Chapter 403: Courtship

Chapter 403: Chapter 403: Courtship

Roger recognized Jin Yi’s warning and smiled faintly. "She’s very beautiful. She looks a lot like a female I know."

The first half of his statement alone would have been offensive, but the second half made it impossible to rebuke him.

Jin Yi’s eyes narrowed as he gave the male before him a wary scan.

Roger suppressed the greed in his heart and held the seashell box out to Bai Wanwan, opening it before her.

Instantly, a dazzling light emanated from the seashell box.

A large, perfectly round Five-color Pearl appeared before the group of Beastmen.

Even though Bai Wanwan was from the modern world, accustomed to seeing pearls and gems on all sorts of platforms, the five-colored radiance of this pearl still stole her breath for a moment.

’Who doesn’t love beautiful things?’

"This isn’t an ordinary pearl. It’s a teardrop from the Merfolk Royal Family. It’s more than just an ornament—it grants the ability to stay underwater, allowing a female to remain there safely for a long time."

Bai Wanwan’s eyes widened. "It’s that magical?"

’It’s practically a Magic Artifact.’

’Wearing it lets me move freely through the water? Without having to breathe?’

’If I could get this Five-color Pearl, then in the future, it seems I could go anywhere.’

"So, do you like the pearl?" Roger asked her with a smile.

’The Bai Wanwan before him now didn’t know his true colors, and the expression she finally showed him wasn’t one of disgust and rejection.’

’There was even a trace of the friendliness one might show an unfamiliar Beastman.’

’He savored the feeling, yet his heart was filled with resentment. He had known her long before these males at her side; he’d even nearly died for her.’

’Yet there was no place for him by her side.’

"It’s nice," Bai Wanwan said. "What do you want for it?"

’Bai Wanwan was determined to get it—not because the Five-color Pearl was so beautiful, but because of what it could do.’

’But she didn’t let it show. She couldn’t have him asking for the moon.’

"No rush. I have other fine things here. Would you like to see them?"

"Sure. If you have fine things, bring them all out. I’ll trade for anything I like."

Roger turned his Beast Skin Bag open. "I also have tears of a Red Rank Crocodile, Snow Lotus Grass..."

With each item he named, the looks on Jin Yi’s and Yan Lie’s faces shifted.

If he had only produced the Five-color Pearl, they might not have thought much of it.

But the items he displayed after were all fantastically valuable—treasures that a large clan would have to empty half its storehouse to trade for.

Yet he was casually offering them in trade to a single female.

Bai Wanwan’s gaze fell upon the Snow Lotus Grass.

It was pure white, but it wasn’t a flower—it was a tuft of grass.

It was so unique, as if possessing a magical power that lured her to reach out and touch the Snow Lotus Grass.

But as her hand touched the Snow Lotus Grass, Roger couldn’t resist touching her palm, caressing it lightly.

"Wanwan..."

Jin Yi tugged Bai Wanwan back to his side, stepping slightly to shield her behind him.

Bai Wanwan snapped back to her senses. ’For a second there, I think I was in a trance, reaching for that grass without even realizing it.’

’What was that about?’

Yan Lie immediately explained, "Wanwan, that Snow Lotus Grass can bewitch the heart of a Beastman. If one below Red Rank were to consume it, they would fall under its control."

A wave of fear washed over Bai Wanwan upon hearing Yan Lie’s explanation.

Roger kept a smile on his face, his gaze meeting Jin Yi’s probing, scrutinizing stare.

But after only a moment, he looked away, turning his attention back to Bai Wanwan.

"So? What do you think, little female? Do you like these things? Want to trade?"

Before Bai Wanwan could speak, Jin Yi interjected, "You’re no ordinary Traveling Merchant. Why bring items like these to a female on the street instead of seeking out the Tiger Clan’s Clan Leader for a trade? What’s your goal?"

Now that Jin Yi mentioned it, and knowing the true value of those items, Bai Wanwan found herself agreeing with him.

She studied the man intently, waiting for his answer.

Roger chuckled. "If you must have an answer, it’s that I’ve fallen for this female at first sight. And as it happens, I am not yet mated. I will give all of these items to her," he said, his eyes now fixed on Bai Wanwan, "if she is willing to let me become one of her Beast Husbands."

The handsome faces of Jin Yi and Yan Lie darkened instantly.

They had imagined all sorts of schemes, worried he meant Wanwan harm, but they never expected the male before them to be so brazenly extravagant. The value of these items was incalculable.

He was offering it all to Wanwan, just for the chance to become her Beast Husband.

Yan Lie suddenly felt agitated. ’Damn this male!’ His grand gesture made Yan Lie’s own love for Wanwan feel cheap in comparison.

But his family’s treasures were all back at the clan; he hadn’t brought any with him.

After speaking, Roger took another step forward, staring into Bai Wanwan’s eyes. "Are you willing?"

Bai Wanwan finally snapped out of her stupor, her gaze sweeping over his face.

He was just as handsome as her own Beast Husbands, but his face was also inexplicably familiar.

She’d had a strange feeling when she first saw him, and now, after looking at him a few more times, that feeling grew stronger.

’It’s like... I’ve seen him somewhere before.’

’Is it because my memory hasn’t fully returned?’

’Is that why I can’t place him?’

"Have... we met before?"

Her words made Roger’s expression freeze for a moment. He asked in return, "You recognize me?"

His response struck Bai Wanwan as even stranger. ’He doesn’t seem to recognize me, so where is this feeling of familiarity coming from?’

’Besides... if we’re strangers, why would he make such an extravagant marriage proposal?’

’A moment ago, she’d been startled, thinking this was some romantic entanglement from the period of her amnesia.’

’But judging by his reaction... probably not.’

’Thinking back, Yin Ze had rescued her right after she went missing. She didn’t seem to have had the opportunity to get into any other romantic entanglements.’

"No, we don’t. It must be my imagination. I just feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before."

Hearing her words, a surge of joy washed through Roger’s heart. ’I’ve returned to my original appearance, and she can still recognize me!’

"Perhaps we have met before. The moment I saw you, I felt a strong connection, which is why I want to give you all these things. So, will you be my Wife?"

The males could not refuse another male on their Wife’s behalf.

Though Jin Yi and Yan Lie said nothing, the hands gripping her wrists clearly tightened with tension.

And their two pairs of eyes, fixed upon her, were impossible to ignore.

She had no choice but to squeeze the two males’ hands in reassurance and look back at Roger. "I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your offer. You should give these gifts to another female."

With that, Bai Wanwan took the hands of her two visibly relieved and smiling males. "Let’s go."

Roger stared at her back as she turned away and couldn’t stop himself from asking, "Why?"

Bai Wanwan stopped and turned to look at him. "You’re a fine man, but I already have enough Beast Husbands."

Without another word, she continued her stroll down the street, pulling her two Beast Husbands along.

Roger remained frozen in place, not even noticing as his Beast Skin Bag slipped to the ground. A dark, sinister light churned in his eyes...