Chapter 14: Did They Bully You?

He sensed something was wrong, "You said the food tasted sweet, didn't you? How come it's……?"

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Qing suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Yun Li's arm, "What's that female's name? Did she deliberately make you eat something you don't recognize? Were you often bullied in the gathering team?"

As soon as those three rhetorical questions were uttered, not only He but even Yun Li stared at Mu Qing in astonishment.

Her heart felt as if it had been suddenly poked; she pressed her lips together, "It's all in the past—why are you asking so much?"

He was still here—could she tell him what that female's name was?

He wasn't an idiot; he could see Mu Qing's appreciative desire to stand up for her. If Mu Qing found out who that female was today and something happened to her tomorrow, He would surely blame her for it.

So Yun Li could only play dumb for now, waiting until they were alone again to bring it up.

He saw Mu Qing's grim expression and was startled; seeing Yun Li say nothing, he quickly chimed in, "Exactly, Mu Qing, this is all in the past. Besides, if those females in the gathering team had really done something to A Li, how could she still be alive today?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, He hastily covered his own mouth.

After hearing that, Mu Qing grew even angrier; she quickly glanced at Gong, who also worried that Mu Qing's anger might lead him to actually attack those females in the gathering team. He strode over to Mu Qing's side and whispered his advice:

"Yun Li also said it's in the past—what more do you want to do? If you really dare to lay hands on those females, aren't you afraid you and Yun Li will be expelled from the tribe?"

"Yun Li's health hasn't fully recovered yet—you ought to consider your female."

He yanked Gong's sleeve sharply, "Those females definitely wouldn't harm A Li—can't you say something nice?"

Gong ignored her; many females in the gathering team are high‑handed but low‑skilled, pampered by their families and the tribe, so they all have some flaws. Even if they wouldn't deliberately harm anyone, who would speak up if they bullied a Yun Li who had no family to back her?

He had caught the oddness in Yun Li's earlier words, and Gong naturally noticed it too; besides, there are other beastmen around, and if Yun Li had suffered any bullying in the gathering team, some busybody would surely look into it.

By then, if the matter really reached Mu Qing's attention, could he really restrain himself from doing something to those females?

By saying that, he also wanted Mu Qing to think it over clearly, not to go to extremes just for a moment's satisfaction.

A lesson can be given, but we must not actually take their lives.

Upon hearing that, Mu Qing and Gong exchanged a glance; he said in a low, grave tone, "Gong, you should know that even if I bring my female away from the tribe, I can still protect her."

"What are you talking about?"

Before Gong could put on a stern face, Yun Li suddenly tugged Mu Qing's hand and said, "When I was young and clueless, I didn't know anything when I went out; it was the females of the gathering team who looked after me.

They told me what was edible and what wasn't, so I could go out and find food on my own, and that's how I grew up this big—how could they possibly bully me?"

Yet while she said that, she was thinking that she had no ability to protect herself; if she followed him out of the tribe and something truly happened, she'd be calling to heaven with no answer.

In other words, even if the day to leave comes, she must wait until her health is restored.

Mu Qing naturally listened to his female's words, "Really? Have they bullied you?"

Yun Li smiled, eyes crinkling, "No, they just sometimes joke with me; it's not meant to harm me. If they wanted to harm me, I wouldn't be standing here fine today."

Exactly, just joking—later I'll joke back with them a few times.

Seeing Mu Qing soothed by Yun Li, He couldn't help but let out a relieved breath.

She smiled and said, "See, I told you—if A Li were being bullied, she'd definitely tell you."

Gong's expression also relaxed; he thought Mu Qing's female was still a good one, always remembering the tribe's kindness to her.

Still, to put Mu Qing at ease, he added in Mu Qing's ear, "If you're not reassured, I'll have someone rush over later and privately look into this for you.

If any female really had bullied your female before, I'll tell you who they are later so you can have their males give them a good beating and make those females learn a lesson."

Mu Qing glanced at Gong, unsure whether to believe him.

But Yun Li tugged at him again then, and Mu Qing gave a soft "hmm."

This matter was finally put to rest.

The Chief hurried over first; he hadn't seen any use for the stone mill until Gong told him it could grind dried herbs, at which point he began to value it and said to Mu Qing:

"I know what your female did in the gathering team; I'll send He to ask them about it later. As for the food she wants, the tribe might not have it, but since she produced this stone mill, the tribe ought to give her something. If you have time, go to the tribe's ice cave and see what she likes—bring some back."

If you have time, go to the Tribe ice cave and have a look; if there's anything you females like, bring some back.

Mu Qing agreed, turned to ask Yun Li what she wanted; Yun Li poked his waist, a little unhappy, and said, "I have everything I need at home—I don't know what I want; just get me something tasty."

This male was overly attentive to her, making her feel a little fluttered.

Originally she only valued his ability to provide and lusted after his body, but now she's actually interested in him as a person.

Mu Qing didn't know why she wasn't very happy, but since the female clung to him and he was soft‑hearted, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead, "All right, I'll get you more treats later."

Moreover, A Li doesn't much like clothes made of beast skin—she says they're too thick and feel suffocating.

He remembered that ghost‑eye spider silk can be made into clothing; when he goes out hunting later, he'll see if he can take over the spider's nest, pull out the silk, and have someone make her some light, thin garments.

"This thing……."

After the Witch Doctor arrived and stared at the stone mill, falling into thought, he soon turned to the Chief and said, "Have them make two more and send them over; I want to try them myself."

Knowing the stone mill had also ground salt ore, the Witch Doctor refused the Chief's offer to use this ready‑made mill to grind herbs.

Yun Li also walked over and said, "Chief, Witch Doctor, this stone mill can actually grind hard fruits as well as herbs—some fruits aren't edible but are very hard; you can grind them with the mill and boil them to eat."

The Witch Doctor heard her and asked, "Is this something you only did when you were hungry before? Was the tribe previously neglecting you?"

He sighed and said, "From now on, with Mu Qing by your side, you won't have to live those days again, so you don't need to rack your brains just for a bite to eat."

Yun Li felt the hand on her waist suddenly tighten; she knew Mu Qing was feeling sorry for her, so she gave a helpless smile and said, "Okay!"

Later, when she manages to make something tasty, don't blame her for being a beastman who eats alone.

Perhaps the Witch Doctor's words made the Chief feel a twinge of guilt, and before leaving he said again to Mu Qing:

"Treat your female well—she hasn't had it easy before."