Chapter 202 (Extra 2): Qiuqiu, Proposal Ambassador for Ban Ming

The Riverside Tribe had recently taken in three young winged-beasts, all just weaned.
They weren’t big—about the size of a large Alaskan Malamute.
Their eyes were round and shiny, their bodies still padded with baby fat, and their fine down was long and soft—utterly adorable.
Best of all, Ying’ao had been training them; thanks to solid socialization, the three little ones were very well-behaved, mild-tempered, and safe for everyone in the tribe to pet.

That morning, the trio fluttered straight to Jian Mo’s place to wait for Ying’ao to return and take them flying.
Ying’ao had gone outside the tribe to forage, while Qiuqiu was out in the clearing playing with the tribe’s kids.

The three little fluffballs squatted by Ying’ao’s nest like plush toys, sitting nicely as they waited for him.

Jian Mo finished making breakfast and carried food over to Qiuqiu and Ying’ao’s den to feed them.
As he arrived, he first spotted the three little ones.

All three popped their eyes wide; recognizing Jian Mo, they chirped in unison—“Qiu!”—with such perfect timing you’d think they’d been specially drilled.

They were too cute. Jian Mo couldn’t help rubbing their heads.
The one he petted nudged his hand with its forehead.

Feeling the soft fur and baby-fat beneath, Jian Mo scratched the little one’s chin with a finger. “Why are you three so adorable?”

The youngster stared up at him with round, guileless eyes.
It felt less like a winged-beast and more like a puppy—a soft, squishy little pup—so Jian Mo scooped one up and kneaded it in his arms.

The other two immediately came over to nuzzle him, insisting on equal cuddles. “Qiu qiu!”

Jian Mo dutifully scritched the other two as well, set the food down, and played with them.
They weren’t shy at all, batting at him with soft little paws.

Playing along, Jian Mo absentmindedly lifted one and planted a smacking kiss on its forehead.

He hadn’t even straightened when a sharp “Jie!” cut the air.

He looked over—at some point, Qiuqiu had returned. It was standing upright on its hind legs, wings spread, eyes round with disbelief as it watched Jian Mo kiss the little one.

Meeting Jian Mo’s gaze, Qiuqiu called again: “Jie?!”
As if to say: How dare you kiss another winged-beast?

Before Jian Mo could explain, Qiuqiu spun around and presented him with its backside.

…He was doomed. Caught smooching someone else’s winged-beast.

Jian Mo’s heart sank. Keeping his face neutral, he tried to bluff, greeting Qiuqiu: “Back already? We were just fooling around—”

Qiuqiu ignored him.

Jian Mo went over to coax it; Qiuqiu answered by steadfastly pointing its rear at him.

After a few more attempts, Qiuqiu flapped off, leaving only its retreating back.

Facing the three clear-eyed baby winged-beasts, Jian Mo felt like crying. He’d lost the mood to play; he poured the food into Qiuqiu and Ying’ao’s bowls, set the lids, told the youngsters to wait there, and left.

Elsewhere, Qiuqiu swooped into the knot of kids, cheeks puffed and clearly fuming.

Little Ban Qiu patted Qiuqiu’s belly. “Qiuqiu, what’s wrong?”

“Jie!”

Jiang Xing peered closely. “Qiuqiu’s mad. No injuries, though. Who ticked it off?”

He Feng: “It flew out from home—maybe Ying’ao upset it.”

Bai Lu said softly, “Ying’ao left the tribe early this morning and isn’t back yet. It can’t be him.”

Ban Qiu: “Then who? Don’t be mad, Qiuqiu. We’ll find you snacks.”

Bai Lu: “Maybe Brother Jian Mo. Qiuqiu usually doesn’t get mad at others—only cares about him.”

Since it involved Jian Mo, the kids couldn’t go confront anyone; they could only comfort Qiuqiu and pull it off to play.

When Wu Jiong came back, he noticed something was off. “What did you do to rile Qiuqiu?”

Jian Mo: “I… kissed another winged-beast in front of it. And now it’s like this. I set out food—won’t eat. Called it out to play—won’t move.”

Wu Jiong chuckled. “This morning? Then coax it again when it comes back. It might cool off by then.”

Jian Mo muttered, “Doubtful. Qiuqiu isn’t the compromising type.”

