Chapter 445 - 443: Extreme Restraint

Chapter 445: Chapter 443: Extreme Restraint

Wrapped in a beast-pelt blanket, Bai Wanwan felt a splitting headache, as if countless needles were stabbing her temples.

Gradually, her consciousness sank as if into an icy bog. She grew drowsy, and her perception of the outside world became hazy and indistinct.

One moment she would feel unbearably hot and kick off the pelt, the next she would be so cold her teeth chattered as she curled into a ball.

Hua Han and Jiao Yin took turns watching over her, their handsome faces creased with anxiety.

"Wanwan, wake up. Drink some water..." Hua Han’s voice was laced with an anxiety he had never shown before. He carefully supported Bai Wanwan’s feverish, limp neck and brought a stone bowl of warm water to her chapped lips.

Bai Wanwan managed a few swallows before falling back into a deep sleep, her brow furrowed as she let out pained, delirious murmurs.

Jiao Yin’s heart ached as he looked at Bai Wanwan’s fever-flushed cheeks.

"I’ll go ask the Clan Witch to come take a look at Wanwan."

"Okay, I’ll watch Wanwan. Hurry back."

After agreeing, Jiao Yin strode toward the center of the temporary settlement.

There, the Lynx Clan Leader was grimly taking stock of the clan’s few remaining supplies.

"Clan Leader, Wanwan has come down with a fever. I’d like to ask the Clan Witch to see her." Jiao Yin’s voice was hoarse with urgency.

"A fever? Quick, have the Clan Witch go check on Bai Wanwan."

The Clan Witch soon followed Jiao Yin back to their temporary shelter.

After a careful examination, the Clan Witch’s brow grew more and more furrowed. "It’s a fever, and a very serious one at that."

"Then please, Clan Witch, give her medicine quickly," Hua Han urged from the side.

But the Clan Witch shook her head in frustration. "The flood destroyed the storage caves, especially the section where we keep our herbs. It’s all buried in mud. All we can find now are a few scattered stalks of blood-staunching grass. Everything else is gone!"

Jiao Yin’s heart sank.

’Without medicine, Wanwan will be in danger!’

Hua Han spoke first. "I’ll go find Silver Leaf Grass. Jiao Yin, you take care of Wanwan and the cubs."

He was about to get up, but Jiao Yin stopped him. "I’ll go. You’re the one who usually takes care of the cubs, so you know how to look after them better."

At this, he gave Bai Wanwan a deep look. "Take good care of Wanwan. I’ll be back as soon as I can."

After asking the Clan Witch where Silver Leaf Grass grew, Jiao Yin rushed out into the rain.

"Wait!" The Clan Witch tried to call him back, but Jiao Yin was already gone.

"He’s mad! This time of year, the water level in the marshlands has surged, and the bogs are bottomless! Venomous insects, snakes, and ants have all fled to higher ground, making them extremely aggressive. And that’s not to mention the aquatic beasts forced from their homes by the flood. Going into the marshes this season is almost certain death!"

Hearing this, the color drained from Hua Han’s handsome face. "Clan Witch, please inform the Clan Leader. Ask him, on account of us helping the lynx clan through two life-or-death crises, to send the beastman with the strongest Talent to accompany Jiao Yin in his search for the Silver Leaf Grass."

The Clan Witch hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I’ll tell the Clan Leader. But our males can only show him the way and give him warnings. I can’t just stand by and watch the males of our clan march to their deaths."

Hua Han gritted his teeth. "Okay. Thank you for your trouble."

After the Clan Witch left, Hua Han focused on caring for the cubs and the gravely ill Bai Wanwan.

Time ticked by, each second an agony for Hua Han. He remained by the female’s side, never straying far.

He would periodically touch Bai Wanwan’s forehead. When he found it was frighteningly hot, he began to pace around the room anxiously.

Then, gritting his teeth, he came to Bai Wanwan’s side and whispered, "Wanwan, a Clan Witch from my tribe once said that with a fever, you have to do everything you can to release the heat. Jiao Yin isn’t back yet, so this is the only way I can think of. When you wake up... please don’t blame me."

After speaking, he pressed his lips together, his hand trembling slightly as it reached for her sash.

Her clothes came off, piece by piece, until the female’s flawless body was revealed before him like a work of art.

He knew he shouldn’t be having such thoughts at a time like this, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

With a slightly trembling hand, he wiped her body down again and again with cool water. After wiping her down twice, his fingers brushed against her soft, warm skin, and he could feel that her temperature had dropped slightly.

A look of delighted surprise spread across his handsome face. He continued to cool her down with the water, wiping her body tirelessly, over and over again.

He had done everything he could, but Wanwan still didn’t wake.

After calling her name a few times to no avail, Hua Han brought the cubs to her side. He hoped their familiar, milky scent might offer her some comfort.

Snowball seemed to know its mother was sick. It was unusually quiet, curled up in the crook of Bai Wanwan’s neck and gently nuzzling her cheek with its small, cool, wet nose. The other three cubs had also lost their usual energy, lying by the edge of the pelt and letting out low, worried whimpers.

"So hot... Xin Feng..." In her delirium, Bai Wanwan murmured unconsciously, twisting in pain.

Seeing her lips part, Hua Han leaned in closer, a flicker of hope on his face.

"Zhu Xiu... Jin Yi..."

Bai Wanwan mumbled the names of her Beast Husbands, her tone finally turning plaintive. "I feel so awful."

Her cries melted Hua Han’s heart. He immediately gathered her into his arms, comforting her in a soft voice.

"Don’t be afraid. You’ll be better soon."

Even though she was calling out other males’ names, Hua Han felt no displeasure. He simply continued to hold her and soothe her.

Sensing the embrace of the male beside her, Bai Wanwan nestled deeper into his arms in her discomfort.

Seeing how fragile she was, Hua Han felt as if an invisible hand were squeezing his heart, and he couldn’t help but ache for her.

"Wanwan, just hold on... Jiao Yin will be back soon..." he whispered, as if trying to convince himself.

The next morning, after Hua Han had wiped her down with a damp cloth yet again, Bai Wanwan’s thick lashes fluttered a few times. With great effort, she finally opened her eyes.

Her vision remained blurry for a long moment before finally focusing. The first thing she saw was Hua Han’s face—haggard and exhausted, his eyes bloodshot yet filled with joyous surprise.

"Hua... Han?" Her voice was as raspy as sandpaper.

"Wanwan! You’re awake!" Hua Han’s voice trembled with relief. He was before her in an instant, the sheer joy in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Bai Wanwan felt weak and sore all over, as if her bones had come apart. Her head was still heavy and groggy.

She tried to sit up, but as she pushed herself up on her arms, a wave of intense dizziness washed over her, and she pitched forward uncontrollably.

"Careful!" Quick as a flash, Hua Han shot out an arm and pulled her securely into his embrace.

A crisp, masculine scent instantly enveloped her.

Bai Wanwan’s cheek was pressed against his firm, warm chest, and she could clearly hear his heart hammering erratically inside.

Hua Han’s arms tightened, as if trying to merge her into his very being. But a second later, as if realizing something, he abruptly loosened his grip, his body stiffening for an instant.

Bai Wanwan could feel the warmth of his embrace and the tension he was desperately trying to suppress.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly realized she was completely naked.

"I... You..." Bai Wanwan turned to look at Hua Han in shock.