Chapter 35

Ye Baizhi understood immediately. She knew that the food culture in this world was underdeveloped, and the ingredients she had found in recent days did not exist in the memories of her past self. Even the most prosperous areas of the Central Region’s imperial city lacked these foods. But she would bring all kinds of cuisine to this world.

Her eyes shone with a bright, determined light as she smiled. “Actually, the Northern Region is the richest in resources.”

“There is plenty of food here.”

Speaking with confidence, she continued, “Don’t worry, I’ll create all sorts of dishes—ones that even the Central Region’s imperial city doesn’t have.”

“The beastmen look down on our Northern Region, calling it barren and desolate. Then we’ll turn it into the most thriving and lively place.”

“When that day comes, those beastmen will envy us instead of despising us.”

The tribal hierarchy was strict, and each major region had its own ranks. Among them, the Northern Region was the most looked down upon by the beastmen of other territories. However, due to the overwhelming strength of their ruler, the Snow Wolf King, Xue Youchen, no one dared to recklessly stir up trouble in the Northern Region. It could be said that his power alone maintained the region’s fragile order. Otherwise, chaos would have long consumed the North. Perhaps even their weak and low-ranked Rabbit tribe would have been wiped out entirely.

That was why, whenever Ye Baizhi looked at Xue Youchen, she felt that he radiated a divine brilliance—sacred and unwavering.

“I’ll prepare different dishes for you.”

She was quite skilled at cooking. Besides, she loved experimenting with food and creating new flavors.

Xue Youchen gazed at her radiant smile, listening to her words, and his heart felt as if it had been filled with warm sunlight. As if, for a brief moment, he could glimpse the beautiful vision she described—something that truly made his heart rejoice.

His cold, silent heart once again warmed.

“Ah Zhi, this isn’t something you should be doing.”

“A beastman’s mate doesn’t need to handle these tasks—her beast husband will take care of her.”

“Ah Zhi, whatever you like, whatever you want to do, I should be the one to make it happen.”

“That way, you won’t have to tire yourself.”

What she spoke of was beautiful, but achieving it would undoubtedly take effort and hardship. He couldn’t bear to see her worn out.

“Food isn’t the most important thing.” The most important thing was her.

Ye Baizhi shook her head. “I don’t find it tiring.”

“Cooking and eating good food—it’s something that brings joy.”

“In this world, there’s no such thing as what should or shouldn’t be.”

“You’re my beast husband—you treat me well, and I want to do the same for you.”

“I want to make you food.”

“I also want to do something for the Northern Region that you protect.” To make those who once looked down on them rethink everything.

Just as he had dealt with the Cat Tribe’s troubles for her, and had solved the matter with Kasai. He had even helped her brother retrieve his gifted bone. That wasn’t something he had to do. Yet he did it anyway, ensuring there was nothing left for her to worry about.

Gratitude filled her heart, and she wanted to give something in return.

“You may be my beast husband, but if you suffer, I will feel it too.”

“I won’t bear to see you struggle.”

Hearing those words, Xue Youchen’s heart trembled. He gazed deeply at Ye Baizhi, his eyes shimmering like moonlight on water, rippling softly—luminous and mesmerizing.

A faint smile played on his lips as he spoke, his voice warm and low. “Ah Zhi, I just want to hide you away.”

His Ah Zhi was a treasure. He didn’t want any beastman to discover how extraordinary she was. But he knew—dust could only obscure a pearl for so long. One day, powerful and noble beastmen would see her brilliance. There would be those who wanted to take her from him.

With a gentle tug, Xue Youchen pulled Ye Baizhi into his embrace, settling her onto his lap. Naturally, she wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning playfully. “My beast husband is so good—so easy for others to covet. I want to hide you away too.”

When she first arrived in this world, the very first person she saw was him. A beauty beyond words, as if he had stunned time itself. That was why he was different to her.

Xue Youchen sighed helplessly, rubbing her head gently with indulgent affection. “No need to hide me—I’m yours.”

Hearing those words, warmth flooded Ye Baizhi’s heart. Just as she was about to speak, footsteps echoed from outside.

Ye Baizhi instantly recognized them—her mother and brother had returned. She quickly slipped out of Xue Youchen’s arms, standing upright as if nothing had happened.

“Baizhi! Baizhi! We’re back!”

Before even stepping inside, Ye Chuan excitedly called out for his sister.

At the sound of his voice, Ye Baizhi instantly knew—they had found food today.

The moment Ye Chuan entered and saw Xue Youchen, his expression immediately stiffened. This was the Snow Wolf King, the ruler of the Northern Region, a beast king with ninth-tier strength.

Faced with him, Ye Chuan couldn’t help but feel a little tense even though Xue Youchen was now his sister’s beast husband. He was still afraid of embarrassing her.

Ye Lu had also returned. Both of them had come back with full loads.

Xue Youchen greeted them naturally, calling them “Mother” and “Brother.”

Ye Lu and Ye Chuan were completely taken aback. Even though they knew that Xue Youchen was Ye Baizhi’s beast husband, seeing him up close still felt surreal.

And then, more villagers arrived. Everyone came to express their gratitude to Ye Baizhi, bringing her the food they had gathered and hunted. She hadn’t intended to accept their offerings, but they insisted with enthusiasm.

However, the moment they saw the Snow Wolf King, their expressions shifted. After offering a respectful bow, they dared not speak a word—quickly leaving their gifts before hurrying away.

Previously, when rumors spread that the Snow Wolf King had become Ye Baizhi’s beast husband, many in the tribe found it hard to believe. But now, seeing it with their own eyes, they had no choice but to accept it as truth. Yet, since the chief had instructed them to keep this matter quiet, no one spoke of it openly. Instead, they whispered their astonishment in private.

Many marveled at Ye Baizhi’s ability—after all, she had succeeded in making the Snow Wolf King her husband. No matter the reason, they were certain that no other female beast could have done the same.

“Others might not see Ye Baizhi’s worth, but we in the tribe know.”

“Of course! She led us to discover so many new foods and even taught us how to cook. Otherwise, we would never have known that soybeans were edible—let alone how to make soy milk and tofu!”

“That’s right, tofu is delicious.”

“I’d say the Snow Wolf King became Ye Baizhi’s beast husband because he has good judgment.”

“Exactly! The Beast Emperor of the imperial city and some of the other male beasts may have noble status, but their judgment isn’t nearly as sharp.”

“Ye Baizhi is incredible—discovering so many new foods and teaching us how to cook. Other beastmen could never do that. Just watch—one day, they’ll regret it.”

Naturally, Ye Baizhi was unaware of the tribe’s quiet conversations. At that moment, she was happily talking with her mother and brother.

Especially her brother—he had brought back plenty of ramie and gathered a large amount of soybeans.

Of course, Ye Lu had returned with fresh game. But most importantly, she had brought back a live donkey.

“Mother, you really got a donkey!”

Ye Lu, seeing the joy on her daughter’s face, felt deeply satisfied. She quickly set down the bound wild donkey and said, “Didn’t you say wild donkeys could be used to pull a millstone?”

“You even sketched out what it should look like. I searched for days but couldn’t find one. Today, I happened to come across this one, so your uncle and I caught it.”

“But our tribe has never raised wild animals before. Are you sure this will work?”

“Wild animals can attack beastmen.”

“A donkey’s hooves can kick.”

Though Ye Lu always listened to her daughter—she was a doting mother—she couldn’t help but worry. She feared that if the donkey went wild, it might hurt her daughter.