Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off Chapter 683: Stove’s Shameless Flattery

The Su Qinglan smiled gently as she looked at the large, rustling group of spiritual plants crowded into her living room.

"You must all be very tired after such a long journey." She paused, looking at the weary leaves and slightly drooping stems of the smaller plants before continuing, "Why don’t you stay here for the night? We can discuss everything tomorrow when the sun comes up. Everyone has had an incredibly tiring day."

She turned her gaze toward her mates, her voice softening with affection. "My beast husbands have been searching for Little Hua since this morning. They haven’t even had the chance to sit down and eat yet."

As she spoke, she looked back at the old grandfather with a warm invitation. "Would you and your clan like to try our beastmen’s food?"

The old grandfather’s leaves fluttered in a flurry of panic, and he hurriedly waved his vines in refusal.

"No, no, please. We’re already profoundly grateful that you’re willing to let us stay under your roof and shield us from the blizzard. We cannot be so greedy as to take your food as well."

Su Qinglan smiled helplessly, amused by his rigid politeness. "There’s nothing to be greedy about. We have plenty of food at home, and no one goes hungry in this house."

Before the old grandfather could formulate another stubborn refusal, Little Hua stepped in. She tugged excitedly at her mother’s green vines, her tiny form practically vibrating.

"Mom! You have to eat!" Her little eyes sparkled brightly with absolute certainty. "It’s really, really delicious! You’ll definitely like it! Trust me!"

Seeing her daughter’s fiercely enthusiastic expression, the mother plant couldn’t help but let out a soft, rustling laugh, her previous tension melting away.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Shi Feng walked into the hall carefully carrying a massive, steaming stone pot.

A thick, heavenly cloud of warm vapor immediately billowed out, filling the chilly room with a comforting mist.

Earlier, when everyone had rushed out into the freezing storm to search for Little Hua, Shi Feng had accurately guessed they would all return exhausted, frozen, and starving. So, he had prepared a massive batch of hot, rich soup well in advance.

Thankfully... he had cooked more than enough to feed an army.

Hu Yan followed closely behind Shi Feng’s heels, his large hands stacked with several heavy stone bowls for the adults. Surprisingly, Stove was also running around busily right behind them like a frantic little helper.

The once arrogant, loud-mouthed plant had completely transformed. He carefully carried small containers one by one, his leaves trembling with the sheer pressure of being gentle, terrified of dropping even a single drop.

There were nearly eighteen spiritual plants currently occupying the hall. Naturally, the family didn’t have that many full-sized stone bowls lying around. Fortunately, they still had a large surplus of small stone cups typically used by cubs.

Shi Feng efficiently filled every single cup with the rich, warm, golden soup before placing them gently in front of each spiritual plant.

The savory, mouth-watering aroma of simmered herbs and rich broth instantly spread throughout the entire hall.

The old grandfather, who had been fiercely determined to refuse the beastmen’s hospitality, suddenly froze solid. His long root twitched, and his outer leaves trembled slightly. He unconsciously inhaled deeply. The rich, sweet fragrance entered his nasal cavities, sending a wave of absolute warmth shivering through his entire five-foot frame.

His spiritual eyes widened in utter disbelief. "What... what kind of food is this? I’ve never smelled anything even remotely like this before."

His expression became deeply hesitant, his plant instincts warring with his dignity. Could something made by beastmen really smell this heavenly?

Before he could overthink it any further, Little Hua had already physically dragged her mother over to one of the steaming cups. "Mom! Hurry! Take a sip!"

The mother plant looked down at the swirling, aromatic liquid before carefully lowering one of her delicate, porous tasting vines into the stone cup.

The very next second... her leaves snapped straight up, and her eyes lit up like stars. "This..." She looked completely and utterly shocked, her stems vibrating.

Without uttering another word, she immediately reached out and yanked her husband over by his main branch. "Quick! You have to try this too! Right now!"

The father plant looked entirely confused by her sudden frantic behavior, but he still obediently dipped a vine into the cup to taste it.

Soon... his expression changed to match hers exactly. His leaves trembled with wild excitement. "This is delicious! It’s so warm!"

Seeing the reactions of the leadership, the other fifteen little spiritual plants began tasting the soup one after another. Very quickly, the quiet hall was entirely filled with tiny chirps and gasps of surprise.

"So warm..."

"What kind of amazing seasoning is this?"

"I’ve never eaten anything like it in the sacred forests!"

"It tastes absolutely amazing!"

Even the stubborn old grandfather silently leaned forward and took a tiny sip. Then another. Then a much larger one... Before he even realized what he was doing, his little stone cup was already completely empty, wiped clean.

On the other side of the room, Stove had completely turned into the most attentive, sycophantic servant the world had ever seen.

"Grandfather! Your cup is empty!" Stove squeaked, rushing forward with a full ladle. "I’ll refill it for you immediately! Here you go!"

He didn’t stop there. He spun on his roots and darted across the floorboards. "Auntie! Please be careful; it’s very hot! Let me hold that for you! Uncle! Would you like another bowl? We have plenty in the pot!"

He ran around the room enthusiastically, serving every single spiritual plant with a level of deep reverence as though they were his own ancient ancestors.

He looked so desperate to please them that he almost wished he had a hundred extra leaves to help everyone all at once.

Watching this ridiculous, over-the-top performance, Su Qinglan couldn’t hold back her amusement and let out a soft, melodious laugh.

Rong Ye also covered his mouth with a fist, his broad shoulders shaking slightly with silent chuckles.

The two of them exchanged a highly knowing, amused glance. This plant... really knew how to shamelessly flatter his future in-laws.

Did he seriously think that serving a few bowls of hot soup would make them happily hand their precious Little Hua over to him?

Rong Ye finally couldn’t watch the embarrassing display anymore. He walked over with silent steps, casually reached down, and grabbed one of Stove’s frantic green leaves, pulling the spinning plant back by his stalk.

"Enough," Rong Ye whispered, a smirk playing on his lips.

Stove looked up at him with a perfectly innocent, bewildered face. "Huh? What do you mean ’enough’? I haven’t finished helping everyone get refills yet!"

Rong Ye chuckled softly, leaning down to whisper, "They can all see exactly what you’re trying to do, Stove. And trust me... it’s getting highly embarrassing."

Only then did Stove finally freeze. He slowly turned his heavy plant head around and realized, to his horror, that every single one of the eighteen spiritual plants...including the old grandfather was staring dead at him with blank, unblinking expressions.

His bright green plant face instantly stiffened into stone. "..."

For the first time in his loud, arrogant life, the proud Stove wished a massive earthquake would hit the house so he could dig a hole in the ground and plant himself inside it forever.