Werebeast Gongs CH 102 Closure
Before winter arrived, Roger’s small vegetable garden was cleared out. Lei Jin helped with the cleanup. With no fresh greens available during the winter, he pickled several jars of salted vegetables using fresh leaves and wild herbs. On a whim, he also added some fresh meat to the mix. By now, the pickled greens and meat were ready—perfect for pairing with porridge in the mornings. Of course, this was only for him and Roger. The werebeasts in the household couldn’t possibly fill their stomachs with just this; they still needed large chunks of meat.
Lei Jin’s appetite was quite good. The sweet potato and corn porridge Moya made was thick and hearty. With the pickled greens and meat as a side, Lei Jin devoured three large bowls and even reached for more before Moya stopped him.
“What? Now you’re even stingy about letting me eat?” Lei Jin set down his bowl and looked up, half-joking.
“Too much sweet potato isn’t good for you. You’ve eaten enough.” The main reason was that Moya knew Lei Jin’s usual appetite. Even at his hungriest, he’d never eaten more than two bowls, often complaining that the bowls here were too big and heavy to hold. Now, he’d downed three without batting an eye—something was definitely off.
“Here, have my meat soup if you’re still hungry.” Mingya, seeing Lei Jin’s unsatisfied look but agreeing with his second brother, pushed his half-finished bowl of meat soup toward Lei Jin.
“No, it’s fine. You eat it.” Lei Jin wiped his mouth and stood up, visibly irritated. Noticing everyone’s eyes on him, he forced a smile. “Don’t mind me. I’m full. I’ll take a walk to digest—I’ve been eating too much lately. I’m putting on weight.”
Putting on weight? Moya hadn’t noticed. Despite Lei Jin’s recent ravenous appetite, he hadn’t gained an ounce. That was what worried him most. With the upcoming hunting trip—a round trip that would take at least ten days to half a month, longer if they encountered a snowstorm—Lei Jin’s current state made it impossible to leave him behind with peace of mind. Yet, the harsh weather made taking him along unfeasible.
Moya’s gaze was heavy with concern as he watched Lei Jin.
“Put on more clothes before going out. It’s cold with the snow melting.” Xiya, sitting closest to the door, reached for Lei Jin’s wrist, but Lei Jin subtly pulled away.
“Sure, I’ll go change first.” This was another change in Lei Jin—he was now surprisingly agreeable. In the past, no matter how reasonable the suggestion, if he didn’t want to do it, he’d act as if he hadn’t even heard.
Before Lei Jin could step out, the hide curtain over the door was lifted from outside.
“Berg? Haven’t seen you in days. What brings you here so early? Here for breakfast?” Lei Jin greeted the newcomer arrival with a smile.
“You’re still eating? I must’ve come too early.” Berg looked slightly embarrassed. He’d already eaten and assumed the household would be done by now.
“Just joking. Since you moved out, you’ve become so distant.” Lei Jin patted his shoulder amiably. “Come in and sit. Don’t just stand there like a door god.”
Berg smiled bitterly inwardly. It’s not me who’s become distant—it’s you, isn’t it? The more indifferent you act, the more unsettled I feel.
If not for Bubbles’ high fever that night, he wouldn’t have risked returning. Though he’d been in the tribe for a while, he knew few people and had no choice but to come back for help. Yet, he’d run into Lan Qi, who’d been waiting there. What happened afterward was something none of them wanted, but Berg couldn’t shake the guilt of causing Lei Jin to lose his child. He felt he didn’t even deserve to ask for forgiveness. He’d planned never to show his face, but now that he was leaving, he wanted to see if there was anything he could do for Lei Jin—to make up for it, even just a little.
Bubbles, drowsy in Berg’s arms, perked up at Lei Jin’s voice. His bright eyes fixed on Lei Jin, and he stretched out his little arms, begging to be held.
