Chapter 193: Chapter 193: The Birthday Gift from Beast Father

After Ao Er made it out safely, he had already sent word back to the Dragon Clan to report he was fine. Ao Shan hadn’t had the chance yet.

However, they were about to head back soon, so it was no longer necessary.

The next day, the Dragon Clan Beastmen awoke to the sight of a giant golden dragon in the sky. It looked... a little familiar.

"It’s the Fifth Young Master! That’s the Fifth Young Master!"

"The Fifth Young Master is back? This is wonderful news! Quick, go tell the Clan Leader!"

The clan members below scrambled to spread the news, while Ao Wu made a point of circling several times in the air.

Yu An was getting dizzy from all the spinning. "Um, when are we going down? I think I’m getting a little... dragon-sick."

Ao Wu didn’t want to stop yet. "An’an, I have to show off to them! I have a Female Master!"

"You’re dizzy? Then how about I take you for a tour somewhere else?"

’Yeah, I’ll do a lap over the elders’ residences. Let them see this! They all said I’d never find a Female Master, but here she is!’

’No, scratch that. I found her when I was just a kid!’

"Stop, stop it!" Yu An smacked him on the back. "Get down there right now, or I’m going to throw up!"

Only after hearing her say that did Ao Wu obediently fly down. The clan members assumed he would immediately shift back to his human form after landing, but they were surprised when a beautiful female dismounted from his back first.

Ao Wu then shifted back, wrapping an arm around Yu An’s waist to introduce her. "Everyone, let me make an introduction. This is Yu An, the Eldest Miss of our Dragon Clan, and she’s also—"

The crowd instantly erupted. "What? The Eldest Miss?!"

"AAAAAH! I didn’t mishear, did I? It’s the Clan Leader and his wife’s Zaizai!"

"You heard right, you heard right! They really found the Eldest Miss!"

Ao Wu waved his hands in exasperation. "I wasn’t finished speaking..."

"Eldest Miss, we’ll take you to see the Clan Leader!"

With a SWOOSH, several females swept Yu An away, crowding around her as they headed for the Clan Leader’s courtyard.

Ao Wu was practically hopping with anxiety behind them. "Hey, you guys! Let go of An’an!"

’His very own Female Master was just stolen away from him, just like that?’

Yu An was a bit dazed, but since they meant no harm, she just went along with the crowd.

Until she came face-to-face with a middle-aged man.

"Clan Leader, see? Wasn’t I right? The Eldest Miss is back!"

The man who had first run to find Ao Jin grinned smugly. "You didn’t believe me, but look! Here she is— OW! Female Master, why are you pulling my ear?!"

His mate shot him a look of disappointment. "You think you’re so clever? Didn’t you notice everyone else has already gone?"

’It’s a father and daughter’s first meeting. We should give them some space!’

Yu An hesitated for a long moment before calling out softly, "Beast Father?"

Ao Jin started as if waking from a dream. Staring at the daughter who looked so much like his wife, he couldn’t stop his eyes from welling up.

"Yes... Yes..."

He answered quickly, and was just about to force his tears back when Ao Wu, catching up from behind, exposed him completely.

"See, An’an? I told you Beast Father would cry!"

’Okay, the urge to cry was gone in an instant. Now, all he wanted to do was beat this insolent son!’

Seeing his Beast Father shooting daggers at him with his eyes, Ao Wu quickly hid behind Yu An. "An’an, you have to protect me."

Ao Jin snorted. "How old are you? What does it look like, hiding behind your little sister!"

Ao Wu got agitated. "She’s not my little sister! Beast Father, An’an is my Female Master. Didn’t we already agree on that?!"

"Who agreed to that with you?" Ao Jin ignored him. "An’an, come with Beast Father. Let’s pay no mind to this brat."

"Okay, Beast Father," Yu An replied obediently.

Ao Wu followed them without batting an eye. Ao Jin closed the door, shutting him out, but Ao Wu simply pushed it open again without any hesitation and sat down next to Yu An as if no one else was there.

