Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

"Embarrassed? Why would I be? I’ve never felt that way when I write."

"Is that so? Weren’t you caught by your roommate writing those sappy romance stories back in the day? He even read it out loud in front of the whole class..."

"Cough cough, that’s ancient history. No need to bring it up..."

The family, full and content after their meal, chatted idly on the lawn, not yet noticing the commotion in the garage.

Shao Ya let out a satisfied burp. Making herself at home, she nonchalantly rested her head on Su Zhi’s lap and closed her eyes contentedly.

Neither of his parents reacted with much surprise.

After all, they were two kids who were very close. It was perfectly normal and innocent for them to lean on each other to sleep.

Su Zhi, on the other hand, blinked as he looked down at the girl on his lap, feeling both awkward and amused.

The curve of the girl’s profile was perfect. She had a small nose and long eyelashes. The faint pink of her cheeks made her cool, fair skin seem a little less unapproachable.

Her bright white hair was splayed across his knees, carrying her warmth and scent. When a gentle breeze swept by, the strands would dance in the wind, creating a slight tickling sensation.

’It would be impossible to say he was completely unaffected—he wasn’t a monk, after all. Having a girl like this resting her head in his lap couldn’t just be brushed off as innocent childhood friendship. What man could possibly withstand such a trial...’

But Su Zhi also didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’Don’t be fooled by how skilled and knowledgeable Shao Ya seemed, the way she just lay down so boldly, as if everything was under her control. The moment he acted even a little bit braver, she would immediately become flustered, turning into a steaming little tomato.’

’Sometimes Su Zhi wondered which was her true self: the mature one, or the flustered one...’

’Then again, he realized there was no need to dwell on it. People are complex beings with many different facets to their personalities.’

’To him, every side of her was beautiful and irreplaceable.’

"By the way, Xiaoshu, are you planning on going to Hundred Rivers next?"

Su Mao seemed to remember something, a worried expression on his face. "Earthquakes are frequent over at Hundred Rivers. The risk factor isn’t low. Do you really have to go?"

"I won’t be gone for long. I’m just going to check a specific location, hoping I might find a clue for Yu Bao’s evolution. It’s currently a lull in seismic activity, so there won’t be any major quakes. Plus, our destination isn’t even on a fault line. It’s not as dangerous as it sounds..."

Su Zhi had known his parents would be worried, so he calmly relayed the speech he had prepared.

Hearing this, Su Mao and Wang Sujuan’s expressions softened a little.

Their biggest fear was that Su Zhi was rushing into danger on a whim. But now it seemed he had come prepared, and his plan was far more reliable than the bits and pieces of rumors they had heard.

"During the summer camp, my Alliance Member guide told me that being a Beast Tamer is a profession that requires facing risks. We put ourselves in danger precisely so that more people don’t have to."

Su Zhi said softly, recalling the back of a figure with long, ice-blue hair.

"When a crisis arrives, we become the Great Wall, the front line that defends the masses. If we shrink from potential risks, how can we ever grow into real Beast Tamers?"

Su Mao chimed in, filled with emotion. "That makes sense. It’s like when I’m surfing the web. Sometimes, even if there’s a risk, I still choose to proceed to the site..."

Wang Sujuan clenched her fists.

Su Mao raised his hands in surrender.

"Xiaoshu, we understand. You’re a grown man now, able to stand on your own two feet, and we’re truly happy for you."

After intimidating Su Mao, Wang Sujuan turned back to Su Zhi, her voice soft and gratified.

"You made this decision after careful consideration, so we won’t try to talk you out of it. It’s really low for parents to act all high-and-mighty and try to control their children’s choices. The best thing we can do is nothing at all.

"It’s just that, Hundred Rivers is a place with a high risk factor. Xiaoshu, when you’re out there on your own, you have to be careful and stay safe, okay?"

Su Zhi’s eyes stung. He lowered his head and nodded emphatically.

’He had been through so many hardships without batting an eye, yet his parents could break through his defenses with just a few simple words.’

"Is Su Baby going to cry? If you want to cry, just cry! It’s not a crime for a man to cry, cry, cry~"

The girl on his lap began to sing off-key, and the somewhat heavy atmosphere instantly became lively again.

This time, it was Wang Sujuan’s turn to quietly wipe away a tear.

She could say all that, but her child was going so far away, to such a dangerous place. What parent wouldn’t worry?

Su Mao said softly, "It’s okay, Juan. Xiaoshu is a Tier Four Beast Tamer now. Not to mention his physical fitness, he also has Yu Bao, Wu Bao, and Shan Bao to protect him. Even if he really runs into trouble, he’ll be able to get away unscathed..."

Wang Sujuan punched him hard. "Don’t jinx it!"

Seeing his parents were about to start bickering again, Su Zhi looked around and asked curiously, "Speaking of which, where are Yu Bao and Wu Bao?"

Su Mao scratched his head. "Didn’t Wu Bao go back to the garage to train? Maybe Yu Bao went to find him..."

"AR-WOO~" "GRRRR!"

As they were talking, the sounds of a tussle came from the direction of the garage.

Immediately after, a cloud of sand and dust shot out with a WHOOSH. The dust reformed into Yu Bao in mid-air, a signature mischievous grin on his face.

Wu Bao was chasing right behind him, its Riding Lance-like horn swinging wildly, looking absolutely furious.

One chased, the other fled, and in a flash, they were about to charge onto the dinner table.

Su Zhi quickly grabbed hold of Yu Bao while signaling Wu Bao to stop.

Wu Bao was so frantic it stomped its feet and spun in circles on the spot. Any faster and it probably would have taken flight.

Su Zhi said with a deadpan expression, "I know you’re in a hurry, but calm down first. Can you tell me what happened?"

"AR-WOO!" Yu Bao answered first with a cheeky grin.