Rebirth With the Beast_24

 Chapter 115 continues...

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"Had a nightmare?" Xinor reached out to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and pulled him closer into his embrace.

Su Yi reached up to pat his own cheek. "Ah, I had an inauspicious dream. It really scared me." He stretched his body and looked at the dim sky outside. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Since you came back last night, you've been asleep for a whole day. Are you hungry?" Xinor picked up the clothes and helped Su Yi put them on.

"Mmm, I'm hungry." Su Yi hung onto Xinor, his heart beating a little fast. That dream had truly been ominous.

"I warmed up some food. I'll go get it for you." Xinor tried to pull away from Su Yi but noticed he was trembling slightly. He immediately stopped, picked up the beast hide blanket, wrapped Su Yi tightly in it, and then carried him out of the room.

The two children had already run out, saying they were going to Jares' house to see the baby.

Xinor really wanted to discourage them. The baby was still an egg—what could they see? But seeing their excited expressions, Xinor didn't say anything.

The kitchen still had a fire burning, so it was warm inside. Xinor brought over a table and chairs, and the two of them began to eat their meal cozily. Since becoming pregnant, Su Yi's appetite hadn't been very good, so most of the eating was done by Xinor. Su Yi would occasionally open his mouth to take a bite, then wait a long time before taking another.

Fortunately, Xinor was patient. The two of them took nearly two hours to finish their meal. By the time they were done, the two children had returned one after the other.

Seeing Su Yi awake, they chattered excitedly around him. Little Eli came up to Su Yi. "Mother, you don't know, Uncle Tang Yu laid such a big, big egg!"

"Really? Did you see it?" Su Yi leaned against Xinor, holding Dino's little hand in his own.

Recently, Su Yi had developed a bad habit from laziness—he liked to pinch others' hands and ears. Little Eli was too active and never patiently let Su Yi pinch him. Dino was much more obedient; every time he got close to Su Yi, he would offer his little chubby hand for Su Yi to hold. Even if Su Yi pinched him too hard, he wouldn't make a sound.

"Of course I saw it. It was so cool—the eggshell even had red flames." Little Eli said, raising his little hand seriously.

"Mother, there's one more thing. A new couple has come to the tribe, and they seem to want to stay." Little Eli's big eyes turned, not knowing what mischief he was thinking of next.

"I've heard about that." Xinor said with a smile. He saw that Su Yi didn't want to talk, so he immediately took over the conversation.

"Beast Father, that omega was really strange. He kept looking at me with a weird expression and asked if I was a white-winged serpent."

Xinor's eyes turned cold. He quickly glanced at Su Yi and, seeing that Su Yi wasn't listening, reached out to rub Little Eli's head. "Is that so? Maybe he was just curious."

In Su Yi's mind, the scene from his dream kept replaying. The face under the white cloth made him feel increasingly uneasy.

"Why me?" Su Yi muttered softly.

"What about you?" Xinor's voice sounded in Su Yi's ear.

"Ah, nothing. Oh right, let's go see Tang Yu. I wonder if he's awake now?" Su Yi smiled foolishly.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk, Xinor didn't ask further. He carried Su Yi out.

But as they were leaving the courtyard, Xinor's steps suddenly stopped. At the door of their house, an omega with a strange expression was frowning as he looked at their home.

For some reason, at the moment their gazes met, Xinor felt a strange sensation in his heart. Had he seen this omega before?

When the omega saw Xinor, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. Then, remembering something, he immediately smiled. "You must be Xinor, right? I just joined the tribe. My mate and I plan to stay here."

Xinor gave him a cold glance and then lowered his eyelids. He didn't have a good feeling about this omega who had suddenly appeared.

The omega hadn't expected Xinor to treat him this way and couldn't help but show a hint of anger on his face.

But he knew he couldn't offend Xinor, so his gaze shifted to the person in Xinor's arms. His eyes immediately became fervent. "Uh, your omega, is his name Mirel?"

Mirel? These three words instantly changed Xinor's expression.

Seeing Xinor's change, a hint of triumph flashed in the omega's eyes, but Xinor's words immediately made his face darken.

"You're mistaken."

Xinor walked around him and headed toward Jares' house. Although he appeared calm on the surface, his mind was in turmoil. Xinor thought to himself: Who is this person? How does he know Mirel?

Su Yi carefully lifted the beast hide blanket, his cold eyes looking at the flustered omega at their door.

When they arrived at Jares' house, they found his courtyard packed with people. Many had come to offer their blessings, and some had come to see the excitement.

As soon as Su Yi entered the house, he got down from Xinor's arms and energetically walked into the room.

