Warmth, Walls, and Wounds

While Kashi and her cubs settled into their new home, the tribal elder returned to his own residence. Waiting for him was another male beastman—nearly identical in appearance.

"Fusho," the man said, tone low. "Why did you let rogue beasts stay? You know the chief despises them. He'll be furious."

Fusho sat in a wooden chair, unbothered. "That golden tiger male—he's not a rogue. And it's just one female and three cubs. They're no threat."

Hong Xi scowled but said nothing as the elder continued, "Besides, the little female has a healing ability. That's rare. Keeping them benefits us more than banishing them."

Hong Xi was still unconvinced, but he knew better than to challenge the elder's decision.

---

Unaware of the discussion, Kashi continued setting up the stone house with Jin Ling and the cubs. As the sun set, Jin Ling brought in roasted meat, and they sat together for dinner. But Kashi's mind wandered.

Earlier, while exploring the tribe, she had noticed a stream. Compared to their days trudging through snow, it was a luxury. Now that they had a home, she wanted to do something they hadn't done in ages—bathe.

"Manager," she said, "I saw a big tree stump in the pile of wood you brought. Can you hollow it out? I want to make a bathtub."

Jin Ling blinked. "Bathtub?"

She smiled. "Just trust me."

He didn't need further convincing. His claws made quick work of the stump, and soon he had carved out a large wooden tub, along with two small buckets and a stone pot for heating water.

"There's a small stream ahead. I'll fetch water," he said and headed out.

Kashi wasn't idle either. She stacked stones and built a fire to warm the water. By nightfall, the tub was full.

She turned to the cubs. "Who wants to go first?"

Chow Chow tilted her head. "Mama, are you going to bathe us?"

"Yes. You'll feel much better once you're clean."

Chow Chow hesitated but nodded. "Then I'll go first."

None of the cubs had ever taken a proper bath. They'd lived too rough for luxuries like warm water.

Kashi lifted her daughter and carried her into the smallest room, their makeshift bathhouse. After gently removing her clothes, she eased Chow Chow into the tub. The little fox let out a sigh.

"Mama… it's so warm."

Kashi smiled, scrubbing gently. The water darkened quickly from days of dirt. She shook her head—thank goodness it had been cold on the ice plain. If it had been hot, they'd have grown fur-matted like lions.

One by one, she bathed the cubs, saving herself for last.

Jin Ling refilled the tub with fresh water, then stepped outside to give her privacy. Though the room had no door, he sat near the courtyard fire, his back to her. With him there, she felt safe.

As the hot water embraced her, Kashi sighed deeply. She hadn't realized how much she missed feeling clean.

"Little Yao system," she whispered, "do you have toiletries?"

"Yes, Host. Unlock the system mall by completing a five-star mission."

"What can I buy with points?"

"You currently have 110 points."

She considered the possibilities but didn't dwell. When she stepped out, skin fresh and glowing, the moonlight struck her face, making her look ethereal.

Jin Ling turned.

And froze.

She was stunning—clean, luminous, alive in a way he hadn't seen before. Without thinking, he stepped forward and took her hand.

"Shishi… let me be your mate."

His voice was low but certain.

The words struck her like a wind gust.

She had been planning to tell him that their agreement was fulfilled—that he no longer needed to protect them. But now?

"Don't refuse yet," he added, seeing her hesitation. "Please."

She looked away, guilt and uncertainty swirling inside. It was true—having him nearby made everything safer. But that wasn't why she'd kept him around. Not anymore.

"Jin Ling… I'm not ready," she said softly. "Not yet. Can you give me time?"

His golden eyes dimmed, but only briefly.

"I'll wait. Just… don't ask me to leave."

She looked up at him, surprised.

"We agreed you only had to help us get here. You're free now."

"I don't want freedom. I want to protect you. Because I want to."

Her breath caught.

She didn't push him away. "If you want to stay… I won't stop you. But I hope every choice you make from now on is for yourself."

A smile returned to his eyes. "As long as I get to stay by your side, that's enough."

He released her hand, reluctant. "I'll go pour out the water."

Kashi returned to the bedroom where her cubs lay. Chao Lai stirred from the far corner and crawled into her arms.

"Mama, hug and sleep."

Kashi held him close. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

He sniffed. "Mama smells nice."

Then, with the sharpness of a child's mind: "Mama, don't you like Big Male?"

Kashi blinked. "Huh?"

Chao Ang and Chow Chow both opened their eyes, suddenly wide awake.

Chao Ang chimed in, "He's strong. He can hunt. He can protect us."

