Chapter 542 - 539: Flickers of Warmth

Chapter 542: Chapter 539: Flickers of Warmth

Inside the stone house where Shuang Hua was temporarily staying, the supplies sent by Chief Chou Rong were indeed plentiful and more than enough for her daily needs.

But after Bai Wanwan went to visit, she couldn’t help but feel that something was missing.

So, after having dinner with the cubs, Bai Wanwan carefully took stock of the goodies she had stockpiled in her System Space.

She picked out a few exceptionally soft, thin quilts and silk bedding sets. She also selected a set of fine, smooth ceramic bowls and plates, as well as a few lightweight, durable storage jars.

She even took out some elegantly scented dried flowers and placed them in a small, woven wicker basket to liven up the room.

"Yan Lie," she called out to her Beast Husband, who was checking if the doors and windows were secure. She walked over and looped her arm through his. "Come with me to Aunt Shuang’s place. I want to bring her a few more things."

Yan Lie, of course, immediately agreed. He took most of the items from her, letting her carry only the light basket of dried flowers. The two walked side-by-side toward the temporary residences on the outskirts of the tribe.

Moonlight, like liquid silver, spilled onto the quiet paths of the tribe.

As they neared Shuang Hua’s stone house, Yan Lie’s sharp, beastly eyes narrowed. He instinctively pulled Bai Wanwan behind him and whispered, "There’s a Beastman sneaking around up ahead."

Bai Wanwan followed his gaze and saw a tall male figure tiptoeing toward Shuang Hua’s door. His behavior certainly seemed suspicious.

Yan Lie’s muscles tensed, and he looked ready to pounce and subdue the man.

But Bai Wanwan quickly grabbed his arm, her voice low. "Wait. Don’t startle him. Let’s see what he’s trying to do."

There had been so much trouble lately that she instinctively felt any anomaly was worth investigating. ’Maybe this will lead to something,’ she thought.

However, the scene that unfolded next left her stunned.

The male glanced left and right. Seemingly confident that no one had seen him, he carefully lowered a heavy wicker basket from his back. From inside, he took out several strips of cured meat, a pile of fresh, plump fruit, and even a small jar of what appeared to be honey, arranging everything neatly at Shuang Hua’s doorstep.

After finishing, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief, yet he turned to leave with an almost frantic haste.

As he moved, Bai Wanwan noticed that one of his legs didn’t seem to work properly; he walked with a slight stagger, his body tilted to one side.

Just then, Shuang Hua’s puzzled voice came from inside. "Who is it? Is someone out there?"

Like a frightened woodland creature, the male froze. He scrambled away, limping and stumbling as he vanished into the nearby shadows with astonishing speed.

Shuang Hua pushed the door open. The first thing she saw was the pile of items on her doorstep, and only then did she notice Bai Wanwan and Yan Lie standing a short distance away.

She blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Wanwan, Chief Chou Rong has already sent so much. Why did you bring all this? I’ll never be able to use it all."

Bai Wanwan walked closer, shaking her head with a smile. "Aunt Shuang, this wasn’t from me."

She pointed in the direction the male had disappeared. "A male brought it. He didn’t look very old, had gray hair, and was quite tall, but... he seemed to have some trouble walking. Do you know him?"

A look of dawning comprehension mixed with resignation appeared on Shuang Hua’s face. She stepped outside and glanced in that direction. "Oh, it was him... Is he gone?"

"Mhm, he took off running. It was like he was scared you’d see him," Bai Wanwan said, finding the situation rather amusing.

"Sigh," Shuang Hua heaved a sigh and explained, "This morning, I went to trade for some salt blocks and saw him get pushed down by a few mischievous young Beastmen. His leg already seemed to be in bad shape, and he couldn’t get up for a while. I just gave him a hand and helped him pick up his scattered belongings. It was such a small thing. I can’t believe he took it to heart and brought all this... He doesn’t look very well-off himself."

She looked at the strips of meat and the honey. ’This gift is too much.’

Bai Wanwan thought for a moment. "I have a feeling he’ll be back. If you happen to see him, just call out to him. You can return these things and properly thank him for his kind thought."

Shuang Hua nodded. "I suppose that’s all I can do. Quick, come inside and sit for a while. It’s getting chilly out here."

"It’s okay, Aunt Shuang," Bai Wanwan said with a wave of her hand. She was already getting sleepy. "I just wanted to bring you some household supplies to make your stay a bit more comfortable."

"But what would I do with so many things?"

Shuang Hua felt a little embarrassed as she watched Yan Lie carry the items into the house.

She didn’t have a Beast Husband, yet Wanwan treated her as if she were her own Mother.

She was about to say something more but stopped when she saw Wanwan yawn.

"Are you sleepy? You should have waited until tomorrow to come."

"It’s just a short walk. I’m letting my food settle."

Bai Wanwan’s lips curved into a smile. "Now that I’ve brought you the things, I can go back and rest easy."

Shuang Hua was still worried. She turned to Yan Lie and said, "Wanwan is due soon. You all need to be extra careful with her."

Yan Lie nodded. "Aunt Shuang, don’t worry. We’re being very careful."

Bai Wanwan watched Aunt Shuang lecture Yan Lie, a grin on her face. She waited quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

"Alright, that’s enough from me," Aunt Shuang said. "Hurry and take Wanwan home to rest."

"Okay, Aunt Shuang. We’ll head back now. We’ll come visit again tomorrow."

Shuang Hua stood at the door, watching until their figures disappeared. She glanced to the side one last time, saw no one else, and with a soft sigh, slowly closed her door.

Back home, a wave of exhaustion hit Bai Wanwan hard and fast. She barely had the energy to check on her sleeping cubs. The moment her head hit her own soft, large bed, her eyelids fluttered shut, and she instantly fell into a deep, sweet sleep.

Her sleep was so deep that when she finally awoke, the sky outside was already bright.

She stretched lazily. Well-rested and refreshed, she was suddenly seized by an intense craving.

She wanted fish and shrimp. She craved fresh-caught fish and shrimp—the kind that were sweet and firm to the bite, carrying the crisp scent of the river.

Once the thought surfaced, she couldn’t suppress it.

Just then, Xin Feng walked in, carrying a cup of warm water for her.

Bai Wanwan’s eyes immediately lit up. She hopped off the bed barefoot and threw herself onto his arm. "Xin Feng... I’m craving fish and shrimp! I really, really want some! Can you go to the river out back and catch some for me? Please? I want the biggest, freshest ones!"

Looking into her sparkling, eager eyes, how could Xin Feng possibly refuse? He answered gently, "Of course. You wait here, I’ll go right now."

"No," Bai Wanwan insisted, hugging his arm tightly. "I want to go with you! Just like back in the Cat Clan Tribe. We can catch fish together!"

At the mention of their days in the Cat Clan Tribe, of clinging to one another through those first difficult times, the sternness in Xin Feng’s features instantly melted away, replaced by deep nostalgia and tenderness.

Back then, they would often go to the river together. She would play in the water on the bank while he waded in to catch fish. Those simple days were filled with a quiet, gentle warmth.