Chapter 89
Wang Jin stared at Cheng Bai’s retreating figure, his doubts growing deeper.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Cheng Bai had fled in a panic.
But why would he run?
What Wang Jin had said was nothing but the truth—he fully intended to break off the engagement with Cheng Bai’s elder brother. Yet the man had seemed unwilling?
But what did his engagement to Cheng Bai’s brother have to do with Cheng Bai himself? Why would he be so reluctant?
The young man gazed at the retreating figure of the Celestial Fox tribesman, lost in thought, his eyes lingering for a long time…
Such focus—it was as if he had already been captivated by that beastman.
Yuan Heng’s internal alarms blared so loudly his scalp prickled.
At this moment, Yuan Heng had completely forgotten that Wang Jin had once told him it was Cheng Bai’s elder brother who was engaged to him.
Yuan Heng stepped forward urgently, wrapping his arms around Wang Jin, his fingers tightening as he pulled him firmly against his chest. Doing this in front of everyone, it was as if he couldn’t wait a second longer to stake his claim.
His eyes bore into Wang Jin as if staring at a priceless treasure, terrified it might slip through his fingers.
"..." The crowd froze, staring at Yuan Heng in astonishment.
Yuan Heng was the tribe’s top warrior. Even when facing a beast horde, he remained calm and methodical—steadfast and composed. Yet now, in front of Wang Jin… he was visibly agitated, radiating the kind of desperation that came from fearing his beloved might be snatched away.
The sheer possessiveness was palpable even to the onlooking beastmen.
They could hardly believe such obsession and anxiety was coming from the man known for his unshakable composure.
Could it be… that he saw the Celestial Fox tribesman as a formidable rival for Jin ger’s affections?
But those familiar with Cheng Bai knew that Wang Jin had only ever been engaged to his elder brother—there was no connection between him and Cheng Bai personally.
Even regarding Cheng Bai’s brother, Wang Jin had just stated his intention to break off the engagement…
Judging by behavior, the Celestial Fox tribesman had indeed given Wang Jin a flower—but he had said it was merely a token gesture on behalf of his brother. Besides, Wang Jin hadn’t even accepted it. Throughout the whole exchange, Wang Jin hadn’t spared the man a single glance, only speaking up after the tribesman lost his temper, with no hint of intimacy.
No one thought that was enough to provoke such intense vigilance and hostility from Yuan Heng.
Then they remembered that time when some beastmen had gifted Wang Jin fruits in gratitude. Even though they had informed Yuan Heng beforehand, they had still sensed hostility from him.
A realization dawned on them…
Perhaps it wasn’t that others were being overly familiar—but that this man cared too deeply for Wang Jin.
The mere act of Wang Jin's gaze lingering on someone else was unbearable for him.
Wouldn’t such possessiveness make the young man uncomfortable?
They couldn’t help but glance at Wang Jin.
Instead, they saw Wang Jin leaning weakly against the man’s chest, his body pliant as if boneless. His shyly lifted gaze met Yuan Heng’s openly possessive stare before fluttering down again. After a few such exchanges, his eyes—shimmering like autumn water—seemed to weave threads of affection around the man, entangling them inseparably.
His cheeks flushed, his demeanor docile and clingy, like a pampered pet utterly devoted to its master. Melting into a pool of springwater, he nestled in the man’s arms with soft, kittenish murmurs.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that Yuan Heng’s grip on his waist was restless, fingers kneading as if holding his very lifeline, guarding him fiercely.
Yet despite being so thoroughly claimed, Wang Jin seemed to revel in it…
"..." The onlookers stared, wide-eyed. These two were far too brazen…
They wanted to look away, yet couldn’t resist, silently retracting their earlier assumptions a thousand times over.
There was no way Wang Jin could be uncomfortable—he looked as blissful as a cat being stroked. If he had a tail, it would be wagging in delight.
Perhaps sensing their stares, Yuan Heng soon shifted, obscuring Wang Jin from view, leaving only a faint outline of him buried in the man’s embrace, too shy to lift his head.
An intimate atmosphere enveloped the two, impossible to dispel.
The crowd’s hair stood on end, feeling as if an invisible barrier had risen around the pair, shutting everyone else out while they indulged in their own world.
"..." Mu ger was the first to snap out of it, clearing his throat softly. The others jolted as if startled, hastily making excuses to scatter.
