The summer sun was hot and shining.
Before they stepped into the rainy season, the weather gradually became hot.
Today was the day for finishing the house cave, setting up the windows, and sweeping the premises. After the cave was dry, ventilated, and the smell was dissipated, they could move into the cave at any time.
With the current fine weather, Chang Xia counted five or seven days before the move.
The reason why she chose 5-7 days was that she was thinking about Nan Feng and Nuan Chun and she wanted to move into her new home with them. She also wanted to hold a housewarming party and invite her clansmen to visit the house cave. Apart from fulfilling her wish to repay the tribe, she also wanted to relax and rest in the approaching rainy season.
"Nan Feng, when is the clan leader coming?" Nuan Chun poked her head out and peered into the distance of the White Lake. She had asked this question several times.
Chen Rong and the other two closed the last wooden door. Chang Xia wiped the dust off the door and windows with the animal skin.
In the Twilight Forest, a newly built house cave stood by the White Lake of the Heluo Tribe.
Under the dazzling sunlight, the purest color of the yellow soil contrasted with the cold gray ironwood doors and windows, and were woven into a dreamy color. It echoed with the white lake in front of them, like an illusory cave hanging above the sea of clouds, or a pearl hidden in the forest.
Like a dream, too beautiful to be real.
Nan Feng ran wild with excitement through the various rooms of the house cave, calling softly or screaming like a child.
Nan Feng did not turn around. She waved her hand. "What's the hurry? They'll probably be here soon."
Last night, she returned to the tribe and told Root that Chang Xia said the house cave would be completed today.
Immediately afterward, they planned to build a new house cave.
This was a signal that his people could come and visit at any time. After all, the rainy season was approaching.
Chang Xia had said that the rainy season was not suitable for building house caves. They could easily collapse.
"You're amazing, Chang Xia!"
"Chang Xia, tell me what you want to do in the future. I'll help you."
"Chang Xia, build more house caves… I want a house cave."
After Nan Feng finished circling the house cave, she grabbed Chang Xia's hand and kept flattering her. Her handsome face was filled with shock and excitement. She wanted to scream for Chang Xia.
If only lying down for a dozen years could make her as smart as Chang Xia.
She would do it.
Chang Xia was elated.
"Yes!" Chang Xia smiled, letting Nan Feng take her hand and shake it. It pleased her to have the steady, mature Nan Feng reveal such a boyish side.
After all, no one was born to be sensible and precocious—
"When the patriarch comes to see the house cave hole, he'll help Nuan Chun make one this afternoon. Your house cave can be started the day after at the latest."
She had discussed it with Nan Feng and decided to build Nuan Chun's house cave first.
Nuan Chun would be giving birth in half a month at the latest, or five or six days at the earliest.
Logically speaking, she shouldn't be so sleepy when she was about to give birth, but it happened. This was also the reason why Chang Xia hesitated last night when Chen Rong suggested that she bring her along to study fruit powder and stop helping to build the house caves.
The Nuan Chun situation was too bizarre and worrying.
"Good, very good." Nan Feng laughed, unable to contain her joy.
When Nuan Chun heard from Chang Xia that the construction of their house caves was about to begin, she couldn't be bothered to ask if Root could make it over. Instead, she pulled Chang Xia to ask her all kinds of questions.
They had talked about this countless times, but she was still excited.
Helpless, Chang Xia turned to Chen Rong for help.
Her palm-sized face was filled with conflict and bitterness, making her look extremely cute.
Seeing this, an intoxicating smile appeared in Chen Rong's deep and reserved eyes. The door was installed, and the house cave was finished. After being busy for several days, it was time to test the results. Looking at the imposing house cave, all the hard work was worth it.
"Chang Xia, the Patriarch is here."
Chen Rong's gentle voice came closer.
He stepped forward and gently held Chang Xia's hand, freeing her from Nan Feng and Nuan Chun.
"Nan Feng, Nuan Chun's face is a little pale. Take her to a place to sit and rest for a while. I'll take Chang Xia to see the Patriarch and talk about the house cave."
"Uh! Okay."
He looked at the reluctant expressions of the duo.
