Chapter 585 - 581: Not a Hallucination
Xiao Jihan went up the mountain to pick wild mushrooms and made mushroom meat dumplings.
Actually, when he first picked these wild mushrooms, the Qingqiu Mountain Fox Clan was startled and all came to advise him, saying those mushrooms were poisonous.
Xiao Jihan explained to everyone, and even ate some on the spot, only then did they realize it was okay.
Afterwards, Xiao Jihan taught everyone how to identify some safe mushrooms.
He didn’t teach everyone the method of identification, only told them that those few mushrooms were safe, and they just needed to find identical ones based on their appearance.
He also taught everyone how to grind mushrooms into powder for storage, and use the powder as a seasoning to enhance flavor.
After everyone started using these as food, the Qingqiu Mountain Fox Clan could store more food.
Everyone was grateful to Xiao Jihan.
Because of this, many Fox Clan Beastmen without combat ability didn’t need to go outside, they could just pick a lot of mushrooms for food within the Qingqiu Mountain territory.
Xiao Jihan hadn’t sensed any changes in the Fox God Temple sacrificial hall yet, guessing that Hua Linye might not have reached the Divine Domain.
Xiao Jihan thought of this and felt his heart sink a bit.
But he pressed down his emotions in his heart, not showing a trace on his face.
He didn’t want Da Bao to feel this, only wanted him to grow up happily.
Fortunately, the Qingqiu Mountain territory was relatively safe, his wife had reinforced the Defense Barrier before.
Da Bao noticed Xiao Jihan only watching while he ate without using chopsticks, so he imitated the way Jihan usually picked food for him and placed a dumpling into his bowl, "Xiao’s father, you eat too."
Listening to Da Bao’s words, Xiao Jihan snapped back to reality, looked at the dumpling in the bowl, and felt a warm sensation in his heart, "Okay."
Da Bao’s personality was somewhat like his wife’s, capable of loving others and understanding how to care for others’ emotions.
During this period, because of Da Bao’s presence, his longing for his wife could be somewhat alleviated.
After eating, Da Bao thought about helping Xiao Jihan clean up the tableware and wash the dishes.
Xiao Jihan didn’t let him, "Didn’t you want to play in the snow earlier? Go play in the courtyard."
Da Bao naturally possessed a Fire Ability, his fur was thick, and the snowy weather wasn’t very cold for him, so he could go out to play.
"I heard from my friends that playing in the snow is fun, we can have snowball fights."
"Yes, go play."
In the clan, foxes of his age or older were often instructed by adults to treat Da Bao with more respect and not to hurt him, which made them a bit hesitant to play with Da Bao.
But if Da Bao truly wanted to play with them, they would still join in.
He could see that everyone genuinely liked Da Bao.
Such a beautiful, smart, and adorable fox child was likable to everyone.
While Xiao Jihan was tidying up the dishes in the kitchen, he could hear laughter from outside.
He couldn’t help but smile to himself.
After finishing up, Xiao Jihan re-cleaned the kitchen.
He loved cleanliness and liked to keep everything tidy.
Once everything was sorted, Xiao Jihan went to the door.
The little foxes saw Xiao Jihan and immediately stopped, respectfully saying: "Young Master Xiao."
Their parents had told them that Young Master Xiao was the most esteemed guest in the clan.
Xiao Jihan said, "No need to be formal. Da Bao, here are some candies for you to share with everyone."
"Later, I’ll teach you how to build a snowman."
Xiao Jihan made the maltose candies himself.
In the Qingqiu Mountain Fox Clan, sugar was also a very precious item.
Da Bao took the candies and distributed them, and the little foxes’ eyes showed joy and gratitude.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao, thank you, Clan Leader."
Da Bao waved, "You can just call me by my name."
Everyone dared not actually call him by his given name.
Besides, the Clan Leader didn’t even have a formal name.
Although Da Bao was still young, the elders had announced his identity; he was now the clan’s Clan Leader.
The youngest Clan Leader in the history of the Qingqiu Mountain Fox Clan.
Xiao Jihan personally made a snowman with Da Bao and the others, a fox snowman.
It was very cute.
"Wow, the snowman Xiao’s father made looks so good and realistic."
Da Bao realized it looked just like his original form.
Seeing Xiao Jihan make the snowman, everyone really liked it, so they played together with Da Bao, competing to see who could make the best one.
Xiao Jihan watched them with a smile, quietly returning indoors to give Da Bao and the others space.
At this moment, Xiao Jihan suddenly felt something, a tremor in his heart.
He looked up and saw Su Muyao on the rooftop not far away.
Xiao Jihan’s heart skipped a few beats, and he stared dazedly in that direction.
He thought it must be his longing for his wife causing a hallucination.
Thinking it was an illusion made Xiao Jihan’s heart ache a bit.
Su Muyao held the token given by Hua Linye, allowing her to freely enter and exit the Qingqiu Mountain Fox Clan without anyone stopping her.
She had come in without alerting anyone.
She also wanted to see Xiao Jihan and her Da Bao as soon as possible.
So while Xiao Jihan was helping Da Bao and the others build a snowman, Su Muyao watched quietly from the side.
She didn’t make a sound and hid her presence, which is why Xiao Jihan didn’t notice at first.
Su Muyao couldn’t bear to disturb such a scene.
Even the system couldn’t help but say, "Host, I recall Xiao Jihan usually speaks very little, most of the time he silently does things, rarely speaking or expressing himself, but he is very patient with Da Bao, spending a lot of time talking and explaining things to him."
Su Muyao also saw that Da Bao asked many questions, all of which Xiao Jihan patiently answered.
"Yes, he indeed is very patient."
"When he was in the Beiluo Tribe, he also did more and said less."
At that time, his aura of coldness and solitude often made people overlook him.
Initially, she thought he disliked her and didn’t want to get close, only to realize later that she had misunderstood.
When it came to urgency, he was also good at expressing himself.
Thinking of that time brought a soft glow to Su Muyao’s eyes.
Xiao Jihan came back to his senses and, like a gust of wind, leaped to Su Muyao’s side.
He reached out to gently touch Su Muyao.
His hand trembled slightly, fearing it was a hallucination.
Su Muyao remained still, allowing Xiao Jihan to touch her.
When Xiao Jihan’s fingers felt her warmth, he realized it was real.
"Wife, it really is you, not a hallucination."
Xiao Jihan’s voice was hoarse, his eyes slightly reddened with a thin hue.
The chill in his gaze was suffused with longing and deep affection.
Su Muyao was moved by his gaze, and she reached out to hug him tightly, leaning into him, "Yes, it’s me, not a hallucination."
He had thought it was a hallucination, which made Su Muyao feel a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Evidently, he truly missed her, perhaps more than she’d imagined.
Xiao Jihan slowly tightened his arms, but then seemed to sense something, and looked down at Su Muyao’s belly.
Su Muyao opened her mouth to explain, "Yes, I’m pregnant, it’s Wen Nanxi’s, it’s a Snake Child."
She worried Xiao Jihan might mind, since she had yet to give him a wolf child.
Xiao Jihan’s expression was gentle, "Da Bao always hoped to have siblings to play with, he’ll be happy to hear this news."
"Are you feeling any discomfort?"
"Are you hungry? The dumplings are still warm, would you like some, or would you prefer something else? I’ll make it for you."
Xiao Jihan’s first concern was Su Muyao’s physical condition.