After Nora finished tidying up and came out, she still wore an angry expression. She kept Qin Jun a meter away, not letting him get too close. After all, he was a big clumsy bear—a lecherous one, in her teasing words.

Qin Jun really wanted to protest his innocence. He’d only been worried something might happen to her.

This tension lasted until noon before easing. The little girl had just been pretending, feigning anger. She couldn’t always indulge this bear; otherwise, he’d grow more and more unruly.

Later, she said plenty more, hiding her forgiveness so Qin Jun couldn’t see it. His mind wasn’t so complicated—he simply thought her anger had passed.

The little girl still climbed onto his back as usual and continued forward.

She pulled a map from her storage space. Snowstorm City was still a day’s journey away. Ahead lay a village where they could rest. But that village had been isolated from the outside world for ages. No one knew the villagers’ true intentions.

Nora patted Qin Jun’s bear head. "Silly bear, once we reach the village, don’t lose your temper. You’ll scare people."

Qin Jun nodded.

When they actually arrived, Qin Jun didn’t need to scare anyone. At the sight of him, villagers scattered in panic. Moments later, a group armed with swords and spears blocked their path—the village guard.

Seeing the tension, Nora quickly called out, "Misunderstanding! This silly bear is my contracted beast. He won’t harm you."

Perhaps because a little girl spoke, the guards halted. An old man then stepped from the crowd.

"Meet our village chief," someone said.

The little girl bowed to him. "Chief, we mean no harm. Please lower your weapons. Someone might get hurt."

The chief looked ancient, leaning on a cane, his steps unsteady. His voice was hoarse. "Hmm. I see the contract mark on this bear. The girl seems sincere. Stand down." He coughed weakly, clearly unwell.

"Chief, is this check enough?" someone beside him asked.

He waved a hand. "You can’t sense it, but this girl’s extraordinary. All of us combined might not match her."

A sturdy man beside him—Alang—exclaimed, "Impossible! Chief, you’re a level 40 mage. Can’t you beat a girl with just a bear? We others could handle it."

The chief sighed. "Alang, you’ve never left the village. You don’t know the outside world’s strength. My power? Out there, anyone could crush me easily. We’ve been isolated too long. Right, little girl?"

Nora smiled. "Not really. My strength’s about yours, Chief. Outside isn’t all strong folk—many are low-level commoners."

The chief laughed heartily. "Such a considerate girl. Everyone, disperse. Return to your tasks."

Villagers scattered, though women and children lingered, curious. Alang glanced at the girl and followed the chief away.

After they left, Nora scolded Qin Jun. "All your fault! We almost fought."

Qin Jun looked up, innocent. *How’s this my fault? These people are too tense.* He sighed. *This bear form is troublesome. Why did I think this stupid idea was good? Better to just take by force—tyrannical style—then slowly win her over until she willingly becomes mine.*

Of course, that only happened in novels. No girl would love a pervert or abuser. Qin Jun knew that, so he’d never abuse his strength. Back in his old world, reading such stories, he’d thought the author must be an idiot. Still, many readers enjoyed them—it puzzled him.

Nora led Qin Jun toward a restaurant. As the saying went, enter a city, find food first. But here, no restaurants existed. Villagers cooked for themselves.

Nora stared blankly at the village. "What now? I wanted steamed buns for provisions."

Qin Jun wanted to give her money. Even thrifty, she shouldn’t starve on buns alone.

Just as she worried, an Auntie called out, "Girl, no place to eat? Our village is small—no restaurants. Come to my home."

Nora’s face lit up. She agreed instantly, forgetting all caution for food’s sake.

She led Qin Jun to the Auntie’s house. The Auntie eyed the bear nervously.

Nora smiled. "Don’t fear him, Auntie. He’s just a silly bear. Hit him—he won’t fight back. See?" She swatted Qin Jun.

He roared instantly. Even Nora jumped, not just the Auntie. *Hitting me is one thing, but this is too much,* Qin Jun thought. He knew she meant to show he wasn’t a threat.

His roar backfired. Nora swatted him again. "Roar once more! You scared me!"

The Auntie laughed. "He’s obedient. I’ve never seen such a well-behaved bear."

Nora grinned. "Outside, many beasts exist—bears, birds, tigers."

The Auntie sighed wistfully. "Lovely, but I’m too old. No energy left."

"Ask your children to take you out," Nora urged. "The world’s vast. Staying here is a shame."

The Auntie smiled. "I’m used to it. Outside’s chaotic. Weak folk like us wouldn’t survive long. Safer here."

Nora nodded silently, understanding.

Though content, the Auntie was curious. "Little girl, describe the outside world?"

"Of course," Nora smiled.

Chatting, they reached the house. The Auntie ushered her in. "Tell me later. You’re hungry—I’ll cook."

"Can I help? I cook too," Nora offered.

"Nonsense—a guest shouldn’t work," the Auntie chuckled.

"It’s fine. I’m grateful you took me in," Nora insisted.

"What a virtuous girl," the Auntie beamed. "Which lucky man will marry you?"

Nora didn’t care. Busy earning money, marriage wasn’t on her mind. She smiled and followed into the kitchen.

Qin Jun lay forgotten on the floor. Watching Nora cook, he thought she seemed truly virtuous—few girls cooked well these days. *Except for her love of money. Good she manages it—men can’t steal a cent. But they’ll suffer for it.*

Just then, a man entered with a child. Qin Jun recognized Alang. Alang froze, shocked. "Mom! Why’s a bear in our house?"

From the kitchen, the Auntie laughed. "I invited the girl. Don’t fear the bear—he’s harmless."

Alang glanced at Qin Jun, then led the child inside. The boy—Xiao Fei—reached curiously. "Don’t touch, Xiao Fei. Dangerous," Alang warned gently.

The contrast was adorable—a sturdy man’s tenderness for a child. Any woman would call him a good husband. Qin Jun felt faintly puzzled; he’d never been a father.

"Daddy, isn’t he cute?" Xiao Fei asked.

"A bit cute, but dangerous," Alang replied. "Let’s see what Grandma’s cooking."

He led Xiao Fei to the kitchen—and froze. Nora was helping his mother cook. His heart skipped; he stood rigid until Xiao Fei’s "Daddy!" snapped him back.

He reproached his mother. "Mom, why let the guest work?"

The Auntie smiled. "She insisted. Girls like her are rare."

Nora fiddled with vegetables, blushing. "Auntie, don’t praise me. I’m lazy."

"Modest girl," the Auntie chuckled. She shot Alang a look. He didn’t understand. "Can’t you see we’re busy? Help us!" she hissed.

Alang instantly got it. Smiling, he stepped forward. "Girl, that dish is wrong. Watch me."

Outside, Qin Jun’s eyes narrowed. *Something’s off. What’s this family planning? Are they trying to steal my girl?*