"Thank you all so much for rescuing Xin Feng and bringing him back to me safely, but I can't agree to your request. I'm not looking for any other Beast Husbands at the moment. However, if there's anything you need my help with, I'll do everything in my power to assist you."
A crack seemed to form in Xin Feng's hardened heart as her sweet, soft voice flowed into it like a gentle, warm stream.
Chou Rong stood to one side, and the young female before him felt completely unfamiliar.
Whether it was her anxious concern for Xin Feng or the words she spoke, she was completely different from the Bai Wanwan who used to cling to him.
Aside from him, a wave of disappointment washed over the other males present.
'Such a wonderful female, but she can't be my mate. Her tenderness and thoughtfulness belong to another male.'
'Even the way she rejected them was so gentle and adorable.'
'Maybe... if I just keep trying, I might be as lucky as Xin Feng and become her Beast Husband.'
This thought surfaced in the minds of all the males, but they buried it deep, afraid the others would try to compete with them.
They all scrambled to carry Xin Feng, each man wishing he had another pair of hands or feet to offer.
Xin Feng frowned, but these males vying for his position had just saved him.
'Besides, if Wanwan needed more Beast Husbands, that was her choice to make. He couldn't decide for her.'
The males crowded around Xin Feng, making sure he wasn't jostled in the slightest.
"Xin Feng, we grew up together! If I became Wanwan's Beast Husband too, we could take care of her together. Wouldn't that be great?"
"Xin Feng, you're injured and can't hunt. My Talent is high, so I can hunt. That way, you and Wanwan will never go hungry."
"You think you're the only one who can hunt? I can too! Xin Feng, talk to Wanwan for me. Ask her to let me be her Beast Husband too..."
Xin Feng knew he should be grateful; they were the ones who had saved him.
But right now, he didn't want to hear a word of it. He just wanted to shut them up.
The males walked ahead, chattering noisily as they carried Xin Feng.
Only Bai Wanwan and Chou Rong were left trailing behind.
She couldn't help but glance back at him. Even though he hated her original self, he hadn't refused to help.
'This Beastman isn't so bad after all.'
'But she didn't have the guts to tell him the truth and ask him to be her Beast Husband.'
'Her life was more important.'
Sensing the furtive glances from his side, Chou Rong turned his head, his eyes meeting hers directly.
Bai Wanwan immediately flashed a brilliant smile. "Thank you again for your help. I'm a slow walker, so you don't have to match my pace. Please, go on ahead."
The path was already narrow, and walking beside him was making Bai Wanwan anxious.
Chou Rong didn't say another word, but on the way down the mountain, he stayed by her side, keeping a slight distance.
Soon, the group of Beastmen made it down the mountain.
They helped carry Xin Feng back to her cave.
"Thank you, everyone."
After Bai Wanwan had thanked all the males, Chou Rong walked past her to Xin Feng's side.
"Focus on healing. If you get the chance in the future, you should go to a Super Tribe. Their Witch Doctors might be able to restore your Talent."
A few of the males had cornered Bai Wanwan, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Chou Rong and Xin Feng.
'What are those two talking about?'
Xin Feng noticed Bai Wanwan's gaze and gave her a soft smile before turning back to Chou Rong. "Thank you. I'll do my best to recover. My female still needs me to take care of her."
At these words, Chou Rong's brow twitched slightly.
"Mm. Well, focus on your recovery. I'll be going now."
Chou Rong left without another glance at Bai Wanwan, walking straight out.
The other males were still trying to show off. Some fetched water, while several others took the game hanging from their waists.
"Wanwan, Xin Feng is injured and can't hunt. You should take these."
Bai Wanwan quickly refused. Since she had no intention of making these males her Beast Husbands, she couldn't accept their kind offers.
Besides, between the food the Clan Leader had sent and what Xin Feng had stored, they had enough to last for a month or two.
And in a month or two, if food ran low, the cub in her womb would be due.
'Once the cub is born, the system will give me a reward.'
'Life won't be so hard then.'
"Wanwan, this is easy for us to catch. Just take it!"
Bai Wanwan remained firm, shaking her head. "Thank you for the kind thought, but we have plenty of meat at home. We really don't need it."
The males were incredibly disappointed. She was so gentle with Xin Feng, yet so merciless when rejecting them.
Since they had saved Xin Feng, Bai Wanwan couldn't be too harsh. She just smiled, saw them to the door, and insisted on not accepting their gifts.
Faced with her unwavering refusal, the males were thoroughly dejected. As they left, they kept looking back, reluctant to go.
Once everyone had finally, reluctantly, left, Bai Wanwan turned and went back into the cave.
She was starting to get a headache. Being a Holy Female had its perks, like living in the largest and most comfortable stone cave and being provided for by the tribe.
But the downside was attracting too many males. Having a crowd of them fawning over her wasn't pleasant—it was just overwhelming.
She sat down beside Xin Feng and asked with concern, "Does it hurt where you were hit? Should I help you to the Witch Doctor Cave so the Clan Witch can take a look?"
"It's not necessary. An injury like this is nothing."
He replied with a smile, not wanting to worry her.
Bai Wanwan didn't believe him. Staring at his pale face, she asked, "You're not lying to me, are you? If you feel unwell, you need to see a Witch Doctor right away."
Xin Feng smiled and shook his head. "There's no need for such a minor injury. Don't worry."
Since he insisted, Bai Wanwan didn't press the issue and helped him lie down.
"You get some rest, then. I'll go get you something to eat."
Having always lived a solitary life, Xin Feng had never experienced such thoughtful care.
He was suddenly overcome with gratitude that he had accepted her proposal.
His eyes softened. "Thank you for all this."
"Well, I'll be counting on you to take care of me when I'm not feeling well!" Bai Wanwan replied with a smile, then turned to fetch the meat.
Just as she brought the meat out, she heard a commotion outside.
She turned and walked to the mouth of the cave to peer outside.
Her cave wasn't in the very center of the tribe, but it was on higher ground, so she could see Beastmen from all over running toward the entrance of the settlement.
'What are they all running for?'
Bai Wanwan muttered to herself. She was about to bring the food to Xin Feng and then go ask what was going on.
Then, she heard the Beastmen cheering.
"The Traveling Merchant is here! Quick, let's go trade for things!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
"We have to hurry! We might be able to trade for one of those pretty linen skirts."
Several females walked past, arm in arm, about ten meters away from her cave, their steps light and hurried.
'A Traveling Merchant?'
Bai Wanwan's eyes lit up. She was thrilled.
She quickly turned back to Xin Feng. "Xin Feng, did you hear that? They said the Traveling Merchant is here!"
She strode over, set down the meat, and looked at him with her big, bright eyes. "You eat first. I'm going to go see if they have any Fire Stone."
"Wait," Xin Feng said, reaching out to grab her arm. "I'll go with you."
Bai Wanwan shook her head. "You're injured, don't go into that crowd. I'll be back in a flash. Be good, okay?"
With that, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek, then spun around and ran out.