Chapter 288: Becoming Mates

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Becoming Mates

The door to the house was open. Bai Wanwan poked her head in for a look.

In the central courtyard, she saw Shi Hua standing with a male. Only half of the male’s face was visible in profile, and he seemed to be pulling on something.

Xin Feng’s brow furrowed. "I’ll go in and see what’s happening," he whispered to her.

He was about to let go of her hand and enter, but Bai Wanwan gripped it back and shook her head with a smile.

"Don’t. Let’s take a walk around the area instead."

Xin Feng glanced back at her, confused, but didn’t refuse her request.

The two of them quietly backed away from the doorway.

The wolf cub, Cat Cub, and snake cub circled them, following along as they roughhoused.

Xin Feng looked down and noticed the smile playing on her lips. "What’s going on?"

Bai Wanwan grinned at him. "You don’t recognize that male?"

"I’ve seen him, but I don’t know him." As he spoke, an indulgent smile touched his eyes. "What are you getting at?"

Bai Wanwan shushed him, grabbing his hand and lifting the hem of her skirt to walk a few quick steps away.

Once they were a short distance away, she slowed down. "That male in the house just now likes Shi Hua. I’ve seen him around many times, either helping her with chores or bringing her things."

Her eyes sparkled with the flames of gossip.

Xin Feng wasn’t actually interested in other females or males, but he loved watching Wanwan speak so animatedly, loved that she shared everything with him.

"Mm," he hummed softly, prompting her to continue.

Bai Wanwan was about to say more, but just then, the male came out of Shi Hua’s house.

His face was beaming with joy, and even his steps seemed incredibly light.

’Something’s up,’ she thought.

Bai Wanwan immediately let go of Xin Feng’s hand. "You take the cubs home first. I’m going to find Shi Hua."

She lifted her skirt and hurried off.

Xin Feng sighed helplessly, calling after her, "Walk slowly!"

Bai Wanwan waved a hand dismissively and quickly entered the house.

As soon as she entered, she saw Shi Hua sitting inside, busy with her work.

Since Mu Feng was her only Beast Husband and was now injured, she had to do many things herself.

Hearing footsteps, Shi Hua put down the meat in her hands, looked up, and greeted her with a smile.

"Elder Sister, have a seat."

As she spoke, she started to get up, but Bai Wanwan quickly waved her hands, telling her not to move. "Stay busy. I just came over to chat for a bit."

She walked over slowly and sat down beside her.

"I’ll get back to it, then. It’s so hot, this meat will spoil if I don’t process it quickly."

"Go on. Keep working."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Shi Hua’s face, noticing a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

Bai Wanwan was still trying to figure out how to bring it up when Shi Hua herself put down her Stone Knife and looked up at her.

"Elder Sister, I... I’m planning to mate with Jin Yu."

"The male from just now?" Bai Wanwan’s eyes crinkled, a smile playing on her lips.

Shi Hua grew a little shy, wringing her hands together.

"Yes. He’s... very good. He not only brings us food but also medicine for Mu Feng."

Bai Wanwan listened quietly. She didn’t ask Shi Hua if she actually liked him.

’The mindset of females in the Beast World is different from mine.’

"Is this your own decision to mate with him?"

"Yes. With only Mu Feng as the sole male in the family, he won’t be able to manage once there are more cubs."

And when he goes hunting, it’s very dangerous for Mu Feng to act alone.

From the way she spoke, it seemed she had already thought it through.

Bai Wanwan generally didn’t like making decisions for others. If Shi Hua felt it was right, then she would offer her blessing.

Life in the Beast World was harsh; just surviving wasn’t easy.

"So when are you planning to mate with him?"

"Today," Shi Hua said, growing even more embarrassed. "Jin Yu wants to mate quickly, too. He’ll move in tonight, and tomorrow he can go hunting with your Beast Husbands, Elder Sister. It’ll be safer, and he’ll be able to bring back more prey."

"That’s good, too. Another Beast Husband can help share the burden. How is Mu Feng’s injury recovering?"

Just as she said that, Mu Feng came out of the inner room with a limp, greeting Bai Wanwan with a smile.

"Huahua, go rest for a bit. I’ll handle the meat."

Shi Hua quickly stood up to support him. "You’re not better yet. I can do this work. When you’ve recovered, I promise I won’t fight you for the chores."

"Huahua, I’m really fine..."

Watching them care for each other, Bai Wanwan felt like a very bright third wheel and quickly stood up with a smile.

"Shi Hua, you take care of Mu Feng. Zhu Xiu and the others will be back soon, so I’m heading home too."

"Okay, Elder Sister. I’ll take a walk with you later."

By the time Bai Wanwan returned home, Xin Feng had already roasted some meat for her.

Seeing her approach, he sliced the strip of meat and placed it on the stone table. "Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie have been coming back late recently. Wanwan, you eat first."

The males had been very busy lately, and when they returned, they would just quickly grab a strip of raw meat to eat.

Bai Wanwan wasn’t actually hungry yet, but since Xin Feng had made it specially for her, she wouldn’t refuse.

After sitting down with a smile, she turned her head to look for the cubs.

Xin Feng sat down beside her. "The cubs have already eaten. They played for a while and are all asleep now."

Hearing that the cubs were asleep, she focused on her meal.

She hadn’t been that hungry, but Xin Feng’s cooking skills had improved by leaps and bounds. In just a few bites, she had polished off the large piece of meat.

Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie walked through the door just as the last rays of twilight faded.

Xin Feng stood up and asked, "How were things outside today?"

"The usual. We captured four males from the Bear Clan with Yan Chi and his group. We handed them over to Jin Cang Clan Leader on the way back."

Yan Lie cleaned the bloodstains off himself and sat down beside Bai Wanwan. He carefully reached out and caressed her slightly swollen belly.

"Did the cubs bother you today? Does it hurt? Are you tired?"

It was his first time being a Father Beast, and he had no experience. He was afraid he wasn’t doing a good enough job.

It was a conversation they repeated every day. Yan Lie was always worried she was too tired.

Bai Wanwan patiently reassured him, "I’m not tired. Don’t be so nervous. I’ve already given birth several times."

But Yan Lie shook his head in disbelief. "The other females in the tribe all get very tired and sore when they’re pregnant. Don’t lie to me."

Fine. No one believed her when she told the truth.

After speaking, Yan Lie leaned down and pressed his cheek against her slightly swollen belly. "Good little cubs, don’t tire out your Mother, or your Father Beast will give you a spanking when you come out."

Night gradually fell, and the candlelight flickered softly.

After eating quickly, Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie didn’t go to sleep either. Everyone sat in the room, talking in low voices.

"Where do we go after the snow season?" Xin Feng turned to look at Zhu Xiu.

Zhu Xiu needed Energy Stones, and only he knew where to go next.

Zhu Xiu was also pondering this. Taking Wanwan with him to search for Energy Stones was just too risky.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Xiu looked up at Bai Wanwan.

"Wanwan, after the snow season, you, Xin Feng, and Yan Lie should go with Yan Chi to the Leopard Clan. Once I find the Energy Stones and break the curse, I’ll come and get you. Okay?"

He wouldn’t have been at ease before, but now he knew very well that Xin Feng and Yan Lie would risk their lives to protect her. Plus, they would have support in the tribe where Yan Lie was born.

"No. We’ll go together. Besides... you don’t need Energy Stones. In about twenty days, the Dark Curse on you will be lifted."

As soon as she said this, the gazes of all three males fell on her in unison.