Shu Bei gently guided her, "An An, what can't we sisters talk about? You'll be an adult next year, and it's time to discuss things like romantic relationships."
Shu An hadn't intended to hide anything; she just felt there was no need to mention it. Since the topic had come up, she decided not to hold back.
"When I was in the West Sea, Hei Ting treated me quite well, and he was very strong. I had a good impression of him. However, he's the leader of the Fallen Beasts, and he didn't want to return to the East Sea with me or become my mate, so I didn't hold out hope for a future with him."
"After returning home, I'd occasionally think of him. I feel like I've experienced heartbreak," Shu An finished with a wistful sigh.
Hei Ting was the first male to be so intimate with her, and it was hard to forget him. During the day, it was fine, but at night, she always felt something was missing beside her, a sense of loneliness. She could only hug herself.
After listening, Shu Bei showed a look of expectation and concern, "An An, have you fallen for him?"
Shu An shook her head, "Not really. I didn't have any hope for this relationship. It's just regret. If only he wasn't a Fallen Beast." Then they would have a future.
Shu Bei couldn't understand this feeling and could only comfort her, "An An, if it's impossible, don't think about it. He's just a passerby in your life, and you'll forget him soon."
Shu An nodded, "Yes, I will."
However, inwardly, she contradicted herself, thinking she wouldn't, unless another male appeared to erase all traces of Hei Ting. Otherwise, she would never forget the first beastman who kissed her.
After speaking her heart out, Shu An felt much lighter. Indeed, people need to confide in others.
...
The first snow of the year arrived as scheduled, covering the entire Warrior City in white. From above, it looked like a city of snow, incredibly beautiful.
Xiao Si left again when the snow came. Apart from his family, he told no one, departing as silently as he came. He once again headed to the other side of the sea, the West Sea.
The West Sea was in spring, with greenery and vibrant flowers everywhere. Unfortunately, no one was there to appreciate this beauty.
The Fallen Beast tribe had become chaotic, with constant fights and disputes over females. People died daily. This was no longer a place that restrained the Fallen Beasts because their leader had abandoned them.
They were now spending their days in bloodshed, selecting a new leader.
Hei Ting searched for days but couldn't find the person he loved. He had lost the most precious thing. After days of continuous killing, he suddenly felt that there was nothing left on this continent that he cared about.
What was the point of being the strongest beastman in the West Sea if he couldn't even protect his own female? An An was right; the Fallen Beast tribe was the most dangerous place. The moment he stepped half a step outside the tribe, someone would harm his An An.
Those Fallen Beasts who submitted to his strength had no loyalty to him. How could he have placed An An in such a place? It was his fault!
Hei Ting became a wandering Fallen Beast, unsure of where he was going. He used to enjoy conquering and expanding his territory, but now it felt meaningless. He only wanted to destroy everything!
Unknowingly, he arrived in the territory of the herbivorous beasts. Hei Ting saw familiar herbivorous beasts and, before he realized it, had entered the Triceratops herd.
The herd did not welcome him. The leader, Big Horn, issued warnings and expulsion signals.
The small nest where the eggs were once placed was now empty of eggs, filled instead with small Triceratops that were barely enough to fill a gap in one's teeth.
Hei Ting didn't leave. Instead, he walked up to Big Horn and said, "An An is lost." He didn't know why he was telling this to a herbivorous beast.
Big Horn understood and let out an angry roar, as if questioning him!
Hei Ting looked blankly at the sky, "She was taken away. I can't find her."
Big Horn: "..." Little Sister An went back?
Unfortunately, there was a communication barrier between the beastman and the beast. Hei Ting didn't expect any response; he simply wanted to confide in someone, even though the one in front of him wasn't human.
Regardless of whether Big Horn was willing, Hei Ting forcibly sat beside it, seemingly waiting for the familiar little white beast to appear. However, Big Horn disliked his presence and nudged him outwards with its head.
Hei Ting didn't resist, allowing its force to push him outside the herd. He was ostracized wherever he went.
Big Horn growled at him, "For Little Sister An's sake, I won't charge you, but you're not welcome here!"
Of course, Hei Ting couldn't understand. He glanced at Big Horn, didn't harm it, and left on his own.
He never returned. He scoured the West Sea and, as spring was nearing its end, arrived at the seaside.
For the first time, he wanted to see the place where An An lived, to see how good Warrior City was that An An was unwilling to stay.
As soon as Hei Ting left, the West Sea returned to its former state. The Fallen Beasts lost their cohesion, were suppressed by the major tribes, and perhaps in many years, another Fallen Beast leader would emerge.
...
On the East Sea side, the long winter finally gave way to spring.
The day before the New Year festival, the Went family, along with friends and relatives, went fishing. After a winter of rest, the fish were sure to be abundant and plump.
The ice in the river hadn't completely melted, and one could see the location of the fish everywhere.
The flying beasts took their fishing nets to catch fish, while the females on the shore gathered dry firewood for later use.
The camping tent was set up. This was something Shu Yue had brought from the modern era. Its quality was good, and after more than ten years, it was still usable.
Whenever they went for a picnic, the tent proved useful – convenient to carry and essential for travel.
Shu An helped find the pots and pans, taking out a large double-handled soup pot, enough to make a pot of fish soup for their several families.
"Xia Xia, Long Teng, don't run too far! It's dangerous!" Shu Bei said, watching the two little ones running wildly in the forest with concern.
"Little Bei, you go sit down. I'll go watch them," Long Rui said, then walked towards the two little ones.
Young Dragon Beasts had boundless energy. Having been cooped up all winter, they were eager to get out and play to their heart's content.
Shu Bei: "..." She shook her head and went to help An An.
Last winter, she and Shu Ke had finally come of age, transforming from children into adults, though it was only an increase in age, nothing else had changed.
The adult Shu Ke had taken Long Ruan Ruan on an adventure in the forest. The parents were very reassured about this pair acting independently.
Unless they encountered a Savage Beast, other wild beasts posed no threat to them.
Shu Ke and Ruan Ruan were already a recognized pair, waiting for Ruan Ruan to come of age before they could mate.
Ya walked beside Shu Yue. After so many years of being influenced by her surroundings, her speech was no longer so blunt. "Yue Yue, guess who will mate first, Xiao Rui or Shu Ke?"