Lu Mian’er’s face changed after hearing the news.

“What? Why did Hu Jiao Jiao suddenly go to my house?”

“That female again!” Beside her, Ying Yuan’s eyes instantly darkened. He stood up and gently helped Lu Mian’er to her feet. “Mian’er, don’t worry. I’m here, and I won’t let her hurt your family.”

The beastman who delivered the message left after relaying the news.

Lu Mian’er nodded, looking at Ying Yuan. Her worry eased a bit as she grasped his large hand. “Ying Yuan, let’s go quickly.”

Although her family had never treated her well since childhood, they were still her family. No matter what, she couldn’t just ignore them.

Ying Yuan transformed into his beast form and carried Lu Mian’er. Within a minute, they arrived at Lu Li’s house.

As soon as they landed, they saw Hu Jiao Jiao cornering Lu Li with questions. Lu’s parents were protecting their precious Lu Li behind them, while Hu Jiao Jiao appeared aggressive and domineering.

“Mother, Father!” Lu Mian’er called out urgently, jumping to the ground. She hadn’t even steadied herself before rushing over, with Ying Yuan transforming back into human form and following closely behind.

Ying Yuan strode forward and grabbed Hu Jiao Jiao’s wrist, throwing her aside forcefully. His cold, piercing gaze locked onto her. “Hu Jiao Jiao, what trick are you playing now? If you have a problem, come at me. Leave Mian’er and her family out of it.”

As the male lead, Ying Yuan’s aura was overpowering. His frosty voice lowered the temperature around them, making it seem like the nearby beastmen might freeze into ice statues. Any ordinary beastman nearby would be trembling in fear.

Seeing that it was Ying Yuan, Hu Jiao Jiao’s expression immediately darkened.

Why was this unlucky guy here again? Whenever he showed up, things never ended well!

As the villains in the story, Long Yu and Long Zhong were naturally intimidated by Ying Yuan’s presence. But when they saw him roughly pushing Hu Jiao Jiao away, both frowned and immediately stepped in front of Hu Jiao Jiao.

Their father had always taught them that as males, they should protect females. Although this Vicious female had treated them poorly in the past, they still needed her to find Ling’er, so for now, protecting her was the right thing to do.

The two cubs simultaneously convinced themselves in their minds.

“Yu’er, Zhong’er…” Hu Jiao Jiao looked at them, utterly astonished. She hadn’t expected Long Yu and Long Zhong to stand up for her. Deeply touched, she placed her hands on the little ones’ shoulders.

Long Yu remained silent, lips pressed tightly together.

Long Zhong, on the other hand, turned his head in disgust and snorted, “The most important thing right now is finding Ling’er. I don’t want to waste time cleaning up your corpse.”

Hu Jiao Jiao’s mouth twitched. This little one was still as sharp-tongued as ever.

Raising her chin, Hu Jiao Jiao furrowed her brows and looked at Ying Yuan. “Ying Yuan, I have no interest in you. Move aside.”

Meanwhile, seeing Ying Yuan arrive, Lu’s parents immediately began crying and complaining. “Ying Yuan, thank goodness you’re here! Hu Jiao Jiao’s gone mad. She barged in here and started attacking Lu Li. You have to help us get rid of her!”

After hearing Lu’s parents’ words, Lu Mian’er frowned, anger flashing across her usually pure face.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, you’ve gone too far. I know you don’t like me, but how could you lay hands on Lu Li? He’s just a cub! How could you be so cruel as to harm a child?”

“Hu Jiao Jiao, I’m warning you. Leave now, or I’ll be forced to take action.” Ying Yuan’s face was also icy as he issued the ultimatum.

Hu Jiao found their accusations laughable. She smiled sarcastically and retorted, “I hit him? Then why don’t you check if he has any injuries?”

At her words, both Ying Yuan and Lu Mian’er were taken aback.

They turned to look at Lu’s parents, who now wore stiff expressions, unsure of how to respond. They continued to shield Lu Li, merely protecting him without offering any real explanation.

Lu’s mother, stubborn and sharp-tongued, protested, “You barged in, grabbed Lu Li, and if I hadn’t stopped you, you would have beaten him to death! Are you going to deny it? Should we wait until Lu Li is dead to punish you?”

Lu’s mother was being utterly unreasonable, twisting the facts.

When had she ever grabbed Lu Li to hit him?

Hu Jiao Jiao might have been impulsive, but she hadn’t even laid a finger on him!

With a cold laugh, Hu Jiao Jiao retorted, “Oh? So, by that logic, should Lu Mian’er apologize with her life for pushing me and causing me to hit my head? Should Lu Cuicui also be killed for trying to harm my mother?”

“Well, uh…” Lu’s mother’s face flushed crimson with anger. “But you’re both still perfectly fine, aren’t you? Nothing happened to you or your mother…”

“And Lu Li is perfectly fine too,” Hu Jiao Jiao shot back, leaving Lu’s mother speechless.

“Enough!” Ying Yuan growled, his eagle-like eyes fixed on Hu Jiao Jiao. “I don’t care what your reason is. You are not to show up here again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for using force, even against a female!”

This Vicious female was truly shameless, concocting such ridiculous excuses to get close to him.

Hu Jiao Jiao’s expression turned cold, her usually clear eyes now tinged with red from anger. Her voice, icy as winter frost, rang out, “I’m warning you. I’m only here to find my child. Lu Li took Ling’er, and now Ling’er’s whereabouts are unknown.”

“If anything happens to Ling’er, if she’s harmed in any way, I will make sure Lu Li pays for it with his life. And I mean every word.”

Her final words were spat out with clenched teeth, each one laced with fury.

Normally, she didn’t care how they talked about or insulted her. But when it came to Ling’er’s safety, she could not and would not compromise.

Everyone present was taken aback by the fierceness in Hu Jiao Jiao’s eyes.

They had seen Hu Jiao Jiao throw tantrums and make threats before, but she had always seemed more like a petty troublemaker, easily intimidated. Never had she appeared so terrifying, so determined.

For the first time, they truly believed she might actually make Lu Li pay with his life for harming Long Ling’er.

When had Hu Jiao Jiao become this frightening? Was it just their imagination?

“Lu Li, is what she says true?” Ying Yuan’s brows furrowed so tightly that they could crush a bee. He turned and questioned Lu Li.

Thinking of the small, pitiful child, Lu Mian’er grabbed Lu Li’s arm, anxiously asking, “Lu Li, tell me what happened. Did you take Long Ling’er?”

“No, I don’t even know what she’s talking about…” Lu Li, realizing he might have crossed the line, tried to feign ignorance, hiding behind his parents.

But Hu Jiao Jiao had already noticed his evasive gaze. She clenched her fists and stepped forward, her voice sharp, “Lu Li, do you even understand what you’re saying? If anything happens to Ling’er, you’ll be charged with deliberately harming a female and exiled becoming a wandering beastman.”

“At that point, no one will be able to protect you. Think carefully before you answer, because I’m out of patience.”

Ying Yuan’s patience had already run out. His handsome face bore a look of irritation as he blocked Hu Jiao Jiao.

Clearly, he believed all of this was just another one of this female’s ridiculous ploys.

His cold voice dismissed her, “You heard him. Lu Li said he didn’t do it. Stop causing trouble and get lost.”