44: Chapter 44 Loyalty of Partners

Nina smiled innocently and said triumphantly, "They all say my cub is beautiful. See? I'm the amazing one for being able to give birth to such a beautiful cub."

Hahaha!

Sang Qing couldn't help but laugh. Looking at the proud Nina, she could only nod in agreement. "Yes, yes, yes. You're truly amazing."

However, Chenxi was indeed beautiful, with big eyes, a small face, and a high nose bridge; every feature was perfect. No wonder Cree would complain to her brother that he couldn't even get a chance to hold his own cub.

Nina glanced at what was in Sang Qing's hand and asked curiously, "Sang Qing, where are you going?"

This way... was she going to her house?

Sang Qing smiled and stepped forward. "I'm going to see Dainai."

Nina nodded and walked side by side with her while holding the cub.

"You're going to see them? Then I'll go with you. They live right next to my house. The Chief even told my Mother to take more care of the two of them."

After all, both of them were underage little females. Although Dainai was almost an adult, they had no one to rely on in the Tribe and lived entirely on food distributed by the Tribe. Life certainly wasn't very easy.

Fortunately, both of them were beautiful, and many males had already begun to show interest in Dainai.

Sang Qing agreed and went to Dainai's house with Nina.

The Treehouse the Tribe assigned to Dainai and her sister wasn't small, and being close to Nina's house, its safety was guaranteed.

Although beastmen were generally pure-hearted, there were also many with sinister minds. If a female as beautiful as Dainai lived in a remote place, she would likely be coveted by many males.

Outside the Treehouse, Dainai sat on the ground clumsily sewing a new beast skin for Duo Li. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and immediately revealed a bright smile. "Sister Sang Qing, Sophia, Sister Nina, why are you here?"

She hurriedly put down the beast skin and stood up, her expression full of surprise.

"I came to see you and brought some things for you." Sang Qing smiled and walked over, handing her the basket. She looked around and felt the environment was quite good.

Dainai looked at Sang Qing gratefully, took the items, and glanced down. "Sister Sang Qing, you're too kind. Uncle Meng Qi just sent me some prey two days ago."

Thanks to Sister Sang Qing's family, she and Duo Li were living well now, and the Tribesmen all took great care of them.

Sang Qing patted her head and smiled slightly. "It's fine, take it. We still have plenty of prey at home. If you don't have enough to eat, just come to me. This jerky was just made. Doesn't Duo Li love it? I thought I'd bring some for her."

Dainai gave a sweet smile, responded, and quickly put the things inside the house.

With her hands free, Sang Qing turned around and snatched Chenxi from Nina's arms.

"Oh, Little Cub, you're really not light."

She was actually a solid little dumpling; how incredible.

Nina trustingly gave the cub to her and teased, "Exactly. My arms were getting sore from holding her."

The Little Cub Chenxi waved her chubby little arms in protest, seemingly dissatisfied with their discussion about her.

Sang Qing kissed her little cheek and teased her, "Our Chenxi is so cute."

But other people's cubs were only cute because they weren't hers; if this were her cub, she'd be driven crazy.

Dainai came out with fresh fruit and warmly entertained them.

Nina wasn't polite either, picking up a fruit and munching on it. "Dainai, do you need anything else here? If you're lacking anything, just say so. Don't hide it, our Tribe is wealthy."

The smile on Dainai's face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal and said to Nina in a crisp voice, "I don't need anything. Sister Nina, these past few days... quite a few males have sent me things. I have enough food and supplies."

As she spoke, she stole a glance at Sang Qing from the corner of her eye. Seeing that Sang Qing was completely oblivious, she felt a bit more disappointed.

She was about to become an adult, and the Chief said she could try choosing two or three mates to prepare, waiting until her adulthood for the Pair Bonding.

But the Chief also said he hoped she would stay in the Tribe, so it would be best if her first two mates were from the Wildcat Tribe.

Nina laughed frankly and chatted with her, "That's pretty good. You're so beautiful, it's only right for those males to send you things. Just accept them."

The adult females in their Tribe were basically all paired up, but there were still many adult males. So Dainai's appearance naturally made them restless.

If they wanted to gain a female's favor, how could they get a chance for Pair Bonding without showing plenty of attention?

"I'm too weak. Sister Sang Qing is the truly beautiful one, I can't compare."