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Author's Note: It's almost over, (,,??.??,,). After it's finished, I'll start a new supernatural story. I couldn't resist and took out my old profession. I've already written 100,000 words.

I've been dragging this out to stockpile enough for the next one so I don't run out of material.

After finishing, I'll open a new pit and slowly revise this story. Angels who like it, remember to follow!

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Chapter 116

As soon as Tang Yu saw Su Yi arrive, his half-asleep face immediately brightened.

"Su Yi, if it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have been able to lay this egg." Tang Yu puffed out his cheeks, his merely handsome face showing a hint of lightness. Having been pregnant with the child and constantly worried about laying the egg, now that it was finally done, Tang Yu's expression was incredibly relaxed.

To be honest, seeing Tang Yu's pitiful little appearance, Su Yi felt a bit unbalanced inside.

He was about to open his mouth to tease Tang Yu, but then he thought of how Tang Yu had been at death's door yesterday, and his heart softened. In the end, Su Yi just glared at Tang Yu.

Su Yi sat down on the bed. This room was a guest room. Yesterday, when Tang Yu was laying the egg, he had made a mess of the entire bedroom. To let Tang Yu rest comfortably, Jares had moved him to this room.

Su Yi came to the bed and looked at the dragon egg on it. The egg was quite uneven and had flame-like patterns, looking like a dragon egg from a game.

Su Yi couldn't help but reach out to touch it. As soon as he did, he was startled—heavens, this egg was warm!

It felt strange, like touching a warm chicken egg that seemed about to hatch.

"You're late. If you had come earlier, you might have heard its heartbeat."

Heartbeat?

Su Yi was surprised again. Yes, this was a child too. Although this egg looked like an egg, inside was Tang Yu's baby. The kind that, like Little Eli and Dino, could turn into a cute little baby.

Thinking that a little dragon might pop out of this, Su Yi, who wasn't usually immune to cute children, felt his good mood warming up, even though this child wasn't born yet.

"Oh right, I heard from Mino that you're carrying an omega?" Tang Yu suddenly looked at Su Yi's stomach. Su Yi felt a bit self-conscious and touched it, then smiled and said, "Mmm, seems so. They say that those who suffer like this are usually omegas."

Tang Yu's eyes turned, not knowing what mischief he was plotting.

Su Yi hummed, interrupting Tang Yu's daydreaming. "Drop your little schemes. Whether my child is an omega or an orc, I won't let them be betrothed to your little monster."

Su Yi had hit the nail on the head with Tang Yu's thoughts. Tang Yu felt a bit unhappy and glared at Su Yi. "What do you mean? Do you think mine isn't good enough for yours?"

Looking at Tang Yu, who had suddenly bristled, Su Yi thought that people said pregnancy made you foolish for three years. Had this guy, by laying an egg, become even more particular?

But although he was a bit particular, Tang Yu had his own lovable qualities.

The two chatted and laughed for a while longer, then Tang Yu began to look tired. Su Yi had no choice but to take his leave.

Xinor carried Su Yi around the valley. They walked very slowly, greeting people they met along the way.

But Su Yi's good mood soon disappeared. His vision was once again filled with the omega from before. That omega was bending down, talking to Dino in the distance.

"Let's go take a look." Su Yi said, tugging at Xinor's arm.

Xinor hesitated a bit. He didn't want Su Yi to go see those annoying people. Although Xinor wasn't particularly clever, he could sense that this omega wasn't a good sort. Now that Su Yi was pregnant, he was even more unwilling to let Su Yi worry.

Xinor's hesitation was noticed by Su Yi. "It's fine!"

Xinor sighed and then quickly walked in that direction.

Dino, who was far away, sensed someone approaching. He turned his head and saw Su Yi and Xinor, then immediately trotted over to Su Yi.

"Mother!"

Su Yi got down from Xinor's arms and smiled as he reached out to touch Dino's head. "Why are you out?"

"I wanted to come out to help Uncle Mino gather herbs, Mother." Dino answered obediently.

At this moment, that omega also came up to Su Yi.

Su Yi slowly raised his head and made eye contact with the omega. When the omega saw Su Yi's face clearly, he immediately opened his mouth in surprise.

"Mirel!" the omega exclaimed.

This omega—Su Yi carefully searched his memory. The memory was distant and blurred, but not entirely untraceable.

But that memory wasn't very pleasant. Mirel used to be the most beautiful omega in the tribe. Because he liked to flirt, he was sold to rogue orcs by other omegas and eventually ended up with Xinor.

