’This is so awkward. I feel like I’ve just exposed something about myself.’

Once she confirmed the Beastman was still there, Wu Yue focused on the task at hand.

When the salt and peppercorns in the pot were fragrant from the heat, Wu Yue finally looked at the Beastman beside her. "Take the stone pot down. This salt has to cool before it can be used."

"It’ll take a while for the salt to cool, so let’s eat something first."

After setting the pot of salt on a stone platform to the side, Yuan Lang returned to the stove and pulled several potatoes from the fire.

He patted off the black ash, his thick Beastman hide coming in handy at a time like this.

When the blackened roasted potatoes were broken open, a fragrant aroma filled the air.

Wu Yue felt a suspicious trickle at the corner of her mouth again.

"Host, you look like you’ve never seen the world. This is so embarrassing."

Wu Yue: "..."

’If you just shut up, we can still be friends.’

The two of them gobbled down all the roasted potatoes, a pleasant warmth spreading through their stomachs.

Wu Yue rubbed her round belly and sighed. "That was so delicious. I’m completely stuffed."

"Do you want me to rub it for you?"

Yuan Lang may have been asking, but the instant the words were out, his large, scorching hand was already on Wu Yue’s round belly, beginning to rub it slowly.

Wu Yue gave him a look that said, ’Not bad,’ then leaned back comfortably against his propped-up leg and closed her eyes.

Yuan Lang: "..."

’How should I put this? I’m suddenly getting the feeling that not only is the little female from the Female Venerate Country, but her status there must be quite high. What’s with how naturally she settles in to be served? It’s like second nature to her.’

’Isn’t it a little *too* effortless?’

Enjoying the Beastman’s massage service, Wu Yue very comfortably fell asleep.

"Yue, the salt has cooled down."

"Wake up. After we salt the meat, we can go home and..."

"SMACK!"

The loud smack echoed through the cave. Having swatted the annoying fly, Wu Yue finally curled her lips in satisfaction, even giving the fly’s ’corpse’ an arrogant squeeze.

’As expected of the Beast World,’ she couldn’t help but marvel. ’Even the flies are muscular.’

’A fly... has muscles?’

As if she had just realized something, Wu Yue’s eyes snapped open, and she turned her head stiffly to look.

Why did that hand resting on the Beastman’s pectoral muscle look so familiar?

"Yue, you’re so impatient. If you don’t mind, we can become mates sooner."

Wu Yue laughed dryly, hastily pulling her hand back from his chest. "I just thought there was a fly buzzing by my ear, so I swatted it."

The Fly—Yuan Lang—spoke. "So that’s what I am to you? A fly."

A wounded expression suddenly appeared on the Beastman’s handsome face. His nice eyebrows furrowed slightly, and even the corners of his mouth drooped with sorrow.

Seeing Yuan Lang like this, Wu Yue suddenly felt like some heartless woman who had wronged a virtuous man.

"I was just groggy from sleep! Besides, where would you ever find a fly this handsome?"

Yuan Lang: "..."

’You should just shut up.’

Seeing that she was only making things worse, Wu Yue decided to give up and stop talking.

She hopped to her feet and headed for the stone pot. "Time to get to work."

Seeing the red tips of her ears, Yuan Lang, who was standing behind her with a supposedly wounded expression, raised an eyebrow. All trace of his earlier sorrow vanished, leaving him looking like a pleased and proud young master.

Of course, he would have looked the part even more if his Beast Skin Skirt were replaced with fine, embroidered robes.

"Here, let me do it. You can teach me what to do."

The wild boar had been butchered, but the cuts of meat were still very large. It would be difficult for the little female to rub the salt on them evenly.

"Are you up for it?"

Wu Yue glanced doubtfully at the tall, handsome Beastman behind her. ’The General has probably never tried his hand at curing meat before, has he?’

But his response was for his eyes to instantly darken. "Are you asking if I’m capable?"

The Beastman’s voice was tinged with danger, and his gaze carried an unspoken, deeper meaning.

"Host, you’re really courting death. How can you ask if a man is capable? Of course he is! He has to be, even if he isn’t!"

The System bounced about, its little voice filled with contempt for its Dog Host.

Wu Yue suddenly realized what a deadly question she had just asked.

Looking at the Beastman’s deep, dark eyes, she knew she had to remedy the situation immediately.

Brimming with the will to live, the little female quickly stood up with a nervous laugh. "Uh, what I meant was whether you could do a good job curing the meat. I absolutely wasn’t doubting your, you know... capabilities.

"Just look at your figure, your physique! If you aren’t capable, who is? You must be the most capable of all!"