Chapter 38

At this moment, Xue Youchen’s aura was in full force—Ye Baizhi had no way to resist it. Just looking at him, sensing the presence radiating from his body, made her heart race uncontrollably.

She murmured softly, “I just don’t know what to say.”

“That time… I don’t know how I got so bold either.”

“Really.”

That last time she’d felt his strength so vividly, Ye Baizhi wasn’t sure her body could handle it. Even though she was now pregnant, in the Beast World, physical intimacy was believed to benefit a female’s body—she could be comforted by her beast partner’s presence. The power within the beastman’s body could also nourish the female. And the stronger the beastman, the more potent that nourishment.

Xue Youchen was a ninth-rank powerhouse—something like this would only do her good. Besides, she felt her hand almost involuntarily wanting to reach for his chest.

Xue Youchen’s body pressed down on her, his presence like a cage. His beautifully sculpted eyes held her with a deep, intense gaze.

The delicate figure in his arms was soft as jade, fair and cool to the touch. Her watery eyes looked up at him so innocently and movingly—it was the kind of charm that snuck in when least expected.

His gaze darkened further. His fingers gently traced her lips as he rasped, “Ah Zhi, you’re being awfully coy. You were brave enough then—what’s holding you back now?”

His voice, magnetic and crisp, carried an unmistakable possessiveness.

At those words, Ye Baizhi’s heart lurched violently. Her whole body melted into softness.

Ye Baizhi’s cheeks flushed a soft red. She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she gently poked his chest with a fingertip and couldn’t help asking, “That day I set you up… did you feel like killing me?”

Xue Youchen let out a soft chuckle and answered warmly, “I couldn’t bring myself to.”

His feelings for her had come to him slowly, after the fact. That’s why, back then, even though he hadn’t fully understood them, he hadn’t ordered his subordinates to harm her. And even though he’d been under the effects of the aphrodisiac, if his body had rejected her, he would’ve rather gotten hurt than do anything. But instead, he hadn’t resisted anything his instincts led him to do.

That explanation delighted Ye Baizhi and gave her newfound courage. She reached out and embraced Xue Youchen, her lips brushing against his throat. “Then I think I can be a little bolder.”

Boom!

It felt as if something had broken free from its restraints—like floodwaters breaching a dam.

A storm stirred in the depths of Xue Youchen’s eyes. “Ah Zhi, tonight… I don’t plan to let you go.”

Ye Baizhi let out a coy little laugh, leaning close to his ear. “Then how exactly do you not plan to let me go?”

Xue Youchen chuckled—such a troublemaker, baring her claws even now. His gaze, half-smile playing on his lips, was laced with a predatory edge. “Ah Zhi, don’t you dare beg for mercy later.”

Without giving Ye Baizhi a moment to react, Xue Youchen’s lips came down swiftly. At first, he was exquisitely gentle. But gradually, like a fierce storm, he stole her breath away, devouring every trace of her. It was as if he were losing control, pressing down on her—an air of ferocity laced with tenderness radiating from him. As though all his restraint from the past days was now pouring out in full.

Ye Baizhi’s lips searched raggedly for breath. She was locked tightly in his arms, bound within his embrace, overwhelmed by the weight of his presence. She could feel his body gradually growing warmer.

He was usually so restrained and gentle, yet now she could sense the wild aura of the Snow Wolf King Beast within him.

Soon, it felt as if she were being swept up—soft and dazed, her heart thundering in her chest. “Xue… Xue Youchen…”

His name slipped from her lips on its own, soft and delicate.

“Mhm, good girl. I’m here,” he murmured.

His hands pinned hers down, voice rough but laced with tenderness.

As it went on, Ye Baizhi found herself nearly overwhelmed, a soft whimper escaping her.

Xue Youchen wanted nothing more than to press her deeper into his heart.

Night fell completely, and within the room, the sounds were quiet and plaintive—like a song of yearning.

By the time morning broke the next day, Ye Baizhi was thoroughly exhausted—she had truly been worn out the entire night.

Even though he had already been gentle and restrained, in the end, Xue Youchen still lost some control—he was simply too powerful, and she could hardly handle it. He woke early that morning, cradling the person in his arms with tender reluctance, as if he never wanted to let go. A deep sense of contentment filled his heart.

He reached out to softly trace her brows and eyes, gazing at the woman who now bore all the traces of his fierce affection—his eyes darkened again.

Ye Baizhi could barely open her eyes. “Youchen… don’t…”

Her voice was already hoarse.

With a loving expression, Xue Youchen whispered, “Mm, good girl. Sleep. I won’t wear you out anymore.”

He adjusted her into a comfortable position and let her drift back into a peaceful sleep.

After a while, seeing that daylight had fully arrived, Xue Youchen carefully got up, tucked the blanket securely around her, and quietly left the room. There were still matters that needed tending to.

Ye Baizhi didn’t wake until mid-morning. When she did, she felt completely refreshed—her whole body light and comfortable, filled with a rare sense of clarity. To her surprise, she discovered that her wood-element ability had suddenly advanced to Level One. Even the farmland within her dimensional space had expanded; now, there was a full acre.

“No way… this actually upgraded my ability—and expanded the space too?”

Ye Baizhi was genuinely delighted.

“The soil here is incredibly fertile. If I sow crop seeds inside, the yield will increase significantly. Then I can transplant them out when they’re ready.”

Plants grown inside the space, including cultivated seeds, would all be enhanced—transformed into high-yield varieties. And once transplanted into the real world, they’d adapt remarkably well to local soil conditions. With just the farmland, the entire tribe could be fed. There’d be no need to risk hunting expeditions anymore. Even the beastmen without elemental powers would be able to survive this way.

Shortly after she exited the spatial realm, Xue Youchen returned.

Carrying breakfast in his hands, he gazed at her with tender affection. “Awake?”

“Mm.”

“Hungry? Freshen up first—then we’ll eat.”

Xue Youchen had already prepared the water for Ye Baizhi, setting her toiletries neatly nearby for convenience. After she washed up, she began eating breakfast.

Xue Youchen hadn’t eaten either—he had waited just to share the meal with her. When they’d finished, he helped comb her hair. His movements were a bit clumsy when tying it up, but his touch was gentle and attentive.

Seeing him like this, Ye Baizhi could tell—he’d never done someone’s hair before. If he had treated her with such delicate care before, she might’ve felt awkward or unsure. But after last night’s closeness, it all felt surprisingly natural now.

“All done.”

“I’m going to check on Mother and Big Brother—I wonder if they’ve headed out yet.”

“I’m also thinking of going up the mountain later to gather some pine resin… to make candles.”

“It’s really inconvenient once it gets dark with no candles.”

After stepping into the courtyard, Ye Baizhi saw someone she hadn’t seen in days—witch doctor Ye Wulan. He was checking Ye Chuan’s pulse and performing a physical examination.

“You’re awake, little sister,” Ye Chuan said. “Mother just invited the witch doctor to take a look at me and prepare for the bone-setting.”

That was when Ye Baizhi realized why Ye Wulan was there.

Upon hearing her voice, Ye Wulan turned his head—and saw her.

After days apart, her beauty had become even more radiant. Snow-pale skin and rose-red lips—she exuded a breathtaking elegance. Her eyes glistened like flowing water, bathed in morning light.

With a single glance, Ye Wulan could see it clearly: this was a woman cherished and deeply adored by her beast mate.