Chapter 78
The ger on the bed frowned even in his sleep, as though his dreams were far from peaceful.
Yuan Heng's heart clenched. Unable to resist, his hand reached out, trembling fingertips gently smoothing over the furrowed brow, easing the creased skin bit by bit...
"Mmm..." The movement seemed to disturb the sleeping figure. A soft sound escaped the other's nose, his lashes fluttering slightly before his eyes cracked open just a sliver.
Yuan Heng's fingers stilled, then withdrew slightly before pulling back entirely.
"Brother Heng..." Wang Jin called out once he recognized the man sitting by his bedside, his voice still thick with lingering drowsiness.
The ger's tone carried the same sticky, sleep-laden sweetness as countless mornings before. If not for the injuries covering his body—a stark reminder of all that had happened—Yuan Heng might have believed they were still curled up together in their own home, living their quiet, intimate life.
Yuan Heng's fingers twitched before curling tightly into his palm.
"Hiss—"
The ger suddenly hissed in pain, and Yuan Heng immediately turned to look.
He saw the ger trying to sit up, only for the movement to tug at his wounds, leaving him pale and breathless—his features twisted in agony.
"......" Yuan Heng reached out to steady him, his hand resting lightly on the ger's shoulder.
Even through the fabric, the softness of the ger's skin sent a faint tremor through Yuan Heng's fingertips.
His gaze darkened slightly as he carefully guided the ger to lean against him.
The fragrant, delicate ger was like a little furnace—the moment he settled into Yuan Heng's arms, warmth seeped through their clothes, spreading across Yuan Heng's skin in waves. It prickled with tiny goosebumps, the heat burrowing deeper until his entire body grew restless with it.
Fingers trembling, Yuan Heng slid his hand down the ger's arm, over the fabric, until he reached his wrist. Gently, he lifted the ger's hand.
The back of that slender wrist was mottled with bruises, not a single patch unmarked. The delicate fingertips were scraped raw, revealing tender pink flesh beneath...
Yuan Heng's eyes darkened further. His thumb brushed lightly over the injuries before he asked in a low voice, "Does it hurt?"
Wang Jin was still adjusting his position when he heard the question. He paused, following the man's gaze to his own battered hand.
Truthfully, the pain had mostly faded after his fever broke—as if the wounds had cooled along with his temperature.
But faced with the man's concern, Wang Jin blurted out without thinking: "It hurts... hurts so much..."
He nuzzled against Yuan Heng's chest, rubbing his head against the man's neck before tilting his face up with wet, pleading eyes—as though the pain were unbearable.
"......" The man exhaled softly, lowering his head to blow gently on the injured hand, as if his breath alone could chase the pain away.
The warm, slightly damp air brushed over Wang Jin's skin, making the fine hairs stand on end.
That faint breeze seemed to ripple through his heart, stirring a tingling numbness that left him squirming.
He pressed closer, burying his face in the crook of Yuan Heng's neck and wriggling restlessly. "Still hurts... still hurts..." he whined, his voice sticky and petulant, like a spoiled kitten demanding its owner's attention. To anyone listening, it was blatantly obvious—this was nothing but shameless, spoiled whining.
If an outsider had been present, they would have seen right through it: this ger was simply using his injuries as an excuse to cling to his beastman, whining and cooing for affection. What had started as a minor ache was now exaggerated twelvefold, his pitiful moans making it seem like agony—when in reality, all he needed was a kiss or a hug from his beastman to make it all better.
Normally, Yuan Heng was sharp enough to see through these little acts. He always knew exactly when to indulge the ger's desire for closeness.
But now, faced with those horrifying wounds—or perhaps still shaken by everything that had happened—he actually believed the ger's cries of pain.
A flicker of panic crossed Yuan Heng's eyes, his grip tightening slightly around the ger.
"I'll fetch Xi ger to see if there’s any Rui grass for the pain," he said, voice rough with suppressed worry. He made to stand.
Wang Jin froze, then hastily grabbed his arm, his expression caught between surprise and frustration—his hopes for kisses and cuddles dashed.
Yuan Heng turned back, his face etched with such anguish it seemed as if the wounds were his own.
Wang Jin blinked, stunned. By the time Yuan Heng looked away and back again, that raw emotion had vanished, replaced only by a deep, unshakable guilt in his light-colored eyes.
He was blaming himself.
Wang Jin suddenly regretted his act.
"Brother Heng..." he called softly, fingers tightening around Yuan Heng's index finger, clutching it tightly in his palm.
"It doesn’t hurt. I just..."
He trailed off, at a loss.
How could he explain? Admit that he’d just been fishing for kisses and hugs?
No way.
Wang Jin stumbled over his words, lips parting and closing uselessly. Yuan Heng watched him intently, waiting.
Wang Jin gritted his teeth.
This man usually understood him so well, why was he being so dense now?!
