Lu Cuicui was left speechless, resentment welling up inside her. How did Hu Jiao Jiao become so sharp-tongued?

Lu Mian’er sternly scolded, “Hu Jiao Jiao, that’s enough! Cuicui didn’t mean to do it.”

“Enough!” the tribe leader interrupted with a stern expression, putting an end to their argument.

Hu Jiao Jiao remained calm, showing no signs of fear.

The tribe leader glanced at the squashed earth fruits and the scattered remains on the ground, rubbing his temples in frustration.

“Lu Cuicui, since you ruined the earth fruits, they will be deducted from your winter food rations,” he said. “From now on, everyone will dig their own earth fruits. No more helping others, and under no circumstances should food be wasted.”

The tribe leader, with his naturally serious face, looked even more imposing with his stern expression.

Though Lu Cuicui was full of dissatisfaction, she didn’t dare to speak up.

Hu Jing, who was bold by nature, spoke up for Lu Cuicui, “Leader, it’s true that Cuicui stepped on the earth fruits, but Hu Jiaojiao hit her! Shouldn’t Hu Jiao Jiao be punished too?”

Hu Jiao Jiao turned her gaze to Hu Jing. This girl—always so eager to help others. First, she stood up for her good friend, Lu Mian’er, and now for Lu Cuicui. She’s so naive, she doesn’t even realize the danger.

Hearing Hu Jing’s words, the other women in the group looked at the tribe leader expectantly. Most of them didn’t like Hu Jiao Jiao and hoped she would be punished.

The tribe leader closed his eyes in frustration, then looked at Hu Jiao Jiao’s mother, Hu Min, noticing the red marks around her arm.

“Lu Cuicui deliberately tried to hurt Hu Min. Hu Jiao Jiao was only protecting her. Why should she be punished?” he said.

Even though Hu Min is almost forty years old, her skin is still white, and it will turn red if you pinch it lightly.

The tribe leader, who had held this position for over ten years, wasn’t oblivious to such details.

If Lu Cuicui had just been trying to help, why had she pinched Hu Min so hard?

Hu Jiao Jiao’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. It seems the tribe leader is sharper than I thought—not as stubborn and blind as described in the book.

Since Hu Jiao Jiao had pushed her away in time, Hu Min hadn’t noticed Lu Cuicui’s malicious intent. But hearing the tribe leader’s words, Hu Min turned to the bushes and uncovered a large stone.

A chill ran down her spine. If I had hit my head on that stone, I’d be dead right now.

Her face darkened as she angrily shouted, “Lu Cuicui, how could you be so vicious? What did I ever do to you that you wanted to kill me?”

“If it weren’t for Jiao Jiao, I’d be dead right now,” she added, shuddering at the thought.

The women around them gasped in shock upon seeing the stone. How could Lu Cuicui be so cruel?

Even Lu Mian’er and Hu Jing stared at Lu Cuicui in disbelief. “Cuicui, did you really…?”

“No, I didn’t… I didn’t…” Lu Cuicui frantically shook her head. But no matter how much she denied it, no one believed her anymore.

“Lu Cuicui, starting this winter, the tribe will no longer provide you with food rations,” the tribe leader said gravely. “You’d better find a mate soon, and you won’t be joining the picking team anymore.”

Originally, he had planned to speak to her privately after they returned to the tribe, but after Hu Jing pushed the issue, he had no choice but to announce his decision publicly.

Lu Cuicui’s face went pale as she collapsed to the ground. No food for the winter? How will I survive? There’s no male in the tribe as strong as Ying Yuan… I don’t want to mate with those useless men.

She wanted to beg for leniency, but the tribe leader waved his hand dismissively. “That’s the end of this matter. Anyone who disobeys again will be expelled from the tribe. Now get back to digging earth fruits.”

The women scattered, none of them wanting to go near Lu Cuicui anymore.

Lu Mian’er hesitated, reaching out to help Lu Cuicui, but Hu Jing pulled her away.

“Why bother with her? Turns out, she’s no better than Hu Jiaojiao. They deserve each other—both dogs fighting. Serves them right,” Hu Jing muttered, her voice loud enough for Hu Jiaojiao to hear clearly.

Hu Jiaojiao remained calm and smiled softly at her mother. “Mother, let’s continue digging for earth fruits.”

Hu Min, still upset, wanted to retort, but seeing her daughter’s sweet smile, her heart softened. “Alright, let’s keep digging.”

It was midday, and the sun was scorching. Unlike the males, the females lacked stamina and had taken refuge under a tree to rest. After a morning of digging, they were exhausted and parched, too tired to talk.

Noticing her mother’s flushed face, Hu Jiaojiao excused herself and went to a secluded spot. She took out two juicy pears from her space and returned.

“Mother, I found these fruits nearby. Have one.”

While they weren’t allowed to keep the fruits they collected, it was acceptable to eat some while outside the tribe.

The other women, sheltering under the same tree, looked at the fruits in envy.

“This area only has earth fruits. How did she find such juicy ones? She’s really lucky.”

“I wish I had some fruit to quench my thirst…”

Hu Jing snorted. “It’s just some fruit. Why act so smug? It’s not like we’ve never eaten fruit before.”

Ignoring the comments, Hu Jiaojiao handed a pear to her mother.

Hu Min was surprised but quickly shook her head. “You eat it. I’m not hungry.”

As a mother, she wanted to save the best for her daughter.

“There are two, Mother. Let’s share,” Hu Jiaojiao insisted, holding the pear to her mother’s mouth. “If you don’t eat, neither will I.”

With no other choice, Hu Min took a bite. “Wow, this is delicious! Where did you find it? Let’s go see if we can find more.”

The other women perked up, eager to know where the fruit came from.

Sitting beside her mother, Hu Jiaojiao casually replied, “There were only two. Maybe a wild animal dropped them while grazing.”

Hu Min and the others sighed in disappointment.

“It’s such a shame. These fruits are so sweet. I wish we knew where they grew.”

Hu Jiaojiao smiled but said nothing. The area outside the tribe wasn’t safe, with wild animals roaming around, so none of the women dared leave the group to search for more fruit.

After eating a dusty earth fruit to quench their thirst, they all rested against the tree.

Hu Jiaojiao scanned the group and then approached the tribe leader.

“Chief, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”