Chapter 117
Hearing Su Yi's words, Ian opened his mouth hesitantly before continuing, "Su Yi, you know I'm not a smart person. I came today because I wanted to hear your honest thoughts."
In this place, where females were extremely scarce, many orcs who couldn't find mates would choose to be with other orcs. After all, life was long, and staying alone forever would be too lonely. Of course, there were also orcs who chose to remain solitary.
Before his encounter with Luo Xi, Ian had once considered finding another orc to live with if things became unbearable. But after what happened, he had developed a resistance to others' touch.
Now, thanks to Su Yi and the others' help, he had resolved his inner turmoil. Coupled with Hunter's recent attentiveness, Ian suddenly felt the urge to find someone to spend his life with.
The human heart was easily swayed.
Especially in these peaceful times, he had a comfortable home, a safe and reliable tribe, and many friends who cared for him. Now, he only wanted to move forward and stop making everyone worry about him.
"If you truly like him, then give it a try. But I should warn you, Hunter is far more cunning than you think."
After Ian left, Su Yi was no longer sleepy, so he stretched and went out for a walk. The rain had stopped by then, with only the occasional drop falling onto his face, cool against his skin. He took a deep breath of the fresh air, the environment here was truly wonderful, with top-tier air quality.
He had previously planted many vegetables and flowers in and around the yard. Since Sinoer's sense of smell was too sharp, Su Yi had chosen flowers with little to no fragrance.
Now, tiny green sprouts were beginning to emerge from the ground. When Sinoer returned from his outing and saw Su Yi standing outside the yard, he immediately dropped what he was holding and rushed over.
Sensing someone behind him, Su Yi turned and couldn't help but smile when he saw it was his lover.
"You're back early today?"
Sinoer nodded, reaching out to support Su Yi as he guided him back into the yard.
Although the weather was gradually warming, the lingering drizzle made Sinoer worry about Su Yi standing outside.
"Don't catch a cold."
Unable to refuse Sinoer's concern, Su Yi reluctantly followed him back inside.
Su Yi's previous physical condition had been comparable to an orc's. But now, he couldn't even match Tang Yu's stamina. At times, he felt so unlike himself that it frustrated him, though he never voiced it aloud.
Yet no matter how frustrated he was, he didn't want Sinoer to notice.
Compared to the tranquility of Su Yi's home, Tang Yu's place was bustling with activity. The two little ones, after playing outside all morning, didn't return to their own home but instead made their usual stop at Tang Yu's.
They first circled the motionless dragon egg, then sweetly asked Tang Yu if he was feeling unwell.
Watching the two soft, adorable faces, Tang Yu suddenly felt that having children wasn't so bad after all. He grabbed little Eli, squished his cheeks playfully, then let both kids scamper away in mock terror.
No sooner had the children left than Mino arrived with a few other females. Mino checked on Tang Yu and examined the dragon egg's condition.
"It should hatch within the next two days," Mino instructed. "When it starts to break free, both of you must be present. The little one won't have opened its eyes yet, it will rely on scent to recognize its parents."
After Mino left, Tang Yu anxiously called for Jells.
"Don't go hunting these next two days. We still have plenty of dried meat and preserved food in the cellar. Mino said the baby needs to imprint on us."
Jells agreed readily. Ever since Tang Yu gave birth, his appetite had diminished, so they didn't need as much food anyway.
As evening approached, several orcs arrived at Tang Yu's door with nursing beasts in tow, a gift sent by Hunter. Hearing the egg would hatch soon, they knew newborn orcs needed milk in their first few days.
Tang Yu was touched. Without their reminder, this new parent would have completely forgotten, leaving his child hungry after hatching.
After everyone left, Jells busied himself settling the nursing beasts in the yard.
Tang Yu leaned out the window, listening to their conversation before calling out, "So the child needs milk? What if you can't find nursing beasts when the baby's born?"
Jells replied matter-of-factly, "Then they'd probably go hungry for a few meals."
At this, Tang Yu hurried outside. The nursing beasts were about the size of pigs from his original world. They were round, fluffy balls with eyes hidden beneath their fur.
"Wow, they're so small. I thought all beasts here were huge and tough," Tang Yu chuckled, unable to resist petting their soft fur.
Jells adjusted Tang Yu's collar as he explained, "Nursing beasts are among the few small, gentle herbivores. They're non-aggressive but incredibly fast and hard to catch despite their size."
Tang Yu pointed skeptically at the rotund creatures. "These? Fast?"
Jells glanced at them too, even he wouldn't believe it if he hadn't hunted them before.
As they chatted, Tang Yu suddenly had an idea. "What do they eat?"
"Some kind of grass, I think," Jells answered uncertainly. Hunting was one thing, knowing their diet was another.
"What if we raised some?"
"Raised?" Jells looked puzzled.