Nina waved her hand, not understanding her comparison, and munched on another fruit. "Sang Qing is beautiful, but that doesn't conflict with you."

By the way, Mother told me to tell you that before you choose a male, remember to talk to her. She wants to screen them for you; some males simply won't do."

"Why?" Dainai's thoughts were immediately led astray by Nina.

Nina glanced at her. What a simple little female; it was a good thing she spoke up in time.

"You wouldn't understand this, but some males have had mating behaviors with females from other Tribes before Pair Bonding. Those females looked down on them and didn't choose to pair with them, so they had to come back to our Tribe."

"Surely you don't want a mate who isn't loyal."

Firstly, they were disloyal, and secondly, they were useless. A male with lacking abilities can still conquer a female with his body to gain her favor. If those males couldn't even conquer a female, what were they if not trash?

Dainai quickly shook her head; of course she didn't want that.

So that was how it was; she would remember that.

Listening from the side, Sang Qing suddenly realized she had overlooked something.

So in the Beast World, females and males could mate before Pair Bonding. She had always thought it was only allowed after Pair Bonding.

She was the ignorant and old-fashioned one.

Nina continued to instill various theories into the simple little female, and even Sang Qing and Sophia leaned in to listen.

After staying at Dainai's house for a while, Sang Qing left with Sophia.

As they neared their doorstep, Sang Qing saw a figure hiding behind a tree and frowned slightly.

"Sophia, you go back first."

He still hadn't given up? Just how long was he going to keep watching her house?

When Sophia passed in front of Qing Que, he suddenly snapped out of it. Turning around, he saw Sang Qing standing behind him, looking at him with a subtle expression.

Panic flickered on his face, but he quickly steadied himself.

"Sang Qing! I have something to tell you." He had been busy with matters outside the Tribe lately and hadn't seen her for several days.

Qing Que strode toward her, a look of stunned admiration on his face.

Today, Sang Qing was wearing a crimson-colored slim-fit tube dress. The form-fitting design perfectly showcased her body's curves. Her full chest rose and fell slightly with her breathing, and her slender waist looked like it wouldn't even be as wide as a male's palm, yet it possessed a great sense of strength. Her firm muscles could be felt through the fabric. Beneath the hem, a pair of long, shapely legs were perfectly balanced. Her fair, tender skin made her look charming and moving in the sunlight, much like a shining pearl, lustrous and flawless.

And her clear eyes carried a faint hint of allure. Unfortunately, when she looked at Qing Que, they were as still as a stagnant well.

Qing Que impatiently grabbed her hand, wanting to express his longing, but this was not the right place.

He pulled Sang Qing into the woods, his eyes slightly obsessed, as if these few days of longing had made her even more radiant.

But Sang Qing immediately shook off his hand, her expression turning cold.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Don't get touchy-feely with her; they weren't that close.

"You don't like me?" Qing Que's face showed a hurt expression. Seeing the way Sang Qing rejected him, it was clear she was pushing him away.

Well, obviously.

Sang Qing pursed her lips and leaned against a nearby tree trunk, somewhat impatient. "What is it? Speak!"

Qing Que felt very sad. Clearly Sang Qing had been fine before; how could she have become so distant in just a few days?

It didn't matter. At worst, he would just make it up to her in the future.

With a compensatory mindset, Qing Que looked at Sang Qing's exquisite face and spoke his mind.

"I've thought it over. I want to pair bond with you."

What?

Sang Qing picked at her ear, looked Qing Que up and down, and suddenly stood up straight. "I remember telling you before that there's no possibility between us."

Frowning, Sang Qing turned her back, her gaze speechless.

"Impossible, you must be lying to me." Qing Que shook his head vigorously and stood in front of Sang Qing again, staring at her in shock.

Sang Qing stretched her neck, the corners of her mouth curving into a light laugh. "The male I like must be one who can choose me resolutely, not someone like you who has a different idea every day."

"Instead of being so hesitant, you'd better figure out what you truly want."

"The way you say you'll pair bond with me sounds like you're granting me a favor. Do you think I'm interested in you?"

"Qing Que, don't show up in front of me anymore."

After saying that, Sang Qing strode away.

Left behind, Qing Que froze. The smile on his face gradually vanished, and his eyes were exceptionally confused. She didn't want him?

Why? Why!

Back home, Sang Qing acted as if nothing had happened and continued with her own business.

