After Being Stranded in the Wilderness, I Became the Bride of the Giant Tribe - 129

 

| GB | Dry Mouth | 129 | Ex. 5

Splash—

Man stirred up a circle of water around him and walked purposefully to sit beside Ze.

His posture was wild and casual, with one arm stretched out, leaning half against the stone: "Why did you come to bathe alone without calling me?"

Ze looked at him: "You were still asleep when I came to find you."

Man scratched his head: "Isn't it rare to get some rest? Why not sleep a bit more?"

Ze smiled.

His hair was neatly trimmed to just behind his ears, now brushed back, revealing his handsome and striking features. His deep, slightly elongated eyes were smiling and very noticeable.

Man stared unapologetically, his thick Adam's apple bobbing.

He had finally realized that Ze was probably the most popular single male in the tribe. Using a phrase he learned from the little priest during one of his lectures, it was called... attracting bees and butterflies.

So he asked: "Do you usually attract bees and butterflies like this?"

Ze looked puzzled: "Whose bees and whose butterflies am I attracting?"

Then he added: "Am I attracting you?"

Man: "..."

He quickly nodded: "Exactly, you've attracted me!"

Ze leaned back against the stone with him, the sunlight warming the water's surface. They sat close, their knees and arms touching.

Usually, Man and Ze were often together, whether it was hunting or fighting. As the first and second warriors of the tribe, he was used to doing everything with Ze.

So, he was also comfortable with this closeness.

"I got a bottle of wine from the little priest, let's drink it together."

Ze teased: "Got?"

Man: "Of course."

He added: "Originally, I wanted to just take the bottle, but Big Huo was there. He wouldn't let the little priest suffer even a little loss, so I agreed to trade three live sheep and five long-legged chickens for it."

Ze immediately laughed.

"Tomorrow I'll help you catch them."

Man accepted it as a matter of course, after all, there was no distinction between him and Ze.

Enjoying the bath, indulging in this moment of clarity and comfort,

Man's arm instinctively wrapped around Ze's shoulder, leaning against him.

After a while, he playfully fiddled with Ze's hair.

"Ze, your hair seems darker and smoother."

Ze: "I got a jar of hair shampoo from Bai."

Man: "...Why don't I have one?"

Ze slightly suppressed the curve of his mouth.

"You always tease Bai, even the most good-natured person is allowed to be a bit petty."

Man: "It's fun."

Ze shook his head slightly, picking up a jar the size of half a palm from the other side of the stone, scooping out some shampoo.

"Come on, I'll wash your hair."

Man obediently lowered his head, bringing it close to Ze.

Ze wet his hair, applied the paste, and patiently scrubbed and smoothed it,

Man closed his eyes, his ears twitching.

Ze's fingers weren't soft, like many males, they had obvious calluses and even scars.

But he was somewhat addicted to the feeling of Ze washing his hair. The usually rough and careless orc was now completely quiet.

Ze's lips curled as he smoothed Man's somewhat messy and fluffy hair into sleekness. Most orcs didn't take care of their hair, especially the males.

In this regard, Ze was one of the few meticulous males in the tribe.

He confidently and skillfully managed Man's unruly hair, which was as wild and rough as Man's temperament, as if each strand had its own mind about how it should grow.

After finally taming Man's hair, he took a leather cord from his wrist and said, "I'll tie it up once it dries."

Man tilted his rugged face, fingers brushing through his hair.

"Why are you still wearing that thing? Your hair isn't even long."

Ze smiled, "Well, now it's for you."

Man nodded, "True, what's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours."

He sighed contentedly, resting his head lazily on Ze's shoulder like a lion.

Ze gently stroked the lion's mane.

The surrounding water shimmered, cool and refreshing, but pressed together were two robust, healthy male bodies.

After a while...

Ze stopped, and Man lowered his head, spreading his legs without a hint of shame or the thought of covering up.

Not only did he not cover up, but he also reached out and fiddled with it a few times, seemingly proud and even a bit boastful.

He glanced at Ze and asked gruffly, "How is it?"

Ze nodded, "Good."

Man laughed heartily, "And you?"

He wanted to take a closer look, "Let me see if you're fired up."

Ze was a bit helpless, turning his back to leave.

Man grabbed him, staring at the narrow, muscular waist with two dimples.

"Leaving already? Your not staying longer?"

He added, "It's normal to be fired up, why are you so shy?"

Ze walked to the shore, picking up a linen robe to put on.

"I have some things to take care of. I'll come back tonight to drink with you."

Man said, "Let's go together, I have nothing to do today!"

Ze didn't refuse.

They went down the mountain to Xiu's place.

Xiu knew Man had a day off today and seeing him appear with Ze, gave them a casual glance, accustomed to seeing them together.

Man spoke first, "Xiu, got anything to eat?"

He shook a wine flask, "I got this from Xiao Bai."

Xiu sighed, "Man, you've already eaten all the good stuff in my house."

He added, "Ze, next time bring him more meat, he's like a glutton."

Ze agreed with a smile, not questioning why Man's meals were his responsibility.

Xiu discussed serious matters with Ze, while Man wandered around inside and out, occasionally poking Ze's hand, leaning on his shoulder, and eating a few warm, floury scallion pancakes in front of Xiu, never staying still for a moment.

When his hair dried, the neatly combed strands became fluffy again, and Ze handed him the leather cord from his wrist, "Tie it up."

Man shoved the cord back into Ze's hand, "You do it."

Xiu watched silently, nodding slightly.

Having lived with Man for so many years, he knew Man's wild and untamed nature. Except for serious matters, he was always carefree about everything else, disliking being bound by anything, and never wearing any bone ornaments on his neck or arms, as he found them uncomfortable.

But now...

While discussing important matters, Ze took a moment to tie up Man's hair, leaving two shorter strands falling on his forehead, revealing the tattoo on his face.

As they left, evening was approaching.

Ze, now free, called Man to fetch water while he himself fished out a few fish from the earthen jar.

Man put down the wine and casually picked up two large jars for fetching water, smacking his lips as if reminiscing, "Are we having grilled fish tonight?"

Ze replied, "Sure."

He added, "After fetching the water, go to the warehouse and get some taro and greens to wash."

Man protested, "Ze, I don't like eating grass..."

Ze chuckled, "Not eating greens isn't good for your health. Bai specifically reminded everyone to eat vegetables regularly."

Man waved his hand, picked up the large earthen jar, and left, muttering a few words of disdain.

After a while, Ze finished preparing the fish and went out to check. The water jars were full, and Man was sitting unrestrainedly on a chair, intently handling the vegetables, with the washed leaves sorted into another draining basket.

Man glanced at him and said gruffly, "My hands are for fighting and hunting, when have I ever dealt with these little leaves?"

Ze took a few pieces of honey-coated dried sweet potato from the earthen jar, walked over, and fed them into Man's mouth.

Man chewed them, then with a swift motion, peeled open a melon and scooped out the edible part, much like gutting a beast.

Ze nodded slightly and fed him a couple more pieces of dried fruit.

"Not bad."

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