| GB | Don't Sleep Naked | 6
The rhythmic pounding of a stone pestle echoed through the courtyard. Huo Duo’er occasionally glanced outside, vaguely making out a small, indistinct shadow.
He listened carefully, recognizing the sounds of the sub-female standing up, taking a few steps, and then lifting the lid of the stone pot.
The firelight illuminated a corner of the courtyard, and the rich aroma of fruit filled the air.
Looking at the pot full of simmered fruit chunks, now cooked to a soft, mushy consistency, Yu Bai dipped a wooden chopstick into it, blew on it to cool it down, and tasted it. The flavor was acceptable, it was ready to be taken off the fire.
This time, he had turned all the fruit into jam. After finishing, he filled two jars—one to keep for himself and the other to give to A’Li.
Yu Bai returned to his previous spot, raised his arm again, and continued pounding the beans with the stone pestle.
The beans could be ground into flour for storage. While he had accepted the gift this time, he knew he couldn't rely on such generosity in the future.
He needed to try venturing farther to gather beans on his own.
Yu Bai sighed softly at the starry night sky.
At night, as usual, he cooked a pot of meat soup, sprinkling a few green vegetable leaves on top.
Yu Bai prepared two bowls, one large and one small, handing the bigger one to Huo Duo’er.
Orc food was simple—mostly meat, with little else stored.
Blowing on his soup, Yu Bai slowly took a few sips, his mind still preoccupied with gathering beans.
He was somewhat absent-minded, while Huo Duo’er drank his soup in silence. Neither spoke.
That night, strong winds howled against the stone house, rustling through the night.
Yu Bai lay curled up in the corner of his small bed, tossing and turning, wrapping himself tightly in the beast pelt.
Tonight was even colder than the previous nights. His hands and feet were freezing, so he had no choice but to fumble in the dark, grabbing a few logs from the corner, along with some dry bark and moss. Striking his flint, he sparked a flame, feeding the burning moss into the firewood pile.
Once the fire caught, Yu Bai stretched out his limbs near the flames, warming up before crawling back onto his bed.
He lay with his back to the stone bed, unaware that Huo Duo’er had already sat up, silently "watching" his silhouette.
Staring blankly at the night sky through the empty rooftop, Yu Bai suddenly heard a noise outside in the courtyard.
His heart tightened as he raised the torch and stood behind the door.
The courtyard wall had yet to be repaired, which made Yu Bai uneasy.
His home was on the outskirts of the tribe. While large beasts were unlikely to appear, smaller predators occasionally passed through. Now, during the autumn season when animals were stocking up on food, many creatures roamed at night in search of something to eat.
The old gray sheep orc had built the stone wall to keep wild animals out. But now that half of it had collapsed, any beast could easily break into the courtyard.
If the animal didn’t find food, would it try to break through the door? And break another thing that hadn’t been properly fixed?
As his thoughts spiraled, Yu Bai’s arms weakened, and his heartbeat quickened.
Just as his anxiety peaked, a deep voice suddenly rumbled above his head.
“Bai, don’t be afraid.”
Startled, Yu Bai turned around abruptly, only to realize that at some point, Huo Duo’er had silently appeared behind him.
Now fully standing, Huo Duo’er seemed incredibly tall. Yu Bai had to tilt his head back just to see the rough stubble on the orc’s jawline.
His gaze slowly leveled out, landing awkwardly at the height of Huo Duo’er’s upper abdomen.
Yu Bai: “……”
Seeing Huo Duo’er start to move, his eyelid twitched, and he quickly whispered, “Wait.”
“Huo Duo’er, bend your waist a little and take a few steps forward, your head is about to hit the roof beam.”
Huo Duo’er stopped, listening to him, then slightly lowered his neck and waist.
For the past few days, Yu Bai had been applying medicine to him, so Huo Duo’er had been lying down nude. Occasionally when he sat up, he had a beast pelt covering him.
But now, as Huo Duo’er got out of bed, his waist and hips were completely exposed—he hadn’t grabbed the pelt to cover himself.
