Chapter 150 - 149: Boo-Hoo, Scolded by the Female Master

Ye Wang took the items. Although it was only for a moment, Chu Liangyu could hear the choked sob in his voice as he spoke, "Thank you, Beast Mother."

Situations like this were sometimes unavoidable. All Chu Liangyu could do was give them as much attention as she could. Beyond that, there wasn’t much else she could do.

’After all, I have my own matters to attend to. Whether they can figure things out and adjust their own attitudes is ultimately up to the cubs themselves.’

"It’s getting late. You all should hurry back. Remember to take good care of yourselves."

"Also, if you run into any trouble, remember to come find me. If I’m not around, you can go find Jiaojiao."

Hearing Chu Liangyu mention her name, Xiong Jiaojiao immediately nodded and said, "That’s right."

"We know, Beast Mother."

After a few more simple words, the three little ones left.

Calming herself, Chu Liangyu followed behind Hu Qiuliang, heading toward his Beast Father Hu Qiumu’s courtyard.

"Jiaojiao, you can head back first. I still have something to take care of."

"Okay, Sister Liangyu. I’ll get going then."

After they parted ways, on the way to see Hu Qiumu, Chu Liangyu was walking quietly behind Hu Qiuliang when he suddenly stopped.

Just as Chu Liangyu was wondering why, Hu Qiuliang reached out his small hand and took hers, a contented smile on his face. "I finally get to walk while holding the Beast Mother’s hand! I’m so happy!"

"You’re easily satisfied."

Chu Liangyu chuckled. Despite her words, she squeezed the little cub’s hand in return.

"The Beast Mother has so many cubs. It’s already not easy for me to be able to hold your hand right now. How could I not be satisfied?"

"Besides, I still have the bamboo dragonfly the Beast Mother made for me with her own hands!"

Chu Liangyu paused, stunned. She couldn’t even remember when she had made a bamboo dragonfly.

So, she asked, a little confused, "You still have the bamboo dragonfly?"

"Yeah, I still have it! It’s in my room right now. It’s this big..."

The little one spoke, gesturing with both hands to show her the size.

Chu Liangyu’s fuzzy memory slowly came back into focus with his description. After a long moment, she finally remembered what he was talking about.

Before the Bianye Tribe’s settlement on Niu Shou Mountain was destroyed by Ye Han, Chu Liangyu had planned to build a small courtyard of her own.

Back then, she and Xiong Jiaojiao had made some toys and had the little cubs help, but since they were busy with that, they had no time to hunt.

She had entrusted the task of gathering food to the little cub. To grow closer to him, Chu Liangyu had taken the time to weave an extra-large bamboo dragonfly—the kind whose wings would spin with just a light touch.

Chu Liangyu had long forgotten about this. If the little cub hadn’t brought it up, she truly wouldn’t have remembered it at all.

In that short time, they had arrived at Hu Qiumu’s courtyard. But when Chu Liangyu looked up, she didn’t see anyone.

Hu Qiuliang first let go of her hand, then said, "Beast Mother, please wait. I’ll go get my Beast Father for you."

Although Chu Liangyu wondered why this extra step was necessary, she didn’t object. She just said, "Alright, you go. I’ll wait for you here."

While waiting outside, Chu Liangyu took a look at the courtyard’s layout.

The small courtyard’s design was similar to hers, but he had planted a ring of Red Heart Fruit bushes along the walls.

Of course, there were no green leaves at this time of year. The only reason Chu Liangyu could identify them at a glance was that she noticed some dried seeds on the ground.

She recalled how her first deep impression of Hu Qiuliang had been because of his craving for Red Heart Fruit. Seeing the familiar plant naturally brought back those memories.

"Female Master."

Chu Liangyu didn’t have to wait long before the door in front of her opened and Hu Qiumu strode out.

His face was a little paler than usual. He was always dressed in robes embroidered with gold thread, but now he had changed into a simple, plain white robe.

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Chu Liangyu caught the faint scent of blood. She opened her mouth, about to say something, but Hu Qiumu interrupted her first. "Just as I imagined, the necklace is very beautiful on you, Female Master!"

"Just now, Qiuliang told me that you summoned the Beast Husbands to the main hall. It must be for something important. Let’s go. We’ll head over together."

Hu Qiumu’s tone was normal, and he showed no intention of mentioning where the necklace came from. Chu Liangyu couldn’t help but give him another look before following him out of the courtyard.

’Since he’s deliberately hiding something, I can’t be bothered to waste my energy trying to uncover the truth.’

"The task I’m giving you all this time is very important, and the workload will be heavy. If you..."

Before Chu Liangyu could finish, he cut her off. "I have no problem. Female Master, please feel free to arrange things as you see fit."

Chu Liangyu frowned. She felt that Hu Qiumu was hiding something. So, she stopped walking.

Hu Qiumu sensed the familiar presence beside him was gone and also stopped. When he turned around, he was met with the sight of Chu Liangyu’s slightly angry face.

Pressing his lips together, Hu Qiumu’s voice softened as he asked her, "Why have you stopped walking, Female Master?"

"I told you, this task is very important. If you can’t handle it, just say so." After a pause, Chu Liangyu added, "There are many people in the tribe. You don’t need to force yourself."

The scent of blood on him was a clear sign of a recent injury, yet he was conversing with her as if nothing was wrong and even intended to participate in the upcoming plan in this state.

Chu Liangyu didn’t feel touched. She just felt it was completely unnecessary. This would only slow down their progress.

"Fine, I understand."

A habitual smile appeared on Hu Qiumu’s face, but no matter how you looked at it, it seemed forced.

"It’s true that I can’t handle anything too strenuous, but I can still manage simple tasks. You need not worry, Female Master."

Hu Qiumu also knew his current condition. If he said he was completely fine, Chu Liangyu wouldn’t believe him, so he admitted it frankly.

At the same time, he also understood that Chu Liangyu was more worried about the upcoming plan than concerned about his health.

He lowered his eyelids, a flicker of loneliness flashing imperceptibly in his eyes, but he adjusted his mindset in just a moment.

"Mm, it’s good that you understand. Since you’ve said so, I’ll arrange for you to stay in the tribe."

Seeing that he was no longer forcing himself, Chu Liangyu breathed a sigh of relief. The list of Beast Husbands she had in mind for the away mission changed slightly.

In her plan, Hu Qiumu was supposed to be one of the Beast Husbands who would go out and search for people for her. But looking at his current condition, he was clearly unfit for a long journey.

Although she valued his intelligence and steady way of handling matters, she couldn’t exploit him when she knew he was struggling.