“Chief, what are you doing? Please, get up!”

Hu Jiao Jiao was shocked, rushing forward to support the Chief’s arm, hoping to help him stand.

Like humans, orcs consider kneeling a humiliating act, reserved only for the lowest-ranked orcs to show submission to others. She certainly couldn’t accept such a gesture.

The Chief, however, remained unmoved, grasping Hu Jiao Jiao’s wrist, his voice trembling with guilt.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, I’ve wronged you. You helped the tribe plant the earth fruits, even risked yourself to save everyone from the wandering beastmen’ lair. And yet, I imprisoned you. I can’t forgive myself!”

Never before had a female taken the battlefield alongside the males; Hu Jiao Jiao was the first.

The Chief truly felt she was no longer the same person she used to be. This unique, wise female must have been guided by the Beast God himself. Out of reverence for the Beast God, he couldn’t see her as he once did.

“Chief, please, don’t say that. Stand up.”

Hu Jiao Jiao was overwhelmed, and just then, Long Mo strode forward and helped the Chief up. She felt a sudden lightness on her arm, and the Chief was already on his feet.

She turned and saw Long Mo’s cool, detached profile; he’d only helped the Chief stand, and then didn’t move.

For a moment, she was startled, then quickly turned back to the Chief, explaining:

“That was all a misunderstanding. I hold no grudges. I was at fault before too. I’m already grateful that everyone trusts me, so please don’t say such things.”

She knew she couldn’t have prevented this disaster alone. Without the tribe’s cooperation, she would only have been throwing her life away.

Given the impression her past self had left on everyone, it was already fortunate they trusted her now.

Hu Jiao Jiao didn’t dare hope to change every beastmen view of her; she only wanted to survive and avoid being hacked to pieces.

The Chief was moved to tears, nodding repeatedly.

“Good, good. If anyone bullies you again, come to me, and I will take care of it for you.”

Hu Jiao Jiao’s face broke into a smile. “Thank you, Chief.”

At this moment, someone in the crowd called out, “Chief, it wasn’t just Hu Jiao Jiao—Long Mo was also a big help this time!”

“Yes, Chief! Long Mo took down as many wandering beastmen as Ying Yuan!”

“Why do I feel like I’m the only useless one?”

A wave of quiet laughter rippled through the crowd, and a relaxed, joyful atmosphere spread.

Beastmen value loyalty above all. After this event, they now saw Long Mo as a comrade for life, shedding their former disdain and disregard.

In the back, Long Wu stood, his expression dark with anger.

Why?

Long Mo was just a useless weakling! Why did he deserve everyone’s approval? Long Wu clenched his teeth, watching Long Mo surrounded by admiration and respect, frustration clear on his face.

It wasn’t fair!

Long Mo was nothing but a powerless fool; he didn’t deserve any of this. It should be him, Long Wu, whom everyone admired! His eyes flickered with malice as he thought back on the day’s humiliations.

Long Mo was just worthless trash.
Since Hu Jiaojiao and that white fox (Hu Qinglu) have such a good relationship, if the white fox gets into trouble because of Long Mo, surely Hu Jiao Jiao would despise him forever, right?

The beastmen spirits were high. They’d planned a celebration to welcome Ying Yuan and his team back, but since everyone was injured, they sent them home to recover instead.

After ensuring Hu Jiao Jiao was unharmed, Hu Min’s family tugged Fox Qinglu back home for a “discussion.”

On the way home, Long Mo walked ahead while Hu Jiao Jiao trailed behind. Perhaps because Long Mo’s legs were longer, she had to jog every few steps to keep up.

Noticing that Long Mo seemed down, Hu Jiao Jiao felt puzzled, wondering if he was hurt somewhere. Recalling his blood-covered state, she figured he must have wounds hidden under all that blood, likely painful ones. She quickened her pace, eager to get home and help bandage him up.

But suddenly, Long Mo stopped short.

Caught off guard, she bumped right into him.

“Ouch…”

Hu Jiao Jiao rubbed her nose, feeling the sting as she stumbled back a few steps.

What’s with him stopping so suddenly? And his back is so solid—like running into a wall!

She rubbed her nose, relieved it wasn’t crooked. Above her, Long Mo’s rough voice sounded.

“Do you like beasts with fur?”

Fox Jiao Jiao looked at him in confusion, then, without much thought, nodded.

“Yes, I like them. They’re cute and fluffy.”

She paused, sensing something strange.

Wait—why was this dark, brooding villain suddenly interested in her preferences? Was he considering her last wishes before…?

A shiver ran through her.

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, she saw Long Mo’s face darken with apparent displeasure.

“Is that so? Do you like Ying Yuan because he has feathers, then?”

“Huh?” Hu Jiao Jiao was taken aback. How had the topic shifted to Ying Yuan?

Seeing Hu Jiao Jiao hesitate, Long Mo’s gaze clouded even more. Before she could respond, he turned on his heel, his face expressionless, and headed back home.

Holding her nose, Hu Jiao Jiao was baffled, muttering softly, “What a temperamental villain…”

Still, remembering that Long Mo had been hurt, she softened, jogging after him. After all, he held her life in his hands.

As they reached home, Hu Jiaojiao only saw a black shadow flash before her eyes, and then was swept into a hug by Long Yao. His noticeably rounder body wriggled, and he stretched his neck to affectionately lick her face.

Feeling the dampness on her cheek, Fox Jiao Jiao laughed helplessly.

“Alright, alright, little one. You’ve covered me in slobber again…”

Thanks to an abundance of good food lately, Long Yao had gained a bit of weight and was now much heavier. Hu Jiao Jiao struggled to hold him.

Long Mo, watching, wore a stern expression. He grabbed Long Yao by the scruff, tossing him aside.

Long Yao somersaulted several times in the air before he stopped, hanging in the air with a wronged look, looking at Long Mo with hurt and fearful eyes.

“Ouch~”

Daddy’s so mean! He’s not good to Mama or to me!

Long Yao’s little brain quickly processed the situation.

Watching Long Yao’s plight, Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively stretched out her hands, wanting to catch him. Seeing he was unharmed, she let out a sigh of relief, then cast an annoyed look at Long Mo.

“He’s still young. How could you be so rough? What if you hurt him?”

Long Mo remained silent, his face hard. He looked at Long Yao’s scaly, dragon-like body, identical to his own, and a question came to mind.

Why?

This little guy didn’t have fur, yet she seemed to like him just as much.

Did she really prefer furry beasts?