Song Zhan carefully carried Si Lu toward the cave—it was still the same one as before. Once inside, Si Lu looked at Song Zhan with a playful smile in her eyes.
This guy… Whether it was from excitement or shyness, his face was totally red.
"Lulu, I…" Song Zhan's cheeks were tinged pink as he gazed at Si Lu, his eyes filled with excitement and admiration.
His heart was racing with joy.
Back then, Si Lu had given Cheng Mo a little deer cub. He had been so jealous.
Of course, Cheng Mo was her first mate. He got the first child. Song Zhan, as the second, would have to wait his turn.
But… he didn't know if Si Lu even wanted to give him a child.
If she didn't, he wouldn't force her. He'd still be careful.
"Hm?" Si Lu lay back on the animal hide, grinning at him. She could sense his nervousness.
Why was this big tiger acting like such a bashful cub?
"Lulu, little tiger cubs are really cute. Really soft, really sweet," Song Zhan said nervously, almost tiptoeing with his words.
He really wanted a cub of his own.
"I know. So let's have a little tiger cub," Si Lu smiled sweetly.
She hadn't expected her big tiger to be this nervous and shy. His cautious little expression made her both amused and soft-hearted.
"What? What did you say?" Song Zhan froze in shock.
Did he hear that right?
Did his little female just say she'd have his cub?
Seriously?
Was he hallucinating?
He stared at her, heart thudding wildly, hands gripping hers tightly.
"Really? I didn't mishear?"
"Of course not. I want it too. So tonight… you better work hard," Si Lu teased, laughing.
This guy was way too cute.
She had to say it twice for him to believe it.
Seeing how excited he got… she felt so happy.
She really did want a tiger cub now.
Song Zhan, in human form, was ridiculously handsome. His beast form was adorable and majestic. She wanted a mini version of him. Hehe.
And if their child could stay by Song Zhan's side, she'd be even happier.
She knew that for beastmen—especially the males—having a child meant everything.
Plus, she truly loved this big tiger. Having his baby didn't seem like such a big deal.
Si Lu wanted to treat each of her mates fairly.
Cheng Mo was the first. He had a child.
Now Song Zhan would get one too.
Not just Song Zhan—she wanted to give all of them a child.
Besides, she had the childbearing system bound to her. She couldn't avoid it, and honestly, she didn't want to.
To give children to the ones she loved… Si Lu was completely willing. And hey, she wanted to earn points fast and get stronger, too.
"You're too good to me. We'll both do our best."
"I swear, little tiger cubs are super cute. You'll love it. And having a cub with you… that makes me really happy. Thank you." Song Zhan looked into her eyes, full of affection.
He hugged her tightly, and as he leaned in, he kissed her.
His kiss was deep and possessive, and Si Lu responded right back.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Cheng Mo covered little Cheng Yu's ears and tried to blend into the wall.
Outside the cave, around the fire, a few others sat around awkwardly. They gave each other looks—they all heard what went down in that cave. Beastmen had sharp senses, and the cave wasn't exactly soundproof.
They were quiet, all of them.
They'd heard Si Lu promise Song Zhan a cub.
If the first mate had one, and now the second was getting one… Would they each get one too?
The thought left them stunned—and maybe a little hopeful. A child meant stronger bonds, something they could never let go of.
"Nans, fill that pot with water. Lulu will need to clean up later," Obsidian said.
Nans, being water-type, had it easy.
He nodded and placed his palm over the stone pot, filling it with clean, clear water.
"Fill that wooden bucket too—some cool water for later," Obsidian added.
Nans nodded again.
He knew by now that Si Lu was someone who liked to stay clean. She bathed or wiped herself every night before sleeping.
And honestly, they followed suit.
No one wanted to be disliked by their little female.
Cleanliness felt good anyway.
Soon, both the pot and bucket were full of fresh water.
Bai Di glanced at Nans, a little jealous.
Water powers? Pfft. Big deal.
