"Hey, Tangtang!"
When they arrived at the center of the tribe, three females ran towards them carrying their own bag of red roots.
"Young patriarch," the three greeted.
Xue nodded.
The three females didn't mind the cold responses. They were already used to their young patriarch's behavior.
"Where did you go today?" Yan asked Tangtang, ignoring the ice statue beside the sub-beast.
Yan, Tei, and Qiu are Tangtang's first acquaintances in the tribe. They are lively and approachable. They were also part of the group that he had previously joined to collect red roots.
Yan and Tei were already married, while Qui became an adult this year and will get married at the next Eulogia.
"We go to the swamp today." Tangtang then signals Xue to put down the bag he was carrying. He then takes out several sunflower seeds and gives them to the trio. "Here, taste this."
Tangtang showed them how to open the shell. Then the three females imitate it and eat it without hesitation.
"It's delicious!" Qiu was the first one to react.
"Yes, it is really delicious."
"What fruit is this, Tangtang?" Tei asked.
Tei is the oldest of the three and already has a child. She gave birth to a cub last year after much effort, but her child is weak and requires a lot of nourishment. After eating the fruit Tangtang had given, the first thing that came to her mind was where to get more of it for her child.
"It is called sunflower seeds," Tangtang answered as he handed a handful of seeds to them. Tangtang knew Tei's situation and didn't hesitate to give her an extra handful.
"Can we also go and get some of these flower seeds?" Tei asked again.
Tangtang looked at Xue and replied, "The place we got this is quite far and dangerous."
It's not that Tangtang was reluctant to share where they got the sunflower seeds, but the place is dangerous. The area was the dwelling of several strong monsters, which they would undoubtedly come across if they didn't have a monster's radar.
Xue was listening to their conversation in silence when he noticed Tangtang staring at him, his lovely peach-blossom eyes pleading for assistance. "It's near the cave of the three-horned mantis and nest of the three-horned crow," he said expressionlessly.
It made the three females gasp.
Even though females can half-transform, they are still weaker than a two-horned beast, and even with the help of ten females, beating a three-horned beast is impossible.
What can they even say? They want to eat fruits, and this sunflower seed is really tasty, but they can't just go and barge into a place that was surrounded by three-horned monsters' habitats.
Tei sighed.
"Don't worry. If we pass that place again, I will get more for you guys," Tangtang said, trying to lift the depressing mood of the trio.
"Okay," Tei replied with a smile.
"Don't forget to add extra for me," Yan said.
"Me too," Qiu added.
The three said this, but they were not expecting much from Tangtang. Their young patriarch can fight a three-horned beast one-on-one, but what can a fragile sub-beast do? They are already content that Tangtang can share what he finds with them.
The three thanked Tangtang and then bid farewell to prepare dinner for their families.
Xue and Tangtang continue on their way to where Tangtang is currently living, which originally was Xue's tent. While walking, Tangtang was greeting some females and the beast he was familiar with.
Xue is aware that, in contrast to the other sub-beasts, Tangtang is friendly. He always saw him greeting everyone with a smile and sometimes would have small chats with them. It explains why Tangtang gained popularity in the tribe in a matter of days.
Before, Xue didn't pay much attention to it, but now, seeing him smiling and greeting other beasts, he feels a little uncomfortable.
When they arrived at the tent, Xue put the basket in one corner and said to Tangtang, "Rest. I will bring you your food." Without waiting for a reply, the man hurriedly left.
Tangtang looked at the man's departing back. After a few moments, a playful smile blooms on his face. He enjoyed teasing the man today. While lying on the bed of soft grass, Tangtang was already thinking about how to tease the man the next day.
Tangtang was impressed by Xue's ability to seem indifferent despite his tendency to easily blush when teased. He looks cute and handsome at the same time.
Phi and Ero were silently observing Tangtang. After the emotional turbulence incident, although Tangtang appeared normal, the guardians knew that something was off. They cannot pinpoint what it is and are afraid to aggravate it, so they can only wait for Gae, hoping he already has 'that thing' when he returns.
Phi and Ero hovered in front of Tangtang.
"You seem happy, Tangtang. What are you thinking?" Ero asked.
"Hmm… I just want to play a little game," he answered with a mischievous smile.
"What kind of game? Is it fun?" Phi asked innocently.
Tangtang chuckled, "Yeah. It's called playing love."
After Tangtang spoke, a soft pop sound was heard. Phi looks incredulously at their ward, his fur standing up as if he was electrocuted. "L-udus?"
Tangtang frowned at Phi's reaction. "What's wrong? What is Ludus?"
"It—"
Ero floats between them and strongly pushes Phi with his round body, making the now hedgehog-like furball stumble and roll. "Ludus is one of our friends, but he and Phi fought before. That's why he reacts like that," he explained.
"Oh," with narrowed peach-blossom eyes, Tangtang looked at the two furballs as if seeing through their souls.
"Hehehe… So what's your plan, Tangtang?" Ero nervously asked, trying to divert Tangtang's attention to him. "I like playing games too."
"Nothing much. I just want to know if Xue likes me," he answered casually.
"If you want to know, we can check it for you," Phi calmed down and suggested. He was feeling puzzled about what Tangtang was trying to do. How can you know if someone likes you using ludus?
As the guardians of love, they have the ability to check one's favorability.
Tangtang doesn't need to do complicated things.
