Chapter 29: An Invitation to Return to the Gathering Team

Leng Xiao and Leng Xiu clearly understood that this was Yun Li’s way of protecting Mu Qing. Regardless of the First Beastman’s strength, the female’s attitude toward him was crucial; otherwise, other beastmen might act outwardly compliant but inwardly disobedient simply because the female did not favor him. Households with such dynamics were often characterized by more intense competition.

Therefore, even though they were disappointed not to have gained the female’s favor immediately upon entering her home, Leng Xiao and Leng Xiu would not resort to pestering—though this applied specifically to Leng Xiao. After all, compared to his younger brother, Leng Xiu was much better at putting on an act.

"Then, A-Li, how about I sleep with you tomorrow?"

If today wouldn’t work, he would strive for tomorrow. Since A-Li had let them move in, surely she wouldn't have the heart to let them sleep on the floor forever.

Yun Li thought for a moment. Between Leng Xiao and Leng Xiu, she was indeed more familiar with Leng Xiao. Just as she was about to nod, she heard Leng Xiu suddenly interject: "He likes to kick people off the bed at night, so if you want him to sleep with you, it’s best to knock him unconscious first."

Shock registered on Yun Li’s face. She turned her head to look at Leng Xiao, her eyes full of inquiry and confusion. If he truly had such a habit, wouldn't she be kicked to death or left crippled in the middle of the night? That would be too terrifying.

Leng Xiao also looked at his brother in disbelief. "Brother, I didn't expect you to..." To steal his position, he would even say things that ruined his brother’s life-long happiness.

Leng Xiu remained calm. "Have you forgotten? Last year during the dry season, when you and Uncle Meng were injured, we had you both rest in the cave. In the middle of the night, you kicked Uncle Meng’s wound, leaving him with no choice but to curl up in the corner to sleep."

Other beastmen still remembered that incident, though Leng Xiao, with his carefree nature, had forgotten it after a night’s sleep upon returning from that hunt. Reminded of this, Leng Xiao’s expression stiffened. Seeing this, Yun Li silently shrank into Mu Qing’s arms; if Leng Xiao had such a bad habit, how could she dare share a bed with him?

"Wait, I can explain!" Fearing that he would be relegated to the floor forever, Leng Xiao hurriedly explained: "I wasn't fully asleep when I was injured that time. Uncle Meng suddenly woke up in the middle of the night, and I thought something had happened, so I subconsciously followed him. But before I even got close, he attacked me. I only injured him out of self-defense. That whole incident was a complete misunderstanding."

It truly was a misunderstanding. The problem was with Uncle Meng, who, while dreaming, had walked straight toward the cave entrance. His movements were not quiet, yet Uncle Meng seemed not to hear a thing, reacting defensively the moment Leng Xiao approached. After finishing, he looked at Leng Xiu with a wronged expression. "I know I cause my brother trouble, but he shouldn't slander me like this, should he?"

Leng Xiu’s mouth twitched. Seeing his younger brother suddenly acting so fragile was an eyesore. "Is that believable? Uncle Meng has been in the hunting party for so many years, and no one has ever heard of him doing such things."

To this, Leng Xiao snorted. "If he didn't have any issues, why would he have retired from the tribal leader’s hunting party?" Regardless, no one could stop him from sleeping with his female!

Leng Xiu mused, "Then why did you always kick me when we slept at night in the past?" He was referring to their childhood, shortly after their grandfather had passed away. Worried that his brother would cry in secret, Leng Xiu had slept with him every night. Who would have thought that the little wolf, who usually slept so peacefully, would kick him out of bed time and time again?

Leng Xiao coughed heavily, his eyes darting away. "That was how many years ago?" Leng Xiu shot him a faint glance, planning to deal with him later when no one was around.

"A-Li! Look, I’ve explained everything clearly. Can I sleep with you tomorrow?"

Yun Li: ...Could she say she was still worried he might actually kick her? Seeing that Yun Li did not agree, Leng Xiao’s heart sank. Before he could speak to try and soften her heart, Mu Qing pulled Yun Li closer and said, "Alright, it’s too late, time to sleep."

As Yun Li and Mu Qing lay down on the bed, Leng Xiao stood in place, his heart cold. He wanted nothing more than to beat his brother up right then and there. It was one thing for him to fail to secure a chance to sleep with Yun Li, but why did he have to sabotage him?

However, Leng Xiu pulled him and forced him to sit by the edge of the bed. "Not sleeping yet? Do you plan on standing there all night?" After saying this, he shifted into his beast form, curled up on the space covered with animal fur rugs, and closed his eyes. They had to go hunting tomorrow; if they didn't get enough sleep, they would be mentally exhausted during the hunt.

Knowing this truth, Leng Xiao had no choice but to shift into his own beast form, curl up, and close his eyes.

After a good night’s sleep, the next day, Yun Li’s three beastmen were all called away to assemble. When they returned later, only Mu Qing was with them. Seeing Yun Li awake, Mu Qing walked over and quickly instructed her: "Starting today, the tribal hunting party is heading out. I was afraid you would be scared if you woke up and didn't see anyone, so I had them leave first. A-Li, stay home and behave. Even if He asks you to join the gathering party, don't go. You’ve just broken through to the Red Rank, and your strength is not yet stable. It would be very dangerous if you encountered any threats outside; we wouldn't be able to reach you in time to save you. There is no need to go. Leng Xiao will return for lunch, so don't cook for yourself."

Yun Li had not expected all three of her beastmen to be called away. She frowned slightly, but upon hearing Mu Qing’s parting advice, she quickly replied, "Okay."

Breakfast was bone broth and fried meat. Since Mu Qing had said Leng Xiao would return for lunch, Yun Li didn't think much of it. After breakfast, she began counting the animal furs and crystal cores that Leng Xiao and the others had brought over yesterday. The crystal cores were packed in jars—about twenty in total. Combined with Mu Qing’s savings, there were nearly fifty jars in the house. As for the furs, Leng Xiao and the others had brought the largest ones, most suitable for a female to make clothes, numbering over twenty. As she silently calculated how many new outfits she could make, she heard He’s voice outside.

"A-Li, are you home? I heard you underwent a blood bath a few days ago. Have you broken through to the Red Rank now?"

He smiled gently, looking no different than usual. Had her gaze not swept toward the stone house from time to time after entering, Yun Li would have truly believed that the news of her mating with Leng Xiu and Leng Xiao had not caused a ripple in He’s heart.

"Yes, I’ve broken through to the Red Rank. Is there something you need, He?"

"It’s like this: the tribe recently noticed that the beasts outside are acting strangely. Mang says there might be a natural disaster, so he’s ordered the gathering party to go out every day to collect wild fruits for sustenance. I thought since you don't have much to do at home and you've reached the Red Rank, why not join the gathering party to collect food? Even though you have Mu Qing and Leng Xiao and the others are about to mate with you, this is for the good of the tribe. You understand, don't you, A-Li?"

He finished her words with a gentle tone, looking at Yun Li with anticipation, waiting for her agreement.