Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Extra Chapter for &Sha&’s Reward

“Kongshan, you traitor!” Yadong roared, rushing over to pin Kongshan to the ground and pummel him.

He’d lied to Yadong, saying building a kiln would win a female’s heart, but had secretly started seeing a female himself. Beating up Kongshan was the only way Yadong could vent his burning anger.

Kongshan just lay there and took the beating.

He’d known all along that once his relationship with Maple Leaf was revealed, Yadong would definitely come after him.

But since he had a mate, Kongshan was happy to take a beating.

Changxia watched the two of them roughhousing, lines of exasperation on her forehead. Was this really a fight, or were they just showing off their bromance? Rolling her eyes, she stopped their nonsense and asked, “Yadong, how much reed root sugar did the tribe make last night?”

“All the reed roots we dug up last night were boiled into sugar. I’m not sure of the exact amount, but we used about a third of the molds we used for maple sugar, so I estimate there are several thousand jin,” Yadong replied.

Last night, everyone in the tribe had tasted the reed root sugar—two kinds, split evenly.

Actually, the reed root sugar with added maple syrup was a bit more plentiful. After all, the maple syrup didn’t evaporate but instead settled and solidified into golden reed root sugar.

“That’s great!” Changxia said happily.

Reed roots were everywhere, unlike red maple trees.

Making reed root sugar didn’t require everyone to gather in one place; people could dig and boil it wherever and whenever they wanted.

Whether they made a lot or a little, or whatever flavor they liked, it was up to them.

The tribe already practiced private ownership. Unless it was a big event like collecting maple sap, most things were done by households or with friends and family.

Chen Rong wanted to teach the tribe how to build corridors and eaves, mostly giving advice.

He didn’t have to do everything himself.

Of course, for some of the tribe’s elderly or those living alone, that was a different story.

“Changxia, aren’t you going to dig reed roots today?” Yadong asked.

Changxia replied, “We have dozens of jin of reed root sugar in the cellar, plus maple syrup and maple sugar. We’re not short on sugar at home, so I won’t go.”

“True enough.” Yadong understood Changxia’s thinking—she didn’t want to compete with the others.

Reed roots were everywhere, but there was only so much land near the tribe.

If you dig, and I dig, the amount gets smaller.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m planning to go collect stones at the rocky beach. I want to pave the courtyard of the cave house with stone slabs, build a few flower beds, and dig some tree pits in the corners. There’s a lot to do, so I don’t really have time to dig reed roots,” Changxia waved her hand and explained.

“Paving the courtyard with stone slabs—Changxia, you’re so clever!” Kongshan exclaimed.

The rainy season brought a lot of rain. No matter how well-packed the courtyard was, the rain would still leave it full of potholes. Little puddles were everywhere.

But with stone slabs, those problems would be solved.

“Need any help?” Kongshan offered.

The eaves would be finished by noon, and the corridor would just need some final touches.

The inside of the cave house could be put on hold for now.

Changxia hesitated. “Aren’t you going to dig reed roots? Maple Leaf loves sweets. If you dig more and make more sugar, she’ll be happy.”

“Maple Leaf went digging this morning. Besides, she told me to come help you,” Kongshan replied.

Even though Changxia was mostly recovered, and Chen Rong had detoxed and regained his strength, the tribe still instinctively saw them as weak and in need of extra care.

Hearing this, Changxia was deeply moved. Her eyes grew misty. She was already an adult, but everyone still treated her like a child, looking after every aspect of her life.

“Hmph!” Changxia snorted playfully. “When Maple Leaf comes over at noon, I’ll have her help me collect stones at the rocky beach this afternoon.”

“Sure! I think Maple Leaf would love that,” Kongshan said with a smile.

Yadong rolled his eyes again. Males with mates were all so sappy—each one deserved a beating.

Looking at the fuming Yadong, Changxia and Kongshan exchanged a glance, shrugged, and shared the same smile, saying nothing more.

On top of the cave house, Chen Rong watched the scene below with envy.

He’d grown up surrounded by danger, never having experienced such pure affection.

But when his gaze fell on Changxia, deep emotions stirred in his eyes. He thought… one day, he’d have this too.

Amidst the busyness, time slipped by.

By noon, the eaves and corridor were completely finished.

Under the bright sun, the cool gray ironwood shone with a strange luster, and a faint, bamboo-like fragrance lingered in the air.

Light and subtle, almost imperceptible.

“So beautiful!” Chang Xia exclaimed in awe.

Ironwood might not have the same luster as rosewood,

But under the sunlight, it was just as dazzling and radiant.

This would be her home for the next half of her life.

Chang Xia had always wanted a home—a small place she could call her own.

At first, Su Ye and the Heluo tribe had given her a warm home. But now, she had built a new family and constructed her own cave-dwelling to live in.

Maybe, before long,

She’d even have children of her own—

A little, soft baby to call hers.

Thinking of this, Chang Xia lifted her head and met Chen Rong’s gaze.

One tall, one short; one looking up, one looking down.

Their eyes, both carrying gentle smiles, met by chance—

And in that moment, their love for each other overflowed.

“Chen Rong, what do you think of our home?” Chang Xia called out.

Back at the Normandy Market, Chang Xia had promised to take care of Chen Rong and build a nest for them to live in together.

Now, she’d fulfilled both promises.

Chen Rong smiled and replied, “It’s wonderful!”

“Chang Xia, you’re amazing!”

“Chang Xia, you’re incredible!”

Nearby, Ya Dong, Kong Shan, and the others exchanged glances, then rushed over to hug Chang Xia, lifting her up into the air.

Nuan Chun, holding her two little ones, beamed as she watched the scene.

Outside the cave courtyard, Nan Feng’s wailing voice drifted in, “You’re all so mean! How could you sneak over to Chang Xia’s house without telling me…”

At her words, everyone turned to look at the cave entrance.

There stood Nan Feng, looking at them with a face full of grievance, heavy dark circles under her eyes, one hand clutching her stomach.

Chen Rong came down from the cave roof and steadied Chang Xia, whose legs were still a bit wobbly, giving Nan Feng a strange look as she walked in. Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound echoed in everyone’s ears.

“You didn’t eat breakfast?” Nuan Chun asked in surprise, looking at Nan Feng.

It was already noon—how could someone not have eaten breakfast by now?

Nan Feng grumbled, “I only got back to the cave at dawn and slept until now.”

She’d thought that when Wu Baiqing returned to Kana Sacred Mountain, her father would wake her up to help escort him. Who knew he’d go off to escort Wu Baiqing himself, leaving her behind.

At this, everyone fell silent.

How were they supposed to respond to that?

“Ahem!” Chang Xia cleared her throat and said, “It’s lunchtime anyway. We should start cooking.”

Nuan Chun covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and chimed in, “Yes, time to cook. We have to go to the rocky beach to collect stones this afternoon. I want to pave the courtyard with stone slabs so it won’t get muddy when it rains.”

The two of them, arm in arm, pulled Nan Feng off to the kitchen.

Nuan Chun handed her twins over to Shan Kun to watch. The two little boys were rough-and-tumble, always wrestling and playing wherever they went. It was better to let Shan Kun watch them in the courtyard—if they came into the kitchen, who knew if they’d crawl into the stove and singe their fur!