Returning to the cave, Ruan Fu noticed a pile of new cotton clothes on the table. Some of them were even dyed in various colors, making them far superior to the coarse garments she was currently wearing. It seemed An Rui had taken her words to heart, sending someone to deliver them so quickly.
Ruan Fu picked out a few pieces and stored them away. She then picked up the rest, examined them, casually tore them a bit, and tossed them back onto the table. Just because she wouldn't wear them didn't mean others wouldn't.
She stretched lazily. Now that her tasks were finished, she suddenly felt like taking a bath. However, this wretched place didn't even have a bathing tub. Where was she supposed to wash up? Ruan Fu pondered for a long while before suddenly recalling that there seemed to be a lake not far from Chief Nian's cave. It looked like she would have to make do with that for now.
—
A crescent moon hung in the sky, and the surface of the lake was perfectly still.
After looking around to ensure no one was around, Ruan Fu stripped off her clothes and jumped into the water. The lake water was still a bit chilly on a summer night. She couldn't help but shiver, sinking her body deeper into the water. It took her quite a while to get used to the temperature. Ruan Fu scooped up water to carefully wash her long hair. The surrounding tranquility soothed her exhausted heart from the past few days, and she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
Not far behind her, Chief Nian was staring at her intently. Ever since Ruan Fu had left, the image of her crying had lingered in his mind. Guilt and helplessness had tormented him until he finally couldn't resist seeking her out to apologize. But when he arrived at Ruan Fu's cave, he found she wasn't there.
Fear instantly filled his heart. He had to admit that he was terrified something bad had happened to her. Yet, he also knew that if he made a big fuss trying to find her, it would definitely attract Lu'er's attention. If that happened, even if he found Ruan Fu, she would inevitably face punishment. Thus, he could only search carefully through the tribe on his own, but his efforts yielded nothing.
Just as he was about to give up and return to his cave, he spotted the very person he was looking for in the nearby lake. She was completely bare, her skin as white as snow and utterly flawless. Bathed in the moonlight, she seemed entirely coated in a gentle glow, looking exactly like a pure, immaculate Holy Daughter.
Chief Nian was momentarily stunned. It was as if thousands of vines had sprouted beneath his feet, firmly rooting him to the spot and making him unwilling to move even half a step. He even heard a familiar voice continuously whispering in his mind that he should take a step forward, and that there was no point in always remaining so sober and restrained. Listening closer, he realized that the voice was actually his own.
Chief Nian pressed his thin lips tightly together, his Adam's apple bobbing continuously. He could clearly feel the changes in his body. He knew that the tail behind his backside and the ears on his head had already reverted to their beastly forms. The next second, as if completely out of control, he began stepping closer to Ruan Fu. The ripples on the water mirrored his already chaotic heart. When he was just a meter away, Ruan Fu seemed to suddenly sense something. She turned around and met his narrowed red pupils, which were now brimming with bestial nature and raw desire.
"Shaman Clan, you..."
Before Ruan Fu could even finish her sentence, Chief Nian closed the distance completely, his broad, thick hands wrapping around her slender waist. Her smooth, tender skin was even more enticing than he had imagined. Chief Nian's reason and calm vanished into thin air in an instant. Driven almost entirely by instinct, he lowered his head and captured the lips he had been coveting.
Like a weary traveler in the desert who had finally stumbled upon an oasis, he used every ounce of his strength to savor the long-awaited water. His kiss was incredibly deep, nearly leaving Ruan Fu breathless. The hot breath exchanged between them clouded her vision, covering those round eyes with a layer of mist and making her look even more pitifully beautiful.
Chief Nian found it hard to describe his current feelings. Only one thought echoed in his mind: he wanted to possess her, to possess her completely. But soon, a sharp pain shot from the tip of his tongue, and the taste of blood spread through his mouth.
Stung by the pain, he let go of Ruan Fu. The tearful eyes staring directly back at him made his heart tremble.
Chief Nian never expected that there would come a day when he would be so utterly dominated by his desires, reduced to nothing more than a beast in heat. He pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes full of apology. "Ruan Fu, I'm sorry. I was just... I was just..." He struggled to find a convincing excuse, but after a long pause, the only words he could muster were about going into heat.
Ruan Fu remained silent. The flush on her face had yet to fade, and her slightly swollen lips glistened with moisture. With just one glance, Chief Nian felt a familiar tightening in his lower abdomen.
"Mhm." Ruan Fu bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly. "I know Shaman Clan just happened to go into heat and bumped into me by chance. If Shaman Clan doesn't mind, perhaps I can help you."
Chief Nian had not expected this response; in fact, he had fully braced himself to be scolded and despised. His throat tightened, and he asked hoarsely, "You don't blame me? I..."
Ruan Fu shook her head, the corners of her lips curling up into a faint smile. "Shaman Clan is the best person to me in the whole world. Before Shaman Clan, no one ever cared about me, but Shaman Clan bandages my wounds and comforts me.
"Even though... even though Shaman Clan said some harsh things to me today... I am still very grateful to Shaman Clan. So if Shaman Clan is feeling uncomfortable, I can help.
"As long as Shaman Clan doesn't mind that it's me."
After saying this, her cheeks turned slightly red, and she shyly lowered her head.
Chief Nian froze. Of course he didn't mind; in fact, it was exactly what he desperately wished for. Only he knew just how deeply he yearned for her. Such an opportunity was extremely rare; he could easily use Ruan Fu's gratitude and trust to satisfy his own desires. Chief Nian pursed his lips. He knew that boundless dark thoughts were sprouting from the bottom of his heart. He wanted her—wanted her so badly that he was willing to abandon all the rules that a member of the Shaman Clan was supposed to follow.
The surroundings were incredibly quiet, so quiet that Chief Nian could hear his own heavy breathing and racing heartbeat. Finally, he heard himself say, "Okay."
Ruan Fu looked up at him. There was no disgust or aversion in her eyes, only pure joy. The next second, she took the initiative to lean in and offer her lips, even though she was clearly afraid—so afraid that her body was trembling slightly. Chief Nian felt as if the string of reason in his head had completely snapped. Wrapping one hand around her waist and cupping the back of her head with the other, he allowed her to safely entrust her body weight to him, tilting her head back to receive everything that was to come.
"Mmph..."
Ruan Fu let out intermittent, pitiful whimpers from her throat, prompting Chief Nian to open his eyes and admire the way she looked at this moment. His hands reached up to touch the rabbit ears that had popped out on her head, gently kneading them over and over. Ruan Fu's entire body softened. She leaned completely into Chief Nian's embrace, allowing him to do as he pleased...
Her rapid, scorching breath brushed against his chest as the temperature around them seemed to rise. All of their movements were scattered by the rippling water, leaving behind only the steamy, ambiguous scent hanging in the air. He looked down at Ruan Fu in his arms. The moisture glistening around her eyes and brows was so utterly mesmerizing that he couldn't resist lowering his head to place a soft kiss on the corner of her eye.
"A fu... A fu..."
He couldn't help but murmur in a low, deep voice. He knew that for the rest of his life, he would probably never be able to forget this name.