If it were anyone else, hearing Shangguan Yao's sarcastic words would have elicited a retort. But Zhuoya was different. She merely stood behind me with a smile, looking at the women as if she had found new toys, her face filled with delight.
I coughed and gently pushed Luo Yaqin away from my embrace.
I explained Zhuoya's origins to everyone.
As I spoke, Shangguan Yao's gaze towards Zhuoya shifted from hostility to pity.
After hearing my explanation, her initial coldness towards Zhuoya completely vanished. She stepped forward and extended her hand to Zhuoya.
"I'm so sorry, little girl. I misunderstood you just now. Please accept my apology. Let's officially introduce ourselves. My name is Shangguan Yao."
Zhuoya looked at Shangguan Yao with her big, clear eyes, a hint of confusion on her face. Suddenly, she seemed to understand, and threw her arms around Shangguan Yao in a big hug.
"You want to be my friend? That's great!"
Shangguan Yao, caught off guard by Zhuoya's embrace, froze with awkwardness.
Seeing this, I worried that Shangguan Yao might get angry at Zhuoya's actions, and explained, "Zhuoya has always lived alone and doesn't understand social etiquette."
Shangguan Yao's body gradually relaxed. She gently hugged Zhuoya back and then shot me a look.
"Do I need you to tell me that? Zhuoya and I hit it off immediately."
What a thankless effort. I sheepishly rubbed my nose.
Zhuoya seemed to possess a special charm. Despite being targeted at first, she soon found herself sitting amongst the other women, chatting happily and occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.
Shangguan Yao held Zhuoya's hand with one hand and pointed at me with the other. "Zhuoya, you need to be careful of Lu Ziye in the future. He's a lecher. Don't let him take advantage of you."
I stroked the sparse stubble on my chin. I'm not old.
Zhuoya looked at Shangguan Yao, completely bewildered. "Sister Yao, what's a lecher? Brother Xiaoye is a good person!"
Indeed, the public's eyes are discerning. I smugly raised an eyebrow at Shangguan Yao. "See? They say time reveals a person's true character. We've known each other for so long, how can you still not see my 'Living Lei Feng' essence?"
Shangguan Yao glared at me, looking annoyed by my smugness. She said huffily, "I'm warning you, don't mess with Zhuoya in the future, or I won't let you off!"
Just as I was about to say more, Luo Yaqin waved me away disdainfully.
"Go on, go on. This is girl talk. What are you, a man, doing eavesdropping?"
Fine, I won't listen. I wonder who it was that used to sneak into my bed every night to whisper secrets.
Seeing that Zhuoya had perfectly integrated into our group, I felt relieved. I then turned and went out to gather some firewood.
The warm bonfire dispelled the fatigue from our long journey that day. Guan Haier brought out the mushrooms we had dried earlier and made a pot of warm mushroom soup.
Sorrow is only temporary. One must look forward. I felt that in this precarious existence, being able to eat by the fire with my girls was a hard-won happiness.
As the sun set, another quiet night descended.
I lay on a bearskin rug, and suddenly heard someone calling my name.
"Lu Ziye!"
Who is it? Disturbing my sleep so late at night!
Could it be Luo Yaqin, lonely and seeking warmth from me?
The thought made me instantly wide awake. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and pulled the person in front of me into a hug.
Wait, this size is not Luo Yaqin's measurements!