Super Soldier in the City-Chapter 2182 - 2246: Improper Desires

The women came out to greet the tribe and saw the men walking unsteadily, dragging things along, some with their shoulders bearing the load, some simply pulling something behind them. As they got closer, the women realized that these men were carrying prey—wild boars, antelopes, and even wild buffaloes, while Li Yifei walked back empty-handed, looking relaxed. Wu Shuwei also went over, understanding without being told that these animals were probably all hunted by Li Yifei.

"Really amazing," Li Yifei praised himself with a laugh, then suddenly conjured up a blooming flower from behind, about the size of half a washbasin. The flower was lush, with a gradient color, lightest in the center, growing deeper towards the outside, a very beautiful flower. Wu Shuwei didn’t recognize it, and just heard Li Yifei say, "I just happened to see it, so I took the liberty to pick it. Here, it’s for you."

"Thank you!" Wu Shuwei took it, wanting to smell it, but found that it wasn’t very fragrant. She looked at Li Yifei curiously and asked, "Why doesn’t it smell nice?"

"It’s strange, this flower is also called the Midnight Flower, similar to a cactus flower. Although it blooms for a long time, the fragrant moment lasts only an hour or two."

"Huh? Then... if you pick it, doesn’t it die?" Wu Shuwei said regretfully.

Li Yifei said with a proud smile, "As long as I’m around, it won’t die. At midnight, it will release a strong fragrance."

"I want to see that."

"Sure, we’ll watch it together at midnight."

The tribe’s people enthusiastically started preparing the game. Usually, they could only catch an animal like a wild boar once a week, which was already rare. Such a bounty hadn’t been seen in years. After all, hunting wild animals wasn’t as easy as imagined. Yet Li Yifei could hunt them effortlessly, which amazed them. And witnessing the whole hunting process, the men regarded Li Yifei almost as a deity, and even though he wasn’t black, they still considered him a witch doctor.

The best meat during the night’s bonfire barbecue was offered to Li Yifei and Wu Shuwei. Naturally, the two couldn’t eat that much and shared it with the women and children, making the entire tribe as happy as ever, forgetting even about asking Li Yifei and Wu Shuwei for money.

When it was time to sleep, they even gave up the clan chief’s thatched hut to Li Yifei and Wu Shuwei.

The two weren’t strangers to sharing a room, and during those nights camping in the plains, with wild animals as company, Wu Shuwei would sleep nestled in Li Yifei’s arms.

So at this moment, Wu Shuwei didn’t hesitate, but neither did she go to bed, opting to stay up and wait for midnight with Li Yifei.

"No TV, no phone, no internet, no electricity... this life, I really don’t know how to describe it," Wu Shuwei sat with her knees bent, hugging her legs, her chin resting on her knees, looking very cute, and it was easy to forget that she’s over thirty.

Li Yifei chuckled. Lying down, hands behind his head, he replied, "It’s still life, indeed missing a lot of fun, but they live more simply. A little harvest can make them happy for a long time, like today’s harvest; they’ll be happy for a whole week."

"But a week later, when they can’t hunt so much, they’ll be disappointed..."

"Good thing we’re only staying a day."

Wu Shuwei lifted her head, watching the moonlight through the cracks in the wall. The moon was big and round tonight, but she didn’t feel homesick because Li Yifei was beside her. The conversation unexpectedly turned to marriage. Li Yifei asked if Wu Shuwei still held onto her non-marriage belief.

Wu Shuwei furrowed her brows, glared at Li Yifei, as if blaming him for bringing up such a topic suddenly. But seeing Li Yifei didn’t intend to change the subject, Wu Shuwei paused in silence and then quietly said, "What else? Over thirty years, I’ve met many men, but someone like you, almost none. Maybe only you; others are either baffling or give no feeling at all!"

"You mean, you have feelings for me?" Li Yifei asked with a smile.

"I didn’t say that; it’s you who’s saying it," Wu Shuwei glanced at him,

"Go on, the night is long; talking about what’s in our hearts is not bad," Li Yifei said.

