Chapter 167: Coaxing Sulky Husband.
Karl approached the chipmunks. "And what do you mean by that? Who is lazy?"
The other chipmunks all stepped back, hiding behind Sunnie in fear. The leader stood firmly, staring up at him. "Who else?"
Karl’s eyes were deadly as he snapped, "Lazy? Who are you calling lazy? Can your tiny hands clear this whole land?"
"Does that matter?" the leader clapped back. "That still doesn’t help matters much."
"Your big mouth..." He wanted to step closer, but Sunnie intervened to stop him. She smiled at him as she said, "Well, let’s calm down. We have work to do today. So..." Sunnie tried to continue.
But Karl turned away before she could finish. "Well, too bad. I don’t feel like working. Your hardworking little friends can do the work instead." He walked off.
Sunnie stood there watching as he disappeared into the distance. He stopped far away, staring into the distance as if whatever they were doing was none of his business.
"You... you shouldn’t have offended him," the chubby chipmunk said.
"I didn’t lie, though," the leader remained adamant.
[Ding!]
[Eagle beast husband is mad.]
[Coax him to stop the upcoming rain.]
[Time: 30 minutes!]
Sunnie blinked as they all stared at the sky.
"I think it’s about to rain..." Eris stated the obvious.
"You’ve got to be kidding me. How can we work with the rain?" Little Black asked.
Sunnie sighed as she stared at them. "Well, let’s get to work then... I’ll be back."
She left as the chipmunks proceeded with their tasks. The leader and his team began cleaning up the land to prepare it for farming.
Little Black, Zukka, Atan, and the mouse beastman assisted, while the remaining husbands sat watching. Luka struggled to keep Maren from jumping out of his arms to follow her mother, who was off to meet Karl.
"Aren’t we going to assist them?" Azure asked.
"They called us lazy," Eris said, folding his arms. "Maybe they should show us how it’s done. Besides, I don’t have the strength to work right now."
Zayn nodded. "Exactly."
---
Sunnie arrived where Karl was sitting and sat down beside him. Karl didn’t even bother looking at her; he kept his eyes fixed on the sky.
"Oh, will you look at that—it’s about to rain. That’s bad for farming today..." She sighed, disappointed.
"Don’t bother trying to talk to me. I won’t listen," he said firmly.
Sunnie stared at him. "Then should I kiss you to make you listen?" she teased.
Karl stiffened as he turned to her. He instantly leaned back, hugging himself defensively. "Don’t even come closer..."
Sunnie burst out laughing. "Calm down. I’m not going to rape you." She smiled as she stared into the distance. "Sigh, don’t you think we’ve been fighting for way too long? I think it’s about time we made peace and became friends."
"Too bad. I don’t want to," he said firmly.
Sunnie smiled. "So hot-headed." She sighed and added, "But still, even if you’re not a friend yet, I still have to compliment you."
She smiled while looking at him. "I mean, last time, you worked so well. Your work was so impeccable that if you don’t help me this time, how are we supposed to get anything done?"
He cleared his throat, keeping his chin high. "I don’t care... so stop trying to convince me."
"I’m not. I’m only telling the truth. You’re the best helper we have here. So if you bail on us, don’t you think we’re doomed?"
He stared at her without saying anything. Sunnie smiled brightly as she leaned closer, and he moved back immediately.
She smiled. "What are you scared of?" She laughed. "Anyway, please don’t be mad. I’ll make him apologize to you. Just please don’t leave us..." She held his hand firmly.
Karl struggled to free his hand from Sunnie’s grip. He was clearly someone who didn’t enjoy close touch. But she held on tight. "Please, please, please... Don’t be mad at us, okay? Please come and help us. We really, really, really need you!" she insisted.
Finally, he pulled his hand away. "Okay, okay, okay. I’ll come and join you all. Stop nagging. I was just resting." He cleared his throat as he stood up. "And you don’t need to make them apologize. I’m too mature for that."
Sunnie smiled. "Whatever." She was also getting up to leave when she suddenly felt a strong kick in her stomach. She didn’t need a god to tell her what that was.
Sunnie stumbled forward, missing her step. The ground would have been her destination if Karl hadn’t caught her.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest for safety. The two of them stayed like that for a moment, eyes locked and bodies close. Karl couldn’t believe his heart was fluttering.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host! You’ve successfully coaxed the sulky eagle husband!]
[Possible rain instantly cleared up!]
[Ding!]
[Eagle Husband’s heart is fluttering fast!]
[Eagle Husband’s affection percentage surges!]
[Karl = +5% = 20%!]
Sunnie blinked as she thought, "How is it increasing now? His heart is fluttering! Is romance needed to increase his heart rate and his affection level?"
Sunnie stood firmly on her feet before Karl turned away in denial.
She smiled at Karl, who cleared his throat and acted as if nothing had happened. "Stop wasting time and let’s go... the day waits for no one," he said as he turned and left.
Sunnie followed behind with a mischievous smile. She had cracked part of the puzzle, and she was simply impressed.
Karl, who disliked any romantic touch and was always moody, proud, and rude, was actually triggered by such romantic gestures! Why hadn’t she realized this sooner?
Now she knew a way to increase his affection percentage and win over this beast husband—flirtatious skinship.
And even though it would take longer and be more difficult because of his stubbornness, at least Sunnie had made progress with him. And she would continue making progress with him until she had completely won him over.