Chapter 233: Chapter 233: I’m Happy You Care So Much About Me

"Huh? Why is Mom taking so long to wash up? I’ll go take a look."

Just as Qiao Qiao was about to walk toward the stream, Jin Ling pulled her back.

"Maybe she wants to bathe for a little longer. There are fruit over there, let’s go pick some."

The fruit quickly caught Qiao Qiao’s attention. "Okay."

Feiyan wanted more, much more, but he couldn’t bear to let Qiao Xixi stay in the water too long. Just as they both reached the peak of their pleasure, he quickly lifted her from the water and wrapped her in a beast hide.

The entire time, Qiao Xixi felt boneless, letting Feiyan dry her off and dress her.

Seeing her languid state, Feiyan couldn’t resist stealing another kiss.

Qiao Xixi, afraid he would start something again, quickly wrapped her arms around his neck to be carried on his back. "It’s almost dark. Let’s not keep the cubs waiting."

The sated, foolish fox was exceptionally obedient. Grinning, he carried her on his back and found Jin Ling and the others.

Qiao Qiao was engrossed in picking fruit when she turned and saw her father grinning, his foxy eyes narrowed into slits. He looked just like a sly fox.

"Father, you’re smiling so much your eyes have disappeared!"

Hearing this, Jin Ling turned to look. When he saw Qiao Xixi lying languidly on Feiyan’s back, his gaze deepened.

Not wanting the cubs to notice anything was amiss, Qiao Xixi quickly hopped off Feiyan’s back. She took out some Spiritual Spring water and drank deeply, instantly feeling much more refreshed.

"Wow, you picked so many fruits."

"Yes, Mom! There are so many fruits here, and they’re delicious."

Jin Ling glanced at the sky. "We’ve picked enough. Let’s head back."

"Mm-hmm."

Feiyan hoisted the two bags of fruit, and the group returned to the beach.

"Mom, what took you so long? We already caught a lot of fish-beasts and came back."

Qiao Ang proudly lifted the wooden bucket of fish-beasts for Qiao Xixi to see.

Feiyan said without batting an eye, "We went to pick fruit. This island has plenty to offer."

The moment he finished speaking, Feiyan felt the murderous glares of the other males land on him. He didn’t care in the slightest. ’Xixi is my mate,’ he thought. ’What’s wrong with being lovey-dovey with her?’

’These guys are just jealous.’

Before the sun set, Qiao Xixi took out the Long-tongued Vine and constructed a shelter. She spread beast-hide mats inside and rested with the cubs.

The cubs were exhausted from playing all day. They lay scattered around Qiao Xixi, listening to the story she told.

"Huh? This Prince is so dumb! Why couldn’t he recognize the mermaid princess? And the mermaid princess is dumb too! She’s going to give up her voice just because she fell for a Land Beast Prince?"

As a little mermaid herself, the cub Xiya couldn’t comprehend the ending of "The Mermaid Princess."

Hearing the little cub’s question, Qiao Xixi couldn’t help but smile.

’Excellent. My cub isn’t ruled by romance; she’s very rational.’

"Yes, Mom thinks Xiya has a point. Loving someone should never mean sacrificing yourself."

When the story was over, Qiao Xixi closed her eyes and hummed a gentle melody, and the little cubs all fell asleep.

Just as Qiao Xixi was about to drift off to sleep, she saw Jin Ling, who was tending the fire, suddenly stand up.

Even Xijing, who had been sitting by the edge of the shelter, also stood.

Any trace of sleepiness Qiao Xixi felt vanished instantly.

"What’s wrong?"

Sunxiao had appeared before the shelter without her noticing. "A few Golden Eagle Beasts just flew over the island," he said.

His words jolted Qiao Xixi fully awake. She sat up and looked toward the sky, and sure enough, she saw several Golden Eagle Beasts circling overhead.

"Golden Eagle Beasts live in forests or on cliffs year-round," Sunxiao said, his voice laced with a chilling cold. "They rarely roost by the sea." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

In other words, there was a reason these Golden Eagle Beasts were here.

Qiao Xixi remembered what Huang Ying had said before leaving, and her brow furrowed.

"They’re most likely here to scout."

There wasn’t much cover on the island; with a Golden Eagle Beast’s vision, they could spot them easily. It was highly likely they were sent by Huang Ying or from Tiger Beast City.

Jin Ling had already extinguished the fire and was packing things up.

"Let’s move to where the trees can hide us."

"Okay."

Qiao Xixi got up and dug out the Long-tongued Vine. The movement startled the sleeping cubs awake.

"Cubs, we’re going into the woods."

Having been out in the wild for some time, the cubs had become quite vigilant. They immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly did as Qiao Xixi said.

The Golden Eagle Beasts didn’t attack. They simply continued to circle above the island, as if monitoring them.

Night had just fallen when Xijing stood up.

"They’re here."

Xijing said, turning in Qiao Xixi’s direction. "Xixi, I have to go now."

Qiao Xixi knew that according to their plan, he had to leave as soon as he received the telepathic message from his people.

"Be careful. Regardless of whether you succeed, your safety comes first."

Xijing gave a faint smile. "Xixi, it makes me very happy that you’re so concerned about me."

The other males’ faces darkened. This merman was truly relentless!

Qiao Xixi cleared her throat and handed him a waterskin. "I’ll take good care of Xiya. You must come back safely."

"Okay."

Xijing took the waterskin, his fingertips lightly brushing the back of her hand. The softness of her skin made the desire in his heart flare, but he quickly pulled his hand away.

"Father, you have to be careful." Xiya threw herself into Xijing’s arms, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Xijing gently soothed her. "Have faith in your father."

"Mm-hmm."

Though reluctant to leave, Xijing turned and walked resolutely toward the sea.

Xiya stared after his retreating figure, tears streaming down her face.

But her sobs were cut short when she lowered her gaze to find Qiao Qiao and the others squatting on the ground in amazement, their hands outstretched to catch her tears as they turned into pearls.

"Wow! The story Mom told us was true! When merfolk cry, their tears really do turn into pearls!"

Qiao Ang picked up a pearl, popped it in his mouth, and bit down with a CRUNCH.

"Mmph... PTUI, PTUI! Pearls taste disgusting!"

Qiao Xixi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She took out a hide handkerchief to wipe his mouth. "You silly goose, pearls aren’t for eating."

This little commotion chased away much of the heartbroken Xiya’s sadness.

Because everyone was on high alert, dinner was a hasty affair.

After they finished eating, Sunxiao, Jin Ling, and Feiyan prepared to head toward the beach with the cubs, while Sangze swept Qiao Xixi into his arms.

Feiyan looked at Sangze with distrust. "You leopard, are you even reliable?"

Sangze gave a bewitching smile and, with a look of pure obsession, took a deep sniff of Qiao Xixi. "If Xixi lives, I live. If Xixi is gone... they all die!"

Feiyan curled his lip but said no more.

Sunxiao glanced at the Golden Eagle Beasts in the sky. "Under the cover of night. Go."

The moment Sunxiao spoke, Qiao Xixi felt the wind WHOOSH past her ears. In the blink of an eye, she was already far away from Sunxiao and the others.

"Sangze, y-you have to slow down! I’m getting dizzy!"

"Slow down, little female? I simply can’t wait."