Chapter 23: A Frenzy of Demons, Part Sixteen (Bonus Chapter for Surpassing 1,000 Reviews)

Shi Xianyu's face flushed even deeper, her head lowering in embarrassment. "He's... very nice..."

He cared whether she was cold or hungry, and even found her food. In modern times, he'd be the kind of man who could provide for his family and dote on his wife—and he was so handsome...

"Lin Yuan is, after all, from the beast clan..." Shen Xiao cleared his throat, a little uneasy discussing such matters with the young girl. "I don’t object to you two being together, but you should be cautious, especially since he's lost his memory now. Xiaoyu, you need to think it through."

"Yes, I understand, Brother Shen," Shi Xianyu replied quietly, her ears turning red as well.

Thinking of Lin Yuan, sweetness bubbled up in her heart, tinged with a bit of bitterness. He was reserved and silent; she wasn't sure if his feelings matched hers...

Ah, this indescribable sensation must be... the bittersweet taste of love.

Shi Xianyu mused to herself.

...

That night, she sat by the fire, waiting for Lin Yuan to return, her mind fixed on him. The hunger wasn't quite as pressing now.

Lin Yuan came back in the latter half of the night.

He carried a large object on his shoulder, something like a car tire. When he set it by the fire, Shi Xianyu could finally see—it was an enormous pangolin.

Her expression became complicated.

In her memory, pangolins were a nationally protected species, listed as endangered globally. She'd read an article about them once, noting how naive the creatures were; when threatened, they wouldn't flee but curl into a ball, making them easy prey for rural hunters. Over time, their numbers dwindled.

She remembered feeling indignant when she read that report, and now she was about to eat one...

If she didn't eat it, it would be a waste of Lin Yuan's effort; if she did, her conscience seemed to ache with hypocrisy.

Conscience, oh conscience, how do you work? Why did you not protest when I ate pythons or crows, but now, with a pangolin, you make me feel so guilty?

Lin Yuan seemed to notice the momentary stiffness in her expression, looking at her with concern. "You won't eat?"

"Ah... I will, I'll eat," Shi Xianyu stroked the pangolin on the ground, trying to show her appreciation. "I really like this."

Lin Yuan visibly relaxed at her words.

He worried she might go hungry—she was so delicate, missing a meal could be dangerous for her. There were few prey in this valley; he'd searched a long time to catch this hole-digging pangolin. It was big enough to fill her stomach.

Grasping the pangolin, Lin Yuan tried to pull it apart.

This pangolin was unusually shiny and black, tightly curled into a ball. The hard scales creaked under Lin Yuan's force.

But no matter how tightly it clung, it was no match for his strength. At last, its head and tail unfolded, and from its belly, two small balls tumbled out—

They were two baby pangolins, their color still pale. As soon as they left their mother's embrace, they panicked and curled tightly into balls themselves.

Shi Xianyu was speechless.

Lin Yuan was startled by this unexpected turn, loosening his grip, and the mother pangolin quickly curled herself up again.

Now, before them, lay three balls—one big, two small.

Shi Xianyu looked at the balls on the ground, feeling a swirl of emotions. After a moment, she glanced at Lin Yuan and spoke softly, "Actually... I'm not that hungry."

Lin Yuan looked troubled.

Among beastfolk, it was customary to avoid hunting animals during their nursing period. He hadn't realized this pangolin was a mother.

With a silent sigh, Lin Yuan gently placed a hand on Shi Xianyu's stomach, as if trying to sense her hunger through touch.

It wasn't the first time he'd touched her belly; Shi Xianyu thought she would feel shy, but her instinct was to tense and suck in her stomach—

Seeing him frown slightly, she hurriedly relaxed, trying to make her belly appear fuller for him.

But he still seemed dissatisfied, patting her stomach a few more times before walking off to sit quietly by himself, deep in thought.

He looked so dispirited, even his tail drooped.

Shi Xianyu thought for a moment, then approached him to comfort him softly. "I'm really not that hungry. Skipping this meal is just like dieting."

Lin Yuan turned to look at her, his gaze gentle. He reached out to pat her head. "Sleep, conserve your strength."

She understood the logic: if there's no food, just sleep to avoid wasting energy.

"I'm going to sleep now," she said with a sweet smile, turned to unzip her sleeping bag, climbed in and adjusted her position, then winked at him, "Good night, I'm off to sleep~"

Once she said she would sleep, Shi Xianyu closed her eyes.

Perhaps her smile had been too sweet, for Lin Yuan's mood finally lifted. He watched her sleeping face and thought: her coquettish wink was truly charming.

Across the fire, Daoist Shen watched their interaction, amused and helpless. He closed his eyes and returned to his meditation.

Night grew deeper.

In the lonely, deserted valley, the fire burned gently, flames flickering with each passing breeze.

Inside the sleeping bag, the girl’s brows furrowed slightly.

Lin Yuan quietly seated himself beside her, shielding her from the cold wind.

He heard faint sounds and looked up; the mother pangolin had stretched out, and her two children crawled away on her back. Far off at the end of the valley, stars were scattered and dawn was approaching...

Tomorrow, he must find food for Xiaoyu as soon as possible.

He thought to himself.

...

The next day, as they traveled, Lin Yuan noticeably quickened his pace. Even Shen Xiao struggled to keep up, and the big-horned sheep went from a brisk walk to a hurried trot, jolting Shi Xianyu with every step.

It was a bit exhausting, but thanks to their speed, the three left the valley earlier than expected.

Outside the valley, there was a river.

Where there’s a river, there are fish.

Lin Yuan stopped.

Though daylight was still bright, he insisted that Shen Xiao build a fire and rest because he wanted to go fishing.

Others fished with nets; Lin Yuan fished by brute force. He broke off a long branch, waded into the river, and waited for the fish to swim near the surface. Then he gripped the branch tightly and struck the water with all his strength!

With a loud splash, water flew everywhere!

The fish nearby were stunned by the force, flipping belly-up and floating to the surface—

Thus, Shi Xianyu feasted on grilled fish.

Spring lingered, the grass and trees flourished, the river sparkled under brilliant sunlight, green grass lined the banks, and on a pebbled shallow shore, a campfire roasted seven or eight fish.

Shen Xiao watched the pair—one meticulously eating, the other diligently grilling—and sighed silently, feeling like an outsider in their little world.

He closed his eyes, resuming his meditation.

Just then, shouts came from the river: "Master! ... Master! ..."

Shen Xiao looked up to see an official boat slowly approaching, with many soldiers standing aboard.

He frowned in annoyance. From his experience wandering the land, the military was the hardest to deal with, and officials only slightly better. How did he manage to avoid the army only to run into officials?

Shen Xiao said to Lin Yuan and Shi Xianyu, "Let's go."

Lin Yuan looked at Shi Xianyu.

She nodded, "Yes, let's go. The fish are all grilled—I can take them to eat on the road."

The three packed their things to leave, but the people on the boat grew anxious, their voices breaking in urgency: "Master, wait! Master, don't go! ..."

...