Chapter 511 - 508: Unable to Muster Strength

Chapter 511: Chapter 508: Unable to Muster Strength

In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to say something she didn’t mean. She sighed softly. "Jiao Yin... he’s so wonderful, so exceptional. Who wouldn’t like him? But Jiao Yue, liking someone isn’t everything. A female... can’t be too greedy."

’I already have so many males who love me deeply; I can’t and shouldn’t ask for more.’

However, Jiao Yue only heard the first part. Her face immediately lit up, as if she’d just been given the most important promise in the world.

"As long as you like my brother, that’s what matters! Even a little bit is enough. As for the rest... we can figure that out later! Sister Wanwan, let’s hurry and go see the coral!"

Her mood instantly lifted, and she tugged on Bai Wanwan’s hand, ready to press forward.

Bai Wanwan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at how quickly Jiao Yue’s mood had shifted, but she allowed herself to be pulled along.

But they hadn’t swum far when Jiao Yue’s expression suddenly changed. She let go of Wanwan’s hand, clutched her stomach, and bent over, letting out a pained groan. "Ugh..."

"Jiao Yue! What’s wrong?" Bai Wanwan asked, anxiously steadying her.

"I-It’s nothing... I’m fine..." Jiao Yue waved her hand dismissively, though her face had gone a little pale. "I probably just... ate something bad. My stomach suddenly really hurts..."

Bai Wanwan was instantly worried. "Why would your stomach suddenly hurt? Is it serious? Maybe we should skip the coral for today. Let’s go back and have the Clan Witch take a look at you. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll come back with you."

Jiao Yue’s eyes darted slyly. Seizing the opportunity, she kept the pained expression on her face. "O... Okay... We’ll go back for today, then. But another day... another day, Sister Wanwan, you have to promise you’ll still come with me..." Her voice even sounded weak.

The whole way back, Jiao Yue leaned listlessly against Bai Wanwan, clutching her stomach and letting out a soft whimper every now and then. She looked to be in great discomfort.

Bai Wanwan, suspecting nothing, carefully supported her all the way back to her room.

"Sister Wanwan, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine after lying down for a little while."

Still worried, Bai Wanwan sat on the edge of the bed and felt her forehead. "I’m going to get the Clan Witch. You just lie here and rest."

Jiao Yue grabbed her hand. "It doesn’t really hurt anymore. I’m just sleepy. I’m going to sleep for a bit. Sister Wanwan, you should go back and rest, too."

With that, she rolled over and seemed to fall asleep.

Seeing that Jiao Yue’s face was now rosy and her temperature felt normal, Bai Wanwan tucked the covers around her before getting up to leave.

She returned to the magnificent palace where they were temporarily staying.

Just as she entered, she found only Yan Lie in the room, watching over the little ones as they played.

"Wanwan, where did you go? I turned around and you were gone. You gave me a scare."

The moment Yan Lie saw her, he rushed over, his eyes filled with lingering fear and worry.

Ever since Wanwan had been abducted, they were all on high alert, seeing danger around every corner.

Wanwan explained, "Jiao Yue came to find me a little while ago. I was accompanying her to see the coral reefs, but we hadn’t gone far before she got a sudden stomach ache, so I brought her back."

Yan Lie let out a sigh of relief and walked over, naturally wrapping an arm around her waist. "Next time you go out, you have to tell me, or let me come with you. I’m so afraid I’ll blink and you’ll be gone again."

"It’s fine," Bai Wanwan said, patting the back of his hand reassuringly. "We’re in Jiao Yin’s palace. There are Merfolk guards everywhere, inside and out. And after what happened last time, the patrols are much tighter. It’s not dangerous."

She glanced around the room. "By the way, where are Zhu Xiu and the others?"

Yan Lie replied, "Zhu Xiu and Jin Yi were uneasy, so they went ashore to look for any sign of Roger. They’re worried that guy hasn’t given up. Xin Feng and Yin Ze went ashore too. They said the meat from land animals is better and went to hunt some fresh game for you, to change up our diet."

’Sea fish is delicious, but after eating so much of it, I really do miss the taste of food from the land.’

"I think Hua Han went out earlier, too. Right now, it’s just me and the little ones here."

As if on cue, Hua Han walked in from outside.

The moment he saw Bai Wanwan, his charming, fox-like eyes lit up. He strode forward and intimately wrapped his arms around her from her other side, his voice holding a wheedling tone. "Wanwan, so you’re back. Tonight... how about you let me stay with you?"

His fingertips traced the side of her waist, the implication crystal clear.

Wanwan immediately remembered. Back in the Flood Dragon Tribe, the situation had been complicated, and then they had been traveling nonstop. Although she and Hua Han had been intimate, they had never actually completed the mating ceremony.

’He’s my legitimate Beast Husband, too,’ she thought. ’I can’t keep showing favoritism.’

Trying to remain composed, she nodded. "Alright. You can stay with me tonight."

Hearing this, Yan Lie’s gaze instantly grew heated. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. "Wanwan, I want to, too..." He also longed for intimacy with his mate.

Wanwan felt his scorching breath and understood what he was asking.

She turned to Yan Lie, her tone gentle but placating. "Yan Lie, could you please help look after the little ones tonight? Another time... I promise I’ll make it up to you."

’I can’t agree to both of them at once.’

Yan Lie looked at Hua Han’s expectant gaze, then remembered that he had yet to truly complete his bond with Wanwan. Though reluctant, like a big dog having its favorite bone stolen, he finally pouted and muttered, "...Fine."

He then resignedly turned to watch over the little ones, who had started pouncing on and play-biting one another. His ears, however, remained pricked, and he kept sneaking glances in their direction.

Once Yan Lie had carried the little ones to a side chamber, Hua Han pulled Bai Wanwan down to sit on a soft Jue Sha blanket. From somewhere, he produced an exquisite conch shell container filled with an amber liquid. It gave off the rich, mellow aroma of wine—the very same Monkey Wine the Beastmen were so fond of.

Hua Han tipped his head back and drank a cup himself, then brought another to Wanwan’s lips, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her. "Wanwan, have a drink. This is brewed underwater from special fruits. It’s delicious."

’The wine here is more like a fruit beer,’ she thought, smelling the familiar, tempting aroma. ’It’s not very strong.’

Since it was sweet, delicious, and not particularly intoxicating, she didn’t refuse, drinking the cup he offered.

The sweet, mellow liquid slid down her throat, leaving a pleasant warmth in its wake.

Seeing her drink it, the smile in Hua Han’s eyes deepened. He immediately refilled her cup. "Wanwan, have another."

Wanwan looked at him, amused. "Did you ask me to stay with you tonight just to drink?"

Her cheeks were already starting to feel warm.

Hua Han chuckled, a perfect hint of shyness and nervousness appearing on his handsome face. His fox-like eyes blinked. "I... I’m a little nervous, so I wanted to drink some Monkey Wine for liquid courage." He softened his voice, his tone wheedling. Paired with his devastatingly handsome face, it was an impossible combination to refuse.

Wanwan was amused by his act. ’The wine isn’t strong anyway,’ she thought, so she humored him and drank several more cups in succession.

However, she had underestimated the potency of this secret undersea brew. Perhaps it was the different environment, or perhaps the batch Hua Han had brought was especially strong.

Before long, her head started to feel groggy, her vision began to blur, and her body went limp, devoid of strength...