Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off-Chapter 396: A Fluttering Heart

Almost a week had passed since Lan Yue gave birth.

Life had fallen into a peaceful rhythm. Lan Yue was slowly nursing herself back to full health, glowing more each day, while the little fry grew plumper and bigger.

Most importantly, Lan Yue and Tang Shui had grown even closer.

Spending time together, raising their newborn, sharing soft glances and quieter smiles... it was almost sickeningly sweet.

And the only truly lonely soul in all this domestic bliss? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Su Qinglan.

It would be a lie to say she was not jealous.

Every time she looked at Lan Yue and Tang Shui together, she would inevitably think of her own husbands.

Where were they? When were they coming back? Were they even looking for her... or had they forgotten her entirely?

Her gaze dropped to the cubs rolling at her feet.

They were completely carefree. Not a single trace of worry on their round little faces.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Did you all forget that you have fathers too?" she muttered.

Back in the tribe, if she so much as disappeared for a few breaths, they would create absolute chaos. Crying, howling, overturning things, pure disaster. But now? Not even one dramatic tantrum about missing their fathers.

Unbelievable.

She reached down and lightly pinched Xiao Er’s chubby cheek.

"Baby, do you miss your father?"

Xiao Er, who had been baring his tiny teeth fiercely at his brother, immediately froze and turned to look at her.

"Father?"

His round eyes blinked.

"What is father?"

Seeing his utterly confused expression, Su Qinglan burst into laughter and scooped him into her arms, tickling his soft belly.

"You heartless little thing! Your father loves you so much, and it hasn’t even been a month, and you already forgot him?"

"A wo ooo!"

Xiao Er began howling dramatically.

Mother, why would I remember father? He only gives milk. But now I am big. I do not need milk anymore!

Unfortunately, Su Qinglan could not understand a single word.

From the side, Xiao Yi saw his brother monopolizing their mother’s affection. His tiny tiger pride immediately ignited.

He lunged forward and bit Xiao Er’s back paw, trying to drag him out of Su Qinglan’s arms.

Xiao Er yelped and kicked him square on the nose.

Stay away! Mother is asking me serious questions!

Xiao Yi did not listen. He was furious at the kick.

He, the mighty future tiger king, had been kicked by his younger brother?

Outrageous!

He immediately pounced at Xiao Er with his fluffy paw.

Xiao Er, equally offended, pounced back.

And just like that...

The two mighty beasts rolled into the dirt, biting, kicking, and growling with all their strength.

"Meeoooow!"

"Meeeow!"

Su Qinglan blinked.

Why did this fierce tiger battle sound suspiciously like kittens arguing over a fish bone?

She covered her mouth and laughed.

Looking at their dramatic rolling, she gently nudged Xiao San, who was perched elegantly on top of her head.

"Go join them too. See? Your brothers are practicing to become fierce warriors."

Xiao San glanced down at the chaotic scene with open disdain.

How childish.

What was so glorious about rolling in the dirt and screaming like crying cubs?

He was already a fierce warrior.

He had silently cultivated to become a one striped beastman. He was clearly more powerful than them. Why would he need to participate in something like that?

If he joined them with his powers, he was afraid he might accidentally crush them with his strength.

If he joined them in small snake form...

He imagined one of those smelly tiger butts plopping down on him.

Xiao San gagged internally.

In both scenarios, he refused.

He preferred sticking close to his mother, who smelled so good. And it was very dignified too.

Unfortunately, his mother did not understand dignity.

The next second, he found himself gently plucked off her head and placed right on top of Xiao Er’s fluffy skull.

Xiao San: "..."

An enormous version of Su Qinglan’s smiling face loomed above him.

"Baby, go play with your brothers. Do not be bored."

Who was bored?

He was perfectly content.

But before he could protest further, Xiao Er suddenly pounced on Xiao Yi, and with the violent momentum...

Xiao San felt himself jolted like a leaf in a storm.

Brother! For the sake of your very wise younger brother, do not shake me like this! My belly feels like it is turning into knots!

He hissed furiously.

Useless.

Neither of the big, brainless tigers understood snake language.

Why did he only have two oversized brothers with muscles but no intelligence?

He wanted a little snake brother. Someone who could understand him.

Even better... he wanted to transform into human form already. Then he could speak clearly to his mommy and tell her properly how much he loved her.

He should be able to transform, right?

He had already gained a stripe. Now he was powerful.

But... how exactly does one transform?

He frowned internally.

He could only wait until his useless father returned. That man had disappeared for such a long time.

And below him, the two future kings of the forest continued their epic kitten battle.

"Meeoooow!"

"Meeeow!"

Su Qinglan laughed so hard her shoulders trembled.

But suddenly she stopped when she sensed something and looked out of the cave. Why did her heart suddenly flutter?

Wait a minute! Are they here?

Her eyes widened with anticipation. Or had she just gone paranoid thinking about them? That everything felt like them. That even the air smelled like their masculine scent.

Had she become so obsessed and lonely that she was sniffing the air like a dog?

"Host... you did not become a dog... because your mighty husbands have really arrived to take their female back," Xuyu’s happy voice rang out.

"What? Really?" She immediately sprang to her feet.

Xuyu nodded. "Yes, Host! And if you do not go and appear before them, I fear half of the shore will turn red from blood, because they were actually blocked by the patrolling team."

"The entire mermaid tribe has reinforced their warriors due to the sudden arrival of many powerful beastmen."

Su Qinglan’s eyes widened. She immediately ran out of the cave, leaving only a few words to her babies. "Babies, do not go anywhere. Mommy will be back."

The fighting cubs immediately stopped and were stunned. Why was Mommy in such a rush?

Su Qinglan was not afraid of leaving them alone, as it was not the first time. And most importantly, they had already grown bigger and smarter, and she knew this tribe was absolutely safe.

But the cubs were stunned and suddenly felt their mother’s excitement.

Without hesitation, Xiao Yi and Xiao Er scrambled to their paws and chased after her with all their might, their tiny legs pumping furiously.

Xiao San, who had still been lying elegantly on top of Xiao Er’s head, suddenly found himself bouncing violently.

"...?"

Before he could react, Xiao Er dashed forward. And just like that, Xiao San was carried along for the ride.

He clung desperately.

Brother! If you must run, at least run smoothly! I am a refined snake, not a decorative headband!

But neither tiger brother paid attention.

Their small paws thudded rapidly against the ground as they chased after their mother.

Xuyu was stunned. Poor babies! The silly Host does not care about her babies when her lovers come.

Sigh!

Poor babies!

If your mother does not love you, the system loves you very much!