Chapter 149: Hot Pot Dipping

The atmosphere in the courtyard fell into silence the instant Yun Li's remark about "favoritism" was spoken.

When Ke Si looked at Yun Li, he for the first time felt there was something pleasing about her; although this female was somewhat cold toward Chang Yue, she was truly kind to her Beast Husband.

No wonder Chang Yue once said something like "He doesn't like her, but he likes the way she looks at her Beast Husband"; the more she treats her Beast Husband well, the more Chang Yue will probably like her.

When Ke Si's gaze fell on Chang Yue, he indeed saw that his eyes on Yun Li had become even more focused.

Yet Yun Li felt a hint of uncomfortable aggression in Chang Yue's stare, though the feeling faded quickly.

Of course, the most important thing was Mu Qing bringing out two trays of nicely sliced grilled meat; Chang Yue's attention instantly shifted to Mu Qing, and he stood up and asked, "Need any help?"

He was only asking out of politeness; in fact, he had already moved to Mu Qing's side, ready to head to the kitchen together.

Mu Qing did not refuse.

After all, Chang Yue is currently courting Yun Li; if everyone has come over and he doesn't act quickly, is he planning to win Yun Li over just with his looks and words?

The two entered the kitchen together, and soon brought out more dishes.

Only many of them were raw; Ke Si saw this and couldn't help but frown.

"These are all raw?"

"They're for the hot‑pot later, to eat while dipping. Otherwise, with so many mouths at home, how long would it take to finish cooking?"

After Yun Li finished speaking, she went to the kitchen to see how far Leng Xiu and the others had gotten.

The Beast‑World style hot‑pot broth could never match a modern flavor, since the broth requires many large spices that Yun Li doesn't recognize; she only knows what a few names are for, and having never seen the raw star‑anise or cinnamon, she couldn't possibly identify them.

So the hot‑pot base they use now is a haphazard mix that Yun Li cobbled together from vague memories; since the taste is passable, they've kept the method.

When she came over, Leng Xiu stepped out and pushed her away, "It's smoky here; just wait outside."

Yun Li glanced at Leng Xiao, who was still chopping meat, and mouthed to Leng Xiu toward Leng Xiao, "Did you just say that?"

A hint of helplessness flashed in Leng Xiu's eyes; he reached out, hugged his female, and planted a heavy kiss on her cheek, "Just caring about him? What about me?"

Yun Li, hearing him say that, knew their conversation was fine; otherwise Leng Xiu wouldn't have the mind to shift the topic with me here.

"You also matter."

She gave Leng Xiu's lips a light peck.

She didn't dare press too hard, lest Leng Xiu catch her and make her legs go weak from his kiss.

In this matter, he wouldn't care whether Leng Xiao present would be jealous.

"Is that so?"

Leng Xiu lowered his head and kissed the female's forehead, "Then tonight I'll keep sleeping with you?"

Yun Li: …

Thinking of A Xiao's plaintive gaze this morning, how could she dare answer outright, especially since A Xiao was still listening behind A Xiu.

In the very second she hesitated, a heavy bone‑crushing sound echoed from the kitchen.

"Boom!"

Leng Xiao's bitter voice came from behind Leng Xiu, "Tonight it's only me! If you two dare contest me, fine, then whoever sleeps with A Li has to add me as well."

Mu Qing and Chang Yue happened to return to the kitchen at that moment, Yun Li: …

Sometimes she really wishes she could crawl into a hole.

But then, seeing that Ke Si—perhaps out of boredom—had followed, and hearing that, he slightly furrowed his brows and instinctively glanced at the still‑embracing Leng Xiu and Yun Li.

He had no idea that just coming to look would let him hear all this.

Chang Yue felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this and couldn't help directing his gaze toward Yun Li.

Yun Li, after noticing their stares, really wanted to bury her head in Leng Xiu's arms and never come out—what on earth is happening!

She gently tugged at Leng Xiu, signaling him to break free.

Leng Xiu, however, lowered his head and asked first, "So what does A Li think?"

Yun Li's fists tightened; with outsiders present, why ask such a thing.

She looked up and smiled, "I think the three of you sleeping together tonight would be nice."

Leng Xiu: …

Hearing that, Mu Qing's mouth twitched upward a bit; after all, he's been out early and back late these days, and the turn doesn't come to him.

The three of them sleeping together means no one can accompany A Li—fair enough!

Leng Xiao let out a cold snort from the kitchen, but didn't retort Yun Li's words then; otherwise he'd truly anger his female, and he'd probably have to wait half a month or a month to earn A Li's favor.

His brother, however, has been caring for A Li these past days, gaining A Li's special favor; perhaps feeling a bit cocky, he dares to ask such a question when outsiders are present.

Hmph! Serves you right!

"A Li~"

Leng Xiu let out a low sigh, and seeing Yun Li hum and tilt her head, he helplessly kissed her nose tip.

Fine, he was being too forward.

But if A Xiao clung to her and asked, A Li, though extremely shy, would definitely give an answer A Xiao likes.

Sure enough, younger brothers have hated it since childhood.

Leng Xiu quietly logged a grievance against Leng Xiao—there are far too many exceptional cases broken for Yun Li here, Mu Qing has the First Beast Husband role as a comfort, and only he, Leng Xiu, feels he constantly ends up as the cold bench in front of A Li.

Yun Li: … When coaxing her to push away A Xiao, neglecting A Qing, and bullying her to the point of tears, why didn't she say she was sitting on the cold bench herself?

………

Gurgle gurgle~

Rich meat aroma spread from the bubbling red broth as six beasts sat around the fire, dipping whatever they wanted.

Yun Li ate with a sweaty forehead, yet still asked A Xiu what he had been doing this morning.

"The male from the Lanxiang family disappeared; Ji Xuan and the others came to our house this morning looking for us."

She didn't doubt that Leng Xiu was behind it; the real target Leng Xiu wanted to act against was Lan Xiang.

He would settle scores with those males, and the damage wouldn't even reach Lan Xiang; he would consider it not worthwhile.

"Hmm, I've heard about this too."

Leng Xiu apparently heard about it on his way home; no surprise showed on his face. He said to Yun Li, "It doesn't concern us; later I'll go find Ji Xuan to talk about it."

He also, with Ji Xuan's help, erased any trace of his move against Lan Xiang.

"Hmm, Ji Xuan will come over this afternoon. When you do, also ask how their investigation is going."

Yun Li was a bit worried that Ji Chen might be behind it.

Previously, regarding her injury, Ji Chen was already a strong suspect, but even Ji Xuan hadn't yet discovered where those wandering Beastfolk were hiding; without evidence, they couldn't openly target Ji Chen.

Moreover, since he never goes out, Yun Li and the others have no chance to act against him.

After all, they've already acted once within the Tribe; if they do it a few more times, the Tribe's Beastfolk will realize they harbor murderous intent toward Ji Chen, which could cause a lot of trouble for their lives.

Hearing that, Leng Xiu understood immediately and replied, "Alright, I'll ask. This afternoon you go find Ahe and the others; remember to get the new clothes from Uncle Ge Li."

After Yun Li returned from Red Grass Valley, she kept her skills in tailoring and salt‑making low‑key, and instead sought trustworthy Beastfolk from Yuanbuluo, teaching them the arts of tailoring and weaving bamboo baskets.

She plans to both make use of them and allow them, through these two skills, to live a better life within the Tribe.