Beauty and the Beasts

“How are people going to live here? There aren’t any trees around.” Bai Qingqing jumped down from his arms. The grass underneath her feet was dry, tough, and prickly, while the ground was dry, withered, and yellowish.

“This is the central region. I’m thinking of constructing a castle for you here.” Winston looked spirited as he gazed at the vast plot of land. Even his quiet disposition dimmed by a little.

“I’ll start making preparations now. When the construction of the city begins, the castle should be built by then.”

Bai Qingqing widened her eyes. “For me?”

Her heart rate involuntarily accelerated. Avoiding Winston’s gaze, she pretended to size up the surroundings.

“I can live anywhere. The tree hole is fine. You can just use this plot of land as a venue for gatherings,” said Bai Qingqing.

Winston’s deep silver eyes stared intently at her with deep passion in its depths. If Bai Qingqing were to turn her head back, she would surely have drowned in that gaze.

“I want to give you the best.” Winston articulated each word clearly, as though he was swearing an oath.

Bai Qingqing didn’t look back, but even then she was influenced by the emotions in his voice. She didn’t quite know how to respond to this passionate side of him. Without even raising her head, she said, “Oh, I’ll go back and tell Parker about it. He’ll probably come here to help out.”

Winston smiled but said nothing. He handed her the spinach.

“I’ve washed them. You can eat them. I’ll pluck some grass for you to take back home, alright?”

Bai Qingqing took the spinach from him. Not wanting Winston to make another trip back just to send her back, she nodded and said, “Alright, you can get back to work.”

Winston was about to bend over when he suddenly halted. He took a deep breath and stroked Bai Qingqing’s head, then left feeling content. He moved two rocks over to her side to shield her from the sun, and also from danger.

Bai Qingqing nibbled at the vegetables out of boredom while she watched Winston work and surveyed the surroundings. This plot of land occupied quite a sizable area. Even if a castle as the one in the City of Beastmen was built here, there was also plenty of space for a garden and a parade square for gatherings.

The grass around this area was slim, long, and resilient, and easily removed by the roots. With his tremendous strength, it took Winston only half an hour to remove all the grass.

“Are we going back now?” Bai Qingqing got to her feet and slapped her hands, finding to her alarm that she had finished eating all the raw spinach.

Thinking that she hadn’t eaten enough, Winston said, “There’s plenty more by the riverside. We can go there to pluck some on our way back.”

“So much? Okay, let’s dig out a few plants and plant them ourselves,” said Bai Qingqing.

“Okay.”

Although Winston said it was on the way, they actually had to take a long detour before they managed to spot the spinach. When they returned to the village, they bumped into Parker happening to come back with the leopard cubs.

Upon seeing them alone, Parker’s jealousy was triggered. He stuck out his legs and pounced towards Winston.

Winston placed the spinach in Bai Qingqing’s arms and set her down on the floor. By then, Parker had leaped into the air and was about to pounce down upon him.

“Roar! Howl~” Before Parker’s angry roar finished ringing, it morphed into a painful howl.

Winston pinned down the leopard’s neck with one hand, the muscles on his arms bulging exaggeratedly. With his terrifying strength, it seemed to take him no effort at all to flip the leopard over and pin him upon the ground.

“Ah! Don’t fight!” When Bai Qingqing realized what was going on, she walked over to hold Winston back.

Winston was about to let go when the leopard cubs roared and came charging at him.

Of course, Winston wouldn’t hit the little cubs. With his head lowered, he merely dodged and didn’t retaliate, and blood trickled down his bitten legs.

“Babies!” Bai Qingqing shouted angrily. But her voice was drowned by their roars.