452: Chapter 452 Hope Blossoms in Desperate Circumstances

Looking into Hua Han's amber eyes, which seemed almost ablaze with tension and anticipation, Bai Wanwan's heart was a whirlwind of emotions.

As a Female who had experienced several Beast Husbands, she was all too familiar with that sparkling, possessive, and yearning light in a Male's eyes.

Hua Han, this fox, though he usually liked to play little tricks, acting obedient and pitiful in front of her, or deliberately 'chasing away' competitors, had indeed never truly crossed the line, let alone done anything to hurt her or The Cubs.

His affection was something he carefully presented to her with warmth.

More importantly, the pride and clarity ingrained in Bai Wanwan's bones sharply reminded her: if she rejected him now yet still enjoyed his meticulous care, the warmth and sense of security he brought without a shred of guilt, what would that make her?

How was that any different from taking advantage of his feelings?

She couldn't do such a thing.

Meeting Hua Han's intensely nervous gaze, which seemed to have stopped his very breath, Bai Wanwan suddenly curved the corners of her lips into a faint smile.

That smile was like a delicate, vibrant flower abruptly blooming in the harsh winter Snowy Ground, possessing a breathtaking beauty that instantly brightened the dim light of the entire cavern.

Hua Han felt as if his heart had been seized tightly, his breath truly hitched, the whole world narrowing down to that faint, mesmerizing curve at the corner of her lips.

'What do you like about me?' Her voice was soft, carrying a trace of inquiry and a gentleness she herself hadn't noticed.

The question was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves in Hua Han's heart.

He felt all the blood in his body rush to his head, the pounding of his heart deafening, almost bursting from his chest.

'Everything!' he blurted out eagerly. 'Your eyes, your voice, the gentle way you look at The Cubs, the way you insist on doing things yourself even when you're tired, you... everything about you! Wan Wan, I like you. Can you like me too?'

He was like a child begging for candy, his eyes filled with a desperate plea, even subconsciously reaching out to touch her.

However, just as his fingertips were about to graze her cheek, Bai Wanwan accurately caught his wrist.

The grip wasn't forceful, but it prevented him from moving further.

She raised her eyes, looking clearly into the depths of his gaze, her tone calm and honest. 'Hua Han, I can't lie to you.'

She felt the momentary stiffness in his wrist but continued, 'Right now, what I feel for you is indeed only a *little* liking.'

She deliberately emphasized those two words, clearly drawing a boundary. 'It's the trust between friends, the camaraderie of raising The Cubs together, the gratitude for your constant protection. But this liking is far from enough for me to accept you as my Beast Husband.'

She paused, seeing the light instantly dim in Hua Han's eyes, yet she still spoke plainly, 'Moreover, I can't promise that I will ever be willing to accept you as my Beast Husband in the future.'

It was almost a gentle rejection.

However, the anticipated dejection or despair didn't linger long on Hua Han's face.

After a brief moment of daze, those amber eyes astonishingly brightened again, even more dazzling than before.

He would create an opportunity even if there was none, let alone now that Wan Wan had personally admitted she didn't dislike him!

She had 'a little liking' for him!

To him, this was like a ray of dawn in the darkness, a flower of hope blooming in desperation.

It was ten thousand times better than the best outcome he had imagined!

Overwhelming joy instantly shattered Hua Han's reason.

He could no longer restrain himself. With a long reach of his arm, he abruptly pulled Bai Wanwan into a tight embrace.

'It's okay, Wan Wan.'

His voice trembled with excitement. 'I'll wait for you. No matter how long, I'll wait! Even if... even if you truly don't agree in the end, I'll never regret today's choice. Being able to guard you, protect you like this is my greatest happiness.'

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, greedily breathing in her scent. The obsession in his heart became crystal clear: he would spare no effort, use every means possible, to let that 'little liking' take root, sprout, and eventually occupy her entire heart.

He *must* become her rightful Beast Husband!

For the rest of the day, Hua Han seemed infused with boundless energy.

Bai Wanwan had already spoken to this extent. Since he persisted, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to give him a chance.

'Then let go of me first. I need to go inside and check on The Cubs.'

Reluctantly, Hua Han nuzzled affectionately against her neck for a good while before slowly releasing her.

For the rest of the day, he worked with vigor, his steps light.

He tidied the cavern even more meticulously, prepared exceptionally fine meat paste for The Cubs, and his care for Bai Wanwan reached an unprecedented level of attentiveness.

The satisfaction and joy radiating from him almost seemed to materialize into a tangible glow.

In the deep quiet of the night, The Cubs emitted even breaths in their warm grass nest.

The fire in the hearth crackled softly.

Hua Han sat nearby, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Bai Wanwan's sleeping face. The dancing flames cast warm light and shadow on her delicate profile. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes, her sleeping visage as peaceful as a Little Female untouched by the world.

The more he looked, the warmer his heart felt; the more he looked, the more he found every part of her unbelievably perfect.

That 'little liking' was like a seed, growing wildly in his heart, filling him with unprecedented anticipation and drive for the future.

At dawn, a fierce wind howled outside the cavern, and the snow had piled deeper.

Bai Wanwan awoke to the Males deliberately moving quietly.

Without the slightest hesitation, she threw off the warm beast skin blanket, deftly draped a thick beast skin cloak over herself, and stood up.

'Jiao Yin, wait a moment.'

Her voice carried a slight huskiness from sleep, yet it was exceptionally clear.

The tall figure about to slip away silently came to an abrupt halt.

Jiao Yin turned around. His deep, sea-like eyes, upon seeing her, seemed to have stars cast into them, suddenly glowing with a faint yet genuine spark.

'Wan Wan?' His voice was low, tinged with surprise. 'It's cold outside. Why are you up?'

He instinctively glanced towards the cold wind blowing in through the cavern entrance.

Bai Wanwan walked up to him, shaking her head slightly. 'I'm not cold. You brave this wind and snow to hunt every day, working hard for this family. Me, hiding in a warm shelter, what chill could I possibly catch?'

Her gaze fell upon his skin, slightly chapped by the cold wind, and the barely perceptible weariness in the depths of his eyes.

She extended her hand, offering a pouch sewn from tough beast skin.

'Take this for the journey.'

Jiao Yin hesitated slightly before accepting it. It felt heavy in his hand.

He untied the cord. A familiar, long-missed, salty scent of the sea instantly filled his nostrils.

Inside were several meticulously cleaned, specially smoked and preserved sea fish.

His favorite food!

'You... where did you get these?'

Jiao Yin looked up, his eyes filled with shock and emotion.