The sky had just begun to lighten, and the morning dew still clung to the blades of grass, yet Ze Yu was already awake.
Li Zhu was still fast asleep, her small face buried in his neck, breathing even, long eyelashes trembling slightly with each inhale.
He gazed at her for a moment, then carefully shifted his arm, tucking the blanket around her gently. His fingertips brushed over the faint golden mark on her chest.
Before leaving, he used his psychic ability to wrap them both in a thin layer of warmth, ensuring she wouldn’t be disturbed by the morning chill.
Only after finishing all this did he quietly slip out of the cave.
The stone lamp in the neighboring cave emitted a faint glow. Li Cheng was crouched by the fire, sharpening a stone spear, while Ming Yuan was tidying up the leftover beast meat from yesterday.
Hearing footsteps, both looked up and were surprised to see Ze Yu.
“小Ze, you’re up so early?”
Li Cheng set down his spear and stood.
“Father, Mother,” Ze Yu greeted, his voice crisp and refreshing in the morning, yet warm.
“I’m heading to the Black Forest today. Here’s some beast meat and hides from my space; you can keep them for now.”
As he spoke, he traced a faint golden line in the air. In an instant, several pieces of cleaned and prepared beast meat appeared on the ground—marbled beef from a snow-patterned beast, glossy silver wolf legs, and thick black bear hides.
Li Cheng and Ming Yuan were stunned.
Though they knew Ze Yu was powerful, they had not expected him to have such reserves in his space. This meat could feed them for over half a month, and the hides were top-quality.
Li Cheng patted Ze Yu’s shoulder.
“Go with peace of mind. We’ll take good care of Li Zhu.”
“Thank you, Father and Mother,” Ze Yu said with a slight nod, then turned toward the center of the tribe.
The Rabbit Tribe’s settlement was small, with dozens of caves scattered along the valley. Most were still quiet at this hour, only a few early-rising beasts tidying up hunting tools.
Ze Yu stood atop the massive altar stone and closed his eyes. The golden “Zhi” mark on his forehead flared, its light rippling outward like waves, following the contours of the valley and softly enveloping the entire tribe.
This was the Baize Tribe’s protective barrier. Invisible to the eye, it could sense any energy disturbance—whether a wild beast attack or an unfamiliar beast approaching. If anything touched the barrier, he would detect it immediately.
Satisfied, he glanced toward Li Zhu’s cave. A faint smile tugged at his lips before his form shifted into his beast shape, dashing east toward the Black Forest.
The wind rushed past his ears, carrying the scent of the forest. His silhouette stretched long in the morning light, moving so fast it was nearly a blur.
He was well aware of the dangers of the Black Forest, but thoughts of Li Zhu and the life growing inside her strengthened his resolve.
He would hunt the finest beasts, retrieve the purest crystal cores, and build the strongest shield—so she could always feel safe in this harsh, predator-filled land, forever a carefree little rabbit.
……
Li Zhu was awakened by a familiar aroma.
Groggily opening her eyes, the cave was empty, only the luminous grass still glowing softly.
She paused for a moment, then remembered Ze Yu was heading to the Black Forest today. Her chest felt hollow, as if something important was missing.
“Li Zhu, are you awake? Come out for breakfast!”
Her mother’s voice came from outside, cheerful and light.
She rubbed her eyes and slowly got up.
At the cave entrance, Ming Yuan was standing with a stone bowl in her hands. The bowl held steaming meat porridge, sprinkled with chopped wild greens.
“Come eat. Your father just made this. It’s the finest beef from Xiao Ze’s space.”
Ming Yuan handed her the bowl, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Xiao Ze already set up the protective barrier in the tribe this morning. He said this way, even if you move around the settlement, he can rest easy.”
Li Zhu accepted the stone bowl and sipped the porridge slowly, feeling warmth bloom inside her.
He always thought of everything so thoroughly, even the worries she hadn’t voiced.
“Mother, when did Xiao Ze leave?”
“At first light. Before leaving, he brought over a lot of beast meat, saying your father should distribute it to the tribe since your brother is injured and the family’s hunting stock is low. Your father, as the chief, already has to manage the tribe’s provisions, so this helps him a lot.”
Ming Yuan sat beside her, chattering as she spoke.
“Your father is taking the meat to each household now. He also said that once Ah Heng recovers, he should go learn hunting from Xiao Ze to improve his skills.”
Li Zhu listened, her lips curving into a small smile.
She could picture her father’s proud yet gratified expression and imagine the surprise of the tribe when they received the meat.
Xiao Ze’s arrival was like a beam of light, illuminating this small tribe and giving its members a sense of security.
Li Zhu sipped the porridge in small, careful mouthfuls. It was cooked to tender perfection, warming her from her stomach all the way to her heart.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, landing on the tips of her hair and on the string of dried chili peppers swaying in the wind, scattering tiny flecks of golden light.
The bowl was soon empty, and Li Zhu handed it back to her mother.
“Mother, is there anything I can do today? I’m so bored.”
She missed Ze Yu a little. When she was with him, even doing nothing was never boring.
“If you’re bored, you can go find Ah Tang and Ah Ning to play mahjong. With your brother, that makes four—perfect. Your brother is lying down anyway, so it works out,” Ming Yuan said, tidying the bowls.
“Oh right! We haven’t played mahjong in ages! I’ll go get them now.”
Li Zhu said as she headed toward Ah Tang’s house.
Life in the beast world was dull, especially for females—they had no chores, no streets to wander, and certainly no phones.
Fortunately, she had taught everyone to play mahjong, a little entertainment to pass the time.
They had even spent a long time making a mahjong set out of wood.
Since Ah Tang and Ah Ning had completed their coming-of-age ceremonies and chosen their mates, they had each moved out from their original homes.
Li Cheng had found them suitably sized caves nearby, thoughtfully close to Li Zhu’s cave so their children could maintain their friendships.
Before long, Ming Yuan saw the three girls returning, arms linked.
The weather was perfect: the sky a flawless, washed-glass blue, without a single wisp of cloud. A few feathered, colorful birds darted by, the sound of their wings cutting through the air crisp as silver bells.
About ten meters from the cave entrance stood a large tree, big enough to shade a dozen people.
Beneath it was a square wooden platform, with several small wooden stools around it.
Ever since the mahjong set had been introduced, the tribe’s beasts often gathered under this tree. Sometimes they played mahjong together; sometimes they chatted, passing the dull hours in comfort.