Chapter 61
As soon as they got home, Wang Jin went inside and laboriously dragged out a basket of white down. "A-Mu, I asked Brother Heng to gather this over the past few days. It’s bird down, though I’m not sure exactly what kind. But this down is very warm."
As he spoke, he pushed the down toward Mu-ger. "When Laiyuan arrives later, have him carry it back for you. Then, when you get home, put in some extra effort, make the clothes double-layered. The inner layer should be thinner, and the outer layer thicker. After that, stitch this down inside the clothes. That way, when you wear them, they’ll be warm, and you’ll get through the winter more comfortably. Both you and the baby will feel better."
Mu-ger crouched down and examined the down in the basket, pinching a small tuft between his fingers. The fine texture felt pleasant against his fingertips, and when he rubbed it gently, warmth began to spread.
Mu-ger’s eyes brightened, this was excellent padding! But such down only grew on small birds, and extracting it must have been quite labor-intensive. This whole basket, who knew how many tiny birds had to be caught to gather this much?
Mu-ger smiled. "Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony with you, A-Jin. There’s quite a lot here, enough for several sets of clothes. I’ll keep two for myself and send the rest back to you later."
Wang Jin quickly shook his head. "No, no, this is all for you. Just make a few extra sets for yourself. And you’ll need to stitch a quilt with this too. Otherwise, the winter nights will be too cold, and your belly will freeze."
Mu-ger froze, then looked up at Wang Jin. "All… for me? Then what about you, A-Jin?"
This person was extremely sensitive to the cold too, he’d already been wearing multiple layers of clothing these past few days.
Wang Jin scratched his head. "Brother Heng is out gathering more today. Once he brings it back, I’ll teach the method to the other gers in the tribe. Once they’ve learned, Hua-ger’s family can help me with the stitching. You’re pregnant now, you shouldn’t overexert yourself. Don’t worry about me. Just use this for now. Once Brother Heng finds more fur, it’ll be even warmer."
"……" Mu-ger’s heart warmed. How could Yue-ger and others fail to see this kindness in him?
Mu-ger opened his mouth to speak, but just then, someone approached from outside the courtyard.
"Jin-ger, Mu-ger."
The two turned and saw a charming ger standing at the gate.
They exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes, they were certain they didn’t know this ger.
"May I ask who you are?" Mu-ger stood up and asked.
The person tilted his head in puzzlement. "You… don’t recognize me?"
The two looked blank. The ger grew impatient. "It’s me, Yu-ger!"
"!" Their expressions froze as they stared at the ger in shock.
This ger had almond-shaped eyes and a small mouth, though not stunning, he was quite delicate and pretty. They still remembered Yu-ger as a lump of fat, ugly and repulsive, his face at least twice the size of the one before them now…
And now this person was claiming to be Yu-ger?!
They stood dumbfounded for a long moment before Wang Jin finally snapped out of it. "You’re really Yu-ger?!"
"Why would I lie?! Who in this tribe would dare impersonate me?" Yu-ger planted his hands on his hips and glared - a domineering gesture he’d always favored. But before, his bloated body made the motion look vulgar and unpleasant.
Now that he’d slimmed down, his once-narrowed eyes (due to fat) had become clear almond shapes. When he widened them now, it looked more playful than intimidating.
His face had thinned, accentuating his small mouth—now a vivid red against his delicate features, slightly pouty, primed to act cute.
Mu-ger burst out laughing. This version of Yu-ger could never intimidate anyone, no matter how fierce he tried to be.
"Yu-ger, how did you…" Mu-ger paused, looking him up and down. "How did you lose so much weight so suddenly?"
It wasn’t just his face, his entire body had changed drastically, as if someone had sucked out all the fat beneath his skin.
As soon as Mu-ger finished speaking, Yu-ger’s face twisted in grievance. "It’s all Yue-ger’s fault! In such a short time, I’ve been starved down to nothing but bones!"
"……" Wang Jin’s eye twitched.
"Bones" was an exaggeration, because he was still a little plump, but compared to before, the difference was staggering.
"You have no idea how awful Yue-ger is!" Seeming to have finally found someone to vent to, Yu-ger grabbed their hands and launched into his tirade. "Ever since he married my brother, he’s taken over all the food at home! If he can’t finish it, he gives it away to the other gers in the tribe. If I try to eat a little more, he mocks me for being fat, short, and ugly. He also says no beastman would ever want me! Wuwuwu…"
As he spoke, Yu-ger grew so aggrieved that tears actually welled up.
"I haven’t had a full meal in so long! Even the best fur in my room was stolen by him. My brother and father always take Yue-ger’s side. Sometimes, when it’s clearly his wrongdoing, he pins it on me. I try to explain, but they won’t listen, they don’t believe me! Yue-ger is just too much!"
Yu-ger kept the two of them trapped for hours, ranting nonstop about Yue-ger. Mu-ger had long since invited him to sit in the courtyard and even thoughtfully provided water.
Between sips, Yu-ger continued his endless complaints - petty grievances that made their heads throb. Yet he showed no sign of stopping.
Wang Jin couldn’t take it anymore and cut in. "Hold on."
"?" Yu-ger looked at him, waiting.
Wang Jin’s brow twitched. The ger’s eyes were bright and earnest, even carrying a hint of familiarity - as if he considered them friends now.
Wang Jin’s eyelid kept jumping. Did this guy forget that he’d once tried to drive him out of the tribe? And steal his Brother Heng…?
"Ah! Right." Yu-ger seemed to read something in Wang Jin’s expression and suddenly remembered. He stood up and bowed deeply to Wang Jin.
"I’m sorry, Jin-ger!" he shouted with startling vigor, making Wang Jin flinch.
"Everything before was my fault. I apologize." His face was full of sincerity.
"……" Wang Jin wasn’t sure how to respond. He cleared his throat. "You… you should sit down first."
"Okay." Yu-ger complied shamelessly, then beamed at them.
This guy had even thicker skin than him. Wang Jin pursed his lips and muttered, "So… why are you really here?"
Yu-ger’s sharp ears caught it. He suddenly grabbed Wang Jin’s hand, eyes sparkling. "I saw it earlier."
Wang Jin hissed in pain as his wrist was squeezed. Yu-ger immediately let go, realizing his mistake.
Pulling his hand back, Wang Jin saw red marks already forming. Yu-ger might have slimmed down, but his strength hadn’t diminished at all.
Wang Jin glared. Yu-ger scratched his head sheepishly, wanting to reach out again but not daring to. "Sorry, sorry! I forgot how fragile you are."
"……" Wang Jin gave him an unimpressed look and changed the subject. "What exactly did you see?"
At this, Yu-ger’s eyes lit up. Staring at Wang Jin with admiration, he said, "I saw you standing up to Yue-ger."
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