Chapter 81: Probably Just Being Dramatic

Although they kept running into minor monsters along the way, and there were countless treasure chests waiting to be opened, Yun Qimu managed to restrain herself. She didn’t let the lure of treasure distract her, and led the Tengu tribe to Earth Village before nightfall.

Inside Earth Village, it was a world of ice and snow—snowflakes fluttered down, turning everything into a winter wonderland. Through a row of strangely evergreen Danmu fruit trees at the village’s edge, you could vaguely see wooden cabins of all sizes, scattered in an orderly fashion. Their rooftops were blanketed in thick, white snow, creating a picturesque scene.

In short, with the “Devil” sign posted at the village entrance as the boundary, the snowy world inside stood in stark contrast to the endless red earth and scorching heat outside.

The Tengu people couldn’t care less about the “blood-pumping” Danmu fruit trees anymore. One by one, they stared wide-eyed in shock and curiosity, crowding forward in a rush.

Even Aunt Meifang, who had just been complaining and pretending to limp so she wouldn’t have to walk, suddenly perked up. Her eyes lit up, and she jumped to her feet, running faster than anyone else. “Let me see, let me see! All of you in front, get out of my way!”

She didn’t care at all that she’d just been pestering Yun Qimu about her “bad leg”—she exposed her own lie without the slightest hesitation.

Even Yun Qimu was left speechless by her performance, thinking this auntie had a bright future ahead of her.

Hawi gave Yun Qimu an embarrassed smile and tried to explain, “My—my mother, she just likes to exaggerate. Please don’t mind her, Chief.”

Yun Qimu raised an eyebrow with a smile. “It’s fine. Fatigue can make people lose their willpower and misjudge themselves. Some people think their hand is broken when it’s not, some claim to be pregnant when they’re not. It’s a scientific phenomenon called cognitive error. Maybe Aunt Meifang is just one of those cases.”

Hawi forced a smile, feeling even more awkward.

“Chief! Little Chief! You’re back~~”

A cheerful voice rang out behind them. Turning around, they saw Pei Yu running over, beaming with a dazzling smile and, for once, wearing a proper black combat suit. His peach blossom eyes sparkled like stars, and he pounced at Yun Qimu like an excited puppy greeting its owner.

Yun Qimu’s smile vanished. She sidestepped neatly, dodging Pei Yu’s flying hug, her face cold and expressionless, practically broadcasting two words: “Rejected. Hard.”

Pei Yu staggered to a stop, looking aggrieved as he turned to Yun Qimu. “Chief, why are you like this? I haven’t seen you for two days, I just wanted a welcome hug!”

Yun Qimu’s face stiffened. She flatly refused, “No, that’s not necessary. Stay away from me.”

“Aiya, you’re so mean~~”

His voice, pinched and melodramatic, sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

Hawi, who’d just started to feel a twinge of jealousy at Pei Yu’s good looks, relaxed a little. Someone like Yun Qimu surely wouldn’t be interested in a guy who acted even more coquettish than a woman, right?

Truth be told, after hearing his mother’s constant hints, Hawi had started to develop some feelings for Yun Qimu. After all, she was beautiful, graceful, poised, and spoke with confidence. She had a charisma and leadership that even their own chief lacked—qualities Hawi had never seen in any of the girls in his tribe.

He knew he wasn’t worthy of such a goddess, but he couldn’t help wanting to try his luck. Who knew—maybe she’d notice him? After all, this was Exile Star, a garbage planet no one wanted to come to. There shouldn’t be any noble young men here who could match her, right?

But his fantasy was quickly shattered.

Yun Qimu glanced disdainfully at Pei Yu, then turned to look at the four people strolling over behind him.

She asked in a familiar, questioning tone, “Is he having another episode? Why does it seem like his condition is getting worse?”

“Pfft—” Yun He couldn’t help but laugh. “Hahaha, I think he’s just being dramatic.”

Yuan An grinned, his chubby cheeks dimpling. “Maybe Uncle Mo spoiled him too much today.”

Wu Xingyu’s stunning face remained expressionless, except for the bright red beauty mark under his eye. Yuan An and Yun He instinctively kept half a step away from him, following on either side.

Hearing Yun Qimu’s words, Wu Xingyu’s dark, lifeless eyes swept over Pei Yu with a hint of mockery in his voice. “He’s been acting like this since he was a kid, always imitating women. Guess it’s flaring up again.”

As for Mo Xie, he walked silently at the back, lips pressed together. But whether it was his strikingly handsome face, long powerful legs, flowing black cloak, or his calm, commanding presence, he was impossible to ignore.

Just one glance from him, and the smile vanished from Hawi’s face.

The relief he’d felt about Pei Yu evaporated, and his heart tightened again. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

These—these were the noble young men he’d thought couldn’t possibly exist on Exile Star.

Pei Yu’s “drama” might have softened his aura, but with these four, Hawi could feel the full force of their aristocratic pride and elegance.

Especially the one in front—black hair, black eyes, a face so stunning that even Hawi, as a man, felt himself drawn in.

He knew he’d lost. From the moment he saw them, he realized there was an unbridgeable gap between himself and Chief Yun.

His mother’s advice about winning a beauty’s heart through persistence and sincerity clearly didn’t apply here.

“Hey, hey, I’m right here, you know! Can’t you at least consider my feelings?” Pei Yu protested, hands on his hips.

Yun Qimu, Yun He, and Yuan An exchanged a glance. “Nope.”

Pei Yu wilted, hanging his head, looking utterly dejected, as if begging for someone to comfort him.

They’d only known Pei Yu for a few days, but everyone had already figured out his act. They just laughed and ignored him.

“Chief, looks like your plan to expand the village went really well! How many people did you bring back? Are they all joining Earth Village?” Yun He asked, looking at the group of people gawking in shock at the snowy village from outside the barrier.

“Yeah, it went pretty smoothly. The entire Tengu tribe came, plus a few more that Luke brought back. In total, there are 321 people,” Yun Qimu replied, sounding quite pleased."