"Oh my…"
Lin Yao's breath hitched as she knelt beside the small body.
He was thin... too thin. The scars crisscrossed his arms and back, old and new layered together, many of them infected.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for his wrist.
A pulse.
It was weak. But there.
Relief hit her so hard her vision blurred.
"Hey… hey, it's okay." Her voice softened instinctively, gentle and steady even as her heart ached. "You're safe now. I promise."
The cub's eyelids fluttered. Yellow eyes cracked open, unfocused and frightened.
"A… ah…" His lips parted, the sound barely more than breath.
"Shh." Lin Yao shook her head quickly, already reaching for the nearest blanket. "Don't talk. You don't have to do anything. Just rest."
She wrapped him carefully, shielding him from the cold, from the world, from everything that had failed him before. Only when she carried him closer to the fire did she finally let herself breathe again.
[Dependent Bound]
[Litter #002 — Acknowledged]
[Reward Granted]
• Physical Strength increased to 30%
• Agility increased to 30%
• Beast Transformation unlocked when both reach 200%
Lin Yao didn't respond to the system. She simply settled him on her lap, cradling him.
The cub tensed instantly, his small body trembling as though he expected pain to follow kindness. His eyes squeezed shut, and a soft, broken sound slipped from his throat.
Lin Yao lifted a hand and slowly caressed his orange hair.
"You're safe," she repeated, firmer this time. "No one is touching you. Not ever again."
Gradually, his breathing evened out.
Only then did Luma creep closer, her violet eyes wide with shock and quiet curiosity.
"Yao-jie…" she whispered. "Who is he?"
Lin Yao glanced at her and offered a small smile, brushing a few flecks of dried mud from Luma's cheeks. She remembered what Madam Jin had called him.
"This is Ning," she said softly. "He's… family now."
Luma nodded solemnly and sat beside her, looking at the boy with sadness in her eyes.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Yes." Lin Yao nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving Ning.
Right now, he needed warmth. Water. Food. Time.
Behind them, thunder cracked outside the cave.
Her heart skipped.
Su Rui.
He was out there… with Madam Jin.
He had saved them... yet again.
Lin Yao carefully laid Ning closer to the fire before rising to her feet, ignoring the mud clinging to her clothes and skin.
"Keep an eye on him, Luma," she whispered. "I'll be right back."
Luma nodded seriously and gently patted Ning's head.
Lin Yao stayed only a moment at the cave entrance, scanning the space.
She grabbed the rats hanging from the wall and hurried outside, flinging them into the rain one by one.
Then she froze.
A massive white leopard emerged from the downpour, approaching calmly.
Madam Jin was nowhere in sight.
Lin Yao blinked in surprise as the leopard stopped before her, icy blue eyes focused on her face.
Did he kill Madam Jin?
The thought didn't horrify her.
It made her feel grateful.
She smiled.
That single expression made the leopard halt completely. His eyes widened slightly in surprise before a white glow engulfed his massive form.
When the light faded, Su Rui stood there instead, drenched, long white hair plastered to his back, his face flushed red.
Lin Yao took a small step back, blinking up at him.
"Is she…?" she asked quietly.
Su Rui smiled, his gaze never leaving her. "She's not coming back. Don't worry."
Lin Yao released a heavy breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you."
She stepped into the rain, letting it wash the remaining mud from her skin. Tilting her face toward the sky, she closed her eyes and took a moment to breathe.
This world… was just as cruel to children as her old one.
Lin Yao didn't know whether to call this fate a blessing or a curse.... All she knew was that she needed to protect the cubs she had now.
She turned back to Su Rui.
He was watching her with unsettling focus, white hair soaked, rain sliding down his sharp features. He looked almost unreal.
She cleared her throat and walked closer.
"Thank you for rescuing me… again," she said. "And yes.. if you're going to call me an idiot again, I'll agree with you."
Su Rui chuckled softly.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to call you an idiot. Because honestly… I don't know what's happening."
Lin Yao's lips parted.
"Then how did you find us?" she asked. "Didn't you leave?"
"I did," Su Rui said. "But I couldn't stay away. I tracked you to this place." He hesitated. "Not everyone knows this, but Madam Jin was dangerous. There were rumors she was a witch."
Lin Yao frowned.
"She was worse than a witch," she said coldly. "She was a cub trafficker."
Su Rui blinked. "A cub trafficker?"
"She sells cubs!" Lin Yao snapped. "There's an abused tiger cub in there. He's covered in scars."
The color drained from Su Rui's face. "What…?"
Lin Yao exhaled heavily. "Come inside. It's warmer."
She walked past him into the cave. He followed without another word.
Su Rui stopped short when he reached the fire. His gaze settled on Ning.
He crouched slowly, eyes darkening as he took in the scars, the thin limbs, the unhealthy pallor of the cub's skin.
Lin Yao watched him quietly before turning her attention to the cave, her expression thoughtful.
"Are you sure she isn't coming back?" she asked.
Su Rui straightened and met her gaze. "Yes. I'm sure."
Lin Yao nodded.
System, she thought. Will this cave work as shelter for the next month? Su Rui can stay with us as protection. He's saved us twice. He can't be a danger.
[Shelter task completed.]
[Additional rewards: All rewards doubled due to the presence of two dependents.]
[Does Host wish to receive rewards now?]
Lin Yao clenched her fists. Healing herbs would help Ning but she didn't want things appearing out of nowhere.
Not now, she decided.
She walked back toward the fire. "We'll stay here for a while."
Luma's ears twitched. "Okay."
Lin Yao smiled faintly. Luma always trusted her.
Su Rui studied her. "Are you sure?"
"The village is abandoned," Lin Yao replied. "And you said Madam Jin isn't coming back."
Su Rui's lips curved slightly. "Does that mean you trust me?"
Did she?
Lin Yao shrugged.
"Yes," she said honestly. "I think I do."