41: He didn't die; he caught up with me.

Tu Nan's gaze fell upon Ji Yu's swollen belly.

There was no way to explain it unless she made this Foster Mother keep her mouth shut.

A shiver of alarm shot through Tu Nan.

What was she thinking?

Ji Yu hadn't done anything wrong; she had merely stumbled upon a secret.

Moreover, just moments ago, she had been taking care of Tu Nan.

A layer of goosebumps prickled across Tu Nan's entire body. Her humanity... was it being gradually worn away in this beast world?

It hadn't reached a dead end yet, had it?

The worst outcome would simply be a repeat of the past few days' conclusion—being sent to some man's bed.

Let her try... to extend her trust one more time.

"Yes, that's right. I am a Foster Mother."

She admitted it outright.

Ji Yu's hand flew to cover Tu Nan's mouth, and she shot her a reproachful glare.

"Why so loud! Keep your voice down..."

Seeing that Tu Nan had stopped speaking, she finally lowered her hand.

A gentle smile spread across her face, revealing a far more sincere expression than before.

"Did you run away? How bold."

"That... I heard you and a guard?"

This pregnant Female suddenly took on a girlish, coquettish expression.

"So you two are truly a pair of lovers? Your master refused to sell you to him, so... he stole you away?"

"Heavens! We've privately woven many such stories, but I never imagined someone would actually do it!"

...Tu Nan hadn't anticipated the situation unfolding like this.

Describing Ji Yu's state with a term from her past life, it was probably—finally getting to witness a real-life romance.

However, aside from the discrepancy regarding her relationship with Gaia, the rest of the story more or less fit.

She had indeed "escaped" with Gaia.

"Mhm."

She simply accepted Ji Yu's speculation, using it to solidify the story.

"Someone is probably pursuing us. I didn't want word to get out, that's why..."

"And... I don't want to be a Foster Mother."

Tu Nan offered Ji Yu a nervous smile.

"If I told you... I want to be someone's only wife, to be cherished and respected, not bought and sold at will... would you laugh at me for being overly delusional?"

Ji Yu was so shocked by her bold declaration that her mouth hung open. She stared blankly at Tu Nan for a moment before suddenly pulling her into a tight embrace.

In a chaotic, disjointed whisper, Ji Yu murmured into her ear.

"How could I? I'll help you."

"I mean, this is truly wonderful..."

***

Ji Yu went outside and fetched a sewing needle and a small handful of dried plant leaves.

"Let's take care of this problem right now."

She held the needle over the flame of a small candle, then pinched Tu Nan's earlobe.

"It might hurt a bit?"

"It's worth it." Having said that, Tu Nan tightly clenched the towel Ji Yu had brought between her teeth.

Ji Yu steadied herself, rubbed Tu Nan's earlobe, and applied pressure, aiming to pierce through it in one go if possible.

Unfortunately... she hesitated. The moment blood welled up, her resolve faltered.

Thus, the process became rather grueling.

Tu Nan's vision blacked out again and again. She remained rigidly seated, though her entire body trembled with pain.

"I... I can't do it."

By the time the right earlobe was finally pierced, Ji Yu was drenched in a cold sweat, looking as if she'd been fished out of water, her face drained of color.

Tu Nan spat out the towel and, still trembling, teased her, "You've given birth to several Children already, and you're still afraid of blood?"

"This isn't my blood." Ji Yu hadn't expected to be so frightened either.

This was, in truth, simply because Ji Yu was too kind-hearted.

She... could endure pain inflicted upon herself, but she couldn't bear to inflict it upon others.

Once she had recovered slightly, Tu Nan reached out to Ji Yu.

"Give me the needle."

Under Ji Yu's incredulous gaze, Tu Nan bit down on the towel again.

She tilted her head slightly, holding the needle in one hand while stroking her left earlobe with the other.

She closed her eyes and pushed the needle through her earlobe.

"Ah!"

This was Ji Yu's gasp of shock, but she immediately covered her mouth.

Tu Nan casually tossed the needle into a dish, a tiny droplet of blood splattering alongside it.

Ji Yu hurriedly fetched a small section of plant stem and helped Tu Nan insert it into her earlobe.

Another ordeal, though slightly better than the last.

"Finally..."

Ji Yu slumped to the floor.

"Later on, have your lover buy you a small earring. That should cover it up."

"Sigh... Male Beasts are so careless. He only thought to hide the number on your neck."

This wasn't Gaia's doing either. Tu Nan remained silent.

"Alright, I'll go tell the mistress in a bit that I need to take care of you, so you'll sleep with me. My conditions aren't great, but it's farthest from everyone else."

Ji Yu seemed quite pleased, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth as she looked at Tu Nan.

"Perfect for us, right?"

Tu Nan nodded slowly, expressing her sincere agreement: "You're absolutely right."

***

Meanwhile, the caravan Tu Nan and the others had fled from received an unexpected visitor.

"You're saying, Tu Nan and Gaia..."

The tall figure confirmed each word deliberately. "They were having an affair, discovered by Gray."

He looked at Fiona's contorted face, repeating incredulously: "Killed Gray, and escaped?"

"That's right! That wretch!" Fiona stood beside Kun Bu.

She hadn't expected this Male Beast to reappear, especially after Kun Bu had "married" her.

"She! First, she tried to seduce my brother, but of course, he wouldn't have her. Then Gaia showed up, saying you were dead. After that, the two of them carried on their filthy affair!"

"My brother couldn't stand it, said you were just missing, not dead, and told her to observe some rules as a Foster Mother. But they held a grudge, and actually..."

Fiona could no longer continue, throwing herself into Kun Bu's arms with a wail. Kun Bu patted her back half-heartedly, his hand unconsciously drifting lower.

Fiona's sobs hitched, but she dared not resist.

Kun Bu had made her suffer enough these past two days, fueling her hatred for Tu Nan.

If not for Tu Nan, Gray would still be here.

If Gray were still here, how would Kun Bu dare treat her like this?

"Impossible."

The man's words were cold and hard. He refused to believe that the Foster Mother who had relied on him completely would betray him.

"I can vouch for it too! That's exactly what happened!"

Toke chimed in, righteous indignation written on his face. He pointed to the faint bruise still visible on his cheek.

"Look, Gaia did this." He spat on the ground. "Just because I couldn't stand them hooking up the very day we escaped."

Li's gaze wavered for an instant.

That's right. This Male Beast, covered in wounds on his face and body, was none other than Li, who had miraculously survived.

No one knew how he had escaped such a desperate situation or how he had found his way here.

The entire journey, he had thought of his Foster Mother, his Tu Nan, terrified that she hadn't escaped, that she had perished in the icy river depths.

Afraid that without his care, she would freeze, starve, her delicate skin dried by the desert winds.

And the result...

One person, then two, were saying this.

That she had betrayed him?

And Gray was indeed dead.

Then where was Tu Nan?

He would make Tu Nan tell him herself. She would say...

"None of this is true."

"She was waiting for him."