Epoch 28: GPS tracker in the wild.
Tang Tang was already lying on the bed, feeling exhausted. They just returned from the tribe leader's tent.
The misunderstanding was easily cleared, but what he can't understand is Lia's reaction.
When Lia thought that he would only marry Hou, his reaction was kind of strained, but when they told them that he would also marry Xue, he became so happy that he even wanted to announce it to the whole tribe if only Xue didn't stop him.
He knows that being the first husband is a big deal to beasts because the sub-beast will need to ask for the first husband's opinion before marrying again, but it seems that there is more to it.
'Is there another privilege for being the first husband, Ude?'
[Hmmm.. Based on the data I collected, I think it is hierarchy.]
'Heirarchy?'
[To make it simple, it is like you are the emperor of the nation, and your first husband is the empress. The rest of your other husbands are only concubines.]
'Oh!'
[If you marry Hou as your first husband, then marry Xue as the second. Hou, as the empress, has the right to manage the harem. It means Xue will be under Hou, but Xue is the next chieftain, and the problem lies there.]
'I understand now,' he sighed. 'Still, Lia's reaction is quite... I feel bad for Hou.'
Tang Tang looked at the two beasts who were still cleaning. They looked normal and unbothered, but Tang Tang knew that they were not. They don't even have many things other than the hearth and a few baskets, but the two were already cleaning for more than half an hour.
Hou was about to go out to fetch water for Tang Tang when he heard the sub-beast calling them.
"Do you need anything?" Hou asked.
Xue stopped arranging the baskets that he had been doing in repeat and came closer to the sub-beast.
Tang Tang asked the twins to sit beside him. He then looked at Hou worriedly and asked, "Are you okay?"
Hou's lips slightly quiver as he forces a smile. "Ah.. W-what do you mean, Tang Tang? Of course I'm fine."
Tang Tang gently caressed Hou's cheek as he looked at the man in the eyes.
Hou feels like he can't hide anything from Tang Tang. The sub-beast can see through him, no matter how hard he tries to hide it.
"I'm really fine. I'm used to it." Hou was really used to it. Ever since he was a child, their mother always gave the best for Xue. Xue should always have it first, should learn it first, and should taste it first. As the time passes, he gets used to the fact that he can only have what Xue left behind.
Hearing this, Tang Tang sighed and gently said, "I cannot do anything about the past, I also don't have the right to judge if what Lia did was right or wrong. All I can hope is that from now on, if there is something that makes you upset or bothers you, you will not hide it from me. We can talk about it, and I promised you that I will always be by your side." Tang Tang looked at the other man beside him and added, "You too, Xue. If we have any misunderstanding in the future, don't keep it to yourself. Let's sit and talk about it. Don't keep a problem because in the long run it will sprout more problems."
Xue hugged the sub-beast. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Tang Tang caressed the man's long silver hair. "What to apologize for? It's not your fault."
Xue didn't respond and remained hugging him, while Hou was looking down and holding back his sobs. His handsome face is once again stained with tears.
"Ayoo. I want you guys to be happy, but the two of you look like mourning," he said, then took out two identical bracelets. "I want to give these on the day of Eulogia, but I think there is nothing wrong with giving them in advance."
Hou's eyes widen when he sees what Tang Tang's holding, even Xue raises his head to look at it. "That... when did you make it?"
Tang Tang didn't answer and just said, in a smug tone, "What do you think? Now give me your right hand."
How can he tell that he only bought it in the system shop?
He first wore the bracelet on Hou, then on Xue. The bracelets fit perfectly, as if they were really made for the twins.
Hou and Xue's eyes were sparkling while looking at the bracelet on their wrists.
Tang Tang remembered the description of the bracelet in the system shop and said, "I hope that this bracelet will always keep you safe."
After saying that, a bright light envelopes the bracelets, which surprises the three, especially Tang Tang, who didn't know what was happening.
'What is happening, Ude? This is not in the item's description.'
