Chapter 545 - 542: Having Cubs

Chapter 545: Chapter 542: Having Cubs

Back in the Flood Dragon Tribe, she had seen other females give birth and had always thought it an incredibly painful and dangerous affair.

Now that it was time for Wanwan—whom she regarded as her own daughter—to give birth, her anxiety mounted daily. She was even more nervous than Wanwan herself.

Bai Wanwan, on the other hand, had to comfort her with a smile. "Aunt Shuang, look at me. I’ve already had so many litters, I’m used to it. It’s not as scary as you think. Please, relax. Don’t worry."

Her tone was light as she tried to smooth the worried furrows from Shuang Hua’s brow.

Just then, a faint rustling sound came from outside, as if someone was deliberately trying to be quiet.

As if she’d just found a welcome distraction, Shuang Hua shot up from the stone stool. "Wanwan, I’ll go see what that was."

With that, she gathered her skirts and hurried to the doorway.

There, she caught the limping, gray-haired Beastman red-handed.

He was fumbling to place a basket of fresh berries by the door.

The moment he saw Shuang Hua, he looked like a child caught doing something wrong. His cheeks flushed beet red, and he stammered out an apology. "S-Sorry!"

His reaction left Shuang Hua at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. "What are you apologizing for? I just wanted to thank you, but I really can’t accept this."

The male became even more flustered, his ability to form sentences seemingly deserting him. "I... no, it’s just... these are for you. I—I’ll be going now!"

He frantically set down the basket and turned to flee.

Quick as a flash, Shuang Hua grabbed his arm.

The male froze instantly, as if he’d been paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.

This time, it wasn’t just his face that flushed; a noticeable blush spread down his neck and across the sliver of his tan chest visible above his hide clothing, radiating a scorching heat.

"Thank you, but I really don’t need any of this. Please, take it back with you. I appreciate the thought..."

Shuang Hua’s voice was gentle as she tried to patiently persuade him.

Bai Wanwan didn’t try to overhear the rest. She just watched the doorway with a knowing smile, taking in the sight of the clumsy male in his awkward standoff.

Shuang Hua wasn’t outside for long. She soon returned, carrying the untouched wicker basket, a look of resignation on her face.

"He left?" Bai Wanwan asked with a smile.

"Yes. He refused to take it back, no matter what I said, then ran off faster than a startled gazelle." Shuang Hua shook her head and placed the basket in the corner.

Bai Wanwan simply smiled, saying nothing. She wouldn’t be the one to point it out.

She was all too familiar with the look in that male’s eyes whenever he glanced at Aunt Shuang—a mixture of gratitude, shyness, and barely concealed adoration.

It was the same way her own Beast Husbands looked at her, only their love was more overt and possessive. This male’s feelings were far more restrained and shy.

She wouldn’t meddle in Aunt Shuang’s love life. If Aunt Shuang was interested, she would be happy for them and offer her blessing. If she wasn’t, then Wanwan wouldn’t interfere.

Just then, two half-grown tiger cubs, chasing each other playfully, ran past outside. Caught up in their game, they let out excited yelps and charged in their direction.

The cub in the lead kicked off with its hind legs, intending to leap into its Mother’s soft, welcoming arms for refuge, just as it always did.

"Watch out!" Shuang Hua cried out, her face instantly draining of color.

The little tiger, despite trying to pull back, still bumped gently but firmly into Bai Wanwan’s swollen belly!

The smile on Bai Wanwan’s face instantly vanished, her features twisting as she instinctively clutched her stomach. "Urgh..."

A short, sharp pain radiated from the point of impact.

"What is it? Wanwan, are you in a lot of pain?" Shuang Hua was panic-stricken. She shot to her feet, her voice trembling. "I’ll go get Yin Ze!"

To give them some space to talk, Yin Ze had been playing with the other, younger cubs in an open area not far from the doorway.

The commotion inside had already caught his attention. Before Shuang Hua could even rush out, he was already striding through the door like a gust of wind.

"Wanwan!" Yin Ze’s eyes immediately locked onto her, clutching her stomach with a pale face. His expression changed in an instant. He rushed forward and, with movements that were both gentle and swift, scooped her into his arms. "Don’t be scared. I’m taking you to the Clan Witch!"

"D-don’t worry," Bai Wanwan managed, taking a breath. She fought through the lingering wave of pain, her voice surprisingly steady. "I just... I think I’m going into labor."

The two tiger cubs who had caused the trouble were frozen in place, utterly terrified. Their matching pairs of large, golden-brown eyes welled up with worry and guilt, on the verge of tears.

Though her stomach was cramping, Bai Wanwan forced a reassuring smile for her two frightened cubs. "My sweet little ones, Mommy’s okay. It just means your little brothers and sisters are about to be born. Go on home with your older brothers and sisters. As soon as the new babies are here, I’ll have you come see them, alright?"

The tears shimmered in the cubs’ eyes. Hearing their Mother’s gentle voice brought a little light back into them, but their overwhelming guilt kept them from getting any closer. They just hung their heads and trailed closely behind their older siblings, who had gathered around at the sound of the commotion.

All the cubs stared at her, their eyes wide with worry.

Yin Ze, still holding Bai Wanwan, moved with swift, steady steps. He carried her back to their bedroom and gently placed her on the large bed, which was layered with soft hides and a silk quilt.

He gently but firmly blocked the other cubs, who had rushed over to see what was happening, from entering the bedroom.

Bai Wanwan turned her head and saw a crowd of small heads peeking through the crack in the door. Pairs of eyes, all different colors yet all equally beautiful and innocent, were filled with nothing but pure worry and love for her, their Mother.

For a moment, the warmth of their love seemed to wash away some of the pain.

She managed a smile for her cubs, keeping her voice as steady as she could. "My little ones, just wait outside for a bit. Wait for Mommy to bring you some new little brothers and sisters, okay?"

"Okay..." The cubs chorused from outside the door, their high-pitched voices so obedient it was heartbreaking.

Yin Ze was about to close the door to go get the Clan Witch when a tall, slender figure approached at a brisk pace. It was Zhu Xiu, who had sensed his mate’s distress and hurried back.

He and Yin Ze exchanged a look. "I’ll take care of Wanwan," Zhu Xiu said curtly. "You watch the cubs. The Clan Witch... won’t be necessary for now. Wanwan has her own way of dealing with this."

He was referring to Bai Wanwan’s mysterious system.

"Alright." Yin Ze nodded immediately, backing out and gently closing the door, leaving them alone.

Zhu Xiu strode to the bedside and knelt on one knee. His cool, slender fingers closed tightly around Bai Wan’s chilled hand, while his other hand brushed across her forehead and cheek, which were beaded with cold sweat. His serpentine eyes were filled with concern. "Is it very painful this time? You’re a little pale."

"It was a little painful at first, but it’s much better now."

The first wave of contractions passed. Bai Wanwan took a deep breath as her consciousness sank inward. ’Just a moment.’