Wang Jin abruptly shut his mouth, swallowing his words.
But he was terrible at hiding his feelings. His troubled thoughts were written all over his face, and his hand didn’t reach for the cold cocoons again.
Unbeknownst to him, he’d become exactly like a young lover afraid of showing his flaws to his partner.
The little ger’s lips were slightly pursed, his usually alluring pout now paired with furrowed brows and faintly reddened eyes. The shimmering light in his gaze had dulled, making him look as though he were silently accusing Yuan Heng of wrongdoing.
Yuan Heng glanced at the cold cocoons, then at the little ger before him. Remembering the rumors he’d heard on the way back, understanding dawned on him.
The corners of his lips twitched upward. Though he didn’t laugh aloud, his eyes crinkled with amusement. He decided to explain unprompted:
“These are the ones I picked.”
Wang Jin looked up, looking puzzled.
Of course he knew the man had picked these. But the ones Yue ger had—
“These were picked especially for you. The ones Yue ger has were picked by the leader. I never touched them.” Yuan Heng interrupted Wang Jin’s thoughts, his words firm.
Wang Jin’s eyes widened in surprise.
The little ger’s stunned expression - mouth slightly agape, dark round eyes blinking owlishly, made him look like an adorable little beast.
Unable to resist, Yuan Heng pinched his cheeks. Finding the sensation pleasant, he did it a few more times, his eyes brimming with fond exasperation.
“Silly ger,” he sighed. “Why would you think the worst of me? How could I pick fruits for another ger? I only helped lure away the beasts near the fruit so the leader could gather them safely.”
So that’s what happened!
“But… they… they said—” Wang Jin stammered.
Yuan Heng’s gaze turned patient. “You’d believe them over me?”
“Of course not!” Wang Jin denied loudly, his voice rising.
He sat back, thinking it over. Neither Yuan Heng nor the leader had ever clarified who picked the fruits. The rumors had spread on their own, twisting into the idea that Yuan Heng had gathered them for Yue ger, and eventually into the claim that both men were Yue ger’s beastmen.
For the rumors to spread so quickly, Yue ger must’ve had a hand in it. He loved stirring up trouble like this.
Just thinking about Yue ger reminded Wang Jin of that unpleasant visit he’d been invited to. His expression darkened slightly.
Seeing that his explanation hadn’t fully eased the little ger’s mind, and that he seemed even more troubled now, Yuan Heng frowned.
On his way back to the tribe, he’d heard plenty of gossip. Aside from the rumors about him, the leader, and Yue ger, there were also whispers about his little ger and Yue ger… though those were mostly positive. But judging by Wang Jin’s reaction, things couldn’t have gone smoothly.
After a moment’s thought, Yuan Heng asked carefully, “How have things been between you and Yue ger?”
Wang Jin stiffened. After a pause, he mumbled, “Fine. It’s been okay.”
The word “okay” was vague at best.
Yuan Heng knew his little ger was a terrible liar - his voice, expression, and body language all screamed guilt.
Yuan Heng didn’t press. Instead, he pulled Wang Jin into his arms.
“A-Jin.” The man rarely called him by his full name. Wang Jin buried his face in Yuan Heng’s chest, humming a quiet, “Hm?”
Yuan Heng tightened his embrace. “You’re my ger. My ger doesn’t endure grievances in silence.”
“…” Wang Jin’s heart skipped a beat.
“I won’t go tomorrow,” Yuan Heng murmured. “It’s been too long since I’ve spent proper time with you.”
Too long? It had only been five days…
Wang Jin’s heart raced. Hearing the man say he wouldn’t go filled him with joy, and he couldn’t suppress his smile.
But—
Yuan Heng and the leader had only just begun to reconcile. If he backed out now, all their efforts would be wasted.
Even if it meant letting the leader off easy…
Wang Jin pulled back, looking up at Yuan Heng. “I’m fine. You don’t need to stay home just for me. Do what you think is best.”
Yuan Heng’s brows rose in surprise. Normally, the little ger would’ve been overjoyed at the idea of him staying, clinging to him like glue. This time, he was actually encouraging him to follow his own wishes…
His little ger was learning to be considerate. Yuan Heng was both touched by his thoughtfulness and faintly disappointed that Wang Jin wasn’t clinging to him as usual.
After all, his own wish was to stay by his little ger’s side…
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Wang Jin added after a moment’s hesitation, “And don’t worry about Yue ger. He might be cunning, but I’m not easy to bully either!”
The little ger lifted his chin confidently, his eyes sparkling with determination.
Yuan Heng’s heart melted. He reached out, ruffling Wang Jin’s soft hair.
Mention of Yue ger reminded him of why he’d agreed to help the leader in the first place.
Though Yue ger had married the leader, his feelings for him seemed lacking. When the leader first invited Yuan Heng to gather cold cocoons, he’d accepted mostly to avoid offending him.
But the subsequent invitations had been motivated by something else.
Yue ger’s hostility toward Wang Jin stemmed from an old misunderstanding - one caused by Yuan Heng’s own carelessness…
If Yue ger could just focus on his own beastman and live happily, they’d finally have peace.
That was why Yuan Heng had agreed to help the leader repeatedly, sacrificing time with Wang Jin to lure away beasts so the leader could gather cold cocoons to please Yue ger.
From what the leader said, Yue ger had been quite satisfied.
Yuan Heng had thought they were close to success—until he noticed Wang Jin’s odd behavior and returned early. Only then did he learn how far the rumors had spread…
After a moment’s thought, Yuan Heng nodded. “Alright. Then we’ll do as we see fit.”
He didn’t specify what that meant, and Wang Jin didn’t ask.
That night, with Yuan Heng beside him at last, Wang Jin slept soundly.
When he woke the next morning, the man was already gone. Wang Jin sighed heavily, a pang of loneliness hitting him despite having encouraged Yuan Heng to go.
Just as he stepped outside, a voice called out—
“A-Jin!”
Mu ger stood in the courtyard, visibly excited, as though something wonderful had happened. He rushed over, making Wang Jin’s heart leap in alarm.
“A-Mu, be careful!” Wang Jin hurried to steady him. “You’re carrying a child!”
Mu ger patted his belly soothingly and grinned. “It’s fine. This little one’s well-behaved. But you—you slept in and missed the show!”
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