Chapter 28: Unremarkable

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Unremarkable

Xin Yu always listened to his older brother, so when he was held back, he quieted down.

Hu Ya snorted without even glancing at them, then walked into her cave surrounded by her other Beast Husbands.

A moment later, Hu Ya’s sharp cry echoed from inside.

Xin Yu looked sullenly toward the cave as Xin Shan, beside him, started pulling him away.

"Brother, I don’t want to go." Xin Yu dragged his feet. He wanted to go back and placate Hu Ya, to convince her not to be angry with them.

Xin Shan was more clear-headed. "If we don’t go, Yaya won’t calm down."

Xin Yu couldn’t accept it, his face flushing with anger.

"What did we do wrong? Doesn’t Yaya know how dangerous it is for us to go up the mountain right now?"

Xin Shan sighed. "Let’s go. The sooner we go, the sooner we can come back."

Xin Yu was too dense to realize it, but Xin Shan knew perfectly well that Yaya was still furious about the fact that they had almost become Wanwan’s Beast Husbands.

’He just didn’t know what had happened today to provoke her, causing her to take her anger out on them.’

"We’ll be careful. We won’t go deep into the mountains. If we can’t catch anything, we’ll just try again tomorrow."

Xin Yu could only follow Xin Shan, continuing deeper into the mountains.

Bai Wanwan had no idea that Hu Ya was taking her anger out on the Xin Shan brothers because of her. And even if she did know, it wouldn’t be any of her business.

After that day, Wu Mu had come by one more time, but Bai Wanwan’s cold attitude dissuaded him, and he hadn’t appeared since.

Several days passed. Roger, on the other hand, came every single day, and Bai Wanwan used the meat he brought to build up Xin Feng’s strength.

Once Xin Feng had fully recovered, he’d also filled out, looking even more robust.

Gusts of cold wind swirled outside the cave. Xin Feng peered out from the entrance for a moment before turning back to her. "Wanwan, we’re running low on firewood. I’m going up the mountain to chop some today."

’His female liked cooked food, so they had to stock up on more wood.’

’His body hadn’t recovered until a few days ago, and the fish and shrimp he’d brought back were already gone. Today, he’d make a few extra trips to restock everything they needed.’

"Don’t go too far, then. Watch out for dangerous beasts."

Bai Wanwan supported her back with a hand. Her belly had grown even rounder. She had a habit of covering it with an animal hide, so it wasn’t very noticeable, but her movements were sometimes restricted. Squatting, for example, had become very difficult.

"Okay. Don’t go wandering off while I’m gone. Wait for me to get back, and I’ll go with you."

Xin Feng knew she had a habit of wandering about. Over the last few days, as his strength returned, he had been accompanying her on her walks.

But he wouldn’t be here today, and with so many visiting Beastmen in the tribe, he was worried.

"Don’t worry, just go. I’ll stay right here. I’m not going anywhere."

’It was getting colder and colder outside. Even the Beastmen didn’t like to go out much anymore.’

’She couldn’t even find anyone to chat with on her walks, and there was no gossip to enjoy. She might as well stay home and figure out what to make for lunch.’

Hearing her reply, Xin Feng was finally able to relax.

He grabbed his Stone Knife and walked to the entrance, then glanced back at her one last time.

Bai Wanwan’s eyes curved as she smiled, and she waved her hand, urging him to hurry up and come back soon.

After Xin Feng left, the wind outside grew stronger, whistling as it blew.

She stepped out of the cave, planning to fill a stone basin with water to boil.

She bent over to set down the stone basin, then straightened up with some difficulty.

Just as she was about to scoop water from the stone cistern, a hand reached over from beside her.

"I’ll help you."

Bai Wanwan turned her head and saw Xin Shan standing beside her.

She hadn’t seen him in a few days. He looked much more haggard, and he had injuries on his face.

She asked in surprise, "What happened to you?"

"It’s nothing. How much water do you need?" he asked as he scooped with a stone bowl.

