Marrying the Soft-hearted Villain

Time rewound to half a day earlier.

After parting ways with the two silly bears in the center of the forest, the giant eagle protected the contents of the hide pouch with one wing, while the other struggled to flap through the icy rain.

He flew for a while and, luckily, spotted another protruding rock face. He landed and took shelter from the rain for half the night.

He was now a mature Sand Clan Red Eagle and knew he couldn't transform into a ferocious fish. Getting rained on wouldn't make his eagle feathers as sleek and soft as fish skin; it would only make him uncomfortable.

Tian Xiu, the eagle, waited under the rock face until the falling ice rain turned into a mixture of light snowflakes and rainwater before continuing to flap his wings towards the edge of the forest.

Tian Xiu had traveled from the distant Sand Clan tribe, flying continuously for four or five days. He was now utterly exhausted.

Because of the great distance, Yao below the fifth rank couldn't communicate across vast distances, and there wasn't a dedicated messaging organization on the continent. More than ten days had passed between Yuan Jue's incident and when he learned about it.

Having just heard that news from the lion Yao, Tian Xiu had almost given up hope.

Along the way, despite choosing safe and secluded routes, he had encountered numerous tribes, both large and small.

In most of these tribes, the majority of Yao and humans held an indifferent attitude towards Yuan Jue's situation. Even the small tribes Yuan Jue had helped during his time as leader felt the same.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wolf falls, all the Yao trample it. Everyone always cared more about themselves, and Yuan Jue wasn't considered a good Yao in the eyes of other Yao anyway.

Tian Xiu had already prepared himself to see Ruan Qiuqiu's bloodied corpse.

However, as a polite Sand Clan eagle, when he noticed the specially designed "door" at the cave entrance, he politely knocked with his beak.

He waited for a long time. Just as he thought that the people and Yao inside the cave were likely dead, Yuan Jue opened the "door."

Only…

The human standing behind him… was that the human the lion Yao said had been killed?

The eagle's brain short-circuited.

Yuan Jue, the violent wolf Yao who couldn't stand being within three meters of a female Yao, even a cub, was standing so close to a human?

The eagle's light brown eyes darted around, landing on Ruan Qiuqiu's red ears and cheeks.

Why did this human smell so strongly of Yuan Jue?

Could it be… they…

No… impossible, right?

The eagle was completely dumbfounded. He stood frozen in place, only his red feathers ruffled by the cold wind still moving.

Ruan Qiuqiu, draped in the white sheepskin, watched the red… silly eagle at the cave entrance suddenly freeze. Slightly worried, she took two steps forward. "This… Brother Eagle, are you alright?"

The cold wind whipped through the half-open door and the gap beside the eagle, chilling Ruan Qiuqiu to the bone and making her shiver.

She hadn't felt it in the bedroom, but it seemed the temperature had dropped outside.

Mr. Tianluo Grey Wolf's Yao senses "saw" her tighten the fur around her. His dark eyebrows furrowed into a distinct "chuan" shape, and he took half a step forward, his left hand gripping the wooden staff.

Ruan Qiuqiu only saw a shadow flash before her. The fur on Mr. Grey Wolf's earthy yellow hide clothing ruffled in the wind, and then Brother Eagle was gone from her sight.

Yuan Jue pursed his lips, his long black hair slightly dampened by the wind-blown rain. His voice was still cold, but with a hint of imperceptible emotion. "Tian Xiu, what are you doing here?"

So, Brother Eagle's name was Tian Xiu?

Ruan Qiuqiu almost chuckled, but she felt sorry for the eagle who had waited so long in the rain and wind, so she held back.

Hearing Yuan Jue's voice, the eagle seemed to snap back to reality. His large beak opened and closed, emitting sounds Ruan Qiuqiu couldn't understand.

"Wah—Goo-wah—(Senior, my mate at home heard you took a wife and asked me to bring some gifts.)"

Tian Xiu carefully chose his words, speaking in the Yao language.

Although this trip was primarily to repay a debt and clear his conscience so he could progress further in his cultivation, it was also true that his mate had asked him to bring celebratory gifts. Tian Xiu felt that this explanation might be more acceptable to the wolf in front of him.

He guessed correctly. The initially cold and stern wolf's expression softened, a rare tenderness touching his dark eyes and the corners of his brows when he heard that the eagle's gifts were related to his marriage. "Is that so? Thank you."

Although she couldn't understand what the eagle said, it was clear his words weren't unwelcome to Mr. Grey Wolf.

This was the first time she had heard him speak in such a tone. Perhaps he and this eagle were friends?

To visit under these circumstances, the silly eagle was truly a good Yao.

