Chapter 36

Sitting in the cave, Wei Shu was lying on the bed, and at some point, she had fallen asleep. She heard a series of honking sounds and opened her sleep-heavy eyes, only to find herself curled up in Li Yuanxi’s arms.

She moved her hands and realized Li Yuanxi’s palm was covering the back of her hand. Wei Shu looked at their two hands lying together, a gentle curve forming on her lips. Her eyes also curved, making her look soft and beautiful.

The night before, Li Yuanxi had sat outside the cave in a daze for half the night. The initial excitement and crazy happiness had made her laugh uncontrollably, the sound carrying into the cave.

Li Yuanxi had thought, and thought, then covered her mouth and snickered secretly, like a kitten that had stolen some cream, her eyes lively and her smile bright. She was terrified Wei Shu might hear her.

She had been overjoyed, hopping and skipping outside the cave. Every time she turned to look at the cave, she’d start laughing again, the corners of her mouth twitching uncontrollably.

Finally, sleep overcame her. She barely managed to control her excitement and, with a happy, excited, yet shy feeling, poked her head into the cave. She looked inside and saw Wei Shu already asleep under the covers.

Quietly entering, Li Yuanxi tiptoed through her washing up, her whole face blushing as she lay stiffly on the bed, not daring to overstep.

She lay obediently, staring at the cave ceiling, but her heart was pounding wildly and wouldn’t settle down.

Slowly, Li Yuanxi turned her body, nervously and infatuatedly looking at Wei Shu’s back. Her gaze moved up to her scattered hair—long, black, and slightly wavy, lying on the pillow.

Unable to resist, Li Yuanxi reached out and lifted a strand of her hair, bringing it to her nose and smelling it. A faint, girlish fragrance made Li Yuanxi melt. Realizing what she was doing, she carefully placed the strand back exactly where it was, her face and ears bright red.

The blood rushed to her face and earlobes. The heat on her face made Li Yuanxi keep pressing her hands to her cheeks, trying to cool herself down. She licked her lips and let out a hot breath. No one could see her cheeks, red enough to bleed.

Li Yuanxi felt her brain buzzing, incredibly thirsty. She quietly got out of bed two or three times to drink several glasses of water and went to the bathroom three times in the night before she finally calmed down.

The excitement of her body and heart affected her brain. The irrepressible joy made Li Yuanxi grin like an idiot. Even when she finally fell asleep, it was the same.

There was a big gap between Li Yuanxi and Wei Shu on the bed. Li Yuanxi stared at Wei Shu’s back in a daze, grinning foolishly one moment, tossing and turning the next, until she finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Wei Shu checked the small shed. The fire had gone out. She didn’t know whether to continue air-drying or smoking the meat today, so she stopped what she was doing and went back to the cave to prepare breakfast.

When Li Yuanxi woke up and found the bed empty, she leaped up and rushed out without even putting on her shoes, bumping straight into Wei Shu, who was coming back from washing up.

Wei Shu almost fell. Li Yuanxi quickly reached out and caught her. “What are you doing, running around like that?” Wei Shu held her head, looking at Li Yuanxi helplessly. The cup in her hand had been knocked away by Li Yuanxi.

Li Yuanxi looked at Wei Shu nervously, checking for injuries. Finding none, she quickly let go, her eyes darting around. “N… nothing. I just needed the bathroom. Let me pass.”

Wei Shu stared into Li Yuanxi’s eyes, then nodded and stepped back, letting Li Yuanxi run off. Watching her run out without her shoes, Wei Shu gave a small, quiet smile. “Silly.”

After running away, Li Yuanxi felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. She didn’t even notice the slight pain in her feet, just stood there giggling to herself. When she was done laughing, she went back.

When she returned to the cave, Wei Shu had already prepared breakfast. Li Yuanxi quickly washed up, and the two sat down at the table.

Li Yuanxi was very well-behaved, concentrating on her bowl of wild vegetable and taro soup as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.

Neither of them mentioned the previous night. Wei Shu felt that since she had already said what needed to be said, there was no need to keep pressing. She’d just let things take their natural course.

Li Yuanxi was simply shy. The secret joy in her heart made her giggle uncontrollably whenever she was alone.

One was calm, the other lost in a world of she likes me, hehe~, her tail practically wagging.

Li Yuanxi worked especially hard today. Occasionally, when she was too happy, she would turn around and look at Wei Shu. Wei Shu let her look. The sea breeze blew gently, rustling the shade of the trees, and for a moment, it felt like a peaceful, beautiful moment in time.

Li Yuanxi quickly built a second wooden rack. Wei Shu had brought back many fresh branches. Smoke was rising again from the first small shed, where she was preparing branches for later use.

Li Yuanxi took her bow and arrow and a backpack basket from the cave and walked up to Wei Shu. A bright smile bloomed on her face. “I’m going hunting. Don’t miss me too much, okay?”

