Never in Huo's wildest thoughts did he imagine that he would end up sharing a wife with Xue. But he had come to realize that sometimes, the happiness of the person you love matters more than your own.
Now, whatever uncertainty Huo felt earlier had completely vanished and been replaced by anticipation for the life the three of them would build together.
Huo weakly raised his other hand, reaching for Ziqian's face.
The atmosphere between them warmed as Ziqian leaned toward Huo's outstretched hand. He was about to nuzzle against it when his stomach unceremoniously rumbled, completely ruining the moment.
Huo struggled to suppress his laughter. He had the urge to tease Ziqian, but one look at the sub-beast's reddening face made him think better of it. He had a feeling that if he uttered even a single word, Ziqian would immediately storm out of the tent.
Before Ziqian could defend himself, footsteps sounded from outside.
The curtain covering the entrance was lifted, and Xue walked in carrying a wooden tray filled with food.
The moment Ziqian saw him, his eyes immediately brightened as if he had just seen a lifesaver.
"Xue!"
Huo, who was still holding Ziqian's hand, immediately noticed the change in the sub-beast's expression. His gaze shifted toward the tray in Xue's hands.
So this was why Ziqian instinctively called for Xue when he woke up. Huo felt that he had learned something important.
If he wanted to become part of Ziqian's life, he would have to start by learning how to feed him.
Xue approached the bed and placed the tray beside them. He took a bowl of hot soup and slowly stirred it.
Then his gaze fell on Huo. "You're awake."
Huo gave a small nod.
"How do you feel?"
"Better."
Xue studied him for a moment before nodding. "Eat. You need to drink your concoction after." He had brought enough food for both of them, knowing Huo would need to eat as well.
Huo simply nodded, and the tent fell into silence.
There was still some awkwardness between the twins' interactions.
They wouldn't suddenly forget the years they had spent competing against each other because of what they had agreed upon last night, but something undeniably changed.
For the first time, Huo didn't interpret Xue's concern as pity.
And Xue didn't have to carefully measure every word out of fear that his younger brother would misunderstand him.
It was only a small change, but it was proof that there was still room to mend their relationship and that they still had plenty of time to do so.
"Xue."
Ziqian's impatient voice immediately broke the silence between them.
Both brothers turned to look at him.
Ziqian was staring intently at the food. "I'm hungry."
The aroma wafting from the tray only made his stomach growl again. Xue's cooking improved a lot. Ziqian was sure it not only smelled good but also tasted good.
"It's still hot," Xue said.
Ziqian hadn't even said anything yet when his stomach growled for the third time, as if impatiently protesting on his behalf.
Huo immediately looked away.
Xue's expression remained calm, but a glint of amusement could be seen in his blue eyes.
Ziqian's face slowly reddened.
"..."
Huo's shoulders began to tremble.
Ziqian whipped his head toward him. "Don't laugh!"
"I didn't."
"You're laughing right now!"
"I'm injured."
"What does being injured have to do with laughing?!"
Huo finally couldn't suppress a chuckle.
Ziqian glared at him, but before he could continue getting angry, Xue handed him the bowl of now warm soup.
The aroma immediately distracted Ziqian, and his irritation disappeared as quickly as it had come.
Huo watched the transformation with fascination. One moment, Ziqian was like a wild cub ready to bite, and the next, he had become completely docile.
Food worked surprisingly well whenever Ziqian was angry. Another thing to remember.
Ziqian accepted the bowl and immediately began eating.
Xue sat beside him. "Slowly," he said softly as he reached over and casually tucked several strands of Ziqian's messy hair behind his ear before they could fall into his food.
"I'm starving."
The movement was so natural that neither of them seemed to notice it.
Huo noticed, but he said nothing.
Ziqian took a few more bites before suddenly remembering something. He froze mid-bite and turned to Xue. "The feast!"
"Preparations have already started," Xue answered before Ziqian could even ask.
Ziqian immediately lowered the bowl. "What time is it?"
"It's still early. The gatherers have just left, and the hunters are preparing to head out."
Ziqian blinked. "They already started?"
