I Transmigrated as a Villainess to Raise Babies, and My Beast Husbands Are Fighting Madly Over Me!-Chapter 24: She Rejected You

"Huh?"

Qiao Xixi was dumbfounded.

Jin Ling gently pulled her into his arms.

"Xixi, I want to be your beastman husband. Can I?"

The sudden confession threw Qiao Xixi completely off balance.

She had been planning to tell Jin Ling tonight that their security agreement could end today, that he was free.

"Jin Ling, I..."

"Xixi, please don’t reject me yet." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I..."

In that instant, Qiao Xixi could feel his profound disappointment.

Her heart ached a little, too.

The truth was, in her current situation, it would definitely be safer to have a powerful protector like Jin Ling with her.

But she didn’t want to be a burden to him.

Thinking of this, Qiao Xixi’s racing heart gradually calmed down.

"Jin Ling, I’m not ready to find a beastman husband right now. Can you give me some time?"

The moment Qiao Xixi finished speaking, the light in those molten-gold eyes visibly dimmed.

But soon, his expression became determined once more.

"Alright. I’m willing to wait, no matter how long it takes. But please don’t make me leave you, okay?"

Qiao Xixi stared at him, taken aback.

"Jin Ling, we agreed before. You only needed to escort us to the tribe. You have no responsibility to protect us forever."

"I just want to protect you."

His gentle words carried an undeniable, domineering air.

Qiao Xixi sighed softly.

"If you want to stay here, I have no right to drive you away. But from now on, I hope that everything you do is for yourself."

Seeing that Qiao Xixi wasn’t chasing him away, the tension in Jin Ling’s eyes and brows eased considerably.

"Okay."

’As long as I can watch over her, I’m willing, even if I’m not her beastman husband.’

Jin Ling reluctantly released his hold on her.

"I’ll go empty the water."

Qiao Xixi felt a little embarrassed; the water in her bucket was truly filthy.

But Jin Ling acted as if nothing was wrong, carrying the wooden bucket out.

"I’ll wash up at the stream in a bit. You all rest first."

"Okay. Be careful out there."

After Jin Ling had walked some distance away, Qiao Xixi went over to the fire rack, using the rising heat to steam her hair dry before returning to the house.

The three cubs were already asleep on the bed.

Qiao Xixi walked to the bedside and lay down.

Of the three stone houses, they slept in one, one was for washing up, and the other was left for Jin Ling.

Qiao Xixi had just laid down when Qiao Qiao, who was sleeping on the innermost side, climbed over her brothers and into her arms.

"Mama, hold me to sleep."

Ever since she’d experienced the warmth of Qiao Xixi’s embrace, Qiao Qiao especially loved to snuggle in her arms.

Of course, Qiao Xixi wouldn’t refuse.

"Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Qiao Qiao’s little nose twitched. Her mama smelled nice.

"Mama, you don’t like that big male?"

At Qiao Qiao’s words, Qiao Lie and Qiao Ang, who had their eyes tightly shut, both opened them.

Qiao Xixi facepalmed.

’Why do I feel like my own cubs are more concerned about my love life than I am?’

"Do you all like Jin Ling that much?"

Qiao Qiao tilted her little head.

"He’s super strong! He can hunt, and he can protect Mama and us."

Qiao Xixi understood. These little ones wanted a free bodyguard and a meal ticket.

"Yes, Jin Ling is very good, but we can’t only think of ourselves. Alright, go to sleep now."

Qiao Ang yawned and closed his eyes.

Qiao Lie glanced at Qiao Xixi and also went to sleep.

Qiao Qiao snuggled in Qiao Xixi’s arms, her little mouth still murmuring,

"If Mama doesn’t like the big male, then we’ll just find Mama another one..."

Before she could finish, the little one fell asleep.

Qiao Xixi was tired too. Only after hearing the familiar sound of Jin Ling’s footsteps outside the door did she slowly close her eyes.

Jin Ling stood outside the door. Hearing the steady breathing from within, he walked inside.

Bathed in the faint moonlight, he gazed at Qiao Xixi’s exquisitely beautiful face and couldn’t resist placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

He lifted his head.

His eyes met a pair of reddened ones.

Qiao Lie was staring at Jin Ling, his little face tense.

Jin Ling froze for a moment, then pulled the blanket up for him and said in a low voice, "Qiao Lie, thank you for carrying me back to the cave back then."

Qiao Lie’s pupils constricted into slits.

He wanted Jin Ling to take care of Qiao Xixi, but seeing Jin Ling try to get close to her made him unhappy.

Qiao Lie’s voice was cold.

"She rejected you."

A faint smile touched the corners of Jin Ling’s lips.

"It doesn’t matter. I won’t leave. Go to sleep."

Perhaps because they had finally reached the tribe, Qiao Xixi felt at ease, and she slept more soundly than she had in a long time.

When she woke up again, the sun was already bright outside.

The cubs were no longer in bed.

Qiao Xixi got up and walked out of the stone house to see the three cubs energetically moving small stones, while Jin Ling was mixing yellow mud with water.

Hearing the sound, the one big and three small figures all looked toward Qiao Xixi.

Jin Ling’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "You’re awake. The roasted meat is ready. Go eat first."

"What are you all doing?"

Qiao Qiao put down the stone in her hands and replied, "Mama, we’re repairing the stone house."

Jin Ling explained, "The stone house has some cracks. I want to fix them before the cold days arrive."

"Do you need my help?"

"No need, it’ll be done soon. Go eat first."

Qiao Xixi nodded. "Have you all eaten?"

"Mama, we ate a long time ago!"

Qiao Xixi noticed the three cubs were working with extra enthusiasm while following at Jin Ling’s heels, so she let them be.

Qiao Xixi picked up a piece of meat that had been placed by the fire and began to eat.

"DING!"

"Host, please lead the cubs to complete one gathering mission. Mission difficulty: two stars."

Qiao Xixi was confused.

"Gathering on the mountain?"

"That’s right, Host! If the cubs want to survive in the beast world, they must learn how to gather."

Qiao Xixi paused mid-bite.

’Is it possible that... I don’t really know how to gather either?’

"To help the Host teach the cubs how to gather, the system will issue a ’Collection Book’. It will indicate the items the cubs need to gather this time."

As soon as the little sprite’s voice faded, a book appeared in the void-like space.

Qiao Xixi flipped open the book with her mind.

The book contained detailed records of many types of plants and their uses. With the Collection Book, she wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally picking poisonous herbs.

After eating her fill, Qiao Xixi decided to take a walk around the tribe.

"Mama is going to take a walk around the tribe. Do you want to come with me?"

Hearing this, the three cubs stopped what they were doing and looked at Qiao Xixi.

Jin Ling looked at her as well.

"I’ll go with you."

Qiao Xixi smiled. "If you want to go, we can go together. But if you’re only going to accompany me, then there’s no need."

"I’ll stay with the big male and repair the stone house," Qiao Lie said indifferently.

Qiao Ang really wanted to go, but he still said he would stay behind with Qiao Lie.

Qiao Qiao looked at her brothers, then back at Qiao Xixi.

"I... I want to go with Mama."

"Then let’s go. I’m just going to get familiar with the area. I’ll be back soon."

Jin Ling was a little worried.

"If you run into any trouble, come back immediately."

Qiao Xixi knew Jin Ling was afraid she would be bullied.

"Okay."

Qiao Xixi took Qiao Qiao’s hand and headed into the tribe.

As they walked along the path, a thought occurred to Qiao Xixi. She changed direction, leading Qiao Qiao toward a stone house not far away.