Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off

Chapter 663: What Happened to My Rong Ye?

When Su Qinglan finally woke up, the bright morning sun was already filtering through the gaps in the window. She rolled over, expecting to bump into a wall of solid muscle or a pair of fluffy little balls, but the bed was completely empty.Even the cubs were gone.

She let out a long yawn, stretching her limbs out fully beneath the covers before finally sliding out of bed.

After washing her face and refreshing herself with the warm water left in the basin, she pulled her clothes tidy and stepped out of the bedroom.

The main area of the house was warm, and the quiet silence was broken by the steady sound of small tools.

Sitting near the fire was Rong Ye, completely focused on the task in his hands. He was meticulously crafting tiny sandals, carefully stitching the soft hide for her three eldest sons.

The moment the rustle of her robes reached his ears, Rong Ye’s head snapped up. His eyes brightened instantly when he realized she was awake.

He dropped the tools onto the ground and hurried over, wrapping his arms gently around her waist before leaning down to plant a sweet kiss right on her lips.

"Good morning, Lan Lan," he murmured, his voice soft and full of affection.

Before she could even answer, a sudden chorus of tiny yips and scampering paws echoed from the other room.

The little snow wolf cubs, lion cub and fox cub, who had been playing quietly so as not to wake her, came bursting out in a furry wave.

They swarmed her ankles, standing up on their hind legs and scratching at her robes, demanding attention.

Su Qinglan giggled, bending down patiently to give each fluffy little bundle a warm kiss on their forehead. Only after receiving their morning affection did the satisfied cubs finally trundle back to their playroom.

Su Qinglan stood up, stretching her neck as she glanced around the unusually quiet house.

"Where is everyone else?" she asked, looking back at Rong Ye.

Rong Ye smiled softly. "Han Jue and Shi Feng went down to the river to wash all the heavy bedding and clothes.

And Hu Yan went out early to keep an eye on Xiao Yi, Xiao Er, and Xiao San while they train." He then gently patted her stomach.

"You must be starving by now, right? Come, let me bring you some breakfast. I kept it warm by the fire."

He turned and walked directly out towards the kitchen area to fetch her food. Su Qinglan followed closely behind him, her eyes fixed on his broad back.

As she watched him move with such quiet efficiency, she couldn’t help but let out a soft, silent sigh. Her Rong Ye had really grown up.

Ever since his encounter with his brother, it felt like his wild, silly, and carefree side had completely vanished, replaced by an unsettling gravity. He was taking care of her perfectly, but the playful spark she loved so much seemed muted.

Unable to bear the distance, she stepped quickly into the kitchen.

Before he could lift the lid off the warming pot, Su Qinglan glided up behind him, threw her arms around his waist, and pressed her face firmly against his broad, warm back.

"What happened to my Rong Ye?" she murmured softly, her voice filled with gentle concern. "Why are you so silent today, hm?"

Rong Ye stiffened instantly in her embrace. The heavy ladle in his hand hovered in the air, trembling slightly. He didn’t speak for a long moment, his chest heaving under her hands as he looked straight down at the hearth, not daring to turn around and meet her eyes.

Rong Ye stood frozen for a moment under her touch. Then, a bright, merry smile suddenly snapped onto his face. He quickly reached down, took her hands in his, and turned around to face her.

"What could possibly happen to me?" he said, his voice ringing out in his usual casual, uncaring tone.

He shrugged his shoulders like nothing in the world could ever affect him.

"See? Am I not perfectly fine, Lan Lan?"

Su Qinglan narrowed her eyes, completely seeing through his act. She raised her hand and gave his forehead a knock. "You’re hiding something from me, right?"

"Ouch! What could I possibly hide from you?" Rong Ye protested, forcing a pout.

Su Qinglan didn’t let him off the hook. She gave his forehead another soft knock.

"Still acting? Rong Ye, you’re already a father to our son. You can’t just hide things from me, okay? It doesn’t work."

Rong Ye rubbed his forehead, whining slightly. "Am I not already grown up? I have fathered a child, and you still doubt my maturity?"

Su Qinglan rolled her eyes at his completely shameless words. "Are you going to tell me the truth or not?"

When he hesitated, she gave him a gentle nudge out of the way, pulled the warm breakfast pot open herself, and grabbed the meal. She sat down right there on a small stool inside the warm kitchen, placing the food on the table.

Rong Ye quietly sat down on the stool right in front of her.

"Have you eaten yet?" she asked, looking at him.

Rong Ye nodded quickly.

But Su Qinglan didn’t care; she pushed the large bowl of hot food right towards him and shoved a pair of chopsticks into his hands. "Help me finish it. I can’t eat all of this anyway."

She then took a big bite of warm meat, chewing happily while staring him straight in the eyes.

"Now, continue. Speak."

Rong Ye looked down at the chopsticks in his hand, then looked up at her slightly puffy, chewing face. He let out a long, heavy sigh and scooted his stool much closer to hers.

He didn’t eat; he just nervously played with the chopsticks, twirling them around before gently placing his free hand on her shoulder.

"Lan Lan... I never wanted to meet my brother again, you know?" he whispered.

***

I just made a mashup reel of Su Qinglan and An Mo, and it’s honestly way too cute! Unfortunately, I can’t upload it here, so if you’d like to see it, check it out on my Instagram: @violet_melody99