Chapter 88
If Yuan Heng were to pursue him again, wouldn’t that mean he would create countless romantic surprises for him?
Wang Jin’s heart felt as if it were being lightly brushed by a feather, an unbearable itch spreading from his chest to his entire body, making his fingertips tremble. His whole being felt restless, and his face turned a faint pink.
A glimmer of anticipation flickered in his clear eyes.
Yuan Heng noticed, his amusement impossible to hide. He ruffled Wang Jin’s hair and led him back to his own room, saying, “Alright, it’s late. Go to sleep.”
This time, Wang Jin didn’t argue anymore…
Since Yuan Heng was so determined, he might as well treat it as a little game between them.
Wang Jin pressed a hand to his wildly thumping heart—like a lively rabbit—and slowly closed his eyes. This time, he fell asleep quickly and soundly.
The next day, Wang Jin was awakened by a clamor of noise.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw dense shadows cast on the door curtain.
No one was in his room—the noise was coming from outside. Judging by the shadows, it seemed a crowd had gathered.
Wang Jin hurriedly dressed and stepped out.
Outside, the courtyard was packed with people. Beastmen and gers were all there—even Xiao Ruo and Yuan Heng’s group had gathered.
At the front stood two men. One was tall and handsome, someone Wang Jin knew all too well—Yuan Heng. The other was Cheng Bai, bright-eyed and dressed in white.
Both held a glowing pink flower in their hands. The moment Wang Jin stepped out, they approached and offered the flowers to him.
Wang Jin froze. Mu ger, standing nearby, flushed and quickly whispered, “A-Jin, hurry and take the flower from Brother Heng! It’s a glow-petal flower—the kind beastmen give when courting a ger.”
Seeing Wang Jin’s confusion, Mu ger glanced at the flower and added, “Don’t think all these flowers look the same. They’re not. The glowing powder on each is unique. The powder rubs off when touched, and once it sticks to someone, it can’t be washed away. What’s more, the powder from one flower can only stick to two people. If two people bear the same flower’s powder, all beastmen will know they’re mutually smitten and intend to marry.”
Pausing, Mu ger continued, “A ger usually only accepts the flower from a beastman they’re willing to marry. Taking it means they accept his courtship. The gift is usually given in public so everyone knows which beastman the ger has chosen… and that the two are betrothed.”
With that, Mu ger nudged the entranced Wang Jin and urged, “So hurry and take it! Brother Heng already touched the flower when he picked it, so the powder is on him. If you take it now, the powder will transfer to you, and everyone will know you two are meant to be.”
Wang Jin’s heart leaped. His eyes sparkled as he studied the flower—a pink, glowing orb made of countless tiny blossoms.
Though he’d learned just last night that the man would court him anew, seeing such a bold gesture first thing in the morning still startled him.
Especially during the beast horde…
His eyes bright with joy, he glanced at the handsome man and muttered, “During the beast horde… is this really alright?”
Yuan Heng hesitated, about to reply, when Xiao Ruo, overhearing, chimed in first.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! Brother Heng led us to hunt plenty of game—enough to eat. We’ve hidden the scent well, so the beasts won’t attack. Even if they do, with so many beastmen here and Brother Heng’s strength, we’ve got nothing to fear. And if anyone gets hurt, Cheng Bai’s healing is top-notch. Jin ger, just take it!”
Wang Jin looked around and noticed the people in the courtyard were far more relaxed than before, their faces healthier than in previous days. Even the injured seemed spirited as they watched eagerly.
Compared to the panic of days past, the beast horde seemed to have left the tribe unscathed.
Everyone waited with bated breath for Wang Jin to accept the flower. His heart pounded as if a rabbit were hopping wildly inside his chest.
Taking this flower—a symbol of mutual affection—in front of so many people felt like publicly declaring their bond.
Even though it wasn’t the first time, the sheer exposure of it made Wang Jin burn with embarrassment.
It was as if his deepest feelings for Yuan Heng were being laid bare for all to see.
Something so private… now completely exposed. His ears and neck burned red.
The little ger was so flustered he couldn’t even look up, his gaze glued to Yuan Heng beside him. His peripheral vision caught the flower in Yuan Heng's hand, but as for Cheng Bai—standing right there, also holding a flower—Wang Jin acted as if he didn’t exist, not sparing him a single glance.
Cheng Bai was, after all, the younger brother of one of Ning’an City’s influential leaders, a sought-after bachelor in his own right. And yet, this person who had once been infatuated with him now didn’t even grant him a look.
Furious, Cheng Bai clenched the stem of his flower, his knuckles whitening. Swallowing his anger, he deliberately stepped closer to Yuan Heng, making sure his own flower swayed conspicuously in Wang Jin’s line of sight.
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