Chapter 350 - 312: Even If You Mate Here, I’ll Look the Other Way

Chapter 350: Chapter 312: Even If You Mate Here, I’ll Look the Other Way

Gu Ning was just wondering how to get the Beastman in Barto’s seat to move when he turned his head. "There you are, little rabbit."

Gu Ning: "..."

"Leigh..." Gu Ning stuttered, then lowered her voice. "Officer Leighton, what are you doing here?"

Leighton chuckled. "Why am I here? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten I’m a member of your team."

As he spoke, his gaze swept between her and Alex. He sniffed the thick scent of wolf in the air, tinged with the unmistakable odor of a male in heat. "You two really don’t waste a second, do you? Can’t even keep your hands to yourselves on the road."

Gu Ning pushed at him. "Officer Leighton, go sit somewhere else. Find another seat."

’If Barto comes back and sees his seat is taken—and by Leighton, of all people—who knows what kind of scene he’ll make.’

Leighton said, "I busted my ass chasing you all this way and finally caught up, and you’re trying to kick me out before my seat is even warm?"

’Not a single word of concern for me. What a heartless little rabbit.’

Gu Ning stood up and scanned the train car. It was almost full, but there were still a few empty seats. She patted Leighton and pointed to them, gesturing for him to move.

"You really don’t want me sitting here?" Leighton asked. "Afraid I’ll interrupt your little love-fest? Don’t worry. You two could mate right here, and I’d pretend I didn’t see a thing."

Gu Ning: "..."

"Officer Leighton," Alex said, his tone cold. "Watch your mouth."

Leighton scoffed. ’This guy really knows how to put on an act for the little rabbit. He looks all prim and proper, but his scent doesn’t lie. He’s obviously dying to mate with her right here and now.’

"Officer Leighton, this seat is taken," Gu Ning said, pushing him with all her might. "Please, go to another one."

But even using every ounce of her strength until her face turned red, she couldn’t budge the big ram an inch.

"Officer... Leighton!" Gu Ning ground her teeth, shoving his arm. Finally, she just resorted to ramming him with her head.

Leighton looked down as the little rabbit tried everything she could think of to push him away. He even cheered her on. "Go on, little rabbit. Put a little more muscle into it."

’I wish I could just punch him.’

After a moment, exhausted, she collapsed back into her seat.

"All the seats are full now," Leighton announced cheerfully.

Gu Ning scrambled to her feet to check. In that short time, not only had every seat in the car filled up, but quite a few Beastmen were now standing in the aisle.

’We’re doomed.’ Gu Ning cast a resentful look at the annoying ram officer next to her. ’Barto is definitely going to be furious when he gets back.’

Just then, her terminal vibrated.

Gu Ning opened it to find a photo from Barto.

In the photo, a dozen or so team members were in what looked like a cargo hold, standing around or leaning against crates. In their midst was Cook, wearing the same team uniform.

Cook was sitting cross-legged on the floor, gnawing on a large piece of jerky. He looked like a giant stuffed animal, making him incredibly conspicuous.

Barto sent a message: [Satisfied now?]

Gu Ning replied with a smiley-face emoji. She was relieved about Cook, but—

She glanced at Leighton, who was sitting beside her with absolutely no intention of moving, and felt a headache coming on.

[Barto, you should stay with Cook (tearful eyes emoji). He’s a bit unstable. I’ll feel better if you’re with him.]

A few seconds later, Barto replied: [Fine.]

Gu Ning let out a sigh of relief.

「Two minutes later...」

The little fox stood beside their seats, his face cold. "’Not at ease about Cook?’" he snarled through clenched teeth.

Gu Ning blinked at the little fox. Before he could explode, she pointed at Leighton and threw up her hands in a gesture that said, ’There’s nothing I can do. This ram is a total scoundrel.’

"Well, look who’s late," Leighton said, craning his neck as if graciously helping him find a spot. "Doesn’t look like there are any seats left. Maybe try the other cars? Otherwise, you’ll just have to stand."

"Get up!" Barto snapped. "That’s my seat!"

Leighton leaned back with a swagger. "It was empty when I got here. No one said it was yours."

Barto looked at Gu Ning.

Gu Ning gave Leighton a helpless shove, as if to say, ’See? I can’t budge him!’

"Why don’t you just ask *him* for help?" Barto said, getting even more furious at her gesture and pointing at Alex.

Gu Ning turned to look at Alex. His eyes were closed, and a deep exhaustion was etched on his brow. He seemed to be asleep.

’Alex had been carrying her while running almost nonstop through the wilderness for the past two days. He must be exhausted.’

She didn’t want to disturb his rest over something so trivial. After a moment’s thought, she stood up and squeezed toward the inside, offering her spot to Barto.

Barto was exasperated. ’What’s she so afraid of this ram for? We’re not in Zone 19 anymore!’ But he couldn’t take his anger out on her here, so he grabbed Leighton by the collar and roared, "I said, get up!"

Leighton grabbed his wrist. "You want to argue here? Or start a fight?"

Other Beastmen in the car were already starting to stare at the commotion.

"Barto," Gu Ning hissed, shaking her head at the little fox.

Barto took a deep breath and released Leighton’s collar.

’Sooner or later, I’m going to find a chance to beat the hell out of this ram. Just looking at him pisses me off!’

’And that guy, Alex! Playing dead at a time like this!’

"Fine, fine, the seat’s yours," Leighton said, moving into Gu Ning’s spot.

"Sit here." Barto didn’t take the seat, instead patting the spot on the aisle for Gu Ning.

Just as Gu Ning hesitated, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her onto Alex’s lap.

Leighton’s eyebrow twitched. ’Too slow.’

"Stop fighting," Alex said coolly, opening his eyes. "Now everyone has a seat."

Leighton and Barto stared wordlessly as he held the small female.

Leighton: "Heh."

Barto ground his molars again. ’So that’s why! No wonder this wolf gave up the aisle seat so easily. Damn him!’

"Are you comfortable like this?" Alex asked, ignoring the other two and speaking softly to the small female on his lap.

Gu Ning shifted a bit, adjusting herself into a comfortable position in his arms. "It’s fine."

’A perfect solution to the seating problem. Now everyone has a spot, so no more fighting.’

But... "What if someone sees?" she whispered.

From what she knew of Beastmen, a normal one holding a Mixed Breed would be seen as very strange by others. They weren’t even this affectionate with their own beast cubs.

Gu Ning couldn’t help but sit up a little straighter.

"Don’t worry. Most of the people in this car are with us," Alex said, pulling her closer.

Gu Ning was surprised. "With us? I don’t recognize them."

She craned her neck to scan the car. Aside from the people in their row, all the other Beastmen were complete strangers to her.

She didn’t know the other team members well, but she at least recognized most of their faces.

The current team consisted of the newcomers, Leighton and Mingxi, plus the Bird Team and Alex’s own subordinates. ’Could new members have joined along the way?’ she wondered.

She observed the Beastmen in the car more closely and noticed something different. Some of the "passengers," whether standing or sitting, held themselves ramrod straight. Their bearing was also distinctly different from that of ordinary Beastmen.

"Admiral Andrew arranged it at the last minute," Alex said. "They’re all soldiers from the Military Department. I don’t know them personally, either."

’The Admiral is so thorough,’ Gu Ning thought.