Before Wei Shu could say anything, Li Yuanxi ran off, her face red, which made Wei Shu laugh softly. “How come I never noticed she had a talent for comedy before?”

Li Yuanxi quickly dashed into the forest. Bow and arrow in hand, she headed for the beach, planning to go further this time and try to circle the entire island.

After finding the iron barrel last time, Li Yuanxi wondered if there were other things that had drifted onto the island. Even if she only found a little something, it might be useful.

To avoid any more “falling objects” from heaven, Li Yuanxi could only walk along the forest by the coast. She watched a flock of wild geese spread their wings and fly away. The earliest batch of wild geese had already set off again.

The anxiety returned. Li Yuanxi pursed her lips, holding her bow like a walking stick as she watched the geese fly further and further away. Then, she accidentally spotted a wild goose perched on the crooked-neck tree beside a coconut tree.

Li Yuanxi held her breath and crept closer, slowly raising her bow. She got close to the crooked-neck tree without noticing what was underfoot. She stepped on a plastic bottle hidden in the leaves.

There was a creak, and the goose’s eyes flew open. The arrow shot out at the same time, and the goose fell straight to the ground. It wasn’t dead, struggling to get up. Li Yuanxi went over and twisted its neck, throwing it into her backpack basket before continuing.

For the next few days, Li Yuanxi repeated her daily routine: hunting, exploring the island, and smoking wild goose and swan meat. Spending all day with the smoked goose meat, she smelled like it herself.

Another day passed. Li Yuanxi touched her half-dry hair, noticing it was clearly much longer. They only had two bottles of shampoo left at home, and the longer their hair, the more they used.

Li Yuanxi thought for a moment, then went back to the cave and pulled out the knife she’d found on the sailboat. Over the past few nights, she had been sharpening it constantly, turning the rusty old short knife into a shiny new one.

Li Yuanxi didn’t hesitate to cut off her own hair with the knife. She looked at the severed lock of hair in her hand and smiled. She knew Wei Shu wouldn’t be willing to cut her hair for her. But if she did it herself this time, Wei Shu wouldn’t refuse.

“Shu Shu, can you do me a favor?” Li Yuanxi called out from the open space in a drawn-out voice. Wei Shu, who had just dried her hair, came out of the cave and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

“Hehe, can you help me cut my hair?” Li Yuanxi carefully handed the sharp knife, blade pointing downward, to Wei Shu. Wei Shu looked at the gleaming short knife, then at Li Yuanxi’s own ragged, uneven haircut.

She was silent for a moment, remembering the shampoo bottle that was already half-used. She knew why Li Yuanxi wanted to do this. But cutting hair with a short knife was risky.

Wei Shu didn’t say anything and went back into the cave. Li Yuanxi watched her go, disappointed, thinking she had refused. She was about to follow and explain.

But Wei Shu came back out with a pair of small scissors. They were really tiny. “Can you use those?” Li Yuanxi asked doubtfully, looking at the scissors that were only half a palm long.

“Of course I can. Sit still, and I’ll cut your hair for you.” Wei Shu took Li Yuanxi’s hand. Li Yuanxi looked at Wei Shu holding her fingers and couldn’t help but grin happily.

Li Yuanxi obediently sat down in front of Wei Shu. Wei Shu’s fingers moved deftly through Li Yuanxi’s hair a few times. She tilted her head to examine it carefully, then put a plastic bag around her neck to keep the clippings from falling on her clothes.

Only after all the preparations were done did she pick up Li Yuanxi’s long black hair and start cutting. Lock after lock of black hair fell to the ground. Li Yuanxi stared at Wei Shu without blinking.

“Stop looking at me,” Wei Shu said, her eyes not meeting Li Yuanxi’s. Her pink lips moved, forbidding Li Yuanxi from watching her.

Li Yuanxi stared at her soft pink lips and couldn’t help but swallow. This time, Wei Shu heard it. She looked down at Li Yuanxi, her black pupils deep, making Li Yuanxi bow her head in shame.

Snip—snip—

The sound of scissors cutting hair was the only noise in the night. The bright campfire crackled, but Li Yuanxi was completely oblivious.

The fragrance of Wei Shu’s body and the scent of her shower gel surrounded Li Yuanxi. “Shu Shu, should we boil the dried sea fish for dinner tomorrow?” Li Yuanxi found a random topic to break the awkward silence.

“Mm,” Wei Shu replied, tilting Li Yuanxi’s head for a closer look, then snipping a bit more. Li Yuanxi’s long hair was cut into a short, layered style, giving her a very youthful look and making her neck appear long and fair.

Her defined facial features had a combination of heroic spirit and softness when her hair was long. Now, with short hair, she only exuded a cool, youthful vibe.

Her bangs were parted in a 70/30 split, revealing a smooth forehead. When her tea-brown eyes looked up, they were just large, sparkling eyes. When she smiled, the coolness vanished, replaced by a bright and sunny warmth.

