Chapter 317: Chapter 317

The Beastman’s expression softened, and he gently stroked her head.

"When a female is pregnant, she should rest well at home. Even if the sky falls, a male will be there to support it. Understand?"

"Understood," Si Yan said obediently.

When she worked on the Sage Bridge, she had also judged that her abilities were sufficient and the situation wouldn’t bring any danger. And during this heavy rainy season, she, a female, really couldn’t be of much use. Instead of trying to show off by going out to help others, it was better to stay put and prepare for childbirth.

"Jin Tong, are you feeling okay now? Can you handle getting a little wet in the rain?" Si Yan called out to Jin Tong, who was outside.

Jin Tong came over with a smile. "Of course, I’m fine. What do you need me to do?"

She Wang squinted his eyes unhappily at Jin Tong. Even though he knew full well Jin Tong was Si Yan’s brother, he still felt a sour discomfort in his heart. She Wang lightly gripped Si Yan’s shoulder, a silent reminder that she could ask him for anything, so why involve other males? Si Yan, however, remained oblivious.

She picked up a twig and began to draw on the ground.

"Jin Tong, later on, go and help me build a channel so that the water from the tavern can flow down . That way, there won’t be any standing water in front of the tavern. But building the channel might be a bit dirty. Can you do it?"

Jin Tong nodded. "No problem, I’ll go right away."

After whittling a wooden board, Jin Tong fashioned a wooden shovel and then dug a water channel around the tavern according to Si Yan’s instructions.

Because of this channel, the water near the tavern flowed more smoothly, and the area became relatively dry and much more comfortable.

The rain was too heavy. Although the wooden house was already encircled by trees, it started to leak.

The males in the tavern braved the rain to go out. They coated the roof with mud and then found large leaves to lay on top.

The flour that had been previously ground in the kitchen was moved back by A’ye to the tavern, where he found a dry, leak-proof spot to store it.

As for the four little ones, seizing the rare opportunity of having their mother at home and idle, they all clung to Si Yan.

"Mother, look quickly! This is the portrait the Golden Dragon Clan gave you!" Bei Ji said excitedly.

The four little ones, eager to show off their treasure, handed the wooden plaque to Si Yan.

Upon taking the wooden plaque, Si Yan’s expression immediately changed. A tuft of her hair stood on end and twitched, and she said with an indescribable feeling, "This is... me?"

"Yes, indeed! Yes, indeed!" The four little ones were excited, even though they also felt it didn’t quite resemble her.

Si Yan set the wooden plaque aside and let out a helpless sigh. The level of painting in the Beast World truly left much to be desired.

She said with a smile, "Everyone is busy now, but Mother is free, so I’ll teach you all how to draw."

Lacking pristine white drawing paper, Si Yan found a larger wooden board.

Without brushes, Si Yan went to the kitchen and picked up some charcoal to use as charcoal pencils.

As the rain was too heavy and there weren’t many customers coming for drinks that day, Si Yan hung up the wooden board in the first-floor lobby and began to teach, stroke by stroke.

"I’ll start by teaching you to draw three-dimensional geometric shapes."

"Mother, what are three-dimensional geometric shapes?"

Si Yan laughed. "Three-dimensional geometric shapes refer to geometric figures whose parts are not all in the same plane. They are made up of one or more surfaces, enclosing shapes that can exist in real life. Meanwhile, those whose parts are all on the same plane are called plane figures."

"Some geometric figures we’ll often draw in the future include cylinders, cones, spheres, and prisms. As we draw, I’ll explain them to you."

With that, she began to draw on the wooden board.

She was drawing a cube.

At first, the little ones didn’t quite understand as she drew.

But after the cube was drawn, the cubs were all stunned.

"How does this feel like it’s right in front of us, just like a real thing?"

"It’s really not on a flat surface! So this is what it means to not be on a flat surface."

"How did you do this?"

Mother, you’re so amazing!

Si Yan smiled and said, "What Mother drew is called a sketch. Look, when you draw a sketch, you need to pay attention to the weight of the lines, the interplay of solid and void, and also the light and shadow effects."

Si Yan casually pointed at a table and said, "Look, this side that catches the light is bright, while the side in shadow is dark. And here, at the outline..."

Si Yan meticulously explained every detail, analyzing an object with the cubs. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ noᴠelfire.net

Finally, she said, "You can start practicing in a moment. When you practice, pay attention to the object’s contour and the light and shadows. After finishing your first drawing, start practicing lines. Draw stroke by stroke, just , controlling each stroke carefully."

Bi Yao lurked in a corner, watching Si Yan teach the cubs an art class. His eyes were a little red, and he felt a mix of anticipation and envy. Even though his sister had criticized and scolded him yesterday, he wasn’t the slightest bit angry with her. Now, he really wanted to join in and listen to her classes with the other four cubs.

When the males bustled about inside and outside the house, seeing Si Yan teaching the cubs in the hall brought them a sense of calm.

The Sage Grey Parrot from Myriad Beasts City had long since informed everyone that animals floating in the floodwaters shouldn’t be eaten, and the floodwater on the ground shouldn’t be drunk either. They were to eat only freshly hunted animals and drink only rainwater collected from the sky.

The Beastman She Wang returned from the rain, having hunted large, fresh prey. He showed it to Si Yan.

Si Yan stared fixedly at the prey She Wang had brought back. The prey was well-preserved; the internal organs, head, and tail that Si Yan wanted had all been kept intact.

"Impressive," Si Yan praised.

The Beastman She Wang curled his lips and said, "There are many drowned wild animals outside. I didn’t touch those; I hunted a live one. I’ll go process it now. Its fur is quite soft; I’ll save the pelt to make a mattress for you. As for the meat, you can decide later which part you want to eat."

Si Yan nodded. "After you’ve processed it, don’t throw away the other parts; I’ll put them in my space. Gecko is raising some small carnivorous beasts."

The Beastman She Wang nodded.

The number of wild animals in Si Yan’s space wasn’t very large, but Gecko had still introduced a few more to enrich the species.

Strawberries were planted in patch after patch because both the cubs and She Wang liked to eat them.

The Beastman She Wang was processing the prey in the backyard.

After the prey was processed, She Wang and A’ye started separate fires.

She Wang’s portion was delicately prepared—a special meal for the pregnant Si Yan.

A’ye glanced at She Wang a few times, then he knocked on a pot and started a fire to cook for everyone else.

Just as they were about to eat, the Sage Grey Parrot arrived with his apprentices.

"Si Yan, Sage, I see you’re eating. I truly hope I’m not disturbing you," he said.

Si Yan smiled and replied, "Sage Grey Parrot, please sit. We’ve just started eating, and there’s plenty of food left."

The Sage Grey Parrot and his group practically drooled at the sight of the food on Si Yan’s dining table.

They unceremoniously found places to sit, and the Sage Grey Parrot smiled and said, "That Sage Bridge you made the other day, I went to see it. It’s really well done; the flood was so big, yet it didn’t damage it."

He suddenly asked in a low voice, "Sage Si Yan, your Beast Husband has a Wood-based Ability? I never would have guessed."

Si Yan smiled and nodded. "Yes."

After the Sage Grey Parrot took a few bites of meat, he paused slightly and then said, "Actually, I came here this time to..."

The Beastman She Wang shot him a cold glare.

The Sage Grey Parrot felt a chill down his spine, guessing this male was probably worried for his Mistress’s safety.

Enduring the intense killing intent, he quickly said, "It’s... to discuss a plan with you..."