Before leaving, Mu ger nudged Lai Yuan. Lai Yuan glanced at Mu ger, then at Yuan Heng, before steeling himself and approaching.
"B-Brother Heng," he stammered, lowering his voice. "I know this might ruin the mood, but… Mu Mu is worried about Jin ger. And—and it’s for Jin ger’s sake too, so you…"
After a pause, Lai Yuan swallowed hard, mustering his courage to say, "You have to control yourself. It’s different now. Your marriage isn’t valid—you’re just a couple who’ve fallen for each other. That final step absolutely must not happen..."
"..." Yuan Heng froze, recalling his earlier loss of control, heedless of the situation... His fingers trembled uncontrollably, and his ears burned. He steadied himself, replying as calmly as possible, "I know."
Lai Yuan’s face flushed red. Even between two beastmen, such a topic was awkward, let alone when the subject was someone as composed as Yuan Heng.
Stammering, Lai Yuan said, "Then... then Mu Mu and I will go first."
"Mm," Yuan Heng acknowledged.
Once the others had left, Wang Jin openly clung to him, his face pink, eyes brimming with feigned annoyance—as if scolding the man for his earlier impropriety—but more than that, he was delighted. He seemed to adore the man’s touch, now nuzzling against him like a pampered pet seeking more of that pleasurable contact.
The man’s fingertips trembled, his pale amber eyes darkening.
Thinking back, it had been days since he’d been intimate with the ger... but...
A flicker of restraint crossed his face. He clenched his shaking fingers, steadying his voice before speaking.
"Little ger, would you like to see the Matchmaking Tree?"
"Matchmaking Tree?" Wang Jin lifted his gaze, his bright black eyes still glistening from earlier, damp with an alluring charm. The faint redness at the corners reminded the man just how shameless he had been in front of everyone.
Yuan Heng’s eyes darkened further, his fingers tightening into his palm, his voice dropping to a deep, magnetic tone.
"Mn. It’s a place every couple who’ve confessed their feelings must visit. Going there will strengthen their bond."
Wang Jin’s eyes sparkled. "Let’s go!" he said happily.
Yuan Heng gave a soft hum, inwardly releasing a heavy breath of relief.
The Matchmaking Tree stood on a small hill east of the tribe. From a distance, its towering height made it stand out against the landscape.
Up close, it was clear this was an ancient tree—so massive that dozens of people would need to link hands to encircle its trunk. Countless thread-like tendrils dangled from its branches, crimson red, giving the illusion of countless red strings hanging from it.
Seeing the tree, Wang Jin recalled Mu ger’s explanation.
Because of its red, string-like tendrils, it was called the Matchmaking Tree.
This tree had a peculiar trait: if two people each took one of its tendrils between their teeth—no matter which two—and pulled, the two strands would merge into one, forming a single red string. Plucking this string was like binding their fates together.
This was a place only for couples still unsure of each other’s feelings. Usually, a beastman would bring a ger here if he doubted whether the ger truly loved him or would marry him. The beastman would take one end first, waiting to see if the ger would take the other...
If the ger did, it meant he returned his feelings...
Once, Lai Yuan had brought Mu ger here...
When Mu ger told Wang Jin about it, he had lamented that he and his man had never gone...
Perhaps Yuan Heng had overheard that regret, because now, in this renewed courtship, he was bringing him to this sacred place.
Wang Jin’s heart swelled with sweetness. Without waiting for the man to act, he eagerly took a red tendril between his teeth.
Yuan Heng paused, then firmly grasped the ger’s hand, leaning in to take the other end of the string.
Their joined hands grew damp with sweat, as if they might slip apart at any moment.
The man’s fingers tightened, interlacing with the ger’s, his eyes overflowing with tenderness.
He tugged the string—so short that with just a slight pull, the other end was already at the ger’s lips.
Wang Jin’s lips were a soft pink, the red string vivid against them, as if its brilliance had stained them, exuding a deadly allure.
Yuan Heng, still holding the string, instinctively drew closer...
Wang Jin watched the approaching man. He knew Yuan Heng was only following the string, that he would soon take it from his mouth and tie it around his wrist as a token of the ger’s devotion...
Yet even knowing this, his heart pounded so loudly it seemed to echo in his ears...
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