Chapter 452 - 451: "As Expected of the First Beast Husband.

Yu Zhizhi had always thought Buli was on a mission and that the commander of this warship was from Sun Ridge. She never imagined it would be Big Shark...!

A storm raged outside the ship, and lightning tore across the night sky, plunging the conference room into flickering light and shadow. Yu Zhizhi’s anxiety gradually subsided. She had been worried that the "commander" Buli had mentioned would be some kind of weirdo...

She suddenly recalled what Zero had said before he left and couldn’t help but ask, "Lord Shen He, have you joined the Divine Hall?"

Shen He leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers toying with the single spark of Zero Star red on his cigar. "Come closer."

The little rabbit was as timid as ever, wishing she could shrink into a corner.

After he spoke, his gaze remained locked on her form. He watched her approach slowly, dressed in a long brown skirt that made her look like an adventurer from Sun Ridge. Her clear, bright rabbit eyes were glistening and held a faint smile, suggesting she was in a good mood.

Yu Zhizhi was actually quite happy. She hadn’t expected to see Big Shark so soon.

Before coming to the Divine Hall, she had already sent an invitation to the Deep Sea Empire.

But that was for Yusen.

She hadn’t figured out when she would get to see Big Shark, so meeting him suddenly in Sun Ridge was a pleasant surprise. ’On the journey back, maybe I can even raise his affection level...’

Yu Zhizhi walked to the front of the long conference table, looking at Shen He with an expectant expression.

Shen He found her expression rather amusing. "So curious?"

He was rarely willing to discuss his own actions and thoughts. Of course, sometimes he would throw out false information—after all, all’s fair in war.

"Yeah, I joined."

Shen He didn’t hide it.

He figured that cat would definitely tell the little rabbit in front of him.

Or perhaps one day, they would meet in the Divine Hall Illusion Realm.

"What are you doing in Sun Ridge?" Shen He asked.

Yu Zhizhi didn’t hesitate for a second. "I’m on a mission."

"He has some nerve, sending you to a place this dangerous." Shen He’s tone was flat, but when he wasn’t smiling, he exuded an indescribable pressure. Even dressed in the most common clothes from Sun Ridge, his aura set him worlds apart from the other guards.

Yu Zhizhi said quickly, "Zero is great! He’s arranged everything and takes very good care of me."

Shen He’s expression remained unchanged, betraying no emotion. He simply spread his legs in a lazy posture and patted his left thigh. "Sit."

Yu Zhizhi’s gaze faltered for a moment. She knew what Big Shark meant, of course. Though a little nervous deep down, she still obediently approached and sat in his lap.

She looked up at the man before her. The lightning outside occasionally illuminated his short, silver-gray hair and chiseled features, which were like those of a classical Greek statue. His sharp brow and eyes were so intense that one dared not meet his gaze. His gray eyes fell upon her face, his stare filled with undisguised predation and possession.

"Don’t praise other males in front of me."

Shen He wrapped one arm around her waist. From the moment the little rabbit had entered the conference room, the air had been filled with her incredibly alluring scent.

What surprised him, however, was that she was even more docile than before.

Her delicate cheeks were now flushed red. Shen He’s rough thumb brushed against her soft lips as he lowered his head, pressing closer. "...Did you hear me?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded repeatedly.

Big Shark was so close she could feel his breath. His gray eyes darkened slightly as he stared silently at her lips, his thoughts unreadable.

Yu Zhizhi, however, felt her body growing uncontrollably hot.

She couldn’t help but close her eyes.

But then, a low chuckle from Big Shark reached her ears. Yu Zhizhi froze for a moment. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the man before her, only then realizing she might have misunderstood...

Her cheeks burned even hotter. A mix of shame and vexation washed over her. Abruptly, she slammed her head into his chest. THUD! Both of their expressions changed in an instant.

"Oof—"

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t expected Shen He’s chest to be so hard. Her head was ringing from the impact. She clutched it with one hand, a wronged expression on her face.

Shen He looked down at the little rabbit’s reddened forehead, somewhat amused. "Why so reckless?"

He raised a hand and gently stroked her forehead. This little female of the Rabbit Clan was so tiny; sitting in his lap, her feet couldn’t even touch the ground. She was soft all over, and with her rabbit ears drooping pitifully, it was easy to forget how she’d twisted so many males around her little finger.

Shen He had known from the day he first met her that this fickle little rabbit would be nothing but trouble.

The pain in Yu Zhizhi’s forehead gradually faded.

’Big Shark is... a little gentle today.’

She couldn’t help but look up at him, biting her lip slightly. "Will... will you come to my territory in the future?"

Shen He’s hand paused mid-stroke. ’Just look at this little rabbit. One moment she’s sending an invitation to Yusen, and the next she’s trying to "seduce" me.’ Out loud, he said, "I have no such plans."

His hand on her waist shifted slightly. "We’ll see about it after Tang Luo Ke gets back."

’Go to her territory?’

’In what capacity?’

’Sooner or later, I’m taking this little female back to the Deep Sea Empire.’

Yu Zhizhi didn’t expect Big Shark to suddenly mention Tang. She stared at him blankly. "Why wait for him?"

Before Shen He could speak, she asked impatiently, "Do you know where he is?"

Shen He raised an eyebrow. ’Looks like I need to add another rule—’

’Not only can she not praise other males in front of me, she can’t show concern for them either.’

Although he was deeply displeased, his expression didn’t change much. He just said coolly, "As expected of the First Beast Husband."

’Just mentioning his name makes the little rabbit this anxious.’

Shen He said, "Yusen should really see the way you look right now."

After speaking, his brow furrowed slightly.

’Yusen can’t see it, but I can see it crystal clear.’

The little rabbit female stared at him anxiously, seemingly oblivious to the displeasure in his voice, just stubbornly waiting for an answer.

’That look isn’t unfamiliar.’

’Every time I return victorious from the battlefield, I see a host of females at the coastal ports with that same look in their eyes, hoping to be reunited with their Beast Husbands.’

’Even though, most of the time, all I bring them is terrible news.’

Shen He was suddenly overcome with jealousy for that missing wolf.

’He’s the one she can’t stop thinking about.’

"I don’t know where he is," Shen He answered irritably. This little female really had a knack for this; she could stir up his emotions with just a few words. The realization only made him more infuriated.

"Oh..."

Yu Zhizhi’s hopes were dashed. She slowly lowered her head, and suddenly felt a slight pain in her jaw—

Shen He had gripped her chin. He had no intention of letting this little rabbit off so easily.

"So next time, you won’t be mentioning him in front of me, will you?"

Yu Zhizhi pressed her lips together. ’But he was the one who brought him up!’

She saw that Big Shark’s gaze looked like it could devour her whole. "Answer me."

A loud Thunder Roar boomed outside, more violent than any before, and Yu Zhizhi’s body jolted.

She grabbed Big Shark’s large hand with both of hers and pressed her cheek against it.

"I won’t mention him again..."

The little rabbit’s mumbled voice was tinged with grievance. Shen He just felt a tickle in his chest.