"That’s enough, that’s enough! I don’t need much."

Xin Shan stopped and carried the stone basin into her cave with both hands. "Where do you want me to put this?"

Bai Wanwan followed him inside, pointing to the stove Xin Feng had built for her a few days ago. "Just put it there. Thanks!"

Xin Shan put down the stone basin, but didn’t leave immediately.

His gaze swept across the cave. "Is there anything else? I can do it for you. It must be inconvenient, being pregnant with a cub."

Bai Wanwan waved him off. "It’s fine, there’s nothing else."

Her intention to see him out was perfectly clear.

But Xin Shan acted as if he hadn’t caught the hint. He didn’t leave, just stood there.

"Wanwan, we were wrong about what happened before, and I’m sorry. From now on, if you need help with anything, you can just tell me. You only have Xin Feng for a Beast Husband, and he might not be able to manage everything on his own."

"That’s not necessary. You should get back. If Hu Ya finds out you’re here, she’ll definitely cause a scene."

’Soon, Xin Feng won’t need to go out as much. Having him to take care of me is enough.’

’Knowing Hu Ya’s personality, if she found out Xin Shan helped me today, she’d definitely take it out on him.’

Xin Shan opened his mouth, but for a moment, he seemed to have forgotten he was Hu Ya’s Beast Husband.

’Wanwan was right. He was one of Hu Ya’s Beast Husbands. The job of taking care of Wanwan should be left to her own Beast Husband.’

"Alright. I’ll head back, then. Take good care of yourself."

Bai Wanwan couldn’t wait for him to leave. If Hu Ya saw him here, she’d just stir up trouble for no reason.

’She’d been low on energy lately and didn’t have the time to waste on Hu Ya’s nonsense.’

After Xin Shan left, she felt even thirstier and quickly started a fire to boil water.

She had just lit the fire when the animal hide curtain was thrown aside and Roger strode in.

He acted as if he owned the place, plopping down unceremoniously on the stone stool in front of Bai Wanwan.

"What are you doing here so early today?"

’It was still at least two hours until mealtime. He was being a little too eager today.’

"Xin Feng’s not here?"

Bai Wanwan angled her body to toss some branches under the stove.

Her protruding belly made her movements awkward and a little stiff.

"He’s busy with something. He’ll be back in a bit."

The words had barely left her mouth when Roger suddenly leaned in close, his rather plain face looming in front of hers.

It startled her, and she immediately shoved his face away.

"What are you doing? You’re in my way."

Without even bothering to give him a second glance, she went back to adding wood to the fire.

"Bai Wanwan, I’m leaving the Cat Clan Tribe tomorrow. You’re not even a little bit sad to see me go?" A smile played on Roger’s lips, the same kind he used when flirting with other females.

Bai Wanwan curled her lip, her disdain completely unconcealed. "Why would I be? I can’t wait for you to leave. You come here every day and steal my roasted meat."

The smile on Roger’s face froze, and his brow furrowed in anger.

"Bai Wanwan, can’t you say anything nice for once?"

"To you? Sorry, I can’t seem to manage it."

’It was the first time Roger had ever met a female like this. No matter what he did, it was like she didn’t even notice.’

’When she faced Xin Feng, her face was all gentle smiles. But the moment she turned to look at him, all that warmth and laughter vanished, replaced by utter contempt.’

"But you can manage it for Xin Feng?"

Bai Wanwan looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Of course. He’s my Beast Husband. How could you possibly be the same?"

"At least I’m better looking than him!"

Roger wasn’t having it. ’For the first time in his life, he actually felt that a male’s looks were important.’

His words made Bai Wanwan laugh out loud. She put down the branch in her hand and poked his cheek. "Why don’t you go take a look at yourself in the river behind the mountain? With a plain, unremarkable face like yours, how dare you say you’re better looking than Xin Feng?"

Roger’s mouth twitched. "He was handsome before he got injured, but now half of his face is as ugly as a Beast’s. And you still think he’s better looking than me?"