The little cub’s transformation didn’t seem entirely successful.

On his forehead, two small black dragon horns peeked out, while a slender tail with a triangle tip dangled from his backside, swinging around uncontrollably. At first glance, he looked like a little demon dragon straight out of an animated world.

Hearing Long Ling’er laugh, the little cub froze, his tail stiffening straight up.

With his chubby little hands, he felt around his forehead.

“!!”

Wide-eyed, his face flushed with embarrassment.

He’d forgotten to hide his horns!

Annoyed, his pudgy cheeks reddened as he smacked his forehead hard with both hands.

Smack!

The horns retracted.

Satisfied, he gave a little nod and turned to grab his tail, trying to yank it back in. In a tiny, determined voice, he threatened, “Little tail, you stay hidden! If you come out again, I’ll give you a smack!”

After a few tugs and some effort, he managed to tuck his tail away.

Hu Jiao Jiao and the other cubs watched, dumbfounded.

Had their little Xiao Wu just transformed and already gained partial control over his beastly traits?

Was he gifted or something?

Just as she thought it, Xiao Wu threw his arms out and began to dash toward her. “Mama!”

But after two steps…

Biu! Biu!

Out popped his little dragon horns again, followed by the triangular tail.

The other cubs: “…”

Gifted? Let’s pretend we didn’t think that just now.

Before he could reach her, Xiao Wu tripped over his own feet and tumbled forward. Hu Jiao Jiao quickly swooped in, catching him in a bundle of soft warmth.

“Yao’er, you just transformed. , so be careful when walking.” She patted his soft, fuzzy head, gently reminding him.

Still bubbling with excitement, Xiao Wu ignored his horns and tail. He snuggled up against her arm, chattering in his tiny, cheerful voice, “Mama! Xiao Wu transformed! Yay! Now Xiao Wu can sit to poop like the others!”

Hu Jiao Jiao: “?”

All this excitement just for that?

The other cubs rolled their eyes. Could they trade this little brother?

After his initial excitement, Xiao Wu suddenly remembered something. He let go of her arm and stood up, sticking his little hands out, wiggling his pudgy fingers with expectation.

His jewel-like red eyes blinked up at her.

Hu Jiao Jiao blinked back, unsure.

Xiao Wu’s lip quivered, and he repeated the hand gesture. In a small, hopeful voice, he reminded her, “Mama said… after I transformed, I’d get yummy food. Xiao Wu tried really hard to transform!”

“But… I couldn’t hide my horns or tail. If Mama thinks Xiao Wu is dumb, then how about half the food?”

With that, he retracted one hand, nervously grabbing his leg while his tail curled up shyly, the triangle tip folding over like a bashful little leaf.

Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. It was all for food.

“Alright. I’ll make something tasty for you tomorrow. It’s late now, and more food will just burst Yao’er’s little tummy.” She patted his belly, round and taut like a balloon.

“Yay!” His smile revealed a gap where two baby teeth were missing.

“Still thinking about food when you can’t even hide your horns and tail. You’ll be as round as a ball soon!” Long Zhong teased from behind, giving Xiao Wu’s tail a poke.

The little tail bashfully ducked in front of Xiao Wu, who placed his hands on his hips and huffed, “Xiao Wu’s not a ball! Xiao Wu’s a fierce black dragon! Grrr—I’ll gobble you up, Third Brother!”

He scrunched his face into an exaggerated growl, showing his ‘ferocious’ side.

But the blush on his horns betrayed him, glowing faintly red as if embarrassed.

Long Zhong smirked, glancing up and down. “More like a chubby little worm.”

“Grr!” Xiao Wu let out a tiny growl, forgetting he was now in human form.

Hu Jiao Jiao was laughing so hard her sides hurt.

“Alright, you’re all brothers, no more bickering. Let’s get you some clothes,” she said, pulling the little guy close and tying a small bellyband on him.

Even though he’d managed to hide most of himself under his dragon scale, he still needed something proper to wear.

Hu Jiao Jiao wanted to put one of his siblings’ clothes on him, but he was so much shorter, barely even reaching Long Ling’er’s shoulder. Though he’d gained some weight, he was still quite small, almost like a three-year-old, despite being five.

Hu Jiaojiao could only cut a simple bellyband and put it on Long Yao first, and then make small clothes for him tomorrow.

Trying on his clothes for the first time, Xiao Wu twirled around happily. “Wow! Xiao Wu has clothes too!”

He’d always watched his brothers and sisters wear new clothes, feeling a bit envious. Now he had his own!

After all the excitement, the night grew late. His siblings were yawning with drowsiness, and even Xiao Wu was wobbling where he stood, eyes half-shut.

Transforming had been exhausting.

Hu Jiao Jiao urged the other cubs to go to bed, but Xiao Wu clung tightly to her arm.

“Xiao Wu wants to sleep with Mama,” he said, his wide eyes glistening.

Behind him, his little tail swayed back and forth like a puppy eager for attention.

“Come on, Xiao Wu, don’t be a baby. Go to sleep,” Long Yu frowned slightly, noting the tired look on their mother’s face. She was surely too exhausted for the little one to disturb her sleep tonight.

Hu Jiao Jiao thought for a moment. Her little one had just transformed and likely felt insecure. So she nodded.

“Alright, tonight Mom will stay with Yao’er.”

Long Yu: “…?”

The other cubs looked shocked. She was really letting Xiao Wu sleep beside her? She’d never once let them sleep with her.

Long Ling’er pouted, regretting that she hadn’t asked. She wanted to sleep with her Mother too.

Seeing he had permission, Xiao Wu proudly waved them away, a smug grin on his face. “Mama’s tired! You all go back to bed!”

His little tail flicked in triumph.

Long Zhong twitched an eyebrow, thinking: Just wait until Dad’s back. Then we’ll see who’s showing off.

---

The next morning.

Hu Jiao Jiao rose early and, before the others arrived to work on the stone house, she began making clothes for Long Yao.

While she was up, the little guy was still sprawled on his blanket, fast asleep. His limbs were splayed out, his tail tucked under his back in a starfish shape.

Every now and then, he smacked his lips as if dreaming of delicious food.

“Mmm… yum…”

A tiny bit of drool glistened on his lip.

Hu Jiao Jiao chuckled.

“This little glutton. Even his dreams are about food.”