Chapter 57
Yue ger was stunned, his eyes widening as he stood up. "Why are you back?"
The leader, who had been in high spirits, froze at these words. His half-raised hand hung stiffly in the air. The cold cocoons in his palm emitted a chilling air that seeped through his fingertips, spreading through his entire body, even his burning heart.
Does Yue ger not welcome me back?
Not only did he sense the displeasure in Yue ger's tone, but the other gers present also noticed something amiss.
One of them asked in confusion, "Huh? Aren’t you happy that your beastman is back?"
The words seemed to snap Yue ger back to his senses. His body stiffened slightly before he forced a polite, insincere smile. "Of course I’m happy. It’s just..."
Yue ger calmly explained, "It’s just unexpected. You usually come back much later."
The other gers understood—lately, the leader and Brother Heng had often been out gathering fruits, returning late.
Hearing this, the leader’s heart eased. The coldness in him dissipated, and the flame in his chest rekindled. He tugged at the corner of his lips, which had been downturned, and handed the fruits to Yue ger. "I’ve been coming back late these past few days. Sorry. Today, I made a special effort to return early to spend time with you."
"Special effort?" Yue ger latched onto the phrase, lowering his gaze as he asked pointedly, "Did Brother Heng come back too? Did he also make a special effort to return for his ger?"
The leader nodded. In truth, it had been Yuan Heng’s idea to return early today. He had said that both of them had neglected their gers for too long, and that wasn’t good for their relationships.
The leader thought it made sense. He and Yue ger hadn’t been intimate in days, and they had only just married...
As he thought this, his gaze burned as it fixed on Yue ger. The other gers noticed, their eyes teasing, but they tactfully took their leave.
It was a habit they’d picked up from Wang Jin’s place, whenever the beastmen returned, they would leave to avoid intruding on the couple’s time.
Unfortunately, Yue ger wasn’t Wang Jin. He desperately wished they would stay longer, but with the leader present, he couldn’t say a word.
____
In Yuan Heng’s courtyard.
Wang Jin lay listlessly across the table, his slender fingers idly rolling a mist fruit back and forth. His eyes were fixed on the fruit, but his mind seemed to have flown thousands of miles away, lost in thoughts of a certain someone.
He had been in this state for days, barely responsive when spoken to. At first, a few gers had still come to weave at his place, but gradually, Yue ger had drawn them all away. Now, only Mu ger remained to keep Wang Jin company.
Mu ger watched Wang Jin with growing concern, shaking his head and sighing. "A-Jin, this isn’t good."
Wang Jin didn’t respond.
"A-Jin." Mu ger called several more times before Wang Jin finally replied with a faint, "Hm?"
Mu ger frowned, then suggested, "Should I ask A-Yuan to tell Brother Heng to come back early? You can’t go on like this."
"Come back early?" Wang Jin’s eyes brightened, like a dusty lantern suddenly relit - brilliant and joyful. But soon, the light dimmed again.
He shook his head slightly, saying nothing.
Mu ger frowned. "No? Why not?"
Wang Jin remained silent. Mu ger pressed, "Do you... not miss Brother Heng?"
Yuan Heng, who had just approached the courtyard, happened to hear Mu ger’s question. His footsteps paused as he stopped a short distance behind them.
Wang Jin’s breath hitched at the question, his heart pounding as if starved of oxygen. He didn’t answer immediately, instead pressing a hand to his chest as if steadying himself.
From Yuan Heng’s angle, he could see the little ger’s body stiffen briefly before relaxing with a slow, deep breath.
"...I do."
"!" That soft, sticky voice uttered only a single word, yet it sounded like the sweetest love confession, stirring the calm waters of Yuan Heng’s heart.
His heartbeat roared, and the corners of his lips lifted uncontrollably. He took another step forward, his feet lighter than when he had first returned.
"Little ger, I heard your sweet words."
Yuan Heng’s voice startled the two into turning around. The man they had just been talking about now stood behind them.
Clad in a white robe, he stood with the sunlight at his back, the beams framing him as if he had descended with the light itself, brightening Wang Jin’s dim world of the past few days.
Wang Jin’s eyes lit up with joy, the dullness in them finally replaced by vivid, dazzling color, like glazed porcelain - utterly enchanting.
Yuan Heng’s gaze softened, his eyes locking onto Wang Jin’s face, refusing to look away.
"..." Mu ger, seeing the two of them slipping into their own world yet again, quietly gathered his things and slipped away unnoticed.
Yuan Heng sat down in front of Wang Jin, placing the cold cocoons on the table before leaning in to press a light kiss to his lips.
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