"Hmm… But I want to do it myself," Tangtang playfully said.
"I—" Phi wanted to say more, but Ero pushed him again.
"Okay! I also want to know if Xue already likes Tangtang," Ero energetically said while rubbing his red fur on Tangtang's neck while privately communicating with Phi.
Ero: Just let him do what he wanted to do.
Phi: But the dark clouds around Tangtang are getting thicker, which might cause another emotional turbulence. His soul is still weak, and he will be seriously affected by it if this continues.
Ero: I know.
Phi: Master also said that playing with love will only make that person miserable and lonely. That's why Lulu was prohibited from coming with us, because he might influence Tangtang to repeat all his past actions, but look what is happening right now!
Phi was stopped by Ero several times, and it makes him a little angry.
Phi: Do you want him to be lonely? Do you want him to be miserable again?
Ero was already having a headache from Phi's rant.
Ero: Of course not! But we cannot just tell him to forget about it and move on, right?
Phi choked and didn't argue anymore. He just silently wished for Gae's return as soon as possible before everything became too late.
It's not that Ero doesn't care, but Tangtang is unpredictable and vulnerable right now. It may be the side effect of emotional turbulence or something else, but one thing is certain: it was triggered by Hou's departure.
Phi worriedly looked at their beautiful ward lying in the bed. He was tired, but he was still trying not to fall asleep.
"Tangtang sleeps first. We will wake you up once Xue returns with your food," Phi said as he rubbed his soft fur to Tangtang's cheek.
"Okay," Tangtang replied as he closed his eyes for a nap.
_______________.
Two days have passed; this is already the fifth day of their food hunt, and Tangtang is satisfied with the quest progress.[2nd Main Quest Progress: Find 4 more fruits and 5 more vegetables.]
On the first day, they found bitter melon and chili.
On the second day, they found sunflower seeds, string beans, onion, and ginger.
On the third day, they only found pinkish-colored yams and star-shaped tomatoes, but they also found vines that were suitable to be woven as baskets. With this, Tangtang made two small and one big basket for him and Xue to use.
On the fourth day, they both decided to travel deep in the forest. They found a lot of things, like the multicolored mushrooms clumped on giant rocks, cabbage-like leaves that were growing on the trunk of the white trees, yellow pumpkins with thorns that were growing at the edge of a cliff, and fruit that is shaped like a bottle gourd that has a soft peel and tastes like tofu when young, but its skin becomes hard as a coconut shell when matured.
Other than the young ones that he wanted to make sweet and sour tofu, they also harvested matured ones to use as water bottles, bowls, and cups. In the tribe, they were using the husk of a fruit called lume. It is a fruit that contains sweet nectar, but the nectar will turn sour when it ripens. The downside of using Lume's husk is it easily gets moldy and needs to be changed every other day.
"Good morning, Xue," Tangtang smiled as he reached and held the man's wrist.
Xue didn't stiffen this time and instead moved closer to the sub-beast. "Good morning, have you already eaten?" he asked with a serious face, but his voice is not as cold as before.
Tangtang pouted and shook his head.
"Do you want to eat first before we leave?"
"No, let's just eat while walking. Wait, I'll get something," Tangtang said and ran back inside the tent. When he came out again, he was carrying a bowl covered with a layer of leaves. "For you."
Xue unhesitatingly took the bowl, and as soon as he removed the leaves, a fragrant scent filled the air. He was used to eating dried meat every morning and had already eaten before going to Tangtang, but with just the smell of the food in the bowl, he felt hungry.
"It is called sweet and sour tofu with pork. Try it," Tangtang introduced as he handed a makeshift spoon. He even taught Xue how to use it.
After Xue learned the use of the spoon, he immediately put it into action. At first, it was slow until his scoop was getting faster and faster.
"How was it?" Tangtang asked as he saw Xue almost lick the bowl.
The man, who was still immersed in the delicious taste of the food, heard Tangtang's question. He unconsciously handed the bowl with a look that was asking for more.
Tangtang laughed.
Realizing his actions, Xue immediately retracted his hand holding the bowl. "It's delicious," he coldly said, but the tip of his ears was tinged with a pink hue.
Tangtang takes the bowl and shamelessly clings to the man. "This is all I have right now. It is hard to cook without proper tools, but I will surely make more for you in the future."
Xue just nodded, but his eyes were bright while looking at the sub-beast, as a warm current flowed into his heart, causing it to beat faster and giving life to the sprouting seed of affection within him.
Noticing that he achieved his goal, Tangtang returned the bowl and said, "Let's go."
"How about you? What will you eat?" Xue asked when Tangtang started walking ahead.
"I have this." Tangtang waved his hand, holding a half-peeled red root.
Xue frowned, feeling guilty for eating all the food in the bowl. "I'm—"
"Stop! That food is really reserved for you. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days," Tangtang interrupted.
"You don't need to thank me. You were doing something for the tribe, and it is my responsibility to help you as the person next in line."
"I know. It is just my excuse to give you something," Tangtang said honestly as he quickly kissed Xue at the corner of his lips before running away, leaving the man in a daze.
Xue's heart, which had just calmed down, beat uncontrollably again.
Tangtang, who was escaping after the stolen kiss, had an embarrassed expression but was laughing inwardly. Other than working on the quest, he was also working on Xue, flirting with him at every opportunity.
'It is really fun!'