16: Chapter 16 How many do you plan to collect?

"Help! Is anyone there? Can someone come and save a little girl whose clothes have been washed away?"

In the middle of the stream, only Tang Ruan's head was visible above the surface.

She had been soaking in the water for several hours, but not a single beastman had passed by.

If she stayed any longer, it would be dark.

Whether she went back or headed to the territory of the wolf tribe, the distance was enough to freeze her into an icicle.

She could only hope someone would find her soon.

Tang Ruan had been soaking for too long; feeling groggy, she closed her eyes.

Snowflakes fell onto her eyelashes. Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the forest.

She perked up.

It was exactly the same as what she had heard in the forest that day!

"Lang Lie!" she called out in surprise.

The sound in the forest did not pause because of her shouting; instead, it grew louder.

Tang Ruan's heart skipped a beat.

No matter how she listened, this sound did not resemble the footsteps of a wolf.

Suddenly, a black shadow darted out from the forest, twisting its body as it lunged toward her.

Tang Ruan couldn't clearly see what it was. It just felt like a centipede, but it was three or four meters long.

She instinctively retreated, her legs weak, floating half-submerged in the water.

"Help... help me!"

At the same time, several cold glints slashed across the azure sky.

The giant centipede was instantly sliced into six pieces. The chunks of flesh fell into the water with a "thud."

"Ahhhhh!"

The chunks of flesh fell in front of Tang Ruan, their tentacles still wriggling. Tang Ruan was scared to death!

She struggled blindly and choked on several mouthfuls of water. But those terrifying chunks of flesh were drifting closer and closer to her with the current.

At this moment, Tang Ruan wished she could just die.

Suddenly, a pair of large hands reached into the water and scooped her out.

A warm cloak wrapped around her.

At this moment, the distance between Tang Ruan and the man in front of her was zero.

He was very warm; his body was even scalding hot.

Tang Ruan's gaze fell just below his collarbone.

When she realized she was pressed close to a man, she instinctively pulled away.

But he immediately pulled her back.

"Wasn't it you who asked me to save you?" The man's voice carried a playful tone. "What? Do you hate me that much? Would you rather freeze to death?"

Tang Ruan looked up and saw Lang Lie's sharp, well-defined jawline.

A smile curled at the corners of his mouth, his eyes were cold, and snow still clung to his short, silver-gray hair.

For a moment, Tang Ruan felt even colder.

She curled her toes and stepped onto the top of his feet.

Lang Lie frowned.

Tang Ruan: ...

She swore it was absolutely an instinctive action; the ground was too cold!

"Um... could you take me back?"

"There is only one cloak. How do you plan to go back?" Lang Lie asked with a smile.

Tang Ruan suddenly felt that his tone was a bit nasty.

A while ago, he had still been acting like a "good puppy" in front of her.

What happened? Had he turned from love to hate so quickly?

"Then I'll wait for you in the water. Could you please let Potato know?"

Lang Lie: ...

She would rather put herself in danger than command him like a Mistress.

Lang Lie suddenly slid his hand from her back to her waist and pulled her closer to himself with force.

This way, the two of them were closer and even warmer.

His other hand pinched her chin, and he lowered his head to meet her gaze.

"Little Female Beastman, in what capacity are you ordering the leader of the wolf tribe to do things for you?"

He looked at her expectantly.

Tang Ruan: ...

She hadn't thought about it; hadn't he always been quite easy to talk to?

However, he was right. At least she wouldn't dare order Mother Potato around like this.

"Then... then don't bother..."

Tang Ruan pried his hand away and retreated from the cloak.

Lang Lie: She would rather freeze to death than command him!

He suddenly acted ruthlessly, yanking her back, taking off his cloak, and wrapping her up tightly.

Then, he hoisted her onto his shoulder.

"What... what are you doing?"

Was he going to kidnap her?

"Taking you back to the wolf tribe to find some clothes."

Tang Ruan: She had overthought it.

The sky grew dark, and the snow fell harder.

But Lang Lie didn't seem in a hurry to return.

Carrying her, he walked at a leisurely pace, leaving a trail of lonely footprints in the snow.

Tang Ruan saw snowflakes landing on his firm back, then instantly melting.

"Aren't you cold? Why don't you turn into a wolf to go faster?"

Lang Lie chuckled softly. "Are you concerned about me? Or are you ordering me?"

Tang Ruan wanted to slap herself; she should just shut up!

This wolf had already turned from love to hate. How was she supposed to speak without angering him? Ahhhhh!

After some time had passed, Lang Lie set her down.

"We're here. I'll go find Lang Yue and borrow some clothes."

"Okay." She followed him into the cave.

Mainly because this place was too unfamiliar; following him made her feel safe.

Who would have thought that after taking just a few steps, Lang Lie suddenly stopped.

Tang Ruan almost bumped into him.

She poked her head out from behind him. "What's wrong?"

"Don't look."

She had already looked.

In the darkness, there were two intertwined figures.

Sounds of panting that made one blush and heart race emerged from the darkness.

Tang Ruan was glad her night vision wasn't good.

But Lang Lie must have seen everything!

Dragging her, he retreated in a few strides.

Standing at the entrance of the cave, Lang Lie pressed his lips together, his expression very ugly.

Tang Ruan cautiously stared at his profile.

He just said this was Lang Yue's cave...

He was very angry to see Lang Yue doing that with a Male Beastman.

So, the one Lang Lie truly liked was Lang Yue!!!

Tang Ruan's brain spun rapidly.

Lang Lie had said that Lang Chi was the son of the old tribe leader, which meant he was a prince!

Lang Yue was the princess!

A knight deeply in love with the princess, unable to have her, finally watching her marry someone else.

Many years later, the princess's husband passed away, and he became the new tribe leader...

Although he had met her, he suddenly realized he still loved his "white moonlight"—

Tang Ruan's eyes sparkled.

She had read many different versions of this story.

Tang Ruan reached out and patted Lang Lie's shoulder.

"It's okay. Can't beastmen have multiple Beast Husbands? As long as you work hard, you can definitely do it too!"

Lang Lie: ...

"How many do you plan to take?"

Tang Ruan: ...

"Uh, I haven't thought about it."

"Hmph! Don't Female Beastmen need to consider Male Beastmen?"

Before forming a contract, if they mate, the Male Beastman will suffer the Beast God's Curse.

Lang Yue had always looked down on Lang Mo, thinking he was just a black wolf with low bloodline.

Why would she suddenly want to do this?

If she didn't want to take Lang Mo as a Beast Husband afterward, what would he do?

Seeing his serious expression, Tang Ruan didn't know how to comfort him.

She had to change the subject, "Could you please help me find some clothes first and take me back..."

"Heh!" Lang Lie was so angry he laughed.

And her, clearly she had already formed a contract with him, yet she was thinking every day about erasing it...

Lang Lie suddenly grabbed Tang Ruan's hand.

On her slender white wrist, that triangular mark was still there.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

He lowered his head and bit down on her wrist.

"How do you want me to work hard?"