CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: THE TRIBE LEADER IS BACK!

Su Qinglan sat cross-legged inside the cave. A large piece of animal hide was spread on the ground in front of her. She stared at it with furrowed brows, her lips pressed into a thin line.

She had already cooked earlier, made a whole heap of food, and both of those beastmen had devoured it like starving wolves. Her hard work—all the meat she cooked—was gone in the blink of an eye. Now, all that was left were eggs. Her precious eggs.

She hugged them secretly in her heart.

No way. She likes eggs. She won’t give them any. Even if they starve, these are mine.

And these two didn’t even look guilty after clearing the food. One was sprawled lazily right outside her cave, basking in the sun with his violet hair shining like some spoiled young master. That fox had "pretend sick" written all over his face.

The other one, Hu Yan, at least looked useful. The big tiger sat nearby, carefully carving cookware out of wood and stone. His broad shoulders flexed with each movement, golden eyes sharp as he worked.

Su Qinglan sighed. At least one of them wasn’t completely useless.

Now that her stomach had calmed, she had another problem. Clothes. To be exact—underwear. She couldn’t go on forever wrapping herself in loose hides. It was uncomfortable, clumsy, and embarrassing.

She picked up the stone dagger and looked at the hide. Her hands shook slightly.

Just the thought of using this stone dagger made her shudder. No, no way. I’d rather run naked than use that thing.

So instead, she grabbed a piece of burnt wood and began marking the hide, sketching out where she needed it cut. It looked awkward; the shapes were uneven, but she at least had an idea.

When she finished, she held the marked hide in both hands and marched out of the cave.

Hu Yan lifted his head the moment she approached. His golden eyes blinked at the big piece of hide in her arms.

"Cut it for me," she said.

His brows drew together. "Why?"

Su Qinglan stiffened. Her ears turned a little red. How was she supposed to tell him it was for underwear? No way! She could die of embarrassment.

"It’s mine. I’ll use it how I like. Just cut it," she said firmly.

Hu Yan’s lips pressed into a line. "A good hide will be ruined if you slice it into pieces."

Before Su Qinglan could argue more, that lazy voice drifted from where Rong Ye lay stretched out in the sun.

"Ahhh... females." His tone carried pity and scorn all at once. "They never know how to treasure things. Such a fine hide, wasted like this. A pity. Such a pity."

Su Qinglan’s veins almost popped. She whirled on him, face flushed with anger. "What does it have to do with you?! Am I using your hide? This is mine! If I want to cut it, I’ll cut it. If I want to burn it, I’ll burn it. None of your business!"

Rong Ye only gave her a lazy nod, as if she had proven his point. "See? All females are like this. Wasting everything. Tsk, tsk."

Her hands itched to grab the stone pan again and give him another lump on the head. But she swallowed her temper. Instead, she turned her back on him, glaring at Hu Yan.

"Cut it."

Hu Yan’s eyes lingered on her face for a long moment, silent, but finally he reached for the hide with his clawed hand. With precise movements, he began slicing along the marks she had drawn. His big hands were steady, his cuts clean and neat. The hide turned into smaller pieces quickly.

Su Qinglan’s eyes sparkled. "Wow... so neat!"

Excited, she leaned closer. "Hu Yan, do you know how to sew clothes?"

The tiger’s sharp eyes shifted to her. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached up, tugged a strand of his own long black hair, and held it out to her.

"Use this."

Su Qinglan blinked. "Hair?"

Hu Yan nodded once. "Our hair is used for sewing. It’s durable, strong, and stretchable. Better than any vine. It won’t break easily."

Her jaw dropped slightly. She stared at the black strand in her hand. "You’re telling me... You use your own hair to sew clothes?"

Hu Yan nodded again, calm and serious.

Behind them, Rong Ye finally sat up, looking both horrified and offended. His violet locks swayed as he muttered, "Heavens above... If I had known females liked beastmen’s hair this much, I would have offered mine long ago. Do you want my hair too, female? My hair is softer, shinier, and prettier than his."

"Shut up!" Su Qinglan snapped, cheeks hot.

Rong Ye chuckled, flopping down again with a dejected face.

Su Qinglan ignored him and turned back to Hu Yan. "Okay... but, uh... I don’t actually know how to sew."

Hu Yan’s golden eyes softened slightly, though his face stayed stoic. "I’ll help."

