Chapter 45: It's All Because They're Spoiled

Su Xiyue curved her lips into a smile and continued, "However, the food I make is only for those who help out. If you don't lend a hand, you won't get a single bite once it's ready."

She didn't strictly need him to do chores; she mainly wanted an attitude from this jerk of a man. Even if he only helped make a single bowl, it would suffice.

Wanting to eat yet too proud to lower his facade, still putting on that arrogant air—that wouldn't fly, not even with her designated target.

Anyway, her annoyance with him was already maxed out, so it couldn't possibly get any worse.

Hearing this, Yeling's expression instantly darkened. How dare this dead fat woman threaten him?

Not only was he a rare Silver Moon Azure Wolf and a peak fifth-tier beastman, but he was also half a step into the sixth tier. Throughout the entire tribe, second only to the chieftain, his strength was supreme—even Molin could at best match him.

When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Catching the rich aroma of meat drifting through the air, his expression grew even uglier.

Damn this fragrance, damnably enticing.

In the end, his dignity prevailed. With a cold snort, he turned and strode away.

Watching his retreating back, Su Xiyue hooked the corners of her lips without much reaction.

This jerk was proud, stubborn, and possessed an unusually strong pride, all backed by his formidable strength. If once wasn't enough, she'd try twice; if twice wasn't enough, three times it was.

She had both the patience and the confidence that one day, she would make this jerk willingly work for her.

And perhaps, even fall in love with her.

Besides, she had the system as her golden finger; conquering Yeling was merely a matter of time.

With this thought, she turned back into the cave to check whether the venison in the pot was done.

Molin, Qingzhu, and Xuanming watched Yeling's retreating figure, a single thought simultaneously popping into their minds: Were they perhaps lacking a bit too much backbone?

To actually work so obediently just for a mouthful of meat?

The three men exchanged glances, each seeing the awkwardness reflected in the others' eyes.

Molin, in particular, whose strength was not a fraction inferior to Yeling's, suddenly felt a lingering sensation of being outdone.

In truth, their approaches differed. Had Molin and Yeling traded places, he wouldn't have lowered his head easily either.

Molin was stern and economical with his words. Although he lacked Yeling's overbearing dominance, the pride rooted in his bones was no less than the other's.

It was simply that their initial interactions had taken different paths. While he didn't care for Su Xiyue, and even detested her, there had never been any real conflict between them.

He helped craft items, and in return, Su Xiyue took responsibility for preparing delicious food for them. It was a fair and just transaction, carrying no hint of shame.

With this realization, the sense of being outperformed and humiliated instantly dissipated, and he went right back to work.

Mu Qing walked back along the path with a terribly grim expression.

The intoxicating aroma had wafted through the air all afternoon, leaving her mouth completely dry from longing.

Although she knew Su Xiyue was unlikely to send food her way, Mija's words had stirred a flicker of expectation, causing her to wait eagerly.

Yet until nightfall, that wretched creature had neither shown her face nor sent any delicacies, turning Mu Qing's mood increasingly sour.

"Such a heartless wretch, truly wasted all those years raising her. Knowing this, I should have thrown her into the forest to feed the wild wolves the day she was born, sparing myself from enduring this indignity today."

Mu Qing muttered curses under her breath as she walked.

Before long, she reached Su Lie's dwelling; as partners, she and Su Lie naturally lived together.

The moment she stepped into the stone house, however, she locked eyes with Su Lie's gloomy gaze.

Startled by the dark look in his eyes, Mu Qing felt a sudden, inexplicable stab of guilt.

Yet, recalling how cautious she had been and believing nothing had been exposed, that guilty sensation quickly faded.

Frowning at Su Lie, she demanded, "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

As she spoke, she even reached up to touch her cheek.

Watching her display of innocence and confusion, Su Lie felt only revulsion.

How had he never noticed before that this female was so adept at putting on an act?

