Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off - Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: How to go back?
Su Qinglan was very happy that the deal was finally done. Two big sacks of rice in exchange for a few beast hides. She couldn’t help smiling as she touched the rough sacks, thinking how much she could make from them later.

Before leaving, she turned to Xuan Long and said, “Xuan Long, can you lend me hides? I will give them back to you.”

“My hides are all yours; why will you have to lend them?” he said with a frown.

Su Qinglan smiled at him brightly but didn’t explain anything. She didn’t want to agitate him at all, so she was taking baby steps with him. If she directly told him that she did not plan to stay here with him, he would definitely get angry.

And she couldn’t risk it. In a faraway place where she was still a weak female and carrying cubs nonetheless, she needed protection.

Even if her desire was selfish, she knew she couldn’t risk leaving alone. What if she met some beastman with evil intentions? She couldn’t guarantee that all beastmen here were good.

What if someone was like that owl beastman..

or worse, what if she encountered him again?

Then she would definitely be finished. She could already imagine how that psycho beastman would behave after finding out that she had run away.

This was also the reason she decided to come out of the cave to find if there was any chance she could go back. But on the way, she realized she had no way to find her tribe, and her only option was to get the help of Xuan Long.

And then repay him for his kindness. Maybe he could settle in her tribe and find a female to his liking. After all, living alone was definitely not good.

So she smiled at him and asked, “Can you bring it then? I will wait for you here.”

Xuan Long frowned slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the open plain. “You’ll stay here alone?”

Su Qinglan nodded quickly. “It’s fine! I’ll just sit here and wait. I don’t want to owe anyone, so I’ll stay until everything is done properly.”

He didn’t look convinced, but after a long moment, he gave in. “Alright. Don’t move far,” he said quietly, still sounding reluctant.

She smiled and waved her hand. “I’ll be right here. Go quickly before they change their mind about the trade.”

Finally, he turned and slithered away, his emerald scales glinting in the sun. Su Qinglan watched him go until his tall figure disappeared into the distance.

She sighed, resting her hands on her knees, and thought maybe he would not decline her request to bring her back to her tribe. She could only hope for it.

On the other side, the moment Xuan Long was out of sight, several young bull beastmen came closer, their heavy steps thudding on the ground. They looked at her nervously at first, then one of them spoke, “Female, which tribe are you from? That big snake… he didn’t kidnap you, right?”

Su Qinglan blinked, not expecting that question again. “Kidnap? No, no, he didn’t…”

Another young bull interrupted, his voice worried but also a little too curious. “If he’s threatening you, we’ll protect you! Just tell us! That beast is dangerous!”

A few others nodded, and one of them pointed awkwardly at her stomach. “And… and you’re even carrying his cubs? That’s too pitiful!”

Su Qinglan almost choked on air. “What…?! What is pitiful here… why can’t she carry his cubs?”

They all looked so sincere and nervous that for a moment, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But she could see it in their eyes—especially one of the younger ones who kept staring at her like she was some rare, delicate flower.

She sighed softly, deciding it was better to play along than explain everything. “Listen,” she said calmly, forcing a smile, “I love him very much. We’re together. He didn’t force me.”

All the bulls froze at that. Their eyes widened like she had just said the moon had fallen to the ground. “You… love him?” one whispered. “The snake?”

Su Qinglan nodded quickly. “Yes. So don’t talk bad about him, alright? He’ll get upset again.”

That did the trick. They all shut their mouths immediately.

To break the awkward silence, she decided to change the topic. “Anyway, Grandpa,” she turned toward the old bull who had helped her earlier, “I’ve heard something from the priest of my tribe. He said this rainy season will be very harsh. There might be flooding everywhere.”

The bulls exchanged uneasy glances, their ears twitching. One finally said, “We’ve heard some talk like that… but we weren’t sure if it was true.”

Su Qinglan nodded seriously. “It’s better to prepare just in case. Your tribe lives on the plain, right? If water comes down from the mountains, it’ll pass fast… but it can still wash away things.”

The old bull rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Our land is high, yes. The water might not stay, but it could still make trouble.”

“Exactly!” Su Qinglan said, feeling a bit proud that they were listening. “So you should make something to block the wind and rain. Maybe use four big tree trunks, tie them together with vines, and make a wall around your huts. That’ll keep you warm at night too.”

The bulls looked at each other, blinking, and then one of them brightened. “That’s… actually a good idea!”

“Right?” Su Qinglan smiled. “If you use the big ones from the forest edge, even the wind won’t knock them over. But make sure to bury one end in the ground, so it will be sturdier.”

The old bull’s eyes lit up. “You are very wise, female! Our tribe never thought of that. You have the heart of a leader.”

Su Qinglan laughed awkwardly and waved her hands. “No, no! I just like building things that don’t fall apart in the rain.”

All of them laughed, and the air became much lighter.

“Grandpa, have you heard about a nearby fox tribe? How far is it from here?” Su Qinglan finally decided to ask the main thing. Because she had no idea where the hell she was now, and could Hu Yan or anyone be able to find her?