Rebirth With the Beast_21

Chapter 106 continued...

---

“Standing guard time could be better spent hunting or being with family. At the same time, the elderly, weak, sick, or disabled beastmen don’t have to sit around doing nothing—they can guard our tribe, and we’ll pay them a certain amount of food in return. That way they have something to do and won’t have to rely on others all the time.”

After that, Suyi went into detail about all the benefits.

When the females heard that their partners could spend more time at home, they immediately raised their hands to support Suyi’s plan. The elderly, weak, sick, and disabled were also very willing to take on the task.

As long as there’s work to do, they won’t be idle and forced to watch other people’s faces every day.

Ordinary people might not know the bitterness in the hearts of those old, weak, sick, or disabled beastmen, but Suyi understood. They had all once been brave warriors: some were injured for the tribe and could no longer hunt; some were too old to fly and fight for long; others were frail from birth and couldn’t battle wild beasts.

Suyi tallied up the beastmen who couldn’t hunt. Excluding a deaf one and two who were too old, there were eight left. These eight could all fly, and their eyes and ears were fine.

Suyi asked their preference, and of course they all agreed eagerly. By rights they needed five people, but there were only eight in total. Suyi could only assign them to the original ten lookout posts; the new posts with stone gates below would need other people to guard.

At the lookouts, they only needed to watch for danger. If they spotted any, they weren’t expected to fight—Suyi told them to blow the horn kept at the post as soon as they discovered a threat.

Afterward it rained, and the temperature suddenly dropped.

Because Tang Yu feared the cold, their household was the first to light the kang (heated bed).

Once Weir’s house was built, many in the valley started going out to gather branches and firewood; these were all households with females. Single beastmen didn’t care as much—they weren’t afraid of the cold.

Suyi had prepared winter clothes in advance. When Sinor needed to go out, Suyi took out a leather coat and wrapped him in it. Little Ilai was a serpent too; since he was still young, he feared the cold even more. Because of the chill, he stayed home to play and was often bored out of his mind.

Suyi didn’t have the patience to sew, so he brought out hides and found a handy female in the valley, paying her an entire thorn-drake as compensation. After Suyi demonstrated that kind of trade, others followed suit. It was practical: some people were good at sewing, some at making shoes, some at other small crafts. People began congregating at the square, and for convenience, Suyi told them to trade there every two days. Just like that, a small market was born.

When he had free time, Suyi went into his space to tidy things up. Looking at the mountains of game piled up inside, he actually felt a headache coming on.

For convenience earlier, he had dumped processed game directly on the grass outside the courtyard. Why not inside? Because both front and back courtyards were already crammed full.

There were whole carcasses, fresh fruits, breadfruit, corn, potatoes and other vegetables, all kinds of medicinal herbs, some of those stones that could be burned, and—most important—salt and seasonings, plus various furs and so on.

Suyi trudged out of the space, dejected. When Sinor asked, Suyi couldn’t help saying, “I really want to take you in there so you can help me. You don’t know how much stuff I’ve got in my space—it’s a total disaster.”

“But didn’t we try before? I can’t get in,” Sinor said, remembering how Suyi had told him about the space and tried to bring him inside, without success.

Of course Suyi knew; he was just venting.

Sinor walked over and hugged him. Suyi felt unwilling—being held made him think again how nice it would be if Sinor could go with him.

That thought flashed through his mind, and then Suyi felt the world lurch—he was stunned.

Sinor looked around in a daze as well. He finally understood how Suyi must have felt on first discovering the space: it really did feel like a hidden paradise.

Suyi stared a moment, then was scooped up by Sinor. They were standing in the front courtyard, which was crammed full of all sorts of things. When Suyi came back to himself, he sounded like an excited child: “Look—this is everything I’ve stocked up. Enough to last us a long time, right?”

He’d been frowning just a moment ago, and now his wish had come true the next second? Suyi felt the whims of fate were too much—if only Sinor had been able to enter earlier, it might not be such a mess.

They tidied the yard a bit, then Suyi pulled Sinor along to tour the houses in the space, chattering all the while. When they came to the cozy bedroom, Suyi suddenly grinned slyly.

“From now on, we can do ‘hehe’ in here—so that little brat Ilai won’t keep interrupting us.”

