Just as Long Mo wondered if he had come to the wrong place, five little cubs suddenly ran out of the house.

“Daddy!”

“It’s Daddy! Mommy didn’t lie, she really brought Daddy back.”
Long Ling’er joyfully sprinted out from the house, throwing herself into Long Mo’s arms.

Her small, pale face was flushed with excitement, her big eyes blinking eagerly as she looked up at him.
“Daddy, you’re finally back! Ling’er missed you so much!”

Whenever Long Mo was around, Long Ling’er would always act like a spoiled little girl, clinging to his leg and refusing to let go.

Seeing the cubs, the cold, hard lines of Long Mo’s face softened. He only ever lost his frosty demeanor when he was around his cubs.

The other four cubs followed behind, though they weren’t as visibly excited as Ling’er, their pursed lips and warm smiles revealed how happy they were to see him.
“Daddy’s back—thank goodness,” they seemed to say.

However, Long Yao, who was trailing right behind Ling’er, suddenly stopped when Long Mo opened his arms to catch him. The little cub circled Long Mo once, stretching his neck to peer behind him, as if searching for something.

“Yao’er, what’s wrong?” Long Mo asked, his sharp features briefly showing confusion. Usually, Yao’er would be just like Ling’er, running straight into his arms.

He often disliked Long Yao, a male cub, for being so clingy to him. But now that Yao’er didn’t rush to him, Long Mo felt a bit uncomfortable.

Ling’er tilted her little head up, her sweet voice explaining, “Daddy, Xiao Wu is looking for Mommy.”

“Why didn’t Mommy come back with you?” Ling’er’s big, gem-like eyes blinked in confusion.

Long Mo froze, his brows furrowing slightly.
Since when did the cubs care so much about that female?
Ling’er was actually concerned about when she would return.

Meeting Ling’er’s expectant gaze, Long Mo answered in a soft voice, omitting his earlier encounter with Hu Jiao Jiao.
“I didn’t see her. She should be back soon.”

His deep gaze wandered around the courtyard.

On one side was a neatly stacked pile of firewood, while on the other were some strange stones. The fence appeared to have been recently rebuilt, the yard was expanded, and the ground was spotless.
There was also an additional wooden house, with a large and a small one side by side, giving the place a surprisingly cozy feel.

The cubs, too, were no longer the skinny, dirty little things they used to be. They had grown healthy and vibrant, as if transformed.

He hadn’t been home in a long time, and everything had changed so much.
Could it be that the female had found a new mate?

The thought caused Long Mo’s golden eyes to narrow, a dark shadow clouding his gaze. He should have known—there was no way that lazy female could’ve done all of this herself. After failing to seduce Ying Yuan, she must have moved on to another male.

Hearing Long Mo’s reply, the cubs immediately looked disappointed.

Upon learning that Hu Jiao Jiao wasn’t back, Long Yao turned away, flopping onto Long Yu’s head, closing his eyes, and quickly falling asleep.
The three other male cubs, losing interest, turned back into the house.

Long Mo: “…?”

Why did he suddenly feel neglected?
Why weren’t the cubs reacting the way he expected?

“Daddy, go find Mommy! We’re hungry—hurry and bring her back to make us food,” Ling’er’s bright eyes gleamed mischievously as she pushed at Long Mo’s leg, trying to guide him out of the courtyard.

Her small frame wasn’t strong enough to move him, of course.

She knows how to do housework now?
Could all these changes really be her doing?

Long Mo found it hard to believe, but he still took a few steps as if to leave. He was about to say he’d handle the cooking, but Ling’er had already turned and sprinted off without a second thought, leaving behind only a parting shout,
“Hurry, Daddy! We’ll wait for you and Mommy at home!”

It was almost as if she were telling him, Don’t come back without her.

Resigned, Long Mo headed off to find Hu Jiao Jiao.

…

Upon hearing that wandering beastmen were nearby, the chief wasted no time. He ordered the males to carry the fruit and immediately set off back to the tribe.

As usual, Hu Jiao Jiao trailed at the back of the group.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, can I walk with you?” Hu Jiao Jiao had been idly twirling a stalk of wild grass she picked by the roadside when a soft voice interrupted her.

Looking up, she saw Lu Mian’er gazing at her with hopeful eyes.

“Uh, sure,” Hu Jiao Jiao replied, a bit surprised, scooting over to make room.

Mian’er beamed, jogging over to walk beside her.

The forest path wasn’t easy to navigate, and the route the females took had been forged by the males. It was wide enough for one person, but a bit cramped for two.

Because of her injured foot, Lu Mian’er had to jog every few steps to keep up with Hu Jiao Jiao. She was constantly being scratched by the nearby branches, and by the 19th time she got snagged, Hu Jiao Jiao was beginning to get frustrated.

What’s with Lu Mian’er? There’s so much open space up ahead—why is she squeezing in next to me? Is she trying to pick a fight?

Hu Jiao Jiao took a deep breath, preparing to move ahead, when Lu Mian’er glanced at her and mustered the courage to speak.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, thank you for saving me today.”

Lu Mian’er exhaled deeply after saying it, then quickly added,
“I used to misunderstand you, and I’ve said some harsh things. If you’re still mad, you can scold me or even hit me. I’ll do whatever you want if it makes you feel better.”

Mian’er had never received affection from her parents or brother, they often bullied her. She had always thought only Ying Yuan and Hu Jing truly cared for her, but now the female she had once despised—Hu Jiao Jiao—had risked her life to save her. She would never forget such a kindness.

“Lu Mian’er, did you… did you hit your head?” Hu Jiao Jiao asked, staring at her with a strange look.
Why would I hit you?
Did the wandering beastmen knock something loose in her brain?

Frowning, Hu Jiao Jiao reached out to check Mian’er’s forehead and even leaned closer for a better look.
“No fever, no visible wounds…”

Lu Mian’er blushed shyly, her soft voice full of hope. “I’m not hurt… Jiao Jiao, does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”

Hu Jiao Jiao glanced at the rest of the group, now far ahead, and nodded hurriedly.
“Sure, sure, forgiven.”

She then grabbed Lu Mian’er’s arm and quickened their pace to catch up with the others. Falling behind in the forest was never a good idea.

Looking down at Hu Jiao Jiao’s hand holding hers, Mian’er’s heart swelled with emotion.

Hu Jiao Jiao is so kind. She’s even helping me walk now that I’m injured.

The group returned to the tribe, only to find a crowd of worried-looking beastmen gathered at the entrance, buzzing anxiously. When they spotted Hu Jiao Jiao and the others, someone cried out.

“The Chief is back! Hurry, let the Chief through…”

“Chief, something terrible has happened!”