Chapter Eight
The next morning, the cubs buzzed with excitement. Kaoshi gathered them around, showing them the bundles of licorice-thick grass strands she'd prepared. "These grasses are strong and won't tear easily," she explained, her hands weaving deftly. "Perfect for making backpacks."
Cowcow eagerly tried hers on, twirling with delight. "Mama, this bag is so convenient!"
Not to be outdone, Chawang and Kowlai both shouted, "I want one too!"
"Don't rush," Kaoshi said with a smile. "Everyone will have one."
By the time she finished weaving all the grass backpacks, night had begun to fall. After bathing and settling the cubs, Kaoshi sat beside Jin Ling.
"Manager," she asked softly, "how did you know Kowlai was upset about the red fruit today?"
Jin Ling glanced at the leftover red fruits, his voice calm but knowing. "Kowlai didn't care about the fruit. He cared about you."
The realization hit Kaoshi. She had been so focused on the more expressive Chawang and Cowcow that she had overlooked Kowlai's quieter need for affection. Though reserved, he still longed for her attention. She nodded. "I'll pay more attention to him from now on."
She paused, then added, "I promised the cubs I'd take them gathering in the mountains tomorrow."
"I'll go too," Jin Ling replied without hesitation. "We can hunt while you gather."
The next morning, Kaoshi rose early and stepped outside to find Jin Ling returning with two buckets of water.
"You're up," he said. "Wash up. I've already roasted the meat."
The cubs stirred and joined them, devouring breakfast quickly. Soon, Mi Lan and Lin Mu arrived.
As they reached the tribe's entrance, a sharp voice rang out.
"Mi Lan, stay away from those rogue beasts!" A white cat female glared at Kaoshi.
Mi Lan flushed and tried to explain. "Shishi isn't like that. She's different."
But her cousin, Mi Lei, wasn't convinced. "Rogue beasts are all bad news. Don't come crying to us when something happens."
Kaoshi's smile stayed steady. "Let's just focus on gathering."
Inside the forest, Kaoshi mentally reviewed their gathering list: black loose mushrooms, golden fruit, and grass fruit. She described the black loose mushrooms in detail to Mi Lan.
"You want what?!" Mi Lan recoiled. "Someone in our tribe died after eating those!"
Kaoshi calmly checked her gathering handbook. "They're not poisonous—just a natural sedative. He probably fell asleep and slipped."
Mi Lan hesitated, then nodded. "They grow deeper in the forest."
After separating from the others, Jin Ling asked, "Why black loose mushrooms?"
"I'm not sure yet. I just have a feeling they'll be useful."
They pushed deeper into the woods. Moist air clung to them, the smell of damp leaves thick in the air. "Mama, is that it?" Cowcow pointed.
Kaoshi followed her gaze. Tucked under fallen branches, a patch of black loose mushrooms gleamed in the shade.
They gathered the mushrooms quickly, then moved toward where Mi Lan had mentioned red fruit trees. But before they could go far, a sudden rustling erupted from the trees.
A massive brown bear beast lunged out.
"Manager!" Kaoshi shouted.
Jin Ling moved instantly, transforming mid-leap and crashing into the beast. The collision sent it flying.
"You take the cubs down the mountain!" Jin Ling growled.
Kaoshi didn't argue. She scooped up the cubs and sprinted back. As they neared the edge of the forest, they nearly collided with Hong Xi.
"A brown bear beast—Jin Ling is still in there," she said breathlessly.
Hong Xi gave her a long look, clearly surprised at her transformed appearance from yesterday. "You— You come with me," he told the other beastmen. Then, without further comment, he led them into the trees.
Kaoshi guided the cubs to Mi Lan and a group of female beastmen nearby.
"Shishi," Mi Lan said, taking her hand, "they saw the backpacks. They all want to learn how to make them."
A tall white cat female named Miji stepped forward. "We'll trade for them. Animal skins, anything."
"If you like them, I'll teach you," Kaoshi said.
Just as things were settling, Mi Lei appeared again.
"Don't trust her!" she snapped. "You're all being fooled."
"Mi Lei, stop," Mi Lan said firmly.
"She's different," Miji added. "She saved Mi Lan yesterday. We believe her."
Mi Lei, seeing she had no support, huffed and stormed off.
Afterward, Mi Lan led them to the red fruit trees. The cubs eagerly climbed to gather them, transforming into their beast forms and scrambling up like nimble shadows.
"Your cubs are so capable," Mi Lan said, awestruck.
"They're amazing," Kaoshi replied, heart full.
Once their backpacks were full of red fruits, Kaoshi asked about grass fruits.
Mi Lan frowned. "I've never heard of them."
They searched on the way back down. Suddenly, Mi Lei kicked a yellow fruit aside. "Ugh. Emperor fruits again."
Kaoshi's eyes lit up. "These… these are potatoes!"
Everyone else looked confused.
"They're delicious when roasted. You'll see."
She eagerly filled her bag with the earthy treasures.
Back at the edge of the forest, she was still worrying about Jin Ling when several male beastmen emerged, carrying the defeated brown bear. Jin Ling followed behind.
Kaoshi ran straight to him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said.
Still, she checked him all over. Satisfied, she turned to Hong Xi. "Thank you."
"You live in the tribe now. We won't ignore you," he replied before walking off.
Back at the stone house, Kaoshi began cleaning the black loose mushrooms while Jin Ling took the prey to be distributed. When she saw Cowcow bite into a raw emperor fruit and grimace, she laughed.
"Not raw, silly. Mama will roast it for you later."
Meanwhile, on his way back, Jin Ling was intercepted by none other than Mi Lei.
She sized him up brazenly. "You're Jin Ling, right? Why are you still with that rogue beast?"
"That's none of your business," he said curtly.
She stepped closer. "Be my mate. I'm the most fertile female in the tribe. I can give you a litter of cubs right away."
Jin Ling brushed past her without a glance.
"No male has ever rejected me!" she shouted.
But he was already gone.
She glared after him, fists clenched. "No matter what it takes, I'll make you mine."