Sinor knew what “hehe” meant. Ever since they’d returned to the valley, they’d been busy and hadn’t had a good time together.

At the mention, a faint blush crossed Sinor’s handsome face. In this area, the “female” Suyi was always bolder than this beastman.

Seeing Sinor’s gaze flicker, Suyi knew what he was thinking and was amused. Staring up into those gem-like eyes, Suyi felt his own heart stir.

Just as he was about to pounce, Sinor grabbed his hand. “Let’s go out first. If the kids can’t find us, they’ll get anxious.”

Suyi snorted, pouting slightly as he dragged Sinor out of the space.

Chapter 107

As soon as they emerged, they heard voices in the outer courtyard. Suyi went to the window and saw a crowd of people there.

“What are you doing?” Suyi called out.

Everyone looked over. Most were unfamiliar faces—new arrivals.

One female spoke timidly: “Suyi, we have something we’d like to discuss with you.”

Suyi stepped out and sat at the stone table; Sinor followed.

Only then did the female continue, slowly: “We all know that the child Redra was badly hurt before, but he recovered in just a few days. M-my child is a little beastman too. When the stray beastmen attacked our tribe, my child was gravely injured and has been weak ever since.”

By then, Suyi understood.

Everyone should also have known that Suyi himself had been gravely wounded and then reappeared perfectly fine. But they all held him in awe, so they didn’t bring him up directly.

Suyi smiled. “That was a coincidence. I thought I was dead for sure. I stumbled on a certain herb—didn’t even know what it did. It just looked unusual, so I figured I was dying anyway and shoved it in my mouth.”

Sinor watched silently as Suyi lied without turning a hair. If he didn’t know the truth, he’d have believed him.

“But Gil and the others said that after Sinor carried you away, you suddenly vanished,” someone said, puzzled.

Unfazed, Suyi answered blandly, “At the time, I had Sinor take me away. Later, when I realized I might die, I didn’t want Sinor to watch me go, so I asked him not to follow—I wanted to slip away quietly and die alone.”

He spoke with feeling, and the simple-hearted females listening all got misty-eyed.

Suyi was speechless inside. People in a primitive society really were easier to fool.

“Th-then what does that herb look like? We could go look for it too,” the female pressed, clinging to the topic.

With no choice, Suyi made something up—so fanciful that they wouldn’t find anything similar even if they tried.

After thinking it over, they decided it must be that Suyi’s time hadn’t come—that the Beast God had granted him the herb.

Though a bit regretful, they became more convinced that the valley’s original residents were blessed by the Beast God. Otherwise how could Suyi’s grave wounds suddenly heal, and Tang Yu become pregnant so easily?

After they left, Suyi glanced at Sinor. “Aren’t you curious why I didn’t give them the stuff?”

“You have your reasons. I also think we shouldn’t help them—help one and then another, and if people learn you have this ability, they’ll pester us endlessly.”

Suyi hadn’t expected Sinor to think so far ahead—smart.

Since winter had arrived, every household was busy stockpiling. Once the first snow fell, it would be much harder to find food.

Even at Mino’s house, they were drying meat and pickling crisp vegetables for storage.

Outside his own courtyard, Suyi put together a small vegetable garden, edging it with stones so passersby wouldn’t step on it by accident.

To keep up with everyone, Suyi also dried jerky and kept stocking the cellar.

Maybe hoarding is contagious—these days Dino kept dragging things home: edible-looking plants, thick branches, even odd knick-knacks.

Among them, Suyi found a very strange stone. He weighed it in his hand; it wasn’t as heavy as an ordinary rock and had a peculiar feel.

It was a faint red, quite pretty—like red crystal. Suyi decided to use it to make decorations to adorn the furniture.

Seeing Suyi liked it, Dino immediately dashed off again.

Suyi tried to stop him, but he had already vanished. Suyi hadn’t expected much—so when Dino returned hours later with a hide sack on his back (snatched on his way out), he was a bit helpless.

He took the bag off Dino, who wagged his tail and stared up at him, plainly waiting for praise.

Not wanting to disappoint, Suyi smiled. “Mm, nice work!”

Getting what he wanted, Dino went back to his room happily.

Since it was cold, they no longer ate outside. Lately Little Ilai—perhaps influenced by Tang Yu—was not only afraid of the cold but also increasingly sleepy.

