Recaps

Tao Qiu prepared the cave for winter and read the cubs an unfinished story about a man who killed his friend, prompting questions about human jealousy and hatred of mutated monsters. The chapter ended with Eldest Cub asking why some humans traded with Tao Qiu despite seeing mutated monsters as enemies.

• Tao Qiu gathered firewood and built a bamboo gate to protect the cubs from winter snow and cold.
• Tao Qiu read the cubs the unfinished story "Ghost Friend," about a protagonist who killed his friend A-Yang out of envy.
• Tao Qiu promised to seek the later issues of the publication when he next traded with a human.
• Tao Qiu explained that the protagonist had a twisted, ungrateful mindset and warned the cubs to avoid people like him.
• Tao Qiu told the cubs that humans hated mutated monsters because they preyed on people and obstructed human development.
• Tao Qiu said some humans treated him as an exception because he had never eaten a human and had saved people, and Eldest Cub asked another question.

Tao Qiu reassured the cubs about humans, then comforted them after Second Cub mistook his cold hand for a ghost. Later, he met the green python and her reluctant little snake, who had come to visit the cubs and trade prey for fruit.

• Tao Qiu told the cubs that humans and mutant monsters judged right and wrong from their own perspectives, and promised that their family would not eat humans.
• Before dawn, Second Cub woke frightened after Tao Qiu's cold hand touched her, and he apologized and soothed her and the other cubs with a game of calling their souls home.
• Tao Qiu took the cubs to practice flying among the pear trees, then brought them food and rest after two hours.
• The green python arrived carrying enough prey to repay the tomatoes, with the little snake curled inside the basket.
• The green python explained that the little snake was shy, but Tao Qiu realized she disliked him and invited them to meet the cubs.
• The green python followed Tao Qiu into the valley, excited to see the fruit that might help save the little snake.

Tao Qiu brought the green python’s little snake to meet his three cubs, hoping they would become friends while their parents watched. The cubs and snake secretly argued over their parents, then agreed not to insult each other’s families and pretended to get along.

• Tao Qiu introduced the little snake to Eldest Cub, Second Cub, and Third Cub, then left them together with food while he spoke to the green python.
• Tao Qiu and the green python watched as Second Cub offered the little snake fruit, believing the children were getting along.
• After Tao Qiu left, Eldest Cub confronted the little snake and admitted the cubs disliked her rudeness toward their father.
• Second Cub and the little snake argued over their parents’ past conflict, while Third Cub reminded them that both parents had acted to protect their young.
• Third Cub proposed that they could argue among themselves but must not insult each other’s parents, and the little snake agreed.
• The cubs and the little snake ate together to reassure their parents, and the green python agreed with Tao Qiu that they seemed to be getting along.

Tao Qiu evaded the green python’s questions about his mate while discussing the fruit and plants he had found. Meanwhile, the chicks and Little Snake traded insults and considered settling their rivalry with a fight, but Tao Qiu had forbidden them from fighting.

• The green python asked how many eggs Tao Qiu and his mate had laid, then pressed him about where his mate was and how strong she was; Tao Qiu claimed his mate had left after laying the eggs.
• The green python asked whether Tao Qiu had found the two black trees in the black rabbit’s territory, and he confirmed that he had brought them back with the stinky ground fruit.
• The green python invited Tao Qiu to search her larger territory for useful plants, and he agreed.
• The chicks shared food and fruit with Little Snake, who criticized their food and mocked their flying ability; Second Cub answered by teasing her small size.
• Little Snake boasted about her poison and hunting, prompting Eldest Cub to suggest they fight to compare abilities, but Second Cub reminded him that Tao Qiu had forbidden them to fight.

The bird chicks and the little snake raced, then parted on friendlier terms after the youngest chick narrowly won. Meanwhile, Liu Qi'an, Huo Lan, and Chen Lin struggled to endure a noisy little boy, and Liu Qi'an asked John when his friend would return.

• The youngest chick raced the little snake and won by less than half a beak, after which both parents comforted the disappointed little snake.
• The youngest chick reassured the little snake that she might lose once the snake had fully recovered, and the two promised to race again.
• The green python and the big snake prepared to leave, and Tao Qiu gave them a radish; the little snake and the bird chicks exchanged teasing farewells.
• The little boy ran noisily around the living room, prompting Huo Lan to suggest gagging and tying him up while Chen Lin warned her about the law protecting children.
• Liu Qi'an asked John when his friend would return, saying the boy's noise might kill them before they could spend the money they had been promised.

