| GB | I Remember | 127 | Ex. 3
The scorching sun blazed overhead, filling the tribe with a restless energy.
As Xiu had predicted, the bonfire gathering resulted in the pairing of over a hundred orc couples. With these unions formed, the usual frictions and conflicts among the male orcs eased significantly. During their rest periods, most of them were busy spending time with their newfound partners, trying to win their favor.
As for the male orcs who hadn't managed to find a partner, they were consumed with envy and worked even harder. When they gathered at the square for meals, they wore only short linen pants around their waists, flaunting their muscles in an attempt to showcase their impressive physiques and attract the attention of single female orcs.
Within just a few days, the square in the afternoon was filled with bare-chested, muscular men. The female and sub-female orcs waiting for their meals couldn't help but blush.
However, despite their bold display, these male orcs were strictly forbidden from actively harassing or forcing themselves on others. Violating this rule would result in severe punishment.
As for the female and sub-female orcs, although their faces were flushed, they still couldn't help but steal glances. Even those who were already paired up would take a moment to look.
Yu Bai had avoided the square for several days, taking a detour each time he returned to the tribe from the fields or the gathering area. He was too shy to look at such scenes, and even if he did, it would provoke Huo Duo'er's intense jealousy.
Huo Duo'er wasn't the type to voice his jealousy. Instead, he would express it through his actions in bed at night.
The physical disparity between the two was evident. No matter how much Yu Bai trained, he couldn't bridge the innate gap.
Yu Bai dared to provoke Huo Duo'er only because he knew the other would be considerate. If Huo Duo'er were to act recklessly, Yu Bai would be confined to their room for days.
On his way, Yu Bai encountered the Da He and Xiao He sisters, who were returning from the fields.
The two sisters were ardent admirers of the priest. Every time they saw Yu Bai, they would enthusiastically greet him. As usual, Xiao He cheerfully called out, "Priest Bai~"
Yu Bai waved his hand, "Xiao He, Da He."
He recalled how the sisters had looked when they first escaped from the Heiyao tribe—thin, dark, and haggard, with large but lifeless eyes.
Now, they had regained much of their health. Their eyes sparkled, their faces had filled out, and they used the ointment Yu Bai had taught them to make, which had helped fade their scars and slightly lightened their skin tone.
Their hair was no longer a tangled mess. They combed it daily with bone combs and tied it up with hemp rope, giving them a more spirited appearance.
Xiao He had recently started seeing a male orc and was still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase. She idolized the priest and poured out her heart, ultimately deciding to follow Yu Bai's advice to spend more time together.
Da He, however, was unusually quiet on the way back. Yu Bai had to call her name two or three times before she snapped out of her thoughts.
Yu Bai asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Da He shook her head and smiled, "No, no, Priest Bai, don't worry about me."
Xiao He sighed worriedly upon hearing her sister’s words.
After Da He returned to their house, while she was busy cooking, Xiao He quietly slipped out and ran to the central courtyard in the residential area.
Yu Bai heard the door creak and put down the vegetable leaves he was holding. As he passed Huo Duo'er, he deliberately pressed his damp hand against the man's tattooed arm, leaving a few water droplets.
Huo Duo'er remained still, silently indulging him, finding his Bai's actions utterly endearing.
Opening the door, Yu Bai saw Xiao He returning once again. He led the person into the courtyard, had them sit down, and softly asked, "Is there something on your mind?"
He had sensed earlier that there seemed to be some issues between the two sisters, but since Da He and Xiao He didn't bring it up, he didn't press further.
Xiao He hung her head, dejected, and said, "Priest Bai, Da He respects you and listens to you. There's something I'd like you to help me persuade her about..."
After Xiao He explained the situation, Yu Bai frowned, "So Da He has been carrying this burden all along."
**
In the past, the lynx tribe, as slaves of Heiyao, lived in great misery. Especially the female orcs, who suffered severe physical and mental oppression and deprivation.
Da He often took Xiao He's place when the orcs of Heiyao vented their bestial desires, enduring injuries to protect her younger sister.
As a result, Da He had been pregnant several times before, but due to the severe physical trauma she endured, all pregnancies ended in miscarriage.
Now, through hard work and diligence, the two sisters have managed to live a more stable life and have even gained the trust of the priests and elders.
Xiao He hopes that Da He can find a good partner. Such a good elder sister shouldn't have to bear those pains alone, shutting out all the orcs who wish her well.
But no matter how Xiao He tries to persuade her, Da He can't seem to overcome the mental barrier.
Xiao He, holding back her heartache, tears welling up in her eyes, said, "Da He, because she can no longer bear offspring, with all those scars and her lame left leg... she just refuses to accept any other orc."
She sniffled, "Priest Bai, even if Da He doesn't accept any orc, I'm fine with it, it's nothing... We sisters can live well together for a lifetime. But seeing her shut herself off like this, my heart... it hurts so much."