The giant orc was simply too tall. Yu Bai’s gaze wavered, hesitantly looking down from the sculpted muscles of his upper abdomen. Then, as realization struck, his breath hitched.
He instinctively took a few steps back. His mind buzzed, his body jolting in shock as he stumbled against the wooden door.
Heart pounding, Yu Bai hastily lowered his head, staring fixedly at the dirt floor.
But it was too late. His mind was already filled with that lingering shadowy image, impossible to dispel.
How did this orc grow like this…?
Huo Duo’er glanced sideways. “Bai?”
Yu Bai kept his eyes on the dirt floor and said, “Your leg injury hasn’t fully healed yet. Why did you get up?”
Then, after a moment of hesitation, he mumbled, “And… why didn’t you cover yourself with something…”
Hearing the evasiveness in the sub-female’s voice, Huo Duo’er thought for a moment, then turned his back toward the stone bed and pulled the animal pelt over his lower body.
His injuries had mostly healed, and moving around a little didn’t cause any issues.
Huo Duo’er refocused on the blurry shadow outside. “Bai, I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”
Yu Bai let out a breath of relief and responded vaguely.
Clearing his throat, he said, “If there’s nothing else, let’s go back to sleep.”
Then, he quickly jogged back to his bed and lay down and deliberately turning his back to Huo Duo’er, afraid he might catch another glimpse of something big he shouldn’t see.
The autumn wind howled through the night, and strange sounds echoed beyond the broken stone walls.
—
Yu Bai slept uneasily, his dreams especially chaotic.
One moment, he heard the shrill cries of wild beasts; the next, he realized his food supplies were running dangerously low. Panicked, he scrambled to search for more, reaching out desperately to grab whatever he could.
Then, the scene abruptly shifted.
He found himself sitting on the powerful legs of the giant orc.
That orc was huge, his body towering and impossibly strong.
Yu Bai looked down, only to see a dark, tangled forest, damp with moisture—overlapping eerily with the unnatural sight he had glimpsed in the daytime.
And his hand… was reaching toward it.
—
With a startled yelp, Yu Bai jolted awake, rolling off his bed while still clutching the animal pelt.
He hit the ground with a thud, cradling the back of his head in pain.
As the sting subsided, a wave of heat surged up his face. Flustered, he turned his back to the bed, cautiously peeking in the other direction.
Huo Duo’er appeared to have just woken up, his expression laced with confusion as he "looked" in Yu Bai’s direction.
“Bai, what happened?”
Yu Bai pressed his hands against his burning cheeks, shaking his head forcefully to rid himself of the lingering fragments of that absurd dream.
“N-nothing.”
Huo Duo’er remained silent.
Though his vision was impaired, his sense of hearing and smell were far sharper. Within moments, he picked up on a faint, lingering scent.
Yu Bai guiltily averted his gaze.
He cautiously turned his head back, only relaxing when he saw that Huo Duo’er didn’t seem to react. Suppressing his embarrassment, he climbed out of bed, grabbed a worn-out linen robe, and quickly changed into it. Then, gathering up the soiled garment, he hurried to the riverbank to wash it.
Standing in the small courtyard, Yu Bai wrung the water out of the damp robe and hung it on the wooden drying rack. He stared at it in a daze, caught between joy and distress.
He had always been weak and sickly since childhood, constantly plagued by illness. Because of that, he had never experienced such a natural, physical reaction before.
This was the first time.
The fact that his body was finally functioning like a normal person filled him with happiness.
But at the same time, his face burned with shame—because the figure in his dream bore a striking resemblance to Huo Duo’er.
Even though such dreams were merely unconscious responses influenced by hormones, standing before an oblivious Huo Duo’er still made him feel unbearably guilty and ashamed.
As the morning mist of autumn lifted, the sunlight gradually warmed the air.
After composing himself, Yu Bai picked up a basin of water and slowly made his way back to the house.
“Huo Duo’er, use this water to wash up. After we eat, I need to head out for a bit.”
