After Su Mingxuan left, Su Qinglan still stood there, staring at the seashell in her palm. The soft white shell gleamed faintly in the sunlight, smooth and perfect. Her lips curved into a small smile, her eyes warm.
Hu Yanâs golden gaze lingered on her, his eyes flickering with thought. A shell... she is happy just because of this. If she wants something, why not ask him? He can also give it to her. His broad hands curled at his side. Why bother the tribe leader? When he was here.
On the other side, Rong Ye leaned lazily against a tree, his six tails swaying idly. His violet eyes narrowed at the sight of Su Qinglan cradling the shell like a treasure.
Tsk. This female is too easy to win. First, she was grinning like a fool at a piece of clothing she made, and now sheâs glowing over this broken thing? A shell? Really?
Hah. One day, many beastmen will trick her with useless things, and sheâll smile just the same. Hmph. Iâll have to keep an eye on her so she doesnât get fooled.
Su Qinglan finally blinked out of her daze and closed her fingers around the shell. Her heart bubbled with joy, but she quickly made up her mind.
She turned toward the cave. She should cook something for Father. The original Su Qinglan never did anything for him, but she would. She would show him she cared. Tonight, she would make something simple, but later... she would think of something special for him.
With her mind set, she walked away, her steps quick but light.
And, like always, two silent tails followed behind her.
Hu Yan walked steadily, tall as ever, his eyes fixed calmly on her small back.
Rong He strolled lazily, his expression unreadable, but his violet eyes glinted with thoughts.
But then... both of them suddenly stopped.
At the edge of the crowd, a figure stood.
Han Jue.
His face was dark, his expression heavy like a storm cloud pressing low over the sky. His eyes held disgust, and a sneer curved his lips as he looked at them.
For a long moment, his gaze clashed with theirs. Then, with a cold snort, Han Jue turned around and strode away.
Hu Yanâs face did not change. He felt nothing, his golden eyes as steady as stone.
But Rong Ye... His ears twitched, and his lips pulled tight. Embarrassment pricked his pride like needles.
Ahh... this young master has fallen so low. He actually has to trail behind a female just for delicious food. If he could find someone else who cooked this well, he would kick her away at once.
His violet eyes narrowed with bitterness. Hmph. He still hasnât forgotten how this female tricked him last season. He was injured, too weak to open his eyes... And sheâshe molested him! Touching him everywhere, looking at him with those lustful eyes...
Rong Yeâs ears burned at the memory, his tail puffing with anger. He almost lost his innocence that day. Tch! He would never mate with such a female.
Still, his eyes flickered toward her again. Her face looked neat now, her eyes clear instead of gloomy and wicked like before. But no matter how she looked, Rong Ye snorted inwardly. She is still the same. Didnât she just force Hu Yan a few days ago?
His gaze slid toward the big tiger walking silently beside him. His lips curved in a pitying smile. Ah... pitiful beast. He can only follow her whims, trapped under her claws. Poor tiger, pestered by this evil female.
Meanwhile, Hu Yan continued to follow Su Qinglan without a word, not even noticing the fox beside him casting looks of pity his way.
And Su Qinglan walked on happily toward the cave, completely unaware of the storm of thoughts swirling behind her...when suddenlyâ
A cheerful voice rang inside her head.
[Congratulations, Host!]
She stopped at once, blinking. "...Xuyu?"
[Ding~ Main Mission unlocked!] Xu Yuâs voice was bright and lively, full of excitement.
[Mission content: help three females successfully give birth. No time limit~]
Su Qinglan almost tripped. "...What?? Give birth? How is she supposed to make that happen?"
[Rewards after completion: one Beauty Pill Ă1, one Body Slimming Pill Ă1, one Combo of Cooking Set Ware Ă1, and... soy sauce Ă1!]
Her lips twitched. "...She wonât even ask why soy sauce is put in the same list as pills. But waitâhow can she ensure females can even get pregnant? Isnât that the real problem here?"
[Exactly, Host.] Xu Yuâs voice was calm, as if it had already expected this question. Fertility in this world is very low. Many females cannot conceive. Your task is to find out why and help them.]
Su Qinglanâs brows knitted. "But... how? She is not a doctor. She doesnât even know where to start."
[You can do it.] Xu Yuâs tone turned firm. [Your path is to discover the problems inside their bodies and slowly heal themâwhether through food, herbs, or even your own healing ability.]
Su Qinglan almost choked. "...Healing ability? Donât joke. Her healing skill is only at Level 1! She can only fix a scratch properly. How can she solve infertility?"
[Host.] Xu Yuâs voice softened but carried confidence. Every big change starts small. Your level may be low now, but it will grow. With the right resources, with effort, you can do things no one else in this world can.
Su Qinglan pressed her lips together.
"...So, she needs to help three females not only give birth but even get pregnant first. If she succeeds... Beauty Pill, Slimming Pill, Cooking Set, soy sauce."
Her eyes curved in a wry smile. "Xu Yu is really setting her up for trouble."
[Trouble? Or opportunity?] Xu Yu chuckled softly.
[The host already changed herself. You should not forget...you were not supposed to survive, yet here you are. So why canât you change the fate of others too?]
Su Qinglanâs steps slowed, her expression turning serious. She exhaled and whispered back, "...Fine. I will try. But if I fail, Xu Yu must not blame me."
[Hehe~ if you fail, no soy sauce for you.] Xu Yu teased and then went silent, leaving her to her thoughts.
Su Qinglan rolled her eyes helplessly, but her heart beat faster. Somehow, this mission felt very important because she had seen the despair in the eyes of females when the cubs were mentioned.
And she couldnât stop wondering...which female would she help first?