249: Chapter 249 Half-open collar

Zhuo Ling stood outside the door, her fingertips digging deeply into her palm, but she ultimately couldn't restrain herself and stepped inside.

She lowered her eyes to hide the surging jealousy beneath, and when she looked up again, she wore her usual gentle expression.

"Jin Yi, I came to see you," she said softly, setting down the basket in her hand. Her fingertips gently stroked the rim of the basket. "This is a beast skin garment I sewed myself. Try it on later to see if it fits."

Before her words had even finished, her gaze fell upon his half-open robe, and those hideous scars were starkly revealed.

A layer of mist instantly rose in Zhuo Ling's eyes, and her voice trembled slightly: "You were so badly injured? Why didn't you tell me?"

She took a step forward, reaching out as if to touch his wound, but he subtly avoided her touch.

Jin Yi pulled his robe tighter, his expression distant: "No need, the injury is already healed."

His coldness was like a thorn, stabbing fiercely into Zhuo Ling's heart.

She bit her lip, suddenly looking directly at him, her voice soft and weak: "Jin Yi... do you hate me now?"

Jin Yi, who had already turned away, paused upon hearing this and looked back at her: "Why would I hate you? You saved me. I only feel gratitude toward you."

"But now you won't even see me."

Zhuo Ling's eyes were slightly red, and her tone carried a sense of grievance, "It's harder than climbing to heaven for me to see you once..."

"Zhuo Ling."

He interrupted her, his voice deep, "You are already paired. I cannot seek you out frequently."

"You can't seek me out... but you can think about Bai Wanwan anytime you want, is that right?"

The words burst out of her mouth, so sharp that even she was momentarily stunned.

She rarely had such impulsive moments.

Jin Yi frowned deeply: "I am not thinking about her."

The tears in Zhuo Ling's eyes shimmered. "Your injury isn't fully healed, yet you're thinking about how she gets hot and sending her ice bricks. What about me? Why don't you think about me?"

The more she spoke, the more panicked she felt inside.

Bai Wanwan was like a thorn deeply embedded in her flesh.

She had to pull this thorn out and throw it far away.

She couldn't understand what kind of magic Bai Wanwan possessed that made one powerful Male after another fall for her.

"I was planning to send someone to bring you some," Jin Yi said calmly.

In terms of supplies, he had never treated Zhuo Ling unfairly. He just hadn't had time to give the order before she arrived.

Zhuo Ling's eyes lit up, "So... in your heart, I am still more important than her, right?"

Jin Yi's frown tightened even further: "Zhuo Ling, what concerns you and me has nothing to do with her."

Nothing to do with her?

Zhuo Ling didn't believe a word of it.

But she knew when to stop while ahead.

As long as Bai Wanwan hadn't surpassed her position in Jin Yi's heart, she still had a chance.

Thinking of this, she forcibly suppressed the surging resentment.

She had originally thought Bai Wanwan was surely doomed. During this time, while she worried for Jin Yi, she was secretly delighted.

How could a delicate Female survive a beast tide?

Yet, Bai Wanwan not only returned alive but was completely unharmed!

Zhuo Ling gritted her teeth in hatred.

She had gone to great lengths, even risking exposing her Beast Husband, but it all ended in vain.

Now, she had to seize the time.

Before Jin Yi developed feelings for Bai Wanwan, she had to make that eyesore of a Female disappear completely!

"Jin Yi..." She suddenly softened her voice, pleading in her eyes, "I have never asked you for anything all this time. Now, I want to ask you for a favor."

Jin Yi looked at her with calm eyes, as if he had long anticipated her intentions: "What is it?"

Zhuo Ling gazed at his handsome, cold profile and slowly spoke: "Bai Wanwan and I had a feud when we were in the Black Dog Tribe. She is ruthless and malicious; I truly fear she might harm me someday. Jin Yi, can you help me... drive her out of the Golden Lion Tribe?"

Her voice was gentle, yet the words she spoke allowed no room for refusal.

Jin Yi remained silent for a moment, just looking at her quietly.

Zhuo Ling felt a little uneasy, "Jin Yi? Can you help me?"

This time, Jin Yi refused directly: "I cannot help you with this matter. Bai Wanwan is an honored guest of the Chief; I have no right to decide whether she stays or leaves."

Zhuo Ling really wanted to ask him if he had no right to decide, or if he simply didn't want to decide.

But she held back, only softening her tone to say: "Can't you really help me just once for my sake?"

During the sweltering heat of the Hot Season, the newly pregnant Bai Wanwan grew increasingly languid, not even willing to move her fingers all day.

Under a crooked-necked tree in the courtyard, Bai Wanwan and Shi Hua were sitting together, talking in low voices.

Silver needles shuttled between their fingers, and yarn wound around their fingertips, quickly forming a piece of sweater.

Since she had nothing else to do, she taught Shi Hua how to knit sweaters; they would be much warmer to wear during the Snow Season.

"Let's knit a few more pieces so we won't be cold during the Snow Season."

She recalled the days of huddling in a quilt to get through the winter when she was with Xin Feng in the Cat Clan Tribe.

There were no braziers, no air conditioning, only a few pieces of beast skin for warmth.

At that time, they didn't have much time to prepare. This time, she would be fully prepared and wouldn't let herself get even a tiny bit cold.

Her knitting wasn't very skillful; the stitches were sometimes loose and sometimes tight.

She had learned it from an older sister in the office during her free time out of boredom.

Since sweaters were only worn in the Snow Season and underneath other clothes, whether they looked pretty didn't matter; as long as they provided warmth, that was enough.

As for those gorgeous formal clothes, she glanced at the shimmering fashion in the System Mall and quietly extinguished the thought of buying any.

Saving points to lift the dark curse for Zhu Xiu was the priority.

Once Zhu Xiu's curse was lifted, there would be points available later.

At that time, she definitely wouldn't let herself or her family suffer again; she would eat what she wanted and buy what she wanted.

"Sister, I heard the Females of the Golden Lion Tribe say that the Harvest Festival is coming up soon," Shi Hua suddenly stopped her work, her eyes shining with excitement. "I heard it's very lively!"

"Harvest Festival?" Bai Wanwan paused the yarn in her hand; the relevant memories were nowhere to be found.

"The Harvest Festival is usually only celebrated by Medium-sized and large Tribes," Shi Hua leaned closer, her voice full of longing, "I've never celebrated it in my life; it must be so much fun."

Shi Hua had heard a lot of news about the Harvest Festival outside these past few days and was counting down the days on her fingers.

Shi Hua grew more and more excited, "On that day, all the Females dress up beautifully, and many Males publicly propose pairing!"

Bai Wanwan looked down while winding yarn, a smile playing on her lips, "Now that you mention it, I want to see how fun this Harvest Festival is."

"It's not just fun; there's also a lot of delicious food."

Shi Hua chattered incessantly, and Bai Wanwan didn't mind her talking so much. She listened quietly while continuing to knit the sweater.

As she knitted, she habitually turned her head to look at The Cubs.

"Huh, where are The Cubs?"

Bai Wanwan's question made Shi Hua immediately fall silent.

"They were just here!"

Bai Wanwan put down her needle and thread, "I'll go inside to check."

She stepped over the threshold, about to call out to The Cubs, when her gaze suddenly fixed on a certain spot...