After I Dumped 7 Beast Husbands and Ran

"Mmm." Hu Bai lowered his gaze. Although the misunderstanding between him and Nan Zishi was resolved, five years was too long. There was still a sense of unfamiliarity between them, making their interactions less than natural.

Hu Bai paused for a moment. "It’s right for you to have your own secrets. I wouldn’t have been angry even if you didn’t tell me. But you did tell me... and I’m very happy."

Hu Bai had suffered from his previous silence. He now understood that when communicating with his female master, he needed to voice his thoughts and feelings at the right times.

Right now, he was truly happy.

Hu Bai and Fox Qi slept on the bedding, while Little Snake Yang and the little wolf cub curled up in a corner of it.

Meanwhile, Nan Zishi took out a sleeping bag and slept on the other side of the fire.

Hu Bai lay on the ground, covered by the bedding, and gazed leisurely in Nan Zishi’s direction.

"Female master, are you asleep?"

Nan Zishi turned over in her sleeping bag and looked at him. "Are the cubs asleep?"

"Mmm."

Hu Bai apologized softly, "I’m sorry. I misunderstood you before without knowing the truth. My attitude has been poor these past few days since you came to Stone Village."

"It’s okay. I was at fault too," Nan Zishi said.

In the darkness, Nan Zishi’s eyes sparkled. Especially now that she could activate her Moon Attracting Starlight superpower at any time, her beast ears and tail had appeared, and her eyes had even gained night vision.

She could see Hu Bai clearly, and he could see her clearly too.

Hu Bai was a little nervous. He mustered his courage and asked again:

"Then... do you like me, even a little bit?"

Hu Bai waited for her answer, his heart pounding with anxiety.

However, he heard Nan Zishi’s even breathing.

She had actually fallen asleep.

...

Nan Zishi was dreaming again.

In the dream, she returned to that familiar space.

There were seven totems in seven different locations within the space. Six of them were still shrouded in black energy, but the spot with the fox totem was gradually brightening.

"Is anyone there? Is anyone there?" Nan Zishi felt an inexplicable fear as she walked through the dark space.

The snow-white fox totem gently appeared by her side, illuminating a small patch of the path at her feet.

Nan Zishi reached out to touch the snow-white fox totem. The totem and the small green leaf on it interacted with her gently.

"Thank you," Nan Zishi said with a small smile.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, a Mermaid Totem suddenly appeared before her in one of the locations. On the black Mermaid Totem was a small, very tender-looking young leaf.

The black Mermaid Totem was emitting black smoke and looked furious!

Nan Zishi turned and ran, and the black Mermaid Totem gave chase fiercely!

The snow-white fox totem tried to protect Nan Zishi, but when the ground beneath her feet turned into a vast sea, the fox totem couldn’t move an inch and could only watch anxiously from the shore.

Nan Zishi swam with all her might, stroking desperately. She swam and swam.

The black Mermaid Totem abruptly appeared in front of her and dragged her into the sea!

...

When she woke up the next day, Nan Zishi had some faint memories of her dream this time.

’It seems I dreamed of a fox, a mermaid, and the sea?’

She couldn’t remember any more details.

’It’s probably not important.’

The floodwaters receded.

Nan Zishi led her family back to Stone Village.

After the flood, the village was in a bit of a mess, and everyone was doing a headcount.

"Did you guys hear? A fox cub from the neighboring family was swept away by the flood!"

"Oh gods, this flood was so powerful. I’m afraid that little cub won’t be saved."

"Why was there so much rain during the little rainy season? And a flood, too?"

"Who can say for sure?"

Then, someone shouted, "Has anyone seen anyone from Hu Zi’s family or the village chief Fox Xin’s family?"

"Has anyone seen them?"

"No, haven’t seen anyone from Hu Zi’s or Fox Xin’s families. How strange."

As Nan Zishi appeared with Hu Bai and the others, she heard someone shout, "Hu Bai’s family is back!"

"Hu Bai’s family is back!"

"Hu Bai’s family is back, but Fox Xin’s and Hu Zi’s families haven’t returned. The adult Beastmen from their families are gone, and only a few cubs came back!"

"What happened? Don’t tell me something bad happened to them."

"Let’s wait a bit longer. Maybe they took shelter on higher ground and are just late coming back."

Hu Bai coughed weakly as he questioned the villagers, trying to gather more information.

"Is there anything we can help with?"