As he spoke, Yu Bai rubbed the tip of his nose and couldn’t help but sneeze.
He hadn’t slept well the entire night, leaving him groggy—and now, he had caught a cold.
Huo Duo’er tilted his head slightly, listening carefully. Yu Bai’s voice was hoarse.
Huo Duo’er didn't consider the common cold a real illness, but the fact that a slight night breeze had made Yu Bai sick made him doubt whether such a small sub-female could properly take care of himself.
“Bai, you’re sick.”
Yu Bai took a deep breath. “I’m fine.”
Even as he said that, he didn’t dare neglect his weak body. After breakfast, he brewed some herbal medicine and drank it, then took the opportunity to check Huo Duo’er’s injuries.
What he found astonished him.
Huo Duo’er’s recovery ability was remarkable—even the most severe wound on his shoulder had already fully scabbed over.
Examining the giant’s overall condition, Yu Bai couldn’t see any signs of lingering illness or weakness.
Yu Bai murmured, “You’re recovering really well… and fast.”
There was an unmistakable hint of envy in his tone.
When he first saw Huo Duo’er—his imposing physique, those powerful muscles, and that strikingly tattooed arm, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t intimidated.
But after spending time with him, Yu Bai realized that despite his cold and stoic appearance, Huo Duo’er wasn’t actually scary. He was just quiet, and his personality was surprisingly decent. That only made Yu Bai admire his strong, healthy body even more.
Sensing Yu Bai’s slight dejection, Huo Duo’er called out, “Bai, what are you thinking about?”
Yu Bai shook his head. “I just got a little distracted. I need to bring some fruit jam to A’Li, and then I’ll be heading to the main city of the tribe. I’ll be back later.”
He set a bowl of water nearby and carefully took one of Huo Duo’er’s fingers and guided it to the rim of the ceramic bowl.
“There’s water here. If you get thirsty, just take it yourself.”
After giving a few more instructions, he glanced at the sky—by now, the sun had fully risen. It was time to go.
Huo Duo’er gave a low, acknowledging hum.
Then, he added, “Be careful on the road.”
Yu Bai smiled, slinging a basket of herbs over his back while holding a jar of fruit jam as he left.
—
He arrived at A’Li’s home, but both A’Li and his father were out working, leaving behind A’Li’s mother.
A month ago, A’Li’s mother had barely escaped with her life after being bitten on the ear by a mountain rhinoceros while out in the wild. It was Yu Bai who helped stop the bleeding and prevent the infection from spreading.
Now, the female beast’s ear, which had once been severely injured, was missing half of it, but at least her life had been spared.
She greeted Yu Bai warmly, inviting him inside for some food.
Yu Bai shyly smiled, handing her the jar. “I brought some fruit jam for you. I need to head to the main city later.”
A’Li’s mother, smiling, commented, “A’Li always has such a sweet tooth.”
Then, with gratitude, she added, “The herbs you gave me worked wonders. My ear is nearly healed now. Thank you.”
Yu Bai smiled modestly. “I’m glad I could help.”
He continued, “The jam is easy to make. You just peel and wash the fruit you’ve gathered, cut it into pieces, and stew it in a pot. You don’t need to add anything. Once it’s soft, pack it into jars that are completely dried. If you want it sweet, just use fully ripened fruit.”
A’Li’s mom said, “Bai, you really know a lot. We didn’t know any of this.”
Yu Bai’s face, hidden beneath his messy hair, warmed slightly. “It’s nothing special.”
On the Wild Continent, strength was revered. As a small and weak "sub-female," Yu Bai had always been looked down upon until now.
Aside from the old gray sheep orc, A'Li’s family had been the kindest to him, and Yu Bai cherished their friendship deeply.
A’Li’s mom observed him thoughtfully. “Has that giant woken up?”
Yu Bai’s long eyelashes fluttered as he nodded. “Yes, he’s already able to get out of bed.”
A’Li’s mom's eyes widened with surprise, her gaze lingering on him a little longer than before.
