Chapter 576: It’s Me, I’m Here

As the cubs grew older, their preferences and personality traits became even more distinct.

Sangqi had gathered a large bundle of fruit from who-knew-where, all of which happened to be her favorites. Qiao Lie was even more impressive, slithering over while wrapped directly around a massive fish.

The most amusing was Xiya, who, with red-rimmed eyes, draped a large pearl necklace around her neck.

Qiao Xixi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “How long did you have to cry to give Mother this necklace?”

Xiya leaned against her shyly and whispered, “Just for a little while. Actually, Father’s pearls are bigger, but he just won’t cry.”

Sunxiao and the others followed behind the cubs, their arms full of various items. These were all gifts for her. She had wondered why they all rushed out so early in the morning; it turned out they had gone to prepare her presents.

The idea of celebrating birthdays had actually been Qiao Xixi’s suggestion last year. She had asked Little Sprite to figure out everyone’s birth dates, created a calendar, and celebrated everyone’s birthday the previous year. Because of that, everyone remembered it this time around.

“It’s getting dark. Let’s head back first.”

“Time to go home!”

Upon returning to the inner city, Qiao Xixi was immediately greeted by the rich aroma of roasting meat. After dropping off their things, Jin Ling and the others headed straight to the kitchen to help out. However, before she even reached the doorway, she heard an argument breaking out inside.

“Are you entirely useless, you stinky snake? The meat is burnt to a crisp! Is this even edible?” It was Feili’s voice.

“Don’t get in the way here, you old fox.” Sunxuan’s voice carried a hint of panic but remained as stubborn as ever.

“If you two keep arguing, get the hell out!” Qiao Yi roared, instantly causing both men to quiet down.

Jin Ling, who had just arrived outside the door, pivoted on his heel, scooped up the large fish from the table, and went to clean it by the sink instead.

Hearing how quiet the kitchen had become, Feiyan walked right in without a second thought. “What’s that smell? Fathers, can you guys handle this? If not, let me do it.”

Qiao Yi, Sunxuan, and Feili shouted in unison, “Get out!”

Feiyan was left speechless. He wondered what he had done wrong to deserve that!

Xijing shot him a passing glance and carried the fruit over to be washed. Sunxiao didn’t even bother going near the kitchen, choosing instead to organize the things they had brought back into the storeroom.

Qiao Xixi returned to her room and looked around, but there was no sign of Sangze. He hadn’t been with them earlier either, and she wondered where he had gone. Pushing open her bedroom door, she was just about to change her clothes when she noticed a large wooden trunk sitting in the room. She walked over in confusion to examine it. She thought it was incredibly strange, as the trunk definitely hadn’t been there when she left earlier that day.

Right as her confusion peaked, the trunk suddenly burst open, and Sangze leaped out.

“Happy birthday, little female.”

Qiao Xixi jumped in fright, nearly screaming out loud. Fortunately, having been through her fair share of storms, she quickly calmed down. However, her eyes widened in shock when she noticed the fresh blood staining his animal skin tunic. “Sangze, are you hurt?”

Sangze stepped out of the trunk, holding a large bundle that he set down in front of her and opened.

Qiao Xixi was nearly blinded by the dazzling light. It was a massive haul of red Crystal Stones. Shocked, she asked, “Where did you find all these Crystal Stones?”

Sangze raised an eyebrow, simply smiling as he replied, “Hopeless Abyss.”

Qiao Xixi paused, and sure enough, she caught the scent of the Earth Escape Beast on him. She realized the guy must have gone off at some point to torment the Earth Escape Beast into helping him dig up Crystal Stones.

“You don’t like them?”

His warm breath brushed against her ear, making her tremble slightly. She turned her head and planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “I like them. I like them very much.”

A sudden, intense light erupted in his heterochromic eyes. With a swift movement, he swept her into his arms, crushing his lips against hers in a fiery, domineering kiss.

“Mmm…”

Qiao Xixi pressed her hands against his chest, yielding to his stormy invasion. He didn’t release her until she felt the air in her lungs had been completely drained. As she leaned against his chest, panting softly, his slightly bashful voice floated down from above.

“Xixi, there’s another surprise for you tonight.”

Qiao Xixi looked up, her watery eyes gazing into his. “Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

When night fell, Qiao Yi and the others brought the freshly cooked meal to the table. Qiao Xixi stared at the feast, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Fathers, what new recipes did you come up with this time? I haven’t seen a lot of these before.”

Qiao Yi lifted his chin with a hint of smugness. “Your father’s beast soul isn’t the only thing that’s powerful.”

Feili curled his lip. He knew full well that Qiao Yi had over-salted the roast meat earlier and tried to blame it on him.

Sunxuan walked out carrying a massive pot of broth. “Fishball meat soup.”

The cubs were growing, and their appetites had increased significantly. By the end of the meal, the feast that had covered the entire table was completely wiped clean. An’an, her mouth glistening with oil, kept exclaiming how delicious everything was, which left Qiao Yi and the other older beasts beaming from ear to ear. Qiao Xixi also happily ate a great deal.

Later that night, the cubs obediently washed up and returned to their rooms to sleep.

When Qiao Xixi finished bathing and came out, only Jin Ling, Xijing, and Feiyan were left in the courtyard, cleaning up the dishes and the stove. Qiao Yi and the older generation had headed into the city; they claimed that since Beast City was newly built, they wanted to walk off their meal by patrolling for any potential issues.

“Xixi, go to sleep early tonight,” Xijing said gently upon seeing her walk out.

Qiao Xixi nodded but didn’t immediately leave, opting to stand where she was and watch them. To her surprise, the three men kept busy with their chores, showing absolutely no intention of following her inside. Though they usually took turns accompanying her at night, she always had a few days each month where she was free to choose.

Today, for instance, was one of those free-choice days. Usually, around this time, the guys would be dropping blatant or subtle hints to win her favor, so she wondered why they weren’t making any moves tonight. Remembering the surprise Sangze had promised her, she wondered if he had successfully fought the others off and won her company for the night. Riddled with confusion, she turned and headed upstairs.

The moment she turned her back, Jin Ling and the others stopped what they were doing, staring after her retreating figure for a long time without looking away.

Qiao Xixi pushed open her bedroom door and walked inside. The room was empty. She even pulled back the blanket on the bed, but there was no one there, either.

Figuring that everyone was probably just tired today, she pushed her lingering doubts aside. After drying her hair, she draped an animal skin over the glowing sea pearl to dim the light and lay down on the bed. However, she still wasn’t quite used to sleeping without one of them by her side. She tossed and turned for a while until drowsiness finally washed over her, and she slowly closed her eyes.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, the bedroom door was gently pushed open, and a tall, slender figure slipped inside. He walked over to the edge of the bed. As he gazed down at her soft, sleeping face, the tenderness in his eyes practically overflowed.

Qiao Xixi was deep in a daze when a familiar scent drifted from behind her. Subconsciously, she turned and leaned into it, rolling right into a warm, gentle embrace.

“Mmm? Yun Ji, you finished washing up…”

“Mhm,” a cool, deep voice murmured right next to her ear.

Qiao Xixi froze for a second before jolting awake. She looked up in disbelief, and when she clearly saw Yun Ji’s features, a wave of pure joy washed over her. “Yun Ji, it really is you!”

Yun Ji’s arms tightened around her. Staring at her delighted smile, he leaned down and pressed a slightly cool kiss to her lips.

“It’s me. I’ve come back.”