Sinor said Ilai was about to take human form, so he needed to store enough energy.

Suyi was a little nervous—he suddenly felt like a first-time father.

That night, Suyi discovered a surprise: the strange stone Dino had brought back.

When he lit the lamps as usual, he noticed the stone could glow. The discovery delighted him—these self-luminous stones could save on lamp fuel and avoid the hassle of fire every time. Early the next morning, Suyi happily got up to make a lamp like a table lamp.

He chose wood as the main material—it was easy to carve slots of various sizes to inset the stones.

By the time the first lamp was done, night had fallen. Sinor snatched it from Suyi’s hands and wouldn’t let him keep working—he’d had his head down all day, and Sinor felt distressed.

Reluctantly tearing his gaze from the lamp, Suyi finally looked at Sinor.

Ever since their unfinished “pounce” in the space, they’d lived even more ascetically. With Ilai about to transform, worry kept them letting him sleep in their room for days.

Now Suyi lifted his head, their eyes met, and they slowly leaned in. Just as their lips were about to meet, a knock sounded at the door.

Outside, Dino’s voice: “Mother-father, beast-father, are you asleep?”

Suyi pulled back, cleared his throat, and went to open the door.

Dino rarely disturbed them at night—this was the first time ever. Suyi looked at him in surprise. Blushing, Dino murmured, “Um, mother-father, this afternoon a little female asked if I wanted to make a contract with him…”

His voice dwindled to almost nothing.

Suyi froze, staring at the still-a-kid Dino. Weren’t the children in this beastman world maturing a bit too early? A “childhood contract” was essentially the adults’ idea of a “betrothed partner.”

He never expected his son to be starting puppy love so young.

As the blossoming flower of the homeland’s future, dating this early was… not ideal. Suyi decided to see which family’s kid was trying to hook his son.

Seeing Suyi’s expression shift, Dino thought he was upset and hurried to add, “I—I didn’t say yes.”

Suyi snapped out of it and ruffled his hair.

“Mm. What do you think of him?” Suyi meant the little female. Dino blinked his big eyes and answered slowly, “H-he’s okay.”

Though young, Dino was mature and reliable due to his past.

Suyi nodded. “All right. We’ll talk about it properly tomorrow.”

He sent Dino back to bed, checked on Little Ilai (sleeping soundly), then sauntered back to his own room.

Sinor was waiting silently. This time, before Suyi could speak, Sinor wrapped an arm around his waist.

“Let’s go in. I want to…” The rest was cut off by Suyi’s gentle kiss.

Suyi never could resist Sinor when he took the initiative. Suyi’s lips were a shade darker than Sinor’s, and his skin not as pale.

Once they were inside the space, Suyi pushed Sinor straight down onto the bed in the bedroom.

There had been bedding there originally, but Suyi didn’t like sleeping under blankets others had used, so he’d replaced them with his own furs.

He’d chosen a silvery-gray pelt; Sinor’s snow-white body against it drew Suyi’s eyes at once.

Catching Suyi staring, a faint smile flickered in Sinor’s eyes—a smile with a strange, irresistible magic.

He took Suyi’s fingers and, with a light tug, pulled him into his arms. “I don’t know why, but every time I see you underneath me, I get excited,” Suyi laughed, lying on Sinor’s chest.

Breathing in Suyi’s scent, Sinor couldn’t help sighing inside—the “female” scent on him was so pleasant.

The space was neither cold nor hot—very comfortable. Pressed to Sinor’s chest, Suyi said, “If it gets really cold, let’s sleep here at night.”

A kang was warm, but not as naturally comfortable as this.

Sinor nodded, eyes lowered to the person in his arms. “Good idea.”

Suyi stripped off his clothes and reached for Sinor’s, but Sinor gently caught his hand.

“Suyi, do you feel like you’ve gotten taller lately?” he asked suddenly. At that, Suyi jumped up and pulled Sinor to stand. Comparing heights, Suyi—who used to come only to Sinor’s chest—now reached his shoulder. He really had grown. Surprised, Suyi wondered if it was the pool water. Throwing on a robe, he tugged Sinor off to see the little pool.

“Could it be drinking this improved my body?”

He scooped some water with a small bowl.

Sinor wasn’t sure, but Suyi’s white hair and grave wounds had healed thanks to it—perhaps it had made him grow too?

