Zhe Ye took off his general’s uniform, his black shirt stretched full across his physique. Every wrinkle perfectly accentuated the subtle lines, the topmost button at the collar accentuating his long neck, and the distinctly shaped Adam’s apple just visible above the collar, moving irresistibly every time he spoke. He folded the cuffs a few times upward, revealing his strong forearms. "I’ll just whip up a couple of dishes quickly; the delivery services should be suspended by now." He pulled a pink apron over himself. No matter how you looked at it, there was a subtle sense of absurdity. Especially since the loosely tied apron encircled his sturdy waist, a large bow tied at the back. Shi Jue sat attentively beside Ruan Li, serving tea, pouring water, and asking about her well-being. He watched as Ruan Li pinched a few honey-flavored fries to eat, his cheeks turning red repeatedly, hesitating to speak several times. "Shi Jue, do you have something to say to me?" Ruan Li handed a fry to his mouth, and he opened his mouth to eat it, mumbling, looking down with a wandering gaze, "Did you notice?" The series of actions were so obvious, it was hard for her to ignore them. Under Ruan Li’s coaxing, Shi Jue finally, like a mosquito buzzing, said, "I was saying, do you want me to stay with you tonight?" His tan face flushed with two clouds like red apples. Seeing Ruan Li say nothing, he quickly added, "If you don’t want me, Zhe Ye can too, we all can... just, don’t look for those wild beastmen outside." His voice grew increasingly softer, and if Ruan Li wasn’t close enough, she might really not be able to hear what he was saying. "What wild beastmen?" Shi Jue raised his head, the urgency in his eyes almost palpable, "Like that night!" He stuttered, but did not speak explicitly, and not to mention that he initially thought Ruan Li was sexually frigid, only to smell the scent of another beastman in her room shortly after, worrying further that Ruan Li might think domestic males aren’t as enticing as wild ones. But to say such things out loud would make him seem like a petty beast husband. "You could try me first... if you don’t like it, I can learn. The beastmen outside are cunning, I’m afraid they’ll deceive you..." Summoning the courage, he said embarrassing words with a flushed face, making Ruan Li feel both amused and exasperated. All this talk sounded utterly confusing to her. Luckily, under her coercion and temptation, Shi Jue finally laid all his thoughts bare to Ruan Li. "Female Head, you can try me first; if there’s something you don’t like, I can change," Shi Jue’s emerald-green eyes filled with a scattering of stars, hiding a well-concealed possessiveness beneath his cautiousness. The rightful source is noveⅼfire.net At this moment, he crouched in front of the sofa, looking up at Ruan Li, like a small dog wagging its tail. Ruan Li unconsciously petted his golden curls, the soft and slightly firm texture entirely different from a fox’s fur. In those expectant eyes, she pondered, "Let me think about it." In the kitchen, someone’s preparations paused for a brief moment. That night, Ruan Li closed the door to her room as usual, completely unaware of the soulful gaze she received. The next evening, she again closed the door as usual, and the soulful gaze grew even more intense. Until... the fourth night. Shi Jue saw her about to close the door and hurriedly blocked it. Ruan Li looked at him in confusion, "What’s wrong?" "Ruannuan, did you forget something?" The man spoke with subtle anticipation; he had been hinting all day, but Ruan Li always quickly changed the topic. Now he was truly impatient, fearing that in a day or two, other beastmen might vie for her attention. Specifically referring to a certain wolf who always cooked diligently, a certain whimpering creature, a certain aloof crane, and a certain fierce marine animal. Ruan Li blinked twice and suddenly realized, "Oh! You mean that thing—" Shi Jue was hooked by her drawn-out tone, his previously dejected expression now brightened like a puppy waiting for a treat, missing only a crazily wagging tail. This scene made Ruan Li’s heart itch. After all, it was just about cuddling a little lion to sleep, nothing much. "Just for tonight, I’ll give you the special privilege of warming the bed." Ruan Li’s eyes curved like crescent moons, golden curls reflecting in them like twinkling morning stars, accentuated by two dazzling emeralds. With just a hook of her finger, the small lion almost stumbled its way into the room, his face dazed with overwhelming joy. He was the first among the five beast husbands to win the privilege of warming the bed! Clutching this realization, the rampant pheromones quickly filled the room. Ruan Li only detected a rich, fresh grassy scent spreading through the space. Strange, could it be that the window was left open, allowing the garden’s grass scent to be blown inside? She even went to check the window, only to find it firmly closed, the grassy scent still lingering inside. She turned and saw Shi Jue standing ramrod straight like a steel bar, his cheeks blazing. Curiously, Ruan Li reached out to poke the red on his face, but the scorching sensation made her withdraw after just a few pokes. Why is he so shy... it makes her want to be a bit wicked. She brushed aside the naughty thoughts, pretending to clear her throat, "Shi Jue, do you want to shower first, or should I?" Startled by the warm breath she blew at his neck, Shi Jue stepped back, "I-I’m fine with either." "Alright, then you go first." Ruan Li leisurely awaited the cease of water sounds from the bathroom. "Ruannuan, I think I forgot to bring clothes..." Shi Jue’s hesitant and embarrassed voice came from the bathroom. Ruan Li leaned on the bedhead, feigning surprise, "What should we do then?" "Why don’t you go to my room and grab some clothes for me?" She could almost visualize the blush on the gold lion’s face, his emerald eyes misted with embarrassment, looking at her, pleading. "Why don’t you just wrap yourself in a towel and come out? It’s too late for me to fetch your clothes now." The bathroom fell silent for a moment. With a click, dense humid steam surged out, and within it stood a silhouette. At a glance, one could see his strong tan upper body, golden curls distinctly visible amidst the mist. As the mist dissipated, water droplets glistened as they slowly rolled down his well-defined physique, a faint water trail marking their path, drawing Ruan Li’s gaze across his firm upper body. She clearly heard herself swallowing a gulp. Perhaps there was too much steam, making the air feel humid and scorching. The large white towel wrapped snugly around his waist and abdomen, but the bulging curve was still quite pleasing to the eye.