Chapter 15: Stay Calm and Rational

When Hua Linye spoke, his mesmerizingly beautiful eyes remained fixed intently on Su Muyao.

His fox-like eyes possessed a natural, soul-stirring magic.

When he focused on someone, he seemed inherently affectionate, possessing a bewitching power that could enchant the heart.

Su Muyao almost found herself sinking into his gaze.

Fortunately, she maintained her composure and rationality.

She laughed it off, saying, "Ah, that was in the past."

"I've agreed to a three-month term with you all."

"I was just thinking that we should coexist peacefully first. Once the three months are up and you regain your freedom, don't come looking for trouble with me, alright?"

She couldn't exactly say she wasn't her predecessor; they certainly wouldn't believe her.

They might even think of burning her alive like a mutated beast.

She felt they might be a bit suspicious of her.

But they certainly had no evidence.

Wen Nanxi's elegant, painting-like features shifted slightly. "Rest assured, Wife. Nanxi will not harm the current Wife in the slightest."

It was the *current* her, not the *former* her.

The intensity in Hua Linye's fox eyes softened considerably as he said, "I hope Wife remains like this and doesn't turn back into how she was before."

Xiao Jihan remained silent, though a strange flicker passed through his cold eyes.

Su Muyao felt she needed to say something more.

After a moment's thought, she said, "I was indeed in the wrong before. I apologize to you all here."

"It won't be like that again."

"I know you might not believe me, but time will tell."

"Just bear with me for now. Perhaps I can even terminate our contract early."

If she could increase her strength sooner, she could terminate the contract ahead of schedule.

She wouldn't need to wait the full three months.

Watching her apologize, Wen Nanxi felt a sharp pang in his heart.

With a gentle look in his eyes, he said softly, "It's not your fault. Don't stay hungry; eat first."

"The temperature is just right."

Wen Nanxi had carefully controlled the temperature of Su Muyao's bowl of corn egg custard so that it was neither too hot nor too cold, making it perfect for her to drink.

Su Muyao smiled and said, "Mhm, let's eat first. After eating, I'll go hunting with you."

Her main reason for going into the forest was to find food.

"Alright, I will accompany Wife."

The corner of Hua Linye's beautiful eyes lifted slightly as he said in a thin, enchanting voice, "Today, it is my turn to accompany Wife."

As he spoke, the end of his sentence rose slightly, carrying a seductive undertone.

It was as if he were actively releasing his charm.

Su Muyao didn't even dare to meet his eyes.

She knew that foxes had the ability to enchant.

In truth, she wanted to go into the forest with Wen Nanxi.

She didn't trust any of these three men, but if she had to choose one to protect her, she would choose Wen Nanxi.

However, she could sense the subtle, underlying tension between Hua Linye and Wen Nanxi; she was worried that if she spoke up, the two of them might start fighting.

She lowered her head and stirred the corn custard in her bowl, whispering, "Then... then let's just follow the rules!"

As they began to eat, they were all shocked by how delicious every single dish was.

They hadn't originally wanted to eat the pig offal.

But having stood in the kitchen for so long and smelling the aroma for so long, they decided to eat it.

It would be shameful to waste a meal personally prepared by their Wife.

No female beast would ever cook for her beast husbands.

On that point alone, they shouldn't let it go to waste.

Having reasoned this out, they ate.

Only when it actually entered their mouths did they realize how delicious it truly was.

Normally, they ate slowly and with utmost elegance.

But now, they involuntarily sped up.

And the corn custard—they had never imagined that such throat-scratching cornmeal could be made into something so tasty.

It was too delicious!

As they ate, they couldn't help but look at Su Muyao.

Their eyes seemed to carry expressions of scrutiny and disbelief.

It was as if they were trying to see right through her.

Su Muyao kept her head down and ate silently, showing them nothing but the top of her head.

She didn't want them to see her expression.

This meal was nothing short of an ordeal.

She could feel the pressure of their gazes.

Finally, she was full.

When she looked up and saw that their bowls and even the large basin of braised meats were completely empty, she was stunned.

"Are you all still hungry?"

Or was it that she hadn't made enough?

Seeing her dazed and cute appearance, Wen Nanxi smiled gently. "We are full."

"The food Wife made is delicious."

"We used to throw these things away. Thinking back, it was quite wasteful and a pity."

But back then, they didn't know how to process them, let alone cook them.

As for these braised meats, he didn't know how she made them.

He only knew she had added some things, likely seasonings.

In the past, they would have suspected her of drugging them, but after last night, they no longer harbored such suspicions.

Su Muyao nodded.

She would make more next time.

The physiques of the beastmen in this world were unique; they needed to consume a lot of food to maintain sufficient energy for better hunting.

Once they finished eating, without Su Muyao having to lift a finger, the three of them scrambled to clean the table, chairs, and dishes.

The kitchen was left spotless.

Afterward, Wen Nanxi and Xiao Jihan went hunting.

Hua Linye took Su Muyao into the forest.

Hua Linye transformed directly into his original form.

He was a massive, nine-tailed red fox, over two meters tall.

When she saw Hua Linye's true form with her own eyes, Su Muyao was struck with awe.

He was truly beautiful, especially that striking red fur.

She now understood why her predecessor had been so obsessed with using his fur to make clothes.

Clothing made from such noble red fur would undoubtedly look stunning.

Hua Linye's beast form was quite tall, and Su Muyao couldn't climb up at all.

A few jumps were useless.

Seeing her like this, a hint of a smile appeared in Hua Linye's fox eyes; he found her quite adorable.

He then used one of his tails to coil around her and gently placed her on his back.

Hua Linye asked, "Where does Wife want to go?"

"Do you know where there are many medicinal herbs?"

She wanted to gather some herbs to detoxify her body.

Furthermore, the three beast husbands not only had internal injuries but also external wounds, all of which were quite severe.

They were seriously affecting their cultivation and suppressing their realms.

And they must be in a lot of pain.

When her predecessor had abused them, it had actually triggered their mental berserk state, making the toxins and injuries in their bodies even worse.

She had a responsibility to resolve these issues for them, so that they would be even.

Hua Linye said, "I know. I will take Wife there."

Hua Linye knew where the herbs were, but medicinal herbs were a complex variety; generally, only witch doctors could identify them.

Moreover, one could easily be poisoned if not careful.

Hua Linye ignored these concerns and simply carried Su Muyao toward the destination.

Hua Linye ran very fast, and Su Muyao instinctively hugged him.

She discovered that hugging fox fur felt completely different from hugging a snake's body.

This fur was incredibly comfortable.

It was beautiful and soft, and it carried a faint, clean, and pleasant fragrance.

As if under a spell, Su Muyao involuntarily reached out to stroke it.

Hua Linye's body shuddered. He came to a halt in the forest and said in a low, husky voice, "What is Wife touching?"

Su Muyao snapped back to her senses, her scalp tingling. "No, it's nothing!"

"Don't misunderstand, I... I just accidentally grabbed some fur!"

They were in the middle of the forest with no one around. If Hua Linye wanted to kill her, no one could save her.

Wait, no—there was the beast husband contract; he couldn't kill her, but he could torture and abuse her.

Just as her predecessor had done to him.

He could take his revenge!