Chapter 109 - 103: Strange Affinity

Shen Li’s affinity meter.

Neither increased nor decreased.

Strange.

Why hasn’t it moved?

Shen Tang was utterly baffled, she spent so much effort trying to seduce, yet the affinity meter didn’t budge?

Even if she didn’t succeed, she kissed and hugged... surely, the affinity should have gone up a little?

Even if that pesky leopard interrupted, Shen Li got angry, the worst would be dropping some affinity, surely it couldn’t just stay still like a rock?

Shen Tang frowned; she thought with all her hard work today, she could easily boost that sly fox’s affinity to [Like], but it felt like some force was suppressing it.

Too bizarre.

Could it be Shen Li really has no feelings for her?

Considering his actions tonight... doesn’t seem like it?

Shen Tang was bewildered, "System, what’s going on exactly? Has your affinity meter malfunctioned?"

The system responded, [I’m not really sure about this matter, you’ll need to explore it yourself, host.]

Getting no useful answers from the system, Shen Tang decided to put this matter aside.

She was in her mating season and temporarily avoided more contact with Xiao Jin and the others, keeping away as much as possible.

The system felt frustrated [Female mating season is a perfect opportunity to attract males. Utilize it well, and not only one, but you could capture all four without a hitch!]

Shen Tang twitched slightly, "They’re beastmen, not just breeding animals. If a female’s mating scent could make them lose reason, they’d have run wild with so many females around."

The system was speechless.

Shen Tang found a respectable excuse, but truthfully was a bit fearful; what if she got pregnant with cubs?

She wasn’t prepared.

In this world’s setting, due to the expansion of polluted areas, even in ordinary areas outside polluted zones, tiny pollution particles float in the air, slightly affecting beastmen’s health and reducing fertility.

The last two times, Shen Tang was reckless, not considering this issue.

But when the system mentioned that mating season increases female pregnancy chances, she got a bit nervous.

Beast World’s males and females both desperately want children, with no contraception measures in place.

Anyway, she should wait until the mating season ends before doing tasks.

Thinking that the cured meat in the yard had almost dried, Shen Tang was about to go outside to check, when she saw a group of beast cubs lingering at the door.

One little black bear cub approached the rack where the cured meat hung, reaching out a paw to grab it, but the meat was hung too high for its height.

Shen Tang burst into laughter.

Seeing her approaching, the beast cubs quickly tucked away their paws and sat properly.

A small orange tiger cub tiptoed over, timidly said, "Sister Shen Tang, we’re not trying to steal food."

"Right, you’re not trying to steal, just secretly wanting a bite, is it?" Shen Tang smiled.

The beast cubs scratched their embarrassed furry faces; lucky they hadn’t taken human form or their faces would’ve flushed red.

"Alright, we can’t eat it all anyway; we planned to share with you." Shen Tang untied several strings of cured meat from the rack, cut them into small pieces, placed them on the ground.

The cubs rushed to grab them.

The cubs are simple-minded with only thoughts about tasty food.

Give them delicious food, and the affinity goes up rapidly.

After days together, the cubs were less afraid of Shen Tang, some even sweetly called her sister, and it was adorably cute.

Shen Tang often gave them an extra piece of meat.

Shen Tang recognized most stray cubs, the leading tiger cub being the most robust, round as a ball, named Ah Mang.

Its father died hunting; its beast mother, with a new beast husband and child, ignored it, forcing it to grow up on other people’s food in the city.

The weakest little wolf cub lost its parents at birth, having no name; Shen Tang pitied its frailty and named it Chubby, hoping it would eat more and grow.

Lu Xiao came over, saw Shen Tang playing with the cubs at the doorway.

His stern face softened.

As he approached, he smelled a rich mixture of blood and sweetness emanating from Shen Tang.

He paused, quickly realizing what it was, his handsome face showing a brief unnatural look, but he masked his emotions well.

Shen Tang heard steady footsteps behind, turned to find Lu Xiao had returned, smiling, "Perfect timing, help me cook some stir-fried cured meat."

"Sure." Lu Xiao took off his jacket, heading to the kitchen.

The pudgy tiger cub, Ah Mang, toppled over, exposing its furry belly.

Shen Tang extended a finger, gently tickling its belly, a sensitive spot, making it squeal wildly.

Just having fun, a sudden prompt came from the system,

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for triggering a time-limited scenario task: Touch Lu Xiao’s chest muscles while cooking in an apron; reward: food preservation pack!]

Shen Tang twitched again, "System, you’re getting more perverted."

[Host, I’m simply adhering to rules.] The system responded dutifully.

Shen Tang couldn’t care less about this lecherous system.

Then remembered the reward, curiously asked, "What’s a food preservation pack?"

[It’s self-explanatory; it keeps food at its freshest state for a long time.] The system explained, [Host frequently stores food in the Light Brain Space, but it merely stores dead items. Most food spoils in a few days. With a pack, no matter how long it’s stored, the food remains as fresh as originally.]

Shen Tang was surprised; this small thing sounds useless but is quite practical.

She often stores food in the Light Brain Space, but food spoils within days; even dried meat doesn’t last long and must be eaten quickly, or it’s wasted.

After some thought, Shen Tang decided the task wasn’t unfeasible; she’d done bolder ones before.

Lu Xiao’s stable temperament meant he certainly wouldn’t harm her.

Shen Tang walked into the kitchen.

Seeing her enter, Lu Xiao raised a brow, "Why are you here?"

"I’m here to help, can’t just watch you work alone in the kitchen." Shen Tang cheerfully approached.

Lu Xiao, again sensing the strong sweet scent from her, his eyes darkened, stepped back, calmly said, "You should rest; I’ll handle it."

No, if she rested, how would she complete tasks?

Shen Tang insisted on staying, Lu Xiao didn’t push her away.

The two often worked together in the kitchen, well-coordinated.

Shen Tang intentionally got close, handing him pepper, fingers lightly brushing his chest, like an accidental act.

She marveled internally: Who knew, Lu Xiao’s chest muscles felt fuller and firmer than Xiao Jin’s.

Lu Xiao’s expression stayed calm, seemingly oblivious to her sneaky actions, but his ears tinged red.

They were too close, and he again smelled her intense sweetness, triggering his male instincts.

His stare deepened.

Was she... seducing him?

Nearby, Xue Yinzhou appeared at the door, gaze fixed on Shen Tang.