Lin Yao could finally move her legs.
It was nighttime. The sky was clear, scattered with stars, a crescent moon hanging low above the forest. The air was cold, nothing like the heavy, rain-threatening heat from earlier.
She tested her legs slowly, pacing around the tree several times until she was sure the feeling had truly returned.
Only then did she look toward Luma.
The cub was sound asleep on Su Rui's lap, her small body curled comfortably against him. One of his hands rested loosely near her back, steady and protective.
Su Rui's gaze, however, was on Lin Yao.
Those unnatural icy-blue eyes followed her movements, his white hair shifting softly with the night breeze.
Lin Yao didn't know why he was still here, or why he kept watching her with that same quiet curiosity but she couldn't deny the relief curling in her chest knowing Luma was safe with him.
The system remained silent, thankfully, as if giving her a moment to breathe now that her body had fully recovered.
"It's inappropriate," Lin Yao said sharply, meeting his gaze, "to stare at a woman like that."
Su Rui's lips quirked. "Do you want to come to my tribe with me?"
Lin Yao stopped, staring at him with wide eyes.
A beastman inviting a female to go to his tribe was a clear sign of interest. Her heart skipped. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since she met him.
"Why would I do that?" she asked cautiously.
"Because I can keep you both safe," he said.
[Warning: System disagrees with host's decision. Following the white leopard beastman may place dependent in danger. Punishment will be applied if host proceeds.]
Lin Yao clenched her jaw. She understood.
Su Rui had rescued them, brought food and clothes but he was still a stranger. And the System wasn't bluffing.
She leaned back against the tree. "I'm grateful for your help. I really am. But I'm fine. Luma and I... we're both fine."
Su Rui looked genuinely shocked, as if refusal had never crossed his mind. Then he smiled faintly.
"Very well," he said. "You're an idiot for refusing me, though."
Her fists clenched. "You don't have to—"
"How about we hunt together?" he interrupted, watching her expectantly.
"I—" Lin Yao froze, stunned by the sudden request. "I don't want to hunt with you. And you really need to stop calling me an idiot!"
Luma whimpered.
Lin Yao's breath caught as the cub stirred, violet eyes fluttering open, her face scrunching like she wanted to cry.
"Oh no…"
[Warning: Host has caused dependent distress. Punishment activated.]
Dizziness slammed into her without warning.
The world tilted violently, and the next thing Lin Yao knew, she was on the ground, blinking as the sky spun above her.
"Hey!" Su Rui gasped.
He carefully eased Luma onto the grass before rushing to Lin Yao's side, lifting her into his arms, worry flashing unmistakably in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.
"Yao-jie?" Luma's voice came as a soft whine. She looked up at Su Rui and Lin Yao, who was still in his arms.
[Warning: Dependent is showing signs of distress due to host current state.]
Lin Yao wanted to scream. Then stop punishing me!
Instead, she let out a low groan, lifting a hand to rub her temples.
"Take me to Luma, please."
Su Rui glanced at the cub and walked over, lowering himself to the ground. He settled Lin Yao on his lap before gently lifting Luma and handing her over.
Lin Yao immediately pulled the cub into her chest.
"I'm sorry for waking you up, sweetie," she whispered, stroking Luma's hair.
Luma reached up, placing a small hand on Lin Yao's face.
"Are you okay, Yao-jie?" she asked, blinking those big eyes.
The dizziness was gone.
[Host has gained 99% affection from dependent. Impressive for such a short time.]
Lin Yao felt her heart warm at the message. She smiled softly.
"I'm perfect. Go back to sleep, okay?"
Luma nodded and cuddled closer, soon falling asleep.
Only then did Lin Yao become aware of the heat at her back and the solid presence of the beastman she was sitting on. Her face warmed as she slowly looked up at him.
Su Rui was smiling.
"Why are you smiling?" she asked quietly.
"Because that was adorable," he replied without the slightest shame.
"Hmph." Lin Yao tightened her hold on Luma and tried to stand but suddenly, an arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
She gasped as her back pressed against his chest.
"Stay," he said calmly, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. "I can keep you both warm tonight."
Her mind blanked. "We… could make a fire."
"I have a better idea," Su Rui said, his smile deepening.
"And that is?" Lin Yao muttered, one second away from biting him.
"We could—"
Lin Yao didn't let him finish.
She twisted her head and bit down hard on his arm, her fangs sinking deep into his skin.
Su Rui let out a sharp grunt of pain and loosened his hold just enough for Lin Yao to jump free, still clutching Luma, who remained fast asleep.
Lin Yao kept her voice low, her eyes blazing. "You're actually trying to take advantage of me, aren't you?"
Su Rui stared at the bite mark on his arm, then looked back at her like she'd lost her mind.
"…You bit me."
"Of course I did," Lin Yao whispered. "You pervert."
He watched her for a long moment. Then he smiled.
"I meant we could shift into our beast forms," he said mildly. "Are you dumb too?"
Lin Yao clenched her teeth. "Can you stop calling me names?"
Su Rui rolled his eyes.
Whitish-blue light suddenly surrounded his body, and in the next instant, a massive white leopard stood where he had been. His icy blue eyes met hers calmly before he lowered himself to the ground, his large body curling slightly.
Lin Yao watched him warily.
After a moment, she walked closer and carefully sat against his side, settling Luma into the warmth of his thick fur. It was soft—far softer than she expected—and radiated heat.
She could feel his attention on her. He was probably wondering why she wasn't shifting too.
The truth was… Lin Yao wasn't sure she even could.
Exhaustion finally won. She relaxed, her grip on Luma tightening instinctively, and slowly let herself fall asleep.