| GB | Naughty | 106
The heat of summer had arrived. Under the scorching sun, the tribal square and the trees lining the paths shimmered with dazzling light.
On the square, strong orcs sweated profusely as they moved back and forth, carrying things towards the planned residential area.
The weather was so hot that they chose to stop by the two wells near the square, drawing water to splash on their faces and bodies to alleviate the persistent heat.
These two wells had been dug about ten days ago, roughly a ten-minute walk from the residential area, making it convenient for the orcs to fetch water daily.
Looking ahead from the wells, one could see that the once flat residential area now had four rows of neatly built houses, their walls constructed from wood or fired clay bricks.
In the center of the residential area stood the largest courtyard. Unlike the rough and simple style of the other houses, its walls were covered with vines bearing beautiful flowers, exuding a strong sense of life and a touch of elegance. This was the residence of the chief and the priest.
Having settled here for a long time, the construction process was carried out with great care. The foundations were extremely solid, and with the increasing frequency of rain in the south after spring, the eaves were slanted to facilitate drainage.
In addition to the dwellings, the tribe had also established functional public buildings such as a large warehouse, a medical hut, and a training ground.
For instance, the medical hut was always staffed by a witch doctor, and any tribe member who fell ill or got injured could seek treatment there.
Within just half a year, the scale of each functional area in the tribe had begun to take shape, thanks to the diligent efforts of the orcs.
The southern region had a long rainy season, and the rain could come at any moment.
One moment, the sun was blazing high in the sky, and the orcs were groaning from the heat. The next, a heavy dark cloud gathered in the sky, and soon a fierce wind swept through, scattering leaves everywhere as a torrential downpour began.
The male orcs working in the square, relying on their strong physiques, were in no hurry to seek shelter from the rain. However, the female orcs, who were not as physically robust, ran back to the large sheds to take cover.
Amid the curtain of rain, a slender and agile figure broke through the surrounding commotion, causing the orcs who had been enjoying the coolness of the rain to fall silent and turn their gazes.
"Priest Bai—"
"Bai, the rain is heavy, don't run too fast!"
A’Li followed closely beside Yu Bai, protecting him. Although the ground of the square had been compacted, it still became muddy and slippery when it rained.
Yu Bai was dressed in a gray linen robe with a cross-collar and mid-length sleeves, tied at the waist with a rope knot, accentuating his slender and flexible figure.
He wore a bamboo hat and a rain cape styled like a vest, walking hurriedly. Several elderly orcs followed closely behind A’Li, panting as they ran.
Boom—
A clap of thunder, as if a command from the heavens, turned the raindrops into strings, cascading down the brim of the bamboo hat.
The mist of water hit Yu Bai's face, and he blinked, looking back at A’Li, who was following closely, and the elderly orcs who were struggling to keep up. His slightly pursed pink lips parted, and he couldn't help but smile.
He felt that it was somewhat incredulous that when he ran, they couldn't keep up with him.
A’Li opened a bark-made umbrella: "Bai, take this, don't get wet, or Big Huo will worry."
Yu Bai took the umbrella, and though he was still anxious, he finally stopped running.
The reason for his haste was his concern that the heavy rain might flood the farmland.
A month into summer, the rice seedlings had been growing well, and the rice ears had already started to turn yellow.
Although drainage ditches had been dug half a month ago, Yu Bai hadn't anticipated that the rainy season in this otherworldly southern region would be so prolonged and intense.
After several consecutive days of rain, the water level had risen, and the fields were saturated. If they weren't careful, the farmland they had so meticulously cared for could easily be flooded by this sudden downpour.
He led a few elderly orcs who managed the rice fields to inspect the situation. Before they arrived, the brothers Da He and Xiao He, former members of the Mountain Lynx tribe, had already brought a dozen female and sub-female orcs to the scene.
Da He and Xiao He were leading the orcs in urgently widening the drainage channels. Yu Bai looked at the overflowing water and patted his forehead: "Quick, go down and help."
The originally constructed channels were insufficient to handle such a massive amount of rain. At this moment, they needed to hurry and dig an additional drainage ditch.
