Qiao Xixi hugged the cubs and cried for a good while, venting the emotions she had suppressed for so long. Finally, she sniffled, picked up an animal-skin handkerchief, and wiped the tears from the cubs' faces.
"I'm sorry, cubs. Mother frightened you last time. But rest assured, I'm fine now. You don't need to worry."
But no matter what she said, the cubs clung to her tightly. Left with no other choice, Qiao Xixi led them to sit down on the animal-skin blanket.
"Did you run into any danger on the way here?" she asked.
Xiya shook her head. "No, Mother. With Grandfather and the others protecting us, the journey went very smoothly."
Mo Yan stood off to the side, looking somewhat at a loss as he watched Qiao Xixi speak so gently to Qiao Ang and the rest. In truth, he missed the Clan Leader too, but he didn't feel he had the right to step forward. Even so, a tiny trace of disappointment couldn't help but well up in his heart.