Suyi found it miraculous. If not for the jade’s help, he would have died twice already. Now this space formed by the jade sheltered their whole family—he felt deeply grateful.

“What is it?” Sinor asked when Suyi stayed quiet.

“I was just thinking—it’s wonderful to have this space, and wonderful to have met you.” Suyi was rough around the edges—no matter how he looked now, that nature remained.

He seldom spoke sweet nothings. Even after nearly dying, he hadn’t said “I love you” or “I can’t live without you.” Sinor hadn’t either—he simply showed his care through actions.

Sinor’s eyes trembled slightly, long lashes fluttering. His voice quivered softly: “Mm. It’s wonderful that I met you, too.”

Suyi’s heart melted. This man who wasn’t good with words had him wrapped around his finger.

Suyi couldn’t resist teasing: “Sinor, let’s have another baby.”

He didn’t know those words would trigger a catastrophe. If he’d had foresight, he would never have said something like that to provoke an honest man.

As it turned out, teasing an honest man came at the price of a very sore backside.

Pinned under at first, Suyi wore a cheeky look, even reaching out now and then to tease Sinor.

Because it had been a while since they’d gone all the way, Sinor started very gently. But his patience was soon worn thin by Suyi.

Grinning, Suyi said, “Sinor, let’s try something fun. Back home, there’s a spicy game called role-play.”

Like many men, Suyi had his mischievous streak. He loved seeing Sinor either rein himself in or lose control because of him.

Even now, Sinor mostly indulged him. Life is long—if in a couple one always accommodates the other, the accommodating one has it rough.

So clever Suyi dug himself a deep hole.

Sinor was very self-restrained—you could tell from his frenzy when Suyi had been hurt. Suyi loved him so much he forgot his own safety and jumped into the pit he’d dug.

Role-play: Sinor was a stray beastman; Suyi the captured “female.”

Suyi had Sinor tie his hands and put on a frightened fawn look. Seeing him bound, Sinor felt both distressed and faintly excited—especially at the sight of Suyi unable to resist, waiting to be taken.

Sinor grabbed his ankles and forcibly spread his legs a little. For some reason, both of them flushed at the move like long-married spouses suddenly shy.

Suyi couldn’t take it; he’d always thought himself a tough guy. When they “hehe’d,” he was usually very proactive.

His intention was good—people say men shouldn’t be repressed too long, and releasing pent-up grief or pain can help. Physical intimacy can soothe as well.

He’d only said “role-play”—one kidnapper, one captive—and had Sinor tie him up.

But Sinor, without being taught, picked up another rope and bound Suyi’s ankles too.

Suyi sensed trouble but couldn’t bring himself to say he wanted to stop, so he turned his head, cheeks burning.

When Sinor finished, the sight nearly gave him a nosebleed: Suyi’s hands and feet bound, thighs parted, pale skin exposed. He wore a robe that covered only the essentials—just a tug up or down would reveal more tantalizing sights.

Suyi sneaked a glance. Though Sinor’s face was blank, his eyes burned with naked desire.

Author’s note:
Next chapter may get locked, ??(??￣??￣?)????

Chapter 108

Suyi felt seared by Sinor’s gaze and flinched. He coughed lightly. “Um, Sinor, how about we don’t play after all?”

Seeing him yield only made Sinor more restless. He took Suyi’s ankle in hand and bent to kiss it. Suyi flushed scarlet, glaring in flustered anger.

So obedient most days—who knew he could be disobedient too?

Bracing himself on the mattress with both hands, Sinor caged Suyi completely, gazing down from above, heart melting with sweetness. He knew Suyi didn’t like this game, but he was doing it because he loved him.

“Suyi, I want to kiss you now.” His hoarse whisper brushed Suyi’s ear. Suyi grumbled inwardly: Why even ask? Like I have the right to refuse in this position?

When he stayed silent, Sinor pressed his lips to his. The “kiss” quickly deepened. Sinor didn’t know why he was so excited—he wanted to swallow Suyi whole. This obedient, adorable Suyi was too rare.

Once Suyi was being kissed, his earlier shyness vanished. Being intimate with Sinor was a sensation he knew well.

Dizzy from the kisses, he tried to lift his arms to hug Sinor—then remembered he was tied.

