I've been transported to the orc continent.

Bai Qing personally invited Yue to make maltose with him.

Actually, he didn't have to take this step. Since winter began, the two of them had been inseparable, like conjoined twins, spending almost the entire day together. Even the tribespeople said that if you wanted to find Yue, you could just go find Ling, and if you wanted to find Ling, you could just go find Yue. Since the two of them were always together, finding one meant you could find the other.

However, Bai Ling still wanted to personally invite Yue to make maltose with him.

The tribespeople had just finished dinner, and it wasn't dark yet. Bai Ling usually didn't eat with Yue, not because he didn't want to, but because Yue would be pulled away by Xiao to eat with several other young females.

When Bai Ling went to find Yue, he was walking in the snow with several young females. In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, so the tribesmen would finish eating before dark. After that, there was nothing to do, so the young orcs would go out for a walk, and the old orcs would sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) and chat.

It was getting dark, and because of the snow, the whole world was covered in white. Yue stood at the very edge, a few steps behind the beastmen. Xiao said something that made the beastmen laugh, and even Yue turned her body slightly to the side, her back seemingly stretching out a bit.

Even though Yue's back was to Bai Ling, he could guess Yue's expression at that moment. Her eyebrows were slightly lowered, her eyes were gently curved, and there was a barely perceptible smile in her eyes.

Yue is aloof and doesn't have many friends, but when she's with her people, she doesn't always have a stern face.

Bai Ling's heart suddenly felt hot, like the feeling of boiling water bubbling and gurgling.

The bubbles that appear represent an emotion called joy.

Even though he and Yue had only recently separated, even though he had only seen Yue's back, even though they were neither separated nor reunited, Bai Ling's chest was still filled with joy as he got closer and closer to Yue.

He took another step forward, but before he could shout it out, Yue turned around.

Having spent so much time with Bai Ling, Yue was very familiar with Bai Ling's footsteps. When he heard the familiar footsteps behind him, he knew that Ling had come to find him.

"Why did you come here?" Yue walked over.

When Yue called out, the other orcs who were walking with him turned around. When they saw that it was Bai Ling who came to find Yue, they all had expressions of "I knew it".

Xiao Zui was very lively. He said with a grin, "Oh, it's only been a short time since we parted, and Ling, you've come to see Yue again."

Another orc laughed and said, "What's going on between you two? Why can't you bear to part for even a moment?"

The remaining two who hadn't spoken also looked at Bai Ling and Yue with mocking eyes.

Being teased by his companions like that, Yue's face was already burning red. He didn't dare to turn around at all, and just lowered his head and said, "Ling, what do you want to see me about?"

*

Bai Ling and Yue changed directions and walked along the low hill towards the cave.

The whistling wind was right next to their ears, and looking into the distance, they could see the snow covering the ground. Bai Ling asked softly, "Yue, are you cold?"

Yue shook her head: "It's not cold."

Bai Ling wrapped her animal skin robe tighter around herself: "I'm a little cold."

Yue turned her head to look at her, her eyes filled with a hint of reproach: "Why did you come out if you're afraid of the cold? Can't you talk about it tomorrow?"

Bai Ling shook her head: "No."

Yue knew Bai Ling's personality; he must have come to see him for something: "Ling, what's the matter?"

The sky had completely darkened, and the whole world seemed to have quieted down, with only the whistling wind blowing in their ears. Yue was wearing a white animal skin hat today, and his silvery-white hair was exposed under the hat, blowing in the wind. Along with the ends of his hair, there were also a few colorful seashells floating in the air.

The beastmen are actually very fond of beauty. When they don't go out, Yue will wear a headdress. Sometimes he will braid his hair in the front into small braids and put a few colorful little stones and seashells at the end of the braids.

As they move around, the small seashells collide with each other, making a crisp sound.

Because Bai Ling had been staring at Yue's hair ornament for a long time, Yue was a little confused: "Ling, what's wrong?" He twirled the end of his hair with his fingertips, "Is something wrong?"

With slender fingers, rounded nails, silvery hair, and exquisite seashells, the scene, illuminated by the hazy snowlight, resembled a painting.

Bai Ling smiled and said, "Yes, I'm here to extend an invitation to you."

"An invitation?" Yue asked, puzzled.

Bai Ling's smile deepened. He stretched out a hand, palm up, level with Yue's heart: "Yue, I want to make maltose tomorrow and would like to ask for your help. Can you come?"

"If you come over, you can not only taste delicious candies, but also delicious snacks."

Yue's eyes suddenly widened, first filled with confusion, then with doubt, and then with bewilderment.

"Ling, we've known each other for so long," Yue's voice was a little soft, "and we've done so many things together, why did you suddenly decide to come find me like this?"

“No, what I mean is, you can just tell me directly. Why do you have to invite me? This is a bit too formal. Invitations are only made between tribes.”

Even when members of the clan are helping each other, they don't invite each other; they just ask directly.

Bai Ling smiled and said, "Because it's different. We're making candy tomorrow, and candy is very sweet and delicious, which is why I've come to formally invite you."

Yue retorted, "But we've made candy before."

Bai Ling: "How can this be the same? We can only eat sweet grass once, but maltose is different. I plan to plant wheat and sorghum next year so that we can have a continuous supply of maltose. We're making maltose tomorrow, which can be considered a new beginning in life, so of course I had to come and invite you."

"That way, it shows I value it."

"So, Yue," Bai Ling waved her outstretched hand, "would you like to make maltose with me?"

In the dim night, the moon could still see Bai Ling's bright, smiling eyes.

Without further hesitation, he followed Bai Ling's example and extended his hand, saying, "I'm willing."

Unexpectedly, Bai Ling grabbed Yue's hand and placed it palm down on his own palm: "Only if you do this will it count as your agreement to me."

The two have known each other for so long, but they haven't had much physical contact. Let alone holding hands, even touching each other's fingertips is rare.

But now, in this dark night, devoid of stars and moon, only filled with howling winds and gleaming snow, their hands are clasped together.