Song Li looked at the gift Hu'er gave him for a long time. He took a deep breath and finally got the courage to open it. As he opened the cover of the book an outline of a vixen appeared.
"Hu'er." Song Li immediately muttered as he traced the painting.
He remembered what Jiu Lin revealed to him about this book. Instead of normally flipping the paper, Song Li divided the pages into two. Once it was in the middle, he opened it. His whole body froze. Stunned, he opened his mouth, unable to say anything. With a bang he closed his book. Heart beating fast, his face flushed.
Song Li immediately hid the book in his chest. Once his chest was closed he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself. He decided to go out to clear his head.
He looked around and saw no one. Song Li walked toward the center of their tribe. A Tod finally appears walking out their home holding so many utensils.
"Where are you going?" Song Li greeted him.
Shocked by a sudden greeting, he nearly threw the things on the floor. "Oh! Song Li."
Song Li immediately took some things from him. "Let me help you with that."
"Thanks." He chuckles. "I'm going near the Tribe Leader's house. We need to help out. Most Tod's are already helping out."
Clueless, he asks, "What for?"
"The tribe wanted to create those carts. It's quite good for loading many goods that can't be hand-carried. All families need to either send a mate or two to help out or just pay for goods so they can be exempted." The Tod looks at Song Li, 'Too lucky. Whatever, my mate is the prettiest.' His eyes shine just remembering his mate waiting for him at home..
Song Lu nodded, "We are making a lot then, to get all families included in it. Do you know why no one called for Hu'er's?"
He chuckled, "Females who only got two mates can be exempted due to lack of protection. However, I think your family didn't get called due to Hu'er Dads who are already helping out." Then looks at Song Li teasingly, "Lucky to have a mate who has tons of Daddy that focuses on their little female eh?"
Song Li didn't deny it and laughed, "Indeed."
He looks at the cooking tools he is carrying and tells him his intentions. "Hmm. I still want to help with cooking. You're cooking right?"
"Ah, yes. You can help out since most Tods prefer to replant and cut trees nearby. There are only a handful of Tods that I chose to cook. Even if they do, they need to be good cooks. With you as a cook then our work will be easy." Tods have a bit of dislike towards cooking, they only do so if their mate asked them too or wanted to take care of their mate. Back then, yeah sure, Tods had a passion for making food but after so many changes with their Tribe, Tods preferred to hunt and raise wild animals.
They arrived at the cooking station and prepared the utensils. There are Tods instructing them as they cook. Soon food was made one by one. Two wood crafters went to their station to get their food.
Then he remembered something and so he asked, "Why did you go here?"
Song Li looked at the Tod who suddenly tapped his shoulder. He answered, "I need to cook for our contribution."
He hesitated yet curiosity got him. "But… You just got mated right? Don't you want to spend your time with Hu'er? Besides, most of her Dad's are helping out anyway." He is now suspecting that Hu'er didn't really like Song Li. Now he is concerned about his oldest student Shun Su.
"Hmmn. It's alright. I'll spend time with her after I cook." Song Li didn't want to immediately tell him about their plan. He is unable to explain it either.
With how Song Li replied, he thought maybe it was another way, "Do you really like her?"
Song Li looked at him. He saw that the Tod is just really curious and suspicious about Hu'er and his relationship with no bad intentions. He chuckles, "I do. I wouldn't mate her or be doing this, if I don't. We just have our own plans."
He sighed a relief. "You're so calm. Although you are second to be mated. Hu'er will surely be mating more. Shun Su, my student should be mating with her this season right?"
"It should be today." This made the wood maker utterly shocked. "What?"
Yet Song Li nodded and repeated it straightforwardly. "Hu'er should be mating with him now." Song Li is also unsure. He knew Hu'er's personality. There is a huge possibility that she will hesitate do it today.
"This…" The wood crafter didn't know what to feel or react. Song Li doesn't look in pain or even sad, making him confused with how he should take this information that just blows on him.
If it was in the past, this is normal. But with the rise of their tribe those actions slowly disappeared. Actions like that still exist but it isn't too often anymore. If it's another vixen, he can understand. Yet they are talking about Hu'er, a young sweet and kind vixen.
Song Li smiled at him and patted his back, to reassure him. "Don't worry. Hu'er have plans. I agreed with her."
He didn't know what to feel. The beastman in question is the one who is reassuring him when it is supposed to be him who needs to reassure Song Li that their vixens are not bad and wouldn't forget him even if they mated with another Tod. Yet the wood crafter is still hesitant to say it. He didn't want to give him a hope that even Hu'er's Daddies can't promise anyone.
Hu'er action is really strange. In the end, the wood maker still believes in Hu'er. She wouldn't do it without reason. Since they already have plans then he won't interfere or ask the tribe leader to interfere.
Song Li and him aren't particularly close, but he definitely traded with him more than other beastmen due to his laziness to do other things other than making things made of wood. "How about Jiu Lin's opinion…?"
"He would agree too."
That instant reply also assured him. "You're so sure…"
"En."