The sound of squawks and splashing water was the first thing that woke Lin Yao.
At first, it felt distant. Then, as consciousness crept in, her eyes fluttered open and she felt the absence of warmth from the night before. Cool air brushed her skin.
A lake stretched out before her.
Lin Yao jolted upright. "Huh? How did we..."
She turned sharply and froze.
Luma was still fast asleep beside her, curled into herself, her small chest rising and falling steadily.
Lin Yao let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and smiled faintly.
They were close to the shore, close enough that the water lapped softly against the grass. But there was no sign of Su Rui.
She scanned the area, even squinting at the lake, half-expecting to see a white shape moving beneath the surface.
Nothing.
Did he go to get food?
Why bring them to a lake?
Her thoughts cut off abruptly.
"…Wait. Am I getting used to him?" Lin Yao groaned, scratching the back of her neck. "No. No way."
[System initiates new task.]
Lin Yao sighed. "Here we go again. Can I at least give you a name?"
[Why would host give me a name?]
"Because it makes things easier," Lin Yao muttered. "You could give me one too. And Luma. Not just 'dependent.' The way you talk grates on my nerves."
She wished desperately for coffee. Or a cigarette. Or alcohol. Anything.
[Host thoughts are unhealthy.]
[Host must maintain a stable physical and mental environment for dependent.]
[Current mental stability: 13%.]
Lin Yao felt her ears twitch. "It went up by one percent? I'll take it."
[Task: Host must secure stable shelter and long-term residence for dependent.]
[Time limit: 48 hours.]
[Duration requirement: One month.]
[Rewards: Soap. Healing herbs. Book and art supplies for dependent.]
Lin Yao's eyes widened. "That's… a lot." She hesitated. "Can you add a toy?"
[Additional reward granted: Stuffed carrot.]
[Failure punishment: Paralysis for 24 hours.]
Lin Yao scoffed softly. "Of course."
She reached for the cloth bag Su Rui had left behind. Inside were fresh fruits, neatly packed.
Relief washed over her.
"I guess this will do for now," she murmured. Then, quieter, "Thank you, Su Rui."
Luma woke soon after, and together they washed in the lake.
Lin Yao helped her scrub gently, careful of her leg, then dried her off and helped her change into the dress and new pants Su Rui had gotten for her.
Lin Yao sighed softly. She really wished she had that soap now.
Once they were dry and dressed, Lin Yao carefully removed the sticks and vines she had used to brace Luma's leg. She set the cub on a flat rock and stared at her foot closely.
Tilting her head, Lin Yao placed her fingers on her chin, her tail swaying thoughtfully behind her.
"Does it hurt, Luma?"
Luma shook her head. "No…"
"Can you move it?"
Luma swung her leg smoothly, easily.
The relief that flooded Lin Yao's chest was overwhelming.
"…Those herbs really worked fast," she breathed.
Luma beamed. "Thank you, Yao-jie."
Lin Yao froze. Her eyes widened, heat rushing to her face. Then she laughed softly and pinched Luma's cheek.
"You're way too adorable," she said. "But you'll have to walk for a bit, okay? If it starts hurting again, tell me and I'll give you a piggyback."
Luma nodded eagerly.
Lin Yao slung the cloth bag across her body and extended her hand. Luma placed her small hand in hers without hesitation, and Lin Yao helped her hop down from the rock.
Luma stood on both feet with a small gasp.
Lin Yao kept her there for a moment, watching closely. "Let's do some stretches."
Luma blinked at her in confusion.
Lin Yao laughed. In her past life, she had been a dancer... a contemporary dancer, before everything fell apart and she quit.
"Just copy me," Lin Yao said with a smile, lifting her arms overhead.
Luma slowly, awkwardly followed.
"Good girl. Now let's bend to the left…"
They bent together.
"…and the right."
Luma's face was scrunched in concentration.
"You're taking this very seriously," Lin Yao teased.
Luma smiled shyly.
After a few more gentle stretches, they finally started down the road.
They walked for a while, and Lin Yao made sure to gather any fruits she spotted, stuffing them into the cloth bag each time.
It didn't take long before Luma's steps slowed, her breathing uneven, and Lin Yao lifted her onto her back.
Deep down, Lin Yao knew it.
She was lost.
Since coming to this world, she had been surviving on instinct alone. Winging it. Guessing every step forward. Relying on the original owner's memories would only lead her into danger. The only "home" she knew of was the Lion tribe she had been cast out of.
For murder.
And she knew, with sinking certainty, that they were still within tiger territory.
Her fingers tightened around Luma's legs.
If she ran into Jin Yi again, there would be no one to save her this time.
Su Rui had appeared, helped, teased her and left. He had likely returned to his tribe, and she had refused his offer to go with him.
Lin Yao exhaled slowly and looked up.
The sky had darkened significantly. Thick clouds rolled overhead, heavy and bruised, the wind picking up sharply.
This wasn't just rain.
A storm was coming.
Her heart skipped. "We'd better find shelter soon."
"Hm." Luma nodded sleepily, resting her cheek against Lin Yao's shoulder.
Not long after, Lin Yao spotted someone ahead.
An elderly tiger beastwoman.
She looked frail... too thin, her skin pale, her steps slow and unsteady. A woven basket hung from her arm, swaying with each careful step, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Lin Yao immediately ducked behind a bush.
Her grip tightened on Luma. "Stay quiet, okay?"
Luma nodded without question.
Lin Yao hesitated.
Then sighed.
They didn't have the luxury of hiding.
She stepped out.
The moment she did, the woman turned sharply, her eyes widening before narrowing with suspicion.
"Who are you?"
Lin Yao swallowed. "Sorry for disturbing you," she said carefully. "We're looking for shelter from the storm."
The woman's gaze flicked to Lin Yao's back.
"…Is that a rabbit cub?" Her tone sharpened.
Lin Yao stiffened. Was it really that strange?
"Yes," she said evenly. "She's my cub."
The beastwoman studied her in silence, her eyes lingering too long. The wind howled louder, tugging at Lin Yao's hair and tail.
For a moment, Lin Yao couldn't breathe.
Then...
"Hmph." The woman turned away. "Fine. Come with me."
Relief hit Lin Yao so hard her knees nearly buckled.
"Thank you," she said quickly, following after her hoping, desperately, that this wouldn't be another stupid mistake.