The tribe leader quickly understood the situation. The presence of multiple females in the tribe was a good thing for their community, as the tribe was relatively short on females, especially since many of them were either too old or too young, leaving just a handful of adults ready for mating. Given that the tribe had plenty of adult males, it was only natural to welcome another female into their ranks.
The leader was about to make a decision, but suddenly, Karian, a female from the tribe, interjected, criticizing the newcomer, Si Lu. She accused her of being a "deformed deer" and insinuated that she didn't belong in the tribe. Karian's harsh words angered Si Lu, who was about to respond, but the leader quickly silenced his daughter with a fierce glare. Karian's behavior was reckless, and she didn't seem to realize how much trouble she could cause with her disrespect, especially considering the tribe's high regard for authority.
After Karian's father apologized for her behavior, the leader, seeing the situation had calmed, decided to give Si Lu the opportunity to participate in the mating ceremony. The tribe leader invited Si Lu to step forward, assuring her that she was welcome to join, and soon after, the ceremony began.
As expected, many males stepped forward to claim their partners, but to everyone's surprise, the young male, A Mo, boldly stood behind Si Lu, signaling his choice. The other males hesitated, some unsure of Si Lu's ability to bear children due to her delicate appearance. However, A Mo was resolute, and his confidence alone caused the other competitors to retreat.
Si Lu, feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude, turned to face A Mo. He nervously asked if she would accept him as a mate, and when she agreed, he was overjoyed, lifting her into the air in celebration. This left Karian furious, as she had imagined A Mo would choose her, not the newcomer.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the mating ceremony concluded, and Si Lu and A Mo became officially bonded. As the couple retreated to their dwelling, the playful system in Si Lu's mind congratulated her, noting that her journey towards having children had progressed. A Mo, excited and a bit shy, wondered if he was ready for fatherhood, but Si Lu reassured him, teasing him gently about his abilities.
And so, their story together began, with the tribe witnessing a new partnership that promised to bring both personal and communal growth.