"Yichen, where are you going?"
"I'm tired of hanging around the house all day. I need some fresh air, Mom." Yichen said in an exasperated tone.
"Don't stray too far. You're father will be back later to talk to you about getting a job at the doctor's office in town." His mother announced.
"Mom, I've told you I won't work for that quack."
"Tell me what you plan to do, then? You can't get married as a jobless fool." She chastised.
"I'd rather not get married at all." Yichen retorted.
"You're seventeen it's time you stop gallivanting around with that uncle of yours and settle down with a wife. The young lady the matchmaker found is beautiful, well mannered, a good cook, and talented in embroidery."
"You forgot to mention she's from a rich family." Yichen sarcastically noted.
"Don't give me that attitude. I did my best to arrange a respectable woman for you to marry. Trust me. I'm your mother. I know what is best for you." The mother asserted.
"I understand mom. That's why I came back." Yichen said. He then slipped away before his mother could say anything else.
...
"What to do?" Yichen sang as he walked through the village. It had been almost seven years since he was last in the village. A village he wasn't exactly happy to come back to. But his mother called and like a good son he returned.
While he wandered around he spotted the forest and decided to take a walk through it. He was bored and there was always something interesting or knew inside a forest.
When he first arrived at the forest he saw young children, GERs, and woman walking around picking some wild plants to use for dinner. He looked around bored and uninterested.
"Same old, same old. Everyone here is the same." He said. The main reason he left with his wandering doctor uncle to travel the country was because he was bored with the status quo in the village. Nothing new or exciting ever happened.
He continued further in the forest. The further he went the less people he saw. The GERs and woman would never wander deep in the forest because of the danger. The men who travelled for firewood or to hunt would head to the northeast where it was safer.
Not wanting to travel the path well known Yichen chose to head northwest. It wasn't explored because a bear was seen in the area a few times. Yichen didn't let that deter him. He knew the bear had been killed by some hunters hired by the Town's official several years ago.
Even though it had been killed most villagers didn't trust that another bear wouldn't appear again. Leaving the area untouched and quiet.
The terrain got rougher and the amount of untouched plants became more abundant. As he walked Yichen noticed more than a few medicinal plants along the way. He had learned how to identify them while working for his uncle.
He loved learning about the plants, but had no interest in becoming a doctor himself. He didn't know what he wanted, but he knew what he didn't want. Becoming a doctor and marrying a respectable woman from a rich family in town was not his idea of a perfect life.
"Mom keeps saying how good this girl is supposed to be but she just sounds boring. I don't want a good respectable girl. I want someone who excites me." He said as he walked along the area.
Bam... bambambambam...*
Hearing a strange sound Yichen rushed to see what was going on. It didn't sound like an animal. Even if it was a dangerous animal his curiosity won.
"Yes! Meat!"
Yichen suddenly heard a GER shout from not far away. He didn't know why but his body immediately reacted and he hid behind some bushes.
Sneaking a peek, he saw a GER who looked disheveled holding up two little quails and cheering.
"What is a GER doing this deep in the forest?" Yichen wondered. Wanting to get a better look at the strange GER Yichen pushed some leaves aside.
Rustle*
The moment he made a noise he regretted his action and hid. The young GER turned around and scanned the area vigilantly as he took a strong stance.
The moment he did Yichen lost the ability to breath. He was captivated by the GER's beautiful eyes. They were large and bright red. He had seen many GER's in the past. But none drew him in like this particular GER's eyes.
"Beautiful." Yichen thought as he stared him. Moments passed until Yichen finally noticed the scars on the GER's face and his heart ached.
"What happened to him?" Yichen wondered. He never knew there was someone who had been severely hurt that lived in the village.
"Was it an animal attack?" He guessed as he watched the young GER lower his guard and pack up his things.
Curious he wanted to walk up to the GER but every time he tried to approach Yichen noticed the GER's ears perk up and his body stiffen. Afraid of scaring the GER and knowing the rules about fraternizing with GERs and women without their family present Yichen kept his distance.
Instead he patiently followed from a distance. Which proved more difficult than he anticipated.
"Why doesn't this guy leave footprints?" He complained as he struggled to find traces of the GERs whereabouts.
When he finally did Yichen was at the edge of the forest. Looking around he recognized the small hut in the distance. Then he saw the GER approach the house like it was his home.
"What is he doing here? Isn't this the old man Bo Lin's house? I thought it was abandoned when the bear appeared. Wait is Bo Lin even still alive?" Yichen wondered.
As he thought about things the GER entered through the creaky gate. Seeing his chance Yichen approached the little hut. He was careful not too get too close. He had noticed the young GER seemed to be staggering.
Argh!
He heard the muffled groans of pains as the GER collapsed. Worried, Yichen ran over. When he got to the gate he stopped.
"Shit. Hey is anyone inside?!" He shouted. He would have gone in himself but it was improper for a man to enter the home of a woman or GER without their father or husband present.
He watched as the GER lay on the ground his brow furrowed in pain. Yichen wanted to help but there was no sign of anyone nearby. Yichen hated having to stand by and not do anything. He looked around and saw that no one was around.
"If nobody sees me it should be fine." Yichen reasoned. He jumped over the crumbling wall and moved to check on the GER.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Not getting a response Yichen grew worried he hesitated before placing his hand on the GERs forehead to check his temperature.
"He's burning up."
Worried Yichen broke the rules and carried the GER into the hut. If anyone saw what he was doing the GERs chastity would come into question. However Yichen didn't care. He needed to help him.
"This place is a dump. Why is he living alone in this place?" Yichen wondered as he looked at the sorry excuse for a home. Despite not liking the idea of placing the GER onto the dirty cot he had no other option.
