Chapter 93
Yuan Heng pressed his lips into a tight line, his knuckles turning white from how hard he clenched them.
After what felt like an eternity—so long that Wang Jin couldn’t help but prepare to speak again—Yuan Heng finally relaxed his grip and spoke in a low voice.
"He was discussing with me when we should go to Ning’an City."
The little ger had asked him to trust him, so he did. Yuan Heng reached out and took Wang Jin’s hand. The slender, delicate hand felt so pleasant to the touch that he couldn’t help but caress it.
The man’s large, calloused palm enveloped his own, the rough texture rubbing against his tender skin, sending faint pricks of pain and waves of tingling numbness through his sensitive hand.
Wang Jin’s heart fluttered as he gazed at the man sitting by his bed. The dim candlelight softened his sharp edges, and his long lashes cast shadows over his light-colored glass-like eyes. With his gaze lowered, the man looked gentler—yet also as if something weighed heavily on his mind.
Was there something else troubling him?
Wang Jin studied the man’s expression carefully, but Yuan Heng seemed completely unaware of his scrutiny. Though his fingers continued to knead Wang Jin’s hand absentmindedly, his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
"..." Wang Jin felt displeased. How could this man be distracted even when they were together?!
Just as he was about to speak, Yuan Heng spoke again.
"The little ger has an older brother. I was thinking about what gifts we should bring when we visit him."
"..." Wang Jin’s slightly parted lips froze. Had the man been lost in thought over this?
Indeed, if Yuan Heng wanted to propose marriage again, the customs of this world required the approval of the ger’s family elders. Cheng Bai had mentioned that the original owner had an older brother but never spoke of other relatives—meaning this brother was likely his only remaining family.
Thus, gaining his approval would be their biggest challenge...
Wang Jin, who considered himself a man, recalled that in his past life, if he had taken a liking to a girl, he would first try to win over her parents by pleasing them, bringing thoughtful gifts, and then introducing himself properly.
But the original owner’s brother... Wang Jin had no memories of him at all. To win him over, they’d first need to meet him.
He could only hope he wouldn’t slip up in front of the brother as he had with Cheng Bai.
What kind of person was this brother, anyway? Wang Jin searched through the original owner’s memories but found nothing.
Seeing that the little ger had fallen silent for too long after his question, Yuan Heng lifted his gaze and noticed the worried frown on Wang Jin’s face—along with a trace of confusion in his eyes.
Yuan Heng paused, suddenly remembering.
The little ger before him had lost his memories. He couldn’t recall anything from the past, including the brother Cheng Bai had mentioned...
His heart clenched, and he silently scolded himself for bringing up such a painful topic. He tightened his grip on Wang Jin’s hand slightly.
Feeling the movement, Wang Jin looked up at him. The man’s expression was gentler than usual, stirring something in Wang Jin’s chest. His fingers trembled slightly as he interlaced them with Yuan Heng’s and said, "Brother Heng, don’t worry. Even if I don’t remember what my brother is like, if I like you, he will too."
Truthfully, Wang Jin wasn’t sure what the brother would think. But seeing Yuan Heng so troubled, he couldn’t help but want to reassure him.
Besides, Yuan Heng was such a good man—there was no reason the brother wouldn’t approve.
As he spoke, Wang Jin’s tone carried a hint of pride, as if being with Yuan Heng was something to boast about.
That look melted Yuan Heng’s heart completely.
The unease he had felt earlier settled, replaced by a steady warmth that pulsed for the little ger before him.
If anything, Yuan Heng thought he should be the proud one—to have such a wonderful person by his side.
He ruffled Wang Jin’s soft hair and said softly but firmly, "Don’t worry, little ger. I’ll make sure your brother accepts me."
This wasn’t the first time Yuan Heng had said this, but each time, it filled Wang Jin with warmth.
Still, Wang Jin didn’t think this was solely Yuan Heng’s responsibility.
After some thought, he said, "On our way to Ning’an City, we’ll gather all kinds of rare delicacies from the mountains and forests... Then we’ll give them all to my brother when we arrive..."
The little ger chattered on, already picturing the scene in his mind, gesturing animatedly.
He said we—never once separating himself from Yuan Heng in his plans.
Yuan Heng’s gaze grew even softer. The faint shadows in his light-colored eyes dissipated, leaving only clarity—reflecting the image of the happy little ger as if, in his eyes, there would never be anyone else for the rest of his life.
Though he didn’t respond, it was as if he had already memorized every word Wang Jin said, silently agreeing with everything.
If anyone else had been present, they would have marveled at the invisible barrier that seemed to encircle the two, isolating them from the rest of the world.