Chang Xia shushed him and wiped away nonexistent cold sweat.
She no longer wanted to say that Nan Feng was mature!
"Chang Xia, this… this cave is really beautiful." Root was lost in thought, staring at the cave for a long time. Chang Xia's half-worn animal skin sketch from the beginning was already shocking and stunning. But, in the end, paintings were just paintings.
When he saw the real thing for himself—
The shock of that moment was indescribable.
"Chang Xia, Nan Feng wants to build a house cave too, right?" Mu Qin said gently.
She retracted her stunned gaze and looked eagerly at Chang Xia. At this moment, there was no need for any excuse or reason. Root and Mu Qin were both tempted to build a house cave.
Compared to the house cave, the beast lair was too rough.
Mu Qin gently pushed open the ironwood door and stepped into the main hall.
It was neat and bright.
Even though there was nothing in the house cave.
However, just being in the house cave made her feel comfortable.
"Yes. I'll help Nuan Chun's family make one in the afternoon. After that, it'll be Nan Feng and Ya Dong's turn. They both want to build a house cave on this side of White Lake, near my house cave," Chang Xia said honestly.
The longing in Mu Qin's face solidified.
Chang Xia expected her to speak.
But in the end, she said nothing.
Root shook his head gently at Chang Xia. He raised his hand and rubbed the top of her head. "I'm the head of the Heluo Tribe. Even if you build a house cave, it can't be on this side of the White Lake."
It sounded like an explanation and a promise of sorts.
Sure enough, a smile suddenly appeared on Mu Qin's face.
This scene.
Chang Xia was stunned before she suddenly understood.
Obviously.
Root's comment wasn't directed at her or Chen Rong. He was explaining it to Mu Qin.
Understanding, Chang Xia couldn't help but envy the feelings between Root and Mu Qin.
Root understood Mu Qin, and likewise Mu Qin understood Root's position.
So much for helping each other!
Seeing Chang Xia's envious expression, Chen Rong reached out and gently grabbed Chang Xia's hand that was hanging by her leg.
He gently tugged it.
Feeling the warmth from his palm, Chang Xia turned to meet Chen Rong's gentle gaze.
For no reason, she slowly smiled happily.
Then, she held Chen Rong's large hand back with her small hand. The faint warmth in his palm connected the two of them, and spread without words.
"Chang Xia, are you willing to let the clansmen come and take a look?" Root asked.
Chang Xia nodded seriously and replied, "Yes, I'm willing. A beast lair is not as safe as a house cave. If possible, I hope all my clansmen can live in a house cave. I've checked the yellow soil around the tribe, and it's very suitable for building a house cave. The most suitable time for building a house cave is the warm autumn season just before winter. However, the tribe needs to stock up on food at that time…"
Chang Xia analyzed the pros and cons unhurriedly.
Root and Mu Qin understood what she was saying.
If you want to build a house cave, this is the right time. Once it's into the rainy season, it's not. In the same way, the other times are either too tiring or not possible.
"Let's see…" Root said grimly.
Root was lost in thought, while Mu Qin weaved through the house cave, repeating Nan Feng's frantic movements.
"Patriarch, you don't have to inform the clansmen to come and visit the house cave immediately. When the house caves of Nuan Chun and Nan Feng are built, we plan to hold a housewarming party and invite the clansmen to attend it."
Chang Xia believed that a few days was enough time for her to figure out the next way to eat fruit powder.
Rice noodles. Chang Xia would definitely make them.
She swore!!!
"What's a housewarming party?" Root looked confused. Chang Xia had come up with something new. Why hadn't Nan Feng mentioned it?
Chang Xia laughed.
"A housewarming party is like building a new beast lair and inviting relatives to eat at the new beast lair, explore it and be introduced to it."
When she explained it this way, Root understood.
Immediately, he agreed with Chang Xia's suggestion.
Then he indicated that he was going to find Mu Qin. In fact, Root wanted to explore the house cave as much as Mu Qin did. After he said what he had to say, he quickly abandoned Chang Xia and slipped away.
Chang Xia was now out of favor with him.
The house cave was his new favorite.