“Really?”

Hearing this, Long Xiu’s expression softened, hope flickering across his usually stoic face.

He didn’t dare wish for a miracle for his eyesight, but… learning to rely on sound alone? That was something he could try!

He didn’t want to be useless. Even the slightest chance to help his family was worth a shot.

“Of course. Mother wouldn’t lie to you, Xiu’er. You believe Mother, don’t you?”

Hu Jiao Jiao smiled warmly.

“Yes.” Long Xiu carefully tightened his grip on the slingshot and gave a determined nod.

For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope, a sense of purpose filling him. The bleakness on his face lifted, replaced by a quiet resolve.

“Good boy, Xiu’er,” Hu Jiao Jiao said, ruffling his hair affectionately. Then, her gaze fell on the two tiny fish the cubs had brought home.

Noticing her look, Long Yu mumbled a bit sheepishly, “We actually caught two big ones, but they threw them back in the river…”

Otherwise, they’d have had some nice big fish to eat tonight.

Long Zhong chimed in, “Exactly! Don’t underestimate us; we can catch fish. Just wait until tomorrow—I’ll definitely bring home a big one for you to try.”

Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but laugh, watching their proud but embarrassed expressions.

Long Yu and Long Zhong blushed, feeling a bit silly and wanting to crawl into a hole to hide.

“No worries! Little fish are tender and just as tasty. I’ll cook them up for you tonight,” she said with a smile. Then she added, “If you want fish, I can go to the river tomorrow to catch some for you.”

Whether she got them from the river or from her space was a mystery only she knew.

All five cubs perked up, eyes shining.

“Mom, you’re the best! Ling’er loves you most!” Long Ling’er cried happily, hugging Hu Jiao Jiao’s leg and snuggling close.

Still as small as a turnip, with a soft face that had gained a healthy bit of plumpness, she no longer looked as frail as she once had. This gave Hu Jiao Jiao a sense of accomplishment in her new role as a mother.

Long Yao flew over next, licking Hu Jiao Jiao’s face with enthusiasm to show his excitement—and his love for the fish he’d get.

Hu Jiao Jiao, laughing helplessly, pulled him back. “Yao, how many times have I told you—no licking! You’ve got my face all wet.”

“Roooar!” Long Yao let out a tiny growl, his little tongue still lolling out as he wagged his tail. He seemed to pay no attention to her words.

Hu Jiao Jiao smiled with a sigh, but at that moment, a dark shadow passed overhead.

Long Mo was back!

She stiffened, suddenly nervous. Releasing Long Yao, she told the cubs to practice with their slingshots and hurried into the house to fetch the “gift” she’d carefully prepared for Long Mo.

Since she was now aware of how harshly the original Hu Jiao Jiao had treated him, she needed to make a good impression on Long Mo if she wanted to erase his unfavorable opinion of her.

Long Mo transformed from his dragon form and landed in the yard, where the cubs were waving around strange sticks and aiming at trees.

Even Long Xiu, usually so reserved, had left his cane behind and stood under a tree, listening intently with his eyes closed, holding a similar stick and a small stone.

Long Yao had his stick wrapped in his tail and was flinging stones wildly, even though his aim was terrible, he was clearly having a blast.

A puzzled expression crept across Long Mo’s usually stoic face.

What were they doing?

A stick and some stones… what was the fun in that?

Had he been away so long that he no longer understood his cubs’ interests?

While he wondered, Hu Jiao Jiao emerged from the house, her arms full of neatly folded beast-skin clothes.

“Long Mo, you’re back,” she said with a bright smile, hurrying over to him.

With her slender height, Hu Jiao Jiao still seemed small compared to Long Mo. She had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze.

“What is it?” Long Mo asked coldly, his face tense.

Smiling, Hu Jiao Jiao held up the beast-skin clothes, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. She carefully unfolded the garments, showing him as she spoke:

“I made you new clothes. Try them on; if they don’t fit, I can adjust them.”

She held the clothes up to him, measuring to see if they’d fit.

Looking at the outfit in her hands, Long Mo’s mind flashed back to the scene outside Ying Yuan’s house earlier.

The clothes were exactly the same as the ones Ying Yuan had been wearing.

His thoughts darkened, recalling the beastmen teasing remarks as he’d left.

A surge of anger flared inside him, and his gaze grew icy, locking onto the clothes.

If looks could burn, the clothes would already be in ashes.

So this female had dared to give him the same outfit she’d given Ying Yuan. Did she think of him as a fool?

She’d put in all this effort only to gift the same clothes to Ying Yuan first. All her indifference toward him had been an act!

Looking at her smiling face, Long Mo felt a bitter irony twist inside him. Disappointment and resentment surged through him as he swatted her hand away.

“Smack!”

Hu Jiao Jiao stumbled back, startled, and the clothes fell to the ground, instantly collecting dust.

The five cubs stopped what they were doing and glared at Long Mo, their eyes filled with indignation.

Those were clothes Mother had made herself!

When they got their clothes dirty, they felt bad for hours, but now their father had knocked down Mother’s gift? This was too much!

Hu Jiao Jiao, just as shocked, stammered, “Wh-what are you doing…”

She quickly bent down to pick up the clothes, brushing the dust off with care.

“This is new,” she muttered, clearly hurt, “If you didn’t like it, you could have just told me. I would have made you something else.”

Noticing Long Mo’s hardened expression, she figured he must just loathe her, as the story had always hinted.

“No need. I don’t want it,” he replied coldly.

If she couldn’t even bother to make something different for him than for Ying Yuan, he’d rather not have it at all.