Chapter 39: Return

After Ba Ke Er and Zhang Fan had decided to travel together, in the second month—which was the fourth month of summer—Ba Ke Er's parents Lei Ya and Di Er finally returned, flying leisurely with their bundles. Now Zhang Fan, this "ugly daughter-in-law", finally got to meet her parents-in-law.

Early that morning, Ba Ke Er and Zhang Fan still ate breakfast as usual, went to the rice fields to have a look, then returned home to cultivate their feelings. As noon approached, Ba Ke Er finally went out hunting. While Ba Ke Er was processing the game by the river, he suddenly smelled two familiar scents, both very similar to his own body odor. As the scent drew nearer, he turned around and saw that it was indeed his parents returning. Ba Ke Er was especially delighted; perfect, now that his parents had returned, he could finally become mates with Zhang Fan. Ba Ke Er grew happier the more he thought about it.

"Father, Am, you're back! Great! I now have my own female, as we agreed—I'd wait for you to return before we become mates. Wonderful!" Ba Ke Er said to Lei Ya and Di Er with a beaming smile.

Hearing Ba Ke Er say he was going to become mates, Lei Ya and Di Er were both delighted; their foolish little one was finally going to start a family. He was no longer the little brat who used to cling to Am and act spoiled. But after the joy, they also wondered which family's female their son would become mates with, since they had never noticed him liking any female before.

"Ba Ke Er, Am is so happy you're going to become mates! You've finally grown up! But could you tell Am which family's female is willing to become mates with you?"

"Exactly! You're so stupid, which family's female could be so blind as to take a liking to you!?" Lei Ya, toward this son who, from birth, had diverted his mate's attention away from him by half, had always liked to knock him down whenever he could make him lose face. (This is the legendary biological father, after all!) It would be best if he could stay far away from Di Er's sight. Now, hearing his son say he was going to become mates, his heart was simply overjoyed beyond compare! Yet, having always been in the habit of disparaging him, he just blurted it out directly.

Fortunately, Ba Ke Er didn't mind those remarks; he quickly tidied up the game and directly brought his parents to his home—indeed, the home he shared with Zhang Fan!

At that moment, Zhang Fan was standing at the door waiting for Ba Ke Er; seeing Ba Ke Er return with the game, he smiled and stepped forward to say:

"Ba Ke Er, you're back! I've already cooked the rice; I was just waiting for you to return and stir-fry the dishes so we could eat." Having said that, he then noticed Lei Ya and Di Er walking behind Ba Ke Er.

Lei Ya and Di Er, upon seeing Zhang Fan at first glance, felt that their son had picked up a treasure! This female was very beautiful and had a rare gentle nature. However, they still didn't know that Zhang Fan was indeed someone Ba Ke Er had picked up.

Ba Ke Er began introducing Zhang Fan and his parents to each other. Soon, Lei Ya and Di Er learned that Zhang Fan was indeed someone Ba Ke Er had picked up, and they couldn't help but praise in their hearts how lucky their son was. After the introductions, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er invited the two inside. At this moment, Zhang Fan began to feel nervous—after all, those entering were his future parents-in-law. It was natural to feel a little nervous at a first meeting. However, it was all right, for both were fairly open-minded, and moreover, the Beastmen were simple and unsophisticated people, lacking the modern tendency for excessive circumlocution.

After Lei Ya and Di Er entered the house, they began to look around Ba Ke Er and Zhang Fan's home. The dwelling, viewed within the Tribe, was neither large nor small—just medium-sized—but it was decorated throughout with a cozy warmth. On the table sat a bottle of vivid, dazzling red roses. After they finished their inspection, they sat down. Along the way, they had heard Ba Ke Er say that Zhang Fan's cooking was excellent and his food delicious; now they wanted to see for themselves.

After Zhang Fan poured a cup of flower tea for Lei Ya and Di Er, he and Ba Ke Er went into the kitchen. Soon, wafts of food aroma drifted into the living room, making Lei Ya salivate. Fortunately, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er didn't keep them waiting long; the dishes were quickly served. Zhang Fan also didn't forget to serve each person a bowl of white rice.

Lei Ya couldn't resist being the first to use her chopsticks to place a slice of meat into Di Er's bowl; watching Di Er eat it, she then began to eat herself. Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er also started eating. Although Lei Ya and Di Er were eating rice and stir-fried dishes for the first time, they couldn't help but praise them. The pleasant lunchtime passed in the blink of an eye. After finishing their meal, Lei Ya and Di Er did not linger; instead, they hurried back home to tidy up.