Moreover, this guy, despite being injured, wasn't behaving well.
White Fox stumbled a little, and the basket around his neck wobbled, causing the rabbit inside to roll around. The rabbit, already injured, grimaced in pain as the roll agitated his wound.
He didn't think too much of it, assuming White Fox had just tripped and accidentally affected him in the process. The commotion was minor, so the others didn't notice.
However, Black Serpent narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. He also thought that the rabbit could use a little discipline if he wasn't behaving.
The group continued their journey. Feeling a bit bored, Si Lu took out some dried shrimp from her pouch and happily started eating. From time to time, she would also feed some to Black Serpent.
This dried shrimp was something Black Serpent had dried for her. Without him, she wouldn't have been able to enjoy it. If she had relied on just the sun to dry them, it would have taken ages.
As she ate, Si Lu turned her head and noticed the pink-eared rabbit in White Fox's basket staring at her intently. She wasn't sure if the rabbit was just watching her or eyeing the dried shrimp.
"Hey, pink-eared rabbit, why are you staring at me? Are you hungry? I have some dried shrimp; would you like to try?" Si Lu asked, looking at the rabbit.
She wondered if the rabbit was hungry. Otherwise, why would it keep staring at her like that? Could it be because she looked good? That would be a bit far-fetched!
"I'm not hungry, but I'd like to try some if that's okay." Nans looked surprised that the female took the initiative to speak to him and even offered him some dried shrimp. The shrimp looked quite appealing.
He wasn't particularly hungry, but he was curious about the food the female liked and wanted to understand what made it special.
Plus, if he could learn how the shrimp was prepared, maybe he could make some for her when his injury healed.
"Of course!" Si Lu smiled instantly. She had plenty of dried shrimp. Besides, she found the pink-eared rabbit quite adorable.
She had never seen such a unique rabbit before and thought it would be nice to keep one.
Even after learning that he was a beast, she hadn't completely given up on the idea, though she did feel it was a pity.
White Fox, hearing Si Lu agree, reluctantly approached her. He wasn't pleased about her offering the shrimp to the rabbit.
"Lu Lu, I want some too. Can you feed me first?" White Fox looked at her with wide, pleading eyes, filled with both innocence and anticipation.
Seeing his expression, Si Lu's heart melted. Such a small request was easy to fulfill.
"Alright, Al Di, here you go," she said, bending down to offer him a dried shrimp, which the snow-white fox quickly accepted.
"Lu Lu, you're the best! This is delicious!" White Fox, satisfied after eating the shrimp, suggested, "Lu Lu, why don't you just put some shrimp in his basket?
That way, he can eat whenever he wants. It'll be more convenient."
White Fox's suggestion wasn't without reason. He didn't want this rabbit to have the privilege of being hand-fed by Si Lu. That was simply unacceptable!
So, by suggesting she put the shrimp in the basket, he was subtly preventing the rabbit from asking to be hand-fed.
Black Serpent understood the intention behind the suggestion and silently agreed.
"Yes, Al Di is right," Si Lu nodded, not thinking much of it. She grabbed a handful of dried shrimp from her pouch and placed them in the basket.
She also thought it would be more convenient for the rabbit to eat them from there.
Si Lu didn't notice the brief flash of cunning in White Fox's eyes. She was simply too innocent to think deeper into it.
White Fox smiled, satisfied. Though he often seemed pure and naïve, he was still a fox, and foxes were known for their cunning. It was just a matter of how much they chose to reveal.
Nans, though a little disappointed, didn't show it. He wasn't surprised by the outcome; after all, he wasn't Si Lu's partner.
It was only natural for her beastmen to prevent such closeness. But even though he was a bit downhearted, he didn't let it get to him.
"Thank you," Nans said, looking at the seven or eight dried shrimp now lying beside him.
He was grateful to have even gotten to try them, and that alone was a good start. As long as he stayed with them, there was still hope.
After all, male beastmen were instinctively drawn to females, and it didn't matter whether they were returning to their tribes or not.
Since he had no close family back in his tribe, it didn't really matter if he went back. Now that he had feelings for a female, of course, he would follow her.
Moreover, his current injuries gave him a perfect excuse to stay with them.
Nans wasn't willing to give up. Male beastmen could be stubborn when it came to their chosen females, and once they made up their minds, they rarely changed.
"Try the dried shrimp. It's delicious! My beastmen know I love it, so they catch it for me as a snack. Black serpent dried it for me," Si Lu smiled, explaining.
These dried shrimp represented the love and care her beastmen had for her. Just thinking about it made her feel happy.
"When I'm healed, I'll catch some for you too," Nans said softly, his black eyes filled with careful hope and uncertainty. He just wanted to do something for her.
"Sure, would you like to try it now to see if you like it?" Si Lu, not thinking too much of it, nodded and offered the idea.
She assumed he was simply trying to express his gratitude for saving him, which was why he said he'd catch some for her.