Ruan Qiuqiu smiled. She initially wanted to invite Brother Eagle into the "master bedroom" to get out of the rain and warm up, but remembering the demonic energy on Mr. Grey Wolf, she dismissed the idea.

However, she couldn't be inhospitable to a visiting Yao.

"Let the gu… Yao take shelter from the rain in the cave entrance. I'll get you some hot water," Ruan Qiuqiu said to Yuan Jue, carefully choosing her words.

Yuan Jue's grip on the wooden staff tightened, his pale lips pressed together, his expression odd.

But Ruan Qiuqiu didn't wait for his reply and turned to go back to the "master bedroom" to fetch water.

Just as she turned, she heard Yuan Jue say indifferently, "We don't have a bowl for him to drink from."

Ruan Qiuqiu "…" There were only two wooden bowls in the house, one hers and one Mr. Grey Wolf's. The latter was made later; initially, they only had one.

Was he worried that the eagle would mind using their bowls? She hadn't expected Mr. Grey Wolf to be so considerate of other Yao.

Ruan Qiuqiu smiled. "It's okay, I made new small wooden cups before. We can use those."

Mr. Grey Wolf's expression became even more complex.

He had secretly used those small wooden cups she made, but she didn't know.

In truth, as a possessive and obsessive wolf, he didn't want any other male Yao drinking water poured by his little wife.

A dark glint flashed in Yuan Jue's unfocused eyes. He lowered his long lashes, concealing those terrifying thoughts. He raised his broad right hand and, enduring the shattering pain in his meridians, squeezed the wood piled in the cave corridor, quickly creating a wooden bucket with a lid.

Yuan Jue picked up the wooden bucket, his lips seemingly frosted with ice. "I'll do it."

Ruan Qiuqiu "…?" Why was he suddenly unhappy?

But since Mr. Yuan Jue had said so, Ruan Qiuqiu didn't insist. "Okay."

"Goo-wah—(Damn.)" At the cave entrance, Brother Sand Clan Eagle, having seen everything, couldn't help but let out a shocked cry.

…

"So, Brother Tian Xiu, you came from the Sand Clan tribe?" Ruan Qiuqiu asked, looking at the eagle who had entered the cave, transformed into his human form, and even conjured a full set of clothes. She was puzzled—why could he transform his feathers into a complete outfit, while Mr. Grey Wolf always appeared naked before her when shifting from Yao to human? Was the eagle exceptionally talented, or was Mr. Grey Wolf actually being a rogue?

"Y-yes," Tian Xiu replied, holding a wooden bucket filled with hot water, standing nervously in the corner, not daring to speak much to Ruan Qiuqiu.

This human probably hadn't realized what a ferocious wolf she had married. Didn't she notice that the wolf standing beside her became more terrifying with every word she exchanged with him?

"It's a long way from the Sand Clan tribe. Thank you for bringing us gifts," Ruan Qiuqiu said, looking at the hide package on the ground, well-protected and mostly dry. Her spiritual sense detected the scent of medicinal herbs, and her voice softened.

She knew Mr. Grey Wolf had a bad reputation and wasn't liked by many. Although after spending time with him, she knew he wasn't a bad Yao, she couldn't change the opinions of others.

Almost a month had passed since Yuan Jue's incident, but apart from her and the Little Fish family, Brother Eagle was the first Yao to visit.

This was their most difficult time, and any Yao who still showed kindness were truly kind-hearted.

Thinking this, Ruan Qiuqiu's gaze towards the eagle became even more "benevolent."

But the wolf beside her was almost transforming into a lemon wolf, radiating a dangerous and sour aura.

"We're about to have breakfast. Brother Tian Xiu, would you like to join us?" Ruan Qiuqiu asked.

The eagle, "…No, no, I'm not hun-(dare)-gry."

Ruan Qiuqiu wanted to ask Tian Xiu about the surrounding tribes, but the eagle seemed eager to leave, Mr. Grey Wolf's expression was growing increasingly pale, and her fever was worsening.

Since the eagle wanted to leave, Ruan Qiuqiu didn't press him. She thanked him again and watched him leave the cave.

She looked up as the red-winged eagle spread its wings and soared into the snowy sky, etching this kindness in her heart.

His Yao senses completely depleted after Tian Xiu's departure, Yuan Jue's world plunged back into darkness.

Pain pulsed from his severed limb. He straightened his back, his voice slightly gloomy. "He's gone."

"Mm." Ruan Qiuqiu nodded, turning and closing the "door."

After she turned and closed the "door," the cave became quite dark. Ruan Qiuqiu's head was dizzy, and she couldn't clearly see the wolf's expression.

She only knew that even leaning on his wooden staff, Yuan Jue was much taller than her.

The wolf took two steps forward, his figure imposing. Ruan Qiuqiu felt a little nervous. "Mr. Yuan, what's wrong?"