A’Li grabbed him: "Bai, it's too muddy down there, stay here."
Yu Bai watched as Da He and Xiao He struggled to keep their eyes open against the rain, wiping their faces.
"This isn't working, A’Li, go back and call more tribe members to help."
A’Li hesitated, but Yu Bai raised his voice: "Go quickly, don't delay!"
The usually gentle and kind man had a stern expression for the first time, and A’Li felt the pressure of the priest’s authority.
He immediately ran back, and Yu Bai placed the umbrella on the ridge of the field, wading through the water to help.
The orcs, Da He and others, exclaimed in surprise, "Priest Bai!"
Yu Bai rolled up his robe and trousers, saying, "Let's dig as much as we can."
Da He and Xiao He exchanged glances, filled with admiration for him.
The two of them stopped advising and sped up the digging of the water channel.
—
The sound of rain continued as A’Li brought reinforcements.
He looked nervously at the dark-faced Big Huo, scratched his head, and then hid to the side.
The male orcs brought by Huo Duo'er quickly waded into the overflowing water to help. Yu Bai seemed to sense something, turned around, and through the curtain of water, met a pair of silver-gray orc eyes. He glanced away slightly guiltily.
Huo Duo'er raised his left hand, chanting softly. The totem on his arm seemed to come alive, and many vines from the surrounding mountains swept over, forming a large green protective canopy above Yu Bai's head.
The rain was blocked outside the vine canopy. Huo Duo'er stepped directly into the water and quickly pulled Yu Bai into his arms.
Yu Bai's arms were covered in mud, and he didn't dare to wrap them around Huo Duo'er.
He stammered, "I was afraid the fields would be ruined."
Yu Bai was easygoing, but he had an unusual stubbornness in certain aspects.
He liked to eat white rice, and if these fields were ruined, he might do something drastic in his desperation.
Although Huo Duo'er was somewhat angry, he wouldn't scold him for it.
"Let them handle it. If you get sick because of this, how many orcs will be lying outside your door tomorrow?"
With the addition of more than a dozen male orcs, the efficiency indeed increased significantly.
Yu Bai felt slightly reassured.
The orcs digging the water channel were very worried about Bai getting sick, fearing that he might be summoned back by the Orc God.
In the first few days of the transition from late spring to early summer, he had a high fever for two days, unconscious and no one had any motivation. Even Mian and several experienced old witches couldn't cure him.
Huo Duo'er was almost driven mad with worry, and the situation of the tribe wasn't much better. At that time, almost all the orcs of the tribe knelt outside the courtyard gate, weeping and begging the Orc God not to take Bai back.
Later, when Yu Bai woke up and learned about this, he was both amused and moved, but mostly heartbroken.
He was carried back to the courtyard by Huo Duo'er, Yu Bai had all his clothes stripped off and was wrapped in a fur blanket. Huo Duo'er then went to the kitchen to boil water.
Yu Bai quietly looked towards the door. The little wolf had taken Jinjin somewhere to play, and the house was silent.
His legs dangled off the end of the bed, swaying slightly. When he saw Huo Duo'er enter, he slowly curled his legs up and sat cross-legged.
Huo Duo'er remained silent, using a soft linen cloth soaked in hot water to wipe him down.
Yu Bai deliberately touched Huo Duo'er's stern and sharp eyebrows with his wet fingertips, scraping gently between them.
Huo Duo'er's expression softened. Yu Bai chuckled, his eyes curving like crescent moons, like a triumphant rabbit.
He leaned in, his lips close, and took the initiative to kiss Huo Duo'er.
Huo Duo'er's breath quickened. He threw aside the linen cloth, pulled Yu Bai onto his lap, and plunged into the warm, soft mouth, kneading him through the fur blanket.
Yu Bai shifted his hips and pushed slightly, his lips wet.
"Not angry anymore?"
Seeing him like this, Huo Duo'er swallowed all his emotions, his attention entirely on the blushing little face before him. He pressed his palm against Yu Bai, not letting him move around.
The orc, who was not very articulate, could only squeeze out one sentence.
"...Bai has become naughty."
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