Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off-Chapter 381: The Young Merman’s Resolve

A while later, the sound of soft footsteps came from the entrance of the cave.

Su Qinglan looked up.

Lan Yue walked in, her long hair still slightly damp. She had clearly just finished bathing. She was wearing a dress very similar to Su Qinglan’s.

The cloth was the same soft sea silk material, light and smooth. The design was also similar, showing her shoulders and her waist, with a short skirt around her hips.

Lan Yue looked refreshed and radiant.

The moment she saw Su Qinglan and the three cubs, her eyes lit up.

"Sister Qinglan!" she called out happily.

She quickly walked over and then suddenly paused. Her eyes widened as she looked Su Qinglan up and down.

"Sister Qinglan, you look so beautiful!" she said excitedly.

Before Su Qinglan could react, Lan Yue began to circle around her, almost like an excited fan.

"If Brother Hu Yan saw you like this," she continued, "or any of your other beast husbands, they would definitely be drooling at the sight of you."

She clasped her hands together dramatically.

"You’re really too beautiful!"

Su Qinglan’s ears turned slightly red from the praise. "What are you saying? Don’t talk nonsense."

"Stop spinning around like that," she continued quickly, reaching out to hold Lan Yue’s arm. "You’re about to give birth. Walk carefully."

Lan Yue laughed softly and looked down at her round belly.

"It’s really not that serious," she said. "Giving birth for mermaids is not painful like it is for land females."

She gently touched her stomach.

"For us, it’s very simple. We just lay eggs. It’s not painful at all, so you don’t have to worry."

But Su Qinglan’s expression was still tense.

"Do I need to prepare anything?" she asked. "What should I do? I really don’t know anything about this."

Lan Yue couldn’t help laughing again.

"Sister, don’t worry," she said. "We’re in the sea tribe now. There are many females here, and they will definitely help me."

She smiled.

"There is also an old female who has helped many mothers give birth. She is very experienced. She will take good care of me."

Only then did Su Qinglan relax a little.

Just as they were talking, a voice suddenly came from outside the cave.

"Can I come in?" the voice asked politely. "I’ve brought food for the females."

Lan Yue turned toward the entrance.

At the cave opening stood a tall and handsome young merman. His appearance was refined, and he carried a large bowl of fresh meat.

Lan Yue leaned closer to Su Qinglan and whispered softly.

"He’s Uncle Tang’s second son. The one Uncle Tang wanted to matchmake you with."

Su Qinglan’s scalp tingled.

These beastmen were really something. They didn’t even know the female, yet they were already trying to push their sons toward her. Are they not afraid that she is a bad female?

She lightly elbowed Lan Yue.

"Go on," she whispered. "Aren’t you his sister in law? Go and see him. I really don’t want to talk to anyone right now."

Lan Yue couldn’t help laughing.

She walked toward the entrance and took the meat from the young man’s hands.

"Thank you, Manis," she said with a smile. "Your elder brother is coming back soon, right?"

She immediately changed the topic to his older brother.

The young man’s face brightened.

"Yes!" he said happily. "Father already sent a message. Elder Brother will return soon."

He grinned.

"Sister in law, you’ll see him very soon."

He called her sister in law again and again, clearly very excited.

Lan Yue smiled warmly.

She had met him many times before. Most importantly, this young man was actually a year younger than her.

She almost laughed when she noticed him secretly glancing toward Su Qinglan inside the cave.

She knew her sister well.

Su Qinglan preferred older males, strong, muscular, and a little rough around the edges. This young, gentle looking merman had no chance at all.

It would be better if he did not chase her. There was no hope from the beginning.

She would feel sad if his heart got broken later.

So she gently tried to console him.

But the young man seemed to see through her thoughts.

Lan Yue could only smile helplessly when she saw the determination in the young man’s eyes.

"Sister in law, I will try," he repeated. "She will see how strong I am in the trials. I’m only second to my elder brother."

Lan Yue sighed softly.

She lowered her voice and spoke gently, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"Manis," she said, "listen to me for a moment."

He looked at her, still smiling, clearly confident.

"You’ve met Sister Qinglan only once," she continued. "Do you really like her that much already?"

Manis scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Well... she’s very beautiful," he admitted. "And she looks kind too. And she smells nice."

Lan Yue almost laughed, but she held it back.

"That’s exactly the problem," she said softly. "You only know her appearance. You don’t really know her."

Manis frowned slightly. "Then I’ll get to know her."

Lan Yue shook her head.

"Sister Qinglan’s situation is very different from the females here," she said. "She already has many beast husbands. And all of them are very strong."

Manis stiffened a little, but he still did not give up.

"That’s fine," he said. "If I work hard, I can also become strong."

Lan Yue looked at him carefully.

He was sincere. There was no arrogance or bad intention in his eyes. He simply admired Su Qinglan and wanted a chance.

That made her feel even more reluctant to hurt him.

She spoke in a softer voice.

"Manis, you’re still young," she said. "You’re only a year younger than me. You haven’t even experienced the world much yet."

He opened his mouth to argue, but she raised her hand gently.

"Listen first," she said.

He fell silent.

"Sister Qinglan..." Lan Yue continued, "she prefers older males. The kind who are strong, steady, and experienced. The kind who can protect her without hesitation."

She gave him a small smile.

"You’re gentle and good natured. That’s not a bad thing at all. Many females would like someone like you."

"But Sister Qinglan is different."

Manis’s shoulders drooped slightly.

"So... I really have no chance?" he asked quietly.

Lan Yue hesitated, then spoke honestly but softly.

"From the start, the chances were very small," she admitted. "And once her mates return, it will be even harder." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Manis lowered his head.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Lan Yue felt a little guilty and quickly added, "But that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough."

He looked up again.

"You’re still young," she said. "In a few years, you’ll grow stronger. You’ll become more mature. Many females will like you then."

She smiled warmly.

"Why waste your time chasing someone who isn’t suitable for you? Wouldn’t it be better to find a female who truly matches you?"

Manis was silent for a moment.

Then he let out a small sigh.

"But she’s really beautiful," he muttered.

Lan Yue finally laughed softly.

"Yes, she is," she agreed. "Even I think she’s beautiful."

Manis rubbed his nose.

"But... I still want to try," he said stubbornly. "Even if there’s only a small chance."

Lan Yue looked at him, then shook her head with a helpless smile.

"You really are stubborn," she said.

"That’s because I’m a good fighter," he replied proudly. "I never give up easily."

Lan Yue chuckled.

"Alright," she said. "You can try. But promise me something."

Manis looked at her curiously. "What is it?"

"If she rejects you," Lan Yue said gently, "don’t be sad for too long. And don’t cause trouble for her or her mates. Can you promise that?"

Manis thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.

"I promise," he said. "If she really doesn’t like me, I won’t force it."