Humanâs emotions were very ethereal and fragile. This was Bai Qingqingâs current feelings.
No matter how tired she felt, when things quietened down, the scene of Shuuâs horrible death would keep on playing out in her mind. After losing sleep for most of the night, she continued to be troubled by nightmares for the later part of the night.
When she woke up the next day, she felt so tired as if she hadnât slept a wink. Bai Qingqing tried hard to make herself appear more energetic. She put on an animal skin coat and went to get a breather.
After the ice and snow melted, greenery quickly sprouted out in the world. The willow trees by the river had their branches filled with green leaves, thin blades of grass grew out from the ground, and even a few beautiful green sweet potato sprouts grew up by the wall.
Bai Qingqing only recalled after thinking about it a little that Parker had planted a few sweet potato vines before the cold season. They had survived for a while and then died off after it snowed. She hadnât expected them to grow again this year.
âSigh!â Even fragile plants had strong vitality, yet strong beastmen could die so easily.
A shadow cast down from above Bai Qingqing, and she knew that it was Parker when she saw the sharp ears on the shadow.
âThatâs great. When it grows bigger, youâll have leaves to eat,â Parker smiled and said, bending over to rest his chin on her head.
Bai Qingqingâs head hurt from being poked by Parkerâs hard chin, and she shook her head to avoid him.
â¦
Winston became the new tiger king without any surprise. He came running to Bai Qingqingâs place early in the morning.
âBai Qingqing!â
âHmmm?â Bai Qingqing turned and stood up when she saw that it was Winston. As she hadnât eaten much for the past few meals, her sugar level was low. When she was about to walk toward Winston, Bai Qingqing was suddenly struck with an intense giddiness.
Parker quickly supported her, and she leaned on him while waiting for the giddiness to pass.
âWhatâs the matter?â Parker asked anxiously. Winston also walked over anxiously. âIâll go and call for a doctorâ¦â
Winston stopped after saying that. The doctors⦠were all from the ape tribe.
Bai Qingqing held onto her forehead, forcing a smile, and said, âIâm fine. Iâm alright now. Winston, is anything the matter?â
To prove that she was really fine, Bai Qingqing stood up and moved her arms around. Curtis stood by the bedroomâs window and looked at her. The two young snakes he was holding in his hands hissed at her.
Winston felt relieved and said, âIâm the tiger king now. I want to invite you guys to move to the tiger castle.â
âThereâs no need. Things are fine here. Thank you for your kind intentions.â Bai Qingqing rejected without giving it any thought.
If Winston and she were just ordinary friends, she wouldnât have stood on ceremony and would have moved into the tiger castle. However, Winston took care of her as he would his mate. If she wasnât planning on accepting him, then what right did she have to keep on receiving his care?
Strong feelings of disappointment appeared in Winstonâs eyes. He lowered his gaze and said softly, âI want to protect you.â
âWith Curtis and Parker, Iâm very safe.â As Bai Qingqing said that, she looked toward Parker. She thought that Parker would act arrogantly like he usually did, but he remained silent.
Bai Qingqing then turned to look at Curtis by the window. Curtis didnât show much reaction, but given that he hadnât refused, his stand was clear.
âCome and stay at my place,â Winston said sincerely. âIâm worried that the ape king might do you harm. Itâs best if you can be protected by a four-striped beastman at all times.â
âIâ¦â Bai Qingqing was hesitant.
âLetâs move.â Curtis, who had been standing quietly by the window, spoke up.
He couldnât constantly stay by Snowâs side and not hunt. However, he wouldnât be at ease leaving her in Parkerâs care. The ape king should be clear that heâd be able to take his life at any time, but Curtis was unable to accept that the ape king might potentially bring Snow down with him in despair.