John struggled to look after his colleague’s unruly son, Xiao Cong, until Lou Yu returned and uncovered why the child had been acting out. Xiao Cong broke down crying in Lou Yu’s arms, longing to see his sick mother and the father who had gone to care for her.

• John complained that Xiao Cong had wreaked havoc while the squad members tried unsuccessfully to calm him down.
• Xiao Cong ran from John, collided with Lou Yu, and immediately became quiet and fearful around him.
• The squad realized Xiao Cong was afraid of Lou Yu because of his reputation as a ruthless instructor.
• Lou Yu noticed the trashed living room and gently asked Xiao Cong why he had made such a mess.
• Lou Yu guessed Xiao Cong had misbehaved to be sent back to his parents, and Xiao Cong cried that he wanted his mommy.
• Lou Yu held Xiao Cong as the child sobbed, while the squad understood that he had only wanted to see his parents.

Lou Yu comforted Xiao Cong after the boy caused trouble because he feared for his mother, then remembered how his own mother had comforted and loved him. Later, while falling asleep, he dreamed of children calling him Daddy before waking in his bed.

• Lou Yu helped Xiao Cong understand why he should stay behind, arranged a call with his father, and guided him as he apologized and cleaned the living room.
• Lou Yu entertained Xiao Cong with stories until his father arrived to take him home.
• Lou Yu’s teammates teased him about being good with children, and he recalled his mother’s comfort, forgiveness, and faith in him.
• Tao Qiu drifted off while telling a story in the cave, then turned the bedtime tale into a lively discussion with the chicks about grilling meat.
• Lou Yu dreamed that several children called him Daddy and went to find someone to comfort him, then woke in his bed.

Tao Qiu dyed the second chick’s chest and head green, delighting her, while the third chick decided to wait before dyeing her own feathers. Before winter hibernation, the little snake provoked the second chick over her new feathers, and their argument ended with the green python apologizing as Tao Qiu tried to respond.

• Lou Yu dreamed of having several children and wondered whether they would look like him.
• Tao Qiu made green dye from carrot tops and dyed the second chick’s chest and a tuft on her head.
• The second chick admired her new feathers at the pond and happily showed them off, while the third chick declined to dye hers for now.
• Before the first snowfall, the green python said she would take the little snake into hibernation and stop bringing prey.
• The little snake accused the second chick of dyeing herself green out of jealousy, and the second chick and eldest chick traded angry insults with her.
• The green python apologized after the third chick explained the quarrel, while Tao Qiu began to reply.

After Second Cub’s dye-related quarrel left her gloomy, Tao Qiu cheered her up when the first snow arrived and spent the stormy days caring for and playing with the cubs. Once the snow stopped, he promised to take them outside the valley for a real adventure.

• Tao Qiu made the little snake apologize to Second Cub, then the green python and the little snake left; Second Cub insisted that Tao Qiu wash the dye from her feathers.
• Tao Qiu woke the cubs to see the first snowfall, and the snow helped Second Cub recover her cheerful mood.
• After the wind died down, Tao Qiu took the cubs to the cave entrance, where they tried stepping in the snow and watched him build a lumpy snowbird.
• Tao Qiu and the cubs stayed sheltered through three days and nights of heavy snow, keeping the fire going and clearing snow when the wind eased.
• When the snow stopped, Tao Qiu told the cubs he would take them outside the valley, and they excitedly agreed.

Tao Qiu took his three cubs on a high flight to show them their territory and the powerful mutant monsters living beyond it. He then brought them near the human base, where the fascinated cubs saw human buildings for the first time.

• Tao Qiu carried the cubs above the surrounding mountains and showed them their valley, woods, and bamboo forest.
• Tao Qiu pointed out the black rabbit's territory and the green python and little snake's woods, while Second Cub objected to hearing about the little snake.
• Tao Qiu described the fox clan, a dangerous monster fish in a distant lake, and a powerful ancient tree, warning the cubs to avoid needless risks.
• Tao Qiu asked if the cubs wanted to see where humans lived, and they eagerly agreed.
• Tao Qiu flew with the cubs to the vicinity of the human base and explained how humans built structures, leaving the cubs enthralled by the buildings.

