Epoch 11

Epoch 11: Tear drops on my guitar.

Tang Tang and Xue leave the tribe earlier than they usually do.

They already planned it last night, which is why, even before the sunrise, they had already left the tribe.

First, they will try to look for more edible plants because Tang Tang wants to finish his second quest as soon as possible. Of course, Xue didn't know that; he only thought that Tang Tang liked to cook more food, like last night.

But that was not the main goal today; the main goal is for Xue to make utensils and pots he can use in cooking. They will look for suitable materials they can use.

Xue mentioned that there is a type of stone near a waterfall that has a smooth surface. He wants to check if it can be used to make pots.

Then, before they return to the tribe, they will collect as many vines as they can; these vines were the ones they used in making a basket.

He promised Yan, Qiu, and Tei that he would teach them to make baskets today. That is also the reason he chose to go out early; the earlier they go, the earlier they can return to the tribe. He will have time to teach them, and they can still rest before dinner.

Yesterday, Tang Tang clung to Xue's arm to flirt with him. Today they leveled up, because now Xue was holding his hand naturally.

'This progress is way too fast!'

[You should have realized that after giving him a blow job yesterday. ತ⁠_⁠ʖ⁠ತ]

'Hey Ude!! Why are you so shameless?'

[Coming from you, Tang Tang.]

'I don't know what you are talking about, Ude. I was born and raised in a conservative country!!'

[(⁠ノ⁠ಠ⁠益⁠ಠ⁠)⁠ノ]

'Marriage before sex, that is my motto. Don't teach me lewd things!'

[System Error!]

[The system wants to change host!]

If Xue is not present, Tang Tang will laugh out loud while rolling on the ground. Teasing Ude became one of his forms of entertainment in this world.

Tang Tang tried to suppress his laughter, but Xue still noticed it.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked.

"Nothing. I just remember when you carried me back to the tribe because you thought I was poisoned." It was a lie, but what happened back then is really funny.

Xue remained emotionless, but his voice slightly quivered. "Forget about it already!"

After the **** job well done and their talk last night, Tang Tang thinks that they have become closer, and Xue starts showing more emotion.

He stifled a laugh, then suddenly recalled something. "Hmm. Xue, do you remember the song I mentioned to you last time?"

Xue thought for a few seconds and answered. "Yes. You said that it is like a chant but dedicated to others or expresses feelings."

"Yes, but unlike chants, songs can be sung by anyone, anytime, and anywhere. The person who sings a song is called a singer."

Tang Tang thought that it would be great if the people here knew the beauty of music. Maybe in the future, they can form a band or have a singing contest.

"It is a way to express oneself. In my previous wor- place, there is a singer I really like. Every time she sings a song, it feels like she is telling a story. Many people can relate to her, and I am one of them." Then Tang Tang remembered when he was in junior high school and first heard her song.

"I liked someone before, but that person liked someone else."

Xue got confused; the sub-beast was talking about songs, then he suddenly mentioned liking someone.

But he still said to comfort Tang Tang when he noticed the sadness in his voice. "It's impossible not to like you."

"What a sweet talker!" Tang Tang laughed. "Anyway, do you want to hear that song? I am not a good singer, but that song is one of my favorites."

Tang Tang plans to compile all the songs he can still remember in the future. He doesn't want to forget those pieces that helped him escape reality.

"Okay."

Tang Tang cleared his throat, then, in a low voice, he started to sing.

"Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see~

That I want, and I'm needing everything that we should be~

I'll bet he's beautiful, that boy he talks about~

And he's got everything that I have to live without."

When Tang Tang realized he liked men, he never tried to hide it from anyone, not even his grandmother. Either they accept him or leave. Because he was abandoned by his parents, he learned the hard way to only care for those who were willing to stay.

During junior high school, he met this guy. They have the same hobbies, like the same genre of music, and play the same game.

They became the best of friends, partners in crime, and the greatest support for each other.

That is when he started to have feelings for him, fantasizing about them being together. He also thought that their feelings were mutual.

But it was all a make-believe that he created, and it was all shattered when the man left to pursue the person he really loved.

He was too naive at that time.

When he finished the song, they were already far away from the tribe.

"What do you think?" Tang Tang asked with a smile, but his voice was hoarse and the corners of his eyes were tinged with red.

When Xue saw this, he could feel a throbbing pain in his heart. Knowing that the sub-beast in front of him liked someone else made him feel uncomfortable.

