Chapter 456 - 455: "I See You Love Them All.

The night was calm and still, with hardly a sound from the sea. The ship rocked gently. Inside the pitch-black room, pale moonlight filtered through the pure white curtains.

Shen He gazed at the Rabbit Clan girl on the bed. Tears streamed down her face, and her small body trembled slightly. She was crying so sorrowfully, yet she looked so pitiably lovely.

He couldn’t quite identify the feeling in his heart, only tugging at the corner of his mouth. "If you’re so unwilling to let him go, why did you compromise?"

In Shen He’s eyes, the little rabbit was weak-willed. ’Any other female of the same Level would have long ago demanded that snake become her Beast Husband—

—though the chances of success were extremely slim.

At least, they would have taken the initiative.’

Shen He strode over and sat on the bed. Yu Zhizhi felt the mattress sink beneath her. She turned her head in a daze to look at the Big Shark beside her, only to see his sharply defined features appearing even deeper and more intense in the darkness.

She caught the scent of alcohol on him.

It was strong, just like him.

’This is...’

The strong liquor brewed in the Deep-Sea Empire. Her thoughts drifted back to her days living in the Deep-Sea Imperial City.

Yu Zhizhi’s tears gradually stopped. She sniffled softly, lowered her eyes, and didn’t reply.

Shen He looked at the little rabbit’s desolate expression, just as if she’d been abandoned by her beloved. The tightness in his chest grew more pronounced, but his tone remained cold. "If you invited him to be your First Beast Husband, he might have agreed."

...Huh?

Yu Zhizhi froze for a moment before realizing the "he" the Big Shark was referring to was the Duke!

She shook her head repeatedly. ’How could I possibly let the Duke become my Beast Husband?’

’And besides...’

"He wouldn’t agree to it," Yu Zhizhi mumbled softly.

’The Duke would never agree.’

’He said long ago that he would only marry a female from the Snake Clan.’

’Back when I lived in the Duke Mansion, I met Miss Jin She. She seemed to have come to the Imperial City for a marriage alliance.’

Thinking of this, Yu Zhizhi had no idea what to do.

’If the Duke’s affection level isn’t maxed out, and he gets a wife, then I...’

’I definitely won’t be able to keep trying to win him over.’

’—The mission is going to fail.’

’I’ll never be able to go home again.’

SOB...

Shen He’s gray eyes were fixed on the little female before him. He watched her brow furrow slightly, her expression aggrieved and on the verge of tears—

’Is that snake’s wedding really so hard for her to accept?’

He thought of the bond certificate.

It bore her own handprint.

’The little female’s relationship with Tang Luo Ke must be quite good; otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen him to be her First Beast Husband from the crowd of males she’d been stringing along.’

Shen He suddenly asked, "Do you like Tang Luo Ke more, or Bolun?"

Yu Zhizhi froze.

When she didn’t answer, Shen He pressed on. "Or perhaps, in your heart, your favorite is the Lord of Paradise?"

’Didn’t you just marry him? You two must be in your honeymoon phase, sweet as can be.’

"Do you even remember Yusen anymore?"

Shen He’s tone was tinged with mockery.

Yu Zhizhi stared blankly at him, unsure how to answer the Big Shark’s sudden questions.

’Who do I like more...?’

’Who is my favorite...?’

’She had never thought about these things; all this time, she had just been diligently focused on her mission.’

The Big Shark took a drink. "Looks to me like you love them all."

’It’s so hard for her to choose. Perhaps in her heart, they’re all equally important.’

’It was just as he’d first thought. She was impossibly fickle. One Beast Husband wasn’t enough; she probably wouldn’t be satisfied even with a man on each arm.’

’Forget it.’

’Why bother with all this? When the time is right, I’ll take her to the Deep-Sea Empire anyway.’

’Her Beast Husbands must be males from the Deep-Sea Empire.’

’I’ll make her stay in the Deep Sea forever, to bear children for them.’

’...Them?’

Shen He caught that fleeting thought. That "them" primarily included Yusen—the Mermaid Clan’s supreme talent needed to be passed down. And secondly—

His gaze dropped slightly, landing on the little female’s flat abdomen.

’The little female should bear his cubs.’

’The more, the better.’

’As for anyone else, they need not be involved.’

Yu Zhizhi was still pondering the Big Shark’s questions when the man before her suddenly raised a hand. The web of his thumb and forefinger cradled her chin as his fingers squeezed her cheeks.

He leaned in, a smile finally gracing his face. "Withdrawal might be difficult, but you’ll get used to it."

’All those other worthless males would have to get lost, sooner or later.’

"Forget the Duke. Starting now."

Shen He’s tone brooked no argument.

Her cheeks still pinched, Yu Zhizhi could only meet his gaze in a daze.

In the darkness, the Big Shark’s gray eyes were deep and intense. His aura was scorching and fierce, and at this moment, his aggression was so close she could feel it. She couldn’t help but tremble.

’It was as if...’

’...every bone in her body would be crushed and swallowed by him.’

Yu Zhizhi’s instinct for self-preservation kicked in. She suddenly grabbed the man’s wrist, and as his fingers loosened slightly, she turned her head and gently pressed her lips to his cool, damp palm.

She was a little scared.

’Is it because I’m a rabbit right now?’

’The most cowardly of the Beast Clan... the rabbits...’

Sensing the little female’s attempt to placate him, Shen He raised an eyebrow. ’So she’s avoiding the questions, thinking only of seducing and charming me, as if that will make this whole thing just go away.’

’I have to admit, she has her own brand of cunning in this regard.’

"Good. Just like this."

Shen He’s coarse thumb slid across her delicate lips. He lowered his voice. "When I interrogate you, you can... please me. Just like you did today."

’Some things can be overlooked.’

’As long as she doesn’t cross my lines.’

Yu Zhizhi almost forgot that moments ago, she had been worrying about the Duke’s affection level. The man’s scent was still overpowering, and as she looked up at him, it seemed he was the only person in her world.

’The Big Shark’s affection level...’

’...isn’t maxed out yet, either.’

She pursed her lips slightly and nodded.

’No matter what he says, I should just go along with him for now.’

’I’ll deal with the future when it comes.’

Seeing the little female so docile, Shen He asked, "Do you want to kiss?"

Yu Zhizhi instinctively pulled back, but he grabbed her wrist.

Shen He said, "Your answer is, ’Yes.’"

The man lowered his head, tentatively brushing his lips against hers.

Yu Zhizhi whimpered internally. ’At times, the Big Shark is like an addict—absolutely tireless.’

’A kiss? Would it really be just a kiss?’

’How could she dare say yes?’

’She had been hoping to get some proper rest over the next few days...’

"Lord Shen He..." She took the initiative to hug the man before her, burying her face in his chest. "I... I’m hungry."

She was suddenly hungry.

This time, she was really hungry.

The news of the Duke’s wedding had left her reeling all day. Now that she had recovered her senses, her stomach was growling with hunger.

Shen He held the soft little female in his arms with one hand, his other hand stroking her rabbit ears.

’Hungry?’

"I’ll feed you."