Yu ger replied eagerly, “It’s just that you’re so impressive! The practical things you’ve introduced to the tribe—well, maybe those were just habits from your old tribe, so even without memories, they stuck. But… you actually managed to subdue Yue ger without anyone’s guidance! I’m in awe.”
Yu ger spoke animatedly, while Yao ger chimed in, “You’re explaining this so poorly, you’ve confused Jin ger and Mu ger. Let me handle it.”
Yao ger gazed at Wang Jin as if he were a treasure. “After the leader left your place yesterday, he got into an argument with Yue ger.”
“Exactly! A complete cold shoulder, my brother hasn't spoken to Yue ger all day!” Yu ger clapped his hands. “I’m thrilled. My brother’s finally seen Yue ger for what he really is!”
Yao ger wore a satisfied, gossipy expression. “The leader was truly devoted, but now he’s realized he’s been chasing the wrong person. What a relief.”
“A-Jin, what exactly did you say to my brother yesterday? The moment he got back, he stopped giving Yue ger any attention.”
Wang Jin’s brow twitched slightly. Yesterday, the leader had defended Yue ger so fiercely in front of him and Yuan Heng, he had assumed his words hadn’t left an impression. Yet the impact ran deep.
He had actually gone back and given Yue ger the cold shoulder…
But then again, it made sense. The leader and Yue ger spent every day together, he must have noticed something off. And the way the leader had pressed for answers yesterday showed he already had doubts.
Seeing the admiration and awe in the two’s eyes, Wang Jin’s vanity swelled. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze smug and sly as he deliberately teased, “I’m not telling.”
“Come on!” they protested, while Wang Jin grinned like a fox.
Yao ger mused, “From the looks of it, the leader’s really seeing Yue ger for who he is now. Does this mean they’re truly done?”
“Absolutely!” Yu ger cheered. “My brother’s never ignored Yue ger before. Now that he’s giving him the cold treatment, Yue ger’s definitely finished.”
Hearing this, Wang Jin’s eyes flickered. He turned to Yu ger and asked, “Is the leader still at home today?”
Yu ger nodded. “He was there this morning. He’ll probably leave soon, my a-die’s packing his things for the trip.”
“…He’s still going?” Wang Jin asked.
Yu ger nodded again. “You should know about this, A-Jin. Yue ger demanded that Rui grass, and my brother’s going to fetch it. It grows deep in the forest, it’ll take four days round trip! Of course he has to go.”
“…” Wang Jin’s temple twitched. “So the leader and Yue ger haven’t actually fallen out? He’s still getting the Rui grass for him?”
“…” Yu ger froze, stunned into silence. His earlier excitement faded.
“Ugh! Even after ignoring Yue ger all day, he’s still going for that Rui grass? That part of the forest is supposed to be dangerous…”
Yao ger, too, fell quiet.
____
In the leader’s home, a middle-aged ger packed supplies while murmuring reminders to the beastman beside him.
The beastman listened in silence, his face stiff as wood, his eyes dull and lifeless.
Yue ger stood outside watching, then cleared his throat and entered, supported by Zhen ger.
The moment he stepped in, the middle-aged ger shot him a glare and fell silent, leaving the room tense.
The leader glanced at Yue ger when he entered, then indifferently looked away, as if he were nothing more than a stranger.
Yue ger had never been ignored like this since marrying the leader. His eyes reddened with hurt.
Feigning weakness, he leaned on Zhen ger and approached the leader, his voice soft and pleading. “Leader…”
The leader’s fingers trembled slightly. He parted his lips as if to speak, but no words came out.
Yue ger’s heart raced. The leader had never treated him so coldly before…
Gritting his teeth, he let out a pitiful sob. Yet even then, the leader remained silent.
Panicked, Yue ger pretended to cough violently, doubling over as if he might collapse.
The mix of coughing and weeping irritated the middle-aged ger.
“Enough! If you’re really unwell, go lie down in your room. What’s the point of all this crying and coughing here? You refuse to see a healer, yet you keep dragging my son into danger for that Rui grass. If anything happens to him this time, I swear I’ll—”
The middle-aged ger glared fiercely at Yue ger, who shrank back as if frightened, his frail frame trembling pitifully.
“A-die,” he whispered weakly, “I just wanted to talk to the leader properly…”
“Talk about what? Haven’t you tormented him enough? He’s already agreed to fetch that Rui grass for you, what more do you want? To cough yourself to death here? To cry until you drop dead so your family can blame us for neglecting you?”
“A-die!” The leader finally spoke up, unable to bear the harsh words.
This only angered the middle-aged man further. “You always defend him! When he wastes resources, you defend him. When he makes mistakes, you defend him. Now he’s sending you after something impossible, and you still obey! Son, ask yourself, does he even love you?”
“…” The leader said nothing. Yue ger’s heart lurched.
Has the leader started doubting my feelings?
No wonder he's acting so distant…
If that's the case, I can't let things continue like this.
He relied on this man for so much, without his affection, he might not help him anymore.
“Cough… cough…” Yue ger faked another violent fit, gasping between hacks. “A-die… how could you… say that? Of course I love the leader… Why else would I marry him?”
He coughed so hard his eyes rolled back, as if his lungs might tear out of his chest. The leader watched, his heart twisting in pain. His fingers flexed and clenched repeatedly, torn between reaching out and holding back.
Is his love just another lie, like all the others before?
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