This was the first time Wei Shu had seen Li Yuanxi with short hair, and knowing she had cut it herself stirred a strange palpitation in her heart.

Li Yuanxi looked at Wei Shu with shimmering eyes, her lips red against her white teeth, her nicely shaped brows slightly raised, possessing a youthful charm. “Do I look good?”

Wei Shu put away the scissors. She had been leaning over to cut Li Yuanxi’s hair, and now they were very close. “You look good,” Wei Shu said, her voice low, admiration in her eyes.

Li Yuanxi saw the scattered firelight in Wei Shu’s eyes, the bright yellow flames reflected in her pupils. Li Yuanxi’s Adam’s apple moved up and down, an eager light shining in her eyes.

“I… Um…” Li Yuanxi paused, took a breath, and grabbed Wei Shu’s hand, which was covered in black hair. She looked at her seriously and solemnly. “Can I take this chance now?”

“Hm?” Wei Shu straightened up, looking down into Li Yuanxi’s earnest eyes. Li Yuanxi was very nervous, rubbing her hands back and forth on her knees. She was terrified Wei Shu would reject her.

“That depends on your performance,” Wei Shu said, hooking Li Yuanxi’s chin with her index finger. She deliberately lowered her head, letting a strand of her hair brush against Li Yuanxi’s lips. A trace of warmth flickered on her mouth.

Li Yuanxi’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly open. She was stunned. Wei Shu waved and walked away, leaving only a lingering fragrance.

“Is it happening this fast?” Li Yuanxi touched her lips blankly, sitting outside in a daze for a long time. Finally, she covered her face in exasperation. Why did she always act like a shy little wife in front of Wei Shu? This wouldn’t do.

While she was still savoring the fleeting warmth on her lips, Wei Shu was already inside the cave, using the scissors to cut her own long, black hair.

Wei Shu looked at the severed lock of hair in her hand, tied it with a thin piece of string, and planned to burn it in the fire tomorrow to clean up.

She left her hair only shoulder-length, just enough to tie back but not too long, which would also save on shampoo.

Li Yuanxi added a few coconut leaves to the fire in the small shed to prevent it from flaring up, then ran excitedly back into the cave.

She was stunned to see Wei Shu’s cut hair. “How did you…” Li Yuanxi picked up the still-damp lock of hair, holding it to her heart with a pang of pity.

“What? Don’t you like my haircut?” Wei Shu lifted her hair and looked at it in the small mirror. She thought it was passable.

“It looks good, but it’s too much of a sacrifice for you,” Li Yuanxi said, looking at her face sadly.

“It’s no sacrifice. Shorter hair is much more convenient. But you’re covered in hair clippings. Go wash your hair again and shake them all off.”

Wei Shu picked a short strand of hair from Li Yuanxi’s nose and urged her to go wash her hair. Li Yuanxi scurried off, shouting back, “Wait for me, and we’ll sleep together.”

“Who wants to sleep with you?” Wei Shu retorted, her face red. She continued drying her hair with a cloth towel. It wasn’t until Li Yuanxi came back from her bath that her own hair was completely dry.

Li Yuanxi looked at Wei Shu expectantly. Wei Shu met her hopeful gaze, and the blush on her face just wouldn’t fade. It was just innocent sleeping, but Li Yuanxi’s expectant look made it feel tense.

The two lay down together on the bed. Long, deep breaths rose and fell in unison. Dim firelight illuminated the cave. A gray-black blanket was draped over both of them.

Li Yuanxi’s hand, hidden under the blanket, kept sweating. Wei Shu was just blushing. She closed her eyes, ready to sleep. A hand slowly moved over and covered hers.

Wei Shu opened her eyes. She felt a hot, sweaty palm rest on her hand for a moment, then slink away again. She breathed a sigh of relief, but then the hand came back, its fingers touching hers without moving.

Li Yuanxi closed her eyes, pretending she didn’t know anything. They had been sleeping in each other’s arms every night anyway, curling up together when they woke up.

Now that things were out in the open, they were both a little shy, especially Li Yuanxi. An alpha, acting so meek it was almost embarrassing to watch.

The hot fingers touched her cool ones, quickly warming them. Wei Shu closed her eyes again, ready to sleep.

Li Yuanxi was still mentally encouraging herself. Be brave. Don’t be afraid of yourself. Don’t be awkward. Try to accept your body, accept your natural reactions.

“You really don’t like omegas, right?” Li Yuanxi suddenly thought of something and quickly turned her head, staring at Wei Shu, waiting for a clear answer.

Wei Shu’s breath hitched as she was on the verge of sleep. A wave of helplessness and frustration washed over her. She asked weakly, “And are you an omega?”

Li Yuanxi was startled. “No, I’m not!”

“Then it’s settled. Go to sleep.” Wei Shu squeezed Li Yuanxi’s hand firmly. What a blockhead.