Chapter 600 - 597: I’m Done For, I Was Seen

Chapter 600: Chapter 597: I’m Done For, I Was Seen

Bai Wanwan closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come.

She could feel that Chou Rong hadn’t fallen asleep either.

Feeling the strong, slightly heavy beat of his heart, she assumed he was still agonizing over the tribe’s recent, unusual quiet and the potential crisis it foreshadowed.

She raised her hand, gently stroking his muscular arm and back as if soothing a great, restless beast. Her voice was light and soft. "Don’t worry so much. As long as we can remain stable for these first few months and use this time to build our strength."

She paused. "Then, we can select a few absolutely loyal and resolute Orange Rank males and use a Potion to help them ascend to Red Rank... Once our Tiger Clan has more top powerhouses, we’ll be able to face any future storm with more confidence and come through it safely."

Chou Rong tightened the arm he had around her. His voice sounded from above her head. "Zhu Xiu and I will worry about these things. You don’t need to overthink it. The Tiger Clan will be fine, and you and the cubs will be even more so."

His words were like a promise, heavy and searing.

Bai Wanwan pressed her cheek against his warm chest, drawing comfort from his steady presence. "Mm, I know. With you all here, the cubs and I will be fine. I was just thinking that with more Red Rank Powerhouses, our safety net would be woven that much tighter and stronger."

She looked up, a smile gracing her lips as she gazed at his handsome face. "Speaking of which, it’s incredibly fortunate that your own Talent is so exceptional. You broke through to Red Rank on your own, saving us an extremely precious upgrade Potion. That means we can have one more Red Rank Powerhouse!"

The troubled look on Chou Rong’s face did not ease. He held her hand and asked carefully, "What kind of deal did you make with that thing? Why would it give you these overpowered treasures so easily?"

Bai Wanwan squeezed his hand in return. "Don’t worry. There is a price, but it’s not a big deal. And it’s something I’m happy to do."

’She was willing to bear children for her beloved males. Seeing their offspring with faces that blended her features with those of her beloveds would bring her a great sense of satisfaction.’

As she spoke, Bai Wanwan let out a yawn, the conversation finally making her sleepy.

Chou Rong fell silent, holding her by the waist and patting her gently.

Before long, the female in his arms was sound asleep.

But his gaze remained fixed on her face...

’Her... the cubs... the Beastmen of the Tiger Clan.’

The weight on his shoulders grew heavier, but he felt no fear. For them, he would defend the peace of this land.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

For the past few days, Hua Ying, the most beautiful female of the Fox Clan, felt a heavy, suffocating weight in her chest, like a wad of waterlogged cotton.

She couldn’t stop herself from secretly gazing from afar at the figure who had occupied her thoughts for so long—Yan Lie.

But every time, she saw him glued to the side of that female named Bai Wanwan, either acting as her guard or whispering in her ear. And on his handsome face, she would see that brilliant smile she adored so much.

Each time she saw it, it was like a tiny needle pricking her heart—not too hard, not too soft, but always there.

’His smile was supposed to be mine!’

She had always considered Yan Lie her future mate. The Leopard Clan and the Fox Clan had even come to an agreement, but he had been away and hadn’t returned.

But now, he had become someone else’s Beast Husband.

A surge of resentment and anger overwhelmed her reason. She finally found a moment when Yan Lie was alone, secretly followed him, and called out to him in a secluded corner.

"Yan Lie!"

Yan Lie turned at the sound of his name and saw a beautiful but unfamiliar female.

There was no appreciation for her beauty in his eyes, only pure confusion. He even subconsciously took two cautious steps back, maintaining a safe distance.

"And you are?" his tone was distant yet polite.

Hua Ying was stung by his look of utter unfamiliarity. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to maintain her composure and gave her name. "I am Hua Ying. If things had gone as planned, we... should have been mated two years ago."

She put a heavy emphasis on what "should have been," her voice tinged with grievance and accusation.

"Hua Ying..." Yan Lie searched his memory for a moment before it dawned on him who she was. The Leopard Clan had indeed planned for him to mate with a female from the Fox Clan.

His brow furrowed slightly, his tone apologetic but unmistakably clear. "So it’s you. I’m sorry, but that was just an arrangement made by the clan elders. It was never my intention."

"But in my heart, you were supposed to be my Beast Husband!" Hua Ying grew emotional and couldn’t stop herself from taking two steps closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and stubbornness.

Yan Lie’s brow furrowed even tighter. He glanced around nervously, terrified of being seen in such a compromising situation. His voice grew cold. "I am already mated, and we hardly know each other. If my Wife sees you seeking me out, it will cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

"But we knew each other first! How could you mate with another female?" Hua Ying pressed, her eyes red. Tears welled up, hovering on her long lashes without falling, a truly pitiable sight.

Even Bai Wanwan, who was standing quietly in a dark corner not far away, had to admit that Hua Ying, in this state, was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.

Standing beside Bai Wanwan, Hua Han broke out in a cold sweat for Yan Lie, wishing he could make a sound to warn the clueless fellow.

It was just Yan Lie’s bad luck. He and Zhu Xiu had been walking back with Wanwan when Zhu Xiu went back to their room to get her some water.

And just then, by a stroke of pure coincidence, Yan Lie and the female named Hua Ying had walked over, one after the other.

He stole a glance at Bai Wanwan, but her expression was calm and unreadable.

When Hua Ying tried to get closer again, Yan Lie reacted in a flash, jumping back as if dodging a flood or a ferocious beast. His tone was filled with clear rejection. "If you have something to say, say it from over there! Don’t touch me, and don’t get so close!"

Seeing how desperately he was trying to keep his distance, Hua Ying steeled herself. Feigning a loss of balance, she let out a soft cry as her delicate body fell straight toward Yan Lie.

’She had calculated it perfectly. No male would have the heart to let such a beautiful female fall.’

However, when Yan Lie saw her falling toward him, he didn’t reach out. Instead, as if startled, he leaped back another step, perfectly dodging her "damsel in distress" act. The move was clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Hua Han’s eyelids twitched as he watched. He was genuinely worried that if Wanwan witnessed this scene of a female throwing herself at Yan Lie, he would fall out of favor. Finally unable to hold back, he let out a heavy cough. "Ahem!"

The cough was like a clap of thunder exploding in Yan Lie’s ears.

He whipped his head around and immediately saw Hua Han standing in the shadows, and next to him, the figure he loved to his very bones.

Yan Lie froze solid. Panic and guilt instantly flooded his face, and he began to stammer, "W-Wanwan... Wh-what are you doing here?"

His mind went blank, filled with a single, panicked thought: ’It’s over! Wanwan saw everything!’