When Hu Jiao Jiao returned home, the five cubs were already back.

The courtyard was filled with neatly stacked firewood—the cubs’ hard work for the day.

As she walked in, she noticed the cubs were tiptoeing into the house. In the middle of the yard, a stone basin the size of a washbowl sat filled with water, with three small fish swimming around inside.

“Back already? And you caught fish today? Look at you all!”

Seeing the cubs, Hu Jiao Jiao brushed off her earlier worries and put on her brightest smile for them.

She didn’t want her moods to weigh on them.

Growing up, her parents had fought constantly in front of her, breaking dishes and shouting without a thought for her feelings. It left her with a fear of loud voices that lingered into adulthood. When she first arrived here, she had instinctively been afraid of Hu Jing for that very reason.

At the sound of her voice, the five cubs froze.

Hu Jiao Jiao sensed something was off.

Why were Xiao Wu and Ling’er so quiet today? Normally, Xiao Wu was the first to run to her arms.

Approaching, she noticed that four of the cubs—everyone except Long Xiu—were soaking wet, dripping water onto the ground.

She hurried over, worried.

“What happened? How did you all end up like this?”

Heart aching for them, Hu Jiao Jiao took out towels, handing one to each of the older cubs and using one herself to dry Long Ling’er’s hair and face.

With her fragile health and the cooler weather, she couldn’t risk Ling’er catching a cold.

Long Yu and Long Zhong took their towels, keeping their heads down in rare silence.

Little Long Yao was covered in yellow mud from head to toe, looking like a mudfish with only his big red eyes showing. Usually so mischievous, he now shrank back like a guilty puppy, cautiously watching Hu Jiao Jiao’s face to see if she was angry.

“Mother, we’re sorry. We won’t go to the river for fish again or get our clothes dirty. Please don’t be mad…” Ling’er clasped her hands together, her voice soft and sincere.

These were clothes Mother had made herself, and now that they were all muddy, she was sure Mother would be upset.

Ling’er had barely started speaking when Long Zhong stepped forward, lifting his chin.

“It’s my fault the clothes got wet. If you’re mad, punish me, not Ling’er and Xiao Wu!”

Long Yu walked up quietly and held out his blackened hands. “Punish me instead, not them.”

He knew getting the clothes dirty was their fault, and he was ready to face the consequences.

Hu Jiao Jiao looked at them and raised her hand.

Long Yu closed his eyes, bracing himself for the scolding that never came. Opening his eyes, he saw that Hu Jiao Jiao was only gently wiping his hands clean, her face calm and filled with concern.

With a tender touch, she cleaned his hands, murmuring softly,

“Silly cubs, it’s just wet clothes. Take them off, and Mother will wash them. But…how did you get so drenched? Did another cub bully you?”

Seeing how they looked, so guarded and hesitant, tugged at Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart.

What she feared most was that they’d been bullied.

“N-No one bullied us. We just slipped in the river,” Ling’er stammered, eyes darting nervously.

Young children often believe they’re good at hiding things, but adults can see right through them.

It was obvious to Hu Jiao Jiao that Ling’er wasn’t telling the whole truth. Smiling softly, she pinched Ling’er’s chubby, dusty cheeks. She’d gained a bit of healthy weight since they first arrived.

Crouching to meet her eyes, Hu Jiao Jiao spoke gently, “Ling’er, dirty clothes don’t make Mother angry, but lying does.”

“I…” Ling’er’s face flushed, and she lowered her head.

Hu Jiao Jiao looked at the other cubs. “The same goes for all of you. You’re far more important to me than any clothes. I won’t punish you for something so small, but…”

“If you’re hurt or being bullied, Mother worries. So tell me the truth. Did someone bother you?”

Ling’er looked at the other cubs as if for permission.

Long Yu and Long Zhong turned their heads away, stubbornly keeping silent.

Seeing their determination, Hu Jiao Jiao sighed. Whose stubbornness had they inherited?

“Telling lies isn’t something good cubs do. Have you thought this through?” Her tone turned firm as she looked at each of them with serious eyes.

Ling’er scrunched up her face in hesitation, looking troubled like a sad little dumpling.

“Mother, I’m sorry. I won’t lie again,” Ling’er finally whispered, lowering her head, honestly admitting her fault.

A smile of relief appeared on Hu Jiao Jiao’s face.

Now, that was her good little cub!

She could accept small white lies meant to protect each other’s feelings or harmless secrets. But letting them suffer in silence? Absolutely not.

“Good girl, Ling’er. Admitting your mistake is what good cubs do. Now, tell Mother what happened today?”

Gently patting Ling’er’s head, she encouraged her to share.

“It’s…” Ling’er struggled, unable to get the words out.

“It was Lu Li. When we were catching fish by the river, he came with a group of cubs and pushed us into the water,” Long Xiu said, his voice clear and steady.

Although he’d stayed on the riverbank, he had heard everything that happened.

Long Xiu hated that his blindness prevented him from helping his siblings when they were being bullied. Thankfully, the river was shallow, and his siblings were strong swimmers, so no one was hurt. But if they had been, he’d never forgive himself.

“Sorry, I failed to protect them. Lying to you was also my idea,” Long Yu admitted, lowering his head in regret.

Long Zhong clenched his fists, his scarred face filled with resentment. “That despicable Lu Li, thinking he’s tough because he has numbers on his side. When I’m older, I’ll make sure he pays for this!”

Hu Jiao Jiao studied the fierce look on Long Zhong’s face and figured that once he grew up, he’d do more than just throw a few punches.

A thought occurred to her, and she grinned, an idea forming. Turning to the cubs, she asked in a sweet voice,

“Cubs, do you want to get Revenge? Mother has something good for you!”