Since the twins still didn't want him going outside and he couldn't go back to sleep again, Ziqian found other things to do instead.
After eating breakfast, Ziqian helped feed Huo and made sure he took his medicine before checking the condition of his wounds. Last night, he gave the remaining powdered antibiotic to Lia so he could apply it on Huo's wounds to help reduce the swelling and infection. Thankfully, it was enough, and the medicine was already showing its effect.
But his actions only made the twins feel troubled. They wanted Ziqian to rest, but the sub-beast insisted on keeping himself busy around the tent.
It took a lot of persuasion before Ziqian finally gave in to the twins' request and lay down beside Huo.
Ziqian carefully cuddled against Huo despite the strong scent of medicinal herbs lingering around the man. He had once hated the scent of herbal medicines because it always reminded him of his grandmother and the long battle she had fought against her illness. But now, those memories belonged to the past. He hadn't forgotten them, but he was learning to accept them after choosing not to use the Memory Stone.
"I will take a nap," Ziqian softly said as he closed his eyes.
Ziqian only planned to pretend, but as the moments passed, Huo's warmth and rhythmic, steady heartbeat lulled him into sleep.
Feeling Ziqian's calm, steady breathing against him, Huo nodded toward Xue. Only then did Xue quietly leave the tent again to check on the progress of the preparations.
~
The sun was already high in the sky before Ziqian finally managed to leave the tent. This time, he didn't give the twins a chance to stop him.
The moment he stepped outside, he stretched his arms above his head and took a deep breath of the fresh air. After spending all night and most of the morning confined to the tent, even the simple act of standing outside felt refreshing.
Ziqian glanced around the tribe, and his eyes immediately brightened.
It was lively.
From the distance, smoke curled upward from several hearths, carrying the rich aroma of roasting meat. The voices of people talking and calling out to one another filled the center of the tribe, while others hurried back and forth carrying baskets.
The tribe seemed to have come alive.
Ziqian could feel the festive atmosphere in the bustling crowd.
The people who passed by and saw Ziqian greeted him warmly, asking how he was feeling and whether he had recovered.
If not for Xue standing beside him, many of them would have crowded around Ziqian and bombarded him with questions.
After the people left, Ziqian turned to Xue. "Are all the ingredients ready? Is there enough meat?" he asked.
"The vegetables have already been sorted and cleaned," Xue replied as he led Ziqian toward the area where the females and sub-beasts were preparing the ingredients for the feast. "The people who went out this morning should be returning soon. We have more than enough meat from yesterday's hunt for now."
"Good." Ziqian nodded, but his eyes were already scanning the surroundings.
As they got closer to the place, Ziqian saw large baskets filled with vegetables and meat arranged in neat rows. Some people were washing roots and leafy vegetables while others peeled, chopped, or separated them according to the instructions Ziqian had given days ago.
Ziqian had only planned a small feast, but with hundreds of people in the tribe to feed, the amount of food they needed to prepare was unimaginable, especially since most of them were beastmen with large appetites.
Tei was the first to notice him. "Ah, Ziqian!" she exclaimed.
Hearing her, several people turned to look. Some of them smiled when they saw Ziqian, while others exchanged relieved glances.
Tei immediately stood up and hurried over to him. "What are you doing here?"
Ziqian blinked. "I'm here to help."
Tei stared at him for a moment before glancing toward Xue, as if hoping the young patriarch would explain why Ziqian was here.
"You were supposed to be resting," she said, her expression filled with concern.
Ziqian pouted, wondering why everyone was treating him like this.
"I rested enough," he said, then quickly changed the subject. "How are the ingredients?"
Tei sighed.
"Everything is almost ready," she replied as she gestured toward the baskets. "We've already prepared everything according to what you taught us."
Ziqian nodded and then asked, "How about the meat?"
"The men have already started frying and roasting the first batch of meat. We just need to wait for the warriors to return with the fresh meat."
Ziqian nodded in satisfaction.