What was this omega's name again? It seemed Mirel had also stolen his intended mate back then. Su Yi's eyes grew slightly cold. This omega had probably harmed Mirel before too. Although Su Yi didn't have any good feelings toward Mirel, now that this body was his, anyone who had tried to harm it in the past made Su Yi inevitably wary.

"You are?" Although Su Yi recognized him, he didn't intend to acknowledge him. Because Xinor had already said he was mistaken earlier, if Su Yi acknowledged him now, it would slap Xinor in the face.

To maintain his mate's dignity, humph, not to mention one lie—even ten lies he could smooth over.

The omega's expression wasn't very good. Clearly, he was very dissatisfied that Su Yi didn't recognize him.

But although he was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to show it.

"Mirel, we're from the same tribe. I was your childhood playmate." The omega said warmly, reaching out to grab Su Yi.

Su Yi unobtrusively dodged aside. “I think you’ve got the wrong person. My name is Su Yi, not Miriel or anything like that.”

The female looked even more displeased, anger written across his face. He’d grown up with Miriel since childhood—there was no way he’d mistake him. But Su Yi just wouldn’t admit it, and there was nothing he could do.

“Is that so?” The female let out a bitter little laugh, then turned away and left, clearly unwilling.

Watching the female’s retreating back, Su Yi lowered his head and said to Dino, “Stay away from him from now on. He’s not a good person.”

Dino looked at Su Yi in puzzlement. He was still young and didn’t understand Su Yi’s thinking, but whatever Su Yi said, Dino always took to heart.

The three of them headed home together, when Su Yi’s stomach suddenly churned violently. Before they reached the door, he rushed to the side and vomited hard.

That scared both the big one and the small one out of their wits.

Xinuo quickly patted Dino. “Go get Mino!”

Dino took off at a run. Seeing Su Yi in such distress had frightened the child badly.

By the time Mino arrived, Su Yi had already thrown up everything he could. Slumped in Xinuo’s arms, his expression was listless.

Mino felt Su Yi’s forehead, then checked this and that.

“It’s fine. You’re just having a stronger reaction than usual.”

Hearing Mino’s relaxed tone, everyone let out a breath. Su Yi shifted into a more comfortable position and drifted into a deep sleep.

A few days passed like this, and Su Yi’s spirits improved a bit. He began planting vegetables inside and outside the courtyard.

Tang Yu, however, didn’t have Su Yi’s leisure. He had to lie in bed day after day, holding that egg and keeping it company.

Today, after hearing from a visitor that Su Yi had gone out, he asked Jels to bring Su Yi over.

Tang Yu was bored out of his mind, cooped up at home alone.

Su Yi came in the afternoon, carrying a small pouch with some seeds inside.

He casually tossed the seeds onto Tang Yu’s table.

When he walked into the inner room, he saw Tang Yu hugging the egg in a daze. “When is this thing going to hatch?”

At the sound of his voice, Tang Yu’s eyes curved with a smile; the tear mole at the corner of his eye seemed to come alive with it.

“Captain Su, you’re finally here. I’m really bored.”

After a few days of rest, Tang Yu’s complexion looked better and better.

Su Yi went over and touched the hard eggshell. Its surface was a bit rough, but the patterns on it were clearer than a few days ago.

“It probably needs a few more days before it hatches,” Tang Yu said, then lazily flopped back onto the bed.

Su Yi hesitated, then told Tang Yu everything about the newly arrived mated pair—and that the female seemed to recognize his former self.

“I’m pregnant now. If I make any move, Xinuo will definitely worry. I want you to keep an eye out for me. If he behaves himself, all the better. But if he doesn’t, handle it as you see fit.”

Tang Yu, who had been lounging about, suddenly had a spark in his eyes when he heard that.

“Haha, Captain Su, you really think highly of me.”

Su Yi gave him a look. Now that Tang Yu had delivered, he had more freedom of movement than Su Yi. And Su Yi knew that while Tang Yu might seem a bit silly, he had plenty of small clevernesses. Su Yi didn’t stay long before Xinuo took him back home.

Another day passed, and the first rain of the cold season arrived.

Because the weather was still chilly, once the rain started it became uncomfortably cold. Su Yi didn’t want to take a single step outside.

Many beastmen didn’t go hunting that day, so the valley was lively. Some chatted in groups, some helped their partners with chores, and others played with the children around the valley. Even with rain outside, the atmosphere was festive.

Braving the rain, Ian brought freshly picked fruit to visit Su Yi.

Su Yi hadn’t seen Ian in quite a while—he’d heard Ian had been out hunting these past days. Once he perked up and looked closely, he noticed Ian seemed even sturdier; the whole person looked vigorous.