He wanted to catch his breath and bargain, but before he could, big hands were roaming. Suyi’s legs trembled and he snapped, a little annoyed, “Sinor, untie me first.”

Sinor kissed his forehead. His long lashes quivered with his emotions.

“Don’t want to,” he murmured, lowering his head to Suyi’s chest—drawn to that spot.

Heat bloomed there as Sinor took a certain sensitive place into his mouth, making Suyi’s blush deepen.

He’d never particularly liked being licked there, but tied up now, Sinor grew bolder.

After being teased up and down for a long while, Suyi no longer had the strength to “discuss life” and simply lay back to enjoy. That was his way—very easygoing. And since it was his lover doing as he pleased, Suyi didn’t mind. As long as Sinor was happy—and truth be told, he felt pretty good too.

Later, Sinor untied him and planned to “hehe” in a half-beast form. Suyi was ready for anything—until he saw those sharp beast fangs and suddenly wanted to say: I want to go home, there’s a shapeshifting weirdo here!

What followed was inevitable—over and over until even Suyi’s toes felt hot with embarrassment. He didn’t know what had Sinor so fired up, only that his stamina was terrifying.

They fell asleep in the space. When Suyi woke next morning, he saw Sinor’s chest and suddenly remembered last night’s “tragedy,” and chomped down.

Sinor woke to the bite. Without opening his eyes, he cupped Suyi’s face and kissed each cheek.

The bristling Suyi was instantly soothed.

He happily grabbed Sinor’s handsome face and returned a kiss to each cheek—then eyed Sinor’s lips wickedly. He’d been the one ravaged, so why did Sinor’s lips bear the wound, as if accusing someone’s ferocity?

Suyi quickly looked away. He would never admit he’d been even more fired up later.

They left the space, and Suyi felt the chill outside. Seeing Sinor shiver, he grabbed a blanket and wrapped him tight. He meant to head out, but when he sat up, a jolt of soreness hit his waist and he fell back. Fortunately, Sinor caught him.

Holding him from behind, Sinor drawled, “Seems like it’s snowing outside.”

“Snowing?” Suyi jolted. “Snowing? No—I need to light the kang. The kids must be freezing.”

Sinor tightened his hold. “No need—the snow season just started. It’s not that cold yet. Back then we didn’t even have houses; we slept in caves, and it was nothing like now.”

Thinking of those drafty, bone-chilling days under the open sky made Suyi’s heart ache.

“Never again,” he whispered.

Sinor rolled him over and pinned him. White hair spilled down. Suyi opened his mouth to ask what he was doing—then felt his waist lifted. Before he could process it, something pressed into his bare lower body.

He flared up. “You—Sinor—don’t go too far!”

Ignoring his struggle, Sinor said gravely, “You’re the one who said we should have another. We have to work at it.”

Suyi gnashed his teeth. Damn it—he’d dug this pit for himself.

“But—but what if the kids hear us?” His eyes reddened from the intensity.

“It’s winter. Most people can’t hunt and stay home making babies. They’re old enough not to disturb us,” Sinor said, smiling with his eyes as he steadied Suyi’s sliding body.

Suyi didn’t refute him, but thought to himself: Dino is obedient, sure—but we’ve got a little tyrant at home too, don’t we? Little Ilai, hurry up and come save your mother-father; your mother-father’s back is about to snap.

The “tyrant” was, at that very moment, fast asleep because he was about to transform, completely missing his mother-father’s heartfelt SOS.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the valley, Tang Yu’s home was lively.

It was the first snowfall, and all the children in the valley were thrilled. Dressed in their new clothes, they all came to Tang Yu’s place.

Tang Yu had been in good spirits the past couple of days, for once not dozing endlessly. Jells carried him around the courtyard. Their yard hadn’t been that big originally, but after returning, since Tang Yu was pregnant, Jells thought about the child playing there in the future—considering how big a dragon cub’s head would be, the yard definitely needed to be larger.

Now Tang Yu’s belly had ballooned like a blown-up balloon. As it got bigger, the kids who used to swarm around him had all been warned by their parents not to touch Tang Yu carelessly with their grubby hands.

While the children romped in the yard, Mino, cloaked and hooded, arrived. The kids greeted him at once.

Mino had come to check on the fetus. As soon as Jells saw him, he carried Tang Yu back into the room.

