324: Chapter 324 Competing for Favor

When the familiar figure at the cave entrance came into view, Jin Yi's pale face instantly lit up, and the dullness in his eyes, dimmed by his unrecovered body, regained its luster.

He subconsciously propped himself up, and the thin blanket slid off his shoulder, revealing his scarred, solid chest.

"Wan Wan."

His voice was hoarse yet gentle, as if the name had been rolled over his lips thousands of times.

He tried to throw off the covers and get out of bed, ignoring the way the movement pulled at his wounds.

"Don't move."

Bai Wanwan rushed to his bedside in just a few steps, her slender fingers gently pressing on his shoulder.

"Your body has only just started to recover; you need to rest properly right now."

Jin Yi gazed at her worried expression, his stern features melting like ice and snow. "Mhm, I'll listen to you."

A rare smile curved his lips. He took hold of her hand just as she was about to withdraw it, his large palm completely enveloping her delicate one.

His thumb unconsciously caressed the back of her hand, as if confirming her real presence.

"Cough, cough!"

Yan Lie deliberately let out an exaggerated cough, sitting on a nearby Stone Stool with his legs crossed, staring at Jin Yi with less-than-friendly eyes.

However, Jin Yi's gaze seemed glued to Bai Wanwan, not even sparing him a sidelong glance.

It wasn't until Yan Lie stomped the Stone Stool until it thudded loudly that Jin Yi reluctantly shifted his gaze from Bai Wanwan's face.

"I heard you were also seriously injured?" he asked politely in greeting.

"Mhm, a bit better off than you," Yan Lie pouted, subconsciously scratching his arm which still felt itchy.

His injuries weren't severe, but those damned Itch Powder were killing him. He noted this lesson down; there definitely wouldn't be a next time!

Yan Lie wanted to continue speaking, but noticed Jin Yi had already turned his gaze back, staring unblinkingly at Wan Wan.

Jin Yi looked at the Female he loved with burning intensity.

Countless words churned in his chest; he wanted to tell her about every dream featuring her while he was unconscious, wanted to ask if she had ever worried about him.

But Yan Lie stood there like a bothersome statue, blocking all his intimate words in his throat.

"Young Clan Leader, you really know how to keep secrets," he deliberately drew out his tone. "Was it during the Beast Tide, when I fell into the valley, that you started liking her while protecting Wan Wan for those few days?"

The cave instantly became so quiet you could hear the crackling of the burning torches.

Jin Yi didn't answer immediately, but instead looked deeply into Bai Wanwan's eyes, his gaze so focused as if she were the only person left in the world.

"Yes."

His voice was deep and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

He remembered every detail: the way her knuckles turned white as she gripped her bone knife when the Beast Tide arrived, the way her feet trembled but refused to retreat when facing the fierce beasts, the tenderness when she forced herself awake during night watch to drape a beast skin over him.

At first, it was merely admiration, until he saw the light shining in her eyes when she interacted with the Beast Husbands, saw the intimacy when she tiptoed to nestle into their arms.

The unfamiliar burning sensation that ignited in his chest at that moment made him panicked yet fascinated.

Later on, he thought they would never have any further interaction.

He hadn't expected Xiong Zong to drug her.

Her snow-white, soft skin, and the trembling eyelashes beneath him, the lower lip she unconsciously bit when aroused...

Every memory of her was branded into the depths of his soul, impossible to forget even if he tried.

From then on, she completely occupied his heart; his heart could no longer hold anyone else.

Yan Lie watched Wan Wan attentively care for Jin Yi, sulking in the background.

He was angry at himself for falling into the valley back then, giving Jin Yi an opportunity for nothing.

Although he knew Wan Wan would have other Beast Husbands around her, he still felt gloomy.

"Yan Lie, can you go sit inside and wait for me?"

She sensed the subtle atmosphere between the two Males. She wanted to talk with Jin Yi, but didn't want Yan Lie watching nearby feeling miserable.

A wronged expression appeared in Yan Lie's eyes, but the next second, Bai Wanwan added, "I'll reward you when I get back."

Only then did Yan Lie's expression change. "Okay, Wan Wan, I'll listen to you."

Saying that, as if being magnanimous, he walked toward the interior of the Witchs Cave.

"It might still take some time for them to accept you suddenly."

"I understand. If it were me, I also couldn't remain indifferent. But, Wan Wan, I won't give you a chance to regret this."

Though his words were firm, the hand holding hers visibly tightened a bit.

She curved her lips into an amused smile. "I won't give you a chance to regret it either."

"Then... once I recover, will you really enter a Pairing Ceremony with me?"

His ruifeng eyes were incredibly beautiful, full of infinite tenderness when focused on someone.

"Mhm, once you recover, we will have the Pairing Ceremony. I keep my word."

Jin Yi's smile widened.

The Males seemed very easily satisfied and happy. Bai Wanwan watched the happiness radiating from his face and was infected by it, her own eyes curving up.

Then she leaned closer, her lips brushing against his. "Want a kiss?"

Jin Yi almost immediately wrapped his arm around her, and the kiss followed.

Bai Wanwan had thought Jin Yi was a reserved Male; she only wanted to tease him and see him lose control.

As a result, she went too far; he was not reserved at all.

His arm encircled her in his embrace, deepening the kiss continuously.

Bai Wanwan was kissed until she felt dizzy, completely losing track of time.

It wasn't until Yan Lie's cough sounded from behind that she sobered up a bit and raised a hand to push the tightly embracing Jin Yi.

But Jin Yi was still reluctant to let go.

After a while, Jin Yi finally pulled back slightly, breathing heavily. "I can recover tomorrow. I... want to go home to recuperate."

"Okay," the Witchs Cave was indeed inconvenient.

It was fortunate no other Beastmen came in just now; although Beastmen were accustomed to this level of intimacy.

But she was human and still wasn't quite used to being watched while being affectionate with her Beast Husband.

"I mean... to your home," Jin Yi was afraid she hadn't understood, so he deliberately spoke very clearly.

Bai Wanwan cupped his face, nodding with a smile. "I know. It's fine if you want to recuperate at my place. That way, it's more convenient for me to visit and take care of you."

Jin Yi immediately seized the opportunity. "Then I'll go with you now..."

"No, your injuries are severe. Rest another day. The snow outside is quite heavy today; I'm afraid you'll catch a chill again."

Although it was a pity he couldn't go back with Wan Wan today, thinking that tomorrow he could move into her home under the title of Wan Wan's Beast Husband, and from then on, he could openly guard her like Yan Lie, Zhu Xiu, and Xin Feng did.

Thinking about it, he could accept everything.

"Okay, then I'll go back tomorrow."

"Wan Wan, the snow is getting heavier. Xin Feng will worry about you. Let's go back now."

"Okay, we'll go back now."

Bai Wanwan stood up to cover him with the blanket. "Rest well. I'll only agree to let you go to my home tomorrow after the Clan Witch approves."

Hearing her say that, Jin Yi immediately wrapped himself tightly in beast skin, afraid of catching a cold and worsening his condition.

Seeing this, Bai Wanwan finally felt relieved and bid him farewell.

As soon as they stepped out of the Witchs Cave, Yan Lie tightly grasped her hand and complained with a hint of grievance, "Wan Wan, now that you have Jin Yi, you've forgotten about me."