Chapter 3: She’s Not the Same Anymore
Wen Nanxi explained gently, “I found them in the Ancient Wood Forest.”
A flicker of interest crossed Su Muyao’s face. “After we eat, can you take me there?”
A ripple of light seemed to dance in Wen Nanxiâs picturesque, gentle eyes. “Of course,” he said, his voice smooth and clear.
This was the first time sheâd ever expressed a desire to go into the forest. He would protect her.
Seeing that Wen Nanxi hadn’t touched his spoon, Su Muyao urged him, âGo on, eat while itâs hot. I canât possibly finish all of this, and itâll go to waste otherwise.â She added, âBesides, you can tell me what you think of my cooking.â
Still, Wen Nanxi didn’t move.
Su Muyao suddenly remembered. Just yesterday, she had drugged Xiao Jihanâs food, hoping to force⌠an intimacy between them. No wonder Wen Nanxi was hesitant to eat anything she made.
The corner of her mouth twitched into a stiff smile. âLook, donât worry. Iâm not trying anything like that with you guys anymore. The food isnât drugged.â
After hearing this, Wen Nanxi finally replied, “Alright.”
In truth, Wen Nanxi believed all this food should be saved for Su Muyao. Whenever food was scarce, they always made sure she ate her fill first. They would only eat if there were leftovers.
Wen Nanxi gracefully picked up his spoon and took a sip of the soup. A look of genuine surprise immediately washed over his face.
Seeing his reaction, Su Muyao asked, “How is it?”
A soft, shimmering light appeared in Wen Nanxiâs clear, gentle eyes. The very air around him seemed to soften, taking on an almost poetic grace. He said softly, âItâs delicious.â
A faint smile touched Su Muyaoâs lips. âThen finish it all. Once we find more food in the forest, Iâll make something even better.â
She currently had five beastmen husbands. Two of them were supposedly out hunting for food but were often nowhere to be found. Only three were ever really around. And of those three, Wen Nanxi was the only one who treated her with any sort of kindness, the only one who didn’t shrink away when she got close.
Not that they had any kind of intimate relationship, of course. At most, he would simply do what she asked of him. That was why, if she needed protection in the forest, Wen Nanxi was her only choice.
She understood a simple truth: if you want the horse to run, you have to feed it first.
Wen Nanxi saw the smile on her face and met her clear, bright eyes. His long lashes fluttered as he hesitated for a moment before adding, âIâve never eaten anything like this before.â
Su Muyao knew that the culinary world of the beastmen was⌠underdeveloped. They could only identify a handful of edible things. There were likely countless potential ingredients right under their noses that they didn’t even recognize. This trip to the forest was the perfect opportunity to search.
The beast world had one major advantage: it was completely untouched. No pollution, just vast primeval forests teeming with resources. To others, this harsh, cold land was a place of exile. But to her, it was a treasure trove.
âIf you like it, Iâll cook for you more often, as long as we can find the ingredients.â
In three months, once she recovered some of her strength, she could dissolve her bonds with them. But she couldn’t afford to have them hate her this much. Otherwise, the moment they were free, she’d be the first person theyâd want to kill.
Hearing this, the expression on Wen Nanxi’s face shifted. âMy lady, you donât have to go to such trouble.â
Su Muyao heard the caution in his voice and knew that no matter what she did, they wouldnât trust her. Theyâd just assume she was plotting something new. She didnât bother explaining further. Time would tell. Actions, after all, speak louder than words.
After breakfast, Wen Nanxi cleared the table. Even while doing such a mundane chore, every movement he made was filled with a quiet, noble grace.
Once outside, Wen Nanxi transformed into his true formâa massive serpent. “My lady, if you please.”
Su Muyao understood he meant for her to ride on his back. Without hesitation, she settled herself onto his powerful snake body.
With her settled, Wen Nanxi set off toward the forest.
As they passed through the tribe, she saw a collection of caves and simple stone houses. A few females were lounging in the sun near their entrances, chatting lazily. Most of the males, it seemed, were out hunting.
The sight of Su Muyao made everyone stare in astonishment.
âNo way⌠Is that Su Muyao? She actually left her house?â
âBut doesnât she hate snake beastmen? She never lets that husband of hers take his true form.â
âI donât know, but I heard his snake husband was on the brink of death yesterday, and she used some kind of power to save him.â
âFor real? How can a female have powers? Only healers do, and healers are always males.â
âBut everyone saw how bad Wen Nanxiâs injuries were. Even the healer said there was no hopeâŚâ
The group of females watched, dumbfounded, as Su Muyao rode on the back of the great serpent, their whispers buzzing in the air.
Su Muyao heard their chattering but paid them no mind.
Once they were clear of the tribe, Wen Nanxi picked up speed, his massive body launching forward in powerful bounds that made it feel as if they were flying.
Su Muyao had no choice but to wrap her arms tightly around him to keep from falling off. She felt his entire body go rigid the instant she touched him.
He faltered, nearly dropping from the air.
He pushed himself to go even faster, and upon reaching the clearing with the red fruits, he quickly but gently set Su Muyao down before shifting back into his human form.
He looked as calm and elegant as ever, but for the faint blush coloring the tips of his ears.
“These are the red fruits I told you about.”
Su Muyaoâs eyes lit up when she saw the vast patch of wild tomatoes. The only problem was that they had nothing to carry them in.
Back in the apocalypse, sheâd had a pocket dimension, but she couldnât feel any connection to it now. Had she lost it when she traveled to this world? Or did it just need a specific trigger to reawaken?
For now, she had to make do. She spotted some sturdy-looking vines nearby. âWen Nanxi, can you help me gather some of these?â
“Of course.”
After Wen Nanxi brought her a bundle of vines, Su Muyao sat down and began to weave them into baskets. Her fingers moved with a practiced skill, shaping the baskets with surprising speed.
Before the apocalypse, back in the age of technology, she had spent her childhood in a small village. Sheâd learned how to weave from her grandparents, along with many other traditional crafts.
Wen Nanxi watched her, his picturesque eyes shimmering with a deep, unreadable light, like moonlight on a tranquil lake.
He asked softly, âMy lady, what are you making?â
âBaskets, to carry these tomatoes,â she replied without looking up. âYou can look around if youâre bored. Just⌠donât go too far. Iâll need to call for you if I run into any trouble.â
The unspoken message was clear: stay within earshot.
Wen Nanxi nodded. They had no food back at the house. Perhaps he could hunt something nearby.
After Wen Nanxi left, Su Muyao focused on picking the ripe tomatoes, filling the baskets she had just made.
As she worked, a sudden sense of danger washed over her. She spun around to see a massive, spine-covered beast charging straight for her.
“Wen Nanxi!” she screamed.
In the same breath, she scrambled up the nearest tree with surprising agility.
When Wen Nanxi rushed back, he froze, a look of utter astonishment in his eyes as he saw her perched in the branches.
He was certain the Su Muyao he knew couldn’t climb trees.
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