He lay him down carefully. "I'll go get you some ginseng. It will help reduce your fever. Don't worry. I won't be long. I saw some not far away. You'll be okay." Yichen whispered as he gently caressed the sleeping GER's face. Looking at the scars he wasn't disgusted or repulsed by them. He only felt sorrow.
"How did this happen to you?" He whispered.
Worried he got up and returned to the forest in search of some ginseng. For the first time he was grateful he learned about medical herbs from his uncle.
He took longer than he would have liked to find the ginseng. When he returned Yichen noticed movement in the hut. He thought about going in to give the GER the medicine and to check if he was feeling better but hesitated.
Rustle*
Yichen could see the GER through the window. When he approached he made the mistake of stepping on some twigs and making some noise. The moment he did the GER reacted and hid.
"Why is he hiding? Is he scared?" Yichen thought. Realizing it might be better if he wasn't seen, Yichen hid behind the wall.
He was still worried about the GER. Yichen sat behind the wall and listened to him bustling around. Every now and then he'd peek over it and watch him bustling about the hut.
"Smells good." He thought when he smelt the soup the GER was cooking. His stomach naturally grumbled in response. Yichen considered leaving to get something to eat, but his worry and curiosity outweighed his hunger.
He watched and followed as the GER headed towards the river. Their little village was located between two rivers. The one used by their villagers was on the east of the village. The one the GER was walking to was in the west. It was more often used by the next village over and a lot further away.
"Why go to this river when the other one is only ten minutes on foot from his hut?" Yichen wondered as he continued to follow him.
Once at the river Yichen watched him wash some bedding and ratty old clothes. Yichen was both glad to see him moving about and sad.
...
"He should be resting." Yichen thought as he continued to watch. When he noticed the curious GER make and put a woven basket in the water Yichen guessed what he was trying to do. When the GER left he ran over to check on the trap.
"It's a good idea but it will take awhile if he wants to catch more than one fish." He thought. Wanting to help, Yichen went into the water and caught some fish. He then placed three fat fish in the trap and snuck away when he noticed the GER returning.
"Yes!" The GER cheered throwing his arms up in the air.
Yichen wanted to laugh at the cute way he acted when he saw the fish.
"He looks so cute when he smiles." He thought as he watched. Enraptured by the smile Yichen leaned forward and once again made some noise.
Rustle*
The GER once again reacted so Yichen dove behind some bushes. He didn't know why but he felt excited every time he was almost caught.
"This is bad. I'm turning into a creep." He told himself as he followed the GER back to his hut. It wasn't until Yichen saw him enter the hut and undress that he ran off with a light blush.
...
When Yichen got home his mother was furious. But Yichen didn't care. His mind kept wondering about the pitiful scared GER with beautiful eyes.
"Hey dad, do you know anything about a GER living in the old Bo Lin hut on the west side st the edge of the forest?" Yichen asked his father after his mother finally gave up on reprimanding him and went to bed.
"GER in the Bo Lin hut? Ah... You're talking about Mochou. Pour kid."
"Mochou..." Yichen mulled over the name. A smile dawning his lips. His father noticed the smile and frowned.
"Stay away from that GER. His family is messed up and his life is in ruins." His father warned. He knew his son and was concerned Yichen was curious about the scarred GER.
"What happened to him?" Yichen asked. He obviously didn't care about his father's warning.
"His father Bo Chen is a violent man who married Chan Juan a woman from a few towns over. Apparently he chose her because their family was known for giving birth to sons. But after years all she could do was give birth to a GER. Bo Chen became more violent and in the end Mochou was the one who suffered. One day the mother snapped and attacked Mochou. That's how he got those scars on his face. A real shame because he was beautiful and despite his family and being a GER matchmakers from all over came to offer him marriage proposals." His father explained.
His father had his reservations but he knew Yichen, his third son, and how his curiosity often got him in trouble. So he decided to answer Yochen's questions.
"He's still beautiful." Yichen whispered.
"What did you say?" His father asked.
"I said it's unfair. Forcing him to live in that hut like an exiled criminal. Why aren't you stopping them?" Yichen asked.
His father was the village leader and a low level government official. If he really wanted to he could do something about the way Mochou was being treated.
"It's not my place to interfere in matters within a family. As for him living in that hut, as a twenty year old unmarried GER it's not unheard of nor is it illegal given they have a son living in the house." His father explained.
"You're basing this on that old worn out rule about having unmarried GERs or women over the age of twenty living in the same home as young males? That rule was made decades ago to entice families to offer their children to marry soldiers that were off at war." Yichen said upset at the situation.
"The family refuses to let him stay in their home since their son was born. I did speak with Bo Chen but he said it was either that or forcing Mochou to marry someone. Even if it meant marrying a man known to be abusive or an old man nearing death. It may seem cruel, but it is the best situation for Mochou." His father explained.
"Why must he marry some abusive or old man?" Yichen asked unconvinced.
"You've seen the scars. No other men will marry him. Not now that he is seen as a monster amongst the villagers.
"I'll marry him." Yichen suddenly said on impulse.
Smack!*
His father hit him at the back of his head.
"Don't be a fool. Your mother has chosen a respectable young woman for you to marry next month." His father replied angrily.
Yichen sat and watched his father walk away with a pout.
"How is marrying him foolish." Yichen muttered as he recalled Mochou's beautiful red eyes and how different he was from all the other GER and women he's met over the years.
"I've never met anyone like him. I doubt I ever will meet someone as interesting and beautiful as him again. Sorry dad. I can't give up so easily."
...
Author's note: Please note the MPREG TAG
This story has three genders.
1. Male: very masculine and strong.
2. Female: weak, have breast, and can get pregnant.
3. GER: similar to males but are smaller, weaker, and can get pregnant like females.
More details will be explained in future chapters.