Chapter 300: Declaring Sovereignty

Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Declaring Sovereignty

Jin Yi had already concealed his emotions impeccably, yet when his gaze fell upon her radiant face, an imperceptible ripple still stirred in the depths of his eyes.

But his voice was as calm as a deep pool. "The Clan Leader asked me to bring these two baskets of potatoes. The rest... are also yours to manage."

"They’re all mine to manage?" The corners of Bai Wanwan’s lips twitched.

She had planted these potatoes in the first place to help the Golden Lion Tribe survive the famine during the snow season.

’There’s no way I can eat this many on my own.’

"Yes."

Jin Yi nodded, half his face obscured by shadows. "The Clan Leader said that since you planted these while you were pregnant with your cub, they should rightfully belong to you. When it comes time to distribute them, it’s entirely up to you."

Bai Wanwan hadn’t originally intended to keep control of the potatoes.

She didn’t need so many, but when she remembered the Beastmen who had given her trouble, she nodded without further hesitation.

"Alright. Since the Clan Leader has arranged it this way, I’ll be the one to distribute them when the time comes."

If the two large baskets of potatoes were piled up inside, the already cramped stone house would feel even more constricted.

Just as she was furrowing her brow, wondering where to store them, Jin Yi, noticing her predicament, spoke up. "This stone house has a cellar. You haven’t found it?"

"A cellar?" Bai Wanwan looked around in surprise. "Where? I really haven’t seen it."

"Follow me." Jin Yi turned and walked toward the inner room.

Besides Xin Feng and Jin Yi, there were two other males in the house who had helped carry the baskets, but there was no sign of Zhu Xiu or Yan Lie.

Bai Wanwan followed Jin Yi and casually asked Xin Feng, "Where did Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie go? It’s so late, why aren’t they back yet?"

"Yan Chi and the others had a big haul today," Xin Feng explained in a gentle voice. "Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie went to help carry back a few more kills."

As they spoke, they arrived at the room where Yan Lie lived.

Jin Yi walked to the edge of the stone bed. He reached out and effortlessly lifted the stone slab that formed its surface.

Bai Wanwan moved closer to look. A stone staircase spiraled downwards—there really was a cellar!

"The cellar isn’t large, but it’s more than enough to store your family’s food."

As Jin Yi spoke, he gestured for the two males to carry the potatoes down.

Carrying the huge baskets, the two males carefully felt their way down the steps, their movements a bit clumsy.

"I’ll go get a torch." Xin Feng turned and left.

A moment later, only she and Jin Yi remained at the entrance.

Bai Wanwan leaned forward, peering down curiously. Jin Yi noticed her movement and asked in a low voice, "Want to go down and see?"

She was indeed curious. Even if Jin Yi hadn’t mentioned it, she would have gone down to check it out later.

"Mhm, how big is it down there?"

"You want to know? I’ll go down with you and we can have a look."

Jin Yi stepped aside to clear the way, gesturing for her to go first.

Bai Wanwan lifted the hem of her skirt and carefully stepped onto the stone stairs.

It was pitch-black below, and she could only hear the voices of the two males who had gone down first.

"Young Clan Leader, should we put the whole basket down or empty it out?"

"Just empty them out and pile them in a corner." Bai Wanwan answered on Jin Yi’s behalf before he could.

She slowly made her way down and sensed Jin Yi following her in.

The two of them were heading down the stone stairs when suddenly, Bai Wanwan’s foot slipped, and she fell backward.

The pain she expected never came. A strong arm wrapped securely around her waist, and with a slight pull, he drew her back.

Caught completely off guard, Bai Wanwan slammed into Jin Yi’s chest. The impact made her chest ache.

"Are you alright?"

The tips of Jin Yi’s ears flushed red, but his voice remained steady.

"I’m fine."

After replying softly, Bai Wanwan realized the arm around her waist hadn’t let go.

