"Okay," she whispered, her voice soft and small. "You can wash me, Baiyu. I... I will let you."

Hu Baiyu’s lion ears perked up immediately, his blue eyes lighting with pure, grateful joy as he continued washing her. His big hands were so gentle, the warm cloth moving over her skin in slow, careful strokes, cleaning every inch of her small body with reverent care.

He washed her neck, her shoulders, her small breasts, her belly, her thighs, even between her legs with such tender respect that it made her blush deeper and her fluffy white rat tail curl happily in the water.

The steam rose around them, the herbal scent filling the air, and Lin Huahua found herself relaxing into his touch, her white rat ears twitching contentedly as she watched his face.

He looked so happy doing this. His lion ears stayed perked forward, his white hair falling softly around his shoulders, his massive bare chest warm and steady as he worked.

Every time she let out a small, ticklish giggle when the cloth brushed a sensitive spot, his blue eyes softened even more, and he would lean in to nuzzle her cheek or her hair like a big white cat who had finally been allowed to care for the one he loved most.

When he was done, Hu Baiyu lifted her out of the water just as gently as he had placed her in, wrapping her small naked body in a large, soft hide cloth and carrying her back to the main part of the cave.

He dried her hair with careful strokes, his big fingers combing through the damp strands, his lion ears twitching happily every time she sighed in contentment.

Lin Huahua watched him, her big brown eyes warm and a little dazed, and something soft bloomed in her chest. He was so sweet. So patient. So completely devoted to making her feel comfortable after she had given them pleasure.

She reached out and gently played with a strand of his white hair, twirling it around her small finger, and Hu Baiyu melted into her touch, his massive body leaning closer, his blue eyes half-lidded in pure bliss as a deep, happy purr rumbled through his chest.

She giggled lightly, the sound soft and happy in the quiet cave. "You are so cute, Baiyu," she whispered, and he nuzzled his face against her neck in response, his lion ears twitching with joy as he hugged her close, his big arms wrapping around her small body like he never wanted to let go.

When they finally stepped into the main living area of the cave house — the wide stone space with the low fire burning in the center and thick furs spread across the floor — Mu Qingyi and Feng Yiren were already there.

The deer beastman knelt by the fire, his broad bare chest warm in the firelight as he carefully washed the fresh fish they had brought back earlier, his large antlers casting gentle shadows while his deer tail flicked steadily.

Feng Yiren crouched beside him, his lean bare chest still marked with faint bee stings that were healing quickly, his red fox tail swishing as he helped rub the crushed spices onto the fish with quick, efficient hands. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The air smelled of fresh river water, herbs, and the faint smoky promise of cooking meat, and the two males looked up the moment Hu Baiyu carried Lin Huahua in.

Mu Qingyi’s nurturing brown eyes softened instantly, his gentle smile warm as he stood and brushed his hands on a piece of hide. "You look much better after your bath, Huahua. Baiyu took good care of you?"

Feng Yiren’s red fox ears perked high, his shameless grin widening as he looked her over, his red tail swishing faster. "Of course he did. Look at her. All clean and soft and glowing. Did you enjoy your bath, little rat? Or did our big lion get too handsy with you?"

Lin Huahua’s cheeks flushed again, her fluffy white rat tail curling shyly around Hu Baiyu’s arm as he gently set her down on the furs near the fire. She sat cross-legged, still wrapped in the soft hide cloth, her small body looking even tinier between the three tall, muscular beastmen who were all shirtless and glowing in the firelight.

Mu Qingyi chuckled softly, his voice warm and caring as he continued rubbing the spices onto the fish. "We are almost ready to cook."

"Eh, why is Feng Yiren willingly helping you?" Lin Huahua asked curiously, because knowing Feng Yiren, he would rather let Mu Qingyi work himself than help.

Feng Yiren snorted, his red fox ears twitching as he sprinkled more crushed leaves onto the fish. "Someone has to make sure he does not ruin it with your gentle deer ways. You would probably just roast it plain and call it done. I added the right amount of those sharp leaves and the sweet root. It will be perfect."

Feng Yiren boasted, even though he only really wanted to prove that he could also be useful in the aspect of food so that Lin Huahua would also rely on him when she was hungry in the future.

Lin Huahua watched them work, her big brown eyes curious as she tilted her head, her white rat ears perking up slightly. The fish looked fresh and silvery, the spices turning it a fragrant golden color under their hands. She had never seen anyone prepare food like this in her old world, where everything came from machines and packets. Here it was all raw and real and primitive, and the sight made her feel strangely warm inside.

She sat down fully on the furs, pulling the hide cloth a little tighter around her small shoulders, and asked softly, "How do you eat your fish usually?"

Feng Yiren glanced at her with that mischievous grin, his red tail swishing as he rubbed more spices into the fish. "We just catch it and eat it like that. Fresh from the river. No need for all this extra work."

Lin Huahua’s eyes widened, her fluffy white rat tail giving one surprised little flick as she stared at him. "You eat the fish raw like that?"