[Just wait and see, Tang Tang. o((*^▽^*))o]
When the lights faded, the originally colorless bead changed. The bead on Hou became gold, while on Xue became blue. It completely matches the color of their eyes.
But what makes Tang Tang more baffled is when the holographic map suddenly opens. On the map, there is always a white dot that represents his location, but now there are two additional dots beside the white dot: a gold dot and a blue dot.
'Ude this is..'
[A GPS tracker. Now you can know their location at any time. ᕦʕ •ᴥ•ʔᕤ]
'Isn't this too much? I feel like a possessive boyfriend.'
[But it is really useful. It didn't just help in knowing their location but it will also help you know if they encounter dangers.]
[It is expensive because it is worth the price ♪～(´ε｀ )]
Ude proudly says, like an expert merchant persuading his customers to buy more.
Tang Tang laughs inwardly. He looked at the two beasts that were still dazed, even Xue was having a hard time processing the extraordinary scene that happened in front of him.
"Do you guys like it?" Tang Tang asked smugly, as if he expected all the things that transpired.
"I like it! I like it so much. I will treasure this my whole life," Hou said emotionally as he hugged the sub-beast and cried again on his shoulder, but this time it was because of genuine happiness.
"T-Thank you," Xue said expressionlessly, but tears also started streaming down his face.
Tang Tang didn't expect to witness Xue crying for the first time. He helplessly smiled and wiped his tears.
'Ahh! These two were too precious. They need to be protected at all costs.'
Tang Tang hugged them until they calmed down. This is not the first time he has given gifts, but this is the first time he truly feels the pleasure of being appreciated.
________________
"This is the last time we will help you with this kind of thing, Gio!" Toa angrily said.
Gio just sneered and angrily kicked the beast's leg. "Do you think you have a choice? This is the only useful thing you can do, and you are still complaining."
Toa gritted his teeth but didn't argue back.
"If only Xue had married me that time, I wouldn't need to suffer with these two idiots," Gio murmurs to himself, but enough for Toa and Yul to hear.
Toa glared at Gio before storming out of the tent, while Yul, who was sitting on the corner, quietly stood up and came closer to the sub-beast.
Yul has a strong build, he is also the tallest beast in the tribe, and with a large scar across his face, he looks intimidating. Because of this, many terrible stories are being spread about him, and Gio used this to threaten all the sub-beasts present in the accident that happened to Pen.
Gio unconsciously steps back, but is forcibly grabbed on the shoulder by Yul. "Remember this, Gio. Without these idiots, you were already thrown out of the tribe and eaten by monsters."
Gio winced because of the pain in his shoulder. He tried to break free, but Yul didn't even budge. "L-let me go."
"As you wish." Yul smiled wickedly and threw him on the ground. Yul only used a little strength, but it was enough for Gio to stumble several feet.
The sub-beast cried out in pain. His knees and hands have bruises and are bleeding. Gio looks pitiful, but Yul only looks at him with contempt.
"Xue really has good insight. He will surely become a great leader in the future, and that kind of person didn't deserve a sub-beast like you," Yul emphasize before he stormed out of the tent and left the crying sub-beast on the ground.
After going out, Yul saw Toa not far away waiting for him.
"Aren't you too extreme?" Toa said, but there was no hint of pity in his voice.
"Someone almost died because of him."
Toa sighed. "Right, but aren't you afraid that he will report you to the tribe leader?"
"No." Yul knows that Gio will not report him because if he does, what he did to Pen will also be revealed. He didn't tell this to Toa because the man likes to worry about every little thing.
Toa sighed again and put his arms around Yul's shoulder. "Let's stay in Hou's tent tonight. There is no one using it now."
"How did you know?"
"I just saw him fetch water for Tang Tang," Toa whispered, then winked.
"Xue?" Yul asked.
Toa looked around and whispered again. "I saw him return with Tang Tang and Hou, but until now he has not gone out."
When Toa saw Yul still hesitating, he added. "Let's go. I already wanted to sleep."
Yul sighed and let Toa drag him to Hou's tent.