Chapter 189
Nina remembered that Setan and his group had shared food with her before. After a moment’s thought, she asked Ridan to invite them to join for dinner.
“Brothers of the lion clan,” Ridan said politely, “Lady Nina asked me to thank you for looking after her these past few days. She invites you to join us for dinner p>
The lion clan males’ eyes lit up instantly. They all turned to Setan, their faces full of hope.
That smell alone was driving them mad—they really wanted to taste it.
Setan shook his head. “No need. Thank her for me. We have our own food—we won’t trouble you p>
They were males, after all. They had hands and feet—how could they just accept someone else’s food?
Besides, they hadn’t truly helped her much.
That little female was incredibly independent. Feeding the children, caring for everything—she did it all herself.
They had wanted to help… But they had absolutely no idea how.
“Understood. I’ll pass the message along,” Ridan said, then turned and left.
The lion clan males looked crestfallen.
Such delicious food—gone just like that.
Even without tasting it, they were certain it must be amazing.
They pulled out their own rations and ate in silence, chewing without enthusiasm, occasionally glancing toward Nina’s side.
Setan glanced at them and shook his head.
It’s just food… look at you all.
After Ridan relayed the response, Nina simply nodded. “Alright. Then we’ll leave them be p>
She had only invited them out of courtesy anyway.
After dinner, with nothing else to do, the children ran outside again.
Their mission: to check whether the durians had cracked yet.
Yinny and Didi trotted over to Finch, circling the durian beneath his knees.
Didi puffed out his cheeks.
Big Brother… why hasn’t the fox’s durian cracked yet? I want to eat it.
Yinny studied it with a serious expression.
Maybe he hasn’t knelt long enough yet. It should be soon. Let’s wait a bit.
Didi nodded eagerly, and the two of them squatted nearby, watching intently.
Finch, meanwhile, was silently fuming.
You little brats… all you care about is the durian.
Taru and the fox clan males stood nearby as well, waiting with interest. They, too, were curious about the legendary fruit.
Hilan and the others cast disdainful looks at Finch.
A cripple with three broken tails.
But their true concern lay elsewhere—the spirit pearl.
They were already thinking of asking Taru about it later.
Meanwhile, Linny and Momo fluttered over to Aviel’s side, hovering near his knees as they inspected the durian.
Linny frowned, tiny brows knitting together.
Why hasn’t it cracked yet? This bad dragon is so useless.
Momo tilted his little head, eyes shining with anticipation.
When can we eat? I really want durian pudding… and durian mille crepe p>
Aviel shot Linny a cold glare.
You little brat—how dare you talk about your father like that? What do you mean “useless”? A male can’t be called useless!
Pado quickly tried to smooth things over. “Lord Aviel, the young lord is just a little impatient p>
He and Viann exchanged looks with Aviel.
Your Highness… try a bit harder, will you?
Aviel turned his face away, speechless.
One by one, they’re all rebelling p>
Lani carried Mimi over to Lex.
Mimi leaned forward, inspecting the durian beneath his knees. Seeing it still intact, she puffed her cheeks.
“Why hasn’t Big Dumb Fish’s durian cracked either? Mimi is getting hungry p>
Lani immediately shot Lex a sharp look. “You useless brat—kneel harder! Mimi wants to eat. Hurry up and crack it open for her p>
Lex looked utterly aggrieved. Fine p>
Waaah… no love from father, no love from child… what kind of fish am I?
Shushu bounced around Yanai, circling his durian curiously.
I wonder what durian tastes like?
Big brother and sister all said it was delicious—so it must be amazing.
But why hadn’t this bad wolf’s durian cracked at all?
How much longer did they have to wait?
Finally, Shushu couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted, “Bad wolf! Hurry up! This little wolf wants to eat durian p>
Yanai lowered his gaze, amused. “Nope. I won’t let you eat it p>
Shushu puffed up instantly. “Bad wolf! I’m going to tell Mama you bullied me p>
They turned and started running toward Nina.
Yanai frowned. “Get back here. Fine—I’ll hurry. Don’t go bothering your mother p>
With that, he actually pressed down harder. He couldn’t afford to leave a worse impression in Nina’s eyes.
Shushu stuck out his tongue smugly.
See? Mama is the strongest.
Aron chuckled softly. Shushu was clever and adorable.
If only that were my grandchild p>
Meanwhile, Linny and Momo had waited long enough.
Still no cracked durians.
Momo sighed. “Big Brother… why hasn’t it split yet p>
Linny glanced at the durian… then at Aviel.
Their big eyes spun thoughtfully—and suddenly lit up.
Got it!
“No problem,” Linny said confidently. “Big brother has a way p>
He grabbed Momo and flew up, landing right on Aviel’s head.
Let’s sit here and add more weight. That’ll make it faster!
Aviel looked up, veins practically popping.
“Get down here, you little brat! If you don’t, once I’m done kneeling, I swear I’ll smack your backside till it blooms p>
This brat—actually daring to sit on my head p>
He was really asking for it.
Linny stomped on Aviel’s head without hesitation.
“I’m not getting down—I want durian p>
Then he shouted excitedly, “Big brother! Little brother! Little sister! Come help—if we all pile on, we can eat sooner p>
Yinny and the others looked at him, eyes lighting up.
That actually sounds like a good idea!
And just like that, they all climbed onto Aviel. In the blink of an eye, he was completely covered in children.
Yinny and Didi clung to his legs. Mimi and Shushu perched on his shoulders. And on top of his head sat Linny and Momo.
Aviel couldn’t help but sigh.
Is durian really that good? You little menaces!
Pado and the others watched from the side, full of admiration.
Our Young Master… is truly brilliant.
They waited and waited.
Linny frowned, thinking hard. Then he turned to Momo.
“Fourth Brother, make yourself heavier. We’re too light—this isn’t enough p>
Momo nodded obediently. “Okay, let me try p>
The moment the words fell, Aviel suddenly felt a crushing weight descend on him like a mountain.
His body dipped lower involuntarily.
Momo is actually this heavy p>
Then—
Crack.
The durian beneath him finally split open.
The children erupted into cheers. “It cracked! We can eat now p>
With practiced efficiency, they repeated the process on Finch and the others.
Before long, they happily gathered four cracked durians and ran off to find Mino.
Mino accepted them with a smile.
He opened one on the spot for Nina and the children to eat fresh, while setting the rest aside to make desserts.
The children clutched the soft golden flesh, munching away with absolute delight.
“Is this durian?” Rosen asked curiously, holding a piece and sniffing it. “The smell is… quite unique p>
“You can try a little first,” Nina said with a smile. “Some people like it, some don’t p>
Rosen took a tentative bite.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
“It’s delicious!” She quickly took a bigger bite.
Nina chuckled softly.
Seeing the children with durian smeared all over their faces, she took out a piece of animal hide and gently wiped them clean.
“Slow down,” she said.
The children lifted their sticky little faces obediently, slowing their eating.
Nearby, the lion clan males sniffed the air again and again, their curiosity written all over their faces.
That strange, rich aroma—what did it taste like?