[Host, what do you need from me?]
The System’s voice felt like a ray of life-saving light shining upon Hu Li.
“System, System, save him quickly. Hu Zhuo absolutely cannot die.”
[Alright, opening the System Store now.]
Hu Li immediately ran to the medicine section. “Which of these medicines can save him?”
[None of these medicines can save him!]
“Are you messing with me?”
Feeling the Host’s anger, the System quickly explained, [No, it’s not that. Your Beast Husband is too severely injured. He needs a life-saving pill. Please go to the pill section to exchange for a Rebirth Pill.]
Without a moment’s delay, Hu Li rushed to exchange for the Rebirth Pill.
[The Rebirth Pill can revive someone as long as there is still a breath left. Host, are you sure you want to exchange?]
“Exchange.”
Hu Li immediately placed the pill into Hu Zhuo’s mouth. After waiting for a while, the person on the ground still showed no signs of waking up. She even began to wonder if the pills in the System Store had expired.
The System comforted her, telling her to wait a little longer. Hu Zhuo had been in shock for a long time and now needed time to recover.
With the System’s reassurance, the weight pressing on Hu Li’s heart lightened considerably. Only then did she realize that Hu Zhuo held an important place in her heart—it was something she had never fully acknowledged before.
After the intense battle, thinking that Hu Zhuo might be hungry when he woke up, Hu Li decided to look for some food. But as soon as she glanced around to see if there was anything to eat, she spotted Hu Qingyu walking toward them.
Hu Qingyu ran breathlessly to Hu Li’s side. “What happened? I sensed a powerful aura here and rushed over.”
Hu Li didn’t have a good impression of him, especially since he had confidently declared he wanted to become her Male. “It’s nothing. Just a minor accident while hunting with Hu Zhuo.”
“Do you think I’d believe that? Such a powerful aura must have been noticed by warriors from other Tribes as well. They might already be on their way here.”
Hu Qingyu’s words reminded Hu Li that she needed to leave immediately. Hu Zhuo still carried the strong tiger aura left by that man, which any Tribe warrior would detect upon investigation.
Perhaps out of concern for the Tribe’s safety, or perhaps out of admiration for a powerful opponent, their lives in the Red Fox Tribe would never be peaceful again if they stayed.
Seeing that Hu Qingyu still had no intention of leaving, Hu Li instinctively frowned. “Why haven’t you left yet?”
Hu Qingyu raised an eyebrow. “Protecting Females is the responsibility of Males. Besides, your Beast Husband is seriously injured now. A Female should never be without a Male by her side. I cannot leave you. I must protect you.”
“Not needed.”
Hu Li thought to herself: Please leave! I’m begging you. Otherwise, if I use the System to teleport away, it’ll scare you to death.
“I volunteered to protect you. You can’t refuse me.”
Hu Li: Damn, are you playing the domineering CEO with me? No, the domineering Male.
Just as Hu Li was anxiously considering going to the System Store for a bottle of mute potion and knockout drug, Hu Zhuo woke up.
“Hu Qingyu, my Female doesn’t need you to protect her. Get lost.”
Hu Li’s face lit up with joy. “Hu Zhuo, you’re finally awake.”
Hu Zhuo quickly stood up and shielded A Li behind him. “What? Do you want to watch me mate with my Wife-Master? Hu Qingyu, I never realized you were such a pervert.”
Hu Qingyu gritted his teeth in frustration, blaming Hu Zhuo for ruining his plans. “Who wants to watch you mate?” he said before leaving.
Hu Li, who had been listening intently with her ears perked up, blushed and said, “Hu Zhuo, from now on, don’t always talk about mating when we’re outside. It makes me feel quite embarrassed.”
“All Beastfolk talk like that!”
“You… you’re not allowed to.”
“Alright, I won’t say it. A Li, we need to leave quickly now.”
Hu Li remembered the warriors heading their way. “Alright.”
She then climbed onto Hu Zhuo’s back, and they swiftly departed.
Shortly after the Red Foxes left, warriors from the Black Wolf, White Rabbit, and White Mouse tribes arrived.
The terrifying aura lingering in the air was still present, so they immediately went on high alert, preparing for the possible return of the powerful and mysterious Beastfolk.
After a long while, confirming there was no danger around, they hurried back to inform their respective tribes to strengthen their defenses and guard against being harmed by the mysterious Beastfolk.
Back at the Red Fox Tribe, Hu Zhuo placed Hu Li on the bed, his face filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, I didn’t manage to bring the cub back.”
Hu Li sighed. “It’s not your fault. The opponent was too powerful.”
“By the way, how are your injuries?”
Only then did Hu Zhuo pay attention to himself. He found that only his beast-hide clothing was torn, with no wounds anywhere else. He knew A Li had secrets and that she would never harm him. If she didn’t speak of it, he wouldn’t ask.
“A Li, thank you. Don’t worry, even if I have to risk my life, I’ll bring the cub back for you.”
“No, I’m going too. That’s my child. We’ll face life and death together.”
“Alright.” A happy smile spread across Hu Zhuo’s lips. Though he agreed, how could he ever let anything happen to A Li?
Over the next few days, Hu Zhuo prepared tirelessly to rescue the cub. He trained diligently, not daring to pause for a moment except to care for Hu Li’s daily needs, until… Hu Li began vomiting repeatedly during meals.
Hu Zhuo worried that the previous fight might have affected A Li. Just as he was about to set off to find the Priest, Hu Li stopped him.
“Perhaps I’m carrying your cub.”
These words struck Hu Zhuo like a bolt of lightning, leaving him stunned in place.
“A-A-A Li, what did you say? You’re carrying my cub?”
“It’s not certain yet, but it feels the same as when I was carrying the tiger cub last time.”
Hu Li thought they could wait a bit longer. If the symptoms hadn’t disappeared after two days, it wouldn’t be too late to ask the Priest to examine her. But Hu Zhuo refused to wait and insisted on going immediately. Helpless, Hu Li had no choice but to agree.
“Congratulations, Hu Li, you’re going to have another cub.”
The Priest’s words made Hu Zhuo even more excited.
“A Li, sit still and don’t move. I’ll escort the Priest back.”
Priest: Kid, you must have misheard! I haven’t said I’m leaving yet.
“Hu Li, remember to eat on time every day… Hey, I haven’t finished speaking yet.”
By the time the Priest managed to finish a complete sentence, they were already halfway to her home. Hu Zhuo hadn’t listened to a word she said. All he knew was that once the Priest had finished the examination and confirmed A Li was carrying his cub, she would surely be heading home. He needed to escort her back quickly so he could cook for A Li.
This was arguably the fastest medical visit the Priest had ever conducted.
With Hu Li pregnant, their plan to reclaim the tiger cub had to be postponed. Moreover, if they took A Li along to investigate the whereabouts of the mysterious man, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Hu Qingyu had just returned when he heard the Priest telling the Chieftain about Hu Li’s pregnancy. He clenched his fists tightly.
He, Hu Qingyu, was a warrior of the Red Fox Tribe, the strongest Male. Why didn’t Hu Li, this Female, like him? Why was she always so cold and distant toward him? Hu Zhuo, you don’t deserve her. A wise Female should only belong to a warrior.
Hu Qingyu felt a surge of jealousy rising within him. Since childhood, he had always obtained whatever he desired, and he refused to believe that this time would be any different.
A plan began to take root in his mind—that clever Female would not escape his grasp.