Chapter 167
Watching as the cubs eagerly followed the keeper and Wen Yan toward the nursery building, Yan Ya froze for a moment.
Even the little girl she had been holding wriggled free and dashed toward Su Ci.
Instinctively, Yan Ya reached out, but her hand only brushed the hem of Little Li Hua’s skirt. The little girl glanced back at her before continuing to run ahead.
Seeing her disappear into the group, Yan Ya hurriedly stood up and followed after her.
“Su Su, my brother—my brother hasn’t come back yet!”
Little Li Hua ran to the front of the group and said anxiously, “He just… ran… ran outside.”
Su Ci nodded. “He’s fine. Ran Lie found him.”
Hearing this, Little Li Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She had seen the Crimson Flame Tiger fight in the blood mist with her own eyes. Although in her mind her brother was the strongest cub in the world, she had to admit that the big tiger had an advantage in the blood mist.
Even though a lot of time had passed since Ran Lie damaged 4583, Little Li Hua no longer held a grudge but still didn’t like the big tiger much.
After all, she and her brother were lions. If they fully animalized, they’d definitely be bigger than any tiger!
Little Li Hua glanced back at the entrance one last time before deciding to stick with her companions. Her brother had taught her many times that if he wasn’t by her side, she needed to protect herself.
And being with Su Su and her friends was undoubtedly the safest choice.
As she shifted her gaze, Little Li Hua accidentally locked eyes with Yan Ya. The woman was looking at her with an expectant, almost tearful expression. Among all the people present, Yan Ya’s eyes stayed fixed on her.
That look—like she might burst into tears at any moment—was filled with emotions too complex for Little Li Hua to understand.
This auntie seems to have mistaken me for someone else.
Little Li Hua gave Yan Ya a bright, innocent smile before turning her attention to Wen Yan, curiously staring at the fluffy black-and-white bundle in her arms.
It looked so much like the giant panda she had seen by the riverbank!
Was this a baby panda?
Over the past two weeks, the cubs hadn’t been confined to the nursery all the time. Occasionally, Su Ci would take them out for some fresh air.
The riverbank was their favorite spot to visit because they had discovered that practicing and learning there significantly boosted their efficiency.
The area had also become lush with greenery, and the fruits and vegetables they had planted earlier had all ripened. Su Ci didn’t restrict their harvesting, either.
Of course, the cubs couldn’t eat all the produce themselves.
The harvested fruits and vegetables were stored in their spirit pouches and exchanged with the task force members for points and other items.
However, Little Li Hua’s love for the riverbank wasn’t just about the greenery or the rewards—it was because she could see more flowers there and, most importantly, the fluffy, adorable panda!
At first, she had been afraid of it, but she quickly discovered that the panda had an incredibly gentle temperament.
Not only would it help her pick flowers and sweet fruits, but it would also lift her high into the air in playful hugs.
Once they became familiar, Little Li Hua loved to leap into its arms and lie on its warm, soft fur to bask in the sun. Under the brilliant sunlight and cool breeze, she would soon drift into a peaceful nap.
Occasionally, the giant panda would carry Little Li Hua on its back as it patrolled the riverbank, even finding sweet nectar for her to enjoy.
Little Li Hua absolutely loved the panda!
As she looked at the small panda cub nestled in Wen Yan’s arms, she couldn’t help but want to hold it. However, with everyone walking alongside Su Su, she felt too shy to ask.
Would the riverbank panda be happy to meet this little cub?
Little Li Hua thought it might, as the riverbank panda often seemed lonely. It was always by itself, with no one to play with most of the time.
Lost in her thoughts, Little Li Hua noticed Su Su leading the group up to the rooftop terrace of the nursery building, stopping in front of a teleportation array.
“Su Su, are we going outside?” Little Li Hua asked excitedly.
The other cubs also seemed thrilled, their faces lighting up with bright smiles, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Wen Yan and Yan Ya exchanged confused glances.
They didn’t understand why Caretaker Su had brought them to the rooftop. In fact, they had been puzzled since stepping into the nursery building.
After all, as far as they knew, Su Ci was the only caretaker at the nursery.
So, who was this person capable of helping Qiqi?
On the rooftop, seeing the intricate circular pattern on the ground, their confusion only deepened.
The teleportation pad was a high-tech device that appeared to be just an ordinary circular platform. Naturally, neither of them recognized the magical teleportation array it concealed.
As the cubs eagerly followed Su Ci onto the pattern, even A-Yan joined them. Wen Yan glanced at Yan Ya before stepping forward with Qiqi in her arms.
Yan Ya’s expression turned complicated.
Seriously?
Could they really be using this pattern to teleport outside? Was this some cutting-edge technology developed on the prison planet? But why did it look so much like something out of a fantasy drama about ancient mysticism?
Still, Yan Ya followed suit, stepping onto the platform along with the others.
Luckily, both women were petite, so there was just enough space for them to stand.
As they wondered what would happen next, the intricate patterns beneath their feet began to glow.
A soft golden light enveloped them, and when the blinding brilliance faded, Yan Ya and Wen Yan found themselves standing in the great outdoors.
All around them was lush greenery.
If not for the faint traces of blood mist visible in the distance, they might have believed they’d left the prison planet entirely!
Wasn’t the entire prison star supposed to be shrouded in blood mist?
While they were still reeling from the shock, the cubs had already dashed out of the teleportation array and launched into their favorite activities.
