To keep the pups growing healthily in Ilima's belly, He Ming returns soon after Ilima wakes up with a new dish of food. He pushes it through the flap and watches while he eats, considering the growing swell of his stomach and checking to see if he's leaking milk from his teats again.

"I have to go take care of some other business," he tells Ilima, idly petting his hair. "I won't be back until later tonight, so I'll feed you then. Okay?"

The way he talks is more like how an owner would speak to their pet: reassuring and gentle, without much expectation of being understood.