"Not only that, but it's actually quite common for most female beasts to give birth to only one or two cubs, at most three."
"And when it comes to cubs, it's not about having more, but about being healthy. If there's only one cub, all the nutrients go to that one, which means they will naturally be stronger and healthier compared to those from multiple births. So, you don't need to worry; the cub is very healthy."
"What you should be concerned about is yourself. You need to eat more and take care of your body. Many females, when they're pregnant, tend to gain some weight, but you haven't changed much—just a slightly bigger belly. So, you need to eat more and get enough nutrition," White Flute said as he looked at Si Lu.
He explained all this because he was worried that Si Lu might think more cubs were better or feel anxious about only having one cub. But he was also telling the truth—having fewer cubs often means the one born is healthier, stronger, and better in many ways.
"Ah Di, I know you're trying to comfort me. But I already understand what you're saying. One cub is great! Besides, it means I won't have to struggle too much giving birth. I was worried before, but now I'm not. As long as the cub is healthy, that's all I care about," Si Lu replied happily.
She understood that White Flute was being careful, explaining all this to ease her mind. How could she not see that?
"So, don't worry too much. Whether it's one or more, it's still our cub. I'll take good care of it, raise it well, and teach it properly. One cub is actually better—you'll have an easier time, and so will I, and the cub will be healthier," Cheng Mo said affectionately as he approached.
He had sensed long ago that it was going to be a single birth, meaning just one cub. But he didn't mention it earlier, afraid Si Lu might overthink or feel uneasy about it.
"Don't worry. I'm not overthinking it. Everything's fine," Si Lu said with a nod.
Looking at her swollen belly, Si Lu felt a deep affection for the cub inside. Whether it was one, two, or three, she loved them all. But having just one was better in some ways—she could focus all her love and attention on that one, giving it her full devotion.
Having too many children, or multiple births, made it difficult to treat them all equally. Even the smallest hint of favoritism could create feelings of neglect in the others. Children are sensitive like that, and even the slightest difference could hurt them emotionally.
Si Lu hadn't realized this before, but as she got closer to becoming a mother, her thoughts became clearer, and she started understanding these things more deeply.
The group let out a collective sigh of relief at her words.
They knew that many female beasts put a lot of emphasis on the number of cubs they have.
For female beasts, giving birth was a huge deal. If they had fewer cubs or weren't able to conceive many, they could become emotionally unstable, or even depressed. This situation was all too common, though Black Obsidian, having not grown up in the tribe, wasn't as familiar with it.
He hadn't experienced it directly, but he had heard about it. He wasn't stupid.
Also, the Snake Tribe was different from other tribes when it came to offspring. Snake Tribe cubs were often abandoned to fend for themselves after hatching, growing up alone as wandering beasts.
Not only that, when the snakes hatch, many don't survive. Some even kill and devour each other. That's just the beginning. Growing up in the wild is incredibly tough, nearly impossible.
Because of this harsh upbringing, Black Obsidian wasn't too keen on having cubs. He didn't have a strong desire for them, and he had seen many dark sides of life.
But if he ever had cubs, he wouldn't let them suffer the way he had—abandoned, forced to wander alone.
Cubs didn't really matter to him; what mattered was being with Si Lu.
After all, Si Lu's cub was his cub. No matter who the father was, he would treat the cub as his own because Si Lu was the mother.
As long as the mother was Si Lu, he could treat any child of hers like his own. That was the kind of love he was capable of.
After finishing her meal, Si Lu felt a bit bored. She sat on a soft leather mat, gazing out at the sparkling water, lost in thought.
The others were either busy or quietly watching her. They enjoyed simply being around her.
At that moment, a thought crossed Si Lu's mind, and she looked excitedly at Black Obsidian beside her.
Noticing her gaze, Black Obsidian immediately turned toward her.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently, his brows furrowing slightly in curiosity.
He didn't know what Si Lu was thinking about.
"Well, I remember you told me before that you're really good at swimming, right? You said if I wanted to play in the water, you could take me. And you also said you'd teach me how to swim if I wanted to learn. So... can you teach me now? I'm getting kind of bored," Si Lu said, a little pout in her voice.
She was bored.
But thinking about what Black Obsidian had promised earlier made her excited again.
"Learning to swim right now might not be a good idea. You're pregnant, and I'm worried," Black Obsidian said, glancing at her belly with concern.
Si Lu was carrying a cub, and any mistake, no matter how small, could be dangerous for both her and the baby.
The others, overhearing this, also became serious.
Everyone knew how precious Si Lu's pregnancy was. Even a small bump or injury would worry them endlessly, let alone playing in the water.
"No way, you're pregnant. Swimming is too risky right now," Cheng Mo was the first to voice his concern, his eyes filled with worry.
"Yes, it's too dangerous," White Flute added.
"Lu Lu, maybe wait until after the baby's born. We'd all be really worried if you swam now," Nance said, looking at Si Lu with concern.
"Lu Lu, if you really want to swim, I'll take you to the ocean after you give birth, and we can swim there. But for now... if you just want to play in the water, you can sit on my back, and I'll take you around the water a few times. How does that sound?" Black Obsidian suggested, softening his tone as he saw the disappointment in Si Lu's eyes.
If she couldn't learn to swim, he could still take her for a fun ride on the water.
He was an excellent swimmer and could protect her well.
He hated seeing her look so sad.