243: Chapter 243 "I like you too..."

Heng Zhou gripped the doorframe, blocking Tang Ruan's path.

The veins on his pale arms bulged, as if he were exerting a great deal of force.

Tang Ruan turned her head and met Heng Zhou's gaze.

His eyes were slightly lowered, staring at her with stubborn persistence.

"Didn't you say you wanted to care about me? Why are you leaving just like that?"

Heng Zhou's voice carried a hint of a smile, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.

Tang Ruan subconsciously took a step back.

His gaze followed her, shifting downward to rest on her lips.

She noticed his look—this man was acting up again. He couldn't possibly want to kiss her again, could he?

Thinking this, she continued to back away.

Heng Zhou suddenly reached out and clamped a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from retreating further.

Tang Ruan: ...

He had anticipated her anticipation.

Tang Ruan looked up and saw his tensed jawline and tightly pursed lips.

Tang Ruan: Was Heng Zhou's behavior—did he like her?

Heng Zhou let out another soft chuckle: "Is that what you hope for?"

Tang Ruan suddenly pushed him away, feeling a bit of embarrassed anger: "Stop eavesdropping on my thoughts!

It's very rude!"

Heng Zhou sheepishly lowered his hand. "Sorry, I won't do it again."

Tang Ruan clutched her heart, which was racing from the fright he'd given her.

Images of their time together flashed through her mind once more.

She felt that this wasn't a matter of what she hoped or didn't hope for.

Although she remembered part of the past,

in her view, those were forced actions taken under King Jiao's control.

At that time, her consciousness was muddled, and it was difficult for her to even distinguish right from wrong.

And judging by Heng Zhou's crazed state back then, he had most likely been drugged.

Otherwise, how could he have done such things to her, who had been his sister for who knows how many years?

So, after they returned,

since Heng Zhou didn't mention it, she didn't either, to avoid mutual embarrassment.

But if Heng Zhou proposed to be her Beast Husband,

Tang Ruan would accept.

After all, the two of them had already produced a Cub.

According to the descriptions from the Fortune Teller and the Snake Tribe Beast God's painting, he did indeed seem like her fifth Beast Husband.

Furthermore, in the Beast World, if a Male Beastman mated with a Female Beastman but wasn't accepted by her,

the Male Beastman would not only face the scorn of other beastmen but also receive punishment from the Beast God.

Although Fen Tian was now considered the new Beast God and could fully control the Power of the Beast God to waive his punishment,

this matter would still be bad for Heng Zhou's reputation.

It was just that Tang Ruan felt she didn't have that kind of romantic feeling for him.

She even suspected that Heng Zhou didn't have it for her either.

He probably had never liked a Female Beastman before; perhaps he couldn't figure out his feelings for her.

These past few days, seeing her getting along happily with her Beast Husbands,

he probably felt neglected, which led to this.

He didn't have this personality when they were with the Jiao Clan.

"Do you need to think for so long?"

Heng Zhou's voice interrupted Tang Ruan's train of thought.

Tang Ruan: "Of course I hope you like me."

Heng Zhou: !

Tang Ruan thought for a moment, observing his expression, and said, "I like you too..."

She was telling the truth; from the first moment she saw him, she felt he was a very important person in her life.

Heng Zhou was in disbelief: Was he dreaming?

Was little A-Wu confessing her feelings to him?

Tang Ruan saw him with his brows furrowed, eyes wide, and even backing away...

He didn't look happy no matter how she viewed it...

So, was Heng Zhou frightened by her "confession"? And didn't know how to reject her?

To be safe,

she imagined what the reaction would be if the person in front of her were someone else.

Hu Che would definitely pounce directly on her, adding a bonus of "mua mua mua mua mua..."

Lang Lie would definitely hold her and spin her in circles.

Yan Qing would give her a soulful embrace, the kind so tight she'd have trouble breathing.

Fen Tian... would likely... tackle her right then and there.

So, Heng Zhou's performance didn't look like he liked her at all, did it?

Tang Ruan felt that she might have been overthinking things.

He might have only asked that to test the waters.

In the current Beast World, females were honored and males were lowly.