“Su Yi, you’re carrying a baby now. You must take care of your health—don’t run around or overexert yourself.”

Hearing Ian’s admonition, Su Yi felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. Even without Ian telling him, he’d been so lazy lately he had no energy to run wild. His pregnancy was nothing like Tang Yu’s. Tang Yu had only felt unwell at the start; later he’d been full of pep, doing nothing but sleeping and eating heartily. Su Yi’s situation was less rosy: he didn’t want to eat, and even a whiff of anything strong made him nauseous. On top of that, he was lethargic, sleepy, and moody.

“By the way, I also came to ask you something today,” Ian said a bit awkwardly, unease flickering in his beautiful eyes.

Su Yi lifted his lids, looking at Ian with interest.

“Mm, go on,” he said, all attentive. Ian hesitated, then rubbed his face with both hands.

“Do you think my face is… too… too good-looking?”

Hearing Ian’s self-conscious, mortified words—and seeing his embarrassed expression—Su Yi couldn’t help laughing.

He studied Ian’s face seriously. Ian really was very beautiful. Even someone like Su Yi sometimes couldn’t help stealing an extra glance.

“Mm, you do look excellent.”

“You know about last time with Reger. Am I really… that attractive to beastmen?” Ian asked, looking mortified.

Su Yi was delighted inside. In the past, Ian had been very sensitive about his looks; if anyone brought it up, he’d bristle. But lately, Ian seemed less bothered by it. Especially today—Su Yi felt Ian didn’t hate his own appearance anymore.

Su Yi considered, then said, “I think what draws people isn’t just your looks. Ian, don’t you feel you’ve become a lot more confident and appealing lately?”

Ian’s cheeks flushed. Then he seemed to think of something and muttered softly, “He said that too.”

He? That “he”?

Su Yi’s interest was instantly piqued. “He? Who?”

Ian seemed hesitant, but remembering Su Yi wasn’t an outsider, he finally said, a bit unsure, “What do you think of Lie?”

Su Yi froze. Of all the possibilities, he hadn’t expected Lie. He’d thought of Reger, or someone else—but never that fox.

That fox always struck Su Yi as clever—far less simple than the beastmen here.

He looked at straightforward Ian, then thought of that fox, and suddenly felt that in such a pairing, Ian might end up the one at a disadvantage.

What’s more, Lie was the current clan leader—a special status. Lie was also as beautiful as a flower; being with him would mean constantly guarding against other females.

Seeing Su Yi fall silent, Ian’s heart sank. He knew how outstanding Lie was. A beastman like that, and the clan leader besides, should be with a gentle, pretty female.

But lately, Ian had been hunting every day, and Lie was always by his side. Lie didn’t talk much, only stepping in when Ian was in danger. Gradually, Ian sensed Lie’s feelings.

Su Yi saw Ian’s face turn from red to pale, and quickly asked, “Do you… like him?”

Ian didn’t answer, only lowered his head, eyes flickering. Su Yi understood—at some point without his noticing, Ian and Lie had already grown that close. Otherwise, given Ian’s temperament, he wouldn’t have thickened his skin to come ask.

“Mm. If you like him, then give it a try.”

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Chapter 117

Hearing this, Ian opened his mouth, hesitating before going on: “Su Yi, you know I’m not a clever person. I came today to hear what you truly think.”

Here, because females were so scarce, many beastmen who couldn’t find mates chose to be with other beastmen. After all, life was long; living alone forever was too lonely. Of course, there were also those who chose solitude.

Before the incident with Losi, Ian had thought that if life became unbearable, he’d just find a beastman to live with. But after what happened, he developed a strong resistance to others’ touch.

Now, thanks to Su Yi and the others helping him untie those knots—and with Lie’s meticulous care lately—Ian suddenly felt the urge to find someone to spend his days with.

The human heart is easily swayed.

Especially in such a peaceful life: a comfortable home, a safe tribe, friends who cared. Now he only wanted things to keep getting better, and not to make everyone worry anymore.

“If you truly like him, you might as well try. But I should warn you—Lie is far smarter than you think.”

After Ian left, Su Yi wasn’t sleepy at all. He stretched and went out for a stroll. The rain had stopped; now and then a few drops still fell, cool against his face. He took a deep breath of the fresh air. The environment here really was wonderful, the air quality first-rate.

He had planted many vegetables and flowers in and outside the yard. Since Xinuo’s sense of smell was too keen, Su Yi only planted flowers without strong fragrances.

Now, tiny green shoots were already poking up through the soil. Xinuo, returning from outside, saw Su Yi standing beyond the courtyard and immediately dropped what he was holding to run over.

