Free Web NovelChapter 368: Chapter 368: Don’t Look at Me Like That
’Take in more?’
Qiao Xixi shook her head without a second thought. Having Jin Ling and the others was more than enough. If any more came, she would really go crazy.
Two days later, Qiao Xixi brought the cubs back to the inner city.
The entire inner city had been scrubbed down with grass-ash water, leaving no trace of any foul odor. A faint, grassy fragrance now drifted through the air.
"Xixi, we felt your old room was a bit small, so while we were making repairs, we knocked down the wall between two rooms to combine them. We also replaced all the furniture with new pieces. Come and see if you like it."
Jin Ling led Qiao Xixi to the room in the very center of the third floor.
He pushed open the door, and the soft blue that met her eyes made them light up.
In the room was an enormous bed. Judging by its size, it wasn’t just big enough for her—eight or even ten of her could have slept on it with room to spare.
There was also a large wooden wardrobe and a big sofa covered with a thick pelt blanket.
They had even color-coordinated everything, making the whole room look both refreshing and cozy.
"How did you guys make this color on the walls? It’s beautiful."
Feiyan pointed to a small blue flower on the table. "It’s flower juice. The shaman said this kind won’t fade and even repels insects, so we thought we’d paint your walls with it. That way, you won’t be bothered by mosquitoes and other pests during the hot season."
Sunxiao entered with a platter of fruit. "Do you like it?"
Qiao Xixi nodded joyfully. "I love it."
"We’ve assigned rooms to the cubs, too. They’re all on the second floor."
Qiao Xixi was curious to see what they had done with the cubs’ rooms.
As soon as she reached the second floor, she heard surprised and delighted cheers coming from the cubs’ rooms.
Curious, Qiao Xixi stepped into the first room, and her eyes lit up the moment she was inside. The walls were covered in patterns of water bubbles, along with images of colorful coral beasts and sea-fish beasts.
Walking into the room felt like being immersed in the ocean. There were even decorative seashells and conches on the table.
"Mother, this room is so beautiful! I love it!"
Hearing the sound, Xiya sprang up from the soft bed with a flip and threw herself into Qiao Xixi’s arms.
"I just found these things among the wandering merchant’s goods from before and used them for some simple decorations. I’m glad Xiya likes it."
Xijing said gently as he entered the room, turning toward the mother and daughter.
"Thank you, Father."
Qiao Xixi hadn’t expected this room to be Xijing’s handiwork. "Did you all divide the labor and decorate a room for each of your cubs?"
Xijing nodded. "But since I can’t see, the others helped me with some parts."
Just as Qiao Xixi was about to check the other rooms, she heard Qiao Ang cheering. She was quite curious to see what kind of room Feiyan had created for his cub.
When Qiao Xixi walked into Qiao Ang’s room, she froze. It was filled with all sorts of weapons Feiyan had crafted by hand.
The decor itself was a bit rough, but Qiao Ang was completely sold and buzzing with excitement.
"Father, you’re the best! AHHHH! I have the bestest, most awesome father in the whole world!"
Feiyan crossed his arms, a grin stretching nearly from ear to ear.
"Of course. I mean, look who your father is."
Qiao Xixi visited every room. The males had all been very thoughtful, and they clearly understood their own cubs well, decorating each room exactly to the child’s liking.
Except... Sangqi’s room was a bit... disjointed.
It was a single room, but it had two completely different styles.
That night, as Qiao Xixi was coming out of the bathing room, she saw Qiao Yi emerge from a room on the first floor.
Qiao Xixi thought about how even Feili’s room had been decorated to his own liking, and she wondered what Qiao Yi’s room was like.
She pretended to be walking past his door and glanced inside.
A single glance was enough to make her freeze.
Qiao Yi noticed her gaze and walked over.
"Xixi, is something wrong?"
"Langqi, why didn’t you redecorate your room?"
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Qiao Yi’s eyes. "I thought it was fine as it was. Nothing needed changing. Most importantly, I could leave at any time, so there’s no need to go to too much trouble."
Now it was Qiao Xixi’s turn to freeze. "Langqi is leaving? Don’t you like it here? Or... is there something you have to do? Can you tell me? Maybe we can help."
Her barrage of questions earned her nothing but a soft sigh from Qiao Yi.
"Xixi, just being able to see you and the cubs again has made me very happy."
"Langqi!"
Qiao Xixi suddenly grabbed his sleeve in a panic. "Please don’t go, okay? The cubs all adore you. If you leave, they’ll be devastated."
Qiao Yi patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t be anxious. I’m not leaving right now. It’s just a possibility... for the future."
Qiao Xixi pressed her lips together, her gaze falling to the floor as she remained silent.
"Xixi, An’an has been fussing for you."
Jin Ling’s voice broke the silence between them. Qiao Xixi snapped out of it and slowly released her grip.
"Okay, I’ll go up and soothe her."
After Qiao Xixi left, Jin Ling approached Qiao Yi and lowered his voice.
"Langqi, can you really not stay? If you leave, Xixi will be heartbroken."
"Jin Ling, the only reason I’ve stayed this long is that you all still aren’t strong enough. You’re sufficient to handle ordinary beastmen, but you have no idea how many unimaginably strong individuals exist beyond your comprehension."
Jin Ling was taken aback. "These powerful individuals you speak of... where are they? Are they strong enough to defeat you, Langqi?"
"Hmph. It wouldn’t be that easy."
Hearing this, Jin Ling smiled warmly.
"Then I can rest easy."
Qiao Yi’s eyes shot wide. "You will all learn at least eighty percent of what I know. Starting tomorrow, leave the hunting to that old codger Feili. The five of you will report to me at the training grounds."
"Understood."
When Jin Ling returned to their room, he saw Qiao Xixi holding the sleeping tiger cub, lost in thought.
"Xixi, why are you still awake?"
Jin Ling took the cub from her arms, gently placed her on the bed, and tucked her in with her own special little blanket.
"Still thinking about what Langqi said?"
Qiao Xixi looked at Jin Ling, seeming to want to say something but holding back.
Jin Ling waited quietly without pressing her, but in the end, Qiao Xixi said nothing.
Jin Ling pulled her into his arms. "Xixi, Langqi said our skills are still lacking. Starting tomorrow, we all have to go to the training grounds to practice with him. If we don’t learn well, I doubt he’ll leave."
"Really?" That meant he wouldn’t be leaving for a while.
Seeing the worry on Qiao Xixi’s brow temporarily fade, Jin Ling’s own thoughts began to stir.
Qiao Xixi had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed, but when she shifted her hips, she realized the male holding her had... changed at some point.
She didn’t squirm away. Instead, she leaned into his embrace, listening to the powerful beat of his heart and waiting for his next move.
But to her surprise, Jin Ling simply held her as he laid them both down on the bed, pulled the covers over them, and then his movements ceased. He just held her.
Surprised, Qiao Xixi looked up and met his swirling, dark golden eyes.
"Xixi, don’t look at me like that."
"And what happens if I do?" Qiao Xixi’s fingertips traced circles along the rugged planes of his abs, trailing lower and lower...
