After putting on her clothes, Si Lu originally intended to wash the clothes she had just worn, but Amo took them and started washing them himself.
"I'll wash them. You sit over there and rest for a bit. Once I'm done, we'll head back," Amo said with a smile. Tasks like these were naturally his responsibility. Besides, his little female had such delicate skin—he was worried that washing clothes might hurt her hands, and that would make his heart ache.
"Alright, I'll just watch you wash," Si Lu said, sitting down on a rock, propping her chin up with one hand as she watched Amo. The sunlight shone warmly on them, making everything feel cozy and comfortable.
Amo would occasionally glance back at Si Lu, and seeing her gaze upon him made him smile. Being watched by his little female while doing something as simple as washing clothes filled his heart with a deep sense of satisfaction. It felt as though he was the only one in her world.
"Amo, look! There are fish over there!" Si Lu exclaimed in delight, spotting fish swimming in the river.
Wow, she hadn't noticed them earlier while bathing.
"Do you like eating fish?" Amo asked as he looked at Si Lu. If his little female liked fish, he could catch more for her.
"Mm-hmm, I love fish! Hurry, catch them before they swim away!" Si Lu said eagerly, standing up, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the fish in the river. Her excitement made her look incredibly adorable.
"Wait here, I'll catch them for you," Amo said with a smile. He raised his hand, and a blade of wind shot out, cutting through the water. A whirlpool formed, and the fish were instantly stunned, floating to the surface.
Si Lu's mouth dropped open in surprise. That was amazing! She hadn't expected that Amo could use his wind abilities like this. It was so efficient—he'd knocked out more than a dozen fish with one move.
Just as she was about to go down to pick up the fish, Amo stopped her.
"Aren't we going to collect the fish?" Si Lu asked, puzzled.
"No need to go down. Just watch," Amo said. He raised his hand again, and a gust of wind lifted the fish from the water, depositing them neatly on the riverbank.
Si Lu was dumbfounded. That was so simple! It felt like something out of a fantasy.
"Amo, you're amazing!" Si Lu cheered, clapping her hands excitedly. She stood on tiptoe and gave Amo a quick peck on the cheek.
"If you like it, I can catch more for you," Amo said, feeling elated. After all, this was the first time his little female had kissed him voluntarily, and it made him feel as if he were floating. Seeing her so happy filled his heart with joy.
"Okay!" Si Lu said, looking up at him with adoring eyes, like a little fan girl. What could she do? He really spoiled her.
"Wait here," Amo said as he patted her head affectionately. He raised his hand again, using his wind ability to bring even more fish onto the shore.
As the fish woke up, they started flopping around on the ground. Si Lu watched them jump, filled with excitement. It was the first time she had ever seen so many fish hopping about like this.
"That's enough. You wait here while I clean the fish and string them up to take back," Amo said, beginning to process the fish. His hands transformed into wind blades, swiftly and expertly cleaning the scales and removing the innards. It was clear he had done this many times before, as his movements were smooth and skillful, leaving Si Lu entranced as she watched him.
In less than an hour, Amo had cleaned over a hundred fish. He found a sturdy vine nearby and threaded it through the mouths and gills of the fish, stringing them together in one long strand. Si Lu was amazed by the sight of over a hundred fish hanging on the vine—it was an impressive display.
"How about that? Have you been waiting long? Are you hungry? Let's go back and roast these fish," Amo said.
"You're so clever! This long strand of fish looks amazing. Now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit hungry," Si Lu said with a smile, her appetite growing as she thought about eating the fish.
"Wait a moment. I'll transform into my beast form, and you can ride on my back. We'll get back faster that way," Amo said. As he finished speaking, he transformed into a majestic sika deer, standing over two meters tall. His large, tawny antlers were powerful and impressive.
This was the first time Si Lu had seen Amo's true form up close, and she was in awe. He looked amazing! She reached out to touch his large head and the impressive antlers, feeling overjoyed.
"Get on," Amo said, bending his front legs and lowering his back to make it easier for Si Lu to climb up.
"Mm-hmm," Si Lu said, a bit clumsy as she climbed onto his back, her face brimming with excitement. Amo then hung the vine of fish on his antlers, and they set off on their way back.
Si Lu sat side-saddle because her skirt was too short; if she straddled him, it would be too revealing. She held onto the base of his antlers with both hands, her eyes curiously taking in the scenery from over two meters high. The air felt so fresh from this vantage point. It was her first time riding on a deer's back, and she was both thrilled and exhilarated.
Along the way, they passed many beastmen who greeted them warmly, and Amo responded to each of them. Some of the females by the river looked on enviously, their eyes full of admiration.
After all, Amo was the youngest and most courageous male in the tribe. Many females had wanted to become his mate, but he had ignored them all. Now they understood—this was the female who had won Amo's heart.
However, some couldn't help but question whether this slender female could bear children, as childbearing was highly valued on the beastmen continent.
Standing not far away, Kalian and Ada Hua were both gnashing their teeth in anger.
"Damn it! That outsider female stole my beast husband! I won't let this go!" Kalian said viciously.
"Exactly! Look at how smug she is—it's disgusting. Amo should've been your beast husband, but that shameless female stole him. I'll help you get back at her," Ada Hua said. She also had feelings for Amo but knew he didn't like her. However, seeing him taken by an outsider left her feeling deeply resentful.
The beastman continent prized strong males, especially in terms of their ability to protect females and children.
"I'll get my revenge someday! Once I get rid of that female, I'm sure Amo will come back to me," Kalian said, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
Si Lu, sensing some hostile gazes, turned her head and saw Kalian and Ada Hua glaring at her from across the river. But she wasn't afraid. They had better not mess with her, or they wouldn't have it easy either.
"Amo, were you and Kalian childhood sweethearts? I can tell she likes you," Si Lu said.
"Childhood sweethearts? No. We just grew up in the same tribe. I never liked Kalian, not even as a child," Amo said without hesitation.
"Really?" Si Lu asked.
"Of course. I swear to the Sacred Beast, I've never liked Kalian. The only female I've ever liked is you. I'll follow you and protect you for the rest of my life," Amo said solemnly.
"I believe you," Si Lu said, happily stroking his antlers. How could she not believe him? She had only asked casually, but Amo had taken it seriously and even swore an oath to the Sacred Beast, the deity worshipped by all beastmen on the continent.
"Don't touch that," Amo's voice was a bit husky, as if he were trying to restrain something.
Si Lu froze, and the next second, she understood.
"You're such a naughty deer!"
Before long, they arrived back at their cave, and Amo started a fire and began heating up the stone pot. Si Lu wanted to make fish soup, so they prepared a pot for boiling it.
Beastmen typically used stone pots and bowls, and the stone pot they were using had been carved out of a large stone by Amo himself.
The intelligence of the beastmen should not be underestimated.
"Little Deer, sit down and rest. I'll take care of this," Amo said as he heated the water. Once it boiled, he tossed the cleaned fish into the pot and added some coarse salt.
Si Lu sat by the fire, quietly watching Amo as he made the fish soup for her. There was something undeniably attractive about the way he focused on his work.
Before long, the aroma of fish soup filled the air, and Si Lu swallowed hungrily.
"Just wait a little longer; it'll be ready soon," Amo said with a helpless smile as he saw Si Lu drooling a bit. He continued to tend to the soup while also skewering some of the remaining fish and roasting them over the fire.