Sensing someone behind him, Su Yi turned. Seeing it was his own partner, he couldn’t help smiling.

“Back pretty early today, huh?”

Xinuo nodded, reached out to steady Su Yi, and tried to lead him back into the courtyard.

Though the weather was slowly warming, it had rained today. Seeing Su Yi standing outside like this still made Xinuo worry.

“Don’t catch a chill.”

Unable to resist Xinuo, Su Yi followed him back inside.

Before, Su Yi’s physical condition could rival a beastman’s. But now, he couldn’t even compare to Tang Yu. When he was being delicate, he felt unlike himself. He didn’t say it aloud, but the contrast left him a bit unwilling at heart.

Still, no matter how unwilling, he didn’t want Xinuo to see it.

Compared to the quiet at Su Yi’s place, Tang Yu’s home was bustling. The two little ones who had been playing outside all afternoon didn’t go home when they got tired; instead, as if by habit, they came to Tang Yu’s.

First they circled the motionless dragon egg for a look, then asked considerately whether Tang Yu felt unwell anywhere.

Looking at the two soft little buns in front of him, Tang Yu suddenly felt that having children was actually pretty happy. He grabbed little Yilai and squished his cheeks for a while, then let the two little rascals flee in a panic.

No sooner had the kids left than Mino arrived with a few females. Mino checked Tang Yu, then examined the dragon egg.

Mino instructed, “It’ll likely be in the next two days. When it breaks the shell, both of you must be present. The little one’s eyes won’t be open yet; it’ll rely on scent to remember its parents.”

After Mino left, Tang Yu nervously called for Jels.

“For the next two days, don’t go hunting. There’s still plenty of dried meat in the cellar and the cured cuts from before. Mino said the child has to imprint on us.” Jels nodded in agreement. Ever since Tang Yu gave birth, his appetite hadn’t been what it was; they didn’t need that much food anymore.

Near nightfall, a few beastmen came bustling to Tang Yu’s door with several milk-beasts.

They’d been sent by Lie. Hearing the egg would hatch in the next couple of days, he’d said the cub must drink milk in the first days.

Tang Yu was a little moved. If not for the reminder, this brand-new “mother-father” really wouldn’t have known. When the baby hatched, it might have gone hungry.

Once everyone left, Jels settled the milk-beasts in the yard.

Leaning at the window, Tang Yu watched and couldn’t help asking when he heard their conversation, “So it needs milk? What if we can’t find a milk-beast when the baby is born?”

Jels told him, “Mm. If there isn’t one, it’ll probably have to go hungry a few meals.”

At that, Tang Yu left the house and went over to the milk-beasts. They were about the size of pigs in his original world—big, fluffy balls, round and solid and very cute. Their eyes were hidden under their fur; if you didn’t look closely, you couldn’t see them.

“Hey, these milk-beasts are really small. I thought the beasts in this world were all huge and burly,” Tang Yu joked, reaching out to stroke their shaggy coats.

Jels came to his side and adjusted Tang Yu’s collar. “Milk-beasts are among the few smaller species. They’re gentle and herbivorous. They have no offensive ability in this world, but they run very fast and are hard to catch.”

Pointing at the round fluffballs, Tang Yu looked incredulous. “That? Runs very fast?”

Jels followed his gaze and looked the milk-beasts up and down. Honestly, if he hadn’t hunted them himself, he wouldn’t have believed it either.

After chatting a while longer, Tang Yu suddenly thought of something. “What do they eat?”

“Mm… some kind of grass, I think.” Jels wasn’t sure—he knew how to hunt, not what each beast ate.

“Then I want to raise some milk-beasts.”

Raise…? What did he mean?

Seeing confusion flash in Jels’s eyes, Tang Yu explained carefully: “I mean catching them and keeping them penned inside the valley. That way, whenever we need milk, we can get it anytime. And milk is a good thing—weak females or growing beast cubs can drink more to strengthen their bodies.”

Jels didn’t fully understand everything Tang Yu said, but he still nodded.

After Tang Yu laid out the plan in more detail, Jels scooped him up and carried him back inside. As soon as they entered the inner room, sharp-eyed Jels noticed a very faint crack on the dragon egg lying on the bed.

Sensing Jels’s change in demeanor, Tang Yu couldn’t help asking, “What is it?”

Jels didn’t answer. Holding Tang Yu, he strode over. Only then did Tang Yu see it. He instantly struggled to jump down and nimbly climbed onto the bed.

A pang of regret hit him. He’d waited all these days—why had he gone out just now of all times?

