CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: THE FEAST

Bai Ling hurried over, nearly tripping on her own feet, but she didn’t care. She was clearly excited to see Su Qinglan, just as Qinglan was excited to see her.

"You came to the feast too?" the girl asked breathlessly, her voice sweet as honey.

Su Qinglan put her hands on her hips. "Of course. Do you think I’d hide in my cave when there’s free food around?"

The girl giggled, her laughter soft and clear.

Just hearing it made Su Qinglan’s mood brighten even more.

Inside, she was practically screaming... Yes! Yes! Finally, I have someone to stand with so I don’t look like a lonely ghost haunting the feast!

"Honestly, if you didn’t come, I was about to cry from boredom. Everyone here is so busy and there is no fun."

Bai Ling’s eyes curved into crescents, her laughter bubbling out again. "You’re right. But later, when the fire is lit up, everyone will gradually relax. You’ll see it by yourself."

Su Qinglan tilted her head, her curiosity sparking again. "So the witch doctor really will light it?"

The girl nodded seriously, her expression almost reverent. "Yes. Only the witch doctor can. It’s sacred. The whole feast won’t begin until then."

"And aside from him, you can also light the fire," Bai Ling’er said with shiny eyes. And Su Qinglan only realized later that she was referring to her.

"Well, I have learned recently," she whispered, "but I can’t wait to see how magical this ’sacred fire’ by the witch doctor is."

Bai Ling’er clasped her hands together excitedly. "It’s the most important moment of the feast! I’ll stand with you when it happens."

Su Qinglan’s chest warmed.

Together, the two females stepped further into the lively square, the noise and chaos of the tribe suddenly feeling a lot less overwhelming with company by her side.

The two of them sat together on a flat stone near the edge of the square, chatting away.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "So, where are your males? Don’t tell me they just left you here all by yourself."

Bai Ling puffed her cheeks, half embarrassed, half annoyed. "They’re working. Carrying meat, arranging hides, helping build the fire stage... everything. I came early to wait for them."

Su Qinglan blinked. "Ohhh, so you’re abandoned just like me."

Bai Ling giggled. "Not abandoned! They’ll come back once the feast starts."

Su Qinglan crossed her arms with a pout. "Hmph. I don’t even have males to leave me behind. I’m even worse off."

Bai Ling’er suddenly remembered the rumours about her, that she always chased beautiful men, and she thought to herself, no wonder Qinglan-Jei has no male.

She should respect herself more than just expecting men to respect her. She looked at the bright Su Qinglan and let out a sigh full of pity.

Her Qinglan-jie is such a good female—how could all males be blind? Hmph, she would introduce Jei Jei to her brother. They will become a good couple.

On the other hand, Su Qinglan was completely oblivious that she looked pitiful in her eyes, and now she was even set up for a blind date.

***

Before long, the sky darkened completely. The last traces of sunlight disappeared, and night spread across the land.

And soon, in no time, the tribe center was filled with beastmen.

More and more beastmen and females poured into the square, voices rising, laughter booming, the air filled with excitement. The earlier emptiness was gone.

"Qinglan-jie, look! The witch doctor has arrived... with the tribe leader."

Su Qinglan followed her gaze.

From the back of the crowd, a group of beastmen was escorting two figures toward the stage in the center. One was a tall, imposing beastman with a powerful aura—it was her father. And the other...

Su Qinglan’s brows lifted.

It was a skinny old man, his back slightly hunched, his face lined with age, but his eyes sharp and strangely bright.

Her lips pressed together as she watched him climb the stage with the others.

The old man stepped forward and raised his hand. Instantly, the noise died down. The entire square fell silent, every pair of eyes fixed on him.

His voice was thin but carried surprisingly far. He began giving a speech...solemn and grand...about the feast, the tribe’s unity, their survival, and their strength.

Su Qinglan couldn’t catch every word, but judging by the way the beastmen cheered, it was definitely moving. Even the females clapped their hands, their faces bright with excitement.

The noise that erupted after his words shook the entire square.

Su Qinglan covered her ears with a wince. "So loud! Are they celebrating or trying to summon thunder?"

But despite her complaints, she couldn’t help but smile a little.

The old witch doctor stepped forward slowly, holding a small pouch in his wrinkled hands.

Everyone held their breath.

Even Su Qinglan leaned forward unconsciously, her eyes fixed on his every move.

He crouched by the base of the massive pile of firewood, pulled out a piece of stone flint, and struck it against another.

Clink. Clink.

Tiny sparks flew.

Su Qinglan’s eyes widened.

"...So they really do know how to use flint. Hah. Not so backward after all," she muttered under her breath.

Within moments, the sparks caught on the dried grass and twigs placed carefully at the bottom. The flame licked higher, growing brighter, hotter, until the entire base roared to life.

And then...

Whoosh!

The fire spread, climbing up the mountain of wood like a living beast.

In no time at all, the huge hill of firewood was engulfed in golden flames. The dark square lit up as though the sun had risen again. Shadows danced wildly, and the warmth washed over the crowd.

The silence broke.

"Woooahhh!"

"Beast God bless us!"

Cheers erupted all around. Beastmen stomped their feet, roared toward the sky, females clapped, cubs squealed.

The entire atmosphere shook with excitement.

Su Qinglan blinked.

Her chest fluttered, a strange thrill rushing through her veins.

It was just fire. She had lit countless flames back in her previous world, even used it casually in her cooking.

And yet, her lips curved upward. She couldn’t help but feel swept along by their joy.

Her eyes sparkled in the firelight as she thought, Maybe the atmosphere is really contagious.

She let herself relax, enjoying the moment.

But then—

A soft giggle sounded right beside her ear.

Su Qinglan turned her head and froze.

Her eyes went wide, nearly popping out of her skull.

Bai Ling was leaning forward, kissing a beastman.

Not just a kiss on the cheek...oh no. A real, deep kiss.

Su Qinglan’s jaw dropped.