Chapter 180: I

On the day A Nuan gave birth, Su Mo was called over early by her Beast Husband to help.

When she emerged holding the two little ones, several of A Nuan's Beast Husbands crowded over with nervous faces.

The two wolf cubs slept peacefully in their swaddles, and the few people looked at the sleeping youngsters with gentle expressions, nervous and unsure what to do.

Su Mo took the hand of A Nuan's wolf Beast Husband and slipped a cub to him: "Don't be nervous, and don't grip too hard; just hold it gently."

"There's another one; who wants to hold it?"

The rabbit Beast Husband chuckled, "I… I want to hold it."

Su Mo demonstrated again, then handed the cub in her arms over.

Soon A Nuan's several Beast Husbands gathered, excitedly discussing.

Su Mo turned her head and saw inside the house A Nuan's eagle Beast Husband crouched by her bedside, offering concern.

Soon, people in the Tribe who knew A Nuan learned the news and rushed over to congratulate.

The courtyard buzzed for a while; Su Mo and her few Beast Husbands helped A Nuan's Beast Husbands cook.

During the gathering, the neighbors talked about the cubs' full‑moon banquet; A Nuan's Right Husband chuckled, "I'll discuss this with the Wife Master later, and once the date is set we'll let everyone know."

After sending off the neighbors and relatives that afternoon, Su Mo went to the room to see A Nuan and her cubs.

The little wolf cub fell asleep again, its dream unknown, its mouth curled in an adorably cute smile.

When Su Mo was about to leave, she left a bag of coins for A Nuan, who handed it back saying, "What are you doing? Lately you're either giving things or giving money. I have money! I've earned enough coins from you, so take them back quickly!"

She slipped the coins under A Nuan's pillow: "These are my god‑son and god‑daughter; the full‑moon banquet must be grand! When I come, I can't let my god‑mother's face be embarrassed."

"Why are you always like this, making me feel I'll never be able to repay you…" A Nuan said, eyes reddened, looking at her.

Su Mo smiled faintly, "Who's asking you to pay it back! Don't cry; you mustn't cry right now."

"By the way, once the cubs get bigger, stuff them all into the school Huang Ming just founded!" Su Mo's eyes flashed with a sly smile: "That way they won't be climbing on the roof and pestering you at home."

A Nuan couldn't hold back a laugh, "They don't have names yet; why don't you give them some?"

Su Mo's gaze shifted to the two little ones and said, "Let's call them Yun Zhao and Feng Yao—free and unbound."

At dusk, she and Mo Xiao and a few others returned from A Nuan's house; before they entered, they saw Huang Ming waiting at the doorway.

Lately Huang Ming has been busy with the school, his face showing a hint of fatigue.

Seeing Su Mo, he hurried over: "Miss Su, most of the arrangements are done, but only a few cubs are willing to go over to study…"

"No rush; take it slow, and eventually more will come." Su Mo looked at his dark circles and said, "Don't overwork yourself; this isn't something that changes overnight. I suggested you run a school, but I didn't tell you to sell your life."

Huang Ming scratched his head awkwardly: "Hey, I think Miss Su's words make sense. And the books you gave are really great!"

Recently Su Mo exchanged many books from System Space, having Fei Yan hand them to Huang Ming. After reading them, he'll likely have a clearer view of the future.

However, Su Mo thought that he couldn't finish them in a short time; a whole room of books had cost her many points… the thought made her stomach ache.

"If the Shaman Doctor side lacks coins, I can spare a few more. As for lacking people, just call the few at my home to help."

Huang Ming waved his hand embarrassedly: "We don't lack coins, nor people!"

Since he put the school into action, Su Mo's side has actually helped a lot and spent many coins; he feels quite embarrassed, unable to produce results quickly.

"Should the Shaman Doctor stay for dinner?"

Huang Ming quickly declined: "I won't have dinner; I have matters at home, I'm heading back now!"

Honestly, he's been freeloading on meals these past days, so he feels a bit ashamed.

After speaking, Huang Ming turned and left, his figure soon disappearing into the dusk.

At the village entrance, Huang Ming saw Feiyun hurrying toward him.

Feiyun had evidently just finished at the clinic; upon learning he was here, he rushed over.

Today Huang Ming was occupied with school matters, while Feiyun handled all the clinic's affairs; the fatigue was certain, but the growth was visible to the naked eye.

Feiyun stood there, absent‑mindedly staring toward Su Mo's house.

Huang Ming sighed, "Don't look; some people are meant to stay only in the heart."

Feiyun frowned, his tone low, "Does the Shaman Doctor not like Miss Su?"