He was flooded with self-reproach, though fortunately the shell hadn’t broken yet. Otherwise their child might not recognize them.

As brand-new parents, Tang Yu and Jels were probably overly nervous. The two of them just stared wide-eyed at the egg, and before they knew it, they’d stayed up all night.

By full daylight, Tang Yu’s eyelids were drooping with drowsiness.

Jels slipped an arm around him and whispered in his ear, “Sleep. I’ll wake you.”

Tang Yu shook his head. Though he looked tired, he was still brimming with excitement. This was his baby—how could he not be-

Waiting with your heart in your throat—what does that even count as?

And so they waited, bitterly and anxiously, until afternoon.

Face gone ashen from the strain, Tang Yu cursed inwardly: The brat isn’t even out yet and already knows how to torment people—who on earth does he take after?

As he was grumbling to himself, a crisp crack suddenly rang out—much louder than the sound of opening a chicken egg. Tang Yu jolted, snapped his head around, and saw that a huge fissure had opened across the dragon egg.

Tilting his head carefully, Tang Yu peered through the split and clearly saw a dark little creature inside, struggling with all its might. Its body was slick with fluids, and the little one seemed to be in pain, letting out a faint whimper.

Tang Yu’s heart clenched. He was just about to reach in and help when Jels caught his hand.

“This is his first step. Neither of us can help him.”

Jels’s cool tone annoyed Tang Yu a bit, but he knew Jels was right, so he shot him a glare instead.

Seeing Tang Yu’s distress, a hint of a smile flickered in Jels’s dark eyes.

“Be good. He can do it.”

As if to prove Jels’s words, the little one inside suddenly rammed hard; the shell toppled over with a thud. Before long, the tiny creature crawled out, unsteady and wobbly.

The moment he emerged, Jels scooped him up and wrapped him in an extraordinarily soft piece of fur, then tucked the little one into Tang Yu’s arms.

Without a word, Jels turned and strode outside.

Tang Yu stared a bit dazedly, almost stiff, at the small beast in his embrace.

Outside, Jels first set water to boil, then fed some firewood into the heated bed platform, and after that went to the milk-beasts to squeeze some milk.

When he bustled back in, he found Tang Yu still frozen in the same posture, while the little beast was stretching its head to lick all over Tang Yu’s hand.

Tang Yu felt both amused and irritated. This filthy little thing—good grief—had smeared him all over with strange fluids.

Jels hurried over with two wooden basins and began to wash the little one. He was already being as gentle as possible, but Tang Yu still couldn’t stand it; he hopped down and snatched the baby over.

“You tidy up the bed. I’ll take care of this little guy.”

Jels chuckled and started changing out the furs on the bed. When he’d finished and came back with the discarded eggshell, he saw the little one had been cleaned spotless. Tang Yu had wrapped him in fur and was carefully feeding him warmed milk from the small stove.

They hadn’t gotten a good look at him earlier, but now, seeing a miniature western-style demon dragon, Tang Yu thought he was explosively cute. And when he imagined this tiny thing one day becoming a great big flying dragon, he couldn’t help feeling a surge of smug delight.

That evening, Jels took lots of meat and vegetables to the plaza and told everyone the news that their little beast had hatched.

Because of this happy event, the valley instantly grew lively again.

Resting at home, Su Yi also heard the triumphant beast howls and couldn’t help tilting his head to ask Xinuo, “What’s going on?”

Xinuo had just been about to step out when the two little ones who’d been playing outside came barreling in like a storm.

“Mother-father, quick—Uncle Tang Yu’s baby has hatched!”

After delivering the news, little Yilai grabbed one of his toys and dashed off again with Dino in equally fiery fashion.

The whole time, Yilai didn’t even step into Su Yi’s room—he just yelled his lines from the doorway.

Su Yi suddenly wondered if there wasn’t something wrong with his parenting. He still remembered how, when he first arrived, little Yilai had been so well-behaved and adorable—quiet and lovable. But now? Boisterous like a little pack leader; the soft voice was gone, and he loved to bellow at the top of his lungs.

Even timid Dino had become a constant climber and jumper. Su Yi started to doubt life—and had no idea what the baby in his own belly would turn out like.

Best if the child takes after Xinuo. Heaven forbid he take after Su Yi himself. He knew himself too well—he did not want another little chaos goblin.

After dinner, Su Yi moved some food and a few furs out of his space as congratulatory gifts for Xinuo to deliver.

He also took a few tiny garments and went along.

But when they arrived and saw Tang Yu’s courtyard crammed with people and presents, Su Yi suddenly felt his own gifts were superfluous. Since they were close anyway, and he had plenty of Tang Yu’s household’s food stored in his space, he figured he might end up helping load things in later.