Seeing how weak Hu Bai was, the Beastmen of Stone Village figured he wouldn’t be much help and gave up on the idea. "No, no, you were caught in the rain too. Hurry back and get some rest."

Nan Zishi whispered to Hu Bai, "They haven’t discovered anything. We’ll just have to see if the cubs from Hu Zi’s family know anything."

Hu Bai whispered back to Nan Zishi with a smile, "Don’t worry. Even if they find out, it doesn’t matter. They won’t find it. Let’s go back to the cave first."

Back at the cave, it was, as expected, filled with mud from the flood. The sight made Nan Zishi frown.

"This cave is remote and damp, and it floods easily whenever it rains. It’s too dangerous. We can’t live here at all."

Fox Qi grabbed Nan Zishi’s hand and looked up at her anxiously. "Mother. If Mother doesn’t like it here, Father and I can find another cave to live in, okay? We’ll definitely find a suitable cave."

’As long as Mother doesn’t abandon us, we can do anything. But she absolutely can’t despise us, she can’t abandon us.’

Nan Zishi hesitated.

Hu Bai lowered his gaze and asked her, "Can you tell me what you’re thinking?"

Nan Zishi looked at Hu Bai, then at Fox Qi. She cleared her throat and said, "I was thinking, Stone Village hasn’t been good to you anyway. And you aren’t happy living here. So why not... come with me?"

Afraid they would refuse, she quickly explained, "I don’t have a permanent home right now either, and I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be doing. But I’ll do my best to take care of you and shoulder my responsibilities as a female!"

"Hu Bai, Aqi... say something. Are you willing to come with me?"

The more Nan Zishi spoke, the more she feared their refusal, and the more nervous she became.

Hu Bai chuckled.

Fox Qi couldn’t help but grin.

Little Fox Qi tugged on Nan Zishi’s sleeve. The little guy’s eyes were sparkling, looking both adorable and sweet.

"Of course! Aqi has been so happy these past few days.

It doesn’t matter if we live in a cave or outside. As long as Aqi is with Mother, I feel so secure.

Wherever Mother goes, Aqi will go! I just beg Mother not to abandon Aqi again."

Nan Zishi ruffled Little Aqi’s head. "Never, never. Fox Qi is so wonderful, Mother will never abandon you."

Hu Bai also smiled and said, "You are my female master. There’s no hesitation in following you."

This time, she truly hadn’t abandoned them.

*

The cave was full of mud, too much for one person to clean up.

Moreover, Hu Bai had an injury to his waist and abdomen, and Nan Zishi couldn’t bear to let him overexert himself.

So, Nan Zishi took a turn around the cave entrance and came back leading four young Fox Beastmen to clean the cave for them.

The four young Beastmen were full of energy!

"Nan Zishi, are we cleaning this cave?"

"Yes."

"Should we wash the Beast Skin mats too?"

"Yes."

"Don’t worry, we’ll definitely help you get the cave spotless."

Nan Zishi’s eyes curved into crescents. "Okay."

Hu Bai frowned slightly. He looked at Nan Zishi, then at the four young Fox Beastmen.

A sour scent wafted through the air. Fox Qi quickly took Little Snake Yang aside to play.

Before long, thanks to the labor of the four young Male Beastmen, Hu Bai’s family cave was cleaned until it was exceptionally bright and spotless!

Nan Zishi took out four stalks of isatis root and handed one to each of them. "These four plants can all treat colds and coughs. If you don’t believe me, you can take them to the witch doctor to ask. This is your payment for the work!"

The four Fox Beastmen’s cheeks were red. They said one after another:

"We don’t need your medicine! We’re just happy we could help."

"Yeah, Nan Zishi, if you ever decide to accept a new Beast Husband, remember to consider me."

"Me too, me too! I’m strong and healthy, and a very hard worker."

"And me, please remember me too!"

After speaking, the four male Fox Beastmen left with their medicine, enduring Hu Bai’s murderous glare.

When Nan Zishi returned with the wooden bucket, carrying the Beast Skin Skirts the Fox Beastmen had washed and dried, she saw Hu Bai staring at her sourly.

She couldn’t help but chuckle as she booped his high-bridged nose. "What’s wrong? You’re not jealous, are you?"

In a good mood, Nan Zishi explained to him, "I used Witch Medicine to trade for their labor. It’s an equal exchange, and it makes things easier for all of us."

Nan Zishi added, "Hu Bai, I only want their labor. I have no other intentions toward them."