CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: LAN LAN COMES HOME

Su Qinglan stood in front of her cave, her fingers fiddling with her hair in frustration.

A few strands stuck out no matter how much she smoothed them down. Ugh. Did this hair have some grudge against her?

She sighed and used her fingers like a comb, dragging them through the messy locks until they looked halfway decent. Then, she carefully tucked the little seashell into her hair. It wasn’t much, but it sparkled faintly in the light, and that alone made her feel a bit prettier.

Today wasn’t just any day.

It was the feast.

The one day in the beast world where everyone put aside their usual hunting and fighting and actually... enjoyed themselves. Like a proper festival. There would be food, dancing, laughter, and a chance for everyone to show off.

For Su Qinglan, it was also her chance.

Her chance to meet more beastmen, maybe make a good impression, and most importantly, find some females who could help her. After all, she couldn’t do her missions all alone.

She exhaled, steadying her nerves.

But just as the excitement bubbled inside her, her mind wandered back to what had happened earlier.

Han Jue.

The cold wolf had said those crazy words. Is she really only yours? and then bolted away like someone had stepped on his tail. He literally turned around and left in a rush, his back stiff, his face dark, and his whole figure bristling with anger.

Su Qinglan rubbed her temples.

What was that even? Did he not realize how terrifying he looked when he glared like that? And yet he had run away like a sulky child.

And the worst part...She now knew the truth.

Han Jue wasn’t just some scary beastman with a bad temper. He was that Arctic wolf. Her supposed second beast husband.

Her life was doomed. Absolutely doomed.

She groaned quietly. The last thing she wanted was another temperamental, dangerous husband hanging around her. She already had her hands full with her big tiger.

Hu Yan...

Now that was a beastman worth keeping. Strong, dependable, protective, and exactly her type. Just looking at him made her heart thump a little too fast.

But Han Jue? No, no, no.

She prayed silently that he would stay far away from her. If they barely saw each other, she might just survive this mess.

Her lips curved into a half-smile as she thought about Hu Yan again. Earlier, after Han Jue stormed off, Hu Yan had softened his voice and told her about the feast tonight. He had even suggested she get ready if she wanted to join.

Then he had gone off to prepare, just like the other beastmen. Even Rong Ye had wandered off somewhere; probably he also has to help.

So here she was, left to get ready by herself.

She brushed invisible dust off her hide, smoothed her hair one last time, and adjusted the seashell. Not perfect, but not terrible either.

Finally, she picked up the clay pot she had prepared earlier.

First, she would go meet her father.

Then, she would return for the feast.

Her chest tightened a little with nerves but also with excitement. Tonight, she would step out into the crowd.

Her lips curved into a small smile.

"All right," she whispered to herself. "Let’s do this."

Su Qinglan lifted the lid of her stone pan.

Her lips twitched.

The food inside... looked suspicious.

It wasn’t completely gone, but the level had definitely gone down. Not by much, just enough that anyone with eyes could notice. And the surface had been smoothed back down, like someone had tried to cover their crime.

"..."

Su Qinglan’s eyes narrowed.

Who else could it be?

That sly fox!

She could almost see his smug face in her head.

Still, she sighed and let it go. It wasn’t like she really minded. She had only threatened him before because she was afraid he’d gobble down the entire thing. But apparently her warning had worked—most of the food was still there. Enough that she could take it to her father for a taste.

So, she carefully scooped out the rest into a clean stone bowl, wrapped them up neatly with leaves, and set off toward the center of the tribe.

She hummed softly to herself as she walked, hugging the bundle in her arms.

But soon she noticed something strange.

Eyes.

Everywhere.

All the beastmen she passed had their gazes glued to her. Or rather... to the food she was carrying. Their noses twitched like wolves sniffing out prey, their eyes glowing with hunger.

Su Qinglan’s lips curled.

Ohhh... So that’s how it was, huh?

Her steps grew lighter.

Tonight, at the feast, she would show them. She’d share a good recipe, something so delicious they’d never forget it. And when they tasted her food, her reputation, which had been rotten for so long, would finally turn around.

Just thinking about it made her mood brighten even more.

She quickened her steps until she finally reached the familiar cave.

Standing outside, she raised her voice.

"Father! Are you there?"

Almost immediately, someone came out.

It was her father, Su Mingxuan.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw her. "Lan Lan is here! Come inside, come inside. Father has prepared something for you."

Su Qinglan blinked in surprise but followed him in.

Her father didn’t even notice the bundle in her arms. Instead, he led her deeper into the cave and proudly gestured at a pile of neatly prepared animal hides spread out.

"Lan Lan, choose whichever you like. It’s been months, and all your hides have gone bad. Father prepared many good ones for you."

Su Qinglan’s heart tightened.

She was happy. But also a little sad.

Because she realized that it was always her father who had provided her with the best hides. And the original owner had wasted them all, ruined them carelessly.

Her throat ached. She wanted to refuse, to show him that this time, she had actually brought something for him.

But before she could open her mouth...

A shrill voice rang out from behind.

"You’re giving her more good hides again?!"

The tone was ugly, dripping with accusation.

Su Qinglan froze.

Her father’s expression paled instantly.