Though the weather had warmed, Tang Yu still worried about accidents, so he sat in the outer room holding the little one and let visitors take a look.

Most of the visitors were females, chirping with blessings and advice. Whether they were sincere or not, Tang Yu was happy all the same.

The baby required both of Tang Yu’s hands to hold; everyone said his size counted as large for a newborn beast cub.

When Mino arrived—being close—Tang Yu even let him have a hold. Mino was grinning ear to ear, while his heart twinged with envy.

Beaming, Su Yi edged over and unceremoniously stole the little beast from Mino’s arms, studying him intently.

Seeing it was Su Yi, Mino couldn’t help saying, “Careful—you’ve got someone in your own belly, you know. Do you have to fight me for a turn?”

Su Yi ignored his grumbling. “Not convinced? Come and fight me for him.”

Mino pointed at Su Yi’s round belly and gave a wry smile.

“Alright, alright. You’re leaning on your pregnancy to throw your weight around.” He was amused, not truly annoyed.

“Enough—give me back my son!” Tang Yu said. He couldn’t stand Su Yi’s smug face another second, so he stood and snatched the little beast back.

Author’s Note:

?(?`h??)? Last week I was furious about something someone said (they claimed a man having three or four wives was “romantic,” but a woman remarrying meant she was [censored]—infuriating! For the first time I turned into a keyboard warrior and lost all “grace and poise” arguing back). In a fit of anger I’m thinking of starting a matriarchy novel. Do you all think matriarchy stories are fun to read? I’m cramming research these two days.

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Chapter 118

Watching the little dragon cub get taken back, Su Yi was just about to reach out and tussle with Tang Yu for him when someone behind lightly pulled him back.

Xinuo gave Su Yi a disapproving look, pale eyes full of concern.

“Don’t mess around. Be careful.”

As Xinuo drew him in, Su Yi unconsciously leaned into his arms—and once nestled there, his whole body seemed to lose strength.

The people nearby couldn’t help laughing.

Tang Yu joked, “If there’s nothing to do, they start showing off their love.”

The phrase “showing off your love”—they’d all heard Tang Yu say it before. They hadn’t understood at first, but he’d explained it to them later. Hearing it again now, they all chuckled.

After chatting and joking for a bit, Su Yi felt tired. Xinuo carried him home, and before they even reached the door, Su Yi had fallen asleep.

Later, Tang Yu saw the female Su Yi had mentioned. He’d come to join the crowd and catch a look at the little dragon—soaking up some of that good-luck joy was something every female liked to do.

So when he showed up, Tang Yu wasn’t surprised. He sized the female up without showing it; seeing the ingratiating look on his face, Tang Yu stayed cool and distant.

Knowing what this female was really after left Tang Yu feeling uncomfortable.

Over the next few days, Tang Yu began pen-raising milk-beasts. He wanted to test whether they could be properly kept. If they could be raised like pigs, then the tribe could keep more in the future.

Because he’d been pregnant, Tang Yu hadn’t been out much before. Now that he’d “finished his sentence” and could move around again, lots of people came by to reconnect, and that’s how word spread that he planned to raise milk-beasts. Mino didn’t have the hunting skills of Tang Yu or Su Yi, so he came to consult Tang Yu. He thought the idea was great. Seeing the pen Tang Yu built—very much like a pigsty—he went home and told Dilson to build one just like it. Tang Yu said milk-beast milk could be drunk too; not only did it strengthen the body, it could even whiten and beautify the skin.

Dilson, however, misunderstood. He thought, “We don’t have a baby—why does Mino suddenly want to keep milk-beasts? Could it be he’s gotten impatient seeing Tang Yu with a baby?”

With that thought, Dilson smacked his forehead, his tail wagging behind him. He’d figured it out—Mino must want a baby too. So the slightly silly Dilson pushed off his hunting trips for the next few days and focused instead on “bonding time” with his partner.

For several days after, Tang Yu didn’t see Mino and thought he might be sick.

Mino didn’t come, but Ian started visiting frequently.

Ian might not be a shapeshifting beastman, but in his heart he was a beastman all the same. And no beastman dislikes children. He had even thought about having his own, but considering his body, he knew no one would want to have a child with him. And now that Lie treated him so well, he couldn’t break Lie’s heart.

Without his own child, Ian’s attention shifted to other people’s.

Little Yilai and Dino were getting livelier by the day, running wild with the other kids in the valley—the exact age when even a dog would find them unbearable. Ian found them not cute at all now—far too rowdy. His new target was Tang Yu’s baby; he was determined not to let this one turn into a little terror like the others.

