The dark, bright eyes were sincere and pure, completely unlike the bloodthirsty and fierce expression Hu Jiao Jiao had seen in her dream.

Upon closer inspection, the small hands clutching the hem of her clothing were trembling slightly.

It seemed as if she had mustered all her courage.

Their gazes met, and Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart felt as if a tender bud had been planted, a warmth like being enveloped by clouds. Instinctively, she felt the urge to protect this little one.

She opened her mouth, and her voice softened without her realizing it.

“How could Mother hate Ling’er? I’m not angry at all!”

She reached out and gently took Long Ling’er’s hand, walking over to the other cubs, showing with her actions that she was no longer the tyrant who would lash out in anger and beat them.

The cubs pressed their lips together, the wariness in their hearts gradually fading.

Even Long Zhong, for once, didn’t contradict Hu Jiao Jiao in front of others.

Long Ling’er’s small hand tightened around Hu Jiao Jiao’s, a hint of joy in her voice. “As long as Mother isn’t angry, that’s good.”

This voice, unlike before, carried no careful scheming but rather genuine happiness.

Hu Jiao Jiao’s mood also lightened. She turned her head and politely thanked her, “Lu Mian’er, thank you for your kindness, but from now on, you don’t need to secretly bring food for the cubs anymore. I won’t let them go hungry.”

She remembered that in the future, when the cubs became notorious villains standing against Lu Mian’er, they spared her life because they remembered her small acts of kindness. However, this led to their downfall, as they were all eventually killed by Ying Yuan, suffering fates no better than her own.

Thinking of this, she instinctively didn’t want the cubs to have too much contact with Lu Mian’er.

People are selfish, after all.

She selfishly hoped the cubs could grow up healthy, live peaceful lives, and avoid the harm that Lu Mian’er and Ying Yuan would bring in the future.

Upon hearing Hu Jiao Jiao’s words, Lu Mian’er frowned, a hint of anger flashing across her innocent face.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, what exactly are you trying to do? These cubs are already so thin. It’s bad enough you won’t feed them, but why are you stopping others from giving them food? You’re going too far!”

Her delicate face flushed with anger, but even in her anger, her voice was soft and weak, and her accusatory words did not evoke the slightest guilt.
“Huh? No, I…” Hu Jiao Jiao was taken aback, left speechless.

Looking at Lu Mian’er’s fragile appearance, she had to admit, the female protagonist’s charm was undeniable. Even her anger was endearing.

No wonder Ying Yuan was so devoted to her.

As the protagonist of the novel, Lu Mian’er naturally had the typical tragic backstory—her father’s brutal death and her cruel family. Growing up bullied, she developed a gentle personality that Ying Yuan deeply admired, caring for her with great tenderness.

But Hu Jiao Jiao wasn’t male. This act had no effect on her.

Just as Hu Jiao Jiao was about to explain, Long Zhong’s voice interrupted abruptly.

“Hey, are we leaving or not? Females sure are chatty.”

Hu Jiao Jiao turned to see the cubs already standing behind her, and Long Ling’er tugging at her hand, eager to pull her out of the forest.

Anyway, she had no intention of befriending Lu Mian’er, so if there was a misunderstanding, so be it. The cubs were more important!

With that, Hu Jiao Jiao followed the cubs and left.

Seeing her leave, Lu Mian’er hesitated to follow and instead watched the cubs disappear from sight with worry in her eyes.

“Mian’er!”

A male voice called from behind, and Lu Mian’er turned to see a black eagle descending from the sky, transforming in a blink into a tall, strong man.

“Ah Yuan, why are you here?”

Her face lit up with a delighted smile when she saw him.

Ying Yuan strode over, a tender smile on his rugged face. “I knew you’d be here.”

Lu Mian’er was about to walk over but suddenly stopped in her tracks, blushing and turning away in embarrassment.

“Ah Yuan, put your hide on quickly. It’s improper for others to see you like this…”

It was normal for males to go without hides around other males, but around females, they would cover themselves in beast hides for modesty.

“We’re already mates, so my body is for your eyes only. There’s no one else around; why bother with a hide?”

Ying Yuan chuckled, finding her shyness endearing.

“Ah Yuan!” Lu Mian’er shyly stomped her foot, like a startled little rabbit.

“Alright, alright, I didn’t bring my hide. Let me take you back, and I’ll put it on there, okay?”

Lu Mian’er climbed onto the black eagle’s back, her face pale from fear of heights, clinging tightly to his neck.

The meat she hadn’t managed to give earlier was now in Ying Yuan’s claws. He glanced at it and asked curiously, “Mian’er, you were going to give this to those cubs. Why didn’t they eat it today?”

Lu Mian’er often suffered at home, constantly bullied and going hungry. Ying Yuan had been her protector, bringing her food daily, which gave her enough to share with the cubs.

Though Ying Yuan despised Hu Jiao Jiao, he never stopped Lu Mian’er from doing what she wanted.

Sighing at the thought of not being able to give them the meat, Lu Mian’er’s eyes reflected worry.

“Hu Jiao Jiao saw me and took the cubs away,” she explained softly.

“Hu Jiao Jiao again. That vicious female, did she bully you?”

The mention of Hu Jiao Jiao immediately darkened Ying Yuan’s gaze, his eyes filled with loathing.

“No, it’s just a pity for those cubs, going hungry again…” Lu Mian’er shook her head gently, her voice filled with sympathy.

Hearing her concern, Ying Yuan’s heart softened. Worried she might be upset, he quickly reassured her.

“Mian’er, you’re too kind. Those cubs have parents. Whether they starve or not is none of your concern. You don’t need to feel guilty.”

Their voices gradually faded as the wind carried them away…

…

Hu Jiao Jiao and the five cubs returned home.

She was about to take out the newly made shoes for the cubs to try on when she remembered that Long Yao didn’t have a pair. So, she retrieved a bag of dried fish from her space, tore it open, and poured it into a porcelain bowl to give to him as well.

All the cubs were precious; she couldn’t afford to show favoritism and make Long Yao feel left out.

“Cubs, come here. Mother has something for you.”

At her call, the cubs gathered curiously, eyes fixed on the strange objects she held.

“Mother, what’s that?” Long Ling’er blinked, her big, bright eyes full of curiosity.

“These are shoes. They’ll protect your feet when you walk so they don’t get hurt,” Hu Jiao Jiao explained softly.

Adult beastmen could travel in their beast form, but the cubs couldn’t control their transformations yet. They often hurt their tender feet, and in some cases, infections could be fatal.

Long Ling’er still looked puzzled.

“Ling’er, come here. Mother will help you put them on to see if they fit.” Hu Jiao Jiao knelt down to put the shoes on her.

Her little feet were only the size of a palm. Hu Jiao Jiao had carefully estimated the size, and though they were slightly loose, they wouldn’t hinder her walking.

“Mother, these shoes feel strange, but they’re so soft and comfortable…”

Long Ling’er excitedly trotted around, testing out the new shoes.