Before she could even process the thought, the hide curtain of her hut was torn aside and a tidal wave of fur and chaos exploded past her.
"SPARKLES!"
"SHINY DRAGON!"
"YOU'RE BACK!"
Yòu Lín, Ruì Xuě, and the panther triplets launched themselves at the golden figure in the doorway. Within seconds, Cāng Jì was buried under a pile of screaming, giggling, climbing cubs.
"Unhand me! I am a Prince of the First Generation! I am not a—Yòu Lín, stop chewing on my robe!"
"Missed you!" Yòu Lín's muffled voice came from somewhere near the dragon's waist, where he had wrapped himself around Cāng Jì's leg like a furry barnacle.
"I missed you too, shiny dragon!" Ruì Xuě had somehow climbed up to Cāng Jì's shoulder and was patting his golden hair with tiny paws. "Did you bring us anything? Did you fight more monkeys? Can we ride you again?"
"I am not a service for—"
"I missed you!" Miao Miao shrieked, hanging from his other arm.
"We all missed you!" A-Li added, clinging to his back.
