As expected, Huang Yue’s target had shifted from Ying Yuan to Long Mo.

Jiao Jiao chuckled and looked pointedly at Huang Yue.

“Good. Now that you know he’s my mate, you can stop staring at him so intently, right?”

While others might not see through her, Jiao Jiao knew exactly what kind of person she was dealing with.

In the original story, Huang Yue had arrived at the tribe suffering from memory loss. But when her memories returned, she revealed herself to be a cunning and manipulative female, hiding a vicious nature behind her innocent facade. I wonder how many beastmen she killed with this simple and innocent face.

“I-I…” Huang Yue clutched her clothes tightly, her large eyes misty with unshed tears. Her face, smudged with dust, was ashen, making her look like a pitiful waif in need of protection.

One of the beastman nearby couldn’t bear it and interjected, “Hu Jiao Jiao, she didn’t mean any harm. She just escaped from danger and is probably still scared. Don’t be so hard on her.”

“Yeah, you’re both females. Shouldn’t you get along?”

Huang Yue’s arrival had already won over several of the males’ hearts.

“Jiao Jiao was only stating the truth—she just let this female know Long Mo is her mate. How is that bullying?” Hu Jing, who normally had no liking for Hu Jiao Jiao, surprisingly stood up for her.

With her hands on her hips, Hu Jing squared off against the beastmen fiercely.

“Tell me exactly what part of what she said was bullying her! Hmm?”

Everyone knew that Hu Jing was as fiery as they came, never backing down when she was in the right. Not wanting to provoke her, the beastmen quickly shut their mouths.

Hu Jing scoffed and turned to Huang Yue, complaining, “What’s there to be afraid of? We’re all females here. I’m not going to eat you. You just want to stick by Long Mo because you’re interested in him!”

Hu Jiao Jiao cast Hu Jing a surprised look.

She hadn’t expected Hu Jing to speak up for her.

The next moment, Hu Jing shot Jiao Jiao a side-eye and huffed, “You’re just like how Hu Jiao Jiao used to be when she was following Ying Yuan around. Don’t think I can’t tell what you’re up to.”

Hu Jiao Jiao scratched her nose, giving an awkward smile.

Hu Jing was really something—she couldn’t help but throw in a jab, even when she was trying to help.

It was no wonder that her prickly personality made her so many enemies in the tribe. In the story, she’d ultimately sacrificed her life for Lu Mian’er, and no one even remembered her kindness.

“Don’t worry, Huang Yue. The beastmen in our tribe are all very kind. I’ll find someone else to show you around.” The Chief, chuckling kindly, didn’t seem upset.

He turned to the gathered beastmen, searching for a suitable guide.

Just then, a young male burst through the crowd, his voice full of lively enthusiasm.

“Chief, I’ll do it! I know the tribe well.”

Hu Jiao Jiao turned at the sound and saw a handsome, vibrant young male who bore a striking resemblance to her three older brothers.

As soon as she saw his face, she felt a sense of dread creeping up.

Since arriving here, Hu Qingyuan, her fourth brother, was the only one she hadn’t met yet!

Could it really be him?

As she wondered, the Chief smiled, nodding approvingly. “Ah, it’s Hu Qingyuan! If you’re willing, you can do it.”

Hu Qingyuan nodded, glancing over at Hu Jiao Jiao. He gave her a mischievous grin, mouthing, “Little sis, I’ll help distract her for you.”

Then he turned to Huang Yue, his tone polite but distant, “Hello, I’m Hu Qingyuan. Since Long Mo can’t take you, I’ll show you around.”

Huang Yue raised her head shyly to see a friendly young male looking back at her. His bronze skin and strong build gave him a look of youth and vitality.

“O-okay… thank you…” She bit her lip and nodded gently.

“No!”

Hu Jiao Jiao snapped out of her daze and quickly interrupted.

She knew that in the original story, Huang Yue would eventually lead Hu Qingyuan’s to his death. Knowing this, she couldn’t let him get close to her at all.

The beastmen all turned to look at her.

Feeling their eyes on her, Hu Jiao Jiao calmly stepped forward, pulling Fox Qingyuan aside, giving him an exaggerated wink.

“Fourth Brother, didn’t you promise to make me a new bone needle today? When did you have time to show her around the tribe?”

Hu Qingyuan looked puzzled. “Huh? I never said…”

Jiao Jiao frowned, widened her eyes at him, and gave his arm a sharp pinch.

“Ow… right! I remember now. I did promise you!” Hu Qingyuan winced, then quickly turned to the Chief, apologizing.

“Sorry, Chief. I don’t think I’ll have time. You’ll need to find someone else.”

Hu Jiao Jiao let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Hu Qingyuan had gone along with her plan.

“Uh… is anyone else available?” The Chief asked, a bit exasperated as he looked back at the group of beastmen.

Several of the beastmen seemed eager, each hoping for a chance to spend time with Huang Yue. They knew that a bond with her could mean starting a family in the future.

Meanwhile, Long Mo’s dark eyes observed the interaction between Hu Jiao Jiao and Hu Qingyuan.

After a moment, he stepped forward before anyone else could volunteer and spoke firmly.

“Chief, I’ll take her.”

Hu Jiao Jiao, just beginning to relax, whipped her head around to stare at Long Mo in disbelief.

Didn’t he hate being around other females?

Could he have developed feelings for Huang Yue on the way back?

Yes, that must be it! Huang Yue’s innocent, delicate looks were captivating. In the book, only the main hero, with his unwavering devotion to Lu Mian’er, had managed to resist her charm. But Long Mo wasn’t like that!

Long Mo already disliked Hu Jiao Jiao, so of course he’d be drawn to such a gentle, sweet female.

Her mind spinning, Hu Jiao Jiao’s thoughts turned panicked.

“Oh no! If Huang Yue shifts her attention to Long Mo, how could a background character like me compete?”

“If the villain actually falls for her, he’ll hate me even more, and in the end, he’ll still want to kill me!”

At that thought, a shiver ran down Hu Jiao Jiao’s spine.

“Alright then, take Huang Yue to the empty hut beside Lu Mian’er’s house,” the Chief instructed, nodding quickly.

“Understood.” Long Mo’s cold gaze flicked over Huang Yue as he said, in an icy tone, “Let’s go. You wanted to see the tribe, right? I’ll show you… around.”

He slowed his words, each syllable deliberate.

Huang Yue, oblivious to his tone, gave a shy smile and nodded slightly.

“Thank you…” she murmured, apparently missing the undertone in his voice.

Long Mo’s eyes darkened as he cast a quick look back at the stunned Hu Jiao Jiao before striding away.

Huang Yue scrambled after him, struggling to keep up as he walked briskly, giving her no time to catch her breath.