Chapter 49: He Is Very Good

Just as the sky began to lighten this morning, Li Jiu was woken by the sound of footsteps.

His time at Wen Qian’s house had been incredibly peaceful.

He didn’t have to worry about being discovered by humans or preyed upon by other animals. He could sleep in every day. It was even more comfortable than his life in the Beast World.

Best of all, Wen Qian prepared delicious apples for him every day.

There were crisp ones, soft ones, sweet ones, and tart ones... an incredible variety. When she had time, Wen Qian would even thoughtfully slice them for him.

’What a heavenly existence this is!’

’Wen Qian has to be a fairy!’

Half-asleep, Li Jiu couldn’t help but let out a silly giggle. He hugged the blanket tightly, then snuggled into it twice under the intense gaze of the man watching him.

’Wait, what is this idiot doing?’

’Is he trying to act cute?’

Yin Zhi, who was holding a plate of apples, had a strange look on his face. His brow furrowed in confusion. He nudged the youth’s calf with his foot. Only when Li Jiu’s eyes were fully open did he coldly place the fruit platter on the coffee table.

Of course, Yin Zhi wasn’t actually concerned about Li Jiu. He just wanted to do something that would make Wen Qian happy.

After thinking it over, it seemed that helping take care of Li Jiu was the only way he could be useful.

The moment his vision focused, Li Jiu was so startled he nearly fell off the sofa. He scrambled into the corner as fast as he could, clutching a small blanket, his wide, round eyes fixed warily on Yin Zhi.

’The sky wasn’t even fully light yet, and the Young Master of the Tiger Clan had suddenly appeared in front of the sofa. He couldn’t be thinking of...’ Li Jiu shuddered, frightening himself with his own wild speculation.

Glancing coldly at the youth on the sofa, Yin Zhi’s tone was sharp. "What are you staring at?"

"I—I—I’m not looking!" The youth hurriedly covered his eyes with his hands.

He truly didn’t dare to look.

His movement was so abrupt that he almost knocked the fruit platter over, but thankfully, Yin Zhi was quick enough to steady it.

Yin Zhi forcefully suppressed the urge to throw Li Jiu out. He took a few calming breaths, his expression grim, before turning back to the kitchen.

Only after Yin Zhi had left did Li Jiu cautiously lower his hands. His gaze immediately fell upon the apples on the table.

His eyes lit up. The apples had been cut into perfect, bite-sized pieces that glistened under the light, looking incredibly juicy.

After a moment of internal debate, Li Jiu decided to follow him and ask. He poked his head into the kitchen. "Young Master," he asked cautiously, "um... are those for me?"

"Who else?" Yin Zhi’s back was still to him; he didn’t even turn his head.

"Th-thank you!" Li Jiu was on the verge of tears. ’What have I ever done to deserve the Young Master himself preparing food for me?’

...

A smile bloomed on Wen Qian’s face as she listened to Li Jiu’s story.

She reached out and patted Li Jiu’s head. "See? You don’t have to be afraid of him. He’s a good person."

She didn’t know why Li Jiu always reacted to Yin Zhi like a mouse seeing a cat, but Wen Qian couldn’t help trying to reassure him.

"Mm-hm!!" Li Jiu nodded emphatically, his eyes sparkling.

’The Young Master really is nice! Even though he looks terrifying sometimes, and he always likes to scare me, and he doesn’t let me get close to Qianqian, and... but he’s nice!’

Just then, Yin Zhi emerged from the kitchen. He was holding a single, somewhat edible-looking pancake, and he walked awkwardly over to Wen Qian.

Wen Qian took one look and burst out laughing. A smudge of batter was stuck to his sharp chin.

The white splotch looked ridiculous.

"What is it?" Yin Zhi asked, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He freed a hand to touch his chin. The sticky sensation made his expression change in an instant. A second later, he shoved the plate into Wen Qian’s hands and retreated back into the kitchen.

By the time he came out again, Wen Qian was already seated at the dining table.

The lopsided pancake had been split in two.

Yin Zhi sat down beside her, propping his chin on one hand as he gazed quietly at her face.

Clearly used to his staring, Wen Qian calmly said, "Half for you, half for me."

"You eat, Qianqian." Yin Zhi, startled for a moment, pushed the plate back toward her after he processed what she’d said.

The pancake wasn’t very big to begin with; split in two, it wasn’t enough for even one person.

"That won’t do." Wen Qian frowned. ’A big guy like you has to eat,’ she thought.

"It’s alright, Qianqian..." Yin Zhi wrapped an arm around her waist, his eyes glinting. As if he’d just thought of something, he spoke with a meaningful tone, "I can eat something else."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted naturally to her soft, glossy lips.

Her lips parted slightly, their full shape exuding an indescribable charm.

He took a sharp breath. ’No wonder humans express affection with a kiss,’ he thought.

Yin Zhi was captivated. Under the soft light, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he lightly licked his upper lip.

Perhaps feeling the heat of his gaze, Wen Qian tilted her head and looked at him in confusion.

’Eat something else?’

’Don’t tell me this guy actually prepared other food?’

Wen Qian swallowed the bite of food in her mouth and was about to speak when the youth on the sofa suddenly shot a hand into the air. "Young Master, I have apples!"

Yin Zhi’s brow twitched. ’So noisy,’ he cursed inwardly.

He decided to pretend he hadn’t heard, his fervent gaze remaining locked on Wen Qian.

Thinking Yin Zhi genuinely hadn’t heard him, Li Jiu immediately grabbed the plate and hopped off the sofa as if presenting a treasure.

His crystal-clear eyes shone with determination, and his voice rang out, even brighter than before. "Young Master, you and Wen Qian can have some apples!"

Then, as if remembering something, he added timidly, "Really, the apples are delicious..."

Li Jiu felt so overwhelmingly flattered by Yin Zhi’s earlier gesture that he was now desperate to show his gratitude.

’I can’t be the only one with a full stomach while my two benefactors are still hungry, can I?’

’But the Young Master still looks like he didn’t hear me. Could it be... my voice was too quiet?’

Just as he was wondering whether he should speak louder, Wen Qian smiled at him. Her voice was sweet and clear. "Aren’t you eating, Li Jiu?"

"I’m already full!" the youth said, his eyes brightening.

Yin Zhi had cut him an especially large amount of apple earlier—two or three times the usual portion.

"Alright then," she said with a nod, completely oblivious to the way Yin Zhi’s expression had frosted over beside her.

With a brilliant smile, Li Jiu hurried over, so focused that he didn’t even notice the blanket he’d knocked to the floor.

He ran excitedly toward Wen Qian and Yin Zhi, but he’d only taken a few steps before he stumbled... Not only did the plate go flying from his hands, but he himself nearly fell flat on the ground.

Tigers have extremely fast reflexes, even in human form.

Without a hint of panic on his face, Yin Zhi simply glanced to the side, extended a long arm, and caught the fruit platter neatly.