The big-horned one butted heads with them, but it was outnumbered. All the cubs teamed up to bully it. If it hadn't been well-fed, it would have been pushed out and trampled by the beasts long ago.
This year's migration herd arrived half a month earlier than last year. This first batch felt they had ample time, so they walked and stopped, not as rushed.
The cubs left the big-horned one covered in wounds from their butting. As soon as they saw the herd stop, they stopped bullying it and rushed to grab grass to eat.
Not eating enough meant starving to death on the road.
The big-horned one was not hungry; it was in so much pain that it lay on the ground, tears blurring its vision, looking up at the sky for its father's figure.
A mournful roar came from the big-horned one's mouth. It was calling for its father, like a lost child calling for its family. It wanted to go home.
Wente watched from not far away. No one knew how much willpower it took for him not to rush down when the big-horned one was being bullied. He thought his feelings for the big-horned one were not those of a father and son, but in reality, they were.
Wente couldn't bear to watch, yet he had to. He had to ensure the big-horned one's safety…
Shu Yue didn't come over because she dared not. She didn't have Wente's self-control and feared she wouldn't be able to control herself.
After a brief period of feeding, the herd began to move again. The cubs ate only half-full, still feeding on the grass roots left by the adult beasts. The big-horned one didn't want to go. It lingered nearby, searching for its father and mother.
The young ones wouldn't wait for it, and the herds certainly wouldn't. A kind female Triceratops nudged it back into the group with its horn. The big-horned one rolled over from the impact, almost getting stepped on by a large foot. Fortunately, at the critical moment, the adult Triceratops retracted its foot and scolded it.
It seemed to be warning the little cub not to run around.
The big-horned one was extremely panicked, darting through the Triceratops herd. It wanted to find its father and mother, letting out calls. Its small voice was insignificant in the vast group, even mocked by other cubs.
The big-horned one didn't want to go, but it had to. If it didn't, the adult Triceratops behind it would trample it to death. It could only follow the group, and it couldn't walk too slowly or fall, or it would be trampled to death.
While searching and migrating, the big-horned one stumbled and fell without paying attention. Then, a malicious cub stepped on its belly as it passed. In pain, the big-horned one quickly got up to avoid being trampled by other cubs. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The big-horned one was extremely uneasy. Father! Mother!
Where are you! I'm lost…
…
Night fell, and Shu Yue and Ya returned home to pick up the children from Hu Sha.
Seeing Shu Yue's sad mood, Hu Sha also felt bad. "Big-horned one has been sent off?"
Shu Yue nodded, forcing a strained smile. "Sent off. Big-horned one should return to its herd."
Hu Sha comforted her, "Don't be sad, Yue Yue. Big-horned one is different from us. What you did is right."
Then she spoke about the children. "Xiao Bei and Xiao Shu An are very well-behaved. Can you look after them tonight? Why don't you sleep here?"
Shu Yue politely declined. "Grandma, I'm fine. I've troubled you all day, I'm really sorry."
Hu Sha disagreed. "What trouble between family? I love it, how could it be trouble?"
"Hey? Why don't I see Wente?"
Shu Yue said, "Wente isn't coming back tonight. He's following Big-horned one's herd, afraid Big-horned one will be bullied inside."
"Oh, I see. Can you be okay alone tonight then?" Hu Sha didn't understand the situation of herbivore herds, so she didn't ask too many questions.
Shu Yue said helplessly, "Grandma, I'm not a cub anymore. I won't be scared alone at night. Besides, the children are accompanying me. By the way, where is Da Bao?"
"Da Bao went out to play and hasn't come back yet."
Shu Yue nodded. "Okay, Da Bao knows how to get home. I'll take the children back first. I'll trouble Grandma to look after them tomorrow."
Hu Sha was extremely happy, sending them off with a smile. "No trouble, no trouble. I just love looking at children."
The two little females were so well-behaved; she wished she could hold them to sleep every day~
Watching their retreating backs, a hint of sadness appeared in Hu Sha's eyes. How could a female who couldn't have children not have regrets?
It couldn't be helped. Who told them their male was a Dragon Beast? It was too difficult to have offspring!
Back home, Xiao Bei, unable to sit still, went to find her brother. Less than half an hour later, they returned together, both cubs looking a bit off.
Da Bao approached Shu Yue, roaring and asking where Big-horned one had gone. He hadn't seen it all day!
Shu Yue guessed he was asking about Big-horned one. Her heart ached, but she pretended not to understand. "Da Bao, Mother doesn't know what you're talking about. When Father returns, ask him to convey it, okay?"
Seeing his mother didn't understand him, Da Bao became anxious, jumping around. He turned and ran out to find someone who could translate.
Shu Yue could pretend not to understand Da Bao's words, but she couldn't do the same for Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei clung to her, asking, "Big-horned brother is gone. Mother, do you know where it went to eat grass?"
Shu Yue suppressed her sorrow and said softly, "Mother doesn't know. Xiao Bei, are you sleepy? Do you want to go to bed with your sister?"
Xiao Bei was full of energy. "Not sleepy. I'm going to find Big-horned brother!"
Before Shu Yue could stop her, Xiao Bei ran out. Watching Xiao Bei disappear into the night, tears flowed silently down Shu Yue's face.
So this was what it felt like to abandon your child with your own hands. Without raising a child, one doesn't know the kindness of parents. She thought of her own parents. Losing two children at once must be very difficult. She had failed Big-horned one and her parents…
Shu Yue buried her head in her arms and cried silently.
Sensing someone approaching, she quickly looked up and wiped away her tears, trying her best to hide the fact that she had been crying.
It was Da Bao who had found A'Man. A'Man knew what was going on. Under Shu Yue's signal, he had no choice but to trick Da Bao. "Uncle will go look for Big-horned one now. Da Bao, stay home and wait."
Da Bao nodded trustingly. "Uncle, hurry. Tell Big-horned one to stop eating and come back to sleep."
A'Man nodded. "Okay, I'll go now." As a male, he couldn't help but feel a little sad at this moment, as Big-horned one had grown up under his watch.
Indeed, one cannot raise a child that isn't their own. Even he, an outsider, felt bad. How much more would Shu Yue and Wente be suffering!
Shu Xin was silent for five minutes after hearing the news, then she threw herself into building the tribe, wanting to distract herself with work.
Shu Yue decided not to go for the time being, to avoid being reminded of her grief.
Shu Yue had no appetite for food. She simply nibbled on a few fruits and prepared to go to bed. The children were full, and Hu Sha and the others would never let the children go hungry.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night. Shu Yue held the soundly sleeping Shu An, gazing blankly at the wall. Her mind was filled with every moment she had spent with Big-horned one.