After a long while without an answer from Ruan Fu, Chief Nian couldn't help but look down. Moonlight spilled through the cracks of the cave, illuminating her peaceful, sleeping face. She leaned against his shoulder, her breathing even and steady. He gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead. As his fingertips brushed against her slightly cool skin, a wave of tenderness washed over him. He carefully changed her into clean animal skin garments and tucked a thick blanket securely around her.
Her sleeping face was as pure as fresh snow. Chief Nian leaned in close, his long rabbit ears drooping until they almost brushed her cheek. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the cave.
"Ruan—"
Chief Nian snapped his head around. Backlit by the moonlight stood the tall, imposing silhouette of Xuan Ling. The Dragon Clan male's silver hair gleamed with an icy luster in the pale light. Wisps of purple mist still lingered on his dragon horns, making it obvious that he had rushed here straight from the bottom of the cliff.
As Xuan Ling's gaze swept over the scene inside the cave, his pupils contracted sharply. Chief Nian's hand was still resting on Ruan Fu's cheek, and a faint, sweet yet musky scent hung in the air—the unmistakable pheromones of a male from the Rabbit Clan. Such an intimately intertwined scent could only mean they had mated.
As the realization of what might have just happened hit him, Xuan Ling felt as if a massive boulder had been shoved into his chest, making it hard to breathe. Dragon scales surfaced uncontrollably along his neck, and his fingertips trembled slightly. An intensely sour, uncomfortable sensation hijacked his mind, slowing his reactions. He stood frozen in place, watching as Chief Nian slowly stood up, using his tall frame to completely block Ruan Fu from view.
Chief Nian's gaze was as cold as ice, and his long ears stood at attention. His tone was forceful and left no room for argument. "Fufu just fell asleep. If you need something, you can tell me."
Fufu. What an overly intimate nickname. Yet, not long ago, she had been hugging him, confessing her affection for him. She really was a fickle and hypocritical female.
Xuan Ling scoffed coldly. His naturally aloof green eyes now seemed to freeze over with a layer of frost, chilling anyone who dared to look into them to the bone. He raised his gaze to meet Chief Nian's head-on. "As long as she is alright."
The moment the words left his mouth, he turned to leave, but Chief Nian called out to stop him.
Seeing Xuan Ling's struggle to maintain his composure, Chief Nian chuckled. He stepped slightly to the side, just enough to reveal the soundly sleeping Ruan Fu behind him. "Aren't you going to come over and see for yourself to be sure?" His words carried an obvious hint of mockery.
Xuan Ling furrowed his brows. His spine went entirely rigid. He squeezed his fists tightly, barely managing to suppress the overwhelming urge to turn around.
"No need," he threw the words back coldly, then strode away without a moment's hesitation.
"How interesting," Chief Nian chuckled softly. He had been watching very closely and certainly hadn't missed Xuan Ling's subtle, unnatural reactions. It seemed the proud prodigy of the heavens was only so-so. He absolutely refused to believe that Xuan Ling harbored no ulterior motives toward Ruan Fu.
He turned back to look at Ruan Fu, whose eyes were still tightly shut as if she were in a deep slumber. "It seems you reaped quite the harvest on your trip outside," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.
A second later, Ruan Fu slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him with bright brown eyes, blinking her lashes lightly. "So, are you happy for me?"
Sometimes, Chief Nian truly admired her audacity and her bizarre thought process. Yet, despite it all, she had him completely wrapped around her finger. He let out a helpless sigh and sat on the edge of her bed. The moment he sat down, a delicate hand slipped out from under the animal hide blanket and hooked onto his drooping rabbit ear.
As her fingertips twirled the soft fur, Chief Nian's cheeks grew slightly hot. He lowered his eyes. "Yes. So, do you know my answer now?" He finally voiced the question Ruan Fu had left unanswered earlier.
Ruan Fu gazed at Chief Nian. To think he had managed to reach this level of acceptance in just a few short days—he was a promising pupil indeed. And since he had done so well, he deserved a reward. Her hand slid down to the back of his neck. With a gentle tug, she pulled him close, tilted her head slightly, and pressed her lips solemnly against his cheek in a soft kiss.
"Thank you, Chief Nian."
At that moment, the simple gesture was better than a passionate embrace. Joy uncontrollably colored Chief Nian's features. He knew that the last tiny bit of initial reluctance in his heart had completely vanished into thin air. This was how it should be—he should strive to please her to earn her rewards.
Chief Nian narrowed his eyes, a smile curling the corners of his lips. "Am I the first?"
"Hmm?"
Ruan Fu quickly understood what he meant. Considering everything she had done since transmigrating into this world, Chief Nian was undeniably her first. Even though she didn't care about rankings, Chief Nian cared deeply—just like all males did. Seeing the expectation in his eyes, Ruan Fu's eyes curved into a sweet smile as she gave a firm nod. "Yes, you are the first."
In an instant, Chief Nian's heart was filled with immense satisfaction. All the trivial things he had been agonizing over before were suddenly entirely inconsequential. As long as Ruan Fu needed him, that was enough. He thoughtfully tucked the animal hide blanket around her again, giving her a few careful instructions before he finally felt at ease enough to leave.
The cave instantly fell into a heavy silence. Ruan Fu stared at the tiny points of starlight shimmering on the rock wall from the refracting moonlight, then closed her eyes. She could finally get a good night's sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Snake Clan.
"Brother, let me out, please? I'm just going to see Ruan Fu. I promise I won't do anything." Inside the cave, An Rui pounded heavily on the door, his face etched with anxiety.
Ever since he was caught sneaking out to see Ruan Fu, he had been locked up by An Bei. His brother had even assigned specific guards to watch over him, fearing he would transform into his true form and slip away. Under normal circumstances, he could have stayed quiet and behaved, but things were different now. Ruan Fu had been involved in an accident, and he couldn't put his mind at ease without seeing her with his own eyes.
Seeing that An Bei was ignoring him, An Rui instantly transformed into his original form. His massive, thick snake tail thrashed violently against the rock wall, sending loose stones tumbling down.
Outside the door, An Bei furrowed his brows as he watched his brother lose his mind. Suppressing his anger, he snapped, "I told you that you are never to see her again! Are you going to disobey your own brother now?"
"Brother..." An Rui muttered aggrievedly, though he still obediently retracted his snake tail. He looked at An Bei standing outside the cave, his long eyelashes fluttering. His green eyes were filled with a desperate plea. "Brother, then can you go see her for me? I just need to make sure she's okay. I'm begging you..."
An Bei's frown deepened, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. "Sometimes I really want to crack your head open and see what's inside. You've only met her a few times, so how could you..."
"You don't understand, brother."
An Rui drifted into his memories—from Ruan Fu's initial panic and fear during their first meeting, to the way she slowly drew closer to him each subsequent time. He was certain this wasn't just because Ruan Fu was his first female. More importantly, she was just different.
An Rui licked his lips, a sickeningly sweet smile spreading across his face that sent a sudden chill down An Bei's spine. He had truly spoiled this younger brother of his far too much, turning him into a complete empty-headed fool.
An Bei sighed in utter defeat. "Fine, I promise you. I'll go check on her later."