Tao Qiu took the cubs skiing for the first time, then returned with them to warm up and sleep. At the human base, Lou Yu’s power helped stop a mutated flying bat attack, and Lou Quan promised to protect him from trouble over revealing his ability.

• Tao Qiu took the cubs to a snowy slope, where they rode down on a straw sled and bamboo skis, eager for repeated runs.
• After playing until afternoon, Tao Qiu brought the hungry, snow-covered cubs home, fed them, and went to sleep with them.
• At the human base, Lou Yu used his ability to ensnare most of the mutated flying bats after an equipment failure let them approach undetected, helping the defenders defeat the attack.
• Lou Quan told Lou Yu he had three days off and would take responsibility for ordering him to use his ability.
• Liu Qi'an and the other members of Lou Yu’s reinforcement team knew that his ability had stabilized and grown stronger since they rescued him in the wilderness.

After Lou Yu revealed his ability by killing the mutant flying bats, the Yong'an Base learned of his strength and the Central Base’s families weighed what to do about him. The Shen and Bai families kept their heads down while Lou Yu remained safe, with Lou Quan’s appeal to the Lou Family helping maintain the uneasy peace.

• Lou Yu refused gifts and attempts to curry favor, while John and the others kept their squad closed to outsiders.
• The Shen and Bai families reported Lou Yu’s ability to their superiors and waited for the Central Base to act, but nearly a month passed without intervention.
• The Shen and Bai families learned that the major families were locked in a power struggle and began living cautiously, fearing Lou Yu’s retaliation.
• Lou Yu chose to leave the Shen and Bai families in fear rather than attack them, while Lou Quan’s appeal to the Lou Family helped prevent a direct move against him.
• Lou Yu accepted that he still shared interests with the Lou Family, despite his conflict with them and his mother Bai Yan’s hatred of the family.

Tao Qiu and the cubs celebrated their own New Year's Eve in the snowy cave, sharing a feast and exchanging handmade radish-bird gifts. A week later, Lou Yu and his companions celebrated at the human base, where Lou Yu ended the night wishing someone outside the base a happy New Year.

• Lou Quan cooperated with Lou Yu and offered to share the Yong'an Base Research Institute's research on him with the Lou Family in exchange for their help keeping other families in check.
• Tao Qiu explained New Year's traditions to the cubs, then decided they could celebrate on any day before the snow melted.
• Tao Qiu and the cubs chose a calm day to celebrate, made a feast, and exchanged New Year greetings; Tao Qiu carved three radish birds as gifts for the cubs.
• The cubs ate the radish-bird carvings for breakfast the next morning, and Tao Qiu let them enjoy the food without spoiling their fun.
• At the human base, Lou Yu and his companions decorated, shared a reunion dinner, and played cards until midnight; Lou Yu then looked outside the base and softly wished someone a happy New Year.

Lou Yu and the Yong'an Base survived a month of increasingly fierce mutant monster attacks, though Lou Yu was badly injured and hospitalized. After the monster tide receded, he was discharged and Lou Quan ordered him to take another paid week to recover.

• Mutant monsters attacked Yong'an Base repeatedly as spring arrived, and Lou Yu used himself as bait to draw them into traps.
• During an airborne monster attack, burrowing worms surprised the defenders and one tore a deep wound into Lou Yu's thigh.
• Lou Yu survived emergency treatment, while his injured squadmates recovered enough to leave the hospital and return home.
• Liu Qi'an and Huo Lan joked about how dangerous life had become as they recuperated at home.
• The monster tide largely receded, and Lou Yu was discharged; Lou Quan gave him another paid week off to recover.

Tao Qiu planted crops and shared food with his growing bird cubs before the green python brought the little snake to apologize to Second Cub. The little snake and Tao Qiu headed to meet the cubs, who waited uneasily by the pond.

• Tao Qiu planted radishes, pear trees, and berries while the bird cubs brought him food and praised him.
• The green python arrived with prey and the little snake, who asked to see the little snowbirds.
• The green python explained that the little snake regretted bullying Second Cub and had brought a gift to apologize.
• Tao Qiu advised the little snake to apologize sincerely and accept that Second Cub might not forgive her.
• The bird cubs worried about meeting the little snake until Tao Qiu arrived with her and the green python.

The little snake came to apologize to Second Cub and brought sweet potatoes as a gift, which Tao Qiu recognized as a useful plant despite its tough tubers. Second Cub accepted the apology after the little snake explained why her earlier taunt had hurt her, and the chapter left them on the path toward reconciliation.

