41: Chapter 41 The Reserved Nature of Easterners

Sophia's cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg.

Yet, the hand on her waist showed no intention of moving; instead, it rubbed against her again, as if by accident, yet lingering.

She bit her lower lip, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "Your... your hand..."

"Hmm?"

Qi Yun pretended not to hear, tilting his head slightly, while his palm remained firmly pressed against that delicate, supple waist.

The sensation was simply too good—cool, smooth, and full of elasticity.

He thought to himself, only a fool would let go.

Sophia was choked by his blatant feigned ignorance, her azure eyes widening in the dim light.

For a moment, she didn't know whether to be angry or shy.

Qi Yun timely changed the subject: "Coming over so late, do you need something?"

Sophia trembled all over and quickly took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

Only then did she remember the real business: "It's... it's about the island chat channel. Andrei, he..."

"Chat channel?" Qi Yun interrupted her, his tone filled with genuine confusion, "What channel?"

He had been discussing tomorrow's second wave of crisis with Xia Jin and had no time to pay attention to that noisy public information.

Sophia was stunned for a moment, realizing that this Tribe leader, who terrified the entire island, might not even know what kind of waves he had stirred up outside.

She briefly recounted the process of Andrei's remarks and how other Tribes had first been sycophantic and then terrified into silence.

After listening, Qi Yun was silent for a moment, then let out a very faint scoff: "That's it?"

"Aren't you worried?"

"Andrei is crazy; he will never give up."

Sophia couldn't help but ask.

In the darkness, she felt Qi Yun's gaze fall upon her face, a gaze that was calm and determined.

"Since I let you through this door, I won't push you out."

His voice was not loud, but it carried a weight like a rock.

"I will naturally protect the people of the 01 Tribe. Andrei..."

He paused, his tone taking on a hint of cold playfulness.

"He had better not actually come knocking."

These words were like a reassurance, quietly landing in the lake of Sophia's heart.

The chaotic emotions caused by the accidental kiss and embarrassment were suddenly replaced by a more solid sense of security.

The affection she felt for Qi Yun grew a little more at this moment.

"I... I understand."

"Then, I'll head back first."

She said in a low voice, not daring to look at him again.

"Hmm."

"Um, your hand."

Sophia felt as if she had been granted amnesty, yet the hand on her body was still moving restlessly.

"Oh, oh, you go ahead."

Qi Yun finally moved his hand away.

But as his fingertips left, they lingeringly traced the curve of her waist.

Sophia trembled all over.

Then, in a flurry, she tidied up her ruffled animal skins and stumbled away from that large bed.

Qi Yun listened to her light footsteps fading away and slowly let out a breath.

The fire ignited in his body by that soft, cool, and exquisitely textured body not only failed to subside but was instead intensifying.

His plan to rest tonight, it seemed, was going to fall through.

He listened to the steady breathing outside.

His gaze finally landed on another corner not far from his bed.

Ke Yun was sleeping very deeply. As the only healer in the Tribe, the energy she expended during the day far exceeded others. When Qi Yun walked to her side, she merely whimpered unconsciously, her curled eyelashes casting faint shadows on her cheeks.

"Teacher Ke." Qi Yun called out in a low voice, his fingers gently brushing over her long hair spread on the pillow.

"Hmm... Qi Yun?" Teacher Ke opened her eyes hazily, her gaze still filled with sleepiness, her voice soft and sweet, "What's wrong? Is someone hurt?"

She instinctively wanted to get up; professional instinct made her ready at all times.

"No one is hurt."

Qi Yun leaned over, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"It is I who need you."

Ke Yun's not-yet-fully-awake brain struggled to process this sentence.

By the time she realized the meaning, she had already been scooped up horizontally.

She let out a low exclamation, her arms instinctively wrapping around Qi Yun's neck, her cheeks instantly flushing: "N-now? But..."

Before she could finish, she was gently but irresistibly laid down on the large bed.

However, just one person seemed unable to completely extinguish the fire that had been accidentally ignited.

Qi Yun lifted his head in a brief interval, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Shu Qianxue... where was that girl sleeping?

Relying on memory, he felt towards another floor mat near the door. Sure enough, what he touched was the firm, well-proportioned arm muscle.

"Who?!"

Shu Qianxue's vigilance was far higher than Ke Yun's; she woke up almost the instant Qi Yun touched her.

She backhanded to grab the other's wrist, her movements crisp and decisive.

"It's me." Qi Yun grasped her wrist, easily neutralizing her counterattack.

"Qi Yun?" Shu Qianxue was stunned, then saw in the dim light those eyes that appeared exceptionally bright even at night, and... the unmasked, aggressive aura radiating from him.

She understood something instantly; instead of being shy, she licked her lips.

A glimmer of excitement and challenge flashed in her eyes: "What, the Tribe leader can't sleep at night and wants to find someone to spar with?"

Qi Yun didn't speak, answering directly with action.

He scooped her up, turned, and carried her to the designated spot.

Shu Qianxue was tossed directly beside Ke Yun.

"Hey! Be gentle!"

Shu Qianxue protested, but there was a smile in her voice.

Ke Yun looked at Shu Qianxue beside her, and her face turned even redder.

A month ago, no matter what, she would never have imagined that today's events would happen.

Shu Qianxue lay on her side in a carefree manner, propping up her head, and watched Qi Yun with great interest: "Teacher, you're here too. 2v1? The Tribe leader is in high spirits today."

Qi Yun twitched the corner of his mouth.

Then he used actual action to seal her provocative mouth.

At the same time, a thought flashed through his mind: Where was that girl Bai Yu sleeping tonight? Forget it, he couldn't remember.

And he couldn't be bothered anymore.

Sophia had just laid down, her mind still pondering whether she should have been firmer in her refusal just now.

She had heard since childhood that Easterners were more reserved and serious when it came to feelings and intimate relationships.

They often required a clearly defined relationship before developing into intimate contact.

This was different from her country, where intimate contact was possible if there was mutual attraction.

It was also her first time feeling attracted to someone.

She didn't know if she had done the right thing.

Just as she was tossing and turning, a suppressed groan vaguely came from the direction of the Tribe leader's resting area.

The sound seemed to be desperately restrained, yet it still revealed movements that were hard to conceal.

Sophia looked towards the large bed in the direction of the sound.

Although the moonlight was dim, combined with that restrained sound, Sophia guessed in an instant what Qi Yun was doing.

Wait, the posture seemed a bit strange.

Sophia instantly widened her blue eyes.

That's three people?!

Easterners are reserved—could it be that they lied to me?

Sophia quickly averted her gaze, but her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.