The Beast's Beloved: Sickly Beauty with Many Children and blessings

Si Shuo couldn't help but tug at her clothes. A thought suddenly flashed through her hazy mind, and she hurried to the supermarket to exchange her points for a book titled A Guide to Raising Cats.

Taking a deep breath, she flipped through the pages, her gaze finally landing on the section about mature female felines.

As expected—if an adult female cat isn't pregnant, she will enter a heat cycle lasting three to six days every two or three weeks!

Si Shuo frowned as she glanced at her diary. It had already been more than half a month since she left Zhile.

So even though she had managed to avoid the first heat cycle… there was still another one waiting for her?

She sighed in frustration, spreading a layer of cool fish skin over her bed before buying a small handheld fan from the supermarket. Tossing and turning, she bit her lip tightly.

Why did she have to be a cat? She didn't want to lose control and cry out, letting the entire tribe know that she was craving a male!

Burying her face in the animal hide, she whimpered softly and instinctively rubbed against it…

Before she knew it, exhaustion took over, and she drifted into sleep.

---

By the time she opened her eyes again, sunlight was already streaming into her cave. She felt sluggish, reluctant to get up, so she reached out and absentmindedly traced the markings on her wrist.

Last night, she had wrapped several layers of animal skins around her beast seal, afraid that in a moment of weakness, she might accidentally trigger a connection with Zhile.

It's just three to six days—I can endure it!

After washing up and having breakfast, Si Shuo opened the door to find that the water bucket outside had already been refilled. This was Zhile's way of ensuring she had everything she needed while keeping his presence a secret.

As the sun bathed the land in warm light, Si Shuo stretched lazily, squinting against the brightness.

That's when she noticed Ji Liang sitting on a rock not too far away. He was in the shade of a lush tree, occupying a spot usually reserved for the tribe's females and cubs.

When he saw her looking his way, he smiled and tossed a pink vine-woven ball in her direction.

Si Shuo reacted before she could think, pouncing on the ball and clutching it tightly in her arms—only to realize what she had done. Embarrassed, she shot him a glare.

Ji Liang stuck out his tongue and grinned.

His features were already striking, but his usual cold demeanor had softened, making his smile even more dazzling.

Si Shuo quickly averted her gaze, wondering where she could go to practice the art of inducing labor. She didn't want to clutter her cave with thorny plants.

Then she remembered the piglet pens.

The tusker piglets were raised in a large ravine with only one exit and a carved-out platform at the top. Normally, the tribe kept goats there to produce milk for the young orc cubs, but Zhile had recently cleared out an area specifically for raising piglets.

However, just as she was about to head there, she glanced at Ji Liang—who was still waving at her—and promptly turned back inside, shutting the door behind her.

Ji Liang smirked at her attempt to hide.

If his guess was correct, the little kitten was currently in heat.

But with her only beast husband, Zhile, gone… how was she planning to endure the next few days?

---

Yu Jiao bit her lip, jealousy burning in her heart.

Ji Liang was a powerful level-seven warrior and the leader of a traveling merchant group, yet he was so poor that he practically had nothing but crystals!

What was so special about Si Shuo? Sure, she was pretty, but wasn't she also a useless female who couldn't even give birth?

Summoning her courage, Yu Jiao descended the steps and approached Ji Liang with a practiced, gentle smile.

"Lord Ji Liang, hello," she greeted sweetly. "I'm Yu Jiao, Si Shuo's sister."

Though they shared the same mother, Si Shuo had inherited their father's looks, while Yu Jiao considered herself just as attractive. She was plump in all the right places, with a soft and delicate voice.

If Ji Liang could like Si Shuo, why couldn't he like her?

Her heart pounded as she admired Ji Liang's handsome features. Seeing that his usual coldness had faded somewhat, she boldly stepped closer.

"Si Shuo has always been withdrawn," Yu Jiao said, lowering her voice to sound more pitiful. "Because of her poor hearing, her fertility is low, and no one except me has ever cared for her.

"She's offended many people over the years. If she has done anything to upset you, Lord Ji Liang, I sincerely apologize on her behalf."

But Ji Liang's attention was elsewhere. He had spotted a familiar figure peeking through a window—Si Shuo.

With a sudden movement, he leaped down from the cliffside, landing gracefully in front of her.

Startled, Si Shuo curled up, hugging her knees.

Ji Liang chuckled softly, leaning against the window as he reached inside and ruffled her hair.

Her fur was just as soft as he had imagined.

Si Shuo froze at the gentle touch. Before she could process what was happening, her body instinctively rubbed against his palm.

Realizing what she was doing, she bit her own hand—hard. The sharp pain snapped her back to her senses, and she inhaled deeply before glaring up at him.

Ji Liang withdrew his hand, sighing regretfully. Then, with an exaggerated pout, he complained, "Xiao Shuo Shuo, does your sister hate seeing you happy? She just badmouthed you in front of me!"

His voice turned teasing yet firm.

"So what if a female has low fertility? We're not wild beasts that only mate for reproduction!

"Xiao Shuo Shuo can't hear the outside world's nonsense, but I can. Do you really think I'd listen to her and despise you?

"If anything, I'm afraid you'll despise me—for being a cold-blooded stray beast."

Si Shuo blinked, taken aback.

Had she missed something? They had barely interacted a handful of times, yet the conversation had suddenly turned so intimate.

Ji Liang sighed dramatically. "Little female, are you really an adult? How many times have you been bullied in the past? Do you want me to take revenge for you?"

Si Shuo pursed her lips and lowered her gaze. "Lord Ji Liang is a powerful orc. Everyone respects him. I would never dare to despise you."

Oh? Refusing to entertain him any further?

Ji Liang reached out again.

Si Shuo caught the movement from the corner of her eye and looked at him helplessly.

"Little female, don't you want to see the outside world?" Ji Liang coaxed. "There are vast forests, rolling grasslands, scorching deserts, and snow-capped mountains. There are countless fascinating creatures, exotic plants, and delicious fruits! Wouldn't you like to experience it all?"

Si Shuo shook her head. "No. I'll wait for Zhile. Wherever Zhile is, that's where my home is."

Ji Liang's smile didn't falter, but a glint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

"Hmm… What if I ask Zhile to let me be his partner? Would he be happy?"

Si Shuo scowled. That shameless man! She didn't even need to think—Zhile would agree!

Ji Liang chuckled and whispered, "For the next few days, I'll be right outside your door. If you can't hold on any longer, just open it for me."

Si Shuo slammed the window shut.

Cunning! He was truly a shameless merchant.

After Ji Liang left. Si Shuo hid for a while and then climbed down the stone steps to see the tusky piglets.

She felt a vicious gaze and turned her head to look, and not surprisingly, she met Yu Jiao's jealous gaze.

Yu Jiao snorted coldly and turned away.

Si Shuo pursed her lips. She had a hunch that Yu Jiao would do something before Zhi Le came back.

She wanted to practice the art of inducing labor and achieve some results!