"It's beautiful," 'but I don't like it if it will only make you sad.'

Xue wanted to say a lot of comforting words to Tang Tang, but he doesn't know how to. All he can do is gently touch his cheeks and say, "Don't be sad."

Tang Tang heaved a sigh. He suddenly felt emotional after remembering those unwanted memories.

'What's wrong with me? I'm reminiscing early in the morning and making this ice cube worry.'

"I'm fine! I just got carried away," Tang Tang said as he hugged the man's waist and buried his head in the man's chest.

Xue hugged him back; his other hand was gently brushing the sub-beast's soft black hair.

They stayed like that for a few minutes until Xue saw Tang Tang look up and say, "Thank you."

Xue just smiled.

Tang Tang was dazzled by that smile. This is the first time he has seen Xue smile.

'First love? Who cares about him? He's a moron. There is a handsome man in front of me!!'

[...] Ude is now questioning his existence.

After a little bit of flirting, Tang Tang and Xue continue on their agenda. Tang Tang continued singing some lively chorus songs along the way to lighten the mood.

It is decided that their first destination is the waterfalls, and on their way, they will look for edible plants.

After walking for more than 4 hours, the only thing they found were cabbages. The cabbage-like vegetables are growing on the trunk of the tree, which is too conspicuous not to notice.

Xue told him that the beast doesn't like to eat vegetables too much; only the sub-beast and females usually eat them. That's why, as long as they are not in a dire state, they will not look for them.

But Xue also said that, if the vegetables are cooked like he did last night, he is sure that the beasts will like to eat them from time to time.

When they arrived at the waterfalls, Tang Tang gasped in astonishment at the breathtaking view in front of him.

On a steep, gorge-like valley, cascades of water fall into a plunge pool, like a blue satin threaded with silver. The loud pounding of water on the rocks is like a monster's roar, making a majestic sound. The lush green plants and vibrant flowers around it added to its beauty.

"It's so beautiful." This is the first time Tang Tang has seen such scenery. On Earth, going out other than to work and school is already a luxury. That's why going out and enjoying nature is impossible for him.

For Xue, this is a familiar scene, but based on Tang Tang's reaction, it seems as if this is his first time seeing a waterfall.

Xue just let him stand there dumbfounded.

When Tang Tang recovered from his amazement, he saw Xue carrying two big, semi-round rocks.

"Is this the rock you told me about?" Tang Tang asked.

"Yes."

The rock is big and smooth. It is really suitable for making a cooking pot.

Tang Tang draws on the ground the different parts of pots and pans, then shows them to Xue. He also explained and described its uses in great detail.

When Xue said that, he already understood. He asked the man to make two large pots and one large pan for frying because the stone slab he used last night is not good and the oil is spilling.

Since Xue will be carving, he plans to walk alone towards the waterfalls to check on the plants around them.

"Don't go too far," Xue reminded.

He doesn't want to let Tang Tang wander alone, but he cannot carve these big rocks without transforming into a beast.

He notices that every time he offers to transform into a beast, to makes things easier for them. The sub-beast will always reject him immediately. He doesn't know if the sub-beast is scared or if there are other reasons. That is why he plans to transform without showing it to him.

"Yes!" Tang Tang said as he carried a basket.

Tang Tang leisurely walks around the waterfalls, enjoying the cold mist on his skin and the fragrant smell of flowers. That is when he saw clumps on a large rock. If you don't pay too much attention to it, you will think that it is part of the rock, but when you get closer, you will realize that it is not. It is shaped like a small umbrella.

'It is a mushroom!'

He touched it using his fingers and asked Ude to check it. Even though it is a mushroom, there are different kinds of it, and some of them are poisonous. Holding it is not safe.

Ude confirmed that it was safe to eat. Tang Tang happily harvests some; he will use it to make lunch for them.

[There is a one-horned monster 62 meters on your-]

"Where is it, Ude?" he asked when Ude didn't continue his report.

[It disappears. ┐⁠(⁠ ⁠˘⁠_⁠˘⁠)⁠┌]

'eh?' This is the first time that a monster has disappeared from Ude's detection.

Tang Tang hurriedly harvested the mushrooms and immediately returned to Xue.

He was stunned when he saw a dead monster beside Xue. It is like a wild boar with one horn on his snout.

'It disappears because Xue killed it.'