Chapter 65
This was what had been spreading through the tribe these days.
Two people who had once been like fire and water suddenly became extremely close, doing many things for each other, almost to the point of going everywhere together.
Last time, this Yu ger had even come to Wang Jin for advice on how to deal with Yue ger, but in the blink of an eye, he and Yue ger had gotten along.
Such a fence-sitter, Mu ger thought it would be best to keep their distance.
Yet, Wang Jin showed not the slightest hint of detachment on his face...
Mu ger looked at the two in confusion.
Yu ger was the first to speak: "How could I possibly be on good terms with him? I’m just following A-Jin’s advice and ‘acting’ with him. He pretends, and I pretend too. After all this pretending, the tribe thinks we’re close, but in reality..."
Yu ger wore a smug expression: "In reality, he’s been fuming with anger!"
As he spoke, Yu ger let go of Wang Jin and boasted to Mu ger: "A-Mu, you have no idea how useful A-Jin’s ideas are. When he cried pitifully, I cried even more pitifully. When he tried to give fruits and meat to everyone, I followed A-Jin’s advice and helped deliver them, making sure to clarify that it wasn’t me causing trouble but rather helping Yue ger express his gratitude!"
Mu ger widened his eyes in surprise. He knew Wang Jin had given Yu ger advice, but last time, when Wang Jin was about to explain, their beastmen had returned, and they had all gone home separately. They hadn’t seen each other for days, and just now, when they met, there hadn’t been time to discuss it...
This was the first Mu ger had heard of Wang Jin teaching Yu ger these tricks.
This "pretending to be wronged" tactic... Wang Jin had used it before, and Mu ger had witnessed the whole thing, knowing how effective it was.
But helping deliver fruits and meat... Who would’ve thought A-Jin could come up with that? After his initial surprise, Mu ger let out a soft laugh.
Previously, Yue ger had explained to the leader and the leader’s a-die that giving meat and fruits to the gers was an apology for Yu ger’s mistakes - though that wasn’t the truth. Still, since those gers benefited and spread word of Yue ger’s kindness while painting Yu ger as unruly, the leader and his a-die had believed it.
[阿爹 (ā diē): ger father]
But now that Yu ger was helping Yue ger deliver gifts, his reputation gradually improved, and Yue ger could no longer use Yu ger’s mistakes as an excuse.
The leader and his a-die would realize that those fruits and meats were Yue ger’s doing. And because Yu ger always emphasized that they were Yue ger’s gifts of gratitude, the tribe would spread the same story. Once their families found out, they’d naturally suspect that Yue ger was trying to buy people’s favor...
The leader, who doted on Yue ger, might not react, but if the leader’s a-die found out, he’d surely resent Yue ger for squandering their resources.
Yu ger said cheerfully: "You should’ve seen Yue ger’s face these past few days, it was priceless!"
Mu ger and Wang Jin exchanged glances, both seeing understanding in each other’s eyes.
They hadn’t witnessed it, but they could imagine.
Yue ger, trapped in his act of kindness, couldn’t refuse Yu ger’s help or contradict his explanations. He could only watch as his true intentions were exposed before the leader and his a-die.
And if he tried playing the victim to win the leader’s sympathy, Yu ger would mimic him, crying even more pitifully.
With Yu ger having lost so much weight recently, he looked every bit the victim...
The leader’s a-die had always favored him—now, he must despise Yue ger.
No wonder Yue ger’s expression had been so awful.
"A-Jin, you’re amazing!" Yu ger praised sincerely.
Wang Jin raised his chin slightly, basking in the praise with narrowed eyes, arms crossed smugly.
After a moment of pride, he remembered these tactics were ones his mother had used against his father’s concubines...
His mood instantly soured.
"I brought you something nice!" Yu ger said excitedly, lifting the bundle he had carried in from the chair.
When he untied it, the contents spilled across the table - various bone and stone ornaments.
Necklaces, earrings, hairpieces... Though most were crudely made, the colors were well-matched, and some were quite pretty.
Unfortunately, Wang Jin wasn’t fond of accessories. After a brief glance, he lost interest. Mu ger, however, was practically sparkling.
"Wow, this one’s beautiful." Mu ger picked up a necklace.
Yu ger roughly divided the items into two piles, pushing one toward Mu ger and the other toward Wang Jin. "These are my favorite ornaments. I’m giving them to you."
"!" Mu ger stared at Yu ger in shock, this was the first time he’d seen Yu ger be so generous.
Wang Jin was also surprised.
Yu ger scratched his head sheepishly. "You helped me. It’s only right."
Mu ger looked at the items on the table, then at the one in his hand, and pushed his share toward Wang Jin. "I’ll just take this one. A-Jin was the one who came up with the plan, I didn’t do much. Keeping this is enough to share in your good fortune."
Wang Jin noticed Mu ger had chosen a tooth-shaped ornament. He was about to push everything back in refusal when his sharp eyes caught something.
It was an elongated stone with dark patterns, one end curved like a hook, the other flat - perfect for a belt fastener.
Men often loosened their belts while working, so this hook would be practical.
An actual jade clasp would’ve been better for securing belts, but this tribe barely had any jade, let alone jade clasps...
Wang Jin picked up the hook and said to Yu ger, "Like A-Mu, I’ll just take one. You can keep the rest. Thanks."
"Ah..." Yu ger looked stunned. "You’re only taking one each? It’s fine, really, take as much as you want! Don’t hold back for my sake."
He put on a magnanimous front, though his eyes kept darting longingly to the ornaments even as he pushed them forward.
Mu ger burst out laughing, suddenly finding Yu ger quite endearing.
He gathered the items and repacked them. "Take them back. If A-Jin says he only wants one, then that’s all he likes. As for me, I’m just here for the good vibes, one’s enough..."
"Oh..." Yu ger’s eyes lit up with joy, as if he’d just gotten his treasures back. His grin was both smug and bright.
Mu ger, infected by his mood, chuckled too, though he couldn’t resist adding, "Don’t celebrate too soon. Yue ger’s good at spreading rumors. Be careful he doesn’t smear you again."
Yu ger waved a hand dismissively. "No worries, no worries. He’s sick, where’d he get the energy to badmouth me now?"
"He’s sick?" Wang Jin’s fingers twitched around the hook as he turned to Yu ger.
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