Chapter 494 - 491: Zhu Xiu’s Love

Chapter 494: Chapter 491: Zhu Xiu’s Love

Jinying could, of course, see that the males were deliberately staking their claim.

He had to admit, his heart felt like it was being torn apart by countless hands. And yet, strangely, he just sat there and watched, not lashing out.

Now, just being able to sit here and watch her was a luxury.

The meal seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Jinying didn’t want to look away.

But Wanwan’s Beast Husbands had already sensed his intentions. They got up one by one to clear the table, conveniently blocking his line of sight.

"It’s getting late. Jinying, you should head back and rest," Zhu Xiu said, looking at him and making it clear he should leave.

Jinying had learned to suppress all the bitterness in his heart, keeping his expression neutral.

A faint smile touched his aloof face. "Alright. Thank you for tonight."

With that, he turned and left under the males’ blatant stares.

’He didn’t even get to say goodbye to his girl.’

After Jinying’s lonely figure had vanished into the twilight, the atmosphere inside the treehouse failed to lighten.

The Beast Husbands gathered with a silent understanding in a corner near the door, away from Wanwan, who was busy playing with the cubs.

"Why is everyone so quiet?" Yan Lie was the first to break the silence. His sunny, handsome face was now furrowed, his gaze sweeping over Jin Yi, Hua Han, and Xin Feng, finally landing on Zhu Xiu.

"That male, Jinying, didn’t you guys feel something was off? The way he looked at Wanwan... it was like a Fierce Beast that hadn’t eaten in three days staring at the most delicious piece of meat! He might as well have had ’I want her’ written all over his face!"

Yan Lie was always one to speak his mind. He kept his voice low, but it was laced with clear anxiety and hostility.

As someone who had once been a latecomer himself, he knew all too well what that look of dogged determination in a male’s eyes meant.

"Wanwan’s position is clear," Jin Yi said, his voice as steady as a rock, holding a power that could soothe a troubled heart. "She’s only polite and distant toward him, nothing more. What Jinying wants is his own business. It’s Wanwan’s heart that matters."

"Feelings can be cultivated. We should all be on guard."

When Hua Han said this, it drew the gazes of the other males.

He cleared his throat. He was a prime example, after all.

It was true that Wanwan had only developed feelings for him after he’d executed a series of little schemes.

So, he was also afraid another male could use the same strategy to steal Wanwan away.

Zhu Xiu listened in silence, not joining the discussion. Without so much as a glance at the others, he turned and strode toward Wanwan, who was surrounded by a pile of fluffy cubs.

"Hey, Xin Feng, how come you’re not worried?" Yan Lie asked, watching Zhu Xiu’s retreating back before turning to the most laid-back of the group, Xin Feng.

Xin Feng smiled with a hint of resignation. "Jinying hasn’t done anything, so there’s nothing for us to do. Besides, I don’t want to make things difficult for Wanwan. If she wants him, I can accept him."

For a moment, the wooden platform was silent.

Wanwan was smiling as she lifted a mischievous little tiger cub off Shuang Hua’s lap. When she sensed the approach of a powerful male aura, she looked up naturally, a smile still gracing her lips. She was just about to speak. "Zhu Xiu, you..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Zhu Xiu bent down. His strong, powerful arms slid under her knees and back, and he effortlessly swept her off her feet.

Caught completely by surprise, Wanwan let out a short gasp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck to steady herself. "Zhu Xiu? What’s wrong?"

Her slender yet tall frame seemed petite in his broad embrace.

Zhu Xiu didn’t answer. He just held her and, under Shuang Hua’s smiling gaze and the cubs’ curious stares, strode towards a quiet wooden hut nearby.

Watching the scene unfold, Shuang Hua lovingly and gently patted the little tiger cub in her arms, who was craning its neck to see.

"Good little cubs, don’t bother your Mother. Granny Shuang will take you inside to play."

＊＊＊＊＊＊

Zhu Xiu nudged the wooden door shut with his foot.

The light inside the wooden hut was dim, the air filled with the fresh scent of wood and hay.

Zhu Xiu still didn’t put her down. Instead, he carried her to the bed covered with thick animal hides and sat down, settling her firmly on his sturdy thighs. His arms remained tightly wrapped around her waist, trapping her in his embrace.

"What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?" Wanwan raised her hand, her fingertips gently tracing his hard jawline, her voice soft and soothing.

She could feel the heavy atmosphere radiating from him.

Zhu Xiu raised his head, his reddened eyes looking deep into hers, swirling with undisguised possessiveness. His voice was low and direct. "Do you like that male, Jinying?"

"Who?" Wanwan didn’t react at first, then she chuckled. "Jinying? You’ve got it all wrong!"

She cupped his face and looked at him seriously. "I’ve only seen him a few times in total, and we’ve barely exchanged a few words. Asking him to stay for dinner just now was purely out of politeness as a host. It was just a casual offer, don’t let your imagination run wild."

"What if..." Zhu Xiu’s gaze locked on her, as he posed a thorny question, "he was willing to give his life for you?"

That was a total trick question!

Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then met his gaze frankly. "Ahem... A male I don’t like... even if he gave his life for me, I would only be grateful for his sacrifice and would do my best to compensate his clan. But gratitude and affection are two different things."

She paused, her tone decisive and firm. "To become my Beast Husband, the only requirement is that he has to make me fall for him first."

"Jinying has a Red Rank Talent, he’s powerful, and his looks... aren’t bad either." Zhu Xiu’s tone held a barely perceptible sourness. His eyes roamed her face, with a look that plainly said, ’I find it hard to believe you’re completely unmoved.’

Wanwan could see he was jealous, and her tone became a little coquettish. "Right now I have Jin Yi, Chou Rong, Xin Feng, Yan Lie, Yin Ze, Hua Han, and you..." She recited their names one by one, her eyes sincere. "Every single one of you is unique, and you all fill my heart. I decided a long time ago that I will never take another mate!"

To completely soothe this great, jealous serpent, she even raised her hand, her expression serious. "I can swear to the Beast God that I will never take another mate. By the Beast God, I, Bai Wanwan..."

"Mmph!"

Before the vow could leave her lips, Zhu Xiu silenced her with a searing kiss!

The kiss was domineering and scorching, filled with undeniable possessiveness, yet as their lips and tongues intertwined, it also revealed a deep sense of joy and how much he cherished her.

He ground against her lips, as if wanting to devour her recent promise, to carve it into his very bones and blood.

After a long time, he panted and pulled back slightly, pressing his forehead against hers. His reddened eyes were startlingly bright, swirling with satisfaction and love. "Good... Your words are enough."

His voice held a sexy rasp.