Chapter 62: Chapter Sixty-Two

That night, Wei Shu, lying on her side in bed, brushed her hair aside at the nape of her neck, letting Li Yuanxi inject the pheromones the pregnant woman and baby needed daily.

The rich scent of agarwood enveloped Wei Shu. Her brow relaxed, a smile curling her lips. She looked gentle and beautiful, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly.

Li Yuanxi bent down and bit the gland on the back of Wei Shu’s neck. The carefully measured pheromones allowed both mother and child to feel the love from the other mother.

A healthy flush spread across Wei Shu’s face. She opened her moist eyes, gave a satisfied smile, and closed them again, not wanting to move.

“Chuyi, I want you to give me a permanent mark,” a contented Wei Shu said, stretching and turning over to pounce on Li Yuanxi. She whispered the request softly in her ear.

Li Yuanxi was stunned. She held Wei Shu, stroking her back slowly. She didn’t understand why the topic had come up.

“Why are you suddenly talking about this?” Li Yuanxi asked, propping herself up on her elbow as she gently caressed Wei Shu’s back.

Wei Shu lifted her head, her bright eyes sparkling. She gently pinched Li Yuanxi’s chin, moved her body, and bit Li Yuanxi’s lip. Her tongue slid across Li Yuanxi’s jawline. “I want to mark you.”

The husky, alluring tone of Wei Shu’s voice made Li Yuanxi swallow involuntarily. Her gaze was almost pinned to Wei Shu. The scent of agarwood around her grew deeper and more possessive.

Li Yuanxi closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. She slowly pulled her pheromones back. Wei Shu’s face was flushed, her gaze dazed. She was practically drowning in Li Yuanxi’s scent.

Feeling the intoxicating pheromones disappear, Wei Shu frowned, her eyes turning sharp as she looked at Li Yuanxi, a silent demand to give them back.

Li Yuanxi smiled wryly. She hugged her helplessly and tried to explain. “You forgot, you’re still pregnant. If we do something now, it might hurt you.”

Wei Shu frowned, looking at her suspiciously, her eyes clearly saying, I think you’re trying to fool me. Seeing her disbelief, Li Yuanxi felt even more helpless.

“The doctors said that after three months, moderate activity is allowed. It’s even good for the physical and mental health of a married couple,” Wei Shu said indignantly, biting hard on Li Yuanxi’s chin, her tongue gently sliding over it, making Li Yuanxi’s breathing heavy.

Li Yuanxi held onto her crumbling resolve. She refused to do anything that could hurt Shu Shu’s body. Sometimes, even when she had needs, she could quickly calm herself down.

But being teased and pulled like this, her barely-there self-control somehow seemed to strengthen.

Seeing the struggle and hesitation in her eyes, Wei Shu continued to kiss and touch her. Li Yuanxi arched her neck, finally grabbing Wei Shu’s hand before it could wander further.

She stared into Wei Shu’s sly, challenging eyes and sighed again. She could never win against Shu Shu.

“Shu Shu, no. If I do a deep mark, it could trigger your heat early. And if…” Li Yuanxi looked into Wei Shu’s eyes, her unspoken words clear.

Wei Shu understood. She straightened her face and began to lecture Li Yuanxi with a perfectly serious expression. “You definitely didn’t pay attention in high school biology. The doctors say that a permanent mark is necessary before a pregnant woman gives birth.”

“It prevents the mother from going into pheromone shock during delivery. And a stable, mutual permanent mark is better for the baby. It lets them feel more love from both mothers.”

“Is that really in the curriculum?” Li Yuanxi was skeptical. How could high school possibly teach that kind of knowledge? She didn’t pay much attention in biology, but she knew the basics.

Wei Shu nodded emphatically. “It was. You just weren’t listening.”

While Li Yuanxi was still trying to think of a counter-argument, Wei Shu pulled out her trump card. Two intoxicating streams of pheromones exploded simultaneously and merged in an instant.

The next afternoon, Li Yuanxi woke up groggily. “Ow,” she hissed, moving her neck and feeling the swollen, bitten wound. She ran a hand through her messy hair as she looked at Wei Shu, who was sleeping soundly.

She slapped her own forehead. She could feel Wei Shu’s pheromones inside her now—the elegant scent of tuberose mingling with the agarwood.

How had she been so bewitched by Shu Shu’s seduction yesterday?

Wei Shu was barely into her second trimester. Surrounded by love and care, she had a calm mindset. She had taken on an entirely new charm, the allure of a mature woman.

Li Yuanxi’s eyes were glued to Wei Shu. She couldn’t look away. This time, Wei Shu only had to crook her finger, and Li Yuanxi fell head over heels.