Kashi chuckled despite herself. "You just want a free bodyguard and cook."

"He's good at it!" Chao Ang argued.

"Well, maybe… but we can't rely on someone just because they're helpful. Sleep now."

Chao Ang yawned and drifted off. Chow Chow snuggled deeper into Kashi's arms. "If you don't like Big Male… then we'll find someone else."

Kashi rolled her eyes—but smiled.

Outside, Jin Ling listened. Only after hearing their breathing grow slow and steady did he enter. He knelt by Kashi's side and gently kissed her cheek.

When he looked up—

A pair of reddish eyes stared back.

Chao Lai.

The snake cub's expression was flat. His small fists clenched under the blanket.

Jin Ling whispered, "Thank you… for carrying me back to the cave that day."

Chao Lai's pupils contracted slightly.

"She refused you," he said flatly.

Jin Ling smiled, undeterred. "It's okay. I won't leave."

He tucked the blanket around the cubs and stepped out into the moonlight.

---

The next morning, Kashi awoke to an empty bed.

She found the cubs outside helping Jin Ling mix mud and patch up the house. They waved when they saw her.

"You're awake!" Jin Ling called. "Breakfast is ready."

"What are you all doing?"

"Fixing the stone house," Chow Chow said proudly.

Kashi smiled. She picked up some roasted meat and sat by the fire. The warmth felt good.

Then—

> Ding dong.

Mission: Two-star Gathering Task.

"Host," Little Yao's voice chimed, "take the cubs to gather ingredients using the provided gathering handbook."

A glowing book appeared. Kashi flipped through it mentally—pages filled with plants, illustrations, and their uses. It would keep them safe from poisonous mistakes.

After eating, she turned to the cubs.

"Mama's going for a walk. Who wants to come?"

"I'll stay with Big Male," said Chao Lai immediately.

Chao Ang hesitated, but followed. "I'll stay too."

Chow Chow looked between them. "I want to go with Mama."

"Let's go then."

---

They first stopped by Lin Mu's house to check on Emilon.

"You saved me," Emilon said warmly, beaming at Chow Chow. "Thank you."

Chow Chow ducked behind her mother, blushing.

Inside, Lin Mu offered a bag of thumb-sized red fruits. "Try these."

Kashi took a bite. Sweet and sour—like a tart tomato. She gave one to Chow Chow, who giggled and tried it too.

Emilon mentioned that the female beasts would be gathering tomorrow. Kashi agreed to join them.

They didn't stay long, but left with a bag of fruit.

---

Back home, Jin Ling and Chao Ang had finished repairing all three rooms.

"You're back," Jin Ling said. "Hungry? I'll make lunch."

"You've done enough. I'll cook today."

She crushed some red fruit and began preparing a dish. The aroma was new to the cubs—sweet and tangy.

When the meat was done, Kashi served it on large leaves.

Chow Chow took a bite and smiled. "So good!"

Chao Ang hesitated but finished his meat quickly.

Then—

Chao Lai didn't eat.

Kashi tilted her head. "What's wrong, Cowi? Don't you like it?"

---

Chao Lai's Point of View

He sat stiffly, arms crossed. His snake tail curled and tightened under him.

They were all smiling. Mama had smiled at them first, had fed them first. She didn't even look at him when she gave them the food.

It was just fruit. Just food.

But something inside him twisted.

Why did she skip me?

He didn't want to care. He shouldn't care.

But he did.

He told himself he was just annoyed. Not hurt. Not jealous.

But something deeper stirred—something he didn't quite have a name for.

And he hated it.

---

Back to third person—

Kashi followed him into the house.

"Cowi? Are you okay? Don't you like the food?"

He turned, red-eyed. "Why did you feed them but not me?"

Kashi froze.

She hadn't meant to exclude him.

She gently placed a fruit in his hand. "I saved the biggest one just for you."

Cowi paused, staring at the fruit. "Hmph. I'm not mad about that."

"Of course not. You were just tired. Right?"

"…Right."

He took the fruit and bit into it, wincing at the sourness—but he ate it anyway.

Kashi smiled and ruffled his hair.

Outside, he proudly placed the fruit back on the table in full view.

"These are the biggest," he declared.

Chow Chow nodded. "They are!"

Chao Ang wrinkled his nose. "Still tastes weird."

After lunch, Jin Ling used the leftover stones to make bowls and plates. Kashi gathered dried grass.

"Mama, why so much grass?" Chow Chow asked.

"I'm making backpacks for tomorrow's gathering."

The warmth of the house, the scent of food, the closeness of family—

It was starting to feel like home.