Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off Chapter 819: The First Birthday

Slowly, the months passed. One day became another. Spring quietly came and went.

And before Su Qinglan even realized it, an entire year had passed since she had arrived in this strange world.

A whole year.

Sometimes, when she thought about it, she still found it unbelievable. A year ago, she had been completely alone. She had not known where she was, nor had she known what the future held.

And she certainly had never imagined that one day she would have a huge family, several devoted beast husbands, and eight adorable cubs running around her house.

Yet here she was...living peacefully in Dragon Beast City.

Today was a particularly special day. It was the birthday of her three eldest cubs: Xiao Yi, Xiao Er, and Xiao San.

Su Qinglan stood in the middle of the house, looking at the three little birthday stars with shining eyes.

"Today is your birthday." Her lips curved into a warm smile. "My babies are already one year older."

The three cubs looked at one another in confusion. Then Xiao Yi tilted his fuzzy head. "What is a birthday?"

Su Qinglan froze. Right...there was no concept of birthdays in the Beast World. Most beastmen simply counted their age by seasons or years; there was no special celebration for the exact day a cub was born.

But Su Qinglan wanted to celebrate. Because to her, this day meant something incredibly important: it was the day she had become their mother. So she had decided that her cubs deserved a proper birthday.

"Birthday means..." She crouched down and gently pinched Xiao Yi’s chubby cheek. "...it means the day Mommy became your mommy."

Xiao Yi’s golden tiger ears immediately stood bolt upright. "Mommy became my mommy?"

"Yes."

Xiao San’s eyes widened. "Then we should celebrate Mommy too!"

Su Qinglan laughed softly. "Of course."

Xiao Er immediately raised his head. "Does that mean we get lots of delicious food?"

Su Qinglan stared at him. "...That is the only thing you understood?"

Xiao Er nodded without hesitation. "Food is important."

Su Qinglan burst out laughing. "You’re definitely your father’s child."

From somewhere behind her came a calm, cool voice. "I heard that."

Su Qinglan turned around. Hu Yan was standing near the kitchen entrance, holding a large wooden tray.

Xiao Er immediately pointed at him. "Father! Mommy said I’m your child!"

Hu Yan glanced down at the little tiger cub. "You are."

Xiao Er’s eyes sparkled. "Then give me food."

Hu Yan’s expression remained completely stone-faced. "You have just eaten breakfast."

"I can eat again."

"..."

Su Qinglan covered her mouth, desperately trying not to laugh.

The preparations had already begun several days ago, and today, the entire house was almost overflowing with chaotic activity.

The last month of spring had already passed, and summer had arrived. The Beast World only had four major seasons. Summer and winter were both very long, usually lasting around six months each.

Spring and the rainy season were much shorter, each lasting about two months.

Now, the warm spring had quietly disappeared, and the first month of summer had arrived. The weather was warm but comfortable.

A gentle breeze moved through Dragon Beast City, birds chirped merrily in the tall trees, and golden sunlight poured through the lush leaves.

It should have been a peaceful morning.

Unfortunately... Su Qinglan had invited almost every cub in the Dragon Beast City. So "peaceful" was no longer an option.

She had originally thought perhaps twenty or thirty cubs would come. Maybe fifty at most. She had been very wrong.

When she finally peeked outside through the window, she nearly dropped the decorations in her hands.

"..."

The entire courtyard was completely packed. Cubs were everywhere...tiger cubs, wolf cubs, rabbit cubs, fox cubs, leopard cubs, bird cubs, snake cubs, bear cubs, and even several little deer cubs had somehow squeezed themselves into the crowd.

Su Qinglan stared blankly at the sea of fur and tiny ears. "How many cubs did we invite?"

Hu Yan, who was carrying a massive basket of fruit, casually answered, "Almost a hundred."

Su Qinglan slowly turned toward him. "A hundred?"

"Yes."

"Why did you say that so calmly?"

Hu Yan blinked innocently. "You said to invite everyone."

"I meant everyone we knew!"

Hu Yan thought for a moment. "We know almost everyone."

"..."

Su Qinglan suddenly understood her mistake. Almost a hundred cubs... and each cub naturally had at least one parent accompanying them!

That meant there were already nearly two hundred guests outside. Then there were their relatives, friends, and the adults helping with the celebration.

The little house that usually felt spacious suddenly seemed extremely small.

The kitchen was even worse. It was completely packed with beastmen cooking. Her husbands were there, her father-beasts were there... Everyone was preparing food.

Someone was roasting meat, someone was stirring soup, someone was cutting fresh fruits, someone was preparing sweet cakes, and several were arguing over how much salt should be added.

"That’s too much salt!"

"It isn’t enough!"

"Who told you to put that much?!"

"I’ve been cooking for years!"

"Then why does it taste like this?"

"Shut up!"

Su Qinglan stood at the kitchen entrance, quietly watching the complete chaos. "...Should I help?"

Every single beastman in the kitchen immediately turned and shouted in unison, "No! Absolutely not! Lanlan, go outside! Don’t come near the kitchen!"

Su Qinglan’s mouth twitched. "I’m the birthday stars’ mother."

"And that’s exactly why you should rest." An Mo calmly pushed a bowl of spices away from her. "Today you only need to enjoy yourself."

Su Qinglan looked at the mountain of raw food. "Are you sure?"

An Mo nodded firmly. "Yes." Then he turned around and immediately barked at another beastman, "Don’t burn that meat!"

"I’M NOT!"

"You are."

"..."

Su Qinglan quietly walked away. She decided that staying out of the kitchen was probably safer for her sanity.

After all, she had invited too many people. There was no way to turn back now, and she didn’t regret it...not even a little. This was her cubs’ first proper birthday, and it had to be special.