Wu Jiong: “So you won’t coax it?”

Jian Mo sighed. “Still have to. No choice.”

Feeling guilty, Jian Mo stayed home that afternoon and cooked a spread of treats, planning to appease Qiuqiu when it returned.

By dusk, Qiuqiu and Ying’ao were back. Jian Mo carried over freshly baked mini cakes to make amends.

Qiuqiu was lounging contentedly in its nest. Seeing Jian Mo approach, it twisted its big head away and refused to look at him.

“Still mad?” Jian Mo set down the cakes. “I was wrong. I won’t play like that with other Qius again.”

Qiuqiu kept its butt toward him, round ears flattened—airplane ears—broadcasting its refusal to communicate.

Jian Mo coaxed patiently for a long while; Qiuqiu didn’t budge.

Parched, out of ideas, Jian Mo pleaded with the bystanding Ying’ao: “Help me plead my case?”

Ying’ao looked at Jian Mo, then at Qiuqiu, and ventured a “Qiu?”

That single sound set Qiuqiu off—as if betrayed. It bared its teeth at Ying’ao: “Jie jie jie!”

Startled, Ying’ao tucked its paws to its chest, its round ears slicked back into airplane mode. “Qiu?”

Qiuqiu stretched its growl into a warning: “Jie—”

Ying’ao sidled away, deciding not to meddle in Jian Mo and Qiuqiu’s spat.

Jian Mo sighed, shifted, and sat shoulder to shoulder with Qiuqiu. “I really was wrong. Qiuqiu is the cutest. I only have you two Qius. I won’t spare a glance for any other Qiu.”

Qiuqiu turned its head slightly, snorting a tiny, aggrieved sound.

Jian Mo bumped it gently with his shoulder. “Truly. Since it’s my first offense, forgive me? I won’t ever do it again.”

After a long while of left-and-right coaxing, Qiuqiu finally softened—mostly.
It still wouldn’t let Jian Mo touch it, though; every time he reached out, it pinned his hand with a paw. Denied.

Jian Mo could only keep soothing it.

Watching their back-and-forth, Wu Jiong was all smiles. “You won’t dare next time, huh?”

Jian Mo: “Forget daring—I won’t even think about it.”

He sighed. “It’s on me. Qiuqiu’s love is passionate and pure. I hurt its feelings.”

Wu Jiong slung an arm over his shoulder. “Keep cooking its favorites for a couple days, and take them out to play.”

Jian Mo thought it over. That could work. “Where to?”

Wu Jiong: “Lakeshore, snowy peaks, alpine meadows… or even other tribes.”

Jian Mo: “I’ll make an itinerary.”

Besides making up with Qiuqiu, they could seize the chance for a little trip. The tribe was quiet lately and the weather gorgeous—what a waste to stay cooped up.

Before Jian Mo finished planning, he saw Ban Ming come by Qiuqiu’s nest, muttering to it for ages.
It looked… suspicious.

Puzzled, Jian Mo called out, “Ban Ming, what are you doing? Why so sneaky?”

Ban Ming understood “sneaky” and bristled. “How am I sneaky? I’m discussing serious business with Qiuqiu!”

“Serious business” sounded ridiculous next to “Qiuqiu,” which only made Jian Mo grin wider. “What serious business?”

Ban Ming hesitated. “I’ll tell you, but keep it secret.”

Jian Mo nodded solemnly. “Of course. At most I’ll tell Wu Jiong—not a word to anyone else.”

Ban Ming blurted, “No—don’t tell the chief either.”

Jian Mo: “All right, all right. Out with it—stop hemming and hawing.”

Ban Ming took a deep breath. “I want Qiuqiu to help deliver a token of commitment to A Meng. I’m going to ask him to be my mate.”

That made Jian Mo start. He looked Ban Ming over.

In the past two years, Ban Ming had matured a lot—youthful edges rounded into a tall, handsome young man, features especially striking.
Someone like that wanting to propose to his beloved wasn’t surprising.

Jian Mo considered. “It’s wonderful if you two become mates—but have you asked his opinion? Is he inclined to accept? If you’re not sure, it’s best not to do it in public.”

Ban Ming flushed. “We’ve talked about it before—A Meng agreed. I want to do it properly once more. Since we both love Qiuqiu, I want Qiuqiu to deliver the token.”

