Seven Cubs, Seven Fathers, Zero Days Off

Chapter 281: Chapter 280: I Will Always Be With You

The three words ”That is enough” left Si Muye slightly bewildered. Her tone was heavy, yet at the same time, it felt incredibly light. He couldn’t tell if she meant they had enough food, or if she meant something else entirely... He paused, able to clearly see his own reflection mirrored in her eyes.

Shen Yue stepped closer and slowly crouched beside him. He could even catch the faint, refreshing fragrance emanating from her. It was just as enchanting as the first time they met.

Shen Yue reached out to pick up an unwashed potato in front of him. Her voice was thick with emotion. ”Si Muye, let’s wash them together and cook together, just like we used to do in Wilderness Mountain.”

Crouched beside her, Si Muye’s handsome, resolute face shifted upon hearing her words. Even the way he looked at her changed. His Adam’s apple bobbed. The redness in his eyes melted into warmth, turning into the characteristic shyness and tenderness that only surfaced when he looked at her. ”Okay. Together.”

The two of them crouched in front of the bucket, washing potatoes together.

Meanwhile, Bai Chaosi, Mu Silin, and the others stood rooted to the spot. They watched in silence, taking in her soft, fragile demeanor—a side of herself she was only willing to reveal to Si Muye. Their hands, resting at their sides, clenched into tight fists.

It was because they weren’t good enough. They had only cared about blindly possessing her, never stopping to consider what Shen Yue truly wanted. Perhaps all she desired was a reliable, loving shoulder to lean on. Someone she could trust to watch her back, no matter the circumstances. Clearly, they were not that person.

Instead, it was the man who had always remained silent. The man who, from the very beginning, never thought of fighting for anything, but only quietly stood guard by Shen Yue’s side. It was Si Muye. Even on the rare occasions he came into conflict with them, it was only because they had treated Shen Yue poorly. That was when he would raise his fists and step in to protect her. Everything he did revolved around Shen Yue. His ultimate goal was always her happiness and joy. Unlike them, who constantly made her feel distressed, put her in awkward positions, and caused her endless dilemmas.

At this thought, Mu Silin took a deep breath, his voice suddenly sounding clear and bright. ”Shen Yue, I’ll go gather some more dry firewood!” It was as if the argument that had just occurred never existed.

Ye Lüqi chimed in. ”I’ll make a trip to the market. You guys start cooking first. I saw a vendor selling goat milk tea a few days ago. I’m not sure how it tastes, but I’ll go buy some for us to drink with our meal.”

Hearing this, Gu Fangqi called out, ”Hey, since you’re heading out, I happen to be craving some wine. Bring back a few jugs! Shen Yue just returned, so we should all sit down, have a good drink together, and celebrate.”

Ye Lüqi replied, ”That depends on whether Shen Yue is willing to drink with us.”

Everyone turned their gazes toward Shen Yue. Even Si Muye, who was right beside her, paused his work to look at her. She kept her head lowered as she washed the potato in her hands. Sensing the collective stares, her movements paused for a brief moment. Without looking up, she said, ”Alright.”

That single word made everyone instantly breathe a sigh of relief. Ye Lüqi and Mu Silin immediately left the courtyard.

Seeing this, a smile graced Bai Chaosi’s gentle face as he walked over. ”Since they all have chores to do, I suppose this young master ought to learn how to properly cook.” He looked as if a heavy shackle had been lifted from his shoulders, and his expression was noticeably lighter and more relaxed.

Shen Yue continued busying herself with the task at hand, lost in her own thoughts.

After a while, Si Muye looked at her and said softly, ”A Yue, don’t be upset anymore. I believe they’ve realized their mistakes. Just let what happened earlier pass. Don’t worry, no matter what happens, I will always stay by your side.

”Even if... there is no longer a place for me by your side.”

Shen Yue’s heart constricted painfully, leaving her choked with emotion. How was she supposed to face such a selfless Si Muye? How could she save him? She truly wished that he could stay by her side forever. But... was that genuinely possible? She opened her mouth... wanting to say something...

Just then, the little ones ran out of the house.

”Wow, it’s time to cook!”

”Mother! We want to cook with you and Ancient Bear Father too!”

”Mother, Sibao wants to wash potatoes too!”

”Mother, can Dabao tend the fire later?”

The little ones gathered around them, instantly pulling Shen Yue out of her spiraling thoughts. She quickly composed herself. Looking at the soft, adorable cubs snuggling up to her and acting spoiled, the gloom from moments ago completely vanished into thin air! If she had to make a choice, her children would always be her first priority. She smiled gently. ”Alright, of course you can. But you have to be careful, okay?”

Dabao nodded enthusiastically. ”Don’t worry, Mother! We’re already big babies—almost four months old now! We’ll be super careful and won’t let ourselves get hurt!”

”That’s right!” Erbao chimed in. ”Later, Erbao wants to learn how to roast a whole pig with Mother. Once I figure it out, I’m going to roast one for you and Ancient Bear Father to eat!”

Shen Yue almost burst into laughter. It was a good thing Mu Silin wasn’t around; otherwise, he’d probably get jealous all over again. His own son was eager to learn how to roast meat just to feed his adoptive father, entirely overlooking his biological one. It was abundantly clear just how important Si Muye was in the children’s hearts.

Meanwhile, Bai Chaosi seemed to have completely brushed off all the unpleasantness from earlier. Crouching on the ground, he looked at the soft, fair, and typically aloof Liu Bao. ”Liu Bao, if you learn how to cook, who do you want to make food for first?”

Liu Bao hadn’t planned on paying him any attention, but this time, he humored him with a response. ”My first meal will be for Mother.”

Bai Chaosi looked at him expectantly. ”And the second?”

Liu Bao immediately went back to ignoring him. He trotted straight over to Shen Yue and Si Muye.

Just then, Huang Ziyue walked over, having completely changed his outfit. He wore a simple, elegant dark tunic with tightly bound cuffs. As he approached, he looked like a grand martial arts hero from a legend—exuding an awe-inspiring, peerless aura. However... he was wearing a bright pink apron over his chest.

Shen Yue’s lips twitched, and she nearly choked holding back a laugh. ”And what exactly does the great hero plan on doing?”

Bai Chaosi and Si Muye’s eyes also widened in shock. This attire... the glaring pink color... the massive floral pattern... It was almost too much for their hearts to take.

Huang Ziyue stood before them, gripping a flint stone in his hand. His expression was icy and dead serious. ”I told you I wouldn’t let you exhaust yourself cooking. So, I will be the one doing it!”

Off to the side, Wu Huo and the Dragon Guards watched the scene unfold, completely unable to believe their own eyes. Seeing their master strapped into a giant, floral pink apron nearly blinded them. The image of their master as an unfeeling iceberg and an omnipotent god of the night instantly crumbled into dust!

Staring at his ridiculous getup, Shen Yue simply couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into a fit of laughter. This was the exact apron she had gifted him the other night, right after Huang Ziyue had boldly declared that he would take over all cooking duties so she wouldn’t have to work so hard. At the time, she had told him that since he was making such a grand promise, she would give him a special gift. Then, while he waited with bated breath, she had pulled this exact item out of her spatial realm—a vibrant pink, grandmother-style apron plastered with massive peony flowers, and presented it to him in all its glory! And now... he was actually wearing it. Hahaha!