• Tao Qiu asked Second Cub whether she would meet the little snake, and promised to send the visitors away if the snake was insincere.
• The green python presented a bundle of sweet potatoes, and Tao Qiu recognized them but found their tubers too fibrous to eat.
• The little snake carried a sweet potato to the cubs, apologized to Second Cub, and explained that she had regretted making her cry.
• Second Cub accepted the apology gift and asked the little snake whether she understood what she had done wrong.
• The little snake explained that she had mocked Second Cub for dyeing her feathers green out of jealousy, and Second Cub had been upset because she loved the color.

After the little snake and Second Cub made up, the cubs learned from her that they must have a mother, despite having only ever known Tao Qiu as their parent. While Tao Qiu began cultivating the sweet potatoes the green python had brought, the cubs quietly agreed to ask him about their mother later.

• Second Cub forgave the little snake, and the cubs shared food and stories about spring.
• The little snake told the bird cubs that cubs had both a mother and a father, and Third Cub revealed that Tao Qiu had given birth to them.
• Eldest Cub asked the little snake not to raise the subject with their parents yet, and she agreed.
• Tao Qiu learned that the mutated sweet potatoes were plentiful and safe to eat, then gave some crops to the green python and the little snake.
• Tao Qiu planted sweet potato cuttings while the bird cubs waited for a chance to ask him about their mother.

Tao Qiu worried when Second Cub called for Mom in her sleep, while the bird cubs quietly wondered whether they had one. When the little snake returned, she explained what her mother had told her about how cubs inherit traits and why some are raised by only one parent, leaving the bird cubs convinced they had a mother.

• Tao Qiu shared the first roasted sweet potatoes with the cubs and promised to plant more.
• Second Cub dreamed of being held by an unseen person and called that person Mom as Tao Qiu comforted her in the night.
• Tao Qiu worried the cubs would ask why they had no mother, while the cubs privately wondered whether they had one.
• The green python brought the little snake to visit, and the cubs drew her aside to ask why she had returned.
• The little snake explained her mother's account of parentage, inherited traits, and absent or dead parents, and the bird cubs concluded they had a mother.

The bird chicks learned that their mother might have left or died, but agreed not to bring it up with Tao Qiu and found comfort in his affection. Meanwhile, Lou Yu decided he could no longer wait to see Snow Bird and prepared to travel into the wilderness alone, leaving his teammates curious about their captain’s feelings.

• The bird chicks and the little snake discussed the possibility that their mother had left or died, and the chicks agreed to keep the news from Tao Qiu.
• The bird chicks gave the little snake sweet potatoes, then told Tao Qiu they loved him and received his affection in return.
• After hearing Liu Qi'an complain about people having sex in public and mention mutated monsters’ spring mating season, Lou Yu worried that Snow Bird might find another mate.
• Lou Yu submitted an application to Lou Quan to enter the wilderness alone, and Lou Quan approved it despite suspecting his cousin was hiding something.
• Lou Yu told his teammates that his gifts and packed snacks were for Snow Bird, then set out to visit him alone as Huo Lan and Chen Lin wondered about Snow Bird’s influence over him.

Tao Qiu and the cubs wished for Lou Yu to return, and Lou Yu soon arrived alone with gifts. Their reunion turned into a teasingly intimate encounter that left Tao Qiu flustered by Lou Yu’s sincere gaze.

• Tao Qiu and the cubs lamented that their rock sugar and salt were running out, then chirped together for Lou Yu to come back.
• After his nap, Tao Qiu flew out to patrol and spotted Lou Yu waiting outside his car in the snow bird’s territory.
• Lou Yu told Tao Qiu he had come alone to find him, and Tao Qiu led him into the car while shrinking into human form.
• Tao Qiu covered Lou Yu’s eyes, greeted him, and teased him by pretending he planned to eat him.
• Tao Qiu tied Lou Yu’s wrists with a data cable, then revealed his human form and found Lou Yu gazing at him with open admiration.
• Tao Qiu blushed under Lou Yu’s earnest stare and told him to stop looking.

Tao Qiu and Lou Yu confessed their feelings and discussed how they had each viewed romance before meeting. Lou Yu revealed his lightning ability and admitted he had come alone because he feared Tao Qiu would find another mate.

