"Drink more; it's good for your health. Bai Di, you should drink more too. It's good for you as well. You've gotten a bit thin," Si Lu said as she looked at Bai Di.
Cheng Mo immediately realized that the soup probably had some spiritual spring water added.
The big tiger, naturally not as observant, didn't understand and continued to feed Si Lu with a smile.
When Bai Di heard her words, he looked up with joy, staring at Si Lu.
She had just shown concern for him.
She said he had gotten a bit thin.
Compared to her beasthusbands, he was indeed a bit more frail.
He was determined to eat more and grow stronger, so he could better stay by her side.
"Indeed, you're a bit too thin," Cheng Mo said, looking at Bai Di.
He didn't mind Si Lu having a fondness for Bai Di. In fact, he was quite happy if Bai Di could stay by her side, especially since Bai Di was a healer.
He could take better care of their female, so... he could stay.
Bai Di was indeed quite good.
He wasn't competitive and was very quiet.
"Lu Lu, now that we've found you, when do you think we should leave? Do you want to go back to your previous tribe, or would you rather go somewhere else?" Cheng Mo asked Si Lu.
Yes.
That question needed to be asked sooner or later.
"Yes, but we are your partners. Wherever you go, we'll follow," Song Zhan added quickly as he fed Si Lu more meat soup.
Once a female and male beastmen are bonded as partners, the males will dedicate themselves entirely to caring for the female.
The female can go anywhere—back to her previous tribe or even wander to another tribe. Any tribe would welcome an outsider female, especially one bringing her mates. It might even help solve the issue of unmated males in the tribe.
Moreover, having more females could attract strong beastmen to join the tribe.
This was beneficial for any tribe.
If she wanted to return to her old tribe, she could do so anytime without any issues.
"You can go anywhere, and we'll accompany you. If you want to live in another tribe for a while, that's fine. They won't reject you. We can even live as wanderers for a while," Cheng Mo said to Si Lu gently.
"Really? If we go to another tribe, they won't reject us." Si Lu asked, curious.
She had never lived in another tribe before.
She was a bit intrigued.
Would other tribes be like the deer tribe?
"Of course. Not only won't they reject you, but they'll be delighted," Cheng Mo assured her.
"That's great! Hehe, I haven't decided yet," Si Lu said happily.
Hearing their conversation about leaving, Hei Yao, who had been sleeping, woke up.
His sleep was light, so he woke quickly, but he didn't open his eyes, only listening unhappily.
Yes, they couldn't stay here forever.
He knew that long ago, but knowing it and hearing it were two different things.
Fear crept into his heart.
He feared that once they left, he'd never see Si Lu again.
Unlike Bai Di, who could follow them, he was a wandering beast.
Si Lu had ended up in this situation because of wandering beasts. He was genuinely terrified.
It was the first time he'd felt such an emotion.
"Then Bai Di should come with us. Si Lu is a female and needs a healer to take care of her. With you around, Zhan and I will feel much more at ease," Cheng Mo said, looking at Bai Di, who had been silently sitting off to the side.
Bai Di didn't say anything. He just lifted his head and looked in Si Lu's direction.
Although he'd already expressed his desire to follow Si Lu, at this moment, he wanted Si Lu to acknowledge him in front of her mates.
"Of course, Ah Di will come with us. We already agreed on this earlier, and I won't go back on my word. Besides, now that I'm pregnant, I'll feel much more at ease with Ah Di around," Si Lu said with a sweet smile.
"Yes, I'll follow you and take care of you and the baby!" Bai Di nodded eagerly, full of joy.
"That's wonderful! I'm going to be a father!" The big tiger exclaimed happily.
"Hmph, it's not your baby tiger; it's my little fawn," Cheng Mo joked.
"But it's mine too! I'm one of Lu Lu's mates, so it's my child too. And besides, didn't you say you don't like your kids? You can just give this one to me," Song Zhan teased.
"You! When did I ever say I don't like my kids? Stop making things up!" Cheng Mo warned.
This guy never thought before he spoke!
If Si Lu believed him and got upset, it would be terrible!
He didn't want her to understand.
"Lu Lu, don't listen to him. How could I not love our child? I love it very much," Cheng Mo said, anxiously looking at Si Lu.
"I know. Don't worry, I didn't take it seriously. My big deer is just more reserved, so his love isn't always obvious, but I understand," Si Lu said as she gently linked her arm with his.
She knew.
Cheng Mo loved the child. Of course, compared to that, he loved her more.
With such a devoted mate, how could she ever misunderstand him?
"Thank you, Lu Lu," Cheng Mo said tenderly as he gazed at her.
Being understood by the one he loved—it felt wonderful.
"Our child will definitely look like you. I'm really looking forward to it," Cheng Mo smiled, reaching out to touch her still-flat belly.
It was hard to believe that inside this small belly was his own bloodline, his own child.
It was truly magical.
For the first time, he felt the beauty of becoming a father.
"Well, I don't agree. If the baby is a girl and looks like Lu Lu, that's fine. But if it's a boy, he can't be soft and delicate. That won't be strong or majestic at all!" Song Zhan protested.
For male beastmen, strength and presence were crucial. They couldn't be as fragile as females; otherwise, they'd struggle to find a mate.
Song Zhan strongly disagreed with Cheng Mo.
"Say that again!" Cheng Mo's eyes narrowed, flashing with anger.
"What I'm saying is the truth. You can't deny it. If the baby is a boy, he'll have trouble finding a mate, and he might even end up weak and bullied. That's unacceptable!" Song Zhan insisted seriously.
Even if it made Cheng Mo unhappy, he had to speak the truth.
"My fists are ready!" Cheng Mo said menacingly, narrowing his eyes.
"Come on! You think I'm scared of you?" Song Zhan replied, filled with fighting spirit.
"Let's go!"
The two of them stormed out together.
Ugh...
"They're at it again," Si Lu sighed helplessly.
"It's alright. They know their limits. Let me feed you," Bai Di said, immediately moving closer to Si Lu and grabbing the empty stone bowl to refill it.
"Mhm." Si Lu nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
She wanted to refuse, but seeing the look in his eyes, she couldn't bear to.
Feeling his hopeful expression, she swallowed back her words.
She was afraid he'd feel sad or upset.
At that moment, Hei Yao opened his eyes too, looking at Si Lu with a wounded expression.
"You purposely didn't tell me about the baby because you were afraid I might hurt you and your child, right?" Hei Yao said sadly.
Did she really trust him so little in her heart?