A little while later, the quiet patch of ground a short distance from Rayna's treehouse was alive with activity.
After a bit of bickering from both Soren and Ezra, Rayna finally managed to convince them that it was fine for Yunxi to build his hut nearby. In the end, they agreed and started helping him set it up—a little distance away from her own hut, not too far, but not right next to it either.
Soren had flown in and out several times already, bringing long, sturdy logs of wood, branches, vines, and wide leaves from the forest. Ezra worked beside Yunxi, helping to tie the framework together with practiced, sure movements, his hands quick and steady.
Rayna, not one to sit still, had roasted some fresh fish for everyone over a small fire. The savory scent drifted in the air, mixing with the green, earthy smell of the forest. Once the basic frame of Yunxi's hut was up, she joined in too.
"I want to help as well," she said, eyes scanning the simple structure. "Hmm... Yunxi, how about adding a few things like a bed frame, a place to sit, maybe even some curtains. It'll make the hut more comfortable."
"Curtains?" Yunxi tilted his head curiously, his fluffy black ears twitching.
"Yes," Rayna said with a grin, already pulling out a piece of thick beast hide they'd brought along. "Here—let's make one. It'll help block the sun when it gets too hot, and during the rain, it'll keep droplets out. Beast hide is thick enough for that."
Yunxi crouched beside her as they spread the hide out on the grass. "So this is how it's made?" he asked, watching as she showed him how to cut and fasten the edges with vines.
"Exactly," Rayna said, concentrating on the seams. "You'll see—it'll make the place cozier."
Ezra called from behind them, taking the stuff from her to help her and teased, "Look at you, decorating like it's a palace."
Rayna stuck her tongue out at him, and Yunxi chuckled softly, clearly enjoying this unfamiliar but warm company.
By the time the sun dipped low, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink, the basic structure of Yunxi's hut stood proudly. A simple frame with walls built with logs of wood and a fresh thatched roof of grass—it wasn't much yet, but it already looked stable and strong enough.
Rayna stepped back, hands on her hips, and gave an approving nod.
"There you go, Yunxi. You can slowly decorate it now. It looks good."
Yunxi's face lit up with genuine gratitude. He bowed slightly.
"Thank you so much... really. I—I owe you all for this."
Then, hesitantly, he added, "Why don't you come in? I'll cook something for you. It's the least I can do."
Rayna blinked, surprised.
"What? Really? You cook?"
Yunxi chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Not... amazing or anything. But decent. Please—I can see you're all tired. Sit down, I'll make something simple. It's my way of saying thanks."
Rayna glanced at Soren and Ezra. Both of them looked a little worn out from the day's work.
Soren gave a quiet nod, while Ezra sighed, stretching his arms.
"Fine," he said with a crooked grin. "Let's go and eat. I'm starving."
Rayna smiled and followed Yunxi into the unfinished hut, curious to see what he would prepare.
Inside the hut, Yunxi worked with surprising focus. His small, fluffy panda tail swayed gently behind him as he boiled water in a pot over a simple stone hearth, carefully dropping in herbs and pieces of dried meat. He stirred the pot with a smooth bamboo stick, humming under his breath.
Rayna, sitting cross-legged nearby, couldn't help but watch. He looks so cute like that... I just want to squish him, she thought, a smile tugging at her lips.
Soren and Ezra noticed that smile almost immediately. Without saying a word, they exchanged a glance—and then, at the same time, both slid their arms around Rayna from behind, pulling her back against them.
Rayna let out a soft chuckle.
"What are you two doing?"
"Nothing," Ezra said casually, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Just making sure someone doesn't get carried away," Soren added, his tone calm but his golden eyes fixed on Yunxi's back.
Rayna shook her head, amused, and leaned back against them with a grin.
Yunxi carefully ladled the steaming soup into four wooden bowls, handing them out one by one. His fluffy black ears twitched nervously as he waited for their reactions.
Rayna was the first to take a sip. The moment the broth touched her tongue, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Wow... Yunxi, this is really good!"
The broth was thick and velvety, carrying a rich, savory depth. A gentle heat lingered at the back of her throat, the kind that warmed her from the inside. Bits of tender meat melted on her tongue, and Yunxi had even added some mushrooms so the earthy flavor of wild mushrooms blended perfectly with the freshness of the herbs. There was a hint of spice—just enough to tingle, balanced by a natural sweetness that made the whole thing feel comforting.
She glanced up to find Ezra already halfway through his bowl, eating with quick, eager bites. Soren, though quieter, was just as focused, he hummed in contentment as he drank deeply from his bowl.
Rayna chuckled softly. "You weren't kidding, Yunxi. This is amazing! It's thick, creamy, so flavorful—like every spoonful makes me feel warm all over. I already want some more. What did you even put in this?"
Yunxi's face brightened at the praise, and his small tail gave a happy little swish as he gave her a second serving.
Even Ezra, between mouthfuls, added, "I didn't think you could cook like this, Yunxi. Guess we underestimated you."
Soren nodded.
