Come, Mom Hugs

Cai'er gathered the scattered dry grass again, carefully laying it in another clean corner, arranging it into a "bed" thicker than before.

The mess in the hut was gradually cleaned up through their silent cooperation.

Afterward, Saint Cai'er carried a worn-out clay pot and walked towards the nearby stream.

When she returned, her fingertips were stained with clear water droplets, and the pot was filled with washed wild fruit.

She carefully picked through them, offering the largest, reddest, and seemingly sweetest fruit to Long Xuanye.

"Xuanye, you eat."

Long Xuanye's movements paused.

He looked at the ripe, plump wild fruit before him, somewhat lost in thought.

In his memory, no matter how good something was, he and Bai Yue would always prioritize Long Haochen.

After all, Haochen was truly a very, very good child...

As a transmigator with an adult soul, he naturally wouldn't dwell on such things.

But at this moment, the taste of this wild fruit...

He took a gentle bite.

Sweet juice burst on his tongue tip.

"So sweet." Cai'er's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Long Xuanye's heart stirred. Yes, it was very sweet.

After tidying up the hut, the two began to divide their tasks again.

Long Xuanye walked to the edge of the forest and set up a simple trap with a few branches and vines.

Before long, a plump wild rabbit stumbled into it.

On the other side, Cai'er searched through the ruins of the hut.

She actually found half a bag of leftover rice and flour, and a small jar of unbroken salt.

There were even a few dried wild fruit jams pressed under the rubble.

When it was time to cook, Long Xuanye seemed a bit at a loss. In his previous life, he only ordered takeout. After transmigrating, although Bai Yue was frail, she was still capable of cooking, so Long Xuanye never had to be the main chef.

Unexpectedly, Cai'er had a great talent for this.

She chopped the wild rabbit meat into small pieces and blanched it to remove the gamey smell.

Then, she added it to the pot with the rice and flour and cooked it into porridge.

Finally, she carefully drizzled two spoonfuls of wild fruit jam over it.

A scent of sweet and sour meat instantly filled the entire hut.

As soon as the porridge was ready, Cai'er served a bowl first and offered it to Long Xuanye with both hands.

Her eyes held a hint of anticipation.

"Xuanye, try it. Is it delicious?"

Long Xuanye scooped up a spoonful.

The warm porridge slid down his throat, coated with the aroma of meat and fruit, instantly warming his stomach.

He nodded vigorously.

"It's delicious!"

Cai'er immediately revealed a sweet smile, a bit of dark red jam accidentally smearing the corner of her mouth.

Long Xuanye smiled and reached out a fingertip, gently wiping it away for her.

She shyly lowered her head and quickly added another large spoonful of porridge to Long Xuanye's bowl.

After eating their fill, the sky had completely darkened.

The two found a pond, boiled some hot water, and hastily washed up, preparing to rest.

Long Xuanye had intended to sleep on the other side of the haystack, maintaining some distance from her.

But Cai'er tugged at his clothes.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the hut roof, casting a few rays of clear radiance, which happened to fall on the small hand holding his clothes.

Her voice was very soft, carrying a hint of weariness.

"Come here, Mama will hold you."

Long Xuanye froze completely.

He looked at the girl's half-closed eyes in the moonlight. Those gray pupils held no impurities, only pure, wanting closeness and dependence.

Cai'er's breathing was incredibly clear.

It synchronized with Long Xuanye's heartbeat.

Speechless, truly speechless.

A flutter in his heart... perhaps a little.

Especially since not long ago, the two had just washed up in a nearby stream, and she still carried a faint scent of soap bean and green grass.

Under the bright moonlight, the maiden's silver long hair cascaded like a waterfall onto the haystack, emitting a soft glow. She slightly tilted her delicate little face, arms outstretched, her appearance...

A thought flashed through Long Xuanye's mind.

This wasn't a sister at all, but clearly an incredibly cute, incredibly perfect cushion.

He sighed helplessly, his voice carrying a indulgence he hadn't even noticed himself.

"Okay, brother is coming over."

Cai'er didn't correct his address, merely smiled contentedly, and after he lay down, she naturally opened her small arms and hugged his waist.

So soft.

The maiden's body was light and soft, pressing against him, bringing a peculiar sensation.

Long Xuanye's body was firm and warm. Held by him like this, Cai'er felt an unprecedented peace, as if she had found the safest harbor.

Perhaps she was truly too tired from the day.

This time, Cai'er didn't hum a lullaby to coax him like she had in the cave. Instead, she unconsciously patted his back gently while snuggling her little head into his embrace.

Her breathing soon became steady and deep.

She had fallen asleep.

Held by the maiden like this, Long Xuanye's heart was filled with peace. The fatigue from days of travel and combat seemed to be quietly smoothed away at this moment.

Aside from not being able to play on his phone, isn't this... also quite good?

Just as he was about to close his eyes, a deep blue light screen flashed before his eyes.

[God-Tier Choice System triggered—Fixed Mission Mode]

[Choice 1: Immediately escape with Cai'er]

[Reward: 2 points External Spirit Power]

[Choice 2: Annihilate the Devil Race squad]

[Reward: 0.5 points Innate Dark Inner Spiritual Power]

Long Xuanye's gaze suddenly sharpened.

He slowly, carefully withdrew his arm from Cai'er's embrace, his movements as gentle as if he feared disturbing a butterfly's wings.

Cai'er seemed to trust him completely, sleeping soundly, not even a frown creasing her brow.

Looking at her serene and peaceful sleeping face, Long Xuanye felt a pang of emotion.

Perhaps in all the years of wandering in the wilderness, she had never truly slept so soundly.

He stood up on tiptoe and walked outside the door.

The night wind was cool, stirring the tips of his hair.

He gazed at the dilapidated hut, which, because of the girl's presence, was filled with warmth. He then looked back at Cai'er, who was asleep.

His gaze gradually firmed.

The Devil Race again? They're probably still searching in the direction of this abandoned town.

I'm sorry, Cai'er. I don't want to do anything that would make you sad.

You guys...

Just die far away.

The night wind grew cooler.

Long Xuanye walked towards the border for about five minutes.

From the shadows of the forest, five figures slowly emerged.

Leading the group was a third-tier Bone Erosion Demon, its emaciated body covered in bone spurs, its scarlet eyes glinting in the darkness.

Behind it, a Rotting Mist Demon, a Sharp Claw Demon, a Dark Arrow Demon, and a Shadow Demon lined up, all third-tier.

It was the exact same configuration as the group from earlier that day.

Only the leader's strength was a little weaker.

The Bone Erosion Demon let out a hoarse, unpleasant laugh upon seeing only Long Xuanye standing under the moonlight.

"Just a kid?"

"You're not running, and you dare to come here to die?"

Long Xuanye remained silent.

He slowly raised his hand and grasped the short blade at his waist.

Clang--

A soft chime, and the moonlight spilled onto the blade, reflecting a silvery-white clear radiance.

Inner Spiritual Power had already gathered.

Pure White Blade.

He flicked his wrist slightly.