But after only a few days, Ian began to despair.

Tang Yu’s baby was the true king of babies. Not even ten days since hatching, and he already ruled the roost at Tang Yu’s home.

Perhaps dragon genes really were too strong. By the third day, the dragon baby was crawling everywhere. Worried he’d get wedged somewhere, Tang Yu blocked every dangerous spot with furs. By the eighth day, even that didn’t stop him. Using his tiny claws, he scratched and pried, and before anyone noticed, he’d opened up the blocked places.

As Tang Yu teetered on the verge of collapse, Jels remained utterly calm.

Once, when Ian dropped by, he saw his good friend Jels tossing the dragon baby into the washbasin like a dumpling—so-called bath time. Watching the little one get plopped in and then fail to surface for a long while, Ian thought that if this weren’t a dragon, he’d suspect Jels wasn’t the biological father.

Before long, though, Ian stopped fussing over the baby—his sights shifted to Su Yi.

After all, cubs would be cubs; a bit of wildness was inevitable. But Su Yi’s pregnancy was different—he was carrying a little female. Just imagining a soft, doughy little girl, fair and chubby, melted Ian completely. By the end of the cold season, the flowers at Su Yi’s gate were in full bloom, the place looking like a little garden from afar. Even better, the vegetables and melons Su Yi had planted were thriving, and the transplanted fruit trees were covered in blossoms of every color.

Su Yi’s due date was set for the hot season—but it suddenly came early.

The reason was that, while strolling in the yard, Su Yi got riled up by someone.

That someone was a friend of the body’s original owner.

When Tang Yu heard the news, he exploded. Su Yi had told him to watch that person, and Tang Yu had been keeping quiet tabs. The guy hadn’t made any moves for so long that Tang Yu thought he’d given up. He never expected him to suddenly come and cause trouble for Su Yi.

Su Yi’s belly was very large lately. Looking at it, Mino began to suspect the child might not be a female—since a female wouldn’t be that big.

Su Yi’s mood was complicated, and his temper swung between good and bad. As Tang Yu put it, it was prenatal depression. Before his own delivery, his mood had been awful too. If Jels took his eyes off him for even a moment, he felt like Jels didn’t love him anymore. A parade of bad feelings came knocking, one after another, for no clear reason.

So when Su Yi saw that female and got pestered into dredging up unpleasant memories, he lost his temper for no reason he could name.

That female, rebuffed again and again by Su Yi’s “I don’t know you,” also lost his temper for reasons unknown.

“Hmph. What, you married some capable ‘ill-omened beastman’ and now you’re putting on airs with me? If I air out your past, do you think you can keep living like this? You’re just cashing in on your looks to win other people’s affection. But if Xinuo finds out how unchaste you were before, do you think he’ll still want a female like you?”

Su Yi laughed in anger. The female must have come late and didn’t know what Su Yi had done for the tribe; he assumed everything was good here solely because Su Yi had a capable mate. He really did think Su Yi was the same as that former Miriel.

“What—cat got your tongue? Or did I hit the mark and now you’re mad from shame? Back then I could get you kicked out of the tribe; I can get you kicked out of here now, too.” The female’s arrogant tone and the ugly true face showing through made fury roil in Su Yi’s chest.

“What exactly do you want?” Su Yi had been standing in the yard for a long time; his calves were trembling a little, but he forced himself to show nothing.

“I don’t have any harsh demands. Just figure out a way to get me a nicer house. You’ve got good connections here now—lots of people listen to you. Getting me a decent place shouldn’t be hard.” The female spoke as if it were only natural, his gaze roaming over Su Yi’s house with naked greed.

Grinding his teeth, Su Yi said, “If you want a house, build one yourself. No one here gets something for nothing.” Truth be told, he really wanted to beat this kind of female senseless. But the conditions didn’t allow it—one wrong move and he might hurt the child in his belly. So he endured and didn’t raise a hand.

“What’s with the formality between us? Besides, those ill-omened beastmen are inferior to begin with. Why should they get to live in such comfortable houses? They’re cursed by the Beast God—unfit to have a home or a tribe. Once I’m settled here, I’ll bring people from our tribe over and drive all the ill-omened beastmen out.”

“Ill-omened beastmen”—Su Yi hadn’t heard those words in a very, very long time. Hearing him say it now sent a nameless fire blazing up inside. Because among those so-called ill-omened were his lover and his friends. They had never owed anyone anything—indeed, they were kinder and braver than those so-called ordinary beastmen. By what right…