Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The lonely Stove
Hu Yan was so happy when he looked at Su Qinglan. His heart was full of joy, but then he noticed she was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, his smile faded.
He remembered her words from the feast night, when she had said she didn’t want to have cubs. His heart clenched painfully, and bad thoughts started filling his mind. His expression dropped low, and he looked at her quietly.
He muttered softly, "If you don’t want the cub right now, we can..."
But before he could even finish, Su Qinglan suddenly snapped her head toward him with such force that he instantly went silent. Her glare could almost burn him alive.
"What did you just say?" she said in a sharp voice. "When did I ever say I don’t want it? If you dare say that again, I’ll kill you!"
Her angry eyes made Hu Yan freeze. But then, slowly, a small smile crept up his face. His heart melted.
She was angry, yes, but it was the kind of anger that came from protectiveness. Seeing her so fierce made him warm inside. She really did like their cub. She wanted to protect it so much.
In the beast world, most females didn’t like their cubs. They only liked the mating part, but once they got pregnant, they became unhappy. The cubs gave them pain and trouble, so most females hated them.
Even his own mother had abandoned him when he was just a little cub. That’s why he was scared. He didn’t want his child to suffer the same way. If Qinglan didn’t want the cub, he would never force her.
But when he saw her bright eyes, her angry and protective look, he almost wanted to cry. His heart felt full, and without thinking, he hugged her again.
He never thought that one day he could actually become a father, and he would have a female and cubs. The beast god had really pitied him. Now he was no longer a beast without any family. If in the past the tribe leader had not saved him, he would have definitely become some ferocious beast’s dinner.
"Qinglan," he said softly, his voice trembling with happiness, "I’m so happy for us. We’re finally having cubs. I’m so happy."
Without even realizing it, he lifted her into his arms in a princess carry. Su Qinglan gasped and tried to protest, but Hu Yan didn’t listen. He just carried her straight back to the cave like a proud tiger showing off his treasure.
Meanwhile, poor Rong Ye was completely forgotten in the background. His face twisted with so many expressions... happiness, jealousy, shock, and sulking.
He looked at the smug tiger carrying Su Qinglan and gritted his teeth. "How dare this arrogant tiger get cubs before me?" he muttered under his breath.
He was jealous. Deeply jealous. Everyone had forgotten him. Shouldn’t she at least console him too? "Don’t worry, Rong Ye, the second time, I will bear yours." He puffed his cheeks and whispered to himself, trying to act like her.
But honestly, his life was pitiful. No one even looked at him.
Still sulking, he followed them back to the cave. And as soon as he entered, he instantly regretted it.
Right in front of him, Hu Yan was lowering Su Qinglan gently onto the bed like she was made of glass. He didn’t even allow her to move an inch. And they were bickering like lovebirds.
"I can sit by myself!" Su Qinglan snapped.
"No, you can’t," Hu Yan said stubbornly, tucking her in with a blanket like she was a child.
They kept bickering, her telling him to stop fussing, him refusing to listen, and poor Rong Ye stood there, eating dog food.
He crossed his arms and thought bitterly, It would be so nice if I were in his place. If it were me, Su Qinglan wouldn’t have to fight for every word. I would pamper her so much! Much more than that brainless tiger whose brain sits in his knees!
Then, suddenly, a mischievous idea popped into his head.
"So what if the cub is a tiger?" he whispered to himself. "There’s still a chance to steal the babies. I’ll make them call me daddy first. Let’s see this tiger’s face then. That would be really fun!"
Feeling oddly proud of his wicked plan, he walked toward Su Qinglan with a bright fake smile and said, "I’m very happy for you, Qinglan. From now on, you don’t have to work. Just teach me how to cook all the food... I’ll cook for you and the cubs!"
The words had barely left his mouth when both Su Qinglan and Hu Yan froze.
The same memory flashed in their minds... Rong Ye’s last cooking disaster. Every dish had turned into pure misery. The smell alone could make anyone faint.
Su Qinglan instantly waved her hands. "No! You don’t have to cook!" she said quickly.
Rong Ye’s ears dropped, and his face fell. He looked like a sad little pup.
Seeing that, Su Qinglan sighed softly and said, "Alright, alright, don’t be sad. You can help prepare the things, okay? Hu Yan will do the actual cooking."
Rong Ye’s eyes brightened again, while Hu Yan looked annoyed, like he had just been given a naughty cub to babysit.
But Su Qinglan didn’t care. She had already divided their work. She knew if she left them alone, they would fight endlessly, and she would probably starve forever.
Soon Rong Ye was busy with the big beef he had brought. He tore apart the skin and cut all the meat into pieces. His claws worked quickly, and the smell of raw meat filled the cave.
Nearby, Su Qinglan’s eyes were on the salmon fish. The raw fish looked fresh and delicious, but the smell made her almost gag. She drooled a little at the sight of it, torn between wanting to eat it and feeling sick from the smell.
Hu Yan noticed her staring and immediately said, "It must be the thorny fish smell that’s bothering you. Do you want me to throw it away?"
Su Qinglan quickly shook her head. "No! Don’t throw it. I want to eat it... after you cook it. I want to taste it so badly," she said, drool forming at the corner of her mouth.
Hu Yan nodded. "Alright, if you say so. But if it ever makes you uncomfortable, tell me, and I’ll throw it back."
Su Qinglan smiled and nodded. She hoped that once it was cooked, the smell would be better and she could enjoy it.
Nearby, Stove looked at both of them with a speechless expression. Why throw it? Just give it to him. He can eat anything.
But no one noticed Stove. Once again, he was invisible in their busy lives. Slowly, he walked outside the cave and went to his quiet companion, the chili plant. He dug a small hole and sat beside it, swaying gently in the wind. It was peaceful here, and he could protect his master from there.
And let her beast husband work to the bone. Then he would go and eat food. At the thought of good food, he smiled, thinking about tasting the food once it was ready.