Little Li Hua ran out as well, cupping her hands around her mouth and calling joyfully toward the bamboo forest, “Zeze, come here!”
As soon as she called out, the ground began to tremble.
From the dense bamboo forest, a black-and-white figure emerged, trotting toward her on all fours.
“Eep! Eep!”
Along with the sound of its footsteps came the delighted cries of the giant panda, filled with joy as it approached.
Little Li Hua ran happily toward the panda, spreading her arms wide to embrace it. When the giant panda reached her, she pounced on it, and the two tumbled to the ground, rolling and playing together.
The panda pretended to be knocked over, lying on its back with its plush paws holding Little Li Hua as it playfully lifted her into the air.
The riverbank echoed with the sound of the little girl’s joyful laughter. The wolf cubs and other children soon gathered around, clamoring for the panda to play with them too.
Meanwhile, on the teleportation platform, Wen Yan stood frozen in shock.
Of course, there were more than a few pandas across the galaxy, and warriors with panda bloodlines weren’t limited to her husband, Laize. But…
How could she ever forget her husband’s animal form?
Even after all these years, she vividly remembered the day her planet was attacked by interstellar monsters. As she fled with the crowd, narrowly escaping death, it was that man—transformed into a giant panda—who shielded her, taking all the danger and harm upon himself.
That was the day they first met, a precious memory she could never forget.
But…
Could it really be him? Hadn’t he already died? And even if it was truly her husband, Laize, why had his animal form shrunk so much?
The primary distinction between a warrior panda and an ordinary panda was size. The same was true for most ferocious beasts.
These large carnivorous beasts were far bigger than their non-bloodline animal counterparts.
Yet, the panda before her was less than a third the size of her husband’s former animal form.
While Wen Yan hesitated, confused, the panda cub in her arms suddenly began to struggle. Caught off guard, Wen Yan loosened her grip, and the cub tumbled to the ground.
The cub landed with a thud but didn’t cry out. After steadying itself on its stubby legs, it dashed toward the giant panda.
“Eep! Eep!”
The giant panda, previously immersed in play and joy with the cubs, froze at the sound of the young cries.
It gently set Little Li Hua down, rolled over, and stood up, its gaze locking onto the direction of the cries.
When it saw the black-and-white bundle running toward it, the stiff panda seemed to remember something. Tears began to well up and fall from its eyes.
“Meh-meh~”
“Meh-meh~”
It let out soft, bleating cries, much to the astonishment of the surrounding cubs. Ignoring everything else, it sprinted toward the panda cub.
Finally, it scooped the little bundle into its arms, cradling it as though it were the most precious treasure. On its furry face was an unmistakable expression of deep affection.
The panda cub, nestled in its embrace, quieted down. It nuzzled against the giant panda’s chest, its movements full of attachment and trust, a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of everyone watching.
“Laize… is that you?”
The reaction of her daughter finally confirmed it for Wen Yan—this shrunken panda was undoubtedly her husband, who had been declared killed in action years ago.
It must have been the connection between the bloodlines of ferocious beasts that triggered Qiqi’s reaction. Her panda bloodline came from her father, and only he could effectively calm her when she went into bloodline berserk mode.
Wen Yan couldn’t hold back any longer. She ran toward the two pandas.
As she approached, the giant panda didn’t move away. It simply stared at her, something breaking apart in its mind, something waiting to surface.
The fog clouding its memories finally lifted, revealing clarity at last.
When the woman reached it, the panda opened its arms and pulled her into its embrace.
“Yan… Yan…”
A deep, hoarse voice sounded in Wen Yan’s ears. Though so much time had passed, she recognized it instantly.
Burying her face in the panda’s chest, Wen Yan broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Her cries were filled with years of pain and longing. “Laize, it’s really you… you’re really not dead… you’re really not dead…”
Holding her tightly, Laize felt the chaos in his mind retreat as more and more memories of his human life returned.
“Yan Yan… Qiqi…”
He murmured his wife and daughter’s names, his tears streaming freely.
The heartwarming reunion moved the cubs to the point that many felt a strange tightness in their chests. Though they had never experienced familial warmth, they could sense the profound emotions on display.
Except for Xue Wei, whose tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
How she wished her own parents weren’t gone… How she wished she could reunite with them too…
“Sister Wei Wei…” Little Li Hua’s concerned voice broke through her thoughts.
Xue Wei hastily wiped away her tears and looked down at Little Li Hua.
Though she could never see her parents again, the madam and sir had found their child. She should be happy for them.
Little Li Hua patted Xue Wei’s hand gently, trying to comfort her. She didn’t understand why Xue Wei looked so sad, nor did she understand why the giant panda and the lady were hugging and crying together.
“Are they family?” Little Li Hua asked softly.
“Yes,” Xue Wei nodded. “Laize should be a fully animalized human warrior, and the new panda cub must be his child.”
Next to them, Yan Ya crouched down beside Little Li Hua.
In a gentle voice, she added, “That’s right. They’re a family. Laize and Aunt Wen Yan are Qiqi’s parents.”
Little Li Hua listened to her explanation and looked back at the three embracing each other. Her brows furrowed slightly. Just as Yan Ya was about to say more, the little girl asked, confused, “What are parents?”
Yan Ya looked into the little girl’s clear, innocent eyes and heard the genuine curiosity in her voice. In that moment, her heart felt as if it had been pierced by a knife.