Jian Mo was curious. “How, exactly?”

Ban Ming wouldn’t say. “You’ll see.”

Jian Mo thought again. “If you become mates, where will you live?”

Ban Ming: “Wherever A Meng prefers—either our tribe or I’ll move to Xiongying. I’ve discussed it with my family; they’re fine with it. If we stay here, everyone will help gather building materials.”

Jian Mo waved, smiling. “All right. Go train with Qiuqiu.”

With permission granted, Ban Ming happily ran off with Qiuqiu.

He also asked Jian Mo to invite A Meng to Riverside. “He knows my every move. If I call him, he’ll guess right away—no surprise.”

Jian Mo laughed. “Romantic, huh? If I help bring him over, can I watch?”

Ban Ming agreed readily. “Sure. A Hu and the others will come cheer me on too.”

Jian Mo: “Deal.”

A Meng was Jian Mo’s student; he visited periodically to report progress and ask questions. It happened to be about time.

Jian Mo sent word, and A Meng arrived with a stack of problems.

Jian Mo listened to the report, then answered everything in detail.

When they finished, Jian Mo glanced out the clinic window and saw Ban Ming and the others in position. Smiling, he said to A Meng, “Let’s call it a day?”

A Meng nodded, packing up. “Thank you, teacher. I learned a lot.”

Jian Mo smiled. “You’re welcome. Come on, let’s step outside.”

The moment they exited the clinic, there was Ban Ming waiting.

A Meng assumed Ban Ming had heard he was around and came to fetch him; he wasn’t surprised. He murmured a greeting to Jian Mo, smiling, and strode over.

Just then there was a steady thrum of wings overhead.

A Meng looked up instinctively. Qiuqiu was arrowing straight toward them, the wind from its wings ruffling his hair.

He put a hand on his head. Ban Ming reached his side just as Qiuqiu cleared their heads, loosened its claws, and dropped a wooden box.

Ban Ming caught it cleanly and sank to one knee. “A Meng.”

A Meng instantly guessed what was happening and stared, wide-eyed.

Ban Ming opened the box. His eyes were bright. “I love you. Will you be my mate?”

A Meng’s eyes went a little red; he seized Ban Ming’s hand. “I will.”

Ban Ming grinned and took out the contents.

Jian Mo craned his neck—inside was a pair of earrings: hoop-style latch-back studs of dusky blue metal, inlaid with glittering glass shards.

Ban Ming removed one and fastened it to A Meng’s ear.

With a soft click, it locked in place.

A Meng took the other and latched it to Ban Ming’s earlobe, locking it tight.

Since beastmen frequently shift forms, rings aren’t popular—proposals are done with earrings.
Even when they transform, these latch-backs hold snugly on their beast ears without tugging skin—and without getting lost.

With the clasp shut, Ban Ming’s proposal was officially a success.

Behind Jian Mo, Ban Ming’s friends burst into applause, cheers, and whistles. Jian Mo clapped, smiling.

At some point Wu Jiong had arrived; he stood behind Jian Mo, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and pulled him into a hug.

In the center, Ban Ming and A Meng were hugging tightly, eyes reddened, faces alight.

Jian Mo turned and kissed Wu Jiong’s cheek, whispering, “So happy!”

Wu Jiong kissed him back. “May they be like us—happily mated.”

Jian Mo laughed. “Sneaking a blessing for ourselves too, huh?”

Wu Jiong: “Absolutely.”

As they spoke, Qiuqiu—mission accomplished—flew back and nestled close against Jian Mo.

Jian Mo rubbed its back. “Qiuqiu, you were amazing today!”

Now reconciled with Jian Mo, Qiuqiu didn’t mind the scritches. “Qiu.”

Smiling, Jian Mo suddenly rose on tiptoe and kissed Qiuqiu’s forehead.
Seeing this, Wu Jiong came over and kissed the other side.

Qiuqiu’s eyes lit up; it lifted its short paw to pat its head, cooing softly, “Qiu!”

Ying’ao glided in at some point; Jian Mo waved it over, and he and Wu Jiong each planted a kiss on Ying’ao as well.

The four of them—two people and two Qius—stood there together, watching Ban Ming and A Meng, smiles on every face and every beak.

Around them, the cheering continued. Ban Ming and A Meng clung to each other, eyes rimmed red but grinning wide.