Even after Wang Jin grew tired and fell asleep, Yuan Heng’s gaze never left him.
Only when the sky began to lighten did he carefully shift the little ger from his lap to the pillow, kissing his forehead, tucking him in, and quietly slipping out of the room, closing the door behind him.
When Wang Jin woke again, the sun was already high in the sky.
He sat up quickly, glancing around. As expected, Yuan Heng was nowhere to be seen.
The bed bore only the imprint of one person.
With a quiet sigh, Wang Jin got up—only to hear loud commotion outside.
Pausing as he dressed, he wondered if Yuan Heng and Cheng Bai had caused another scene.
He hurriedly finished dressing and stepped out, only to nearly collide with an unexpected visitor—Xi ger.
Xi ger’s clothes were dirty and disheveled, his hair sticking to his cheeks as if he hadn’t slept all night.
The moment he saw Wang Jin, his eyes lit up—then immediately welled with tears.
"Finally, I found you, A-Jin," he said, his steps unsteady as he swayed forward.
Wang Jin caught him just in time. "You—"
Xi ger waved him off. "I’m fine. A-Jin, quickly—tell Brother Heng to come out. I can’t find him anywhere. Everyone here says they haven’t seen him."
Wang Jin blinked, looking past him to the crowd of beastmen and gers gathered in the courtyard.
Then he glanced back inside the room—he had just come from there.
"...I don’t know where Brother Heng is either," he admitted quietly.
Xi ger gripped Wang Jin’s wrist tightly, his voice urgent. "A-Jin, I’m not joking. Where is Brother Heng?"
"I really don’t know," Wang Jin said, shaking his head in confusion. His wrist ached from the tight grip, and he frowned.
Cheng Bai stepped forward and pulled Xi ger back. "Let go of the little delicate one. He’s too soft—he can’t handle your strength."
Xi ger loosened his grip slightly but didn’t release Wang Jin. Desperation filled his voice. "A-Jin, please think—where could Brother Heng be? The leader is in trouble!"
Wang Jin’s eyes flashed with confusion. Why would the leader’s trouble require Yuan Heng’s help? Just as he was about to retort, Mu ger spoke up.
"Xi ger, calm down first. Tell us what happened."
"Yeah, Xi ger, explain properly. We’ll help find Brother Heng," a beastman in the courtyard added.
Wang Jin watched as Mu ger and the others grew increasingly anxious, his eye twitching slightly.
After all, they were still part of the same tribe. These people couldn’t let go of their former leader.
Xi ger took a shaky breath. "The leader took a hunting party out yesterday morning... and still hasn’t returned by this morning. We’re worried something happened, so we came to ask Brother Heng for help."
Lai Yuan frowned. "How many did the leader take with him?"
"All the beastmen," Xi ger said. "Even the older ones."
"What?!" A-Hua exclaimed. "The beast horde is dangerous! No disrespect to the elders, but older beastmen’s reflexes slow down. They’re supposed to stay behind and protect the gers! Taking them out is sending them to their deaths!"
Xi ger nodded miserably. "My master and I said the same, but the leader insisted on hunting enough in one trip to avoid daily risks... so he took everyone..."
"...And the others agreed?!" Lai Yuan asked.
Those beastmen were experienced. They should have known better.
"Some refused, but the leader wouldn’t listen," Xi ger said. "He promised to bring everyone back alive... and demanded all beastmen go with him."
"Reckless..." Lai Yuan muttered.
Xi ger’s voice cracked. "There’s no time for this! Do you know where Brother Heng is? He’s the only one who can save them now. If we lose half of Danmu Tribe’s beastmen—"
His voice broke. "Please... find Brother Heng..."
"No need to look. I’m here."
A deep voice cut through the tension.
Yuan Heng stood at the edge of the courtyard, Xiao Ruo beside him, looking awkward.
In his hand, he held a bundle of something resembling wood or fruit.
The moment Xi ger saw him, he stumbled forward. "Brother Heng! Please—save Danmu Tribe. Save the leader!"
His voice trembled with desperation. Every beastman and ger in the courtyard turned their eyes to Yuan Heng, waiting for his decision.
Yuan Heng remained silent.
Xi ger clutched his arm. "Brother Heng, I know the leader has been unreasonable, but so many beastmen—they’re Danmu Tribe’s people! Please, don’t hesitate. Go save them!"
Yuan Heng stood motionless, his expression unreadable.
Cheng Bai watched with a sneer.
This tribe relied on the man’s strength but refused to acknowledge it, treating him as one of their own only when convenient...
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