As everyone settled down to eat, Su Qinglan quietly took out a large stone bowl and began filling it with food.
She carefully placed a generous portion of rice, a whole roasted fish, so stir-fried slices, and a few pieces of roasted at inside. The bowl was almost overflowing, clearly more than what a single person could normally finish.
Her actions quickly caught Hu Yan’s attention.
He paused, then asked, "Lan Lan, who is that for?"
After all, Rong Ye and An Mo were not here, and there was no fixed ti for their return. If the food was left aside for too long, it would only spoil. It did not seem like she was saving it for them.
Su Qinglan looked up and smiled lightly. "It’s for the young boy who helped carry the fish back," she said. "I promised him I would give him a bowl."
Hu Yan was slightly surprised at first, then nodded in understanding. "Oh, him," he said. "I know that kid."
He thought for a mont, then added, "He is from our tribe. His father is the son of my eldest uncle, so he should call elder brother. He’s still young, but he’s quite hardworking."
Su Qinglan nodded. "He ran all the way back just for this. Of course I have to keep my promise."
Hu Yan smiled faintly. "Then I will take it to him later," he said, naturally reaching out to take responsibility.
"Alright," Su Qinglan replied without hesitation.
Su Qinglan quietly prepared another bowl. This one was smaller than the one she had set aside earlier, but it was still enough to fill a female completely. She carefully placed so rice, a piece of roasted fish, a portion of stir-fried slices, and a few chunks of at inside.
Once it was ready, her gaze shifted toward Stove.
The little plant was currently hugging the biggest piece of roasted at, munching on it with great satisfaction. His entire posture looked extrely happy, as if he had already forgotten everything else in the world.
"Stove," Su Qinglan called.
Stove imdiately looked up, his mouth still full.
"Yes, master?" he asked vaguely.
Su Qinglan lifted the bowl slightly. "Can you take this to Lan Yue?"
At the ntion of Lan Yue, Stove paused for a mont. Then he looked at the bowl, then back at Su Qinglan, and raised one of his leaves, making an "okay" gesture.
"Okay, master. I will take it," he said seriously.
Then he added thoughtfully, "But it is better if you wrap it in a leaf."
Su Qinglan blinked. "Why?"
Stove scratched his little head and said honestly, "Because your female sister does not like eating after I swallow it. So I have to carry it outside first."
Silence.
Su Qinglan’s eyes widened.
"...What did you just say?"
Stove blinked, confused by her reaction. "I said... I swallow it first, then spit it out later when I deliver it," he explained again, as if it was completely normal.
A look of disgust imdiately appeared on Su Qinglan’s face.
"...You did that before?"
Stove nodded innocently. "Of course. How else can I hide food? It is the safest way."
Su Qinglan: "..."
For a mont, she did not know what to say.
She simply stared at him, her expression becoming more and more complicated.
Hu Yan, who was nearby, also froze for a second before coughing lightly, clearly trying to suppress his reaction.
Seeing their expressions, Stove beca even more confused.
"Why are you looking at like that?" he asked. "That is normal, right?"
Normal?
Su Qinglan took a deep breath.
"No," she said firmly. "It is not normal."
She imdiately took out a large clean leaf and carefully wrapped the food inside, tying it securely.
"You will take it like this," she said seriously, placing the wrapped bundle in front of him. "You are not allowed to swallow it. Understand?"
Stove looked at the leaf package, then at Su Qinglan. His little face showed a bit of struggle.
"...But that makes it harder," he muttered.
He was clearly not used to carrying things like this.
Su Qinglan patted his head gently. "Do it properly, and I will give you another treat later."
The mont he heard the word "treat," Stove’s eyes lit up.
"Really?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes."
"I will go!" he said imdiately, full of energy again. "I will definitely complete the master’s task!"
He carefully picked up the leaf-wrapped food, holding it like sothing precious.
Hu Yan watched from the side and shook his head slightly with a faint smile.
"This little fellow... is getting more and more obedient," he said.
Su Qinglan also smiled faintly. "As long as he has food, he listens well."
Stove, who was already at the door, turned back and said loudly, "Master, wait for ! I will be back soon!"
Then he quickly ran off. After he left, the house beca quiet again.
Everyone continued eating, the atmosphere warm and relaxed.
Once the al was over, Su Qinglan cleaned up a bit before turning her attention to the cubs. They were already sleepy, their small bodies swaying slightly.
"Co," she said softly, lifting one of them.
She carefully helped them wash up, her movents gentle and patient. Han Jue assisted from the side, bringing water and towels.
Soon, the cubs were clean and drowsy, their eyes half-closed.
After settling them down, Su Qinglan also took a simple bath herself. The cool water washed away the fatigue of the day, making her feel much lighter.
By the ti she finished, the night had already deepened.
The house grew quiet.
One by one, everyone fell asleep.
The night passed peacefully.
The next morning ca quickly.
As soon as Su Qinglan opened her eyes, she felt sothing was different. The air outside seed more relaxed, less tense than before.
Before she could think more, hurried footsteps ca from outside.
"Lan Lan!"
The door opened, and Han Jue rushed in, his expression excited.
"Sothing happened!" he said.
Su Qinglan sat up imdiately. "What is it?"
Han Jue took a breath and said quickly, "The warriors of the fox beast city have withdrawn!"
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