Huang Ming paused, then said, "He likes her, but our kind of liking is different; I just appreciate her."

He then looked up at the crescent moon in the sky and said, "Some people are like the moon in the heavens; you can pause to look, but never imagine grasping that light in your hand. If you force it, it's destined to be an illusion. Her existence is only to drive you toward a better self."

"Perhaps we should all be grateful for this encounter."

When Su Mo went to see A Nuan again, she was almost out of her confinement period. She had spent the whole day helping at a market stall, and returned straight to A Nuan.

The two cubs were plump, looking irresistibly cute; when cupped in the palm they felt soft and fluffy like clouds. Their chubby little paws were squeezable and smelled of milk.

Su Mo lowered her gaze at the little one snoring peacefully in her arms, her eyes soft beyond words.

Indeed, whatever it is, it's cutest when it's young.

It was just unlucky today that they fell asleep; she couldn't possibly wake the sleeping little ones, could she~

A Nuan exclaimed excitedly, "The full‑moon banquet is almost ready; when the time comes I'll be overwhelmed, you must definitely come help me host!"

Su Mo nodded, "Of course! You've prepared everything according to my menu, right?"

"Hmm, speaking of it, your menu really challenges my Beast Husbands! It's too complicated to make, and they've been busy training lately."

"Oh, you're already feeling sorry for them? The dishes have to be made that way—delicious and hygienic. I'm doing this for your own good!"

A Nuan laughed, "No, there's nothing to it; why would I feel sorry for them over this? I know, they're all clear about it! Those aunties have also started cooking using your methods."

Su Mo left A Nuan's house after dinner; the moonlight was cool as water, spreading a silvery frost over the dusk. A gentle breeze brushed the swaying trees, and amid the scattered glimmers she saw a familiar figure.

Xuan Qing was still dressed in plain robes, his silver hair drifting faintly in the evening breeze.

She couldn't recall how long it had been since they last met; seeing each other again felt like a surreal illusion.

Su Mo's heart fluttered as the person arrived before her.

The night wind brushed by; perhaps the distance was too close, her ink‑black hair and his silvery white strands briefly intertwined in the twilight, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, fleeting.

A lingering chill scented the air around his breath.

I came... to attend A Nuan's full-month banquet. His voice remained clear and cold: "By the way, I came to see you."

Su Mo raised her eyes to look at him, smiling slightly: "How has Third Young Master been lately?"

"Very well."

"Because you are well, I am also well."

"Then have you eaten?"

"No, I've been waiting for you."

Su Mo: "..."

She still ended up bringing him back and made him a simple dinner.

Xuan Qing ate this dinner unusually slowly, each bite chewed carefully and swallowed slowly; he clearly knew he was anticipating, anticipating her speaking up to keep him.

Actually, it's the same wherever you live, but he just wanted to be greedy, to be a little closer to her.

Su Mo only felt that the people in the house tonight had mysteriously disappeared. It's already this late, yet they still haven't come back?

Xuan Qing finally finished the last bite in his bowl; it seemed he had no excuse to stay any longer.

Just as he rose to say his goodbyes, a soft rustling of footsteps sounded outside.

Fei Yan walked over with a smile: "Wife Master, Third Young Master has been waiting for you all day; he has no acquaintances in the North Wing, and it's getting late, so I've taken the liberty of preparing a room for him."

Su Mo opened her mouth but before she could speak, Xuan Qing said: "Sorry for the disturbance, thank you."

"You're welcome; around here... Third Young Master is quite familiar, so make yourself at home."

After Su Mo left, Xuan Qing and Fei Yan exchanged a glance; Fei Yan smiled: "All your belongings from before are in the room."

"Thank you."

There is only one day left until A Nuan's baby's full-month banquet; these past two days Su Mo has been running over to her place frequently.

At leisure, A Nuan watched that busy white figure in her courtyard and deliberately said: "Should I thank you? I invited the guests, yet I'm troubling you to take care of them—how embarrassing!"

Su Mo couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Drop the fake pleasantries, it's fine! Anyway, he won't be staying more than a few days."

A Nuan just laughed it off.

In the evening, Su Mo also helped her beast husband confirm tomorrow's dishes; by the time she returned, it was already very late.

A lively scene of tomorrow flashed in her mind, and she felt a bit anticipatory!

After a tiring day, she should have slept well, but tonight she seemed to have a premonition of something, lying in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Mo Xiao reached out and scooped up the restless sleeper, asking softly: "What's wrong?"

Before Su Mo could speak, a cold ray pierced the window, and a swift arrow, faster than one could cover their ears, shattered the window and rushed straight to the bedside!