• Tao Qiu questioned why Lou Yu trusted him, and Lou Yu said he had recognized Tao Qiu as a human with a second identity and had wanted to protect him.
• Lou Yu confessed that he had fallen for Tao Qiu at first sight, and Tao Qiu admitted he had also been unable to stop thinking about Lou Yu.
• Lou Yu showed Tao Qiu his lightning ability, explaining that an experimental reagent had awakened it and that he was Yong'an Base's only ability user.
• Tao Qiu asked why Lou Yu had come alone, and Lou Yu admitted he feared Tao Qiu would find another mate and wanted to bring him a gift.
• Tao Qiu and Lou Yu shared their romantic histories, with Lou Yu saying he had never dated and Tao Qiu saying he had once liked several handsome men.

Lou Yu brought Tao Qiu supplies and confessed through his attentive gestures that he wanted to pursue him, while Tao Qiu welcomed the courtship and opened up about his family. As night approached, Tao Qiu insisted on taking Lou Yu back to the base despite Lou Yu’s reluctance.

• Lou Yu told Tao Qiu he would pursue him, and Tao Qiu accepted while sharing their names.
• Lou Yu showed Tao Qiu bedding, clothes, toiletries, books, a phone, and snacks he had brought for him.
• Tao Qiu said Lou Yu reminded him of his grandmother, and Lou Yu comforted him with a hug.
• Tao Qiu learned Lou Yu had waited an hour and skipped lunch, then made him eat before discussing future visits.
• As darkness neared, Tao Qiu insisted on taking Lou Yu back to the base, claiming that Lou Yu had to listen because Tao Qiu was in charge.

Tao Qiu returned to his valley with supplies from Lou Yu and prepared to repay him with food, while the two grew closer through their affectionate exchange. After bringing Lou Yu fresh tomatoes and insisting he accept prey in return, Tao Qiu watched him taste the tomatoes and saw how much he enjoyed them.

• Tao Qiu carried the supplies Lou Yu had given him back to the cave, where the cubs celebrated and learned he had traded with the human.
• Tao Qiu prepared fresh tomatoes for Lou Yu and warned the cubs to hide in the cave if a mutant monster entered the valley while he was away.
• Tao Qiu flew back to Lou Yu and gave him the tomatoes, asking him to keep their source secret and eat them there.
• Tao Qiu insisted on hunting prey for Lou Yu as repayment, and Lou Yu accepted while expressing his affection.
• Tao Qiu pecked Lou Yu when he gazed at him too affectionately, then brought him chopsticks so he could eat the tomatoes.
• Lou Yu tasted the tomatoes and was astonished by their sweetness and quality.

Tao Qiu hunted a large yellow ox and carried it to the safe-zone outskirts as a gift for Lou Yu. After a tender farewell, Lou Yu’s teammates arrived to load the ox, and news of Snow Bird’s latest gift spread through the base.

• Lou Yu accompanied Tao Qiu to his hunting grounds, where Tao Qiu killed a large yellow ox while Lou Yu watched from the car.
• Tao Qiu carried the ox behind Lou Yu’s car toward the base, fending off mutant monsters that approached along the way.
• At the safe-zone outskirts, Lou Yu hugged Tao Qiu and said goodbye before Tao Qiu flew home.
• John, Liu Qi'an, Huo Lan, and Chen Lin arrived to load the ox, and Lou Yu told them Snow Bird had insisted on giving it to him.
• Lou Yu’s teammates hauled the ox through the base gate, where word spread that Snow Bird had given Lou Yu another gift.

Tao Qiu returned home and caught Momo, Xuexue, and Yuanyuan sneaking snacks from his supplies, then gently punished them before showing them the household goods and clothes he had brought back. The cubs spotted a tiny garment in the clothing pile and asked if it was theirs.

• Tao Qiu came back to the valley, found the food containers opened, and pretended to cry until the three baby birds emerged from hiding.
• Tao Qiu caught the cubs with snack residue on their mouths, and they confessed to prying open the containers and tasting the food.
• The cubs pleaded for one another as Tao Qiu considered a punishment, so he sentenced them to three days without bedtime stories.
• Tao Qiu showed the cubs the bedding, clothes, shoes, and slippers he had brought home.
• Eldest Cub picked up a tiny garment from the clothing pile, and the three cubs asked Tao Qiu if it was theirs.