lips together, silently conceding.
____
Outside the leader’s house, Yue ger laughed and chatted with a group of gers, generously sharing fruits with them.
These were all gathered by the leader, as for the rare fruits which were requiring Yuan Heng's assistance, they were stored separately.
The fruits Yuan Heng picked for him were for his enjoyment alone.
"Jin ger hasn’t been looking well lately," one ger remarked.
Yue ger’s eyes gleamed, a flash of triumph in their depths.
Of course he didn’t look well. He’d successfully kept "Brother Heng" away for days. If that lunatic kept normal hours, they’d have no time together.
If today’s plan succeeded, both the leader and Brother Heng would return late, buying him another night free from the leader’s bed while enjoying fruits gathered by Brother Heng. A perfect scheme.
Yue ger smiled brilliantly, urging the others to eat more. There were too many fruits, and they’d spoil soon.
The gers thanked him repeatedly, showering him with praise.
By dusk, however, the leader who should’ve returned late came back early, carrying the requested cold cocoons.
Yue ger’s eyes widened in shock.
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