Chapter 238: Just Acting? She Can Do It Too

Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Just Acting? She Can Do It Too

Zhuo Ling was standing at the entrance of her stone house with a beaming smile, a basket of berries in her hand.

Seeing Bai Wanwan, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face. "Wanwan, you’re back? That’s wonderful! A couple of days ago, Shi Hua told me you hadn’t returned, and I’ve been worried sick about you every day since."

The expression on her face was incredibly natural, as if she were truly worried about her.

Bai Wanwan studied her with a blank expression for a moment before her eyes suddenly curved into a grin. "I was born under the protection of the Beast God," she said cheerfully. "Anyone who tries to harm me ends up being the one who suffers. You don’t need to worry."

A crack finally appeared in Zhuo Ling’s expression for a split second.

The smile on Bai Wanwan’s face grew even sweeter. "Why are you just standing there? Come on, come in and sit. There’s no need to be so formal, bringing gifts and everything."

As Zhuo Ling stared at Bai Wanwan’s expression, before she could walk over, Shi Hua lowered her voice and whispered in Bai Wanwan’s ear, "While you were gone, Zhuo Ling came over every single day. I had nothing to say to her, but she just wouldn’t leave..."

A flicker of suspicion appeared in Bai Wanwan’s half-lidded eyes.

She had indeed offended a few females since coming to the Golden Lion Tribe. Any one of them could have a reason to move against her.

’But... this Zhuo Ling right in front of me has plotted against me both openly and secretly several times. She’s a major suspect, too.’

Zhuo Ling quickly composed herself. She walked in and sat down right next to Bai Wanwan, her manner incredibly familiar.

Her eyes showed just the right amount of concern, and her tone was soft and affectionate.

"Wanwan, I heard that the lands outside are full of ferocious, crazed beasts. Is that true?"

"It is... Crazed beasts are everywhere. A few times... I was nearly skinned alive and eaten whole by them. But my luck is just too good."

Bai Wanwan keenly caught the flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

’Tsk... to think she’d come here and put on such a dramatic show for me.’

"So how did you end up trapped out there?" Zhuo Ling asked, blinking her big eyes with a look of pure curiosity.

"My Beast Husband was bringing me back when we ran into a few males on the road. They blocked us from returning to the tribe, which is why we got trapped outside. However..."

Zhuo Ling’s heart leaped into her throat as she waited for the rest, but Bai Wanwan suddenly cut herself off.

A cryptic smile appeared on her face. "Forget it. Why am I even telling you this? Anyway... the next time I see them, I’ll make sure to drag them out into the open. They dared to make a move on me, so I’ll make sure they don’t leave the Golden Lion Tribe alive."

The curve of Zhuo Ling’s lips faltered for a moment before she smiled again. "What if you’re mistaken about who it was?"

"I won’t be mistaken!"

Bai Wanwan’s reply was firm as steel, though in reality, those males had all been in their beast forms. To her, they all looked the same at a glance when transformed.

She couldn’t tell them apart at all.

But it was enough if Zhuo Ling believed her. She wasn’t sure if Zhuo Ling was actually the culprit, but she could set a trap and see if the other woman would panic and expose herself.

’If it really was her, and her Beast Husband...’

’...then this matter wouldn’t be over so simply. She would make sure to settle the score with Zhuo Ling.’

"Wanwan..."

Zhuo Ling was about to say more, but Bai Wanwan deliberately raised a hand to cover a yawn, her eyelids starting to droop. "So sleepy. I didn’t sleep well at all while I was away. I feel like I could fall asleep just sitting here."

Shi Hua immediately took the hint and stood up. "Then you should get some rest, Wanwan. We can talk about other things after you’re feeling better."

"Mhm, alright. I’ll sleep for a bit."

Shi Hua quickly turned to Zhuo Ling. "Zhuo Ling, let’s go outside and let her rest."

Zhuo Ling still wanted to probe and see how much Bai Wanwan remembered about that day, but this female was not like the others, not so easily led by the nose.

If she asked any more questions, she might just arouse Bai Wanwan’s suspicion.

After a moment’s hesitation, she gave an incredibly understanding nod and smiled. "Alright, we’ll go now. Wanwan, get some good rest. I’ll come see you again after you’ve recovered."

Bai Wanwan smiled and nodded, watching as she and Shi Hua slowly walked out the door.

The smile on her face only faded once they were gone.

’This Zhuo Ling is highly suspicious!’

Once Shi Hua and Zhuo Ling were gone, Yan Lie quickly shut the door.

Zhu Xiu came over and began plucking off the cubs who were clinging to Bai Wanwan and draped all over her.

"Let me hold them a little longer," Bai Wanwan said, reluctant to let go as she reached out to pull them back.

Zhu Xiu turned and tossed the cubs into their nest, earning a sharp glare from Bai Wanwan. "Be gentle with them," she chided.

Xin Feng chuckled from the side. "The cubs are older now. They’re sturdy. No need to worry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Xiu returned to her side, lifted her into his arms, and gently laid her down on the bed.

Zhu Xiu sat down beside her, stroking her hair back from her forehead. "You still haven’t recovered. Get some sleep. I’m going to go investigate those males who attacked you."

Bai Wanwan squeezed his hand. "Be careful. Those males were pretty strong."

"Mhm, I will be. I won’t alert them until I’m certain."

With that, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Sleep."

He covered her with a light blanket and watched over her for a while. Only when he saw her eyelids grow heavy with sleep did he quietly get to his feet.

"Take good care of Wanwan. I’m leaving now."

Yan Lie, who had been looking for a chance to get closer to Wanwan, immediately puffed out his chest and promised, "Alright, you can count on me."

Zhu Xiu shot him a look but said nothing, turning instead to Xin Feng. "Since those people are targeting Wanwan, you need to be extra vigilant."

Xin Feng nodded. "I will be."

The moment Zhu Xiu left, Xin Feng glanced at Yan Lie, who had already sidled up to Wanwan’s side. He then turned, walked outside, and thanked the two males who had been looking after the cubs.

After safely handing the cubs over, the two males returned to report on their task.

The room grew quiet. The cubs were dozing in their nest as well.

Yan Lie lay down beside Bai Wanwan, reaching out to pull the female’s body into his embrace.

Bai Wanwan stirred, her nose picking up a familiar, reassuring scent, and she sank into an even deeper sleep.

「When she woke again, it was evening.」

Yan Lie’s arm was still wrapped tightly around her waist. When he saw her eyes open, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You’re awake?"

Bai Wanwan hummed lazily, her voice a little hoarse. "You’ve been here the whole time?"

As a male, he didn’t need as much sleep, so he had simply lain beside her for hours, holding her.

But he cherished these peaceful moments, holding his female.

"Mhm. Did you sleep well?"

Bai Wanwan raised a hand and gently pinched his smoothly defined jawline. "Very well."

With that, she sat up in his embrace, her gaze sweeping to the corner of the room, only to find it empty.

"Where are the cubs?"

"They woke up after a short nap. Xin Feng was afraid they’d disturb you, so he took them out to play."

He sat up with her, his arm wrapping around her once more. His fingers caressed the skin of her waist as he murmured in a husky voice, "Wanwan..."

Bai Wanwan turned her head and met his eyes, which were filled with deep desire.