Yu Bai glanced at the sky. “I really should head to the main city. I’ll come visit you and A’Li again another time.”
A’Li’s mom nodded quickly. “Alright, but make sure to take care of yourself.”
Yu Bai smiled and nodded, quickly heading on his way.
By the afternoon, he entered the main city area of the tribe.
The surrounding walls were built with large, sturdy stones, forming a high and tight protective barrier.
Upon passing through the stone gates, the muddy path was lined with male orcs patrolling with wooden forks. Rows of houses, built from wood or stone, stretched out, and the dirt road in between was wide enough for seven or eight orcs to walk side by side.
At this time, most of the male orcs had gone out, leaving the females to handle various tasks, with even the young cubs helping to carry firewood.
The entire orc district had a uniform structure, and at its very center stood the residence of the high priest.
Yu Bai, carrying his basket, finally arrived at the wooden house where the priest lived. He had yet to knock when he was stopped by a patrolling male orc.
Seeing Yu Bai’s small and frail figure, the male orc didn’t take him seriously. He sneered and said, “Are you a sub-female outsider?”
Yu Bai nodded. “I’m here to see the high priest. I wanted to ask if the priest accepts herbs.”
A few male orcs glanced at his basket. “Are you a witch doctor?”
They laughed dismissively. “You should just leave. The high priest is blessed by the beast gods. He prays to the gods and can heal all orcs. The tricks of witch doctors won’t fool the great priest.”
“Last time, a witch doctor came too, and the priest drove him away.”
“The priest went to the Chì tribe. He’s not here.”
“If you don’t want to get beaten, get lost.”
Yu Bai listened to the male orc’s words, and to avoid further trouble, he decided to leave for now.
—
By evening, the wind had picked up, and the sun had set much earlier than usual.
Yu Bai braved the autumn chill, picking up a stick along the way, tapping it as he made his way back to the small courtyard, nearly stumbling in the dark.
Inside, the room was dimly lit. He stepped in to find Huo Duo’er sitting on the stone bed, not far from a fire.
Yu Bai sneezed, surprised. “Did you start the fire?”
Huo Duo’er nodded. “Mhm.”
Yu Bai blinked. “I put away the flint. You…”
Huo Duo'er said, “I drilled some wood and started a fire.”
Yu Bai fell silent.
Drilling wood to start a fire was quite labor-intensive and depended a lot on luck. Huo Duo’er clearly wasn’t lacking in strength, and he also had the skill to make fire.
Yu Bai fiddled with the basket’s vine straps, and the disappointment from his fruitless trip seemed to vanish in an instant.
He said, “I originally planned to trade herbs for some animal hides with the priest, but I overheard them saying the priest doesn’t really like witch doctors.”
Yu Bai rubbed his nose and sat down in front of the fire, warming his hands.
“But now it doesn’t seem that bad. If this method doesn’t work, I’ll find another way.”
Huo Duo’er’s gaze shifted slightly, and just then, Yu Bai held his mouth, unable to stop himself from sneezing loudly.
Yu Bai muttered, “...I caught a cold again.”
As soon as his words fell, the world around him darkened, and a thick animal blanket was suddenly draped tightly over him.
It seemed Huo Duo’er meant well, but since he couldn’t see, he had wrapped Yu Bai up entirely.
Yu Bai reached out and pulled the animal blanket aside, offering a somewhat awkward smile. “Huo Duo’er, thank you for your kindness…”
He paused, his gaze falling on the empty stone bed, and suddenly yanked the blanket further away.
This was the blanket Huo Duo’er usually used, often covering his body when lying down.
Yu Bai’s face and ears immediately flushed red. He quickly pulled the blanket away and glanced down, and sure enough, he saw the bare body of Huo Duo’er.
Huo Duo’er appeared completely unconcerned, as most orcs weren’t particularly sensitive about modesty.
Yu Bai coughed awkwardly to cover his embarrassment and tossed the blanket back toward him.
“Huo Duo’er, you… don’t lay there naked…”
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