When Su Qinglan woke up, the warm glow of late afternoon sunlight was already spilling into the stone house.
For a moment, she lay still, her mind hazy with sleep.
The cubs were no longer napping beside her.
Instead, she heard soft rustling sounds nearby.
Turning her head slightly, she saw the three little ones playing quietly on a spread of dried leaves not far away. They were stacking small stones and bits of wood, whispering to each other as if afraid to wake her.
A gentle smile appeared on her lips. "They've been awake for a while…" she thought.
Slowly, she pushed herself up and sat upright. Her body felt light and comfortable, without the slightest discomfort.
She rubbed her eyes lazily before her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.
Her fingers paused. It had become noticeably rounder. Su Qinglan blinked, staring down at it for a moment.
"…It's bigger again."
A strange feeling rose in her heart.
This pregnancy had been far too easy.
