Bai Lianhua stared at him, angry and embarrassed at the same time. She had actually been planning to make him her fourth beast husband someday, but now he had seen her rolling on the ground, crying like a fool.
Her face flushed red with shame.
But she quickly changed her expression, acting pitifully. She sniffled and looked up at him with watery eyes.
"Why did you scare me like that? Ouch... it still hurts..." she said softly, rubbing her jaw.
Wang Mo frowned and looked at her for a moment, his tone calm but stern. "Why is female Bai Lianhua wandering in the forest at this time? Itâs very dangerous. If you wanted to meet someone, you should have chosen a better place."
His voice was serious, but his words made her freeze.
"Meet someone?" she repeated, blinking in confusion. Then her face turned crimson as she understood what he meant.
Wang Mo clearly thought she had come here to meet a secret lover.
Such things were not rare in the tribe... some females liked the thrill of meeting their mates or lovers secretly in the forest at night.
Bai Lianhuaâs embarrassment shot through the roof. She waved her hands quickly. "No! No, I wasnât meeting anyone! I just came out to... to relieve myself!" she said hurriedly with a bright red face. "But you scared me so badly!"
Wang Moâs own face turned red now. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem... I see. Then, Iâm sorry for scaring you. But female Bai Lianhua should go back to the cave now. Itâs not safe to be out here alone."
He turned, clearly planning to leave.
But Bai Lianhuaâs mood only worsened when she saw him walking away. She cried harder, her voice trembling as she watched his back.
Useless beast man..., she thought bitterly. If it were Hu Yan, he wouldâve taken me in his arms and carried me back himself.
But when Wang Mo was about to walk away, she quickly put on a pitiful face again.
"Wait..." she called out weakly.
Wang Mo stopped and turned around. "What is it, female Bai Lianhua?"
She held her ankle and winced as if she were in pain. "I... I think I twisted my foot when I fell. It hurts so much. I canât walk..."
Her voice was soft and full of helplessness, almost trembling.
Wang Mo frowned and took a step closer, looking at her carefully. "You are hurt?"
"Yes," she nodded pitifully, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Itâs late... and I canât even stand properly. Could you... maybe help me get back to the cave?"
Wang Mo hesitated. His face showed clear discomfort. He was a disciplined warrior, and everyone in the tribe knew he was careful about touching unmated females. It wasnât considered proper.
"Itâs not good for a male to touch an unmated female," he said stiffly. "I can call someone else to help you."
But Bai Lianhua quickly shook her head, acting more desperate. "No! Everyoneâs asleep. Please, warrior Wang Mo... Iâm scared to stay here alone. What if a beast comes out of the forest again?"
Her trembling voice and tearful eyes did their work. Wang Mo sighed quietly. "Fine," he said at last. "I will help you."
He bent down and carefully lifted her up in his arms.
Bai Lianhua secretly smiled, but she hid it quickly behind a weak expression. She leaned against his chest lightly, pretending to be fragile.
However, she noticed soon that Wang Mo was as still as a rock. His face showed no warmth or softness, and his eyes were fixed straight ahead. He carried her like a burden, not even glancing down once.
That made Bai Lianhua grit her teeth inside.
Heâs carrying me like a sack of ground fruits! she thought angrily.
She wanted him to at least look at her, to show some concern, to speak gently, or maybe to offer her some good thing like beautiful hides or some good food. But Wang Mo stayed quiet, his arms steady and his pace calm.
So she started to act again, making her voice softer and full of sadness. "Iâm really sorry, warrior Wang Mo... for troubling you like this," she said, trying to sound grateful and pitiful at the same time.
"Itâs just... Iâm a lonely female. I have no mate, no one to protect me. Sometimes, I feel like Iâm just a burden in the tribe."
Wang Mo looked straight ahead and said stiffly, "Female Bai Lianhua will surely find someone she likes one day."
That was all.
No comfort, no emotion. Just a short, polite answer.
Bai Lianhua blinked, feeling her anger rise again. He really treats me like thin air! she thought.
She tried again, talking about how scary the night was and how thankful she felt. But Wang Mo only nodded quietly, not replying further.
The silence between them stretched. The only sound was the soft rustle of his footsteps and the whisper of the night wind.
By the time they reached the edge of the female cave, Bai Lianhua was fuming inside, though she still kept her pitiful act on the surface.
Wang Mo stopped and carefully set her down on her feet. "We are here," he said simply. "Rest well. Donât walk alone at night again."
Before she could say another word, he turned and started walking away.
"Wang Mo..." she called out, but he didnât stop.
He quickened his pace, almost like he was afraid to stay another second.
Bai Lianhua watched him go, her lips pressed tight in anger. He disappeared into the trees in no time as if someone had set his tail on fire.
She stamped her foot in frustration, though it made her ankle ache even more. "Useless man!" she muttered under her breath. "If it were Hu Yan, he would have carried me all the way inside and not left until I smiled!"
She sighed, crossing her arms. The cold air brushed against her face as she stood alone outside the cave.
Her plan to charm Wang Mo had failed completely. Instead of falling for her act, he had treated her like a heavy bundle he just wanted to drop off.
But Bai Lianhuaâs eyes narrowed slightly. "Hmph... next time, Iâll make sure he doesnât escape so easily."
With that, she turned and limped back inside, her mind already plotting again on how to get this stupid beastman to bring her some good things, because many of her pursuers had stopped giving her good things.