Chapter 193

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye the cold season was over. The little lions could already run, jump, and speak. Le Le could also walk upright now. All the changes that had occurred in the household over the past two months made Zhang Fan feel relieved.

After the ice and snow melted, the entire Shouren Xingqiu was brimming with vitality everywhere! The trees also sprouted new branches and tender leaves, and the grass on the lawn gradually poked out new green.

Listening to the birdsong drifting in from outside the window, Zhang Fan's heart was left with only peace. Walking to the window and pushing it open, he could see the four children playing and roughhousing in the courtyard.

Seeing the carefree smiles on their faces, Zhang Fan couldn't help but lightly curl the corners of his mouth, smiling faintly.

When Ba Ke Er returned home with his game, what he saw was his beloved partner, wearing the white robe he had personally sewn for him, standing outside the window with a gentle expression, watching the four children playing in the courtyard.

After landing in the courtyard carrying his game, Ba Ke Er hadn't even had time to set down the prey in his hands before his children had already "surrounded" him.

"Father! You're finally back! Are we having beef today?" Le Le stepped forward, grabbed Ba Ke Er's pant leg, lifted his head, and asked hopefully.

"Yeah! We're having beef today! Le Le and your brothers love beef the most, right?" Ba Ke Er casually tossed the game into a basin in the courtyard, lowered himself, looked at Le Le's cheeks, and said with a tender, affectionate expression.

Upon hearing that, Le Le realized he had guessed correctly and was overjoyed! Excitedly he grabbed his eldest brother's two front paws and said, "Great! Leyuan! We can really have beef today! Thank you so much, Father!"

But Le Le's joy hadn't lasted long before he looked up at Ba Ke Er, hesitating a bit, and asked, "Father, could you let Dad cook for us at noon today? We haven't eaten Dad's cooking in ages!"

Upon hearing Le Le's words, Ba Ke Er's expression changed instantly; he looked hurt at Le Le and asked, "Le Le, is Dad's cooking really that bad? Otherwise, why would all four of you dislike it so much?"

Seeing his father's expression, Le Le hurried to explain: "Ah! Father! No… it's not like that! Father! We also love your cooking! We definitely don't dislike it!"

Saying that, Le Le eagerly squeezed Leyuan's paw, then secretly gave his second brother Leyuan and little brother Leyuan a glance, signaling them to quickly cooperate and together comfort their father, who now looked hurt.

Leyuan and Leyuan were both very well‑behaved, remembering exactly what their eldest brother had taught them. So, one rolled over and the other quickly followed, tumbling to their father's feet.

Then they used their heads to rub against Ba Ke Er's trouser legs, softly whimpering to comfort their father.

However, Leyuan was different; although he wasn't sharp enough to see through his father's pretense at a glance, he wasn't completely oblivious either. He simply stood off to the side, reluctantly following his eldest brother's instruction and letting out a soft call.

At the same time, he wore a look of amused interest, watching his younger brothers rub against their father's feet.

Seeing his children so adorable, Ba Ke Er's heart felt like it could melt; his smile welled up uncontrollably, and he kept rubbing the tops of the four children's heads.

"The kids are so good! All right, Father isn't sad anymore. Later we'll go find Dad and have him make something delicious for you, okay?"

At that moment, the formerly mature‑looking Leyuan finally showed a smile befitting his age, then joined his eldest brother and younger brothers in laughing together.

From the very beginning, everything that happened in the courtyard was plainly visible to Zhang Fan, who stood by the window.

Seeing Le Le act like a little adult filled Zhang Fan with an indescribable sense of relief; looking at the two soft, cute little lions Leyuan and Leyuan made his heart feel like it would melt.

But when he saw Leyuan, he couldn't help but frown, and a worry began to stir in his heart.

This child Leyuan had, since birth, an indescribable aura; though he was always quiet and never fussy, there was something about him that made it impossible to ignore him.

Yet at times he was so well‑behaved it tugged at the heartstrings. Whenever nursing, he would always let his younger brothers have first dibs, even if his own belly was already flat with hunger; as long as his brothers hadn't had their fill, he would never compete with them.

He would wait until his brothers were full before taking a little for himself. Yet each time this happened, Zhang Fan's milk supply was running low. So Leyuan could only satisfy his hunger by drinking rice soup.

Consequently, among the triplets, although he was the eldest, he also had the poorest physique. Fortunately, the triplets can now eat meat, and meat is never lacking in their household!

Thus Leyuan could finally eat his fill. Most importantly, the triplets, like their eldest brother, love beef, so whenever Ba Ke Er goes out hunting he inevitably brings back a half‑grown wild cow with tender meat for them.

Of course, today was no exception; Zhang Fan watched the five fathers and sons in the courtyard, smiled, left the windowsill, and walked toward the yard.

As soon as the children saw their father appear, they hurried over from their parent's side and gathered around Zhang Fan, greeting him in their soft, childish voices. Since the three little lions were still young and would occasionally slip into their innate beast language, only Le Le's words came out clearly.

"Dad! Father told us we'd have beef again today! How wonderful!"

As he spoke, Le Le was already pulled into Zhang Fan's embrace; Zhang Fan gently rubbed Le Le's soft, fluffy hair and said with an indulgent smile, "Really? Then do you all have these fathers?"

