Chapter 170

"Besides, this isn't really a bad thing, you know."

"You don't understand—my little ones are noisy all the time. They babble nonstop and surround me all day long. It's really driving me crazy. Honestly, it's better that I can't understand what they're saying."

"Plus, you don't need to worry. They're still young and can't take human form yet. Once they do, they'll naturally be able to speak properly. By then, you'll understand them, won't you? It's really not that different. Just relax," Tata comforted her.

Seeing how troubled Si Lu looked, she couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy.

So she tried her best to comfort her.

"Alright, I guess there's no helping it," Si Lu replied.

Exactly—there really wasn't anything she could do at the moment.

"Okay, okay, don't overthink it. Weren't you going to ask me about the little ones? Ask anything you want, and I'll tell you," Tata said again.

"Then can you tell me when the little ones will be able to talk? And when will they be able to take human form?" Si Lu asked.

"That depends on talent and strength, and also the constitution of each race. It's really hard to say. Take my son, for example—he's half a year old now and still hasn't taken human form, but he can already speak. That means it won't be long before he can shapeshift, since speech usually comes just before that."

"Some cubs are born with powerful bloodlines, so they develop better and faster, making their awakening smoother."

"But generally speaking, around one or two years old, they should be able to take human form. Some are earlier, some are later—it's not absolute," Tata patiently explained to Si Lu.

Seeing how much she cared about the issue, Tata took extra care to explain everything in detail, speaking as gently as possible so Si Lu wouldn't get upset again.

Just then, one of Tata's beastmen partners came over holding a bowl of freshly washed strawberries.

"Wow, you even brought me strawberries? Lulu, you're just the best! I love you so much!" Tata looked up, and her eyes lit up when she saw the strawberries in his hands.

She was really touched. She hadn't expected Si Lu to be so thoughtful—knowing she liked strawberries and even bringing some just for her.

As expected, the friend she'd chosen was truly sincere.

She really loved Si Lu.

But upon hearing those words, Bai Di and her partners all had rather shocked expressions.

After all, what she said did leave room for some interesting interpretations.

Of course, Bai Di quickly regained his composure and casually sat down beside Si Lu.

"I saw you liked them, so I figured I'd bring some over since I was stopping by. No need to be so formal—we're friends," Si Lu said with a smile.

Seeing how happy Tata looked, Si Lu felt happy too. And besides, Tata had helped her out a lot.

She'd shared so much information about the cubs.

Not only that, Tata's mates—especially Kai—had also been very helpful to them.

Giving them a few things in return? That was nothing compared to what they'd done for her.

No matter how nice the gift, it couldn't compare to the kindness they had shown.

"Lulu, you gave me so much—what about you?" Tata asked, deeply moved.

"It's fine, as long as you like them. I'll just have my mates go gather some more for me later," Si Lu replied with a smile.

Of course, the strawberries were from her space and didn't require anyone to search for them, but she needed an excuse. She couldn't go around telling people she had a planting space—she had to keep that secret under lock and key.

It wasn't that she didn't trust Tata, but some things were better left unsaid—it was a form of protection.

Besides, walls have ears, and she understood that beastmen had excellent hearing.

"Not just strawberries—they also brought some big, red fruits I've never seen before. Tata, if you like them, I can keep an eye out for more and bring some next time," said one of Tata's partners, immediately trying to curry favor.

"Alright! Then help me keep an eye out. I really want to see what this big red fruit looks like—I'm curious," Tata said, blinking with a cute smile on her face.

Tata had a naturally adorable look.

"Wait here, I'll go get it for you now," said the beastman as he walked off.

"Lulu, that was my third mate—he's from the Crocodile Tribe too. His name is Ada. I'm also from the Crocodile Tribe," Tata explained.

"My first three mates are all Crocodile Tribe. The fourth and fifth are Bear Tribe beastmen."

"And of course, the Kai you know is my first mate," Tata continued.

"That's amazing," Si Lu nodded. As for the Bear Tribe beastmen, she hadn't seen any before.

She was thinking, "Bear Tribe... they must be really tall and muscular, right? After all, bears were like that.

Though she hadn't seen them, that's what she imagined.

So based on what Tata said, she and Kai must have grown up together.

How envious—childhood sweethearts, growing up side by side.

Wait, she saw two mates by Tata's side earlier, but there should be one more, right?

"What about the other one?" Si Lu asked.

"He's my second mate, also from the Crocodile Tribe. He's just quiet and introverted—not talkative—but very strong," Tata replied, then glanced at the beastman standing under a tree not far away, watching the cubs play.

Sensing Si Lu's gaze, the beastman nodded at her in greeting.

And honestly, all of Tata's mates were pretty handsome.

Not only that—they were tall and muscular!

With such a strong presence, standing next to them only made Tata look even smaller and more delicate.

"Well?" Tata asked Si Lu.

"They're great—they look strong, and they suit you. But you standing among them makes you look extra petite and cute," Si Lu said truthfully.

"Hehe, exactly! That's what I'm going for. It makes me feel really safe," Tata said, very pleased with the compliment.

That's exactly the feeling she was after, so when choosing mates, she always picked the tall, muscular ones. Of course, they had to be good-looking too—couldn't be ugly.

Nearby, Bai Di glanced at Si Lu thoughtfully, then looked down at himself. Hmm… he wasn't exactly muscular like Tata's mates.

True, he wasn't as brawny, but he was still tall. And more importantly, he was a rare healer.

Thinking of that, Bai Di felt a little more at ease.