Chapter 324: Vying for Affection

Chapter 324: Chapter 324: Vying for Affection

When the familiar figure appeared at the cave’s entrance, Jin Yi’s pale face instantly lit up, and his eyes, dulled by his slow recovery, once again shone with brilliance.

He propped himself up instinctively, the thin blanket sliding from his shoulders to reveal a firm, scar-covered chest.

"Wanwan..."

His voice was hoarse yet gentle, as if he had whispered her name a thousand times over.

He tried to throw off the blanket and get out of bed, heedless of the pain as the movement pulled at his wounds.

"Don’t move."

Bai Wanwan rushed to his bedside in a few quick strides, her slender fingers pressing gently on his shoulder.

"You’ve only just started to recover. You need to rest properly."

Jin Yi gazed at her worried expression, his stern face melting like ice. "Okay, I’ll listen to you."

A rare smile touched his lips as he caught her hand just as she was about to pull it away. His large palm completely enveloped her delicate one.

His thumb caressed the back of her hand, as if to confirm that she was really there.

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Yan Lie let out a deliberately exaggerated cough. He was sitting on a nearby stone stool with one leg crossed over the other, glaring at Jin Yi with a less-than-friendly gaze.

But Jin Yi’s eyes seemed glued to Bai Wanwan; he didn’t even spare Yan Lie a glance.

Only when Yan Lie started stomping his foot, making the stone stool THUMP, did Jin Yi reluctantly tear his gaze away from Bai Wanwan’s face.

"I heard you were also seriously injured?" he asked, making polite conversation.

"Yeah, better than you." Yan Lie pursed his lips, subconsciously scratching his arm, which still itched a little.

He wasn’t badly hurt, but that damned itching powder was absolute torture. ’I’ve learned my lesson,’ he thought. ’There will be no next time!’

Yan Lie was about to say more, but he realized Jin Yi had already turned back to stare unblinkingly at Wanwan.

Jin Yi’s gaze burned as he looked at his beloved female.

Countless words churned in his chest. He wanted to tell her she was in every dream he had while unconscious, to ask if she had worried about him...

But with Yan Lie standing there like an inconvenient statue, all the private words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.

"Young Clan Leader, you’re quite good at keeping secrets." He deliberately drew out his words. "Was it during the beast tide? Back when I fell into the ravine, was it during those few days you spent protecting Wanwan that you fell for her?"

The cave suddenly fell so quiet that the crackling of the torches was audible.

Jin Yi didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked deeply into Bai Wanwan’s eyes, his gaze so focused it was as if she were the only person in the world.

"Yes."

His voice was low and firm, without a trace of hesitation.

He remembered every detail: the way her knuckles turned white as she gripped her Bone Knife when the beast tide came; her trembling but unwavering steps when facing a beast’s attack; the gentleness with which she draped a beast hide over him as she fought off sleep during the night watch.

At first, it was just admiration. Then he saw the light in her eyes when she was with her Beast Husbands, saw the intimacy as she stood on her tiptoes to nestle into their arms.

The strange, burning sensation that ignited in his chest then was both alarming and captivating.

Later on, he thought their paths would never cross again.

He never expected Xiong Zong to drug her.

Her soft, snow-white skin, her eyelashes trembling beneath him, the lower lip she bit unconsciously in the heat of passion...

All memories of her were seared into his very soul, impossible to forget even if he tried.

From that moment on, she had filled his heart, leaving no room for anyone else.

Yan Lie watched Wanwan dote on Jin Yi, her eyes full of concern, and he sulked in the background.

He was furious with himself for falling into the ravine, handing Jin Yi such a golden opportunity.

Even though he knew Wanwan would have other Beast Husbands, his heart still felt heavy.

"Yan Lie, can you go sit inside and wait for me?"

She had sensed the subtle tension between the two males. She wanted some time to talk with Jin Yi, but she didn’t want Yan Lie to feel hurt by watching them.

A hurt look appeared in Yan Lie’s eyes, but in the next second, Bai Wanwan added, "I’ll give you a reward when we get back."

Yan Lie’s expression immediately brightened. "Alright, Wanwan, I’ll listen to you."

With that, he walked deeper into the Witch Cave as if he were being magnanimous.

"It might take them some time to get used to you."

"I understand. If I were in their shoes, I couldn’t just stand by either. But, Wanwan, I won’t give you a chance to regret this."

He spoke with such determination, but his grip on her hand clearly tightened.

She curved her lips into an amused smile. "I won’t give you a chance to regret it, either."

"Then... once I’ve recovered, will you really take me as your partner?"

He had beautiful, almond-shaped eyes that were filled with boundless affection when he focused on someone.

"Yes. When you’ve recovered, we’ll become partners. I keep my promises."

The corners of Jin Yi’s mouth curved higher and higher.

’The males are all so easy to please,’ Bai Wanwan thought. Seeing the sheer happiness on his face, she felt it too, her own eyes curving into a smile.

Then she leaned in, her lips close to his. "Want a kiss?"

Jin Yi’s arms wrapped around her almost instantly, and his kiss fell upon her lips.

Bai Wanwan had thought Jin Yi was a reserved male. She only meant to tease him, to see what he looked like when he lost control.

As it turned out, she’d miscalculated. He wasn’t reserved at all.

His arms locked her in his embrace as he relentlessly deepened the kiss.

Bai Wanwan was so dizzy from his kiss that she completely lost track of time.

Not until a cough sounded from behind them—Yan Lie.

Her head cleared a little, and she raised her hands to push against Jin Yi’s tight embrace.

But Jin Yi, still reluctant, refused to let go.

After a long moment, Jin Yi finally pulled back, panting. "I’ll be recovered by tomorrow. I... I want to recuperate at home."

"Okay." ’The Witch Cave really isn’t the most convenient place,’ she thought.

Luckily, no other Beastmen had walked in, though this level of intimacy was something they were all used to seeing.

But she was human, and she still wasn’t used to being watched while being intimate with her Beast Husbands.

"I mean... at your home," Jin Yi said, afraid she hadn’t understood, clarifying his words.

Bai Wanwan cupped his face and nodded with a smile. "I know. You can come to my place to recuperate, that’s fine. It’ll be more convenient for me to look after you that way."

Jin Yi immediately pressed his advantage. "Then I’ll go with you now..."

"No. Your injuries are serious; you need one more day of rest. Besides, it’s snowing heavily outside. I’m afraid you’ll catch a chill."

’It was a shame he couldn’t go back with Wanwan today,’ he thought, ’but the thought that he could move into her home tomorrow as Wanwan’s Beast Husband was a comfort. From then on, he could openly protect her, just like Yan Lie, Zhu Xiu, and Xin Feng. When he thought of that, he could accept anything.’

"Alright. Then I’ll go home tomorrow."

"Wanwan, the snow is getting heavier. Xin Feng will be worried about you. We should go back now."

"Okay, let’s go."

Bai Wanwan stood up, tucking the blanket around him. "Rest well. I’ll only let you move to my place after the Clan Witch gives you permission to leave tomorrow."

Hearing this, Jin Yi immediately wrapped the beast hides tightly around himself, terrified of catching a chill that might worsen his condition.

Seeing his reaction, Bai Wanwan finally felt at ease and said her goodbyes.

As soon as they stepped out of the Witch Cave, Yan Lie gripped her hand tightly and complained plaintively, "Wanwan, now that you have Jin Yi, you’ve forgotten all about me."