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Jian Mo observed Ji Xun's expression and found that his complexion was rosy and his eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, so he didn't seem to be in any discomfort. Jane couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

Ji Xun enthusiastically washed his hands and prepared to roast the bird for them.

Jian Mo then noticed an overturned, tattered basket by the door, and underneath it was a large bird, about the size of a duck, which looked quite plump.

Ji Xun picked up the bird with one hand and carried it aside to deal with it.

Jian Mo wanted to go over and help, but he avoided her, saying, "No need, I can handle it."

Ji Xun clearly had experience dealing with this kind of bird; he was very skilled at bleeding it and plucking its feathers.

Judging from his nimble movements, he shouldn't be feeling unwell; at least he seems to be doing alright right now.

Ji Xun quickly dealt with the bird, carried it into the house, found some bottles and jars, mixed honey powder and spice powder into a paste, applied it evenly inside and outside the wild bird, and rubbed it for a while.

He mixed the remaining spice paste with stems and stuffed it into the bird's belly. Then he hung the bird in a large earthenware jar with a horizontal bar in the middle, placed the jar over the fire pit to roast it, and piled embers around the jar.

Jian Mo looked at the large earthenware pot, which seemed to resemble a prototype of some kind of oven. "Where did this large earthenware pot come from?"

Ji Xun: "I specially ordered these from the Tianning Tribe. They're quite useful, but they crack easily. I've already had two large pottery jars crack this year. I don't know if this third one will last until next year."

Jian Mo calculated for a moment. "That depends on how often you use it in the fall and winter."

Ji Xun laughed, "I think it's unlikely."

Jian Mo: "You said it yourself, I didn't."

The three men sat by the fire pit chatting about recent events.

When Ji Xun heard that they had gone to the Dense Forest Tribe, he was very envious. "I used to want to travel, but I could never find the opportunity. There was always something else I had to do."

Jian Mo: "Then from now on, the tribes in this area will communicate more and more, and it will be safer. It might be easier to go out in the future."

Ji Xun nodded in agreement. "I've also sensed this trend."

While they were chatting, the bird meat was cooked, Ji Xun took it out and divided it among them.

Jian Mo watched Ji Xun a single cut, the golden skin of the bird meat was sliced open, and the abundant juices inside flowed out. It looked very tender and smelled delicious.

Ji Xun cut the bird meat, then scooped out the stems and divided the meat and stems into three portions, one for each person.

Jian Mo took a bite. "Delicious!"

Ji Xun winked smugly. "This is one of my best dishes."

Jian Mo gave a thumbs up. "Delicious, and it's convenient to eat this way too."

Ji Xun: "Yes, if I were alone, I could roast a bird like this and eat it all day."

Jian Mo watched him eat, and he didn't seem to be feeling unwell at all.

On the contrary, his appetite seemed to be better than that of an average person.

Ji Xun noticed Jian Mo's gaze. "What's wrong?"

Jian Mo organized her thoughts. "Actually, we came here because of Zhou Zhi's request. He felt you weren't feeling well, so he asked us to come and check on you."

Ji Xun paused for a moment. "Did he notice?"

Jian Mo nodded.

Ji Xun: "I'm not feeling unwell. Could you please tell him for me that you thank him?"

Jian Mo thought for a moment, "Have you always been fine, or were you feeling unwell before but are you feeling better now?"

Ji Xun reached out and touched her belly. "I wasn't feeling well for a while a few days ago, but it wasn't for any other reason than that I'm pregnant."

Jian Mo hadn't expected this reason. "Huh?"

Ji Xun smiled somewhat sheepishly, "Keep it a secret for me."

Jian Mo immediately agreed, "Don't worry, we won't say anything."

Then, Jian Mo asked, "If you're pregnant, do you need to get checked out? Like, a prenatal checkup or something."

Ji Xun put the plate aside, looking somewhat conflicted. "Actually, I haven't decided whether I want this baby or not."

Jian Mo was even more surprised, and he glanced at Wu Jiong.

Wu Jiong stood up. "You guys chat, I'm going outside for a walk."

Ji Xun didn't try to stop him. "Thank you."

When only the two of them were left in the room, Ji Xun organized his thoughts and said, "You know I don't like interacting with people, so I live alone in the mountains."

Jian Mo nodded to indicate that she understood.

Ji Xun smiled and said, "I've gotten used to being on the mountain, but it would be a bit pitiful to leave the little one all alone with me on the mountain."

Jian Mo: "So you don't dislike the little one, you just doubt whether you can raise him well?"

Ji Xun: "I'm also wondering if I need to change my lifestyle. You know, making the decision to live alone in the mountains wasn't easy. If I have a child, whether I come down the mountain or not, it will disrupt my life as a single person."

Ji Xun frowned and said with difficulty, "I can't quite explain what I'm thinking, but I'm facing huge changes and difficult choices right now. I'm not sure what kind of life I really want—"

Jian Mo sat facing him, feet touching. "Perhaps you have your own philosophy of life, and you're unsure whether you want to change it."

Ji Xun: "Although I didn't understand, I think I get what you mean."

Jian Mo: "Just bear with it; expressing yourself is always difficult."

Ji Xun: "That's roughly the gist of it. I'm still not sure whether I should have the baby."

Jian Mo's expression turned serious. "If you don't want it, are you going to abort the baby in your belly?"

Ji Xun nodded. "Yes, my tribe had abortion pills, and I also know of several other abortion pills."

Jian Mo: "I remember there are always risks?"

Ji Xun: "It's okay, I'm healthy, I can pull through."

Jian Mo said seriously, "Even if you're healthy, the risks of taking medication are significant. The further along the pregnancy, the greater the risks you face—you need to make a decision as soon as possible."