By the time Si Lu woke up, it was already nighttime.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Bai Di squatting beside her, ladling out meat soup. Not only that, but all of her mates were quietly staying in the cave, keeping watch over her.
It seemed like it had been a long time since they had all been together like this.
"Why are you all here watching over me? I'm fine," Si Lu said with a smile as she looked at them.
Her heart felt incredibly warm.
They must have been truly worried about her to stay by her side like this.
"We can only be at ease when we're here with you," Cheng Mo said gently, his eyes filled with tenderness and concern.
"Lu Lu, do you want some meat soup or vegetable shrimp soup? I made both," Bai Di asked softly.
He wasn't sure what Si Lu would want upon waking, so he had prepared everything she liked.
"Thank you for your effort. I'll have the vegetable shrimp soup," Si Lu replied warmly.
"Okay, I'll bring it over now," Bai Di said happily.
"Do you want some roasted meat?" Hei Yao asked expectantly.
"Yes," Si Lu nodded with a smile.
"I also roasted some shrimp. I can peel them for you," Cheng Mo said, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Alright," Si Lu nodded again, grinning.
She knew they were all worried about her.
Song Zhan and Nansi were also gazing at her intently.
At the same time, both of them were sewing beast hide garments.
"Ah, Zhan and Nansi, who are you making clothes for?" Si Lu asked with a smile.
"Of course, they're for you. Since the weather is getting colder, we wanted to make you some thicker clothes," Song Zhan said first.
Nansi, sitting beside him, nodded obediently, his eyes shining as he looked at Si Lu.
He was also making clothes for their little female.
It was his first time doing this, so he wasn't sure if she would like them.
But regardless, he wanted to make a set of beast hide clothes for Si Lu with his own hands.
It was a token of his sincerity.
"Alright, you don't have to be so tense about me. I'm really fine. Let me see the baby," Si Lu said with a smile.
After all, she had only seen the little one briefly before exhaustion took over and she fell asleep. Now that she was awake, she naturally wanted to see her child again.
The system had mentioned that her child was a rare atavistic seven-colored deer.
But from what she could see, it was just a little white fawn.
"He's right here. Take a look," Cheng Mo said as he gently patted Si Lu's head. He pulled over a large woven basket lined with thick beast furs to keep the baby warm and comfortable.
Si Lu looked at the tiny creature sleeping soundly and felt a deep sense of relief.
Still, she was a bit surprised to see that she had given birth not to a human baby but to an actual little deer.
"Um… do all babies look like small animals when they're born?" Si Lu asked Cheng Mo curiously.
"Not necessarily. Male beastmen are born in their animal form and gradually learn to shift into human form as they grow.
"If the baby is female, they are born in human form. So, it depends on their gender," Cheng Mo explained gently.
Si Lu suddenly understood.
So that's how it worked!
"Of course, there are always exceptions. Some babies, regardless of whether they are male or female, are born in animal form. You don't need to worry about it too much," Bai Di added as he walked over with the vegetable shrimp soup in hand.
"Alright," Si Lu said.
She reached out and gently stroked the curled-up fawn, her eyes filled with warmth.
This was her child.
It was truly amazing! She had actually given birth to a little deer.
No matter how she looked at it, it was absolutely adorable.
If she weren't afraid of waking the baby, she would have hugged and kissed it endlessly.
"Ah Di, was the baby checked? Is everything healthy"? Si Lu asked Bai Di.
Since it was her child, of course, she was concerned.
"Yes, I checked. Everything is normal, so don't worry. Be good and drink some soup," Bai Di said tenderly, his heart aching for her.
He had already examined the baby the moment it was born.
It was a perfectly healthy cub.
"That's good to hear. Oh, right! Has the baby eaten yet? I don't think I have any milk." Si Lu suddenly realized this, and her face scrunched in worry.
What should she do?
[Host, don't worry. The system's rewards include milk powder and other necessary supplies.]
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in Si Lu's mind.
"Don't worry. Cheng Mo and the others brought back a mother goat that recently gave birth," Bai Di reassured her with a smile.
"That's good," Si Lu nodded. Then, she immediately took out the milk powder and other baby supplies from the system's inventory.
Now she was truly at ease.
With both the system's milk powder and the mother goat, there was more than enough food for the baby.
Even if she didn't produce milk, it wouldn't be a problem.
"This is milk powder. It can be mixed with hot water for the baby. Also, these two potions enhance strength, but they are only effective for those below the purple tier. Ah Zhan and Ah Mo, these are for you," Si Lu said as she handed two vials of medicine to Cheng Mo and Song Zhan.
Among them, only Cheng Mo and Song Zhan were still at the blue tier.
They should improve their strength.
After all, even their newborn baby was born with purple-tier strength. Though it had not yet been activated, there was no telling when that might happen. If Cheng Mo and Song Zhan couldn't keep the little one under control, that would be a big problem!
No one spoke for a moment as they watched this unfold.
They all understood that Si Lu had secrets, but none of them pried.
"Alright," Cheng Mo nodded.
"Remember, keep it a secret," Cheng Mo reminded everyone.
They all nodded in agreement.
Of course, they would keep it confidential.
This was an important matter.
If word got out, it would bring endless danger, especially to Si Lu.
For their little female's safety, they would guard this secret with their lives.
As Bai Di fed Si Lu her soup, Cheng Mo occasionally fed her peeled shrimp, and Hei Yao offered her roasted meat.
Si Lu happily enjoyed their care.
It was so comfortable.
[Host, your inventory contains a postpartum recovery pill. Taking it will help your body recover quickly.]
The system's voice rang again.
Si Lu was surprised. She hadn't expected such an item to exist.
The system was truly amazing!
She decided to take the pill in secret later.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the cave.
Cheng Mo glanced toward the entrance and gestured for Nansi, who was closest, to check.
Nansi immediately got up and walked outside.
"Cheng Mo," a voice called from outside. It wasn't loud, but beastmen had sharp hearing, so they all caught it.
As soon as Nansi stepped out, he saw Kai and Kano standing at the entrance, carrying some supplies.
"What brings you here?" Nansi asked curiously.
"Oh, we heard that Si Lu gave birth, so we came on behalf of the Crocodile Tribe to visit. We brought some soft beast hides, fruits, and tender meat that would be good for a little female," Kai said as he handed over the supplies.