Ao Jin shot him a glare before turning to Yu An with a gentle smile.

"An’an, this is our first time meeting as father and daughter. If there’s anything I do wrong, you must point it out. Don’t ever feel you have to put up with it."

"Beast Father, please don’t say that. It’s making me a little uncomfortable."

Yu An had thought she would be the one feeling formal and reserved, but unexpectedly, it was Ao Jin.

"An’an’s right," Ao Wu said as he peeled an orange and fed a slice to Yu An. "Beast Father, you’re too nervous. It’s not like An’an is a stranger."

"The way you’re acting, I’d think you were treating An’an like a guest."

Ao Jin was indeed no longer nervous. Because now his fists were itching.

"Ao Wu," he said, taking a deep breath and forcing a smile. "Are you itching for another beating?"

Ao Wu immediately cowered. "An’an, save me!"

Yu An sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead. She couldn’t just let him face the music alone. She hurriedly released her Beast Husbands and Zaizais.

The once-spacious study was instantly packed.

In the ensuing shuffle of who was holding which Zaizai, Han Li handed Fuzai over to Ao Wu, who quickly took the cub and held him like a protective talisman.

Ao Jin had met almost all the Zaizais before, but this was his first time meeting his sons-in-law.

"Beast Father, let me introduce you. This is..."

After a long series of introductions, Yu An’s mouth was dry. Ao Jin just kept acknowledging them with a stream of "Yes, yes, yes," having long forgotten all about Ao Wu.

As for his own two sons who had emerged with the group, he gave them a quick glance to make sure they weren’t missing any arms or legs, then paid them no further attention.

Holding Xiao Yu, who couldn’t yet walk, and with a group of little Zaizais clinging to his legs shouting "Grandfather," Ao Jin felt like the happiest old man in the world!

Ao Wu whispered to Yu An, "An’an, Beast Father is finally admitting his age. Before, he was always insisting he was still young and handsome!"

A smile played on Yu An’s lips. For a moment, she almost regretted not having seven children. That would have been quite the legendary brood.

Just then, the Red Fox inside her storage space began clawing at the walls, wanting to come out for a breath of fresh air. Yu An let it out, and it trotted over to Ao Jin’s side as Da Hu and the others chattered away, introducing the Red Fox to him.

"Wonderful, wonderful. You’re all good children. Here, you get one too!"

Ever since learning he had so many grandchildren, Ao Jin had been diligently preparing red gift envelopes, one per day. He handed them out to everyone present and still hadn’t run out; even Mo Yan and the others received one.

"Grandfather has already prepared rooms for all of you," Ao Jin said with a kindly smile. "A room for each of you, how does that sound?"

The Zaizais let out a cheer. Just then, Ao Si arrived. After greeting Yu An and the others, he led the Zaizais away to see their new rooms.

"An’an," Ao Jin’s face was almost stiff from smiling, but he remained overjoyed. "Come with Beast Father."

Ao Wu tagged along. Mo Yan and the others exchanged a look, then followed as well.

Ao Jin lived in a rather secluded part of the clan grounds with few people around. He led Yu An into a courtyard and took out a key to unlock a door.

Ao Wu realized what it was. "An’an, this is the private treasury your Beast Father prepared for you."

Yu An froze for a moment, then met Ao Jin’s smiling face. "Go on," he encouraged. "Let’s go in and take a look."

She nodded and stepped inside, where she saw a large parasol tree planted in the courtyard. There was a swing under it that looked very new.

Ao Er said in a low voice, "Little Sister, Beast Father makes a new swing every year and replaces the old one. After this year, this one would have been replaced as well."

Yu An nodded in silence, a stinging sensation in her eyes.

"Why are you bringing that up? It’s just a little trinket your Beast Father made to pass the time."

Ao Jin chuckled and pushed open the door. "Inside are the birthday gifts your Beast Father prepared for you. Go and see if you like them."

Yu An stepped inside. A brilliant golden light flashed, and she instinctively closed her eyes.