After enjoying the bones and meat and drinking the hot soup, the little ones felt refreshed and ready to rest.

Night fell, and it grew darker and darker. Si Yan's eyes adjusted to the brightness of the night, and she stared into the cave.

Before long, she noticed that Dong Chi didn't seem to be asleep either.

She tilted her head and looked at Dong Chi, who was staring at her with his eyes wide open.

"You're not asleep?" Si Yan turned to him and asked softly. "Can't you sleep?"

At night, Dong Chi's eyes vaguely transformed into snake pupils, but perhaps because he didn't want to frighten Si Yan, his pupils remained round and large.

It looks kind of cute.

“Female.” Dong Chi stared at her intently. “You’ve become a different person.”

A cool, clear voice drifted over. A chill ran down Si Yan's spine, and her entire body tensed instantly.

She had long ago noticed the complex feelings her children had for their mother.

If these future villains recognize that she has impersonated their biological mother, will they kill her?

She didn't want to lose the life she had been given a second chance at!

Si Yan remained silent for a long time without speaking or daring to move. She stared at Dong Chi, wondering how much this sensitive and perceptive boy had actually noticed.

"Are you... still her?" Dong Chi averted his gaze, slowly turned around, and looked up at the ceiling with his snake-like eyes.

"What are you saying?" Si Yan asked guiltily.

"I feel like you are, but I also feel like you aren't." Dong Chi slowly closed his eyes.

My mother is different now than before.

She wouldn't have been this brave and smart before, and she certainly wouldn't have been this kind to them.

"..."

Dong Chi gradually relaxed and said slowly, "Go to sleep. The tiger beastmen are proud and won't attack us in the middle of the night. It's safe here."

...

Inside the cave of the Dark Flame.

The tall, black tiger-like beastman sniffed the aroma of meat broth in the air. His nose was incredibly sensitive; he had already detected the scent wafting from Si Yan's cave.

Mingyan tore off a piece of meat with his teeth and began to chew it.

Hu Yong chimed in, "My lord, it's too much of a coincidence. If it weren't for Teacher Si Yan, there would be no way she could roll such a large rock exactly where we designated it. My lord, this Teacher Si Yan is quite extraordinary. She might be a wise woman!"

Hu Yong became more and more excited as he spoke.

Mingyan paused, then turned to ask him, "Huyong, why would the wise man come to Black Tiger City?"

Hu Yong: "That's because of you, sir. With someone as outstanding as you, why wouldn't the wise man choose Black Tiger City!"

Mingyan interrupted him, saying, "The Beast God has long abandoned us. I am also a beastman who has been punished by the heavens. Wise men do not come to Black Tiger City."

Hu Yong remained silent.

Mingyan: "Keep an eye on her. You'd better be able to keep her in check."

Hu Yong paused for a moment, then bowed helplessly: "Yes, sir."