Wu Shuwei bit her lip, and clicked her tongue, saying, "I had something to say, but your words made me not want to anymore!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"How could that be!" Li Yifei sat up, crossed his legs facing Wu Shuwei, and said, "For instance, after going through so much, don’t you think finding a partner to experience the world together is a good thing?"

Wu Shuwei shook her head, "I’m unlucky enough. Dragging someone else into my bad luck seems inhumane!"

Li Yifei let out a sound and said, "From another perspective, isn’t sleeping held in someone’s arms at night a very secure feeling, even improving your sleep?"

Wu Shuwei narrowed her eyes, squinting at Li Yifei, "Just say what you mean, no need for roundabout talk."

"I didn’t mean anything; I’m just suggesting you let go of the non-marriage idea."

"Li Yifei, you should understand one thing. I’m talking about not marrying, not about not dating or having a boyfriend, or even not having a SEX life!" Wu Shuwei seemed a little angry.

"Ah, I see. I misunderstood. I thought those who don’t believe in marriage wanted to be alone till old age." Li Yifei looked dazed for a few seconds before scratching his head, causing Wu Shuwei to roll her eyes at him, but Li Yifei didn’t mind and continued, "The chairman said that dating without the intention of marriage is hooliganism."

"Are you out of topics to talk about, finding such lame topics?" Wu Shuwei snapped at Li Yifei, making him speechless.

After more than a minute, Li Yifei finally coughed and spread his hands, "Alright, what I really meant was to persuade you, that after so many life-and-death experiences, you should be more open to certain ideas. You shouldn’t deny everything because of seeing some bad things."

"You just mean, because of my parents and family experiences, I don’t believe in love, is that it?"

Li Yifei pursed his lips, rolling his eyes upward, "That’s one way to put it."

"I believe in love, but I don’t believe in marriage. Two people, if they are compatible, can experience anything without needing that piece of paper. And you say this, but how many of the women in your life are officially married to you? As far as I know, even Su Mengxin isn’t officially married to you, right!"

"That’s true, but..."

"So do you consider yours a marriage? Aren’t you in love? Does not having that certificate make it unreliable?" Wu Shuwei sat up straight, her questioning left Li Yifei speechless; grabbing his short hair, he realized, "I was supposed to persuade you, yet I got myself tangled."

"It’s your own matter, trying to rope me into it. I’m telling you, doing so is wrong!" Wu Shuwei chuckled.

Li Yifei also laughed, savoring the situation; he realized it indeed was the case. In going around persuading Wu Shuwei, he got himself entangled. After hesitating for a while, he said, "I think I understand. You simply find marriage unreliable, or believe that the marriage certificate restricts freedom, but if two people truly love each other, the certificate makes no difference. Right?"

"That provides a lawful status, but some things, the law can’t protect, like domestic violence, marital disputes, infidelity, etc. I think people should relax more. Work is tiring enough, and if one has to scheme and fight within marriage, it’s too frustrating."

"Then I won’t persuade you. Another thing, I mean... A normal person, male or female, at a certain age can enjoy a relationship without being restrained. Otherwise, it’s very tiring." Li Yifei felt he was being serious without any hidden motives, but Wu Shuwei perceived it differently, recalling his prior words. She hummed, saying, "Are you suggesting that since I have such thoughts, why not take advantage of this lovely setting to do something with you? I don’t need marital constraints, so I won’t force you to marry..."

Alarmed, Li Yifei quickly stood up, "In heaven’s name, how could I have such intentions towards you? I have many women, but rare are female friends, and I cherish them."

"Your few female friends are because you lured them all into bed!" Wu Shuwei hit the nail on the head; her words pierced Li Yifei’s heart like a sharp sword, leaving him speechless, because indeed, he did turn many female friends into wives...

"Got you there. Men are all alike, seeing one they want one, regardless of feelings, whether they like them or not; they are creatures controlled by desires." Seeing Li Yifei speechless, Wu Shuwei sneered and sarcastically said.

Li Yifei snapped back, hurriedly refuting, "When did I say I wanted you? Wu Shuwei, make it clear. When have I ever been improper or had impure thoughts about you? Point it out, and I’ll apologize right away; I consider you a friend..."