Wei Shu woke up to the smell of meat. She swallowed, her mouth watering. Her baby protested loudly. Holding her belly, she sat up. Before her eyes were even open, some warm water was at her lips.

She took a few gulps and felt much more alert. Still basking in the afterglow of her recent permanent marking, she snuggled into Li Yuanxi, breathing in her own scent mixed with Li Yuanxi’s.

They could communicate without words, sensing each other’s emotions. Wei Shu was like a purring cat, wanting nothing more than to curl up in her arms and never move. A bit of warm sunshine would be nice too.

Her wish was granted after dinner. Li Yuanxi carried her to the beach. The little hut was now habitable. Wei Shu wrapped herself in a coat and lay on the small single bed, enjoying the sun.

Li Yuanxi continued to light the signal fire. Thick black smoke rose again. She looked up at the highest point, where the red banner fluttered in the wind, very eye-catching.

“I’m going to pick some wild vegetables. Will you be okay on the beach?” Li Yuanxi walked to the hut and asked Wei Shu, who was resting with her eyes closed.

“Mm,” Wei Shu hummed lazily. She was in a good mood today. Maybe it was because she had just been permanently marked. She felt a strong sense of security. She’d been tuckered out from yesterday, so she didn’t want to move.

Seeing that Wei Shu didn’t want to follow, Li Yuanxi felt both relieved and a little disappointed. She picked up her basket and walked towards the other side of the beach.

Wei Shu opened her eyes and watched Li Yuanxi’s tall, slender figure walk away. She thought her Chuyi was so beautiful. She was a little smitten.

Li Yuanxi walked into the woods where Wei Shu often hunted for treasure. She poked around, looking for anything useful. The woods were piled with all sorts of treasures Wei Shu had collected.

Li Yuanxi used her pathfinder stick to search. She pried a green plastic bottle from under the sand, then put it down and continued searching. She ventured deeper into the woods.

Fresh grass was sprouting everywhere, vibrant and full of life. The forest smelled of trees and grass, with an undertone of damp earth.

Suddenly, a fast-moving dark shadow startled Li Yuanxi. She picked up her stick and chased after it. Dodging several large trees, she saw a giant crab, as big as an arm, looking like a spider.

Li Yuanxi watched the huge coconut crab, which was backing away and brandishing its claws. “Jackpot!” she exclaimed, overjoyed. This coconut crab had to be at least ten jin.

She put down her basket and tentatively reached out with her stick. The coconut crab immediately retreated a meter before she could even touch it.

The crab moved fast. In the blink of an eye, it had scurried seven or eight meters away. But its heavy body couldn’t outrun Li Yuanxi’s desire for a meal.

She swung her stick and flipped the crab’s body. The whole thing turned over and landed with a loud smack on its back.

Startled, the crab struggled, trying to flip itself back with its large claws, but Li Yuanxi didn’t give it a chance. The charred tip of her stick stabbed deep into the crab’s chest.

This time, the crab fought even harder. It raised its long claw and clamped down on the stick. Before it could snap it, Li Yuanxi stuffed it into her basket.

The trusty pathfinder stick that had served her so well was easily snapped by the coconut crab. “Good thing I didn’t grab it with my bare hands, or it would be my arm that’s broken now,” Li Yuanxi muttered, giving the crab another jab. Wounded twice, the crab could only wave its limbs weakly in the basket.

“Excellent haul today.” Li Yuanxi was very satisfied, looking at the crab that filled her entire basket. The crab, as long as an arm, had a crushed shell.

“This one coconut crab is enough for Shu Shu and me for a whole day.” Afraid of a last-ditch attack, Li Yuanxi carried the basket carefully. She gave up on foraging for vegetables. Seafood was best eaten fresh.

When she got back, Wei Shu was walking barefoot on the sand, wearing her coat. Seeing Li Yuanxi return so soon, she dug her bare feet into the sand guiltily.

“Why are you back so quickly today?” Wei Shu asked, looking at her with a guilty conscience. Li Yuanxi noticed she wasn’t wearing shoes. The sand was warm from the sun, so she pretended not to notice.

“Come see! It’s that coconut crab you wanted to eat.” Li Yuanxi put the basket on the ground.

“Wow! This one is even bigger than the one I saw before.” Wei Shu marveled, even reaching out to touch it. Li Yuanxi quickly grabbed her hand.

“You don’t know, this crab just snapped my pathfinder stick clean in half. Look.” Li Yuanxi showed Wei Shu the broken end of the stick to make her understand the danger.