In the dim light, through the thin animal hide of her clothes, she could clearly feel his scorching body heat.

Bai Wanwan suddenly looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Young Clan Leader, how long do you plan on holding me?"

As if jolted from a dream, Jin Yi snatched his hand back as if he’d been shocked.

The warmth and softness in his arms suddenly vanished. He clenched and unclenched his fists.

Before he could speak, a beam of torchlight shone down from above, illuminating the cellar and the subtle expressions on their faces.

Xin Feng approached, holding a torch. In the light, Jin Yi turned his face away, but Bai Wanwan watched him with great interest.

The last time she was affected by the thorn flower, she knew that she and Jin Yi had been intimate.

But she had thought Jin Yi wasn’t interested in her, so she had planned to just play dumb and never bring it up.

’But just now... it seemed like he was reluctant to let go?’

’After having three Beast Husbands, how could she not see what was on his mind?’

’This was a little different from what I’d assumed before.’

Xin Feng walked down from above with the torch, keenly sensing the strange atmosphere between the two of them.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

Bai Wanwan retracted her gaze and curved her lips into a smile for Xin Feng. "Nothing’s wrong."

After speaking, she turned to survey the space, which was about six or seven square meters.

The potatoes had been emptied into a corner and had rolled everywhere.

Jin Yi’s gaze followed her movements, his eyes fixed on her slender back.

’Bai Wanwan already has three Beast Husbands,’ he kept telling himself. ’She’ll leave the tribe someday. There’s no possibility between us.’

’But his gaze always followed her uncontrollably.’

’Then so be it. I’ll indulge myself just this once.’

’After all... they’ll all leave in the end anyway.’

The narrow cellar felt even more crowded with the five of them inside.

Besides, the cellar was cramped and there was nothing else to see.

She instantly lost interest. "I’ve seen enough. Let’s go up."

The two males carrying the empty baskets passed by. Bai Wanwan stepped aside to let them pass but remained standing in place.

Holding the torch, Xin Feng’s gaze shifted from her to Jin Yi, and he seemed to understand something.

"Wanwan, I’ll go up first to light the way for you."

"Okay."

Xin Feng walked slowly up the stairs but heard no movement behind him.

He didn’t look back or ask any questions, quietly leaving the cellar.

In the dimness, Bai Wanwan and Jin Yi stood facing each other.

"Aren’t you going up, Young Clan Leader?" Her eyes were smiling, looking exceptionally bright in the faint light.

Jin Yi’s eyes flickered. "You first."

Far from leaving, Bai Wanwan took two steps forward, closing in on him. "Young Clan Leader... isn’t there something you want to say to me?"

’In that moment, an unprecedented impulse surged in Jin Yi’s chest: ’Tell her. Let her know the feelings I’ve suppressed for so long.’’

Bai Wanwan took another step closer, almost pressing herself against him.

She tilted her face up, their breaths mingling. "Not saying anything? Does that mean you have nothing to say?"

Jin Yi’s pupils contracted, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

Just at that moment, a sound came from above.

"What are you standing here for? Where’s Wanwan?" Zhu Xiu’s deep voice pierced through the cellar.

"She’s down there," Xin Feng replied calmly.

"Oh?"

Zhu Xiu’s figure appeared at the entrance, his vertical pupils glinting in the darkness. "The Young Clan Leader is here too?"

Jin Yi snapped back to his senses and forced his gaze away from Bai Wanwan.

He answered in a low voice, "Mhm, the Clan Leader had me bring over some potatoes."

Bai Wanwan knew this wasn’t a good time for questions. She gave him a meaningful look, then turned and went up the stairs.

She took the hand Zhu Xiu offered, and with a gentle tug from him, she was off the stone stairs.

Even after they were out of the cellar, Zhu Xiu didn’t let go of her hand.

He looked directly at Jin Yi, his voice laced with a clear tone of possessiveness. "Sorry to trouble the Young Clan Leader to make a trip here personally..."