Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off

Back inside the main hall of the Heavenly God Estate, an eerie silence hung in the air.

This was already the third time the Beast Queen had personally visited the estate, yet that brat An Mo and his female had still not come out of the Sacred Pond.

She paced back and forth across the polished floor, her grand robes sweeping behind her as she muttered under her breath in frustration.

"What on earth is he even doing in there?" she grumbled, her eyebrows knit tightly together. She paused, tapping her chin before adding in a lower, half-joking whisper, "...She’s still alive, right?"

The very second those words left her mouth, a heavy, icy gaze landed squarely on her.

The Beast Queen felt a sudden chill run down her spine. Her casual smile instantly stiffened, and she slowly looked up, only to find Xuan Long staring at her with dark, unblinking eyes.

She quickly coughed into her hand, flashing him an awkward, reassuring smile.

"Don’t mind me, child! I was just wondering why they are still taking so long. After all, it has already been a full week! What could they possibly be doing in there for a whole week?"

Xuan Long didn’t say a single word in response. He simply looked back down, his expression softening as he continued to gently pet his little daughter.

The tiny, beautiful snake cub was wrapped happily around his wrist, cooing softly and pressing sweet, affectionate little kisses against his palm.

Xuan Long’s eyes remained fixed on her, filled with warmth.

Suddenly, the heavy doors of the grand hall were pushed open, and small, energetic footsteps echoed through the room.

Xiao San came running inside, his bright eyes scanning the room until they landed on the visitor. "Beast Queen is here!" he announced cheerfully.

The moment the Beast Queen saw the lively little snake cub, her annoyed face lit up like a bright sun.

All her lingering frustration vanished in an instant. She rushed forward, catching the running Xiao San right in her arms, lifting him high into the air, and catching him with a bright laugh.

"My sweet baby is here!" she gushed, gently booping his tiny nose with her finger. "How was your day, my little treasure?"

Xiao San giggled happily. "I missed the beautiful Beast Queen!" he said with a beaming smile.

The Beast Queen cupped her cheeks in delight, her heart completely melting.

"Oh, you sweet child! Of course! But darling, don’t call me Beast Queen. Just call me Beast Grandmother! After all, your father is just like a child of my own to me," she said sweetly, giving him a warm hug.

Xiao San tilted his head in confusion, his round ears twitching. "But Father said you are the Beast Queen, so we should all call you Beast Queen."

The Beast Queen froze, slightly stunned by the blunt answer, before laughing softly. "You don’t always have to listen to your father on everything, sweetie. You can call me Grandmother!"

Xiao San thought about it for a second but ultimately shook his head.

To him, his father’s words were far more important than anything else. He obstinately stuck to his father’s instruction and politely called her Beast Queen anyway.

The Beast Queen let out an affectionate sigh, petting his soft hair. "Silly, loyal child..."

She waved her hand toward the back of the hall, signaling to her son, Feng Yuchen, who was trailing quietly behind her.

He stepped forward carrying a large, elegant tray filled with freshly baked, sweet-smelling pastries that the queen had explicitly asked the royal kitchen to prepare earlier.

"See? "The Beast Queen smiled, pointing at the tray. "Beast Queen brought all these delicious treats just for you! You can go share them with your brothers and sisters."

Xiao San’s eyes sparkled with joy. "Thank you, Beast Queen!"

He took the small box of pastries and immediately ran off to the adjacent courtyard, eager to play and eat treats with his siblings.

The Beast Queen stood there watching the cheerful child run away, letting out a deep, complex sigh.

He really doesn’t look like Xuan Long at all... she thought to herself.

When Xuan Long was a child, he had been a deathly silent, cold, and solemn little snake. He was so stoic that even full-grown adults would hesitate and think twice before daring to speak to him.

But Xiao San? Xiao San was a happy little chatterbox with sharp, remarkably intelligent eyes.

Whenever he spoke, his words were clever and well-thought-out, almost like a miniature adult wrapped in a cheerful cub’s body. He was always smiling, playing, and sharing everything with his siblings. He was nothing like the cold snake lord standing in the room.

She really wondered how a cold, distant man like Xuan Long had managed to raise such bright and cheerful cubs.

Looking out toward the courtyard where all the cubs were playing without a single care in the world, the Beast Queen realized the truth. It had to be their mother.

Only a mother filled with boundless love and warmth could give these children such unique, loving, and joyful personalities. Every single one of them was equally affectionate and sweet.

Looking at the happy children, the Beast Queen couldn’t help but mutter under her breath with a tinge of regret, "Why didn’t my own cubs take after them? My children are always so stiff and cold..."

Standing right behind her, Feng Yuchen heard her complaint, and his face instantly darkened. Dark bitterness welled up in his chest.

Why aren’t we affectionate? he thought bitterly to himself. Because you never gave us a chance!

He wanted so badly to throw the truth back in her face. After all, right after he and his sister were born, they were tossed straight to their father to be raised.

And their father hadn’t cared for them either! They were mostly left entirely on their own, provided with basic fruits, with only occasional, cold visits from their parents.

How could children raised in isolation without parental warmth ever turn out cheerful and loving like these cubs?

However, Feng Yuchen forced his dark emotions down, keeping his mouth strictly shut.

Even though he tried to rationalize it, he couldn’t stop the deep envy blooming in his heart. He was ridiculously jealous of these young cubs.

Now, more than ever, he was eagerly waiting for An Mo to return from the Sacred Pond. He wanted to see what kind of extraordinary female could tame both the golden angel and the cold snake lord.

His eyes peeked over at Xuan Long, who was still holding his daughter... the beautiful little snake princess in his arms with endless gentle patience.

Feng Yuchen’s inner jealousy burned even hotter.

Xuan Long already had a pair of gorgeous, talented children and a loving mate. How could one man be so incredibly blessed?

Growing up, Xuan Long’s situation had been even worse than his own!

His parents had died and abandoned him at such a young age, leaving him completely alone in the world. Yet now, Xuan Long had found his fated soulmate and built a warm, loving family.

And what about me? Feng Yuchen thought, a wave of profound emptiness hitting his chest.

He was still completely single. He hadn’t found his fated mate, he had no one who loved him with such devotion, and he had no sweet cubs to greet him when he returned home.

As he stood in the silent hall, watching the warm domestic scene before him, a bittersweet emotion swelled deep within his eyes.