Beauty and the Beasts

Human’s emotions were very ethereal and fragile. This was Bai Qingqing’s current feelings.

No matter how tired she felt, when things quietened down, the scene of Shuu’s horrible death would keep on playing out in her mind. After losing sleep for most of the night, she continued to be troubled by nightmares for the later part of the night.

When she woke up the next day, she felt so tired as if she hadn’t slept a wink. Bai Qingqing tried hard to make herself appear more energetic. She put on an animal skin coat and went to get a breather.

After the ice and snow melted, greenery quickly sprouted out in the world. The willow trees by the river had their branches filled with green leaves, thin blades of grass grew out from the ground, and even a few beautiful green sweet potato sprouts grew up by the wall.

Bai Qingqing only recalled after thinking about it a little that Parker had planted a few sweet potato vines before the cold season. They had survived for a while and then died off after it snowed. She hadn’t expected them to grow again this year.

“Sigh!” Even fragile plants had strong vitality, yet strong beastmen could die so easily.

A shadow cast down from above Bai Qingqing, and she knew that it was Parker when she saw the sharp ears on the shadow.

“That’s great. When it grows bigger, you’ll have leaves to eat,” Parker smiled and said, bending over to rest his chin on her head.

Bai Qingqing’s head hurt from being poked by Parker’s hard chin, and she shook her head to avoid him.

…

Winston became the new tiger king without any surprise. He came running to Bai Qingqing’s place early in the morning.

“Bai Qingqing!”

“Hmmm?” Bai Qingqing turned and stood up when she saw that it was Winston. As she hadn’t eaten much for the past few meals, her sugar level was low. When she was about to walk toward Winston, Bai Qingqing was suddenly struck with an intense giddiness.

Parker quickly supported her, and she leaned on him while waiting for the giddiness to pass.

“What’s the matter?” Parker asked anxiously. Winston also walked over anxiously. “I’ll go and call for a doctor…”

Winston stopped after saying that. The doctors… were all from the ape tribe.

Bai Qingqing held onto her forehead, forcing a smile, and said, “I’m fine. I’m alright now. Winston, is anything the matter?”

To prove that she was really fine, Bai Qingqing stood up and moved her arms around. Curtis stood by the bedroom’s window and looked at her. The two young snakes he was holding in his hands hissed at her.

Winston felt relieved and said, “I’m the tiger king now. I want to invite you guys to move to the tiger castle.”

“There’s no need. Things are fine here. Thank you for your kind intentions.” Bai Qingqing rejected without giving it any thought.

If Winston and she were just ordinary friends, she wouldn’t have stood on ceremony and would have moved into the tiger castle. However, Winston took care of her as he would his mate. If she wasn’t planning on accepting him, then what right did she have to keep on receiving his care?

Strong feelings of disappointment appeared in Winston’s eyes. He lowered his gaze and said softly, “I want to protect you.”

“With Curtis and Parker, I’m very safe.” As Bai Qingqing said that, she looked toward Parker. She thought that Parker would act arrogantly like he usually did, but he remained silent.

Bai Qingqing then turned to look at Curtis by the window. Curtis didn’t show much reaction, but given that he hadn’t refused, his stand was clear.

“Come and stay at my place,” Winston said sincerely. “I’m worried that the ape king might do you harm. It’s best if you can be protected by a four-striped beastman at all times.”

“I…” Bai Qingqing was hesitant.

“Let’s move.” Curtis, who had been standing quietly by the window, spoke up.

He couldn’t constantly stay by Snow’s side and not hunt. However, he wouldn’t be at ease leaving her in Parker’s care. The ape king should be clear that he’d be able to take his life at any time, but Curtis was unable to accept that the ape king might potentially bring Snow down with him in despair.