Then Tang Ruan was worth focusing on developing.
But she was only an ordinary villager for now.
She had no skills at all.
He could only wait for her to grow slowly.
Zhao Chi checked Gu Qing's stats next.
Gu Qing's stats were perfectly normal, with all her values still high.
Perhaps because she was a hero, her stats had not dropped when she was born.
An idea suddenly occurred to Zhao Chi.
Could he still use Transplant Flowers, Connect Jade to transfer their stats?
He tried immediately.
But no matter how he tried, nothing happened.
That was only to be expected.
It seemed this talent had limitations of its own.
Before long, all the women had finished washing.
There were no towels available, so they walked to the bank dripping wet and let the water run off naturally.
They twisted their long hair tightly.
They quickly wrung out most of the water.
Then they gave it a shake, and that was that.
Just then, Gu Qing came bouncing over.
"My lord, everyone has finished washing. Let's head back."
Zhao Chi nodded. "All right. Lead everyone back. I'll cover the rear."
"Of course. Thank you, my lord."
All the women carried their tools.
They made their way back cautiously.
Zhao Chi really was covering the rear.
After all, the back of the group was particularly dangerous.
Before long, they returned safely.
Once the women returned, they began making clothes.
They carefully took apart Zhao Chi's bedsheet and duvet cover.
Then they divided up the work.
They sewed them into little garments.
The cotton inside the quilt was useful too. It could be compressed and stitched into shoe soles, allowing them to make a pair of cloth shoes for everyone.
Zhao Chi also had a sewing skill.
But he did not need to handle such simple sewing himself.
He had a more important job.
Cooking.
He needed to help these villagers leave their newly born state as soon as possible.
"Gu Qing, I'm going to the river to fetch some water for porridge. Keep an eye on things here."
Gu Qing was crouching on the ground, sewing.
When she heard Zhao Chi, she handed her work to the woman beside her.
"My lord, are you going alone? Wouldn't that be dangerous? I'll go with you."
Zhao Chi shook his head. "No need. They need you more here. The river isn't far. I'll be back soon."
Gu Qing thought for a moment, then said, "Tang Ruan, go with our lord. With two of you, you can look out for each other."
Tang Ruan set aside the fabric in her hands.
She stood up and said, "All right, Sister Gu. My lord, let me go with you."
Zhao Chi considered it. That would work too.
So Zhao Chi carried the pot and brought his machete.
Tang Ruan carried a basin and armed herself with a fishing spear.
The two walked side by side.
Now that she was out alone with Zhao Chi, Tang Ruan was actually a little more relaxed.
She did not try quite so hard to cover herself.
She seemed to be trying to act as carefree as Gu Qing.
But she was clearly still shy, her cheeks flushed the entire time.
Zhao Chi thought about it. This was not ideal.
"Tang Ruan, wait a moment."
Zhao Chi stopped and set the pot on the grass.
"Oh, all right."
Tang Ruan obediently stopped.
She watched Zhao Chi curiously.
Then she saw that Zhao Chi was actually taking off his clothes.
Tang Ruan's eyes widened in shock.
What... was Lord Zhao Chi trying to do?
It's just the two of us here. Surely he isn't going to...
At that thought, Tang Ruan stared blankly at Zhao Chi, standing there at a complete loss.
Zhao Chi took off his outer garment, leaving only a tank top on.
"All right, here you go."
Tang Ruan stared at him nervously. "Go? Go where? My lord, do you... do you want... want me?"
"Huh?" Zhao Chi held out his jacket. "No, I'm giving you this."
Didn't that mean the same thing?
Tang Ruan took the garment numbly.
She furrowed her brows and bit her lip.
She looked pitifully at Zhao Chi.
Puzzled, Zhao Chi asked, "What's wrong? Why that expression? Don't you like my clothes? Once we've hunted some wild beasts, we can make you something new out of their hides."
"It's not that I don't like the clothes..."
Tang Ruan still hesitated.
Maybe... I should give in to him?
Her obedient nature seemed to have taken over.
At last, she sighed softly.
Her body relaxed as though she had resigned herself to her fate.
She set down the basin, then spread Zhao Chi's jacket flat on the grass.
Then she slowly lay down on it.
She squeezed her eyes shut, her whole body trembling with nerves.
Zhao Chi stared at her in astonishment.
"What are you doing?"
Huh?
Tang Ruan opened her eyes.
She saw Zhao Chi's expression, torn between laughter and exasperation.
"My lord, you..."
"I wanted you to put the clothes on. Why did you lie down? Are you tired?"
"Huh? Huh?!"
Tang Ruan cried out, then covered her face tightly with both hands.
Zhao Chi saw that her cheeks and neck had turned pink.
Was she embarrassed?
She was rather cute.
"Oh no... oh no..."
Tang Ruan stood up, her face bright red.
She picked up Zhao Chi's jacket and quickly put it on.
"Thank you for the clothes, my lord."
Zhao Chi smiled. "You're welcome. Let's get going."
"Mm... oh, honestly..."
Before you continue