202: Chapter 202 You like her?

Chapter 22: You Like Her?

The setting sun stretched Xin Feng's shadow very long. His white robes fluttered gently in the breeze, and his entire being seemed shrouded in an ethereal, immortal aura.

Xin Feng looked exceptionally handsome like this. Ordinarily, Bai Wanwan would certainly have been unable to look away.

But right now, she had a guilty conscience. Without giving him more than a glance, she turned to the Male beside her and said, "Thank you for walking me out, but my Beast Husband is waiting for me. I won't trouble you to see me any further."

Jin Yue also recognized Xin Feng. After nodding, he tactfully retreated back into the Stone House.

This brief moment was enough for Bai Wanwan to prepare herself mentally.

Looking up again, she walked toward Xin Feng with a bright smile, speaking with a feigned air of casual surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Xin Feng straightened up, his broad palm naturally clasping her slightly cool fingers. His voice was as gentle as ever: "You asked me about the Youlan Grass before you came out."

Bai Wanwan hadn't expected him to be so sharp; the smile on her face almost slipped.

She had indeed wanted to fish for some information about the Youlan Grass from Xin Feng.

She had only asked a couple of questions, and Xin Feng had never even heard of Youlan Grass. Combined with the system's mention that Youlan Grass was extremely precious in the Beast World, she had decided to go directly to the Jin Cang Patriarch to try and make an exchange.

Seeing Bai Wanwan dazed, Xin Feng's thumb gently caressed the back of her cool hand. His gaze was as soft as moonlight piercing through a mist. "Can you tell me now? What did you come to see the Patriarch for?"

Bai Wanwan also wanted someone to consult with, and Xin Feng was the most suitable choice.

Without much hesitation, she looked into his eyes and spoke: "The Youlan Grass can unify my soul. I came to the Patriarch hoping to trade for it."

"What would you trade for it? Did he agree?" Xin Feng's brow furrowed slightly, instinctively feeling that things wouldn't be so simple.

"Um... by having me enter a Pairing Ceremony with a Male, he would help me get the Youlan Grass..."

Before she could finish, she felt the fingertips resting on the back of her hand tighten noticeably.

"Who did he require you to..." Xin Feng's voice sounded somewhat strained.

"Jin Yi."

After answering, she immediately added: "But the Jin Cang Patriarch said if I agree, and we cannot complete the Pairing Ceremony because of Jin Yi himself, that stalk of Youlan Grass will be given to me as a gift."

Bai Wanwan let out a long sigh. "I almost agreed on the spot. After all, making a Male dislike me is much easier than finding Youlan Grass."

Her words made Xin Feng's heart feel as if it were being torn apart.

He opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace, lowering his head to rest his lips against her hair.

If only the Youlan Grass could save Wan Wan, he believed that not just him, but Yan Lie and Zhu Xiu would also agree, even if they wouldn't easily accept another Male joining them.

Bai Wanwan leaned against his chest, still murmuring, "But I felt I couldn't be so heartless. The Jin Cang Patriarch is a good person and never forced me. I can't use such methods to obtain the Youlan Grass."

She really had a massive headache. Without the Youlan Grass, the poison in the original owner's body couldn't be suppressed, she wouldn't be able to conceive cubs, and her life would be at risk...

Xin Feng cleared his chaotic thoughts and looked down at her. "Wan Wan, Zhu Xiu, Yan Lie, and I all certainly hope you'll be safe. But if you don't want to accept Jin Yi, we'll go back and discuss it with Zhu Xiu and the others. No matter how precious the Youlan Grass is, it has a price. As long as we find something of equal value to trade, we can surely get it."

His voice carried a soothing power that quickly dispelled the anxiety in Bai Wanwan's heart.

That's right! She had several powerful Beast Husbands; agreeing to the Jin Cang Patriarch's condition wasn't the only path available.

Jin Yi was walking toward his own residence when he suddenly paused. He turned his head toward his diagonal rear. "Come out!"

