"Lu Lu, I'm sorry. I just tend to be a little insecure, which is why I keep asking these kinds of questions."
"Because, up until now, sometimes I'm still afraid... afraid that all of this is just a dream I'm having." Bai Di looked at Si Lu, fear and uncertainty evident in his expression.
He was truly insecure.
In fact, it wasn't just Bai Di—Hei Yao was the same way.
Their experiences were quite similar.
Both he and Hei Yao were the type to be plagued by insecurity. Perhaps it had to do with their pasts.
But unlike Bai Di, Hei Yao never said such things or made small gestures. He would just silently stare at Si Lu when he had nothing to do, as if only by watching her could he confirm that everything in front of him was real and not a dream.
And Si Lu could sense all of this.
That's why she was even more patient and understanding with Bai Di and Hei Yao.
She understood them.
They were different.
Because they had never been cared for before, even if one day they finally were, they would still repeatedly question and test it.
Always feeling like they didn't deserve such care.
Si Lu understood all of this.
"You don't need to apologize to me. We are family, and family is about mutual understanding and compassion. We get it." Si Lu said, looking at Bai Di.
Cheng Mo didn't say anything, but his silence was his way of showing that he agreed with Si Lu.
"Hei Yao and I are truly lucky." Bai Di raised his head, his eyes gleaming with an unusual brightness as he gazed at Si Lu.
Even though there was a fierce battle going on not far away, they still paid attention to what was happening here.
They couldn't help it.
After all, their beloved female was here.
"I'm lucky too," Si Lu smiled faintly, her eyes filled with warmth.
…
Soon, the battle over there was over.
As expected, Nansi lost.
Not only that, but aside from his face and his pink hair, his beast skin clothes were torn, and his skin was bruised and scratched, though none of the wounds were deep.
He looked utterly battered and pitiful.
Seeing this, Si Lu couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth.
She didn't say anything.
"You should thank Lu Lu. If she didn't like your face and your pink hair, I would've burned you to a crisp," Hei Yao said coldly.
This guy seriously annoyed him.
Although this pink rabbit had the water element, which countered his fire element, Nansi was not a warrior by nature. Hei Yao, on the other hand, had been wandering since childhood, with powerful strength and rich combat experience. If he hadn't been strong, he wouldn't have survived until now.
It was incredibly difficult for wandering beasts to survive.
Especially snake beasts like Hei Yao, who had been wandering since childhood. He had experienced and witnessed too much of the cruel reality of the beast world.
To survive, they had to do whatever it took.
So, it was effortless for Hei Yao to defeat Nansi.
That's the difference between a wandering beast and a beast raised in a tribe.
For Nansi, it was simply no contest.
Besides, Hei Yao's strength was a whole tier higher than Nansi's.
Even if they were at the same strength level, it still wouldn't matter! Beasts of equal strength can still vary in skill, and combat experience makes all the difference.
Nansi wasn't angry at Hei Yao's words. In fact, he wasn't bothered at all.
He knew Hei Yao was right.
If it weren't for Si Lu, and if he had encountered someone as strong and experienced as Hei Yao, he would have been dead on the spot.
"I didn't get enough of a fight. Next time, I want to spar with you one-on-one," Song Zhan said, looking at the rabbit. With someone as powerful as Hei Yao, who was at the purple tier, he couldn't really do much, which made him feel frustrated.
"Alright." Nansi nodded in agreement to Song Zhan's challenge.
Si Lu watched this scene unfold, feeling rather helpless.
This was a matter between the male beasts, and it wasn't her place to interfere. However, some reminders were necessary.
"I don't object to you guys fighting, but make sure you show some restraint. Don't go overboard." Si Lu glanced at Nansi and said.
Yeah…
The guy did look pretty pitiful.
Luckily, his hair was intact. Otherwise, she would've felt heartbroken.
Such beautiful hair... if Hei Yao had burned it, she would've been really upset.
Fortunately, Hei Yao understood her feelings and knew her well.
Si Lu turned and smiled at Hei Yao.
Hei Yao, fully understanding, shrugged.
He had long since figured Si Lu out. He knew what she liked and what she didn't. All it took was a single look, expression, or small movement from her, and he could guess exactly what she was thinking.
After all, he was always paying attention to her every move.
He couldn't help it.
"Alright, let's eat. I'm starving." Si Lu changed the subject.
Everyone sat down, each one instinctively sitting on either side of Si Lu.
Of course, Nansi sat the farthest away from her. After all, he wasn't her mate yet, so Cheng Mo and the others naturally wouldn't let him get too close.
Si Lu didn't bother with any of that.
Bai Di fed her some meat soup, while Cheng Mo gave her roasted meat.
The atmosphere felt a bit awkward—at least, that's how Si Lu perceived it.
Cheng Mo and the others, on the other hand, didn't seem affected at all. They were calmly doing their own things and eating the food in front of them.
Meanwhile, Nansi occasionally glanced up at Si Lu.
His eyes were filled with cautiousness and deep admiration.
From what he had overheard earlier, it was clear that Si Lu had some feelings for him. As long as he could pass the test of her mates and gain their approval, he'd be halfway there.
And this was something he had to go through.
He had seen male beasts in the tribe court females who already had mates. Some succeeded, while others failed.
But for him, Si Lu was the one and only.
No one else would ever do!
Even if he couldn't win her over, he wouldn't fall for any other female.
He could feel it, so he had to try his best.
He had to fight for his heart.
"Nansi, why aren't you eating the roast meat?" Si Lu noticed that Nansi kept staring at her without eating and asked curiously.
What's with this guy? Why does he keep staring at me?
Could it be that there's something on my face?
"Eating, I'm eating." Nansi, startled by Si Lu's question, quickly picked up a piece of roasted meat and started eating.
Hei Yao frowned but said nothing.
"Since you have water abilities, make sure to use them in the coming days. It's hard to find a water source around here," Cheng Mo said casually.
He knew Nansi would agree to this.