440: Chapter 440 Each According to Their Own Abilities

"Hua Han?" Bai Wanwan instinctively reached out to support him. "What's wrong?"

The moment her hand touched Hua Han's arm, his body seemed to lose all strength, and he slumped toward Bai Wanwan.

"Ugh... it hurts... maybe it was from the struggle earlier... my old injury flared up again..." Hua Han's voice was incredibly weak, accompanied by painful gasps.

He leaned almost entirely against Bai Wanwan, his arm "weakly" yet precisely wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her half into his embrace.

He rested his chin gently against the crook of her neck, his hot breath washing over her sensitive skin.

"Wan Wan, let me lean on you for a while, just a while..." Hua Han's voice carried a deliberate, endearing breathiness, while his arm tightened, greedily absorbing the warmth and fragrance from her body.

His performance of "weakness" was Oscar-worthy, making it hard to tell what was real and what was fake.

Hua Han knew very well that he had to pull out all the stops to have a chance at securing a place in the heart of such an outstanding Female as Bai Wanwan.

He didn't ask for much; as long as he could be allotted a spot and have the chance to stay by her side forever, that would be enough.

Bai Wanwan's body stiffened instantly as she was held in his embrace.

She could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest and the scorching body heat radiating through his clothes; the hot, damp breath against her neck made her feel completely uncomfortable.

She tried to push him away. "Hua Han! You... let go first! Let me take a look at you."

"Don't move, Wan Wan. Just like this... let me lean on you, it will be over soon."

Hua Han's voice carried a hint of "fragile" pleading, but his arm didn't budge; instead, he pulled her even tighter. There was no trace of pain in his fox-like eyes, only the satisfied smugness of success and deep infatuation.

Just as the two were struggling in an awkward and ambiguous stalemate.

With a creak, the wooden door of the Stone House was pushed open.

Jiao Yin, covered in cold dampness, mud, and the heavy scent of blood, appeared at the doorway carrying a massive Thorn-Horned Wild Boar.

His ice-blue eyes scanned the room immediately, precisely capturing the Male and Female who were almost embracing by the fire.

Hua Han was holding Bai Wanwan tightly, his chin resting intimately against the crook of her neck, while Bai Wanwan was confined in his arms—a posture full of possessiveness and ambiguity.

Jiao Yin froze in place.

The trace of fatigue and relaxation on his face from a successful hunt was instantly frozen, as if swept by a polar cold front, the moment he saw this scene.

The prey on his shoulder hit the ground with a heavy "thud," splashing a bit of mud.

The air in the room seemed to solidify completely at this moment.

Bai Wanwan awkwardly pushed at Hua Han, but with his height of over 1.9 meters pressing down on her, she couldn't move him at all.

"Jiao Yin, come and help quickly."

Hearing this, Jiao Yin walked over in a few strides. The hands that Bai Wanwan couldn't pry loose were easily released under Jiao Yin's actions.

"Hiss... that hurts."

Hua Han was genuinely in pain this time; Jiao Yin had used force when prying his hands away.

Seeing this, Bai Wanwan couldn't help but remind him, "He might have been injured when fighting the Wandering Beasts a few days ago. Check him later; if it's serious, it needs to be treated."

If it was serious, she would have to use points to exchange for medicine.

She had plenty of points now, and she had to ensure the health of both Males so that she and The Cubs would be safer.

If the Laser Gun were still here, she would at least have a trump card.

She didn't know what Roger had gone through to become so strong.

Two Orange Tier fighters joining forces hadn't even managed to hurt him.

"Alright, Wan Wan, you sit for a while, I'll help him inside."

Hua Han was half-carried and half-dragged by Jiao Yin to the simple bed in the corner of the Stone House, which was covered with thick beast skin.

Just then, The Cubs were making a fuss, so Bai Wanwan bent over to soothe The Cubs.

Confirming that Bai Wanwan's attention was not on them, Hua Han immediately shed his "weak" persona and cast a glance at Jiao Yin beside him with his fox-like eyes.

"Didn't we agree to join forces? Why did you pull me away just now?"

Jiao Yin frowned, his ice-blue eyes calm and waveless. He lowered his voice as well, his tone carrying unquestionable persistence. "Us joining forces is one thing, but you cannot force Wan Wan and go against her will."

He had seen with his own eyes how stiff and uncomfortable Bai Wanwan was when held by Hua Han.

"Force? Was that force?" Hua Han almost laughed in anger, lowering his voice further with a tone of exasperation. "If Wan Wan really resisted or hated me, I would change my approach. I just want her to get used to my proximity and slowly close the distance. Someone as tepid and quiet as you—when will you ever make Wan Wan understand your feelings? Are you waiting for her Beast Husbands to show up and kick us both away like annoying rocks?"

Hua Han's words pricked Jiao Yin's heart like needles, and he pressed his lips into a tight line.

Hua Han pressed his advantage, his tone urgent. "Wake up! Those Beast Husbands of Wan Wan's—Qiu Rong, Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng... they are all the best among the Land Beasts. It's only a matter of time before they find this place. Our time is very limited; we must ensure she has a place for us in her heart, get her used to our existence, and even... make her rely on us before they find her!"

After a pause, he continued, "Only then will we have a chance in the future to earn a place in her heart and become her Beast Husband. Otherwise, once her Beast Husbands arrive, we 'temporary partners' will be nothing! Are you willing to accept that, Jiao Yin?"

Jiao Yin's Adam's apple bobbed; Hua Han's words struck directly at his deepest hidden worries and desires.

He admitted that Hua Han was right; time was pressing.

He looked at Bai Wanwan, who was gently coaxing The Cubs, and watched her focused, tender profile. The deep attachment hidden in his heart grew wildly like vines.

He wanted to protect her by her side forever, not just as an ally or a friend.

But he had no qualifications right now; he had to go back and take his revenge first before he could talk about the future.

"You use your way, and I'll use mine."

Jiao Yin finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "But, Hua Han,"

He turned his ice-blue eyes toward Hua Han, filled with a warning like the deep sea. "Don't force Wan Wan; that is my bottom line."

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a cryptic smile. "Fine, Jiao Yin, remember your words today. We'll compete on our own merits, but don't get in my way."

Jiao Yin chose a more silent, more introverted way of protecting her.

And in Hua Han's view, this method was too inefficient.

******

In the underground stone prison of the Tiger Clan Tribe's Chief's Council Hall, the air was permeated with a heavy scent of blood and an atmosphere of despair.

Qiu Rong's tall figure stood in the center of the stone prison like a suppressed volcano.

Cold flames of rage burned in his crimson-gold eyes, and the veins on his clenched fists were bulging.

Lying on the ground before him were several beastmen who had been tortured beyond recognition; they were the very traitors who had participated in the attack and attempted to take Bai Wanwan away that day.