The warm smell of the herbs and steam from the bowls filled the hut, and for a moment, the four of them simply enjoyed the meal, the simple act of eating together soothing away the day's exhaustion.
Yunxi shyly held up a small wooden tray with neatly separated piles of dried leaves, seeds, and powders.
"I just added a few things I found around the forest," he said.
Rayna leaned closer, her eyes lighting up as she recognized most of them.
Yunxi explained, holding up each spice separately,
"Wild garlic leaves – long, green leaves which give sharp, garlicky aroma.
Forest thyme – tiny leaves that give a warm, earthy fragrance.
Crushed red forest chilies – small, sun-dried and fiery, giving that spicy kick.
Wood pepper seeds – round, brown seeds that enhances the flavour.
Dried basil-like leaves – sweet and aromatic, helps to balance the spice.
Wild coriander seeds – nutty and fresh, gives a little brightness to the broth.
Salt – coarse and pinkish in color, for taste."
Rayna picked up one of the pink salt crystals and turned it in her fingers. "Wow... this is natural salt? No wonder the broth tastes so clean and flavorful."
Ezra leaned over her shoulder, sniffing the crushed chilies. "So that's what's been making this spicy?
Yunxi nodded.
Rayna rolled the pinkish crystal between her fingers, curious.
"Where did you even get this? It's so clean... and pink?"
Yunxi smiled a little proudly.
"Oh, that? In our village there is a river, a little farther upstream, there's a rocky patch where the water dries up and leaves these salt crusts behind. The stones there are reddish, so the salt takes on that color. I scraped some off and washed it, then left it to dry in the sun."
Soren raised a brow, impressed. "Resourceful, aren't you?"
Yunxi rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Well, we used to do this in my village all the time. It also makes the food much tastier."
Rayna nodded, still looking at the crystal. "That's amazing... I've never seen natural salt like this before."
Rayna was able to make up the lack of salt with some herbs but of course nothing could absolutely replicate its taste.
Yunxi's little tail swished as he packed away the leftover spices.
"I've got more of this pink salt—and these spices too. I'll give some to you," he said earnestly, glancing at Rayna with a shy smile. "And, um... come by anytime. I'd love to cook for you all again."
Rayna's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Thank you, Yunxi. For sure—we'll come."
He shook his head quickly, ears flicking. "No, thank you. Really... you all helped me build a hut when no one else would. I—I mean it. Thank you so, so much."
His voice carried that raw, honest gratitude that made Rayna's chest warm.
As they walked back to Rayna's hut, Rayna couldn't help but smile.
"Isn't he so sweet? And he cooks so well. Plus, he knows so much about herbs and medicine... he's really nice."
Soren nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. I didn't sense any malice from him at all."
Ezra, however, was quieter. After a pause, he finally said, "But if he's that good... why was he abandoned?"
Rayna glanced at him. "Ezra, there could be a hundred reasons. And... have you noticed how overly conscious he is? Always so careful, so shy—like he's afraid that one wrong word might offend us?"
Ezra nodded slowly. "Yeah... you're right. But there's something else. Why is he always in his beast form? He hasn't changed back even once."
That thought struck Rayna. She blinked. "You're right. I've never seen him shift either... even his brothers were in their beast forms when I saw them."
Soren's voice came calm but serious. "Yeah. That's unusual."
"I'll slowly ask Yunxi about all this later." Rayna said.
Ezra finally sighed and said, "Alright, enough with all this Yunxi talk. Let's spend time together instead," he whined, looping his arms snugly around Rayna's waist.
Soren frowned at him, tail flicking in irritation. "Will you stop clinging to her like a leech? You're always glued to her."
"Don't blame me," Ezra shot back with a grin. "Rayna's so cute and beautiful. What if another beastman tries to sway her away from us? My sweet Rayna, don't be too kind to everyone—be a little like the other females, hmm?"
Rayna chuckled, shaking her head. "You two..." she sighed fondly. "Let's just go inside. After such a hearty meal, I'm sleepy."
Soren nodded at once. "It's my turn today, by the way."
Ezra immediately added, "I want to sleep too. Let's just sleep together."
Rayna didn't mind; by now, she was comfortable with both of them. With a small smile, she led them into the hut, ready to settle in for the night.
"Can you make a bed for my hut too, Ezra?" Rayna asked softly as they settled inside.
"Of course, my sunshine," Ezra replied with a grin, brushing his fingers over her hair. "I'll build it tomorrow itself."
"I'll gather the materials," Soren huffed, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips.
Rayna chuckled and nestled herself between the two of them, finding that perfect warm spot where she could feel them both.
"Rayna?" Soren murmured after a moment, his voice low and steady.
"Mmm?"
"After the wet season ends... we'll go to the Beast City, okay?"
Ezra nodded from her other side, his tone firm. "Yes. We won't delay it this time."
Rayna's eyes softened. "Alright," she whispered.
Soren kissed Rayna's forehead and nuzzled closer.
Ezra kissed Rayna's cheek and cuddled.
The three of them huddled closer, the soft hum of night insects outside lulling them into a comfortable silence as they drifted off together.