"Of course it's true. If you don't believe it, touch me — I'm still warm," Si Lu said.
Why was this man so silly? He really thought Si Lu was an illusion? Had he been waiting here all this time?
Thinking of that made Si Lu's chest ache a little.
"This isn't an illusion. You're really back. That's… that's great. You don't know how I've missed you these days. I thought you didn't want me anymore." Bai Di's eyes turned red as he smiled through it.
This was the longest Si Lu had ever been away from him. Usually, Si Lu took him everywhere because he was his witch doctor. This time, he didn't take him at all. Bai Di had been truly hurt, wandering day and night, feeling wronged.
He really thought he had done something wrong… that Si Lu didn't want him anymore. Every day he was anxious, unable to focus on anything because Si Lu stayed on his mind.
"You fool. Why would I not want you? You're good. So good. How long have you been waiting out here? Don't tell me you've been waiting every day." Si Lu looked at him in disbelief.
Honestly, knowing Bai Di's nature… it was entirely possible.
When Si Lu was home, Bai Di was obedient and gentle — but he was also a little paranoid. Everyone in the deer clan knew that.
"I came to the seaside every day to wait for you. I just wanted to be the first person to see you come back. It wasn't that long, really. But you still came back, so it was worth it." Bai Di smiled softly.
The waiting didn't matter. The outcome did. As long as Si Lu returned, everything was fine.
"Why are you so silly? Standing out here all day while others pass by. Of course I was coming back. I wasn't gone forever. Aren't you tired after so many days? Don't do this again, okay? You'll make my heart hurt." Si Lu cupped Bai Di's cheek and noticed how thin he'd gotten. He really had missed him.
"No. I'll wait for you no matter what. As long as you come back, everything is worth it."
"Lulu, don't worry. I did everything you told me. I take care of the cubs before I leave every day, and Nances is guarding them at home. Don't worry about them. I remembered all your instructions." Bai Di said obediently.
"I know. My Bai Di is always obedient and dependable. Let me introduce someone. These two are mermaids — this is Jin Yang, this is Lan Po. And this is my partner, Bai Di. We're all one family now, so help each other from now on." Si Lu said.
"Hello," Bai Di nodded politely.
"Hello. We'll be family from now on."
"Yes, a family. We'll take care of our little female together." Jin Yang and Lan Po agreed.
Both sides greeted each other.
Bai Di had no objections. Since Si Lu accepted them as partners, so did he. Besides, they were strong, handsome, and matched the little female's tastes.
As long as Si Lu liked them, he had no complaints.
Today, while waiting, Bai Di had reflected a lot. Maybe he had been jealous. He wouldn't do that again.
He prayed every day: As long as my little female comes back, whatever he asks, I'll agree. I'll change. I'll behave.
He would become even more obedient, more understanding, more gentle.
"Alright. Let's go home. I've missed the little ones. Are they still hunting every day?" Si Lu asked.
"Yes, they hunt daily. But I can tell they miss you. They've been waiting for you too. Xiao Chengyu calls for you every day, asking when you're coming back."
"Not just him — the second and third cubs speak now, too. And of course, the first word all of them shouted was 'mother.'" Bai Di held Si Lu's hand gently.
The cubs were truly good.
His eyes were full of Si Lu.
"Really? The second and third cubs speak too? That's great!"
Si Lu was honestly surprised. He never expected the second and third cubs to speak so early — even earlier than the eldest.
Now he wouldn't have to fear not understanding his own children. It saved him from future embarrassment.
"Cubs can talk this early?" Jin Yang asked, wide-eyed.
He knew the general development of beast cubs. Most didn't speak until six months or a year old. Gifted ones might speak at three or four months.
But Si Lu's cubs were barely a month and a half old. That was shocking.
Their talent had to be extraordinary.
"Of course. Lulu's cubs are the best," Bai Di said proudly.
He had every right to be proud. They were all his cubs too — and each was remarkably gifted.
"That makes me even more curious. Since we're partners with Lulu now, the cubs are ours as well. I'm already looking forward to our future children," Lan Po said excitedly.
"Yes, you're their fathers too," Si Lu smiled.
They soon entered the tribe and arrived at Si Lu's cave.
Xiao Chengyu was running around, carrying a small fox and a small tiger on his back. His little spine was bent under their weight, but he was being a responsible big brother.
"You two sit tight! Big brother is about to take you for a deer ride!" he announced proudly, unaware of the group approaching.
"Little boss, second cub, third cub — look who's back!" Bai Di called joyfully.
The three little ones turned at once and spotted Si Lu.
"Mom! Mom! You're back!"
"Mother! I can talk — listen!"
"Yes! Yes! Both of us can talk! Mother won't have to worry about not understanding us anymore!"
They ran to Si Lu, circling her feet like excited puppies.
Si Lu laughed helplessly.
These cubs were dramatic and adorable — enough to make her dizzy with how fast they circled.
"Alright, alright, you three. If you spin around me again, I'm really going to faint." She ruffled each of their little heads.
They were too cute.
"Wow, Lulu — these little ones are all your cubs? How are they so beautiful and cute?" Jin Yang squatted down instantly, eyes glowing.
The land cubs were even cuter than he imagined. And their bloodlines… astonishing.
A white deer that looked like a mutated divine beast.A golden tiger with blood-red eyes.A three-tailed fox.
Amazing.
"Who are you? You're so pretty! And you're golden like me. Why do you smell like our mother? Oh! You must be our new father!" the little tiger asked in his tiny voice.
Everyone melted.
"Of course he's our mother's partner," Xiao Chengyu corrected. "We should call him Father. And Lan Po too."
He stared at both mermaids, noticing something.
"But why do you two look exactly alike? Same face, different colors. Are you brothers?"
"Smart little boss. Yes, Lan Po and I are brothers, and we are both your mother's partners. So you should call us Father." Jin Yang patted his head gently.
The cubs' eyes sparkled.
"Hello, Father!"
"Hello, both Fathers!"
The second and third cubs repeated obediently.
Their mother liked polite, well-behaved children — so that was what they would be.
"You three are wonderful," Jin Yang said warmly.
"Yes, adorable," Lan Po added.
"Alright, go play for now. Your mother just got back and she's probably tired," Bai Di told them.