Had he not dispatched Wolf One to investigate, he likely never would have known that she had betrayed him long ago.

Fixing a glacial stare upon Mu Qing, he asked coldly, "I heard you went to see Yue'er today?"

Unaware of why he posed this question, Mu Qing figured it was completely normal for her—that wretched female's mother—to go pay her a visit.

Was this even worth Su Lie bringing up?

"Yes, I heard she awakened an ability, learned to weave backbaskets, identify mushrooms, and lately even cooked up such delicious food that the scent drifted across the tribe all afternoon. So I went to check, and it really was exceptionally good."

At this point, a look of gratification crossed her face. "Yue'er has finally grown sensible. Who knows how she suddenly learned to do all these things? Still, seeing her improve sets my mind at ease as her mother."

She had originally intended to complain to Su Lie that Su Xiyue refused to share her food, even going so far as to insult and threaten her. But seeing Su Lie's grim countenance, she hesitated, worried that the wretched girl might have already gotten there first.

Su Lie sneered inwardly.

The food Yue'er made was indeed delicious; he had just eaten some in the afternoon, yet even now the memory lingered, making his mouth water for more.

However, given Mu Qing's usual aversion and prejudice toward Yue'er, he wasn't blind—how could he not have noticed?

With this thought, his gaze turned as sharp as a knife, piercing straight through Mu Qing. "You've always loathed Yue'er and treated her poorly. She should be terrified of you and avoid you at all costs—would she really let you eat what she made? You snatched it by force, didn't you?"

Hearing this, Mu Qing flared up instantly. "Su Lie, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? No matter how much I dislike her, she is still my daughter, and I am her mother. What's wrong with me taking some of her food?"

This statement amounted to a full confession that she had indeed snatched it.

Yet she saw nothing wrong with it. Since Su Xiyue was born from her womb, no matter how poorly she treated her, that wretched creature owed her sustenance.

Let alone merely taking some food.

Su Lie was chuckled with anger at her self-righteous attitude.

This was Mu Qing's logic: she clearly disliked Yue'er, treated her abominably, and even tried to stop him from giving Yue'er anything.

Whenever he spoiled the child, Mu Qing would lecture him, claiming that Yue'er's laziness, greed, and malice were entirely his fault for indulging her, and that his blind protection was what drove the girl increasingly astray.

He had admitted to spoiling the child and, out of guilt over Mu Qing's reprimands, remained silent.

Choosing to step back and let her handle it, trusting that as Yue'er's mother, she ultimately wouldn't harm her.

Yet upon discovering now that Mu Qing had been carrying on an affair with Qingyan and even bore Mija, looking back, the reality was entirely different.

The mere thought made Su Lie's expression grow even darker.

Fixing an icy glare on Mu Qing, he demanded in a frigid tone, "Mu Qing, what is your relationship with Qingyan? How long have you two been entangled?"

The sudden shift in topic caught Mu Qing off guard.

By the time she comprehended Su Lie's words, however, her complexion changed drastically.

She and Qingyan had been together for nearly twenty years, carrying on their clandestine affair in secret. Every tryst had taken place deep in the woods, handled with the utmost care so that no one would ever discover them.

How had Su Lie found out? And why was he confronting her face-to-face?

Suddenly, Su Xiyue's face flashed through her mind. That afternoon, the girl had grilled her about why she always protected Mija, asking if there was some special relationship between them.

Panic had seized her at the time, though she had managed to bluff her way through.

Could it be that Su Xiyue hadn't believed her excuses at all, and had gone straight to Su Lie to spill the beans?

Was that what triggered Su Lie's suspicion, and was he now trying to trick a confession out of her?

Lifting her gaze to meet Su Lie's gloomy expression, Mu Qing felt a ripple of unbidden guilt, but she forced herself to maintain a facade of calm as she snapped, "What kind of garbage are you talking about? When was I ever involved with Qingyan? Su Lie, if you're going to smear my name, you better have proof."