...But yeah, okay, that was convenient.
He huffed.
But they were all just trying to care for Si Lu, so he let it go.
Like she said, they were family. One big team.
"By the way, what do you think of that merman?" Bai Di suddenly asked.
He couldn't help but feel bitter—Si Lu had really looked forward to that merman. And when she met him, she wasn't disappointed.
"Eh, like Cheng Mo said—as long as he's strong and good-looking, and Lulu likes him, then it's fine," Obsidian said plainly.
"…Okay, never mind," Bai Di muttered.
Why didn't anyone else feel jealous? Obsidian didn't even flinch.
Bai Di knew Obsidian had deep feelings for Si Lu—probably even deeper than his own. After all, he met her first.
So why wasn't he worried?
"I don't have any objections either," Nans added.
He was just grateful to be chosen as one of her mates. If she picked another beastman, so what? It meant Si Lu would be better taken care of.
He wasn't the last, and he knew that.
More mates just meant more support for her.
"Seriously? So I'm the only one who has a problem?" Bai Di frowned.
"I never expected anything," Nans said nervously. "As long as she lets me stay by her side, I'm happy."
Obsidian didn't say anything—but his silence was an answer.
"…Fine. What about Kano from the Crocodile Clan? You guys don't see it? That guy definitely has feelings for her," Bai Di pressed.
"We see it," Obsidian said.
And he didn't care.
Kano was strong. If he and Si Lu connected, it was her choice.
He wouldn't interfere—but he wouldn't help either.
"What's your stance then?" Bai Di asked.
"It's her decision," Obsidian said coolly. "No one gets to decide for her."
"…Okay, whatever. But she really likes that merman. She talked about him constantly, and she wasn't disappointed when they met. Unlike me, who hasn't even met him."
Bai Di sighed.
He was scared—if more mates joined, wouldn't that make things harder?
There was only one Si Lu, and if more joined, wouldn't they all have to… wait their turn?
His thoughts were a mess.
"I get it," Obsidian said softly. "But we have to trust her. Si Lu isn't someone who forgets the people she cares about. She's special. She loves deeply."
"…Sorry. I was being too sensitive," Bai Di admitted.
"It's just… when you care about someone this much, it's hard not to feel scared sometimes."
"Then believe in her," Obsidian said.
"Yeah." Bai Di nodded, eyes full of determination.
—
Later that night, Song Zhan awkwardly came out to get warm water.
Si Lu had already fallen asleep.
Right after he left, she secretly swallowed a pregnancy pill.
She was exhausted.
And after taking the pill, she drifted off completely.
Song Zhan returned and gently wiped her body clean.
—
At dawn, Si Lu opened her eyes and smiled at the big tiger beside her.
His fur was silky and shiny, like the finest satin.
She reached out and gently stroked him. She'd always loved this feeling.
Would their little tiger cub be this soft too?
Or even softer?
She was so excited at the thought.
[Host, you are now pregnant with the tiger's cub!]
[Also, because the system previously rewarded you with a special "womb band," which has its own space and functions like an extra uterus—you can now carry two pregnancies at the same time!]
[Of course, how you use it is up to you. The system won't force anything. But… wouldn't it be exciting to give birth to two at once?
The system's voice echoed in her head.
Si Lu was stunned.
She had not expected that the womb band from before could do something this insane—it acted like a second uterus?
This was getting too wild.
Originally, it was supposed to help keep her figure unaffected no matter how many beastmen's cubs she carried. It had its own space, allowing babies to grow freely.
Now? She could carry two babies at once?
Absolutely nuts.
And totally overpowered.
But she was excited. That meant she could save time, have two kids at once, and level up faster. More babies, more points, more power!
She really did love kids, especially cute little ones.
And beast cubs? They were just like human babies—only fluffier.
And they'd eventually grow into humans, too.
She imagined a house full of adorable kids, and her heart practically exploded with happiness.