Lei Jin acted as if he didn’t see. Instead, Roger, who’d also finished eating, wiped his hands and took the child. “It’s been so long since I held Bubbles. Do you still remember me?”
Bubbles clearly wasn’t interested. He twisted his neck stubbornly, still staring at Lei Jin by the door, and suddenly babbled a few meaningless syllables: “Fa… fa… da…”
Roger’s heart lurched, and he reflexively looked at Lei Jin.
Xiya and the others turned to stare as well.
Lei Jin, however, seemed unaffected. He smiled in confusion, meeting their gazes before rubbing his face. “I know I’m handsome, but no need to stare at me like that—it’s embarrassing this early in the morning.”
Roger pressed his lips together, but before he could speak, Lei Jin stretched lazily and rubbed his stomach. “Seriously, I ate too much. I really need to walk it off. Berg, make yourself at home. I’ll be back soon.”
With a final smile at the group, he sauntered out leisurely.
“Lei Jin…” Xiya and the others instinctively stood to follow.
Roger raised a hand to stop them. “Let him be.”
Berg was utterly lost. He hadn’t even said anything yet, but the atmosphere had turned heavy. What had just happened?
“It’s not because of you. Come sit, Berg.” In this world, parents were called “dad” and “papa,” not “father” or “mother.” So Berg didn’t realize how much those syllables sounded like “father”—a devastating blow to someone who’d just lost a child. No matter how strong Lei Jin pretended to be, how could his heart not ache?
The moment he stepped outside, Lei Jin broke into a run. The snow on the grassland was thick, and he stumbled through it, not stopping until he was exhausted. Leaning against a short tree, he vomited everything he’d eaten for breakfast. Even when nothing was left, the nausea persisted. He gagged, but only bile came up.
Lei Jin slumped against the tree, crouching low. The sun had risen, casting its light over the vast white landscape.
A nearby snow-covered hill reflected the sunlight so brightly it hurt his eyes. Before he knew it, he’d run here.
What right do I have to grieve? I was the one who chose to give up. From the moment he learned of the child’s existence, he’d wanted to abort it. Later, though he reluctantly agreed to keep it, it was only out of guilt toward Xiya and the others—a sense of obligation. Hadn’t he planned to abandon the child here all along? The child’s loss was no one’s fault but his own.
Why talk of resentment? He never wanted it in the first place. Now that it’s gone, he can leave without attachments. No ties left. Yes, he was not sad at all. Not one bit. He was a man—he was never meant to bear children. This child should never have existed. Its loss was the best outcome for everyone. Everything will return to where it belongs. Lei Jin repeated this to himself, but it did nothing to ease the crushing pain in his chest—the pain of losing a child he’d carried for nearly eight months but never got to see.
He’d been crouching so long that when he tried to stand, his legs and feet were numb. As soon as he moved, he collapsed into the snow. The cold flakes slipped under his collar, icy against his skin—but the chill felt good against the turmoil inside.
Moya had been waiting nearby. Seeing Lei Jin show no intention of getting up, he silently approached, hoisted him onto his back, and started walking without a word.
“Let go, Moya. Don’t touch me.” Lei Jin kicked and struggled, trying to break free.
“Stop fussing.” Moya patted Lei Jin’s squirming backside.
“Fuss your ass.” Lei Jin tightened his grip on Moya’s collar, as if trying to strangle him. But his face, hidden from view, was eerily calm.
Moya… Moya… Everything here is suffocating me. Every night, I dream of that child crying beside me, as if begging not to leave.
Xiya and Mingya caught up, draping a coat over Lei Jin. No one spoke as the four of them trudged through the snow, leaving deep footprints behind.
Back home, Xiya and Moya ignored Lei Jin’s protests, stripped him bare, and bundled him into thick blankets. Finding him still icy, they fetched hot water for a bath to warm him up.
“Lei Jin, your feet are freezing.” Mingya, ever the simpleton, cradled Lei Jin’s red, chilled feet adoringly—everything about Lei Jin was beautiful to him.
