Chapter 32: Chapter 32: It’s Cold, Warm Your Hands on My Abs

Yu An felt a headache coming on. "Mo Yan, take the zaizai back first. I’ll go look for him."

"He’s not a cub. He won’t be in any danger. It’s better if you don’t go looking for him."

Mo Yan said darkly, "Isn’t having me enough for you, Female Master? You want to take him in, too?"

’Since Feng Xuan has come, Xiao Yu’s Beast Father must be on his way too. The zaizai don’t want to go with them, so those two will definitely stay.’

’If they develop feelings for Yu An over time, for the sake of the zaizai, he... would just have to tolerate it.’

’But an outsider male shouldn’t even think about stealing an ounce of the Female Master’s attention!’

’He won’t let another Beast Husband join the Female Master’s side and compete for the affection that belongs to him!’

Though it stung a little, Mo Yan had to admit that in Yu An’s heart, she and the zaizai took up most of the space, food took up another part, and Beast Husbands like him occupied only a tiny, tiny sliver.

If you don’t fight for what’s yours, the latecomers will surpass you.

Yu An sighed. "I already rejected him. I’m just worried he might do something rash, so I’m going to check on him."

She knew her own limits. ’If I really agreed to be with Han Li, wouldn’t the City Lord of Han Ling City hate me to death?’

Mo Yan huffed. "Well, don’t you dare bring a rival back for me."

"I know, I know," Yu An said, pushing at his arm. "Mo Yan, I’ve discovered you change your tune incredibly fast."

"Before, you were as cold as a block of ice, radiating chilliness. Now you’re smiling more brightly than anyone."

Mo Yan just smiled and said nothing. He wasn’t an idiot. Now that he’d resolved his inner conflict and confirmed his feelings, he had to start fighting for a place in his Female Master’s heart sooner rather than later.

’A true male has to fight and compete to prevent latecomers from getting ahead!’

Exile Grass didn’t only grow in the Imperial City. As its original homeland, the exiled land was the most suitable place for it to grow.

Coincidentally, Han Li knew a place nearby where Exile Grass grew.

He ran to the spot in one breath. After a careful search, he pulled a stalk of Exile Grass from the dense thicket. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes, about to eat it.

’Once the scent of Exile Grass is in my bloodline, Yu An won’t be able to reject me, right?’

’Latecomers get ahead by fighting and competing!’

"Han Li, stop! Don’t eat that!"

Yu An, who had just arrived, almost stumbled and face-planted when Lu Lu told her that was Exile Grass.

’Stupid wolf, always doing something dumb the second I’m not looking!’

With a wave of her hand, Yu An sent a vine to wrap around the Exile Grass. With a sharp tug, the grass flew into her hand.

She snapped the Exile Grass in half. Han Li stared, then began to tremble with anger. "What are you doing? It took me forever to find that!"

The Exile Grass was monopolized by the Beast Emperor, who had decreed that no one but the Imperial Family was allowed to cultivate it. Any found were to be destroyed immediately.

Fortunately, a few stalks had sprouted in his secret spot at some point. He’d found it strange and hadn’t told anyone, which was how they were saved.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t paid much attention to them. After searching for a long time, he’d only found this one stalk. The rest must have been eaten by some beast, not even the roots left behind.

Yu An retorted irritably, "What am I doing? Stopping you from being an idiot, of course. Do you think Exile Grass is some kind of treasure?"

"Stop messing around. It’s getting late. Hurry up and come back with me."

Her tone softened. "Da Hu was just asking if you were coming back. He wants you to tell him a story."

A conflicted expression crossed Han Li’s face, but it quickly hardened. "I’m not messing around. You can go. I don’t need you meddling in my affairs."

’He’s so stubborn.’

Yu An rubbed her temples and sighed. "Actually, I wanted to ask, why do you even like me? I’m ugly, and I’m a convicted female who was exiled. You must have heard about my reputation in the Beast Emperor City."

"’Wicked beyond redemption, spoiled and willful, malicious and hideous...’ That’s how they all describe me."

"No, that’s not it!"

Han Li said indignantly, "How could they say that about you? You’re clearly kind-hearted, tolerant, generous, and as beautiful as a flower..."

As he spoke, his face suddenly turned red, and he gave Yu An a shy, timid glance.

Yu An: "..."

She said with a complicated expression, "Han Li, is there something wrong with your eyes?"

’Although, I figure if I could give birth to two beautiful zaizai, I can’t be that ugly,’ she thought. ’But my birthmark hasn’t been removed yet. No one can guarantee what kind of face will be revealed when you open this blind box.’

"Of course there isn’t," Han Li huffed. "You *are* beautiful. If other people think you’re ugly, it just means they have bad taste."

"Besides, are looks really that important? What I care about is what’s on the inside."

"An’an, do you remember when we first met? You put a plate of buns in front of me and gave me such a gentle smile. I... back then, I..."

He looked abashed and whispered, "...my heart skipped a beat."

Yu An: "..."

’All this over a few meat buns, and in exchange, I get a loyal dog.’

The thing was, she had been smiling because she was reminded of a famous proverb—using meat buns to beat a dog.

Of course, there was no need to tell Han Li that.

"Perhaps you’re just grateful to me. It’s not really love."

Yu An sighed. "Han Li, you need to think clearly about what kind of feelings you really have for me."

"I can tell the difference between gratitude and love," Han Li said earnestly. "An’an, I love you."

He drew out his words. "Just give me one chance. At the very least... I’m definitely more capable than that snake."

He deliberately emphasized the last word.

Speaking of which, Han Li said with disdain, "He must have some kind of hidden illness. He was finished in just a moment. An’an, I’ll definitely last longer than him!"

Although he had no practical experience, he was full of confidence in his own abilities.

Recalling the scene in the stone chamber, Yu An’s face turned beet red. "Ahem, it wasn’t like that! The flow of time in the stone chamber is different from the outside... wait, no!"

’He’s leading me astray!’

Yu An’s expression became stern. "Don’t say another word. Hurry up and come back with me."

Han Li was disappointed that Mo Yan didn’t have a hidden illness, but he quickly perked up.

"I’ll come back with you," he said, putting on a pitiful expression, "but don’t you dare send me away."

’Even for the sake of the Origin Core Fragment, I can’t just drive Han Li away.’

Yu An thought for a moment. "As long as you don’t go around eating Exile Grass... back in the sea of flowers, I meant that you could go back first and let them know you’re safe."

Han Li waved his hand dismissively. "It’s fine. I have some of my Beast Father’s spiritual power on me. He knows I’m not dead."

’Like hell I’m going back. Go back for what? To make room for other people?’

When they returned to the cave, Mo Yan, who was sitting on a small stool plucking chicken feathers, glanced at Yu An and said nonchalantly, "I knew it."

Han Li didn’t get into a war of words with him. He just quietly went about his work and said considerately, "An’an, you and Mo Yan must be tired. I can take care of all this."

"I am the latecomer, after all. I can’t compare to the deep bond he has with you. It’s only right that I do a little more."

"It’s just a little hot," Han Li said, tugging at his collar. "An’an, can I take my shirt off?"

Before Yu An could answer, he ripped it off with a single motion.

Solid eight-pack abs, broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist, the muscles on his arms sleek and powerful, and with the slightest flex, you could see veins popping...

Ignoring Mo Yan’s face, which had turned as black as coal, Han Li let out a soft laugh. "There, not hot anymore."

"If you get cold, An’an, you can warm your hands on me."

He pointed to his abs, looking very generous.