Beauty and the Beasts

Chapter 969: Going Home

The plants in the courtyard had become lush, and morning glory vines grew all over the ground. When they left, the flowers had yet to bloom, but now, they were blooming everywhere in the garden and on the walls, looking more like Boston ivy.

Things still looked the same in the stone castle as they did before they left. This wasn’t like the modern era where the air was filled with dust. Even if no one were to clean up for half a month, the place was still relatively clean. There was only a faint layer of dust on top of the stone tables and stools, but there were more fallen leaves.

The moment Bai Qingqing went in, she took off the animal skin. It was dirty, anyway. So, she used it to clean the table in the living room and then placed An’an on top of it.

“Go on and hunt. I’ll clean up the place,” Bai Qingqing said.

Curtis pursed his lips and let out soft laughter from his throat. “Seems like you’re really badly starved. Alright, I’ll go right away. Don’t do anything. Just go to the bedroom and get some rest.”

“It’s fine, go on, go on.” Bai Qingqing feigned impatience, waving her hand.

Curtis planted a kiss on her cheek before heading out.

An’an sat up on the table by herself, causing the leopard cubs nearby to cry out excitedly.

Bai Qingqing was afraid that she’d fall off and placed her on the floor. It was now the hottest season of the year, and it felt the most comfortable to be sitting on the icy cool stone floor. An’an was seven months old, it should be fine.

“Take care of your younger sister. Mommy will go to the kitchen to look for some food.”

Bai Qingqing said to the cubs as she rubbed her stomach, moaning in agony, “I’m starving.”

The leopard cubs who were around their younger sister turned to look at their mother, howling non-stop. “Howl howl howl~” [Mommy, quickly go and eat.]

Bai Qingqing rubbed their heads and said “good boys” before dragging her weak and soft body toward the kitchen.

When girls squatted down and then got back up again, they’d usually experience signs of giddiness. Bai Qingqing hadn’t eaten anything for close to two days and still had to feed An’an. Her blood sugar level was extremely low right now. She had only taken two steps when the back of her head felt heavy and she fell down.

Thankfully, the leopard cubs had quick reactions and cushioned under their mommy’s body in time, so she was unharmed.

Bai Qingqing’s vision blacked out for quite a while, and she was unable to move her body. She only slowly recovered after quite a number of breaths.

The leopard cubs were badly shocked. They squatted in front of her, opening their big eyes to look at her, not making a sound.

Only after seeing their mommy’s gaze gathering together did they carefully try to call out, “Howl howl?”

“Mommy’s fine, I’m just too hungry.” Bai Qingqing wanted to console the children, but her voice sounded weak, making her words lack persuasive power.

Eldest and Second licked their mommy’s face worriedly. They were young and their tongues were soft, so it felt quite comfortable. Therefore, Bai Qingqing didn’t stop them.

Third threw a glance toward the kitchen and then ran out without a sound. Not long later, he brought back a piece of roasted jerky and placed it in front of Bai Qingqing.

“Howwwl~” The leopard cub’s weak cries sounded as if they were crying. Bai Qingqing quickly got up. After the giddiness passed, her body was fine now.

She picked up the jerky on the floor, blew at it, then started eating it.

“Mommy’s really fine. Don’t be afraid.” Bai Qingqing patted Third’s head gratefully, then patted Eldest and Second. She mustn’t show favoritism.

Without anyone caring for her, An’an crawled on the floor for a while and then fell asleep.

She had just woken up but had now fallen asleep so quickly. It must be because she was hungry as well.

Bai Qingqing knew this well, but there was nothing she could do. She could only wait for Curtis to make a big meal for her and then feed An’an after she had enough milk.

The jerky was too tough, and Bai Qingqing wasn’t able to eat much even after chewing for quite a while. When she got tired of it, she also leaned against the table’s legs and fell asleep.