The book only mentioned that one of the original owner’s cubs was disfigured, and another one was blind, but it never explained how it happened.

Hu Jiao Jiao never expected that the scar on Long Zhong’s face was caused by the original owner herself. Could it be that Long Xiu’s blindness was also her doing…?

Sensing Hu Jiao Jiao’s unspoken question, Long Xiu quickly dismissed her concern, “My blindness is congenital. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Xiu Xiu…” Hu Jiao Jiao furrowed her brow, feeling even more sorrowful.

Long Xiu was the most thoughtful yet the loneliest of the five children the original owner had. In the book, he spent his entire life strategizing for his siblings, but he never even saw what the people he was protecting looked like.

After saying his piece, Long Xiu turned, as usual, heading back to his dark wooden cabin, as if the endless darkness was his ultimate refuge.

“Xiu Xiu, I will find a way to heal your eyes, and Zhong’s face as well,” Hu Jiao Jiao called out, making Long Xiu pause in his steps.

Her voice was firm as she continued, “I’ve heard that Shamans can bring beastmen back from the dead. Maybe they can heal your eyes and remove scars. I’ll definitely find one for you!”

Long Xiu clenched his fists, his childish voice taking on a raspier tone. “We don’t need your promises.”

“I know I’ve made many mistakes in the past, but from now on, I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Trust me,” Hu Jiao Jiao’s gentle, reassuring tone carried a warmth that brought comfort.

Long Xiu froze for a moment, then coldly resumed walking, “Anyone can say sweet words.”

Watching his lonely silhouette, Hu Jiao Jiao became even more resolute in her determination.

Even if the resources in her space were all unlocked, she wasn’t a doctor. She couldn’t heal her two children’s eyes or scars. But she had read the book and knew that Shamans had the ability to do so.

She remembered that Lu Mian’er and Ying Yuan encountered a Shaman after leaving the tribe and joining a larger one. Since Shaman really existed, there was hope.

…

On the other side.

Hou Xiaotiao returned home with meat. His mate, Hou Xiang, was sitting under the large locust tree outside their home with their two monkey cubs, chatting with other females who had children.

Seeing Xiaotiao back, Hou Xiang was surprised, “Xiao Tiao, why are you back so early?”

Normally, when Xiaotiao went hunting, he wouldn’t return until at least noon, and sometimes not until evening. How had he come back so quickly today?

“Xiang Xiang, I—” Xiaotiao started to explain, but Hou Xiang suddenly noticed the two large slabs of fresh meat he was carrying. Her face lit up with joy, and she eagerly stood up to greet him.

“Wow, you caught such a big prey so early in the day? Xiaotiao, you’ve really outdone yourself!”

Immediately, the other females under the tree shot envious glances at her.

Catching prey so early in the morning? Who would have thought that Hou Xiang’s mate was this skilled!

Hou Xiang busied herself helping Xiaotiao unload the meat. But instead of taking it home right away, she smiled modestly at the other females under the tree, though she could barely contain her delight.

“My Xiaotiao brought home some meat. You all chat amongst yourselves. I’ll go store this first.”

Anyone could hear the pride in her voice.

Xiaotiao hadn’t even gotten the chance to explain, and Hou Xiang had already taken the meat inside. He scratched his head, frustrated.

It was getting late. If he didn’t head to the forest to find Long Mo soon, he wouldn’t be back before nightfall. Reluctantly, he shouted toward the house, “Xiang Xiang, I’m going out!” and rushed toward the forest, deciding he would explain about the meat later.

By the time Hou Xiang came out after putting the meat away, Xiaotiao was already gone.

Smiling, she returned to the group of females under the tree, her tone full of pride, “This little monkey, he is so diligent even though he has food. He left without taking a rest.”

Under the locust tree, one of the females, who had returned with Xiaotiao, spoke up with a hint of jealousy in her tone, “What hunting? That meat was given to him by Hu Jiao Jiao. Xiaotiao didn’t even leave the tribe to hunt today. Someone’s mate sure is in the dark about it!”

Gossip is a natural instinct for women.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the other females gasped in surprise.

“Isn’t Hu Jiao Jiao interested in Ying Yuan? Why is she being so generous to Hou Xiaotiao all of a sudden?”

“She better not be trying to snatch Xiaotiao. Xiang Xiang, you should keep a close eye on him, or your little ones might lose their father over a few chunks of meat.”

The faces of the once-envious females were now full of mocking smiles.

They had thought Xiaotiao was truly that skilled, but it turned out he was just cozying up to Hu Jiao Jiao!

Hou Xiang’s smile instantly froze.

As their taunting voices reached her ears, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Face darkening, she picked up her two cubs and quickly retreated to her home.

…

Outside the tribe, the land stretched into endless mountains and forests.

The dense, overgrown trees barely let any light through. Damp and dark, it was an inhospitable environment where beastmen struggled to survive.

Cautiously making his way deeper into the mountains, Hou Xiaotiao finally arrived at a dark cave.

He mustered his courage and called out, “Long Mo, are you in there? It’s me, Xiaotiao. I have something to tell you…”

Only his voice echoed in the cave.

He knew Long Mo lived in this cave year-round. Every time they take the prey, it was here. Long Mo would leave the prey at the cave entrance, and since he left the tribe, Xiaotiao hadn’t seen him in person, not even once.

Worried that something might have happened to Long Mo, Xiaotiao grew anxious.

“Long Mo, I’m coming in if you don’t say something!” he called out, stepping toward the entrance.

Before his foot could touch the ground inside, a deep, raspy voice rang out from within.

“What is it?”

Xiaotiao froze mid-step and quickly stopped. He would never dare to go inside. The cave was too dark, a place so isolated it felt like it was cut off from the world. Even though Xiaotiao wasn’t afraid of the dark, hearing Long Mo’s voice echo from within always sent a chill down his spine.

Shivering, he hastily replied, “It’s Hu Jiao Jiao…”

As soon as he mentioned her name, an idea struck him.

Long Mo hunted plenty of prey, and it wasn’t easy for Hu Jiao Jiao to raise the cubs on her own. If Long Mo could return and help her, she wouldn’t have to struggle so much.

Thinking he should help Hu Jiao Jiao as a way to repay her kindness, he continued.

“Hu Jiao Jiao?” Long Mo’s voice grew colder, laced with impatience. “What happened to her?”

Sensing the displeasure in Long Mo’s tone, Xiao Tiao quickly shook his head, then remembered Long Mo couldn’t see him and hurriedly explained, “No, it’s not that…”

He paused, then added, “She told me she hopes you can deliver the prey yourself next time. She said… she misses you.”