Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Large droplets of tears rolled down Bai Qingqingâs cheeks as she muttered, âHow could the scorpion poison be spread to Anâan? Sheâs so young...â
She then threw herself into Winstonâs arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Winston hugged her tightly and said, âSheâll recover after tonight.â
âBut... what if...â Bai Qingqing was out of breath from crying, and it took a while for her to finish her sentence. âShe doesnât make it... past tonight?â
Winston didnât respond and became silent.
Bai Qingqing continued to cry. She had a swollen head and a splitting headache from crying for so long. She couldnât open her eyes and couldnât fall asleep, either. Winston hugged her and patted her back from time to time as the two of them sat like that for the whole night.
Before the break of dawn, when the night sky was at its darkest, a series of light footsteps could be heard in the stone castle.
Winstonâs round ears perked up as he turned to look outside.
Bai Qingqing raised her head as well. Her eyes were so red and swollen that they looked like peaches. She hadnât heard anything, only having a certain feeling in her heart.
âAre they back?â Bai Qingqing asked softly as her heart rose to her throat.
âMm,â Winston responded.
Harvey then rushed in.
Bai Qingqing immediately stood up and looked at him nervously. âHowâs Anâan?â
Winston stared intently at him as well.
Harvey was out of breath from running over so quickly. He said while panting heavily, âAnâan... she...â
âHow is she?â Bai Qingqing held her breath. It felt as if something was stuck in her throat, and a series of screams would rip from her throat if she relaxed even the slightest bit.
Harvey licked his lips. âAnâan... she...â
Bai Qingqing anxiously grabbed his shoulders and desperately shook them. âJust how is Anâan? Can you just finish your sentence?â
Too emotional to control herself, Bai Qingqing used all the protection given to her from Parkerâs spousal mark and nearly pulled him down.
âAnâanâs asleep!â Harvey roared, then panted as he rested a hand on his knee.
All of a sudden, all the strength left Bai Qingqingâs body and she went limp. Winston rushed to her side and caught her.
A femaleâs stifled cry was then heard in the house. Bai Qingqing could barely breathe. It was as if something in her world had suddenly collapsed and shattered into piecesâjust like her.
Winston held her in his lap and gently patted her back. He then said in a rough yet gentle voice, âItâs okay. You still have me, Parker, and Curtis.â
âRoar!â
âRoar! Roar!â
âRoar!â
The leopard cubs gathered around their mommy as they desperately tried to validate their existence.
Harvey scratched the back of his head and asked in confusion, âI said Anâanâs sleeping. What are you crying about?â
Bai Qingqing didnât hear him at all as she was still sobbing uncontrollably. Winstonâs ears perked up, and he suddenly turned to look at him.
âAnâanâs alive?â
Harvey was astounded. âSince when did I say that Anâan is dead? I only said that sheâs sleeping. Did I not say that? Did I say something wrong?â
Harvey was dumbfounded and bewildered.
âAaaah...â Bai Qingqing couldnât make out what was being said, but the moment she heard Anâanâs name, her cries grew louder.
Winston was speechless.
Harvey and the leopard cubs were speechless as well.
âRoar!â Refusing to be ignored, the leopard cubs broke the awkward âpeaceâ and clawed at their mommyâs clothes.