Zhuo Ling had originally intended to visit the Females who had been 'bullied' by Bai Wanwan, but after seeing Jin Yi and Bai Wanwan together, she changed her mind on the spot and followed him all the way.

"Jin Yi, it's me."

Zhuo Ling was carrying a basket, which was filled with fresh fruit.

Her beautiful eyes brimmed with tears. "I saw you with Bai Wanwan. Do you... like her?"

After Zhuo Ling had completed her Pairing Ceremony and he no longer considered her his future mate, a sense of distance and awkwardness had grown between them.

"I've only met her a few times in total."

Jin Yi felt this explanation was clear enough, but Zhuo Ling was obviously unsatisfied.

"Jin Yi, then promise me that even if you still can't accept a Pairing Ceremony with me, don't do it with Bai Wanwan either."

Jin Yi had never even entertained the thought of a Pairing Ceremony with Bai Wanwan to begin with, so he answered without hesitation, "I will not have a Pairing Ceremony with Bai Wanwan."

Hearing his words, Zhuo Ling breathed a small sigh of relief.

She walked over step by step, intentionally stepping on a nearby rock.

"Ouch!"

She let out a soft cry, her body tilting as she lunged straight toward Jin Yi's arms.

If Jin Yi moved aside, she would fall to the ground.

Jin Yi surely wouldn't just stand by and watch her fall.

Zhuo Ling was certain that Jin Yi still had feelings for her.

But at that critical moment, Jin Yi still stepped aside.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Jin Yi?"

Jin Yi merely gave her a pull just as she was about to fall, and after helping her stand firm, he stepped back.

Seeing his actions, a strong sense of panic rose in Zhuo Ling's heart.

The Jin Yi before her was a stranger.

The Jin Yi who used to care for her and would be the first to worry if she was cold or had fallen was gone.

This shattered her long-held belief that if she just waited a little longer, Jin Yi would surely relent and become her Beast Husband.

This was the Male she liked and wanted most. She didn't dare imagine him becoming someone else's Beast Husband in the future, being considerate and caring to another Female while treating her with cold indifference.

However, she knew questioning Jin Yi now was useless; she could only show weakness.

"Hiss, my leg seems to be hurt. Jin Yi, give me a hand."

Enduring the distress in her heart, she tried to close the distance between them.

Jin Yi stared at her outstretched hand. He had seen very clearly just now that Zhuo Ling hadn't actually sprained anything.

Since he had already made his decision, he couldn't let her keep thinking they had a future together.

"I am not your Beast Husband. It is not appropriate for me to look after you."

Under Zhuo Ling's shocked and panicked gaze, Jin Yi beckoned to a passing Male. "You, escort the Female Zhuo Ling back to her residence."

"Zhuo Ling, I have things to do, so I'll be leaving now."

With that, Jin Yi turned and walked away.

He would repay her for saving his life with resources, but he could give her nothing more.

"Jin Yi, have you forgotten how things used to be..."

But Jin Yi didn't listen to her finish. His pace was very fast, and in the blink of an eye, he was already far away.

The Male beside her reached out to support her, but for the first time, Zhuo Ling forgot to maintain her beautiful image. She slapped away his hand.

"Get away! Who gave you permission to touch me?"

The Male's expression stiffened, and he could only stand silently to the side and wait.

Zhuo Ling thought of Jin Yi just now, walking with Bai Wanwan and even having a faint smile on his face.

She nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

"Female Zhuo Ling, have you encountered some trouble?"

Zhuo Ling was angry and turned her head irritably, seeing the Male standing nearby at a glance.

She recognized him; he was one of the few Yellow-Tier Beastmen in the Golden Master Tribe.

Her eyes flickered, and she quickly suppressed her anger, flashing a gentle smile at him. "Yes, I've sprained my ankle. Could I trouble you to take me back?"

The bonus update will be very late, everyone please read it tomorrow morning. Get some rest early, goodnight!~ (I'm not quite satisfied with what I wrote, I'll polish it tomorrow morning before updating. Everyone, check it in the morning.)