Yu Bai was quiet for a moment, surprised that the usually reserved and steady Da He carried such a deep wound.
He nodded slightly, "I understand, don't worry, I'll talk to her."
After seeing Xiao He off, Yu Bai felt somewhat down.
Huo Duo'er served the cooked meal on the table, washed his hands, and then held Yu Bai in his arms, sitting him on his lap to look at him carefully.
"Bai, don't think about it too much"
"I'm not, it's just that after hearing Xiao He's words, I feel a bit emotional."
He sighed, leaning his face against the sturdy chest, absentmindedly playing with Huo Duo'er's fingers.
"Da He often works with me, and I didn't notice her issues. If Xiao He hadn't brought it up this time and let this go on, Da He might get sick."
He pointed to his heart, "Mental illness is hard to cure, and in severe cases, it can be fatal."
Huo Duo'er touched Yu Bai's brow, not letting him frown.
"Every orc has their own destiny. When the Orc God calls them back, no one can stop it."
Yu Bai thought for a moment and said with a sense of responsibility, "If you were injured or disabled, I wouldn't abandon you. I'd take care of you until the moment you leave."
Huo Duo'er: "...Bai, I won't get injured or disabled, and I won't let you suffer any harm."
Even in death, he would snatch his Bai back from the Orc God.
Yu Bai: "I was just making a comparison..."
Huo Duo'er said firmly, "Don't make such comparisons."
Yu Bai pursed his lips and suddenly smiled.
"You just said you couldn't stop the call of the Orc God, and that it was everyone's destiny."
Huo Duo'er: "..."
It was rare to see Huo Duo'er at a loss for words, and Yu Bai was delighted, but soon he couldn't laugh anymore.
He was hastily fed a few mouthfuls of food by the other, then carried back to bed and fed something else.
By the time Huo Duo'er carried him out to eat again, most of the night had passed.
—
Two days later, on a stormy afternoon, Yu Bai arrived at a house in the residential area with an umbrella and knocked on the door.
Da He was resting today, and when she saw Yu Bai, her eyes immediately sparkled with joy.
"Priest Bai, what brings you here?"
She was a bit flustered: "The house is a bit messy, I, you..."
Yu Bai smiled, "Come take a walk with me."
Da He nodded vigorously, went back inside to grab a bamboo hat and raincoat, and followed closely beside Yu Bai.
**
On both sides of the field, the grain ears had already turned yellow.
Yu Bai had come to find Da He just for a walk.
He walked and stopped, pointing at a patch of weeds that had been flattened by the rain and pressed into the mud: "Look."
Da He followed the direction he pointed: "Priest Bai, what does this mean?"
Yu Bai smiled faintly, "There are many weeds like this by the fields. Every time they are flattened by heavy rain and pressed into the muddy water, day after day, it seems like they are about to die. But as long as there is a sunny day, they will absorb nutrients vigorously and grow again, even if they are flattened next time or the time after that, they never give up growing."
Da He was silent.
She wasn't a foolish orc, and after hearing Yu Bai's words, she quickly understood the meaning.
"P-priest Bai…"
Da He's voice choked up, "Did Xiao He ask you to come and persuade me..."
She lowered her head, deeply bowed, her face ashamed, looking like she had done something wrong.
"I've made Priest Bai worry..."
Yu Bai patted her head, "There’s no need to be ashamed, Da He is a good person, you deserve to treat yourself better."
Then he asked, "Would you like to hear my story?"
Da He was curious, and Yu Bai looked up at the sky, sighing silently, "I once had a serious illness and almost gave up, but then found a goal and motivation to live again."
Da He was very worried and quickly circled around him.
"Priest Bai was sick? How is it now? Does Chief Huo know..."
Yu Bai chuckled, "That's all in the past, listen to me slowly."
Under the rain, the young priest's smile was like a ray of sunshine.
Da He's heart and eyes suddenly filled with a warm, sour feeling.
Two hours later, Da He parted ways with the priest.
Her mind was calm again, walking alone in the woods.
By now, the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared, and some small to medium-sized wild beasts were around, looking for food.
Da He was lost in thought and didn't notice a black pot-bellied pig charging towards him.
"Watch out—"
A figure appeared in time, repelling the black pot-bellied pig, and looked at Da He who was shielded behind him.
The giant orc who appeared had an extremely low presence and rarely spoke.
He lowered his head, examining Da He's features, his heart tightening. His voice was low, carrying a hint of awkwardness and clumsiness.
"Did... did Priest Bai scold you?"
Da He was still somewhat dazed and instinctively shook her head.
"Thank you..."
She retracted his neck, which had been tilted back for too long, feeling a bit tired. The male giant thought Da He didn't want to be with him and rejected him.
His gaze dimmed, and he prepared to leave.
Suddenly, Da He reached out and gently tugged at the edge of the giant orc's animal skin skirt.
"I... I remember you..."
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