Cheng Bai acted as immaturely as a young beastman who had just come of age, using the most obvious and clumsy tactics to hover around the ger he adored, desperately seeking his notice.
Yet, that person still didn’t notice Cheng Bai. His clear black eyes reflected only that man’s figure, as if nothing else existed in his sight.
The gazes of the crowd were fixed on the two of them. Though they stood among the people, by his side, sharing the same scene and land, it was as if they were enclosed in a barrier that shut everyone out—including him. No matter how hard one tried to approach, they couldn’t break through.
That delicate little thing finally accepted Yuan Heng’s glow-petal flower. The faintly luminous powder settled on his wrist, forming a beautiful glowing pattern—one that matched the mark on the man’s wrist.
This mark was recognized throughout the entire beastman world. With it, no matter where they went, every beastman tribe and city would know these two were a pair, a couple bound by mutual affection.
Cheng Bai’s chest tightened unbearably. His fingers clenched, crushing the stem of the glow-petal flower until it was mangled, its light dimming, the entire bloom wilting.
Unable to bear it any longer, he threw the ruined flower at Wang Jin’s feet and spoke coldly, "Delicate little thing, have you forgotten you’re already engaged?"
Wang Jin lowered his gaze to the withered flower, then followed the voice to Cheng Bai.
His clear eyes held nothing but confusion.
"Isn’t this flower something a beastman gives to the ger he likes? The one I’m engaged to is your brother. Why are you giving me flowers?"
"I—" Cheng Bai’s throat clogged, the weight in his chest pressing heavier. This was what it meant to dig your own grave. He couldn’t bring himself to admit he’d been lying all along…
After a pause, he muttered vaguely, "I—I was delivering it for my brother!"
"……" Even something like giving flowers had to be done by a younger brother?
Swallowing his dissatisfaction, Wang Jin carefully replied, "It’s strange for you to take over your brother’s courtship. Once the beast horde is dealt with, Brother Heng and I will go to Ning’an City to settle this engagement. Don’t worry."
"Settle?" Cheng Bai stiffened, urgency sharpening his voice. "How do you plan to settle it?"
"By calling it off, of course."
Those words struck Cheng Bai like a physical blow. He stumbled back two steps, his face turning pale.
His silver pupils fixed on Wang Jin. He spoke so matter-of-factly, his direct tone like a knife stabbing straight into Cheng Bai’s heart. That utterly reasonable gaze was like shards of ice, pouring over him, leaving his entire body trembling with cold, his lips shaking too much to form words.
How strange. Before, he had schemed endlessly to break the engagement. Now that this delicate little thing was finally willing, he couldn’t feel even a shred of joy.
It was as if a piece of his heart had been carved out—taken away by that delicate little thing and hidden somewhere he couldn’t see. Only if that little thing was willing would the missing piece return to him.
This feeling… Could it be that his true desire was for the engagement to stand?
That he actually… liked this delicate little thing?
Cheng Bai stared at Wang Jin, his emotions so tangled that his silver eyes darkened, as if stained with ink.
Wang Jin frowned at Cheng Bai’s strange expression. He took two steps forward, asking softly, "You… Are you… alright?"
That gentle voice, sweet as honey, seeped into Cheng Bai’s ears and heart, turning the bitter ache in his chest into something inexplicably sweet.
He looked up. The delicate little thing had drawn closer, his brows slightly furrowed, his delicate features pinched with worry. That clear gaze, filled with concern, struck straight into Cheng Bai’s heart—reviving it like a curious rabbit, leaping wildly as if it had never stopped beating.
When had this delicate little thing’s every move, every expression, begun to affect him so deeply?
"……" Cheng Bai was stunned into silence, staring at the approaching Wang Jin.
When he didn’t respond, the delicate little thing seemed worried, reaching out with those soft, pale hands—hands that felt like a small animal’s paw pads, so plush you’d never want to let go.
Just as those hands were about to touch him, Cheng Bai, seized by some unknown fear, twisted away to avoid the contact.
Seeing the delicate little thing freeze in surprise, his heart lurched—afraid he might have hurt him.
"I… might just be tired." Before he knew it, Cheng Bai had blurted out a terrible excuse.
It was still early morning. Even a ger wouldn’t tire so easily, let alone a beastman.
As those clear, probing eyes seemed to peel open the messy feelings he couldn’t even understand himself, Cheng Bai’s guilt surged. He lowered his gaze, avoiding Wang Jin’s stare, and turned to flee.
"I’m going back to sleep."
He even managed to throw out that last line before leaving.
No comments:
Post a Comment