But according to Fen Tian, there had been a Beast World in the past where males were honored and females were lowly.

He couldn't be thinking that he had to take responsibility for her, could he...

Thinking of this, Tang Ruan quickly changed her tune. "Because we are both very important family to each other."

Hearing this, Heng Zhou's somewhat hurried breathing smoothed out, and his brow slowly relaxed.

Tang Ruan breathed a sigh of relief.

This time it was right.

So these past few days, he was considering whether or not to take responsibility for her!

She wasn't such a traditional person; she didn't want a "marriage" without an emotional foundation.

Tang Ruan walked over and gave his shoulder a lighthearted pat. "Brother, if you stay in this room any longer, you're going to start growing mushrooms.

Come! I'll take you out for a stroll and let you feel some care from your sister."

Heng Zhou looked at her with a slight frown.

"Do you really want me to be your brother?"

Tang Ruan: What else?

My confession just now nearly scared you to death.

"Really." Tang Ruan nodded vigorously to show her determination. "Though I know we've been through some things together,

none of that was intentional...

Besides, partners might have a day when they grow tired of each other, but the bond between siblings will never change."

"Heh!"

Heng Zhou laughed again.

Tang Ruan really couldn't tell if he was truly happy or just pretending.

Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms.

He held her tightly.

Burying his head in the crook of her neck, he greedily inhaled her scent.

He felt like a fish that couldn't breathe underwater, only able to swim to the surface to desperately gulp in the air that could sustain its life.

Finally, he reluctantly nuzzled her ear and let go: "As long as you're happy."

Tang Ruan patted his arm: "Don't worry! I'm very happy."

---

Central City, Market.

Tang Ruan held Heng Zhou with one hand and Guo Guo with the other, helping them buy many things.

Before long, the two of them were carrying so many bags they couldn't hold anymore, so Guo Guo had to sit on Heng Zhou's shoulders.

When Heng Zhou first heard this suggestion, his eyes widened in shock.

"Sit on my shoulders?"

No beastman had ever dared to sit on his shoulders.

He felt it was too awkward; he couldn't accept it.

But under Guo Guo's pleading gaze and Tang Ruan's expectant face,

he reluctantly lifted Guo Guo over his head and placed her on his shoulders.

Guo Guo's small hands cautiously hugged his neck, her little feet kicking happily.

Hearing her happy giggles,

he suddenly felt that, actually, it didn't feel so bad.

But later, there were truly too many things to hold.

Tang Ruan set the items on the ground and suggested, "Brother, put them in your space!

My space just came back and it's a mess inside. I'm afraid if I put them in, they'll be hard to find."

Remembering this made Tang Ruan depressed.

The space's area had recovered less than one percent, but all the things originally inside had returned.

This resulted in a chaotic ecosystem within her space at the moment.

Even though she had already released many creatures, it was still a chaotic mess.

Heng Zhou stopped in his tracks somewhat awkwardly: "I... don't have a space."

"You don't have a space?" Tang Ruan was surprised.

She guessed: "Is it because of the Seal on you?"

Heng Zhou shook his head.

He explained simply: "I am the first servant created by the Beast God; he did not grant me this ability.

Although the original owner of this body has a space, I have never used it and don't know how to open it."

So he just didn't know how to open it.

Tang Ruan got excited.

She knew how to do this!

She said excitedly, "I didn't have a space at first either, I got it later.

I'll teach you when we get back!"

Seeing her so happy,

the stifling feeling that had been lingering in Heng Zhou's heart dissipated a lot.

The corners of his mouth curled up, and his eyes curved along with them.

The sunlight hit his trembling eyelashes, making them sparkle.

His light purple eyes were bright, looking at her like flowing jade and light.

Tang Ruan was slightly dazed; so this was how good he looked when he smiled genuinely.

"Okay!"

He said only one word, his voice striking her heart like a clear spring.

Tang Ruan suddenly turned her face away nervously.

She rubbed the back of her head to find a topic.

"Well, what should we do now... maybe I should go back and find someone to help."

"No need."

As soon as Heng Zhou finished speaking,

a rustling sound came from ahead.