“Mom! You’re back!”

Long Ling’er dashed out from the yard, with three serious-looking little boys following close behind. Seeing all her children waiting for her at home, Hu Jiao Jiao felt warmth in her heart. She knelt down and caught Long Ling’er in her arms, holding her close.

“Have you been a good girl, Ling’er?”

“Ling’er’s been very good! And my brothers and Xiao Wu too. We were all worried about you…”

Long Ling’er answered sweetly, nuzzling Hu Jiao Jiao’s hand like a little beast asking for pats.

Earlier that morning, Grandpa Chief had visited their home, telling them their mother had been released but couldn’t return yet and that they should stay home and not wander off.

The Chief hadn’t told the children about Hu Jiao Jiao’s ordeal, hoping to avoid worrying them. If she didn’t make it back, he need to quickly evacuate the females and young ones from the tribe. However, all five kids had taken the Chief’s words to heart, staying home all day without stepping out of the yard.

“Who said I was worried about her?” Long Zhong scoffed, rolling his eyes as he saw Hu Jiao Jiao return safe and sound, then turned his head away in feigned disinterest.

“What’s that smell of blood?” Although Long Xiu couldn’t see, his keen sense of smell instantly picked up the strong scent of blood on the two of them.

Long Yu frowned, also noticing the scent. This didn’t look like someone who had just been released—it looked like they had just been through a fierce battle.

Only then did Long Ling’er notice her father’s blood-soaked state. She poked her head out of Hu Jiao Jiao’s arms and gave him a brief, dismissive look.

“Dad, what happened to you?”

Long Mo: “…”

Why did he suddenly feel like an extra here? Was it just his imagination?

Hu Jiao Jiao suddenly remembered Long Mo was still hurt. Standing up, she nudged Long Ling’er toward the yard, explaining:

“Your dad went to fight the wandering beastmen today and killed them all! Isn’t that amazing?”

All five cubs cast skeptical looks her way.

Was their dad really that powerful?

“You’re not just saying that to make us feel better, are you?” Long Zhong frowned, unable to hold back his question.

The moment he said it, Long Mo’s expression darkened. He shot a menacing glance at Long Zhong.

This little brat—maybe he had gone too long without a lesson?

Long Zhong felt a chill down his spine and quickly hid behind Long Yu, closing his mouth.

Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

“I’m going to wash up by the river,” Long Mo muttered with a dark look.

This blood-covered state wasn’t ideal for staying around the house.

“Oh!” Hu Jiao Jiao opened her mouth to stop him, but he was already striding off.

Sighing, she turned her attention back to the cubs, getting started on dinner.

Since last night’s meal, they hadn’t eaten much, and even Long Yao, who was usually a big eater, seemed to have lost his appetite. Hu Jiao Jiao made a simple meal of roasted meat and a large pot of bone broth, adding two roasted sweet potatoes for each of them.

As the delicious aroma filled the air, the five cubs stomachs growled in unison, so loud it sounded like a song.

Seeing Hu Jiao Jiao chuckle to herself, they blushed, covering their stomachs and shuffling off a bit.

“Stupid stomach, can’t you just cooperate?” Long Zhong muttered, patting his belly.

Long Ling’er, however, sniffed the air with a happy expression. “It’s best when Mom’s here—then we get good food.”

And it feels like home.

Hu Jiao Jiao set the table, and soon after, Long Mo returned, now washed and clean.

He still wore the same animal hide, though it was cleaned and wrung out. Though wrinkled and damp, it did nothing to diminish his good looks. With his flawless face still dewy, wet hair hanging over his golden eyes, he had the look of a prince just emerging from a bath.

In contrast to his usual aloofness, he now appeared softer, almost like a drenched, gentle pup. The sight was surprisingly endearing.

Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but sneak another glance.

She thought to herself, with looks this striking and an air of mystery, in the modern world, he’d leave every other pop idol in the dust.

“Your eyes are practically popping out of your head,” came Long Zhong’s voice from behind. He stood with his arms crossed, staring at her with a look of mock disdain.

Hu Jiao Jiao snapped back to reality to find Long Zhong standing beside her, looking like a tiny adult, scrutinizing her with obvious disapproval.

“Little rascal, what are you talking about?” She huffed, quickly setting the table to hide her embarrassment.

Long Zhong snorted, then took his seat at the table with the others.

“What were you saying, Brother?” Long Ling’er swung her little legs and leaned in curiously.

“I was saying that she…mmm!”

Hu Jiao Jiao quickly stuffed a large piece of roasted meat into his mouth, grinning as she interrupted.

“He said he’s hungry. Now eat up! The sooner you finish, the sooner you can rest—it’s getting late.”

“Oh.” Long Ling’er nodded dutifully.

The kids were starving, especially Long Yao, who gobbled down his meal. After a day of worry, he soon went to bed and fell asleep right away.

Once Hu Jiao Jiao had tucked in the children, she realized Long Mo hadn’t come inside.

She found him standing by the fence in the yard.

What is he doing out here so late? Isn’t he sleepy after a tiring day?

Remembering he was still wearing the damp hide, Hu Jiao Jiao had an idea. She dashed inside, grabbing an old animal hide she’d cut for the kids to use as bath robes.

“Um…” She walked over to Long Mo.

Hearing her, Long Mo turned. There stood Hu Jiao Jiao, head lowered, holding a small animal hide. He heard her voice again:

“The hide you’re wearing is wet and uncomfortable. We don’t have any extras, but you could take it off and use this one for tonight…”

Silence.

Her arms were getting tired from holding the heavy hide for so long.

Was he refusing?

Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, he took the hide from her, relieving the weight.

“Understood.” Long Mo’s deep gaze stayed distant, barely glancing at her, and he replied with a detached tone.

“Well, get changed and rest up,” Hu Jiao Jiao said happily, turning to go back to her little hut.

Only once she had left did Long Mo finally lower his gaze to the animal hide. Soft and light, it was clearly one of the types she preferred.

Her words echoed in his mind.

There’s no more hide left at home?

“Oh, right!” Hu Jiao Jiao suddenly remembered something, spinning around to find him still in the yard. “Are your wounds serious? I have medicine to help them heal faster.”

Long Mo’s expression froze, and he quickly looked away, almost as if he were hiding something.

“No need.”