“Of course,” Bai Ning nodded repeatedly.
“That’s good.” Ye Lan hid her excitement behind a calm face, smiling as she directed Beichuan to step forward and help.
This was the first time Beichuan had ever been so close to a female, let alone the one he liked. Yes, he liked her; the moment he saw Bai Ning looking at him, he was certain he had fallen for this little female who had appeared out of nowhere. Remembering the soft, delicate feeling of holding her earlier, Beichuan couldn’t help but rub his fingertips together. Under Ye Lan’s urging, he walked to the bedside.
“Little female.”
Bai Ning felt her ears tingle. How can this man’s voice sound so good too?
“Little female, my name is Beichuan. I’ll be gentle; I won’t hurt you.”
The way he phrased that…
Blushing, Bai Ning nodded. She propped herself up with her left hand, intending to sit up; lying down made it hard to see, and she needed to guide him. Seeing her try to rise, Beichuan hurriedly stepped forward to support her. Once she was settled, he quickly pulled his hand back, though his ears were turning increasingly red.
Bai Ning was originally a bit embarrassed, but seeing Beichuan’s ears turning a shade of red that looked ready to bleed, her shyness vanished. She simply found this beastman quite cute. It was pure appreciation, however—after all, everyone likes beautiful things.
Standing behind them, Ye Lan caught their interaction, a flash of amusement in her eyes. Females were precious in the Beast World; if this little female could stay in their tribe and find a partner here, Ye Lan would be more than happy to see it happen.
Bai Ning gathered her thoughts and directed Beichuan to align the wooden boards against her leg. Finding the length suitable, she asked him to fix them in place. She noticed they hadn’t brought any rope, and just as she was about to suggest weaving some from wild grass outside, she saw Beichuan turn toward a pile of animal skins nearby.
Rrrrrip!
Beichuan picked up a hide and, with a slight flex of his hands, tore it into clean strips.
…
Watching his crisp, effortless technique, Bai Ning swallowed the words she was about to say. Animal skin was certainly more comfortable than wild grass.
Beichuan walked back with the leather strips. Seeing Bai Ning staring at them, he suddenly blurted out, “These skins are clean. I washed them before putting them away.”
Bai Ning blinked, looking up at him with a small smile. “Okay, thank you.”
Having lived through the apocalypse, she had long since lost her old fastidiousness about cleanliness, but Beichuan’s words still touched her heart.
Beichuan’s ears burned as he looked at Bai Ning’s slender, pale calf, his heart racing faster and faster. (Bai Ning: You call this red, swollen, scratch-covered leg “slender and pale”??)
He stole a glance at her, but Bai Ning didn’t notice; she was focused on her own leg. Looking at the swelling, she muttered to herself, planning to secretly drink her medicine once the splint was on and then pretend to recover slowly. Otherwise, she was truly worried her leg might end up deformed. As for the other wounds on her body, they were covered by green herbal pastes; as long as she was careful not to let anyone else apply medicine for her, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Little female? Little female?”
Beichuan called her name a few times. Seeing no response, he unconsciously took a few steps closer.
Up close, Beichuan seemed to catch a faint fragrance coming from her—like a certain kind of fruit. It smelled wonderful, making him want to take a bite… But no, she had been through so much; she must be terrified. He couldn’t scare her.
“Little female…”
Bai Ning snapped out of it and looked up, hit point-blank by his striking looks. However, she wasn’t someone to lose herself in beauty for long and quickly regained her composure.
“What is it?”
With the tips of his ears red, Beichuan took a step back and held up the leather strips. “I’m going to secure the boards now. It might hurt a little.”
“Okay.”
Beichuan carefully positioned the boards and gently lifted her leg to wrap the leather around it. It was a simple task, yet he broke into a sweat. Once he finished, he realized the harder part was yet to come.
Next was her arm. Bai Ning was sitting on the bed, and it was her right arm that was injured. To fix it, either she had to turn around, he had to climb onto the bed, or he had to get very close—close enough to hear each other breathe. Beichuan thought for a moment and chose the last option.
He approached her slowly with the supplies. Bai Ning was busy chatting with Ye Lan, wanting to learn more about the tribe. She was listening so intently that she didn’t even notice her leg was finished.
When her right arm was suddenly lifted, Bai Ning jumped. Her arm jerked back instinctively, and a sharp, violent pain flared up, forcing a cry from her lips.
“Ah!”
“Big sister!” “Little female!”
Tongtong and Beichuan cried out simultaneously.
“Big sister, are you okay? Are you hurt?” “Little female, I’m sorry! I scared you! Are you alright?”
Bai Ning’s already pale face was now completely bloodless, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She gritted her teeth and shook her head.
“It’s okay… I just pulled it.”
Beichuan never expected to startle her so badly that she’d aggravate her injury. Seeing her in such pain, he panicked, apologizing repeatedly.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have startled you.” “It’s all my fault.” “Witch doctor Ye Lan, please come look at her!”
Beichuan frantically turned and pulled Ye Lan over, urging her to check on Bai Ning. Inside the system space, Tongtong stood with arms akimbo, glaring at Beichuan. Even though Beichuan couldn’t see him, it didn’t stop Tongtong from fuming. Stupid beastman, actually hurting Big Sister! Once I repair the system, I’ll show him!
Ye Lan, dragged over by Beichuan, gave him a frustrated glare. This clumsy brat almost threw her old back out. But now wasn’t the time to scold him; the little female was more important. Ye Lan gently took Bai Ning’s arm, feeling it several times before letting go.
“It’s alright. The bone didn’t shift; it was just a sudden strain.”
Having said that, Ye Lan didn’t forget to turn around and berate Beichuan. “You brat, can’t you say something before you move? Look at what you’ve done!”
“I’m sorry, Witch doctor Ye Lan. I know I was wrong.”
Beichuan was filled with regret. What was he thinking? He knew the little female had just gone through a trauma, yet he still spooked her. He was truly too stupid!
Ye Lan tapped Beichuan’s forehead then turned back to Bai Ning.
“Little female, he scared you, didn’t he?” “Beichuan is just clumsy. Don’t be afraid!”
“Clumsy Beichuan” didn’t dare even breathe loudly. Looking at Bai Ning’s pale little face, he wished he could slap himself.