thenovelthief Chapter 281: Waking Up Late and Talking Too Much
Chapter 281: Waking Up Late and Talking Too Much
Feiyan had just finished speaking when he received a death glare.
But he wasn’t afraid and glanced at the stone bowl in Sunxiao’s hand.
"Still hungry this late at night? Let me see what kind of treat you’ve got. Well, well, Deer Beast Blood... Hiss..."
Feiyan’s eyes swept up and down Sunxiao’s body, finally pausing on a certain spot.
"Sunxiao, don’t tell me I was right?"
CRUNCH!
The stone bowl instantly shattered into dust in Sunxiao’s hand.
Feiyan raised an eyebrow and silently took two steps back. ’Bullseye! I must have struck a nerve!’
’See? You can’t just eat whatever you want. Eat too much of that stuff and it’ll take its toll on you!’
’Serves him right!’
The night wind carried a seductive sound that made the males’ hearts race and blood boil. It agitated Feiyan so much that he paced restlessly back and forth along the veranda.
Just as he was about to go take a cold shower, the door to the stone house suddenly opened.
Feiyan stopped in his tracks. Sunxiao also turned to look.
Qiao Xixi poked her head out, surprised to see both of them outside.
"Feiyan, Sunxiao, why aren’t you two asleep?"
Sunxiao replied without a change in expression, "I’m on watch tonight."
Feiyan immediately turned and walked over, craning his neck to peek inside the door.
"Xixi, what are you doing out here?"
They were her beast-husbands, so Qiao Xixi didn’t hide anything. "Sangze fell asleep," she said directly. "I feel a little hot and want to take another bath."
Feiyan froze for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. He didn’t dare laugh too loudly for fear of waking the cubs, but his trembling chest completely betrayed his gloating amusement.
"Look at this useless leopard. I was just about to go take a bath myself. Xixi, I’ll carry you there right now."
"Wait—"
Before Qiao Xixi could finish her sentence, she was whisked away by the white-haired fox.
Sunxiao didn’t step forward to stop him. ’Some things... when you haven’t experienced them yourself, you really think you’re so incredible.’
In the backyard bathhouse, an intense battle was unavoidable.
When the battle subsided, Qiao Xixi stepped out of the tub.
She used a beast-pelt robe to dry the water droplets from her body and put on her Jue Sha sleepwear before coming out of the bathhouse, looking up to meet Sunxiao’s eyes.
"Sunxiao, could you carry Feiyan back to his room? He’s fallen asleep."
Sunxiao grunted in affirmation and strode into the bathhouse. The place was covered in traces of the damned fox’s mischief. But now, Feiyan was draped over the edge of the large tub like a limp noodle, dead to the world.
Sunxiao suppressed the slight upturn at the corners of his eyes, disdainfully lifted the man out of the tub, and unceremoniously dumped his naked body back in his own stone house.
When he came out, he saw Qiao Xixi leaning against the wall, her gaze soft and languid as she watched him.
Sunxiao strode over and picked her up. Qiao Xixi naturally leaned against his shoulder. "I’m sleepy."
"Time for sleep."
Sunxiao lay down on the bed with her in his arms, enveloped in her fresh, post-bath fragrance.
Qiao Xixi had learned from the Collection Book about a plant in the beast world similar to soapberries. The only difference was that it also had a natural floral scent and was excellent for washing one’s hair and body.
This refreshing scent wafted up to Sunxiao’s nose, helping him suppress the desire stirring within him.
Qiao Xixi found a comfortable position in his arms and closed her eyes.
Only when he could feel her even breaths did Sunxiao finally close his own eyes.
Sunxiao woke at dawn.
He glanced at Qiao Xixi sleeping soundly in his arms, placed a kiss on her forehead, and then got up, dressed, and went out the door.
The moment he stepped outside, he saw Feiyan emerge from his stone house, cursing and muttering.
The moment Feiyan saw Sunxiao, he exploded. "I knew it was your doing, you snake! Where’s Xixi? Is she in your room?"
Sunxiao casually shut the door, completely blocking Feiyan’s line of sight. "She is."
Feiyan snorted coldly. "I was supposed to be enjoying myself with Xixi until dawn! You must have played a dirty trick to knock me out and seize the chance to steal her away!"
Sunxiao shot him a look—one that was blatant and full of disdain.
"What’s with that look? When you were with Xixi, I never pulled a stunt like this! You..."
Qiao Xixi, who had woken up from the commotion, opened her door and stepped out. "Feiyan," she said, "you fell asleep in the bathhouse last night. Sunxiao was the one who carried you back to your room."
Feiyan was shocked, freezing on the spot. "Xixi, you’re playing favorites!"
Qiao Xixi blinked. "How am I playing favorites?"
"He stole you away, and you’re still taking his side! If that’s not playing favorites, what is?"
"That’s not it, Feiyan. Last night, you were just too tired and sleepy. You couldn’t last and fell asleep. I was the one who asked Sunxiao to carry you back."
Qiao Xixi was being completely serious, but after the initial shock, Feiyan found it hard to accept.
"How is that possible? I... How could I just suddenly fall asleep? It must be because I’ve been exhausted from repairing the tribe’s defenses these past few days. Yes, that must be it! I... I’ll go get some water for you to wash up, Xixi."
The fox fled as if escaping for his life.
"Did he wake you?"
Qiao Xixi shook her head. "No, I woke up on my own. I promised the cubs I’d take them to watch the competition today."
Sunxiao noted her fair, rosy face. She showed none of the exhaustion that usually followed their wild nights, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"You’re not tired?"
Qiao Xixi blinked. "Not at all. I feel great! I’m going to check on the cubs."
Qiao Xixi turned and walked to the cubs’ room. The moment she pushed open the door, several cubs tumbled out.
The cubs were stunned to see Qiao Xixi. Qiao Qiao, ever the quick-witted one, was the first to scramble up from the floor. She grinned at Qiao Xixi and said, "Good morning, Mother!"
"Good morning, Mother."
The rest of the cubs chimed in with their greetings.
Qiao Xixi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "You’re all up already? That’s great. Come on, let’s go downstairs and get washed up."
Just as Qiao Xixi was about to head downstairs, Jin Ling came out holding a tiger cub.
The little one had just woken up, his eyes still drowsy. The moment he saw Qiao Xixi, he reached out his little arms, wanting her to hold him.
"Looks like our An’an is awake too."
"He woke up when he heard his brothers and sisters. I’ll go down and start breakfast."
As soon as Jin Ling left, Sunxiao followed. "I’ll go with you."
Jin Ling glanced back at Sunxiao but said nothing.
By the time breakfast was ready and the family was gathered around the table, Sangze was just getting up.
After washing up, he walked into the dining room, sat down in his spot, and picked up his chopsticks. As he did, he sniffed the air and glanced curiously into Jin Ling and the others’ bowls.
"Huh? Jin Ling, is that fresh Deer Beast Blood in you guys’ bowls?"
Sangze’s eyes were incredibly clear and bright. "Don’t you guys usually not drink fresh blood? After you drink Deer Beast Blood, your body gets all warm, and... and it also... MMMPH!"
Before Sangze could finish, Feiyan stuffed a large piece of meat into his mouth.
"You’re the last one to wake up, and you still talk the most! In a bit, you and Sunxiao are going hunting. You’re going to catch Deer Beasts for me—catch as many as you can find and bring them all back!"