The next day, Su Qinglan sat with her four beastmen. Xuan Long, Hu Yan, Han Jue, and Rong Ye. The atmosphere was peaceful, and everyone was relaxed.
No one mentioned anything about yesterday. No one talked about Luo Chen, Bai Lianhua, or the chaos that had happened. It was as if everyone had agreed silently that today would be a fresh start.
Hu Yan was eating slowly, tearing small pieces of roasted meat and handing some to Su Qinglan now and then.
Han Jue, sitting across, was already on his third portion, eating heartily like always.
Rong Ye was sitting right beside Su Qinglan, grinning proudly as if he had done something great just by sitting next to her.
Even Xuan Long, who usually didnāt eat much, was eating quietly beside her. His emerald eyes occasionally lifted to look at her, making sure she was eating well.
Everything felt calm.
Su Qinglan took a sip of fruit juice and looked around. "Itās nice like this," she said softly. "This juice is so good."
Hu Yan nodded. "Yeah, itās good." His deep voice echoed slightly in the cave. But then his tone changed, a bit regretful. "But... we canāt stay long today."
Su Qinglan looked at him, blinking. "Why?"
Hu Yan put down his meat bone and sighed. "I have to lead the hunting group to the north side. The scouts said there are a few big herds there. If we move early, we can catch them."
Han Jue also nodded beside him. "Iām going too. The tribe leader told me last night that Iāll be leading another group toward the river valley. We have to gather as much meat and hides as possible before the rainy season starts."
Su Qinglan nodded slowly. She understood. Both Han Jue and Hu Yan were among the most promising and powerful warriors in the tribe. They were the kind of beastmen everyone respected. It was natural for them to lead the hunting teams.
"Thatās good," she said softly, her voice gentle but serious. "From today on, our tribe needs to get more and more food. Once the rains come, itāll be hard to hunt for weeks."
Hu Yan smiled faintly. "You always think ahead, Lan Lan. Donāt worry, weāll bring back plenty of prey."
Han Jue nodded. "Yes. You just rest and take care of yourself."
Su Qinglan smiled at them both. She was proud of them and a little worried too, but she didnāt say it. She knew how dangerous hunts could be.
Before she could reply, Rong Ye suddenly leaned closer with a bright grin. He shamelessly hooked his arm around her shoulders and said in a cheerful tone, "Then Iāll accompany Lan Lan today!"
Su Qinglan blinked and turned her head toward him. "You will?"
Rong Ye puffed out his chest proudly. "Of course! Youāll need someone to protect you, right? So, Iāll stay with you."
Han Jue and Hu Yan both exchanged looks silently, already expecting what was about to happen.
Su Qinglan looked at Rong Ye up and down, her expression calm but a little puzzled. "Why are you not going hunting?" she asked casually. "Youāre also a strong beastman, right?"
Her tone wasnāt mocking. She truly wondered. In her mind, this was a very important time for the tribe. The more hunters, the better. The more prey they could store before the rain came, the safer everyone would be.
But Rong Yeās eyes widened in shock. He froze for a second, and then his whole face turned pitiful. "Lan Lan... You think Iām not strong?"
Su Qinglan blinked again, confused. "Ah? I didnāt say that."
But Rong Ye already looked as if his heart had been broken. His voice turned soft and sad. "Itās not me who doesnāt want to hunt... The tribe leader didnāt assign me to any hunting group."
He looked away pitifully, his long tail curling around his leg as he spoke in a tearful tone, "Itās not my fault, Lan Lan. I wanted to go, I really did! But the tribe leader said no. He said I shouldnāt join the hunt..."
He sighed dramatically, shaking his head as if deeply wronged. "I donāt know why. Maybe he doesnāt trust my strength anymore..."
Su Qinglan blinked again, unsure how to reply.
Across from them, Han Jue almost choked on his meat, while Hu Yan rubbed his forehead silently.
Both of them remembered clearly what had happened last night when the tribe leader was assigning the hunting groups.
The moment the tribe leader mentioned the hunting teams, Rong Ye had been the first one to back away. He had waved both hands and said quickly, "Oh no, no, I canāt go! If all of us go hunting, who will stay and protect Lan Lan? What if something happens to her?"
The tribe leader had paused, thinking about it seriously.
Han Jue and Hu Yan had also hesitated because what Rong Ye said made sense. Both of them had to lead hunting groups, and Su Qinglan, being pregnant and important, couldnāt be left alone without protection.
So, in the end, everyone had agreed that Rong Ye would stay behind to "guard" her.
No one forced him. No one stopped him. It had been his idea from the start.
But now, hearing him talk, he made it sound as if the tribe leader was being unfair to him.
Hu Yan sighed helplessly.
Han Jue quietly took a bite of meat and muttered, "This guy..." under his breath.
Su Qinglan was still staring at Rong Ye, who now had the most pitiful expression in the world. His long ears drooped, and his tail twitched sadly.
"Lan Lan, do you really think Iām weak?" he said again, voice trembling slightly. "If I were assigned, I wouldāve gone. I swear! I would hunt all day if they let me!"
Su Qinglan pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. She knew this tone. Rong Ye was being dramatic again.
"I didnāt mean that," she said softly, almost smiling. "I was just asking."
But Rong Ye, seeing her smile, took it the wrong way. His ears perked up again, and his sad tone disappeared instantly. "Ah, so you were worried about me!" he said proudly.
"Youāre so thoughtful, Lan Lan. Donāt worry, Iāll stay with you and protect you from all kinds of danger!" He said, but his eyes met with Xuan Long.
Xuan Long, who had been quietly eating, finally lifted his gaze. His deep emerald eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a calm but cold tone, "Protect her from what? Inside the tribe?"