Chapter 641 - 638: Heart-Piercing Pain

Chapter 641: Chapter 638: Heart-Piercing Pain

Over the past few days, Chou Rong had already seen hints of something amiss—an unusual affection—in the complex, barely-concealed looks Jinying occasionally cast toward Wanwan.

But he never expected Jinying would actually dare to do something so shocking, something bound to cause conflict.

This only deepened his wariness and scrutiny of Jinying.

Worried something might happen, Chou Rong stopped Jin Yi and Yin Ze to give them a few instructions.

When they turned back, they saw that their female had already changed into a beautiful dress.

Bai Wanwan beamed, giving a light spin for her Beast Husbands. "Is it pretty?"

After all, she was representing the Tiger Clan at the mating ceremony of a Super Tribe like the Elephant Clan. She had put the utmost care into her appearance today.

The dress was fashioned from a rare, silvery-white beast hide with a soft sheen. The bodice clung to her torso, accentuating her slender, graspable waist and graceful curves. The skirt, however, was crafted from several shades of thin yet tough green leather, cut into layers of overlapping leaves. As she moved, it swayed as if stirred by a forest breeze, both lively and elegant.

She rarely wore beast hide, but Aunt Shuang had made this for her by hand.

Besides, it looked truly stunning on her. Bai Wanwan had fallen in love with it the moment she saw it.

Polished gemstones adorned her neck, wrists, and a circlet on her forehead. They shimmered with a gentle, brilliant light in the room, complementing her fair skin.

Her jet-black hair was styled in intricate braids, with tiny pearls and feathers woven in, giving her a look that was both dignified and charming.

With that single turn, it was as if she had draped herself in the spirit of the forest and the light of the moon. She possessed the noble air of the Tiger Clan’s Holy Female, yet also a transcendent, heart-stirring beauty.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

The males’ eyes filled with unconcealed wonder, followed by a rising, intense desire to keep such a beautiful sight for themselves, away from the prying eyes of others.

"Wanwan..." Chou Rong’s voice was deeper and huskier than usual, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension. "Today, you’re... too eye-catching."

Yin Ze immediately nodded in agreement. "Wanwan, I really want to hide you away."

For once, Jin Yi agreed with the sentiment. "Or perhaps you could wear my cloak? The wind is strong at night."

Seeing her three Beast Husbands acting as if they were facing a formidable enemy, practically wanting to pack her up and hide her away, Bai Wanwan was stunned for a second. Then, she couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter. Her eyes curved into crescents, making her seem even more radiant.

"All right, all right!" she said, laughing placatingly. Her voice was like a clear stream splashing against stones. "We’re guests here for the ceremony. What would it look like if we hid? Besides," she added with a playful wink, "with the three of you by my side, who would dare try anything? Let’s go. If we delay any longer, the ceremony is going to start without us."

Having urged her males along, she took the lead and started walking outside.

The three males exchanged a look, each seeing the same resolve in the others’ eyes: Tonight, their protection of her had to be ironclad.

When their party arrived at the celebration plaza, Bai Wanwan’s unparalleled beauty instantly drew countless stunned gazes, just as they had expected.

But the three Red Rank Males at her side, with their powerful auras and razor-sharp gazes, formed an impenetrable wall, forcing all stirring curiosity and admiration to remain at a safe distance.

Huge bonfires blazed around the plaza. The common Elephant Clan Beastmen who had come to watch the ceremony were all joyful and excited. Unaware of the inside story, they treated it simply as a joyous occasion, enthusiastically performing traditional dances and sharing lavish food and rich Monkey Wine. The atmosphere was fervent and boisterous...

However, in stark contrast to this festive atmosphere, neither the bride, Yun Duo, seated on the high platform at the front of the plaza, nor the Elephant Clan’s Clan Leader and other core members in the seats of honor, showed the slightest hint of joy on their faces.

Yun Duo kept her head bowed, her festive attire failing to conceal her haggard look and forced smile. The Clan Leader’s face was grim, his eyes periodically sweeping over a certain direction below the platform, filled with an unquenchable anger and displeasure.

Bai Wanwan keenly sensed the strange atmosphere. She glanced around before leaning closer to Chou Rong and whispering, "I thought it was just a rumor... but they really changed who she’s marrying?"

Her voice held a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

The moment she finished speaking, Jinying—who had been nowhere to be seen in the crowd—abruptly appeared in their line of sight, as if he had sensed her words.

He didn’t glance toward the high platform where he was supposed to be, nor did he heed the curious or critical stares from the crowd. His eyes locked onto Bai Wanwan, and he walked straight toward her.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he walked straight to the seats near Bai Wanwan...

However, the instant he drew near, Yin Ze and Jin Yi stepped forward, defensively blocking him a few meters away from Bai Wanwan.

With their unyielding stance, they silently drew a line in the sand.

Though Chou Rong hadn’t moved, the arm that had been resting casually was now wrapped possessively and tightly around Bai Wanwan’s waist. The move was a blatant declaration of his claim.

He lifted his eyes, his calm gaze shooting an unmistakable warning directly at Jinying.

Jinying glanced at the males, who looked like they were facing a mortal enemy. His face was devoid of expression, as if he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

He didn’t try to force his way closer. Instead, he compliantly took a seat a few places away from Bai Wanwan, in a spot that seemed to have been intentionally left vacant for him.

He seemed oblivious to the piercing glares fixed on his back. He simply picked up the cup of golden Monkey Wine from the stone table before him and took a large gulp.

The rich wine, fruity and sharp, slid down his throat. But in his mind, he whispered to his silent companion.

’See that? The males around her are on high alert, guarding against any other male who even tries to approach.’

Fu Jinsen’s consciousness remained silent for a long moment before responding with a complex mix of emotions. ’So... I advise you to give up as soon as possible.’

Hidden within that advice was a selfish desire not to see Jinying succeed.

Jinying’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup. His gaze cut through the raucous crowd and landed once more on her closely guarded profile, on her charming smile. The thought he projected was one of unshakeable resolve.

’I will not give up.’

He seemed to be saying it as much to Fu Jinsen as he was vowing it to himself.

’I will help you get what you desire... and I will get what I desire, too.’

Fu Jinsen said nothing more. Through the periphery of Jinying’s vision, he looked at that familiar silhouette.

She was leaning lazily against the shoulder of the male beside her.

From this close, he could clearly see every little expression she made toward the males around her.

He was all too familiar with that look, and it made him understand with profound clarity that she had truly fallen in love with her Beast Husbands.

A heart-piercing pain slowly began to spread through his body...