The air over the wooden table seemed to freeze; even the sound of the wind brushing past the cave entrance became unusually clear.
Feng Mian closed his eyes, his cheeks burning hot enough to sear beast meat. His heart pounded in his chest like it wanted to leap out.
Li Zhu looked at his tense profile. His golden-red hair fell across his forehead, partially hiding eyes that usually carried a hint of boldness, now radiating a desperate stubbornness.
The initial shock in her heart gradually faded, replaced by a complex swirl of emotions—surprise, fluster, and a subtle warmth that was hard to describe.
“Cough…”
Li Heng cleared his throat twice, breaking the silence.
Seeing Li Zhu remain silent for so long, with Feng Mian’s face nearly buried in his bowl, he quickly spoke to ease the tension.
“Li Zhu, look at Feng Mian here. Sure, he’s a little foolish sometimes, but he’s a good person, strong too. I feel he could be a good beast husband…”
He sneaked a glance at Feng Mian and continued,
“And he’s sincere toward you. I think, maybe…”
“Li Heng!”
Li Cheng barked sharply, shooting his son a glare.
“Li Zhu already knows her own mind; you don’t need to be chattering here!”
“I’m not chattering…”
Li Heng muttered.
“If Li Zhu doesn’t like it, she can refuse. It doesn’t have to stay awkward forever, right?”
Li Zhu took a deep breath and lifted her gaze to Feng Mian. Her voice was gentle yet clear.
“Feng Mian, open your eyes.”
Feng Mian hesitated, then slowly opened them, like a little beast caught doing something wrong, nervously staring at Li Zhu’s lips for fear of hearing refusal.
“I understand your feelings.”
Li Zhu looked at him, her eyes serious.
“Becoming mates is not a small matter. I need some time to think. How about this—I’ll give you my answer tomorrow, okay?”
Feng Mian froze. He had imagined many outcomes, but “answer tomorrow” was not one of them.
He opened his mouth to ask something, but quickly realized that anything he said now would be unnecessary. In the end, he just nodded firmly.
“Okay… I’ll wait for you.”
Hearing her reply, a huge weight lifted slightly from his heart. Though still anxious, he at least had hope.
For the rest of lunch, the atmosphere eased, though no one mentioned the topic again.
Li Zhu occasionally glanced at Feng Mian, noticing him only focused on his meal, his ears still red, and she couldn’t help but curve her lips into a small smile.
A day passed in the blink of an eye, yet for Feng Mian, it felt endlessly long…
Until evening, when Li Zhu and Ze Yu walked back to their cave side by side.
The sunset stretched their shadows long, the evening breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, brushing through Li Zhu’s hair.
“Ah Ze…”
Once Li Zhu lay down in the nest, she finally looked at the beast beside her.
“What about what Feng Mian said today… what do you think?”
Ze Yu lowered his head to look at her; his dark eyes seemed even deeper in the twilight.
He had been waiting for her to ask. He knew that the reason she told Feng Mian she’d answer tomorrow was likely because she wanted to know his thoughts.
Ze Yu reached out to stroke Li Zhu’s hair, his voice low and gentle.
“You choose according to what you truly think.”
Li Zhu blinked.
“If I find another beast husband… you won’t be angry?”
“Why would I be angry?”
Ze Yu chuckled softly, letting his fingertips trace her cheek.
“The more people who care for you, the happier I am.”
He paused, his gaze dropping to her still-flat belly, his tone turning more serious.
“Li Zhu, you’re almost two months along. Soon, you’ll need more sleep, and I might not be able to handle everything alone. With Feng Mian around, it’ll be easier to share the load. It’s good.”
He never cared about “having one more beast husband”; what mattered to him was whether she was happy and well cared for.
As long as she was willing, as long as she was happy, there was nothing he wouldn’t accept.
Li Zhu looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and warmth there, and her heart felt as soft and comforting as if soaked in warm water.
She lifted her head and leaned forward, pressing her lips to Ze Yu’s.
The kiss carried her gratitude and dependence—light, gentle, yet like a stone dropped into the center of a lake, sending ripples spreading outward.
Ze Yu’s body stiffened for a moment, then he took control, deepening the kiss. With restraint and care, he held her close, his fingertips tracing her spine cautiously, moving with the tenderness one would use for a fragile treasure.
“Ah Ze…”
Li Zhu’s voice trembled slightly, her hands looping around his neck.
Ze Yu’s kiss traveled from the top of her head, along her neck, down to her collarbone, his voice already hoarse.
“Don’t be afraid, I’ll be gentle.”
Moonlight streamed through the cave cracks, casting shifting light over their intertwined forms.
Every touch he gave was gentle yet controlled, each one full of value, as if safeguarding the most precious treasure in the world.
Li Zhu closed her eyes, feeling his warmth and heartbeat, her heart swelling with calm and comfort.
She thought that no matter how many beast husbands came in the future, Ze Yu’s place in her heart would always be unique and irreplaceable.
Night deepened, and in the cave, only the mingling of their breaths and the restrained, patient sounds of passion remained.
Meanwhile, Feng Mian lay in his own empty cave, no longer feeling the loneliness he had before.
He replayed Li Zhu’s words in his mind—“I’ll give you my answer tomorrow”—over and over, anticipation and nervousness twisting inside him.
“Tomorrow… it has to be a good result.”
He murmured to the cave ceiling, his fingers unconsciously clutching the soft grass beneath him.
Moonlight streamed through the cave entrance, illuminating the hope in his eyes, and casting light on the quietly stirring emotions within the tribe.
Time quickly passed, and the next day arrived.
At the breakfast table, the atmosphere carried a subtle tension.
Feng Mian shoveled the beast meat porridge into his mouth, his eyes constantly flicking toward Li Zhu, ignoring even Li Heng deliberately bumping his arm.
Li Zhu set down her wooden spoon and glanced at Feng Mian, fidgeting nervously, before speaking softly.
“Feng Mian, I’ve made up my mind.”
Feng Mian’s head shot up, golden-red eyes full of expectation, his breath held tight.
“I’m willing to let you become my beast husband.”
Li Zhu’s voice was light, yet clearly audible to everyone at the table.
“However, becoming mates is a serious matter. Do you want to go back to the Fox Clan and inform your parents first? What if they don’t agree…”
“No, no!”
Feng Mian waved his hands without a second thought, excitement impossible to hide from his face.
“My parents have been waiting for me to find a mate for ages. If they knew I found someone as good as you, they’d be overjoyed!”
He leaned forward eagerly, asking,
“So… can we become mates today?”
Feng Mian was so excited, so happy!
But just as the words left his mouth, Ze Yu cast him a calm, piercing glance.
“Today isn’t appropriate. Tomorrow, then.”
“Why?! What’s not appropriate?! I even calculated it—today is perfect for becoming mates!”
Hmph, tomorrow felt so far away; he didn’t want to wait another day!
“When did you start calculating dates? How come I never knew?”
Li Heng voiced his confusion.
Seeing Ze Yu’s expression grow darker, Feng Mian immediately backed down.
“Oh… tomorrow… fine, tomorrow then…”
He said it while glancing at Li Zhu with a pouty, helpless expression.
【Li Zhu, he’s being mean to me~】