Chapter 10: Space

“Alright, let’s stop talking about those snakes. You might want to consider adding some decorations to your bandeaux and skirts. I don’t add any because it’s easier for me to move around, and I prefer simplicity. But since you all live in the tribe, a bit of ornamentation could really highlight your individuality and style,” Qiyue suggested.

The four of them gathered to discuss how to decorate the snake skins. During the conversation, Qiyue noticed Shiyu’s sewing needles—made from various bones, all of different sizes. They were somewhat crude, unpolished. Qiyue asked Shiyu for two more needles.

They talked until Huyue came to fetch them, with Lang’en following closely behind. Perhaps Lang’en had been visiting Ling’er at Huyue’s house and met up with them on the way. Seeing the sky darkening, everyone dispersed.

Ling’er waved goodbye as she followed her brother home. “Sister Yue, Sister Xue, I’ll come visit you again tomorrow.”

Qiyue walked behind Huyue and Bao Xue’er, clutching a piece of scrap cowhide wrapped around something. Shiyu had been thoughtful to wrap it so no one would see what was inside.

After having dinner at Bao Xue’er’s home and feeding Chier until he was full, Qiyue took the milk fruit Huyue had gathered for Chier and returned to Grandpa Xiong Jia’s house.

Tonight was the paired gathering for Hu Li’er’s group. She hadn’t invited Huyue and his wife, nor Ling’er and the others, so the three of them had no intention to attend. Qiyue especially had no desire to join their gathering—it would only make her uncomfortable. She hoped those two would remain entirely separate from her from now on. She truly didn’t want to provoke those people; it seemed they hadn’t started this conflict either.

Today had been exhausting. After signing the contracts in the morning, she spent hours cleaning the house and then walked through the market all afternoon. And just yesterday, she’d battled a high fever all night. No matter what, she couldn’t afford to fall ill again—otherwise, there would be no one to care for Chier.

Before going inside, Qiyue gathered the sun-dried beast skins but found herself unable to sleep, tossing and turning.

Thinking about how Bao Xue’er and Ling’er had looked at her today, she realized she needed to be more cautious with her words in the future. This primitive, underdeveloped Beastman Continent lacked clothes and food, but she had the memories of the modern world and could improve things somewhat. Yet her position within the tribe was precarious. Not to mention Hu Jia and Hu Li’er, who had never accepted her. If she introduced any new innovations, how would they treat her? Would they burn her? Continue to sabotage her? Or attempt to control her? Her own fate mattered little compared to Chier’s safety—he was the only family she had in this world.

Furthermore, she still had to stay here for three months. If she continued living as before, could she resist the temptation of all those wonderful things she saw? If she made excuses to collect them, would she be able to take them with her when she left? And who would ultimately benefit?

She also needed to craft some tools—things that had never existed in this society before. But now seemed like a poor time to make them, especially without help from other Beastmen.

Sigh. Why was this tribe like this? So many females slandering her—why? Apart from Hu Li’er, perhaps because of Shide, she hadn’t provoked the others. Was it just because she was beautiful? She didn’t actually like her appearance here. In the modern world, she was merely fairly delicate-looking, nothing striking. She got along well with everyone at school, yet here, so many females disliked her just because of her looks.

Thinking about the old Qiyue, it was quite sad—more than ten years without making a single friend. But now, after only two days since waking up, she felt Bao Xue’er and her husband, Lang Ling’er, and Shiyu were all quite good people, worthy of close friendship. Still, with Hu Li’er and Hu Jia wielding the chieftain’s power, would they trouble them?

Bao Xue’er and Huyue were warm-hearted; Huyue spoke less, while Bao Xue’er was carefree and easygoing. Lang Ling’er was lively and active, and Shiyu gave off an image of decisiveness and competence.

In Qiyue’s previous memories, she had always passively accepted how others treated her. She chose Shide because he was the tribe’s best Beastman—especially skilled at hunting and able to protect her. They hadn’t interacted much and shared little affection. Shide had given her the badges won by the tribe’s hunters, which made her happy at the time—mostly out of vanity.

When did Hu Li’er start being hostile toward her? Was it when Shide chose her? Or after her parents died? Or when her appearance became more prominent as a child?

If she had a choice, she wouldn’t want such striking looks—just delicate and unremarkable.

Now, fused with the soul of a second life, how was she to live? Oh Beast God of this land, did you send my modern soul back here for a reason? Beast God, could I trade my looks for some other ability? In this primitive, alien world, beauty was of little use. If only I had the power to identify things. I’ve lived in a city all my life, recognizing many plants only by their fruit—and often processed fruit at that. I have no idea what their immature forms look like. And many species here differ from Earth’s; I don’t know which are poisonous or dangerous.

“Mother, what’s wrong? Are you worried about something?” Chier asked anxiously.

“Chier, you see, this home is very simple. To live comfortably, we’d need to add many things. But we’re moving to the Mo Qi tribe in three months. If we add things now, we won’t be able to bring them all when we leave. I’m troubled because if I make things, I can’t take them with me. I don’t know if we should add things now or wait,” Qiyue explained, gathering her thoughts.

“That’s easy! Chier has a space inside—he can store many things!” Chier said confidently.

“Space? What space? How big?” Qiyue’s eyes lit up. Could it be what she hoped?

“Chier’s own internal space. He’s had it since he hatched. It’s about the size of this room.”

Qiyue estimated this room was about fifty square meters, which would make moving easier. But did it have other uses? “Chier, what can your space hold? What functions does it have?”

“It can hold anything—living or dead. But Beastmen and females can’t go inside. Time stands still in the space; whatever goes in comes out unchanged.”

“That’s wonderful! Very convenient,” Qiyue said, delighted. Thinking of Chier’s safety, she warned, “Chier, don’t let others know about your internal space. We’ll store things there only at night when no one’s around.”