His face burned. His grip on Yuan Heng's finger loosened, then tightened again, his palm growing damp with sweat.
Finally, resolve hardened in his chest. He yanked Yuan Heng's hand down, pulling the man closer as he tilted his head up—and pressed a quick, fleeting kiss to Yuan Heng's lips.
"!"
The man's heart felt as if a rabbit had been placed inside, and that rabbit was stomping around wildly, throwing his heartbeat out of balance.
This little ger...
Yuan Heng seemed to understand what had just happened.
He tugged at the corner of his lips slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
Wang Jin’s ears burned, and he turned his back to Yuan Heng, lying down again.
"I... I’m going back to sleep... still tired," he stammered, nearly biting his own tongue.
There was no sound from behind for a long time. Just as Wang Jin thought the man had left, a corner of the blanket was lifted, and a familiar, warm embrace pressed against him.
The man reached out and pulled the little ger into his arms.
Wang Jin’s face grew even hotter. Yuan Heng lowered his head and kissed the top of the little ger’s hair, saying, "Little ger, don’t worry. There won’t be a next time. I’ll never let you get hurt again."
The man spoke as if making a solemn vow, his words firm and resolute.
Wang Jin’s heart stirred slightly. He turned over and buried his face in the man’s chest, mumbling a soft, "Mm."
The man looked down. Though he couldn’t see the little ger’s face, he could see the tips of his ears, flushed red.
The man’s fingers tightened, pulling the little ger even closer.
Only now did Yuan Heng truly feel that the little ger had returned to his side...
His heart settled, and he closed his weary eyes. Having gone days without rest, he quickly fell asleep.
By the time Wang Jin woke again, Yuan Heng was no longer by his side. Instead, Mu ger was sitting by his bed.
The moment he saw Wang Jin awake, he rushed over in delight.
"A-Jin!"
"A-Mu..." Wang Jin called out happily when he saw Mu ger.
Mu ger reached out and hugged him, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought you... you scared me to death."
Wang Jin’s eyes stung. "It’s fine, it’s fine, I’m okay... What about you, A-Mu? Are you alright? And the baby?"
Mu ger didn’t look too well...
Hearing this, Mu ger touched his stomach and shook his head. "We’re fine..."
"Fine, my foot!" Xi ger limped in from outside, carrying a tray with two bowls of medicine.
"You’ve had a threatened miscarriage, you should be resting! I couldn’t find you in your room, and sure enough, you came here to Wang Jin."
Xi ger sighed helplessly at Mu ger, then took one bowl from the tray and handed it to him. "Here, since A-Jin’s awake now, take your medicine too. No matter how upset you are, you shouldn’t take it out on yourself."
"..." Mu ger looked down at the medicine, then silently took it.
"...Thank you," he said to Xi ger.
Xi ger froze, then gave a bitter smile. "Healers are supposed to care for the tribe... Besides, I do bear some responsibility for this..."
As if unwilling to dwell on it, Xi ger handed the other bowl to Wang Jin. "Alright, it’s your turn to take your medicine."
Wang Jin stared at the pitch-black liquid, his face twisting in disgust, but he obediently drank it.
Truth be told, when the man wasn’t around, he was quite cooperative. But when the man was there, he’d always whine and fuss, pretending to be in pain just to cling to him... It was like a little game between them.
Seeing Wang Jin finish the medicine, Xi ger pulled out a cloth bundle from his sleeve and handed it to him. "Here, Brother Heng asked me to bring this to you."
Wang Jin opened it, it was fruit. During this beast tide, who knew where the man had managed to find it? This kind of fruit was incredibly sweet, like syrup. They’d even used it in cooking before...
Wang Jin eagerly popped one into his mouth, his eyes closing in bliss at the sugary taste.
"Where’s Brother Heng?" Wang Jin asked.
Xi ger said, "Outside."
Wang Jin glanced toward the distance, but it was too far to see what was happening out there.
"By the way, A-Jin, who’s that Calestial Fox tribesman who came back with you?" Mu ger, having also taken his medicine, turned to Wang Jin.
Wang Jin paused, suddenly remembering that person. He quickly asked Xi ger, "Xi ger, what about Cheng Bai... where is he?"
Xi ger, seeing how belatedly Wang Jin recalled the white fox, couldn’t help but laugh. "He’s a beastman. Even though his injuries were worse than yours, his body’s much stronger. He woke up two days ago and has been wandering around outside."
"Two days ago?" Wang Jin was stunned.
Xi ger nodded. "Yeah, two days ago. You have no idea how long you slept—aside from waking briefly the first night, you were out cold for two whole days."
"..." Wang Jin was speechless.
Mu ger asked, "A-Jin, you really don’t remember anything from these past two days? Brother Heng was the one taking care of you, feeding you and giving you water."
Wang Jin tried to recall, faintly sensing some hazy memories, but everything was so muddled... he couldn’t quite grasp them...
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