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

At noon, the collection team came back, and Yi Mei brought a small basket of fruits to Si Shuo.

Si Shuo smiled and gave her some fish balls. "These are made with fish from the river and plant powder. Add salt and wild vegetables to make soup. It tastes really good!"

Yi Mei didn't bother to be polite. She accepted the fish balls and let Rong Xing go to cook while she took Si Shuo to the platform in front of the cave to talk.

Half of the males had gone hunting, and the tribe was much quieter than usual, with even less gossip.

In recent days, everyone's conversations revolved around the stray beasts in the caravan and the beastmen from other tribes who came to exchange items.

"Your sister and Ma Hui are always talking nonsense all day long. They grab anyone they see and tell them that they've taken in stray animals… Everyone knows what they do at night. Just look at their clothes! They don't even look tired when they walk…"

Yi Mei complained, and Si Shuo nodded in agreement.

Si Shuo then leaned close to Yi Mei's ear and whispered, "Yi Mei, would you want a beast husband with good combat power from the wandering orcs?"

Yi Mei muffled a laugh and asked teasingly, "What's this, Si Shuo? Are you finally taking an interest in this topic? It's the first time I've seen you so invested! Who wouldn't pick two or three husbands if they could? Why wouldn't I want one? But I know myself well. I'm not good-looking, and my fertility is average.

Which of the wandering beasts in the caravan isn't well-informed? None of them would be interested in a plain female like me."

"Tell me who you like; maybe it'll work out," Si Shuo said with a playful smile, bumping her shoulder.

Yi Mei blushed slightly. "I think Kou Ba is pretty good."

Si Shuo looked puzzled. "Which one?"

"The tall, thin guy with yellow-green hair—the one who's charming and sweet-talking. The Rattlesnake Orc!"

Si Shuo nodded in realization. He was indeed a stray beast known for pleasing females. If she remembered correctly, there was an orange beast pattern on his neck.

Male orcs have animal patterns on their necks, indicating their combat power, divided into seven colors from low to high: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

Each color contains three levels. For example, an orange pattern represents the fourth level of combat power. The color changes every three levels, and each color tier signifies a significant jump in strength.

Si Shuo smiled and asked, "Have you really chosen him? Won't you change your mind?"

Yi Mei grinned, "Yes, yes, yes! I just like that little brother. You're acting like I can take him as my beast husband just by choosing him!"

Si Shuo kept a little secret and said, "If you want it to happen, the first step is to dare to dream!"

---

Afternoon and the Hunters Return

After lunch, Si Shuo continued to rest, enjoying the cool breeze. The two hardest days had passed, and she could finally sleep comfortably.

In the afternoon, after practicing some techniques, she returned to the cave just as the male hunters came back, carrying plenty of prey.

Si Shuo immediately spotted Ji Liang, who was leading the group. This time, he was bringing back six long-haired sheep with curly horns!

Unlike before, Ji Liang didn't avoid her. He walked straight up to her and smiled with narrowed eyes.

Si Shuo, lips curling into a soft smile, showed a faint dimple. Her deep blue eyes carried a gentle warmth, and she looked both pretty and well-behaved.

After staring at her for a long moment, Ji Liang shook the rope in his hand and spoke with a playful, proud tone:

"Xiao Shuo Shuo, I hunted a few milk-producing sheep just for you. Remember to drink some milk every day—it'll nourish your body."

Si Shuo smiled softly and nodded. "Okay!"

Ji Liang let out a quiet hiss and, remembering how they had slept in each other's arms the night before, felt his heart melt.

The little female, having dropped her guard around him, was so delicate and soft that he felt an uncontrollable urge to protect her.

Handing the rope to a fellow orc, he instructed him to raise the sheep in the tribe's valley. Out of the six curly-horned sheep, three went to the tribe, and the other three were reserved for Si Shuo.

After giving out his instructions, he leaped back to Si Shuo's side and whispered with a playful grin:

"I also hunted some delicious bamboo rats and cuckoo birds and found a few nests of duck eggs. Can I come to your place for dinner tonight?"

The two of them stood very close. Ji Liang, knowing she was still a bit shy around him, restrained the urge to flick his tongue in excitement.

Si Shuo shot him a glare. "I'll be eating in the square tonight!"

If she stayed home for dinner, wouldn't that give him an excuse to invade her space? Could she even chase him out if it got late?

He always took advantage of her shy nature, pushing his way into her life with a soft, yet persistent, dominance.

Ji Liang chuckled and gently tapped her forehead. "You little clever thing, always outsmarting me. Alright, I'll eat next to you at the square tonight!"

---

Matchmaking for Yi Mei

Suddenly, Ji Liang turned to Yi Mei, who had been standing nearby, watching the scene with a face full of gossip.

With a lazy smile, he said, "You're Si Shuo's friend, Yi Mei, right? Among the males in our Dark Crow Caravan, do you fancy anyone? Pick one, and I'll gift you something to help nourish your body and boost your chances of pregnancy.

All I ask is that you keep an eye on our Si Shuo."

Yi Mei stood frozen, as if a giant meat pie had fallen from the sky and knocked her senseless.

Her eyes darted between Ji Liang and Si Shuo, suddenly realizing what was happening. She gasped excitedly, "Thank you, Lord Ji Liang! Can I choose Kou Ba? Would he even want me?"

Ji Liang smirked and called out loudly, "Kou Ba, did you hear that?"

The male orc, dressed in green animal skin with striking yellow-green short hair, flashed a wide grin. In an instant, he leapt over to Yi Mei's side.

"How could it be unfair? We wandering orcs only wish for a home and a female to share it with.

As long as Yi Mei doesn't chase me away, I'll never feel wronged!"

Orcs were simple and straightforward in their desires. Even merchants like Kou Ba only sought loyal companionship and a family.

Not everyone was like Ji Liang, who had fallen deeply at first sight and chased after his chosen mate with relentless devotion.

---

A Blessing From the Heart

Si Shuo watched with amusement as Yi Mei and Kou Ba hit it off immediately.

Yi Mei gratefully accepted the gift from Ji Liang, and before long, the two disappeared into the cave to get to know each other better.

Ji Liang, seeing Si Shuo's slightly dazed expression, couldn't help but chuckle. Ruffling her hair, he teased:

"Why is my little Shuo Shuo so hard to court? Look at them—this is the normal rhythm!

Once a female decides to hand over her beast mark, it's natural to indulge in the love she's been yearning for."

Si Shuo's face turned bright red. Sitting next to him, she took out a peace locket from her animal-skin pouch and tied it around his waist.

The locket had a round pearl on top and a beautiful phoenix-tail knot at the bottom. Against his dark clothes, the fiery red and gold ornament looked exquisite.

With a soft voice, she said, "I wish you peace, happiness, and success!"

Ji Liang's eyes softened as he looked down at the locket, rubbing it gently between his fingers. The warmth of it, combined with her words, seeped into his heart.

Although he had never heard such a blessing before, he could feel her sincerity and hopes behind every word.

Smiling, he praised, "My little Shuo Shuo is truly clever and thoughtful. Sweet-tongued, too. What you say is more beautiful than anything I've heard from the noble females of the central continent."

Si Shuo's curiosity was piqued. "What is the central part of the continent like?"