While the meat was being roasted, Bai Qingqing sized up Muir absently. She suddenly asked, âHas that group of eagle beastmen not left yet? You seem tired to me. Do they frequently seek trouble with you?â
It was just a simple word of concern, yet it made Muirâs heart soar in joy. It felt as though there was a ball of fire burning in his chest, spreading the warmth to his four limbs and bones all over his body.
âNo, I try my best to avoid them. I would only occasionally bump into them. Iâm among the best in the eagle tribe. Itâs not a problem for me to shake them off, but it would expend some energy.â
Although Muir put it lightly, Bai Qingqing knew it must be extremely dangerous. She said guiltily, âIâm sorry for implicating you.â
âIâm happy to be implicated by you.â Muir stared passionately at her. âIâm just afraid you wonât even give me the chance to be implicated by you.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Bai Qingqing avoided his gaze awkwardly and kept adding firewood into the fire to keep herself occupied.
After she had eaten her fill, Bai Qingqing packed up the food for one day, and also packed a share for Bella.
After parting ways with Muir, she walked with her head lowered and her eyes on the ground before her, resuming the inferior manner she assumed when she was in the peacock village.
âBai Qingqing, hurry over. Iâve found the firewood.â
A male voice rang from ahead. Bai Qingqing looked up.
This beastman had started pursuing her since several days ago. He was rather dull and honest, and his only aim in pursuing her was so that she could give birth to his children, and not really because he truly fancied her. Thus, she felt no pressure rejecting him.
âIâve finished roasting the meat, but still, thank you for your firewood,â Bai Qingqing said softly as she continued walking with her head lowered.
The male walked to Bai Qingqingâs side. She looked at his feet, then said, âIâm not going to accept you, youâd better stop helping me.â
âThis is just a trivial matter to me, but it would take a lot of effort for you to accomplish.â The male scratched the back of his head and said, âEven⦠even if you wonât accept me itâs fine. Iâll still continue to help you.â
Bai Qingqing turned her head and properly looked at the male who had been wooing her for a few days for the first time. He was just an ordinary beastman with no animal stripes.
âThanks,â Bai Qingqing said sincerely.
The male chuckled good-naturedly, before scratching the back of his head again. âNo female in this village likes me. Since you donât have a male now, why donât we become mates? Although the colors of my feathers donât look very pretty, Iâd still be able to provide for you.â
Bai Qingqing covered her mouth and laughed softly. She said half-jokingly, âReally canât. My mates are very possessive and powerful. If my new mate is too weak, they will kill him.â
âAh!â The peacock male let out a pitiful cry. âYou mean that eagle beastman? Heâs indeed very powerful and doesnât look easy to get along with either.â
âNot him, but thereâs one whose capabilities rival him. In the past when males pursued me, he would duel with my admirers every day.â At the thought of Parker, the smile faded from Bai Qingqingâs face, followed by a bout of heartache.
Every time he fought, Parker would come back full of injuries.
âWell then, guess I can only forget about it,â said the male. Then, he added, âBut I will still help you.â
âWhy?â
The maleâs handsome face flushed, and he swallowed his saliva and scratched the fur on his head, before saying, âActually, I still like you a lot. When Iâm talking with you, I feel that youâre kind of different from how you look⦠Youâre very cute.â
Bai Qingqing immediately bit her lower lip and did some self-reflection. She indeed spoke a little too much today. Had she exposed her true nature? Thankfully, this beastman seemed easy to brush off. She made a mental note to be more careful in the future.
âIâll return to my nest first. I live just two tree branches above you, just call me if you need my help.â