Chapter 63
“I’ll listen to Nina p>
“So will I p>
Mino and Yanai shot each other a look, snorted coldly, and turned their faces away in opposite directions.
In the next round, Mino lost again.
Nina glanced at the egg babies, wondering how to let them carry out the punishment. A scene from a drama she’d once watched surfaced in her mind—forehead flicking as a forfeit. That seemed manageable for the babies.
She carried the eggs onto the bed and had Mino kneel with his head resting against the bedside.
“Babies, Uncle Mino lost the game. You’re in charge of the punishment. Each of you come over and give him one bump on the face or head, alright p>
The eggs wobbled eagerly in response, practically vibrating with excitement.
Although Nina and Yanai stood close by to make sure none of them rolled off the bed, there was an unmistakable air of anticipation in the room.
“Say something so they can find you,” Nina reminded.
The egg babies could follow scent, but sound made things easier.
“I’m right here, little ones,” Mino called.
Immediately, the seven eggs split into three small groups and began rolling toward him with surprising coordination. Some rolled sideways, some straight on, but all with fierce determination.
They came thudding toward his face— thud, thud, thud! One struck his cheek, another bounced off his nose, and one actually gave a little hop before colliding squarely with his forehead.
Nina distinctly heard a solid dong.
The babies showed no mercy whatsoever when punishing their uncle.
In the following round, Nina lost.
She looked at the eggs and said gently, “Mother lost this time. Be gentle, alright p>
The eggs immediately rolled toward her.
Mino and Yanai flanked her on either side, ready to block if necessary.
But as soon as the eggs reached Nina, they slowed dramatically. Instead of ramming her, they nestled close, leaning affectionately against her hands and knees, rubbing and wobbling in obvious delight.
Nina stroked them with a smile. “As expected of my own flesh and blood p>
Mino and Yanai exchanged a look. They had clearly overestimated the situation.
After that, Mino lost once more and endured another round of enthusiastic egg-battering. Then it was Yanai’s turn.
This time, the eggs divided into four groups.
Three of the groups attacked him the same way they had Mino—rolling in quick, solid bumps. But one egg did something different. It rolled all the way back toward the head of the bed, positioning itself against the wall as if deliberately creating distance.
The other six finished their hits and quickly rolled aside, almost as though bracing for impact.
The last egg stood upright, tilted slightly backward, and launched forward.
Nina’s eyes widened. “Yanai, maybe put something soft over your face p>
Yanai had already guessed what was coming. “It’s fine. Just a little one. It won’t hurt me p>
Still, the concern in Nina’s voice sent warmth through his chest. See? She cared more about him. Mino hadn’t received such treatment.
Nina’s thoughts were very different: I’m not worried about you—I’m worried your skull is too hard and you’ll hurt my baby.
The egg shot forward like a tiny flaming wheel.
Then came an especially loud THUD.
The egg rebounded slightly from the force of the collision.
Nina hurried over and scooped it up, checking it carefully. When she confirmed the shell was intact, she finally exhaled in relief.
She turned to Yanai.
He had a nosebleed.
Yanai wiped the blood with a strip of beast-hide. “I’m fine. It didn’t use much strength p>
His nose bridge, however, felt suspiciously close to breaking.
Mino burst out laughing. “Seems like the little one really doesn’t like you p>
Yanai pressed the hide to his nose, slightly embarrassed after making such a spectacle of himself. “I wonder which one you are. Why don’t you like Uncle Yanai? Be careful—I might spank you in the future p>
The egg wobbled defiantly.
I’m a little snow wolf. Mother only needs one little wolf. Big wolves can get lost.
It turned around and wiggled its tiny egg-bottom provocatively.
The message was unmistakable.
Yanai gritted his teeth internally. Brat. You’re lucky you’re Nina’s child. If you were mine, I’d spank you red.
Nina felt a little awkward at the egg’s blatant hostility. She picked it up and gave it a gentle pat.
“That was too hard. Apologize to Uncle Yanai p>
The egg wobbled halfheartedly.
“It’s fine,” Yanai said quickly. “The little one was just playing p>
He decided not to argue with an egg.
They stopped playing cards after that. Mino and Yanai went out to prepare dinner, while Nina stayed inside playing with the babies.
Two peaceful days passed like this.
One night, Sal lay asleep in his nest when he suddenly felt a strange warmth spreading through his body.
He opened his eyes in surprise—and delight.
His gaze shifted toward Nina, sleeping peacefully nearby. A slow smile curved his lips.
He slipped quietly from his nest, leapt onto the stone bed, and slid beneath Nina’s covers, lying face-to-face with her.
In the next instant, the little leopard transformed into a strikingly handsome, completely naked man.
Inside Nina’s mind, Little Bun’s alarm blared:
[Host! Host! Wake up! There’s a handsome naked man on your bed p>
“What p>
Handsome naked man p>
Nina’s eyes flew open.
A strange, breathtakingly handsome face was inches from her own.
“AH p>
She screamed and kicked with both hands and feet, sending the man tumbling off the bed.
“W-Who are you? Why are you on my bed?!” she demanded, clutching the blanket to her chest, heart pounding wildly.
Below the bed, the man propped himself up lazily on one elbow, striking a deliberately seductive pose.
“Female Master, it’s me p>
Nina followed the sound of his voice.
The man had short, deep-brown hair and sun-kissed skin. His features were sharply sculpted, brows fierce and eyes wild with untamed charm. His lips curved in a roguish half-smile.
Broad shoulders. A powerful chest. Defined abdominal muscles that traced clean lines downward p>
Nina’s cheeks flushed instantly, and she hurriedly averted her gaze.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not your female master p>
Before Sal could say anything, the door burst open.
“Nina! What happened?” Mino rushed in anxiously. Yanai followed close behind.
Nina pointed stiffly toward the floor.
Mino turned—and fury ignited in his eyes.
“Who are you? What are you doing here p>
Yanai stared in stunned confusion.
Why didn’t any of them recognize Sal?
Hadn’t he and Nina already had children together?