If everything went smoothly, they could start the feast by mid-afternoon. Back on Earth, his grandmother had taught him to pray at least once every day at three in the afternoon, which she called the Hour of Mercy.
The Beast God had never specified what time they should worship him, so Ziqian simply decided on his own. Although a day in Gaia lasted much longer, spanning thirty-six hours, Ziqian had estimated the time closest to three in the afternoon on Earth to hold the feast.
Ziqian was listening to Tei recount everything they had accomplished when a familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Ziqian!"
Qiu and Yan are approaching, carrying each a basket of vegetables.
"You're finally awake!" Qiu exclaimed, her face brightening with relief.
Before Ziqian could respond, Qiu stopped in front of him and looked him over from head to toe. "Are you really all right? The High Priest said you were only exhausted, but after what happened last night, We were still worried."
Ziqian smiled. "I'm fine now.
"Don't push yourself. We're here to help with anything you need, so just say the word," Yan said. She was happy to see Ziqian, but she was also worried that the sub-beast might overexert himself.
Yes, they already prepared all the ingredients, but the most tedious task is still waiting for Ziqian.
"Your health is more important," Yan added. "So just tell us what needs to be done. We'll handle it for you."
Qiu nodded as he chimed in, "We're not sub-beasts, but we all know how exhausting it can be to use your pheromones. That's why we're all worried about you."
"Don't worry. I won't push myself," Ziqian replied softly. His eyes reddened as warmth spread through his chest. He blinked repeatedly, refusing to let the tears fall. He had been trying to hold back his emotions since earlier, but now it felt like they would overflow.
Being cared for by so many people was still an unfamiliar feeling to him. He never once thought that he would experience this kind of warmth. "Thank you."
Xue, who had been watching the sub-beast closely, was the first to react. He reached for Ziqian's hand without saying anything and just gently rubbed his palm, silently comforting him.
Qiu, oblivious to Ziqian's struggle, asked, "Why are you thanking us? We're friends. Of course we're going to worry about you." She then added teasingly, "Besides, look at you. You're so delicate and white that even a small bruise on you makes us feel bad."
Ziqian stared at her with wide eyes. "Are you calling me fragile?"
Qiu grinned. "You're the one who said that." She stuck out her tongue and made a face at him, making the emotions welling up inside Ziqian fade completely.
Ziqian pulled his hand back from Xue and replied through gritted teeth, "You! You're fragile."
Taking advantage of Qiu's hands being occupied with a basket, Ziqian reached over and pinched her cheeks. "Just you wait. I'll work you to the bone today."
Qiu squirmed, trying to pry Ziqian's hands away, but she couldn't. "Ahhh! Help!" she shouted. "It hurts! Ahh!"
The people around that were secretly listening to them burst into laughter.
Tei shook her head. "Now I believe you're fine."
Yan laughed. "These two have so much energy."
They let the two fool around for a while before Tei finally stopped them. "Okay, okay, that's enough. We still have a lot of work to do."
Ziqian stopped. He was slightly breathless but felt oddly refreshed after seeing Qiu's slightly swollen cheeks.
Qiu stamped her feet and pretended to be angry, but she was actually itching to pinch Ziqian's cheeks in revenge. Those soft, pale cheeks would surely turn red even with a light pinch. She was just staring at them when she suddenly felt a sharp gaze on her.
Qiu froze.
When she turned around, she saw the young patriarch staring coldly at her. Qiu gave him a nervous smile before pretending that nothing had happened as she quickly followed Yan and put down her basket.
Never mind. She didn't want her hands to be cut off.
Ziqian followed as he looked around.
There were several familiar females and sub-beasts already gathered around the hearths, preparing to cook the first batch of dishes. Some brought baskets filled with meat to the men who were frying and roasting. Smoke carrying a delicious aroma filled the air, and the sizzling sounds never ceased.
The entire place was lively, with everyone busy preparing for the feast.
That's why a sub-beast standing still not far away immediately caught Ziqian's eye.
Ziqian realized that the sub-beast had been staring at him when their eyes met.