Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Are Hu Yan’s cubs potatoes?
When Su Qinglan woke up, the first thing she felt was warmth. The beast hide covering her was soft and smelled faintly of Hu Yan. She blinked slowly and looked around. The cave was quiet and filled with the dim orange light of the evening sun.
After waking up, she felt refreshed, and the heaviness in her mind disappeared from using her abilities. Her body didn’t ache, and her mind was clear. She stretched lazily, her arms lifting above her head as she let out a small yawn.
The place was empty. Hu Yan wasn’t there. Even Stove, who was always awake and alert, seemed to be sleeping quietly near her pillow. His little vine body was curled up tightly, and she didn’t have the heart to wake him.
Su Qinglan rubbed her eyes and stood up. Her steps were light as she walked toward the cave’s mouth. The air outside was cool and smelled faintly of smoke and wood.
When she stepped out, her eyes softened.
Hu Yan was sitting on a flat rock outside the cave, working seriously on something. He had a small pile of wooden pieces around him, and he was carefully carving one in his hands. His movements were focused and smooth. The sound of wood scraping filled the calm air.
She looked closer and noticed what he was making: wooden spoons, spatulas, small bowls, and even larger ones that looked big enough to hold meat and herbs. A few were already finished and stacked neatly on one side.
Hu Yan was concentrating on shaping the edge of a big wooden bowl, his brows slightly furrowed. The last light of the setting sun spilled over him, making his black hair shine with a warm golden hue. His golden eyes reflected the sunlight, glowing softly as he worked.
Su Qinglan stood there for a moment, just watching him. He looked too handsome like that...looking all calm, serious, and completely unaware of how attractive he was.
The thought made her lips curl into a small, lazy smile.
She leaned against the cave wall, chin resting on her palm, and watched him quietly. A small yawn escaped her again, and she thought to herself, I should just go and crawl into his arms... He looks so warm... Maybe I can sleep a bit more there.
She chuckled at her own thought and pushed her messy hair behind her ear.
Just then, Hu Yan looked up. His sharp eyes softened immediately when he saw her standing there. A small smile appeared on his lips, and the corners of his eyes crinkled gently.
"Lan Lan woke up," he said warmly. His voice was deep and filled with quiet happiness.
Su Qinglan blinked, her heart skipping a little at how he said her name. She rubbed her eyes again and walked toward him slowly, her tone lazy and teasing.
"You’re working again... don’t you ever rest?"
Hu Yan looked at her and chuckled softly. "I rested while you were sleeping. Now it’s your turn to rest more."
Su Qinglan squinted her eyes playfully. "You’re saying that because you want me to sleep again, right? So you can work without me disturbing you?"
He smiled, setting down the wooden bowl he was holding. "Maybe. But I don’t mind if you sit here and disturb me either."
That made her grin. She walked over and sat beside him, her shoulder brushing lightly against his arm.
Hu Yan immediately put down everything he was holding. His golden eyes softened as he leaned slightly forward.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked in a gentle voice.
Su Qinglan nodded with a faint smile on her lips. "Mm, better than I expected."
Hu Yan’s gaze dropped to her stomach. His expression turned serious all of a sudden. "Did they make you tired again?"
Su Qinglan blinked, confused for a moment. "They?"
Hu Yan leaned closer, his tone suddenly stern as he spoke to her belly. "Cubs, you’re not allowed to make your mother tired. If you do, I’ll spank all of you when you come out."
Su Qinglan froze for a heartbeat, then burst out laughing. Her laughter rang through the quiet mountain air.
"Hahaha...Hu Yan! What are you even saying?" She laughed as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "Have they even formed yet, and you’re already threatening them?"
Hu Yan looked serious. "Of course. They should know their father’s rules early."
That made her laugh even harder. "Rules? Oh heavens... they’re not even cubs yet! They’re just tiny potatoes now. Very, very small ones."
Hu Yan’s expression went blank. He slowly turned to look at her, his brows furrowing slightly. "...Potatoes?"
The way he said it, like the word itself was some mysterious creature, made Su Qinglan choke on another laugh.
"Yes, potatoes," she said between giggles, waving her hand. "Small, round, tiny ones..."
Hu Yan’s frown deepened. "Why would our cubs look like... potatoes?" He couldn’t understand it. Should they not just be like him, a tiger cub? When did they turn into potatoes?
That did it. She laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach again. "No, no, not real potatoes! It’s just... a way of saying they’re small. Like a seed, or a pea... oh wait," she stopped, realizing her mistake.
Hu Yan was already staring at her with a look that clearly said, What’s a pea?
Su Qinglan sighed dramatically and pressed her palm to her forehead. "Forget it. I shouldn’t have said that either."
Hu Yan tilted his head; he was still confused. "Lan Lan, are you saying the cubs look like food?"
She gave him a long look, then grinned mischievously. "Well, at least they’re not going to look like wooden bowls, right?" she teased, poking at the one he’d been carving earlier.
Hu Yan blinked. Then, as if deciding not to argue with her strange words anymore, he let out a small chuckle and shook his head.
"You’re strange," he said softly. "Who calls their cubs food?"
"And you’re adorable when you look all serious like that," she replied, leaning closer with a playful glint in her eyes.
Hu Yan smiled helplessly, his gaze lingering on her face. "Then I’ll be serious more often."
Su Qinglan raised a brow. "No, please don’t. I might die laughing next time."