Beauty and the Beasts

While the meat was being roasted, Bai Qingqing sized up Muir absently. She suddenly asked, “Has that group of eagle beastmen not left yet? You seem tired to me. Do they frequently seek trouble with you?”

It was just a simple word of concern, yet it made Muir’s heart soar in joy. It felt as though there was a ball of fire burning in his chest, spreading the warmth to his four limbs and bones all over his body.

“No, I try my best to avoid them. I would only occasionally bump into them. I’m among the best in the eagle tribe. It’s not a problem for me to shake them off, but it would expend some energy.”

Although Muir put it lightly, Bai Qingqing knew it must be extremely dangerous. She said guiltily, “I’m sorry for implicating you.”

“I’m happy to be implicated by you.” Muir stared passionately at her. “I’m just afraid you won’t even give me the chance to be implicated by you.”

Bai Qingqing avoided his gaze awkwardly and kept adding firewood into the fire to keep herself occupied.

After she had eaten her fill, Bai Qingqing packed up the food for one day, and also packed a share for Bella.

After parting ways with Muir, she walked with her head lowered and her eyes on the ground before her, resuming the inferior manner she assumed when she was in the peacock village.

“Bai Qingqing, hurry over. I’ve found the firewood.”

A male voice rang from ahead. Bai Qingqing looked up.

This beastman had started pursuing her since several days ago. He was rather dull and honest, and his only aim in pursuing her was so that she could give birth to his children, and not really because he truly fancied her. Thus, she felt no pressure rejecting him.

“I’ve finished roasting the meat, but still, thank you for your firewood,” Bai Qingqing said softly as she continued walking with her head lowered.

The male walked to Bai Qingqing’s side. She looked at his feet, then said, “I’m not going to accept you, you’d better stop helping me.”

“This is just a trivial matter to me, but it would take a lot of effort for you to accomplish.” The male scratched the back of his head and said, “Even… even if you won’t accept me it’s fine. I’ll still continue to help you.”

Bai Qingqing turned her head and properly looked at the male who had been wooing her for a few days for the first time. He was just an ordinary beastman with no animal stripes.

“Thanks,” Bai Qingqing said sincerely.

The male chuckled good-naturedly, before scratching the back of his head again. “No female in this village likes me. Since you don’t have a male now, why don’t we become mates? Although the colors of my feathers don’t look very pretty, I’d still be able to provide for you.”

Bai Qingqing covered her mouth and laughed softly. She said half-jokingly, “Really can’t. My mates are very possessive and powerful. If my new mate is too weak, they will kill him.”

“Ah!” The peacock male let out a pitiful cry. “You mean that eagle beastman? He’s indeed very powerful and doesn’t look easy to get along with either.”

“Not him, but there’s one whose capabilities rival him. In the past when males pursued me, he would duel with my admirers every day.” At the thought of Parker, the smile faded from Bai Qingqing’s face, followed by a bout of heartache.

Every time he fought, Parker would come back full of injuries.

“Well then, guess I can only forget about it,” said the male. Then, he added, “But I will still help you.”

“Why?”

The male’s handsome face flushed, and he swallowed his saliva and scratched the fur on his head, before saying, “Actually, I still like you a lot. When I’m talking with you, I feel that you’re kind of different from how you look… You’re very cute.”

Bai Qingqing immediately bit her lower lip and did some self-reflection. She indeed spoke a little too much today. Had she exposed her true nature? Thankfully, this beastman seemed easy to brush off. She made a mental note to be more careful in the future.

“I’ll return to my nest first. I live just two tree branches above you, just call me if you need my help.”