Hearing her noticeably less "benevolent" tone, a faint sense of loss welled up in Yuan Jue's heart.

His body, pushed to its limits, screamed for rest. His long fingers clenched, knuckles white with strain.

Yuan Jue turned his head slightly, his tone seemingly indifferent as he asked, "You like… the eagle very much?"

"…………" Like what?? The what?

Ruan Qiuqiu's face flushed crimson. She coughed violently, startled by his question, wondering if she had misheard.

Based on her understanding of Mr. Grey Wolf, he wasn't the type to suddenly make such suggestive remarks…

Wait, eagle.

Eagle.

It wasn't what she was thinking.

The heat in Ruan Qiuqiu's face intensified. She felt she needed to go and face the wall.

Seeing her hesitation and slightly erratic breathing, Mr. Grey Wolf's sensitive glass heart, fragile since waking up this morning, shattered completely.

She wasn't calling him husband anymore, and she was smiling at other male Yao.

He pressed his lips tightly together, a shadow deepening beneath his dark brows.

Hearing his shallow, pained breaths, Ruan Qiuqiu, although not entirely understanding why he asked that question, answered honestly, "Mr. Yuan, where I used to live, 'silly eagle' is a humorous term."

"Mr. Eagle is quite endearing. He's your friend, right?"

He and that Tian Xiu, who dreamt of becoming a fish and had caused him to be beaten up by a group of old geezers from the Sand Clan Eagle tribe when he was young, were not friends.

Yuan Jue desperately wanted to say this, but in the end, he only let out a soft, noncommittal grunt from his nose. "Mm."

Hearing his hoarse murmur, Ruan Qiuqiu touched her feverish forehead, remembering last night's events, and hesitantly said, "Last night…"

Mr. Grey Wolf instantly tensed. His previously tucked-away tail and pointed ears reappeared nervously.

Ruan Qiuqiu trailed off, embarrassed. She awkwardly touched her face, stiffly changing the subject. "Thank you for installing the 'door' and fur curtains for the cave. It's not so cold now."

"…Mm."

After a few seconds, the wolf said softly, "You're welcome."

Ruan Qiuqiu "…………"

She decided to end this awkward conversation.

Ruan Qiuqiu tentatively said, "Mr. Yuan, are you tired? Do you want to rest?"

His long lashes trembled. Just as Ruan Qiuqiu thought he would refuse again, a familiar low voice reached her ear.

Mr. Tianluo Grey Wolf said, feeling wronged, "Tired."

Ruan Qiuqiu "…"

She chuckled, not wanting to make things difficult for him. She planned to walk slightly ahead of him, like yesterday, using her voice to alert him to any obstacles.

But as she took a step forward, a slight cool breeze brushed past her, and the corner of her clothing was gently tugged. Ruan Qiuqiu blinked in surprise.

"…I can't see."

Yuan Jue's voice was soft, his tone flat and indifferent. But his large hand, gripping the corner of her clothing, held on tight, refusing to let go.

Ruan Qiuqiu "…"

…

…

After leaving Ruan Qiuqiu and Mr. Grey Wolf's cave, the eagle flew back through the rain and snow for a while, still reeling from the shock.

Who would have believed that the unruly, violent wolf Yao would act so harmless in front of Ruan Qiuqiu?

He even poured him water…

He hadn't dared to drink it, his feathers nearly standing on end.

But something wasn't right. Ruan Qiuqiu wasn't dead. Why did the lion Yao lie to them yesterday?

Tian Xiu had a hunch something was amiss. After a moment's hesitation, he changed direction and flew towards the Winter Bear tribe.

He had warned them. Those two silly bears shouldn't have fallen for it, right?

In fact, rewinding to half a day earlier, the Xiong brothers had indeed fallen for it.

It wasn't entirely accurate to say they were tricked. Lu Ziran had proposed they protect his safety, offering one medicinal herb in exchange for a day's work.

This was a relatively good deal. What danger could there be in the Wind Lion tribe?

Xiong Yuan thought for a few seconds and agreed to Lu Ziran's plan.

Xiong Duoduo had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but the sick bears in their tribe couldn't wait. He negotiated that Lu Ziran should pay ten herbs upfront, and only after he agreed did Xiong Duoduo reluctantly consent.

After the eagle left, the two bears finalized the agreement with Lu Ziran.

They agreed to leave when the icy rain lessened. The two bears planned to gather some branches and start a fire. Just as they were about to leave the rock face, they smelled the scent of willow branches from afar.

"Huff~ (Brother, look, is that a Yao coming?)" Xiong Duoduo held a bundle of damp firewood in his arms, his furry bear face unusually serious. "Roar~ (Why do I feel… a sense of danger?)"

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