Her brows furrowed.
"…You're joking."
[Sub-Task 1: Locate Weijie without wearing the robe.]
Her soul nearly left her body.
"What?!"
[Explanation:] Doudou continued calmly.
[Confidence and self-love are essential survival traits in this world. Females are treated as valuable resources. Without confidence, Dumpling will be easily swayed, exploited, or controlled.]
She clenched her fists.
[Love begins with self-acceptance.]
[Only after loving oneself can one form a healthy bond with another.]
Shen Ningning lowered her head, staring at her hands.
"…And if I refuse?"
[Refusal is not supported.]
She huffed.
"Of course it isn't."
She took a deep breath and straightened.
This world wasn't the modern one.
Here, women were not ignored.
They were coveted.
If she didn't learn to stand firmly on her own two feet—body and mind alike—then survival would never truly be hers.
She glanced toward the cave entrance.
Weijie had gone out of his way to protect her.
And she had hurt him.
"…Damn it." she muttered.
She untied the robe slowly.
Her heart pounded.
"Fine." she whispered. "Let's do this."
And for the first time since arriving in this brutal world, Shen Ningning stepped forward, not to run, not to hide.
But to face something far more terrifying.
Herself.
Doudou's interface flickered again, softer this time.
[Doudou announcement: Mission reward confirmed.]
Shen Ningning paused mid-step.
"…Reward?" she asked cautiously.
[This mission carries no system-imposed punishment.]
[Consequences will stem solely from Dumpling's own choices.]
She frowned. "That doesn't sound comforting."
[Reward: Mirror.]
She blinked.
"…A mirror?"
[Yes.]
Her steps slowed.
Doudou's interface flickered gently in front of her eyes.
[Mission update complete.]
Before she could ask anything else, the interface dimmed and disappeared, leaving her standing alone inside the cave.
She took a slow breath and stepped outside.
The moment she entered the open space of the settlement, she felt it.
The attention.
The tribe was far larger than she had realized before.
Cave dwellings dotted the mountainside at every level, connected by narrow stone paths and steps carved directly into the rock.
Torches had been lit as dusk settled, casting a warm glow that only made the watching eyes stand out more clearly.
Everywhere she walked, gazes followed.
Some were curious.
Some were appraising.
Some were far too bold.
Shen Ningning kept her head up and her steps steady, even though her heart was pounding violently in her chest.
Her body was still exposed, and she was painfully aware of it. Every brush of air against her skin felt amplified.
Weijie was nowhere to be seen.
The unease in her chest deepened.
She did not dare ask for directions.
She did not trust these men enough to risk it. Based on their looks alone, she could imagine how easily someone might "misunderstand" her request and lead her somewhere isolated. She was not naïve enough to ignore that danger.
She would find him herself.
She forced herself to think calmly.
From what she had observed so far, Weijie was not the type to linger in crowds when his mood was foul. He valued space and silence, especially when angry or hurt.
Her gaze slowly lifted.
At the highest point of the settlement, near the edge of the mountain ridge, stood a single tree. It was isolated, its branches stretching out against the dimming sky, untouched by torchlight or noise.
Her instincts told her he would be up there.
She began walking uphill.
The path grew steeper with every step. Her legs protested, her breathing turned shallow, and sweat trickled down her spine, but she did not stop.
Behind her, the noise of the settlement gradually faded until only the sound of wind and her own footsteps remained.
Inside her mind, Doudou spoke again, quieter this time.
[Heart rate elevated.]
[Fear response detected.]
"I know.." she replied under her breath. "But I won't stop moving."
[Confidence is action despite fear. You're doing great.] Doudou noted.
She did not answer.
When she finally reached the ridge, she saw him.
Weijie stood beneath the tree, his tall figure outlined against the darkening sky. His back was turned toward her, golden eyes fixed on the horizon. The wind tugged at his hair and tail, giving him a lonely, almost solemn air.
She stopped several steps away.
For a moment, she simply stood there, gathering her courage.
"Weijie." she called softly.
His body stiffened.
Then he turned slowly.
The moment his eyes landed on her, the anger she expected was nowhere to be found. Instead, shock crossed his face, followed by a sharp tightening of his jaw.
"…What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.
Her heart pounded, but she did not retreat.
"I came to find you.." she said clearly.
The wind brushed over her bare skin, cool and unforgiving. Yet she stood straight, refusing to cover herself or look away.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Shen Ningning faced someone head-on, without hiding, without shrinking.
And for the first time, she did not feel entirely weak.
Shen Ningning took a slow breath and finally spoke.
"I'm sorry.." she said softly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
The wind brushed past them, lifting her hair, but she did not look away from him.
"It's just… hard for me to accept what you say.." she continued, her voice steady but fragile. "I don't believe I'm pretty. I don't believe I deserve your care or your gentleness. And I don't feel worthy of being called your mate. So I'm sorry if my words and actions hurt your feelings."
Her fingers tightened at her sides.
It wasn't easy for her to just let go of her anxiety and self consciousness.
"I'm afraid.." she admitted. "I'm afraid you'll grow tired of me one day."
Weijie did not let her finish her doubts.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his golden eyes unwavering.
"You are my mate.." he said clearly. "I will never grow tired of you."
His voice was low, but firm enough to silence the storm in her chest.
"I will love you. I will care for you. And I will protect you every day."
Something warm welled up in Ningning's eyes.
She smiled, a little shaky, but real.
"Then don't forget what you said.." she replied.
She lifted her hand and brushed her hair back, exposing her neck.
Under the fading light, her skin looked smooth and pale, like a freshly peeled egg, unmarked and vulnerable.
"I won't have any other mate except you.." she said quietly. "So please… mark me, Weijie. Let's be good to each other."
Though she had initially made up her mind to only be marked temporarily, to avoid any risk.
But she realized being in this world itself was a risk and Weijie was the biggest risk she was willing to take.