“Mian’er, what’s wrong with you? You seem distracted,” Ying Yuan asked, noticing that Lu Mian’er had been acting strange ever since she returned from outside.

When he saw her almost reaching into the fire, he couldn’t help but grab her hand, holding it in his, his expression full of concern.

Thanks to Hu Jiao Jiao’s treatment and his natural self-healing abilities, Ying Yuan’s wounds had already healed enough for him to walk normally. However, the dark scabs on his body still looked intimidating.

“Ying Yuan…” Lu Mian’er hesitated for a moment before telling him everything that had happened that day.

Ying Yuan’s gaze darkened. “Hu Jiao Jiao’s been locked up?”

He’d prefer if that troublesome female never returned, but seeing how much Mian’er was worried about her, almost hurting herself, his expression softened.

In a low voice, he said, “Mian’er, if you’re that concerned, I’ll go with you to see her.”

He didn’t want her to be so upset and lost in thought.

“Really?” Lu Mian’er sad face lit up with joy, and she immediately stood up.

Ying Yuan sighed helplessly, his eyes full of affection as he nodded. “Of course. You can do whatever you want, I won’t stop you.”

He was determined to protect her happiness forever.

Lu Mian’er quickly wiped her hands and rushed outside. “Then let’s go right now.”

After taking a few steps, she returned to grab a few fruits and a freshly roasted rabbit, wrapped neatly in clean leaves, which she carried in her arms.

“Alright, now we can go.”

Ying Yuan shifted into his beast form and, due to his injuries, flew at a slower speed. It took them over ten minutes to reach the cave where Hu Jiao Jiao was being held.

The black hawk landed a dozen meters away from the cave.

Lu Mian’er jumped off its back and ran toward the entrance. The two male guards stationed there looked at her with confusion and asked, “Lu Mian’er, what are you doing here? You should go back. This isn’t a place where you should be.”

“I just want to see Jiao Jiao, please let me in,” Lu Mian’er pleaded softly.

Not far away, Ying Yuan heard her humble tone, and his sharp gaze swept over the two male guards.

Feeling a sudden chill down their spines, the guards hesitated. “Alright, but be quick. You know no one is supposed to be near Hu Jiao Jiao right now. If you get involved, not even Ying Yuan can protect you.”

Despite their warning, they eventually relented.

Lu Mian’er face lit up with gratitude as she nodded. “Thank you! I’ll just bring her food and be right out.”

The two guards stepped aside, and Lu Mian’er hurried inside.

The cave was vastly different from the outside—dark and cold, with an oppressive atmosphere that felt like it was shrouded in black mist. It was so dark that one could barely see their own hand in front of them.

The chilling air made Lu Mian’er shiver involuntarily, but she pressed on, her concern for Jiao Jiao driving her forward.

“Jiao Jiao? Where are you?”

Hu Jiao Jiao was in the middle of enjoying her Michelin-style meal when she heard voices from outside the cave. She quickly stashed everything back into her space, leaving only a small fire burning.

Peering toward the cave entrance, she soon spotted a familiar, slim figure cautiously making her way inside.

“Lu Mian’er?” Hu Jiao Jiao said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

When Lu Mian’er saw Hu Jiao Jiao, she broke into a relieved smile and rushed over.

She handed the food wrapped in leaves to Hu Jiao Jiao, her face full of concern. “I brought you something to eat. You must be suffering, being locked up in a place like this.”

Hu Jiao Jiao smiled awkwardly and shook her head. “No, I’m doing just fine.”

“Suffering” was the last thing on her mind—if anything, Lu Mian’er arrival had interrupted her luxurious meal.

But Lu Mian’er mistook her response for bravado, feeling even more guilty.

“Jiao Jiao, I’m so sorry. You got hurt trying to save me, and now you’re being falsely accused by Lu Cui Cui. It’s all my fault,” Lu Mian’er apologized, bowing her head.

Hu Jiao Jiao quickly shook her head. “No, no, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t say that.”

She was both touched and surprised by Lu Mian’er’s concern. A thought flickered through her mind—if Lu Mian’er’s impression of her had changed, maybe, just maybe, the tragic fate awaiting her five cubs and Long Mo at Ying Yuan’s hands could be avoided.

Opening the leaf package, she found fruits and a roasted rabbit—precious food in the eyes of the beastmen. Her gratitude toward Lu Mian’er deepened.

Everyone else in the tribe shunned her, wishing for her demise. Yet here was the very person she once considered an “enemy,” bringing her food and showing her concern.

To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie.

“Thank you, Lu Mian’er. I’ll cherish this food.”

Hu Jiao Jiao’s sincere words were met with a blushing Lu Mian’er, who waved her hand dismissively. “You saved my life, I should be the one thanking you. Don’t worry, I’ll come back tomorrow with more food. Don’t be scared, they’ll figure out the truth and let you out.”

Hu Jiao Jiao smiled, unsure how to explain that she had enough supplies in her space to last her forever. But seeing the earnest concern on Lu Mian’er face, she decided not to refuse.

…

As evening fell, the five cubs stayed cooped up at home, not saying a word to Long Mo.

They didn’t speak to him, nor did they acknowledge his presence.

When their stomachs started growling, Long Yao, unable to stand the hunger any longer, bit onto Long Ling’er’s clothes, tugging at them as if to say, “Let’s find some food.” The other cubs finally followed him outside.

As soon as they stepped out, they saw Long Mo struggling to start a fire.

Glancing at the cubs, he quickly looked back down and tried to focus on making food, just like Hu Jiao Jiao had taught him. But without a firestarter, he had no idea how to get the fire going.

“You must be hungry. Wait a bit longer, I’ll borrow some fire from the neighbors and make something to eat,” Long Mo said, standing up and preparing to leave.

Just as he turned, Long Ling’er’s angry voice stopped him in his tracks.

“I don’t want to eat your food! I want my mother back!”

Long Mo turned around, startled to see Long Ling’er glaring at him with tear-filled eyes, her face flushed with anger like a little kitten ready to pounce.

His expression faltered, and he looked to Long Yao, hoping for a different reaction.

Long Yao, naturally wanting to eat meat, was just about to fly toward Long Mo when Long Yu stopped him, holding him in his arms and soothing him. “Don’t worry, big brother will roast some meat for you.”

At these words, Long Yao happily nodded, completely losing interest in Long Mo.

The five cubs gathered in the yard, started a fire and prepared food on their own, acting as if Long Mo didn’t exist.

Feeling the cold indifference from his own children, Long Mo’s face darkened like charcoal.

These cubs were isolating him just because of Hu Jiao Jiao? What kind of spell had she cast on them to make them turn against him?