He picked up one piece of hide, used his long nails to poke small holes where stitches should go, and then threaded his hair through the first one, showing her the motion. "This way. Loop through each hole."

Su Qinglan leaned close, watching carefully. She tried herself, clumsy at first, the stitches uneven, but with Hu Yan guiding her hand, the hide slowly began to take shape.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was hers.

Hours passed, and finally, a small piece of clothing was finished. Su Qinglan held it up with both hands, her eyes shining like stars.

"I did it! I actually made something!" she said proudly.

Hu Yan gave a small nod, the corner of his lips twitching almost into a smile.

But from the side, Rong Ye tilted his head, his violet eyes narrowing suspiciously. He got up from where he had been lounging and walked over lazily. "What’s this strange thing?"

Before Su Qinglan could hide it, his quick hand snatched the piece of cloth straight from hers.

"Hey!" she cried, reaching to grab it back.

Rong Ye held it up high, letting the sunlight shine through the shape. He turned it this way and that, his expression puzzled. Then his eyes narrowed further, and he leaned closer to her stomach.

His voice came out slow and doubtful. "Wait... Are you having a cub? Did you make this for him?"

Su Qinglan’s whole body stiffened. "WHAT?!"

Rong Ye tapped the cloth with one finger, then pointed at her belly with the other. "It’s small and strange-shaped, like something to wrap around a cub. Hm... but your stomach doesn’t look round. Are you hiding it? Or maybe it’s still too early to tell?"

Su Qinglan’s face flushed bright red, but this time not from embarrassment—pure fury. Her hands shook as she snatched the cloth back and glared at him.

"Pervert fox!" she yelled. "Where are you staring?! Do I look pregnant to you?! Who’s having a cub?!"

Rong Ye blinked, taken aback by her outburst, then tilted his head again, looking completely serious. "Then what’s it for? It’s too small to be clothing for you. Unless... ohhh, maybe you plan to make lots of them and sew them together? Mm, yes, females are always crafty..."

Her blood boiled. She made a fist and swung it at him with all her strength.

But Rong Ye only laughed and dodged nimbly, his six tails swishing mockingly as he backed away. "Tch tch... so fierce. No need to get mad just because I asked. If it’s not for a cub, then what is it for?"

"You shameless fox!" Su Qinglan shouted, ready to chase him down and smack him flat.

Behind them, Hu Yan’s face had gone stiff. His golden eyes had been watching silently, but the longer he stared at the shape of that cloth, the more his expression changed.

And then, suddenly, his cheeks turned red. Very red.

The truth had hit him. That small piece of hide... its curved shape... it was meant for there.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. His mind betrayed him, flashing to that night—the one when Su Qinglan had drunkenly pressed his face against her soft chest, urging him to...

Hu Yan clenched his jaw and forced the memory down, but heat spread all the way to the tips of his ears. His golden eyes darted once to her chest, and a dangerous thought slipped in despite himself:

Would that tiny thing even cover them...? They’re... too large.

He quickly looked away, his face burning hotter.

Meanwhile, Su Qinglan, completely unaware of his inner thoughts, finally managed to clutch the underwear. Her face was still flaming red with fury as she snapped at Rong Ye.

"Don’t you dare touch my things again! And don’t you dare say nonsense like that again either!"

Rong Ye tilted his head, still looking suspicious, but only muttered, "Strange female... hiding things even from her own people."

"Shut up!" Su Qinglan roared, ready to hurl the other fist again.

But instead, she turned and bolted back into the cave, clutching her handmade piece tightly.

Behind her, Rong Ye stood puzzled, still not realizing the truth, while Hu Yan stood rooted to the spot, his face suspiciously red, his heart pounding at thoughts he absolutely shouldn’t be having.

But just as the moment felt peaceful, a sudden loud howl echoed through the air.

Owooo.....Aaah-oooo

It was the sound of beastmen’s howl, filled with urgency.

Both Hu Yan’s and Rong Ye’s heads turned instantly. Su Qinglan froze, clutching the half-done hide.

Hu Yan stood, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. "Something happened. Let’s go. They’re calling everyone to the tribe center."

Su Qinglan hurried to put her things away and followed. Her heart pounded with nervousness.

When they reached the center of the tribe, the place was already bustling. Beastmen and females gathered in groups, excitement on every face.

Then someone shouted, "They’re back! The tribe leader is back!"