Mino looked at Tang Yu’s belly and felt a bit troubled. It was truly enormous—by modern medical standards, this looked like a giant baby. He’d never seen a dragon baby before, so he didn’t know if dragon children were all this big.

“What is it?” Tang Yu felt uneasy when he noticed Mino staring at his stomach.

Mino quickly shook his head. “Nothing—everything looks fine. I just keep thinking your belly is alarmingly large. It might be twins.”

At the word “two,” Tang Yu’s face turned green. One was already more than he could handle—two at once?

Jells was nervous too. Twins were rare on the Beastman Continent, and even when they occurred, word was they were hard to deliver.

Because of that news, Tang Yu’s mood plummeted. He feared he wouldn’t be blessed enough to get through childbirth smoothly; just thinking about a bad outcome left him despondent.

Such emotions are common among expectant parents—they tend to overthink during pregnancy.

By afternoon, when Suyi heard from Dino that Tang Yu might be carrying two, he took Dino along to go congratulate him.

The moment they entered, they felt the low pressure in the room—emanating from a stone-faced Jells.

“What’s going on?”

Jells was clearly in a foul mood and didn’t answer. Suyi went in on his own to find Tang Yu looking glum. Seeing Suyi, Tang Yu grabbed his hand. “Captain Su, look at this stomach of mine—it’s grown terrifyingly big these past two days. It’s only been two months, right? Whose kid grows this fast?”

Suyi looked at his belly and smiled, trying to soothe him. “Didn’t they say it might be two? For twins, this isn’t that big.”

“It wasn’t so bad till you said that. Now I don’t want to give birth at all. I probably won’t even have the strength for one—I’ve heard it hurts like hell.”

Suyi sat down on the bedside—and immediately forgot his own backside. The moment he sat, a stab of pain reminded him. Luckily Tang Yu was too preoccupied with his belly to notice Suyi’s expression, or he would have teased him to death.

“It’ll be fine. With me here, nothing will happen.” Suyi wasn’t just saying that—if Tang Yu really couldn’t deliver, he’d give him diluted water from the pool; even four or five would come out without a problem.

News that Mino had determined there were two spread quickly through the tribe. Even that Loxi came with gifts to visit Tang Yu.

Tang Yu was in low spirits and didn’t get up to be polite, but no one minded. In their eyes, being pregnant with twins meant Tang Yu was favored by the Beast God. Of course, if they knew what Tang Yu was actually thinking, they’d be too scared to say anything.

At that moment, Tang Yu was hoping Mino had misjudged. He’d rather deliver one big baby than two at once. Just thinking about taking care of both gave him a pounding headache.

Loxi planned to pair with Gil after the beast tide when the cold season ended. When Suyi heard that, he sneered inwardly—he had no intention of letting Loxi see out this snow season, much less dream about next year. For such a cancerous presence, Suyi had already been more than merciful to let him live this long.

The next morning, the lookout horn sounded. There were two kinds of horns: a small, piercing, bright one for enemy attacks or beast hordes; and a heavy, deep, lingering one for welcoming guests.

Ed and the others had brought many gifts to thank them for helping drive away the stray beastmen and to strengthen ties between the two tribes.

Lie kept only a small portion of the gifts for the valley, distributing the rest to the families who had contributed manpower or resources. Since both Suyi’s and Tang Yu’s households had gone on the expedition, they each received a lot.

Suyi cut up the food he’d gotten and divided portions among the tribe’s elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. His own household didn’t need that much. He selected a few hides for Old Tyler; though the old man insisted he was still strong, Suyi felt it right, as a junior, to treat it as filial respect. As for trinkets and other items, Suyi didn’t take them—not because he looked down on them, but because they could be used to win hearts.

Seeing Suyi’s character, the parent of the child who’d wanted to make a contract with Dino walked up to him.

“My child really likes your Dino,” said an honest-looking female, a bit awkward and clearly not good with words.

It was probably only because of his child that this tongue-tied parent had mustered the courage to speak.

“Mm. Dino told me,” Suyi said, glancing at the small female behind him. The kid looked a little older than Dino. His clothes weren’t great, but he was clean from head to toe.

“What’s your name?” Suyi crouched slightly to address the little female.

Peeking from behind his mother-father, the child stole a look at Suyi and whispered, “Xingrui.”

