CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: SU MINGXUAN

The whole tribe gathered in the center, eyes bright with excitement. Murmurs rose everywhere as figures appeared at the edge of the clearing. All beastmen are returning, some in their tall human forms, others in their majestic beast forms.

Su Qinglan’s heart pounded. She stretched her neck, trying to see over the crowd.

At the very front walked a man whose presence seemed to shine brighter than the rest. Tall, broad, and proud—his hair is the same shade as hers, orange in the shade of sunset, giving him a very mature and elegant vibe. His features were sharp and noble.

Su Qinglan froze. She recognized him at once.

Su Mingxuan, the original owner’s father.

Even though the memories of the original host were tangled and confusing, his figure had always stood out clearly. The man who had taken care of the original owner... who had carried her when she was small, fed her, and protected her.

And now, seeing him with her own eyes, Su Qinglan’s chest tightened painfully. In her last life, she had no parents, no family at all. She had longed for someone like this—for a father. For a hand to pat her head, a voice to say, "You’re not alone."

Her lips trembled as her eyes followed his tall frame. For the first time in two lives, she felt something warm flicker inside her chest.

The salt team marched proudly into the tribe center and stood in the middle of the open ground. Su Mingxuan climbed onto the stone platform so that all could see him.

Su Qinglan squeezed into the crowd to watch, but strangely, no one pressed against her. Wherever she walked, the beastmen and females shifted back, opening space. She found herself standing in a clear circle, Hu Yan and Rong Ye silently taking place just behind her.

Her fingers tightened on her clothes, but her eyes didn’t leave the man standing on the platform.

Su Mingxuan raised his voice, his tone deep and steady.

"This time," he said, "our tribe has returned with five full bags of salt."

Gasps and cheers filled the air.

"That is enough for the entire tribe to last through the season. Last time, we only managed three bags."

The cheer grew louder, beastmen slapping each other’s shoulders, females clapping their hands in relief.

But Su Mingxuan wasn’t finished. His gaze swept over his people.

"And there is more good news. This time, we lost no one. Not a single member. Everyone has returned, alive, with only light injuries. The Beast God has finally blessed us."

The crowd erupted again, voices rising like a wave.

"The priest of Beast City had also guided us," Su Mingxuan continued, his tone solemn. "He said that this season, our fox tribe’s fate will improve. There will be fewer deaths, and many new cubs will be born. The future of our tribe depends on this."

The excitement hushed into silence as everyone listened closely.

"So let us prove his words true," Su Mingxuan declared. "Let us bring life to the next generation. Any female who bears a cub this season will be rewarded with extra meat and extra salt from the tribe’s storage."

A heavy silence followed before voices slowly rose again, not as wild as before. Excited, yes...but also worried.

Because everyone knew the truth.

This entire season, not a single female had shown signs of pregnancy. Their tribe had hundreds of strong adult beastmen, but only a handful of cubs running around.

And no new ones on the way.

The problem pressed on every heart. It was a shadow they could not ignore.

That was why, before setting out on this salt trade, Su Mingxuan and the witch doctor had gone together to Beast City to consult the priest. They had sought answers, solutions. And the priest had given them hope.

Now, it was up to the tribe to make that hope real.

Su Qinglan’s gaze never left Su Mingxuan’s tall figure, his proud voice echoing across the square. She didn’t even notice the looks others threw at her, the whispers behind their hands.

All she saw was him.

Her father.

The most powerful beast in the tribe.

The announcement ended with one last cheer, and Su Mingxuan lifted his hand to calm the crowd.

"Tonight, we feast," he said with a strong voice. "Not only do we have salt, we have prey enough to share. Everyone, eat and celebrate."

The square roared with happiness. Beastmen clapped each other’s shoulders, females smiled with relief, and cubs jumped and shouted.

The salt team carried the heavy bags and prey toward the storage cave, where the tribe kept their treasures. Later, everything would be divided fairly among all.

Slowly, the excitement faded, and the crowd began to thin. But Su Qinglan still stood there. Her feet refused to move, her shiny eyes never leaving the tall figure at the center.

Her father.

Su Mingxuan was speaking with the witch doctor, his voice calm but serious. He looked every bit the leader—majestic, strong, and unshakable. But then, when the witch doctor left, his brown eyes lifted and landed right on her.

For a breath, the world seemed to stop.

Then, suddenly, a smile bloomed on his face. It was warm, gentle, and full of affection.

He walked toward her with long strides and reached out his big hand. With the gentlest touch, he patted her fluffy hair.

"My Lan Lan has become prettier," he said softly, his voice low but carrying pride. "Father is proud of you."

The words hit her heart like a wave. Su Qinglan’s eyes stung, her lips trembling. She forced herself not to cry and only gazed up at him with wide, glistening eyes.

Su Mingxuan looked down at her clean face, her bright eyes, and her slightly red cheeks. Delight shone in his expression. He was happy—happy that his daughter had finally learned to take care of herself, happy that she stood tall before him.

Then, his eyes shifted past her.

Behind Su Qinglan stood Hu Yan, steady as a mountain, and Rong Ye, tails swaying lazily. Shock flickered across Su Mingxuan’s face, but he didn’t ask a single question. Instead, when Hu Yan and Rong Ye both bowed slightly in greeting, Su Mingxuan returned it with a nod.

There was something in his eyes; it was gratitude. He was thankful that these two were behind his daughter, guarding her.

Hu Yan accepted the look calmly, as if it was only natural. He was truly following Su Qinglan with all his heart.

Rong Ye, on the other hand, rolled his eyes secretly. Who wants to follow her? he thought, annoyed. I only stay because of her food. I don’t want to be her mate, hmph.

But even he kept his mouth shut. The tribe leader was a good man; he did not want to say anything bad to him.

Su Mingxuan turned back to his daughter. He untied the small hide bag at his waist and reached inside. His large hand came out holding something small and pale.

"I brought this for you," he said, his eyes softening. "Females like to wear this in their hair. My baby will look pretty with it."

He placed it gently in her palm.

Su Qinglan blinked down at the gift. It was a seashell. Smooth, shining faintly in the light, its curves perfect.

Her breath caught. There was no sea here. That meant her father had exchanged for it in Beast City, keeping her in mind even while he was far away.

Her shiny eyes turned misty. She clutched the shell, her voice coming out small and sweet.

"Lan Lan also missed Father..."

She tilted her head, acting coquettish without even realizing it, her voice soft like a child spoiled for love.

In her heart, she was so jealous of the original Su Qinglan. To have such a father, such warmth, such protection. Something she had never tasted in her last life. She had been greedy for affection, starving for it, and now—now she finally had it.

Her mood brightened like the sun breaking through clouds.