For a long time after that, she didn't see Qing Que again.

By the stream, Sang Qing sat on a rock soaking her feet, her eyes constantly peering toward the forest. After her three hundred and eighty-fifth sigh, she finally got annoyed with herself.

It had been almost half a month, and she hadn't gone out once. Staying home all day, she was going to turn into an idiot.

Right, buy equipment. Once she had good equipment, she could go to the Market alone.

She heard the Gray Leopard Tribe had been less active lately. She would try to see if she could convince Father to let her go to the Market.

She needed to make money.

However, before Sang Qing could propose her request to go out to Meng Qi, another explosive piece of news appeared in the forest.

It was heard that a sacred object had appeared in the Flying Badger Tribe, which could allow beastmen to easily obtain fire. It could instantly ignite a fire whether it was a rainy day or a thunderstorm; it was truly miraculous.

Fire was a rare resource for every Tribe. To preserve fire, Tribe chiefs had to put a lot of effort into it. For the Flying Badger Tribe to have obtained a way to preserve fire so easily immediately aroused the envy of all the major Tribes in the forest.

However, Meng Lai, who was playing with the lighter: ...Could it be the one in his hand?

Being questioned, Sang Qing shrugged and spoke helplessly to Meng Qi, "I just used a lighter to trade for Sophia and the others with the beastmen of the Flying Badger Tribe."

Are the beastmen of the Flying Badger Tribe idiots? They actually spread this news.

What Sang Qing didn't know was that the beastman who had traded the lighter with her had been killed by the new chief. To strengthen the Tribe and make the Tribesmen worship him more, the new chief who got the lighter immediately announced to the outside world that he had obtained a sacred object, hoping to use it to increase the prestige of the Tribe and himself in the forest.

But things went contrary to his wishes; what came earlier than respect was the covetousness of other Tribes.

Meng Qi patted his cub's head, glanced at Sophia who was watering flowers, and whispered to her, "You don't know, after our Chief got this news, he's been restless, constantly worrying about the movements in the forest."

What is a sacred object? A treasure that's hard to come by even in a thousand years. Who wouldn't want to own one?

Mao Shuo also wanted to own it, but he didn't have the strength. So he was more worried that this treasure would cause turmoil in the forest, leading to the Wildcat Tribe being affected.

Meng Lai fiddled with the lighter in his hand and said nonchalantly, "Father, Qing Qing, why don't we also give a lighter to the Chief and let him say our Tribe has a sacred object too?"

According to what the Flying Badger Tribe said, their house was full of sacred objects; there were several in the kitchen alone.

"No!" the Father and daughter retorted in unison.

Meng Lai was startled, shrinking his neck and giving a sheepish smile.

The lighter was a treasure Qing Qing had prayed to the beast god for; how could it be given out so casually? Besides, they couldn't find a suitable reason.

Sang Qing glanced at her brother. The Flying Badger Tribe was at least a bit more powerful than their Tribe, but now they were being forcibly demanded the sacred object by the chiefs of several other large Tribes, saying that if they didn't hand it over, they would face destruction.

If it were their Tribe... she estimated that once they announced it, they probably wouldn't even see the next day's sun.

The problem isn't scarcity but inequality; equality... Sang Qing tugged at her braid, a light appearing in her eyes.

Hehehe, isn't it just a sacred object? Then wouldn't it be fine if every Tribe was assigned one?

Sang Qing didn't know if the Flying Badger Tribe would hand over the lighter to other large Tribes, but she was implementing her own plan.

Sophia pulled Sang Qing's arm, so anxious she was about to cry, "No, Master, it's too dangerous for you to go out alone."

Uncle Meng Qi said she couldn't let Master go out alone.

She was willing to accompany her master, but she was too fragile; bringing her along would purely be a burden to her master.

Sang Qing was caught between laughter and tears. "Sophia, just trust me, it's not dangerous."

With one magazine of bullets, even the most powerful beast in the forest would have to go see the beast god. What was there to be dangerous?

Besides, if she didn't go to the Market soon, there would definitely be turmoil in the forest.

She couldn't let so many innocent beastmen in the forest be affected because of her.

Taking advantage of the fact that neither Father nor brother was in the Tribe today, she had to hurry, go early, and return early.

Sophia shook her head, looking like she didn't believe her at all.