Suyi looked at Dino, who seemed a bit nervous, sneaking glances at Suyi’s face.

“My Dino is already grown. If you have questions, talk to him—he can make his own decisions.”

Suyi patted Dino’s head. He was really just saying it for Dino’s dignity—he’d already seen that Dino liked the kid, and the family seemed decent, so he tacitly approved. The “he’s an adult and can decide” line was just to save face.

As soon as Suyi stepped away, the little female ran over and grabbed Dino’s hand.

His parent frowned. “You’re a female—how can you be so forward?”

The little female shed his shyness and stuck out his tongue. “I wasn’t being forward at all. Dino and I have already made a contract—we’re promised partners.”

He blushed as he said it, and Dino, cheeks red, hummed in agreement. Seeing how well-behaved Dino was, the parent liked him more and more. Their child had good taste. Though Dino was an inauspicious beastman, he was far more sensible than most.

Chapter 109

Ed and the others rested for a day, then hurried off. After the first snow comes a sharp, widespread drop in temperature. Most beastmen are resistant to cold, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel it.

The cold on this continent is beyond imagination; many females and frail little beastmen freeze to death in such weather. That tells you how brutal the temperature truly is.

By the third day of the cold snap, the river was capped with thick ice. Fortunately, Suyi had the foresight to fill many wooden barrels with water beforehand.

Many household wells in the tribe had frozen over; to get drinking water they had to trek to the river and chip through the ice.

Lie was extremely busy these days, going door to door to prevent anyone in the new tribe from freezing or starving. He personally fetched water for the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.

These beastmen had never enjoyed such treatment before. Since coming here, their lives just kept improving. Neighbors who’d once been indifferent had started to interact.

Perhaps because it was the snow season, people were relatively idle; those who did go out went in groups, per Lie’s orders—to avoid running into migrating beast herds.

The clothes Suyi had commissioned were delivered. He’d asked the seamstress to line them with the best pelts and add a leather outer layer—the result was very warm.

When the second snowfall came, Tang Yu started binge-eating again. Luckily his partner was Jells—anyone else might not have been able to keep him fed.

Jells’ constitution was better than most, so even with the big chill he didn’t feel all that cold.

But pregnant Tang Yu feared the cold. They lit the kang early, and to help him walk around, Jells laid long-haired pelts all over the bedroom floor.

Little Ilai began transforming that night. Dino had been sleeping in Ilai’s room these days; a light sleeper, he woke at Ilai’s pained whimpers and rushed to knock on Suyi’s door.

Suyi and Sinor threw on clothes and hurried to Ilai’s room.

They found Ilai flushed scarlet and drenched in sweat. Suyi had no idea what to do and looked back at Sinor. Sinor shut the door and fetched one of Suyi’s lamps from the corner, bathing the room in light.

“Don’t worry. Lots of little beastmen get through it like this,” Sinor said, propping a cushion behind Suyi so he could sit comfortably. From his manner, it was clear this wouldn’t be over quickly.

Suyi had always doted on Ilai, and seeing him suffer tore his heart out. Watching like this was torture for him too.

Ilai mumbled in a daze at first, then seemed to hurt so much he woke with a cry. He opened his eyes, saw Suyi, and wriggled toward him. Sinor reached out and blocked him.

“You’re transforming—hold still.” His tone was stern. Ilai looked at Suyi; seeing him only watching and not speaking, he settled back onto the furs.

Dino shifted into his beast form; the little leopard lay to the side. Compared to Suyi, the two who had already taken human form were very calm.

The whole process had Suyi on edge—the creaking of little bones, Ilai’s soft, pained cries.

Usually a bit spoiled, Ilai didn’t whine now or ask for help; he just lowered his head and endured.

That Ilai made Suyi’s heart ache.

Later, Sinor held Suyi and took him back to their room. Suyi wanted to go again but Sinor stopped him.

“Suyi, stay here,” Sinor said, stroking his chin.

Suyi blinked, then obediently curled up in bed.

Sinor had told him he spoiled Ilai too much—little beastmen shouldn’t be pampered or they’d grow delicate. Transformation was something all beastmen had to go through, but Suyi’s heart was being wrung out. Sinor probably didn’t want him to suffer through it.

