Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Don’t Cry
In the dense, dark forest, silence reigned, interrupted only by the rustling of tree leaves.
"Crack—"
A crisp sound of breaking branches came from behind. Bai Qiao, uncertain and alert, lifted her head, only to see a shadow swiftly swoop by, snatching her animal hide and darting quickly into the bushes.
"Help! Mother, Father!"
She screamed with all her might, but the wind scattered her cries, and no one came to help. Watching the firelight in the forest fade entirely, the desperate female began to struggle wildly with hands and feet.
"Who are you, what do you want to do!"
Wen Shu lay on the Black Panther’s back, afraid she might cry out and cause trouble, quickly directing, "Head south."
To avoid attracting the competitors’ attention, the male protagonist chose the most remote path through the forest.
Bai Qiao met him when she was originally captured by a male with ill intentions. Now with one link missing, she had to take matters into her own hands.
Approaching the destination, Wen Shu pointed to the bushes beside the path, "Leave her there, let’s wait up in the tree."
Wu Xuan hesitated not at all, swiftly knocked the female unconscious and tossed her into the bushes, then leapt into the forest, and climbed up a towering tree with her.
From high above, the view was clear. Wen Shu waited quietly on the Black Panther’s back for the male protagonist and his company to arrive.
Wu Xuan slowed his breathing, confirmed there was no danger around, and looked at Wen Shu, unable to move his gaze.
In the misty moonlight, the tender-bodied female lay with her chin resting on her hand, her face brushing against his dark fur, appearing increasingly delicate and fair.
Seeing this scene, his heartbeat became uneven, and unconsciously he swallowed a gulp.
Unexpectedly, a "gulp" sound broke the serene beauty.
Noticing his movement, the female looked at him in confusion, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, a captivating glow lining the corner of her eyes, "Wu Xuan?"
Her voice was gentle, she leaned closer, reaching out to touch his ear, murmuring softly as if sighing, "Thank you for not questioning and still willing to help me."
It always seemed, whatever she intended, even if she truly were evil, Wu Xuan would go through with it unhesitatingly.
Wen Shu’s lips curled, warmth surged across her heart.
She gazed into the Black Panther’s eyes, seeing shadows in the golden eyes reflecting her image, her heartbeat suddenly skipped.
The warm night breeze blew past, a few lush green leaves rustled down, making the atmosphere somewhat nuanced.
The Black Panther’s gaze gradually blurred; its furry head unconsciously drew closer, "Ashu..."
The male’s rich voice, seductive with a slight huskiness, swept lightly across her ear, making her heart tremble.
Realizing what he wanted, Wen Shu’s palms sweated, an inexplicable nervousness mingled as she faced his gradually enlarging golden eyes; unable to handle an inch, she lowered her eyelids slightly.
A slightly rough kiss pressed against her face side, leaving a damp touch.
She blinked, breathing lightly for a few seconds, cheeks ablaze as she turned, only to see a touch of melancholy flash in Wu Xuan’s eyes.
This fool, did he think she was avoiding him?
She pursed her rosy lips, lifted the Black Panther’s fluffy head, and in his astonished gaze, leaned down, granting a gentle kiss.
She steadied her clamorous heartbeat, gently rested her forehead against his, softening her tone, "Wu Xuan, you’re such a fool."
Wu Xuan stared blankly, sides her.
Seeing her cheeks blush, eyes filled with unabashed tenderness, the whole beast seemed to be in clouds, its heart briefly halted for a few seconds then thundering louder.
His pupils dilated, unable to restrain the excitement in his heart; his large head suddenly drew near, licking her face with saliva.
"Ashu, can I kiss you?"
The side of her face brushed past something moist and tender.
Wen Shu chuckled, wiping her face, met his expectant gaze but suddenly reminisced that night, when he said he wanted to leave with her, filled with excitement.
But now, he hid in beast form, not daring even to face her...
Her heart surged with indescribable pain, a bitter taste spreading in her throat; she gazed at his burning eyes, leaned in, and hugged his head, "Yes, but there’s a premise."
Feeling the Black Panther tense a bit, her fingertips curled twice, seriously cupping him, planting several kisses on the side of his face, "Wu Xuan, the Divine Tree Leaves fill me with power, turn back into human form and let me heal you, alright?"
His ears quivered as the words resounded.
Once she grasped the panic beneath his eyes, Wen Shu paused, tightened her embrace, soothing him lovingly, "I like you, very much, and even more so, regardless of what form you take, this won’t change."
Her eyes welled with heat, kissing tenderly over his fluffy face, a trembling voice shaping the words, "I suddenly miss you, I want to hold you..."
A searing moistness seeped into the fur, imprinting on the side of Wu Xuan’s face; stunned for a moment, he then understood what the female said.
Ashu likes him...
She misses him...
His gaze fell on her tear-streaked face, his heart swelled yet felt a dull ache.
He couldn’t distinguish these emotions, but confronted by her tears, all timidity and weakness became negligible.
Nothing mattered more than Ashu.
"Ashu..."
The male’s dazed voice echoed low near her ear.
In that frozen instant, Wen Shu’s legs slightly parted, kneeling over the sturdy waist and abdomen of the male.
The fur she clutched vanished unknowingly, replaced by a firm, solid chest.
Before she regained herself, large coarse hands caressed her cheek, gently brushing off the tear-dampened corner of her eye, "Stop crying."
The husky, deep voice chimed above her.
Wen Shu’s breath hitched for a few seconds, she wanted to lift her eyes, yet was gently secured at the neck, her face buried against the scorching solid chest muscles.
"No, I’m ugly now,"
Wu Xuan’s muffled voice emanated as if squeezed through his nose.
Hearing his humble tone, joy drained from Wen Shu’s eyes as her gaze caught the gnarled corrosive scars on his arms, frowning tightly.
She bit her lips, wanting to look at him compassionately, but Wu Xuan held her firmly, his hoarse voice laden with plea, "Ashu, don’t look at me, I don’t want you to see me like this..."
Wen Shu opened her mouth, her throat parched painfully, after brief silence, she chose to concede.
"Alright, I’ll do as you say."
The familiar scent lingered at the tip of her nose; she embraced his firm waist, slowly relaxed her tense heart, "I’ll heal you, and if someone comes, remember to alert me."
Saying so, her palm pressed tightly to Wu Xuan’s back.
Within the dense leaves, an ethereal white light began to glow, enveloping the tightly embraced figures.
The gentle night breeze brushed lightly, lifting the tender strands of hair, silently entwining into knots...
After an unknown length of time, Wen Shu, fatigued, lulled into sleep.
"Ashu, someone is coming."
In a daze, the familiar voice gently sounded near her ear.
She forced her eyes open to find, under the dazzling sunlight, a strikingly handsome face expanding before her eyes.
Those scorching golden eyes had deepened, dazzling and all-consuming.
"Ashu?"
Wu Xuan moved his pale lips.
Wen Shu instantly revived, noticed his face entirely restored, her eyes brightened, her lips curving to a joyous smile.
But people had already halted beneath the tree, and she could only hold him tightly in silent elation.
"What’s a female doing here?"
As Wu Xuan’s large hand brushed her cheek, an immensely familiar voice faintly echoed.
Wen Shu frowned, glanced below through the leaves, and indeed spotted Ku Jia’s rounded face!
Why are they here too?