The Papaya Trees

Before long, Lin Ye heard movement behind her. She turned around to see Yang running quickly toward them, carrying a bamboo basket.

"I've harvested all the wild seeds."

Yang was panting slightly from running too fast, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at Lin Ye like a dog wagging its tail, waiting for praise.

Lin Ye couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile and praised, "Yang, you're so capable!"

Yang suppressed the urge to grin, raised his chin, and said, "This little bit of wild seeds is nothing. When I have time, I'll find even more for you!"

"Mm, thank you." Lin Ye reached out toward the bamboo basket. "Give me the basket."

"No need," Yang said, dodging her hands. "You're so frail, let me carry it."

"That's right," Yun chimed in. "Yang is strong, just let him carry it."

Lin Ye: "..." Was this his biological mother?

Compared to Yang, Lin Ye was indeed small and weak. If he didn't want to let her carry the basket, she wouldn't be able to get it anyway. Plus, seeing that he carried it effortlessly, she didn't insist on taking it back.

Normally, the males in the hunting squad would also help the females they fancied carry things, so Yang's actions didn't attract too much attention. However, he still couldn't avoid being teased by the people around him.

A male about Yun's age chuckled and teased Yang, "I didn't expect Yang to help a female carry things. That's a rare sight."

The male beastmen of similar age in the tribe had long since mated with the females they liked; only Yang remained single. He had finally picked up a small female, but compared to their usual standard of tall and robust females, she was a bit too small.

The tips of Yang's ears turned slightly red, but he maintained a calm expression and said nonchalantly, "Mind your own business."

Then, carrying the bamboo basket, he quickened his pace, wanting to catch up with the hunting squad ahead. The female beastmen behind burst into friendly laughter, causing Yang to walk even faster.

Lin Ye kept a smile on her face, but she was feeling doubtful inside. Why did they keep trying to match her with Yang? Was it because she had been staying in Yang's cave, giving them this kind of misunderstanding?

Most importantly, Yang's attitude toward her was indeed a bit special.

Lin Ye felt a bit troubled, but now was not the right time to think about these things. She shook her head to dispel those thoughts and focused on the journey.

When they arrived at the gathering spot, Lin Ye realized that the fruit they wanted to harvest was actually papaya. These beastmen called all kinds of fruits "fruits." Because papayas turned pale yellow when ripe and had a deep yellow-orange color inside when cut open, the beastmen called them "golden fruits."

Many papaya trees grew here, looking quite different from the ones she usually saw. These trees were extremely tall, each reaching five or six meters high. Papayas were tropical plants that preferred warm climates, but she had heard that winter here would bring snow. Normally, low temperatures would affect the growth of papaya trees, but these trees seemed completely unaffected.

Not only the papaya trees, but other warm-climate plants were the same, as if the winter snow had little impact on them. Having seen many strange things already, Lin Ye didn't find it too bizarre.

Although the wild papaya trees were untended, they grew very well, with each tree yielding at least a hundred catties of papaya. The beastmen were overjoyed to see these papayas; to them, this was a bountiful harvest.

Everyone climbed the trees to pick the fruit. Lin Ye might not know how to do other things, but she knew a bit about climbing trees, so she didn't lag behind in this task.

After picking the papayas, they planned to rest here for a bit before heading back, and eat some papayas while they were at it! This was a perk of gathering outside.

After resting enough, Lin Ye walked around but didn't find anything new. She stood up and took a few steps forward. Yang followed behind her and asked, "Where are you going?"

Lin Ye turned back and replied, "I'm just walking around." In this wilderness, she didn't dare go too far, staying within their line of sight.

Yang said seriously, "Don't wander off, it's dangerous."

He thought for a moment and added, "Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you." As an outstanding male, he wanted to satisfy the female's wishes as much as possible.

"Mm, thank you." For safety's sake, Lin Ye nodded.

Although it was only early autumn, it was still very cool in the mountains. Lush green trees grew everywhere, and from a distance, the jade-green color was breathtakingly beautiful.

She and Yang walked slowly. The two of them rarely spoke. Ever since the female beastmen teased them, Lin Ye felt the relationship between them had become a bit awkward.

Since there was no one else around, should she take this opportunity to ask him and clear her doubts? Otherwise, she would feel uneasy every time she thought about it.

Although he was often alone with the small female, Yang still felt a bit nervous right now.

"Yang!"
"Lin Ye!"

The two of them spoke at the same time.

Yang chuckled, scratched his head, and said to her, "You go first."

Lin Ye was about to speak, but her gaze swept past Yang's back. She seemed to see a few familiar plants.