"Yes! Yes!" Le Le exclaimed upon hearing Zhang Fan ask if he had thanked his father, nodding vigorously like pounding garlic, and shouted with a grin that crinkled his eyes.

Le Le, worried Zhang Fan might not believe him, tugged at Ba Ke Er's shirt corner and gave him a pleasing smile.

Ba Ke Er immediately understood, smiled, nodded at Zhang Fan, rubbed Le Le's head, and said, "Fan Fan, our children are the most well‑behaved and sensible! You didn't know? This is all thanks to you, my dear!"

After saying that, Ba Ke Er leaned forward and, while Zhang Fan was off‑guard, planted a light kiss on his cheek.

After Zhang Fan came to his senses, he looked surprised, glanced down at the four children beside him, gave Ba Ke Er a white‑eye look, and whispered in his ear:

"Ba Ke Er! What are you doing? The kids are watching!"

Who would have thought that this Beastman, whose cheek was thick enough to build a city wall, would chuckle and plant another kiss, then beam with pride at the four children and say:

"Kids, do you see? This gesture is how we express love—I kiss your father because I love him! Do you understand?"

Seeing this, Zhang Fan's face nearly flushed red; Ba Ke Er, that shameless fellow, actually dared to teach the children such things right in front of them.

In an instant his expression darkened; he shot Ba Ke Er a fierce glare, and seeing Ba Ke Er's innocent look only made his own face worse, so he muttered, "Hmph! I'll deal with you tonight! For now, just enjoy yourself!"

Hearing Zhang Fan say that, Ba Ke Er's expression shifted, and he finally pleaded with a beseeching look: "Please don't! Fan Fan!"

As soon as Ba Ke Er said that, the children silently moved away from him and gradually drew closer to Zhang Fan.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan knew he had once again reclaimed his standing in front of the children; his mood instantly improved severalfold. He squatted down, smiling broadly, and gently rubbed each child's head, saying:

"Kids, you want to eat the dishes Dad makes, right? I just heard you—originally I wasn't planning to cook for you."

As Zhang Fan said that, the four children's faces fell full of disappointment.

Seeing the children's expressions, Zhang Fan's heart felt like it would melt. He rubbed their heads again and continued:

"But since you're all so well‑behaved and obedient, I'll reward you with a big meal today! Tell me what you want to eat—anything goes, as long as I can make it!"

As soon as Zhang Fan said that, the four children erupted into chatter. To avoid disturbing their dad, they all huddled in a corner, forming a circle like adults in a meeting, each sticking their head in and beginning to discuss.

Watching the children still negotiating the lunch menu, Zhang Fan's smile never faded.

Seeing Zhang Fan so happy, Ba Ke Er felt warm inside, stepped forward, ruffled his hair, and said gently:

"Look how happy the kids are! It's just that you've worked hard to feed so many people. How about… I take over? You can just stand by and watch me cook."

Upon hearing Ba Ke Er's suggestion, Zhang Fan couldn't help but give him a sideways glance and say, "Are you deliberately trying to make me lose face in front of the kids? I've already agreed to do this—how can you back out now? Honestly!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ba Ke Er realized the reason, looked at Zhang Fan with an apologetic expression, and said sincerely, "You're right—sorry, Fan Fan, it's all my fault for not thinking it through! Hehe, but if you get tired, be sure to tell me so I can help!"

After hearing Ba Ke Er's words, Zhang Fan felt happy inside but still gave him a sidelong glance, saying lightly, "Don't worry! Cooking a meal is nothing difficult for me—"

"Besides! It's just food for me and the four kids; it won't take much effort. Don't worry yourself—go prepare your own lunch nicely! I won't keep you company."

Having said that, Zhang Fan smirked, quickly stepped away from the stunned Ba Ke Er, and walked toward the little circle the children had formed.

Watching the children still discussing what to eat, Zhang Fan's heart filled with softness.

Zhang Fan clapped his hands, smiled at the children, and said, "Come on, come on, kids! Quickly tell me what you want to eat—I'll get it ready for you right now!"

As soon as they heard Zhang Fan's clapping sound, the children immediately dispersed. Then, in order of age, the youngest, Leyuan, spoke first.

Dad! I really want to eat beef balls! Will you make them for us to eat? And beef soup! I want some too!

Just as Leyuan's words fell, he saw his father smiling and gently nodding at him. Leyuan was overjoyed!

In the whole Heaven Lion Tribe, who doesn't know, who isn't aware? His family's dad's cooking is the best! Especially all kinds of meatballs! Of course, what he likes most among them is still Dad's beef balls! That truly is a favorite of the four brothers in their family!

Seeing his younger brothers successfully get something tasty, Leyuan couldn't lag behind and quickly said, "Dad! I want to eat the steak you pan‑fry! It's really delicious—just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"

As he spoke, Leyuan loudly gulped, proving just how delicious his father's pan‑fried steak was!

Behind them, Leyuan and Le Le, seeing that their two younger brothers had already spoken up for the things they liked to eat, didn't make any further demands. After all, being sensible and well‑behaved, they also knew they should feel sorry for their father!