Chapter Three: Beginning to Live Together

Although Yun Li’s requirements regarding food, clothing, and housing clearly exposed her picky nature, Mu Qing sincerely felt that this female had a genuine intention to build a life with him. This realization stirred a sense of genuine emotion within him.

"Hmm, is there anything else?" Mu Qing’s gaze softened instantly as he looked at her. Yun Li shook her head. "Not for now. If there is, I’ll tell you directly later."

They weren't officially mated yet, and she felt it was too early to reveal her true colors completely. She would wait until after the mating ceremony; then, she would observe the situation and slowly train Mu Qing until he was exactly as she desired. Mu Qing, unaware of her plans to groom him, simply replied, "All right," before asking, "What would you like to eat tomorrow? I’ll make it for you."

"I want to eat Gulu meat." Yun Li knew from the original owner’s memories that the meat of a Gulu beast was delicious, though the original owner had never tasted it.

Hearing this, Mu Qing thought for a moment. "How about Gulu meat soup? The witch doctor said your body is weak and you shouldn't eat anything too greasy for now. Once you’re feeling better in a couple of days, I’ll make roast meat for you."

Yun Li had no objections to this and shifted the conversation to where he currently lived. Mu Qing frowned slightly. "To enjoy some peace and quiet, I haven't been living in the tribe; I’ve been staying in a cave outside. But don't worry, I’ll get the stone house sorted in the next two days. I won't let you suffer out there with me." Although he didn't mind his time living outside, he was a beastman; since Yun Li didn't want to live like a cave-dwelling savage, Mu Qing would naturally arrange everything properly.

...

Upon learning that Mu Qing, a Green-rank beastman, was finally going to settle down and start a family, the tribal chief was overjoyed. He didn't wait for Mu Qing to ask for help with the stone house; he proactively assigned the tribe’s craftsmen to the task and even thoughtfully gathered bowls, basins, tables, and chairs for them.

"He actually succeeded? And there’s a female who isn't afraid of Mu Qing being a snake-beastman?"

With the tribe’s only snake-beastman finding a female willing to accept him, the Leng brothers—young Green-rank beastmen who remained single—inevitably found themselves being pressured once again to find mates. Leng Xiao watched the chief walk away and couldn't help but tilt his head toward his brother. "Brother, should we go see what all the fuss is about?" He hadn't expected Mu Qing to accept such a sloppy, ugly female; he must have been truly desperate to settle for that.

"No. We’re heading out to hunt tomorrow." Leng Xiu glanced at his younger brother. He didn't even need to guess; he knew his brother was simply resentful that Mu Qing had managed to find a female faster than they had. But Mu Qing wasn't like them; he had finally found someone who could accept his snake-beastman nature, and as fellow males of the same tribe, there was no need to make things difficult for him while he was happy.

Leng Xiao snorted, "It's only because we’re letting him have his way. Otherwise..." There was no way Mu Qing would have been the one to mate before them.

Leng Xiu didn't even lift his eyelids. "Do you dare say that to Mu Qing’s face?" Besides, it was Leng Xiao himself who had looked down on that female earlier and insisted on distancing himself from her. Now that he was resentful of Mu Qing gaining her favor, he was just spewing sour words.

Hearing this, Leng Xiao curled his lip. Thinking of Mu Qing’s massive beast form, he uncharacteristically refrained from being stubborn. Since they were all Green-rank beastmen with similar strength, fights often came down to the threat posed by their respective beast forms. Mu Qing’s form was a giant python, while he and his brother were wolves. If a real fight broke out, it would take both of them working together just to ensure they didn't suffer a major loss. Of course, that assumed no underhanded tactics were used—and wolves, after all, were very cunning.

The next day, the hunting party gathered on the flat ground where the tribe processed large game. Since it was still early, many beastmen noticed Mu Qing’s absence and couldn't help but ask around.

"Does anyone know if Mu Qing is coming along for the hunt this time?"

"Probably not. Isn't it said he’s already brought his female home? He must be in a hurry to mate."

"Ah, that must be it."

However, the man they were discussing indeed had no plans to go out. He was currently struggling with how to procure the clothing Yun Li wanted.

"Ah-Qing..."

A drowsy, half-awake voice drifted from the room. Mu Qing immediately set down the animal skin he was holding and carried in a basin of warm water and a thin hide.

Yun Li had not slept well. To be precise, since arriving in this world, aside from the times she had fainted from hunger, she hadn't had a single comfortable night's sleep because of the hard stone bed. Even though Mu Qing had laid thick animal skins over it, she still woke up with an aching back, sore arms, and painful legs.

"Ah-Qing, could you spread two layers of dried grass on the stone bed?"

As Mu Qing wiped her face with the damp, thin hide, Yun Li felt herself waking up, but she turned and wrapped her arms around the male’s waist, nuzzling into him. "The stone bed is too hard, I’m not sleeping well. Please, fix it for me."

Mu Qing stiffened subconsciously as she nuzzled him. The female’s personality was completely beyond his expectations; not only was she not afraid of him, but she had also become unexpectedly clingy since arriving.

"Ah-Qing~"

Yun Li grew dissatisfied when she didn't get a response. Spreading a few layers of grass wasn't difficult; why wouldn't he agree?

Mu Qing let out a low "Mm." "I know. I'll take care of it in a bit."

Only then was Yun Li satisfied. She rolled back onto the bed and gave the male a playful kick. "I’m going to keep sleeping, you go out."

Seeing her lounging in bed, Mu Qing felt a mix of helplessness and a sigh. He sat closer and coaxed her, "Ah-Li, eat something before you sleep. The witch doctor said you need to eat more to get better. I made Gulu meat this morning—the stir-fried meat you asked for. Get up and eat a little, okay?"

Yun Li didn't really want to get up. The beastmen’s schedule was always to rise at dawn and rest at dusk. As a heart patient, aside from those three years of high school where she had no choice, she had always been indulged by her family and allowed to sleep until she woke up naturally. She was long accustomed to staying up late when she didn't have school, and she had no intention of making things difficult for herself when she didn't have to.

But the Gulu meat he mentioned did sound delicious. Yun Li struggled internally for two seconds, then closed her eyes and rolled back into Mu Qing’s arms. "I don't want to get up. Carry me to eat." As she spoke, she looked as if she hadn't slept enough, wrapping her arms around his waist again and burying her head into his chest.

Seeing this, Mu Qing couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time as he picked her up. How could a female be so lazy that she couldn't even get up to eat meat? Yet, her laziness was unexpectedly cute.

However, Yun Li’s nap was destined to be cut short; not long after she had finished eating and laid back down, a noisy commotion erupted from outside.