Chapter 136 - 133: Little Deer Takes the Initiative to Join the Family

Nan Zishi said, "I want meat."

"A female?" The Beastman distributing the meat looked up at her and asked, "How much do you want?"

"Two portions," Nan Zishi said. "Thank you."

The Beastman picked out a fresh piece of meat from the side and cut two large chunks for her. "Here you go."

The Beastman said, "You’re quite polite. This is the first time a female has ever said ’thank you’ to me."

Next, Nan Zishi went to the area where hay was being given out. "I also need one portion of hay."

After noticing she was a female, the Beastman distributing the hay found the freshest, most tender grass in the pile, bundled a large amount, and handed it to Nan Zishi. "Here."

Nan Zishi left with the meat and hay.

The Beastmen in line stared intently at her.

"When did such a beautiful female arrive in our mining district?!"

"A female this beautiful must have a Beast Husband with her in the mining district."

"My heavens, she’s gorgeous, truly gorgeous. I’d even be willing to be her slave!"

"This female is so beautiful. Just a little on the thin side."

"Now you’re being picky? What does it matter to you if she’s thin or not?"

"Don’t even think about it. With a female that beautiful, her Beast Husband must be very powerful."

The discussion about Nan Zishi continued for a long time after she left.

She carried the meat back.

She and Xuan Jin would roast and eat the two pieces of meat.

The bundle of hay would be a gift for the Little Deer, to thank him for telling her about the spring.

"What are you doing? Let me down!"

Hearing the commotion at the cave entrance, Nan Zishi rushed over!

It was chaotic at the cave entrance. Two Gray Bear Beastmen had appeared at the opening of her neighbor, the Little Deer cub’s, small cave. One of the Gray Bear Beastmen had domineeringly lifted the entire Little Deer cub up.

The other Gray Bear Beastman raised his foot and trampled the grass the Little Deer cub had worked so hard to grow!

The Little Deer cub’s expression changed drastically. He was desperate to protect his grass. "What are you doing, stepping on my grass?! That’s grass I worked so hard to grow!!"

"You’re the cub of a Slave Beast, aren’t you? You don’t have a beast father or female mother, right?" the Gray Bear Beastman asked arrogantly.

The Little Deer cub’s face fell. "No, I’m not, I’m not!"

"It’s not easy for a Weak Beastman cub to survive alone in the slave grounds. And here you are, secretly hiding a water source to water your grass. Speak! Where is the water source you’re using?!"

The Gray Bear Beastman punched him directly in the stomach. "If you don’t talk, you’re dead!"

The punch sent the Little Deer cub to the ground. He clutched his stomach and curled up in pain.

For some reason, Nan Zishi’s heart skipped a beat. She saw the Little Deer lift his head and look at her.

In that instant, Nan Zishi suddenly understood why the Little Deer had told her the location of the spring.

’He witnessed Xuan Jin’s strength and saw me easily collect a large bag of ore.’

’He saw our power. He wants to join a family. He’s seeking protection.’

’That’s why he "casually" appeared before me, revealing his clean little face to attract my attention, guiding me to the spring, and making me indebted to him.’

’Just like right now...’

’He really is quite clever, just as he’d implied.’

"Stop!" Nan Zishi shouted.

The Little Deer cub’s emerald eyes sparkled. Clutching his stomach, he ran to Nan Zishi and gently tugged on the hem of her skirt. "...Sister!"

’Step three of the plan: complete.’

Nan Zishi gave the sly little thing a cool glance.

The Little Deer cub froze for a second.

’This look... it’s a little different from what I expected, isn’t it?’

"A female?" The two Gray Bear Beastmen suddenly found the situation tricky. "You little cub, you’ve attached yourself to a female?"

Even though they felt the female before them was very weak, it was still not a good idea to offend her.

"This Little Deer cub, is he yours?"

Nan Zishi shielded the Little Deer cub behind her. "Yes. He’s a cub from my Beast Family."

"I can’t believe he’s a little cub with a family. What a pain."

That’s how it is in this world. As long as you’re a female, you have special privileges.

And only by joining a family can you receive its protection.

The two Gray Bear Beastmen glared at the Little Deer cub. "You got off easy. Let’s go."

The Little Deer cub walked toward Nan Zishi, holding his stomach.

"You little thing, scheming against me at such a young age?"

The Little Deer cub abruptly stopped in his tracks.

"You calculated that I would show up, so you deliberately washed your face and appeared before me. You calculated my return time so that I would see you being bullied right as I got back? How could there be such a coincidence in the world? Were those two Gray Bear Beastmen also part of your scheme?"

’I was so subtle, how did she find out?’

’This female is more perceptive and intelligent than I imagined.’

’But getting exposed doesn’t mean I’ve failed.’

’How you handle your mistakes after you’ve made them is also crucial.’

The Little Deer reacted quickly. He trotted a few steps forward and apologized directly. "Pretty sister. I... I’m sorry."

’Quick-witted, fast to react, smart, and quick to apologize.’

’No wonder he can survive in the mining district.’

Nan Zishi turned and walked into the cave.

The Little Deer followed her into her cave like a little tail. He found a suitable spot for himself and slowly sat down.

"Why don’t you explain yourself?" Nan Zishi said.

The grubby-faced Little Deer sat up straight and said, "Those two Gray Bear Beastmen have wanted my water for a long time. Right as you were about to reach the cave, I provoked them a bit, mentioned the water, and they came out to cause trouble for me.

Pretty sister, you were right. I want to join your Beast Family and seek protection."

"But why should I take you in?" Nan Zishi looked at him curiously.

The little cub said nervously, "You already told the Gray Bear Beastmen that I’m a cub from your family. You’re an adult. Adults can’t go back on their word!"

"There are so many powerful Beastmen in the mining district. Do you have to stay with my family?"

"Mhm." The little cub nodded earnestly.

Nan Zishi found him more and more adorable.

"You’re pretty smart, aren’t you? When did you come up with this whole plan to join a Beast Family?" Nan Zishi propped her chin on her hand, studying him.

"The moment I saw you today." The little cub no longer lied to her, answering honestly. "I grew up alone in the mining district. I wouldn’t survive if I didn’t use my brain."

"But sister, I really did plant the grass, and I really did find the spring. And my face really does look like this. It’s just that I usually make myself look ugly in the mining district."

The Little Deer cub continued to pitch himself. "Also, sister, I’m useful. I’m very good at planting. Very good!"

"If you pass me up, you’ll definitely regret it!" the Little Deer cub said with certainty.

’Keep me, keep me, keep me, keep me, keep me!’

Nan Zishi was charmed by how cute the little guy looked while earnestly selling himself.

’Such a beautiful, cute, and clever little cub!’

"You’re really good at planting?"

The Little Deer cub said eagerly, "Yes!"

She teased him curiously, "How good? I can plant too. If your planting skills are worse than mine, then you won’t be of much use to me, you know."

The Little Deer cub immediately sat up straight. "I can prove it! Sister, come with me."