Near dawn, Sinor came into their bedroom carrying a dripping little bundle. Suyi hadn’t slept, staring wide-eyed in wait. At the sight of Sinor, he scrambled up.

Sinor had already bathed Ilai, who was wet and stark naked.

“All right—let him sleep.”

Suyi found a soft fur and laid Ilai on it. His hands trembled slightly. “Th-this is amazing.”

He’d always known beastmen changed like this, but seeing a little white snake turn into a fair, soft baby still astonished him.

Ilai had a head of white hair too, though sparse and short—comically so.

The little one was beautiful, with an androgynous air. His lotus-root arms and legs were tucked in; his little mouth puckered; his belly rose and fell with his breathing.

Their kang burned hot, and the walls were thick and airtight, so the room was toasty.

When it was fully light, Suyi invited Mino to take a look.

After a careful check, Mino beamed. “Ha! Ilai is perfectly healthy. Nothing at all to worry about. Let him sleep.”

After seeing Mino out, snow began to fall again—this time heavy, covering the world in white within moments.

Suyi took out the clothes he’d prepared and waited for his child to wake so he could dress him up.

Before he could, a horn sounded—the kind that made Suyi’s heart lurch. It was the alarm for enemy attack or a beast horde. He’d thought they wouldn’t hear that till the deep cold season; he hadn’t expected it in such a frigid snowstorm.

Sinor moved to go out, but Suyi stopped him.

“You watch Ilai. I’ll go see what’s happening.” With that, Suyi dashed out.

The wind and snow slapped him the moment he stepped outside, making him shiver.

He hurried toward the lookout. “What’s going on?” he shouted from a distance.

“A migrating herd looks to be passing near us,” a beastman ahead called back.

A herd?

Facing into the blizzard, Suyi trudged forward. After a few steps the snow was past his knees; he had to stop and wait. Soon someone flew back from outside and landed beside him.

“There is a herd, but the numbers aren’t too big.”

Suyi’s eyes lit up at that, and he turned back home.

Ilai was still sleeping. Suyi set Dino to watch him, bundled Sinor up in thick clothes, and happily pulled him outside.

On the way out, Suyi made a point of closing the courtyard gate.

The two drew plenty of attention. Mostly, it was the person following Suyi—once a tall, ethereally handsome man, now completely swaddled into a puffed-up fatso. Sinor’s feelings were complicated: joy at Suyi’s concern, and embarrassment at being wrapped so tightly.

When they reached deep snow, Suyi climbed onto Sinor’s back; they planned to head out through the newly opened passage. Since it was still snowing and Sinor didn’t have a furry pelt like other beastmen, Suyi had ordered that he mustn’t transform unless absolutely necessary—to avoid frostbite.

In truth, once Suyi discovered Sinor could enter the space too, he no longer saw any “absolutely necessary” situation. If danger came, he could throw the whole family into the space and then go on a rampage with no worries.

Of course, that was just his private thought. Lately Sinor, eager to assert his claim, kept “working him over” whenever. Given that, Suyi decided a man has to bend and stretch; no need to show off and make a mistake you’ll regret forever.

Lie had been at the lookout early. He allowed only a few beastmen to go scout; most stayed in the valley in case of emergencies.

Jells was among the first to leave when he heard about the herd. He’d taken Tang Yu to Mino’s house and told Dilson to watch them carefully, then flown out of the valley. Dilson actually wanted to tag along, but at Jells’ request he could only stay home, aggrieved.

When Suyi and Sinor emerged, they saw Jells circling arrogantly above the herd, eyes clearly picking out the tastiest game. Seeing this, Sinor’s pale eyes also brightened—hunting was in every beastman’s blood. Noting that spark, Suyi knew he wanted to join in; with a sigh, he led him forward.

From his vantage point, Lie glanced back toward the valley when he saw the Sinor couple. Sure enough, he quickly spotted a familiar figure among the beastmen—much slighter than the rest. Bundled up against the cold, only a pair of beautiful eyes showed.

Ian was pushing past those blocking the front gate, trying to squeeze through the passage. He had a basket on his back and Suyi’s bow in hand—he clearly wanted to go hunt too.

Lie thought: Has Ian run out of meat? Why else would he want to go hunting?

He’d been so busy lately he hadn’t kept tabs on Ian’s situation—had Ian gone hungry again without his knowing?