Xue nodded. "Mother gave the instructions early this morning."
Ziqian relaxed, but only for a moment before tensing up again.
There was still a lot to prepare. If they didn't get everything done in time, there wouldn't be enough food for the entire tribe once the feast started.
"What about the meat? Did you tell them which parts I need separated? And the potatoes? They shouldn't peel all of them yet. Some need to be boiled first. What about the onions? Don't let them cut those too early, or they'll dry out. And the..."
"Ziqian," Xue called, his voice low, carrying a hint of reprimand.
Ziqian stopped.
Then Xue calmly pushed the bowl back toward him.
"Eat first."
"But..."
"Everything is being prepared according to the instructions you gave before."
Ziqian stared at him. "Really?"
"Mm." Xue nodded.
After a moment, he added to reassure Ziqian that everything was going smoothly. "Tei is overseeing the vegetables. Qiu and Yan are helping sort the other ingredients. Mother is coordinating the other females and sub-beasts with cleaning and decorating the altar, while Father is leading the warriors."
Ziqian fell silent.
He hadn't expected everyone to help with the preparations for the feast. After everything that had happened the previous night, he thought that his plans might fall apart. He was already prepared to find an alternative if necessary, just to fulfill the Beast God's requirement to nullify Nia's punishment.
After all, the Beast God had never specified what kind of food should be offered or how he wanted to be worshipped, right?
But now, with everyone's help, everything was going smoothly.
Ziqian looked down at the bowl in his hands as warmth spread through his chest.
He then abruptly threw aside the blanket.
"All the more reason for me to get up and help," Ziqian said. He believed that since the feast was his idea, it was his responsibility to make it successful.
But before he could stand, Xue caught him by the wrist.
"Finish eating," Xue sternly said.
"I can eat while walking."
"No. You still need to rest."
"I've slept enough."
Xue stared at him expressionlessly.
Ziqian frowned and stared back, his expression clearly saying that he had no intention of backing down. But the longer he looked into those ocean-blue eyes, the more flustered he became, and his determination slowly melted away.
Ahhh… This man already knows my weakness.
The four fluff balls, who were watching the three silently from the side, wanted to roll their nonexistent eyes after hearing Ziqian's inner thoughts.
Ero, who already made teasing Ziqian a hobby, couldn't help saying, "Is it really weakness, Ah-Zi, or are you just horny? It's still early in the morning, and your mind is already in the gutter."
Ziqian's face immediately turned red, but he honestly admitted it.
Who wouldn't? Xue's eyes are mesmerizing, and the way he looks at me is really a turn-on.
"No rush, Ah-Zi. You'll get there soon enough, not only with Xue but with Huo too." His voice took on an increasingly teasing tone. "Are you excited?"
Gae, who was afraid of where the conversation was heading, quickly chimed in.
"Okay, okay. Stop it, you two," he sighed before floating toward Ziqian. "Ah-Zi, didn't you say you wanted to go outside and help with the preparations?"
Right!
Ziqian then immediately remembered why he had wanted to get up in the first place. He backed down from the staring contest with Xue, which he was clearly losing, then turned toward Huo with a pitiful look, silently asking for support.
But to his dismay, Huo only said, "You should finish eating first."
"Huo!" Ziqian's peach-blossom eyes widened in disbelief. His expression was one of pure betrayal.
Huo felt a pang in his heart when he saw that look. How could he possibly resist Ziqian when he looked at him like that?
But he remained firm as he said it. "You're still tired."
For the first time in his life, Huo found himself completely siding with his brother.
It was a strange feeling.
But looking at Ziqian now, Huo knew Xue was right.
The sub-beast had been running around the tribe for the past few days because of them. He had exhausted himself trying to care for him, treating the sick and injured, preparing for the feast, and dealing with everything else that had happened.
But through all of it, Ziqian had never once complained.
Now that he finally had a chance to rest, the least Huo could do was make sure he actually did.
Ziqian looked from Xue to Huo, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
They had been fighting just last night, and now they were already joining forces against him.
Ziqian suddenly had a terrible feeling about his future.