Tang Yu explained eagerly, "We could keep them penned in the valley. That way, we'd have milk whenever needed. Plus, milk is nutritious, good for frail females or growing orc children."
Though not entirely following, Jells nodded in agreement.
As Tang Yu elaborated his plans, Jells suddenly carried him back inside, just in time to spot a faint crack appearing on the dragon egg's surface.
Noticing Jells' reaction, Tang Yu asked, "What's wrong?"
Without answering, Jells hurried over. When Tang Yu finally saw the crack, he scrambled out of Jells' arms and practically leaped onto the bed.
He suddenly regretted leaving earlier. After waiting so long, why did he have to miss this moment?
Fortunately, the shell hadn't fully broken yet. Otherwise, their child might not recognize them.
The two first-time fathers, overwhelmed with nervousness, spent the entire night staring at the egg without sleeping a wink.
By dawn, Tang Yu could barely keep his eyes open.
Jells pulled him close, whispering, "Sleep. I'll wake you."
Tang Yu shook his head stubbornly. Though exhausted, his excitement kept him awake. This was his child, how could he not wait patiently?
The agonizing wait continued until afternoon.
By then, Tang Yu's face had turned ashen.
This kid's not even born yet and already causing trouble, who does he take after?
Just as he was grumbling internally, a sharp crack echoed through the room, much louder than an eggshell breaking. Tang Yu jerked upright to see a large fissure splitting the egg.
Peering carefully through the gap, he spotted a dark little creature struggling inside, covered in fluid. The tiny thing whimpered pitifully, clearly in distress.
Heart aching, Tang Yu reached out to help, only for Jells to stop him.
"This is his first challenge. We can't interfere."
Jells' cold tone annoyed Tang Yu, but he knew his mate was right. He settled for shooting Jells a glare.
Recognizing Tang Yu's distress, Jells' dark eyes softened with amusement.
"Don't worry. He can do it."
As if to prove Jells right, the little one gave a mighty push, toppling the eggshell and stumbling out clumsily.
The moment he emerged, Jells swiftly wrapped him in ultra-soft fur and placed him in Tang Yu's arms before wordlessly leaving the room.
Tang Yu sat frozen, staring blankly at the tiny creature in his arms.
Outside, Jells boiled water, stoked the hearth fire, then milked one of the nursing beasts.
When he returned, he found Tang Yu still in the same position, now with the baby licking his hand curiously.
Tang Yu was equally amused and exasperated by the messy little thing covering him in strange fluid, but he finally sprang into action when Jells brought warm water for washing.
Though Jells handled the baby gently, Tang Yu couldn't stand watching. He jumped up and took over.
"You clean the bed. I'll handle the baby."
As Jells changed the bedding and collected the eggshell fragments, Tang Yu finished bathing the little one. Wrapped snugly in fur, the baby now drank warm milk from a small bowl kept heated on the stove.
Finally getting a clear look, Tang Yu marveled at the miniature Western-style dragon. He thought it was adorable now, though someday it would grow into a mighty winged beast. The thought filled him with pride.
That evening, Jells took meat and vegetables to the communal square, announcing their child's birth, sparking celebrations throughout the valley.
Even secluded at home, Su Yi heard the joyous orc cries. "What's happening?" he asked Sinoer.
Before Sinoer could investigate, Eli and Dino came bursting in.
"Mother! Quick! Uncle Tang Yu's baby hatched!"
After delivering the news, Eli grabbed a toy and dashed out again with Dino, all without entering the room properly.
Su Yi suddenly questioned his parenting. He remembered how quiet and well-behaved Eli used to be, now the boy was practically a little tyrant, always shouting instead of speaking softly.
Even timid Dino had become boisterous.
Su Yi sighed, wondering what his unborn child would be like.
Please let it take after Sinoer, not me.
Knowing himself too well, Su Yi dreaded another troublemaker.
After dinner, Su Yi selected food, furs, and baby clothes as gifts. But arriving at Tang Yu's house, now crowded with visitors and presents, he almost regretted bringing so much.
With the weather still chilly, Tang Yu received guests in the outer room while keeping the newborn sheltered. Most visitors were females offering (sometimes insincere) congratulations, which Tang Yu accepted graciously.
The baby, requiring both hands to hold, was reportedly large for a newborn. When Mino arrived, Tang Yu even let him hold the child briefly.
Su Yi swooped in unceremoniously, snatching the baby from Mino's arms for inspection.
"Be careful!" Mino protested. "You're carrying one yourself!"
Su Yi ignored him. "Want him back? Try taking him."
Glancing at Su Yi's belly, Mino laughed ruefully.
"Fine, play the pregnancy card. Just wait till yours comes out."
"Give me back my son!" Tang Yu interjected, reclaiming the baby while rolling his eyes at Su Yi's antics.