Lei Jin snorted, and Mingya snapped out of it. He opened his own clothes and pressed Lei Jin’s feet against his stomach, hugging them close. The sudden cold against his warm skin made him flinch, but remembering it was for Lei Jin, he puffed out his belly to maximize contact.
Lei Jin’s feet, numb from the cold, slowly regained feeling—a tingling itch. The skin under his feet wasn’t as firm as Xiya’s or Moya’s but soft and smooth, like a child’s. Youth really is an advantage.
“Lei Jin, are you warmer now?” Mingya smiled sweetly. As long as he could be with Lei Jin, he was happy to do anything.
“Mingya?”
“En?” Lei Jin rarely called his name so seriously. Mingya wasn’t used to it.
He was quite a bit of a masochist.
“It’s nothing. I’m warm now. You can let go.” Mingya, the first person I met in this world… No matter what, I hope you always keep that sweet smile.
Two days later, the tribe’s werebeasts set out for the hunt. Lei Jin and Roger went to see them off.
Before leaving, Lei Jin casually took the two black jade stones from Xiya and Mingya’s necks. To his surprise, Moya gave him a long, inscrutable look before pulling out a third stone from his pocket and handing it over. After they left, Lei Jin placed the three stones together—they formed a perfect circle, seamless and complete. Only now did he understand: this was the true whole.
Back home, Roger spread a hand-drawn map on the table. “This map follows the secret passage. Since the temple’s passage here can’t be opened, it won’t help much on the way. But once you reach the forbidden area, it should guide you to the Door of Reincarnation—the way back. Remember, no matter what, you must arrive before the year ends. Though unproven, the twenty-year gap between us can’t be a coincidence. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait another twenty years.”
Lei Jin nodded solemnly.
“But how will you get there? The heavy snow makes the jungle treacherous. You can’t possibly cross it alone and reach the forbidden area safely. And Xiya and the others will track you down quickly.” After all, the werebeasts’ keen sense of smell wouldn’t be fooled.
“I know. I plan to cross the grassland eastward and go by sea.” Lei Jin had already devised a plan.
“By sea?” Roger frowned. “There are no ships here. How do you intend to cross?”
“Berg will help.” He’d chosen the sea route for two reasons: first, with Lan Qi’s assistance, it was relatively safer; second, seawater would mask his scent, making it harder for Xiya and the others to track him. If he was leaving, he’d make it final—no chance of being found.
After the bath that day, Berg had come to his room, and they’d talked privately for a long time. Berg had finally decided to return to his underwater tribe with Bubbles. Though Lei Jin didn’t know what had transpired between Berg and Lan Qi, it no longer mattered. Berg had offered to make amends, but with the child gone, “amends” meant nothing to Lei Jin. He was leaving—none of this would concern him anymore. When he mentioned his plan, Berg hesitated but ultimately agreed under Lei Jin’s unwavering gaze.
“When do you plan to leave?” Roger didn’t press further. He knew Lei Jin wouldn’t bring it up unless he was certain.
“I still need to prepare.” With everyone home, he couldn’t openly gather supplies. Though Lan Qi’s help would ease the journey, much of it still depended on him. To ensure success, he had to be fully ready.
“Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.” At this point, Roger knew persuasion was futile. The most he could offer was to help Lei Jin prepare as thoroughly as possible.
“You’ve already done more than enough. I won’t forget it.” From Roger’s perspective, it couldn’t have been an easy choice—between his own sons and a fellow outsider.
“No need to thank me. You’ve done what I couldn’t back then. Seeing you is like seeing my past self—except I lacked your decisiveness… and your ruthlessness.”
Ruthlessness? Maybe so, Lei Jin thought.
“I’ll see you off when you go.” Roger folded the map and handed it to Lei Jin.
“You’re the only one left.” Lei Jin tucked the map into his clothes—his key home.