Wei Shu gasped at the clean break and quickly pulled Li Yuanxi over to check her all over. Seeing she wasn’t hurt, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Li Yuanxi smiled and carried the soon-to-be-dead crab to the hut.

Wei Shu followed slowly, looking at her own bare toes. She was afraid Chuyi would be angry. She had forgotten to put on her shoes again. Chuyi was always worried she’d catch a cold and insisted she wear shoes.

This huge crab could only be grilled. They didn’t have an iron pot big enough to fit the ten-jin monster.

Li Yuanxi raked some red-hot charcoal out of the fire, spreading it around. She washed the crab thoroughly. The now-deceased crab was no longer a threat.

Wei Shu held up her arm next to the crab. It was almost as long. Even the smallest claw was as thick as two fingers.

Li Yuanxi carefully placed the cleaned crab onto the burning charcoal. Sizzle! A cloud of white steam rose. Li Yuanxi covered the top and sides of the crab with more charcoal.

The whole crab was buried in the coals. It would be cooked through in about fifteen minutes.

Eighteen minutes later, Li Yuanxi raked the coals aside and pulled out the fragrant, charred crab, placing it on a coconut leaf to cool.

She cut off a leg with her short knife and cracked it open. The sweet, tender white meat steamed. She fed it to Wei Shu, who took a bite, then held it to Li Yuanxi’s lips. They shared it.

“Is it good?” Li Yuanxi’s hands were covered in ash. She watched Wei Shu, who was eating happily. Wei Shu took a big bite and nodded. “It’s delicious.”

“The most important thing is my Chuyi’s cooking. You controlled the heat perfectly. The meat is still juicy, and it’s not burnt.” Wei Shu gave Li Yuanxi a big thumbs up.

They only managed to eat half the crab. Li Yuanxi packed the rest to take home for dinner.

Wei Shu was still drinking sweet coconut water, and Li Yuanxi had one too. Coconut water was good for replenishing trace elements and electrolytes.

Full and content, they strolled along the beach in the gentle breeze. The white sand was beautiful. The sun was warm. Waves washed over Li Yuanxi’s ankles. Wei Shu had permission to dip her toes in the water.

They walked from one end of the beach to the other, all the way to a dark rock formation. They would have to climb over it to reach the other beach.

They stopped and played around in the area. Wei Shu splashed happily in the water. Each wave lapped over her feet, then retreated.

As Wei Shu was kicking at the water, she saw a drift bottle. She thought it was one that she and Li Yuanxi had thrown out, come back again.

She bent down to pick it up. It was a very pretty bottle with smooth lines and a perfect curve. Inside were some white powder and a note.

Wei Shu was curious. She opened the bottle carefully, making sure not to spill the powder.

She unrolled the tiny piece of paper. On it was written someone’s final, romantic goodbye to the world.

Greetings:

Whoever finds this note, I sincerely thank you. I apologize for meeting you this way.

This bottle contains my ashes. I am currently traveling the world. If you see this bottle, please leave a small note as a souvenir of my journey.

Finally, please throw it back into the sea so I may continue my long, long journey.

— From Shu Yue, in Heaven

Wei Shu held the note and looked at Li Yuanxi, who was still smiling at her. A smile touched her own lips. The breeze lifted her hair, obscuring her face.

Li Yuanxi took the note from her. She fell silent too. There were other messages written below, some with coordinates.

“We could leave our own message on this paper. Maybe this wandering soul can bring us a bit of help too,” Li Yuanxi said, holding the note. Seeing the dozen or so signatures, a thought struck her.

Maybe this drift bottle could escape the ocean currents that trapped them on this island and be carried to a populated place.

Li Yuanxi raced back home to get a pen and paper. Her hands were shaking. Her heart was pounding. She felt like she had forgotten how to write.

Wei Shu took the pen from her. She wrote down their story on the paper, along with a rough guess of their location.

Below Shu Yue’s letter, she wrote two sentences: I am sorry to meet you this way, but at the same time, I am incredibly grateful. I hope you can, in spirit, bring us a glimmer of hope.

After finishing the letter, Wei Shu carefully placed it back in the glass bottle, settling it among the white powder. She screwed the lid on tight.

Maybe it was fate, that they met this way.

Li Yuanxi silently prayed to this Shu Yue person, asking for her protection, for her help.

The beautiful drift bottle was thrown back into the sea, carried away by the ebb and flow of the waves. Li Yuanxi watched it go, her heart skipping a beat. It felt different this time.

Compared to her excitement, Wei Shu was much calmer. She watched the bottle bob up and down on the waves, carried away, before it finally disappeared into the sea.