Hu Jiao Jiao: “…”

Had she just encountered the beastman version of a narcissist? The oily confidence in his words was so overwhelming, she could barely breathe.

The females in the tribe, however, looked on enviously. Going to the Dragon Tribe and becoming the mate of such a strong beastman—that sounded like a dream come true! How did a vicious female like Hu Jiao Jiao get so lucky?

The males, on the other hand, were visibly displeased after hearing Long Wu’s words. “A backwater tribe?” Sure, their tribe wasn’t huge, but it was stable and prosperous. They had never let their females suffer. Just because he was a dragon beastman, what gave him the right to look down on them?

Though the males were unhappy, they kept quiet, knowing Long Wu’s strength was far above theirs. But their dissatisfaction simmered beneath the surface.

“Sorry…” Hu Jiao Jiao started to reject the narcissistic beastman, but before she could finish, Long Wu interrupted her.

“Long Mo? You’re here too? What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to run into you, a useless waste, outside of the tribe.”

Long Wu craned his neck to look past the crowd and mockingly smiled at Long Mo, who was standing silently in the back.

At the mention of Long Mo’s name, Hu Jiao Jiao froze. She turned around and saw Long Mo standing there, his expression dark, his eyes cold and filled with hatred as they landed on her and Long Wu.

Her heart sank. Did the villain misunderstand something? Had he overheard what was said just now?

Long Mo had followed her from a distance after Long Ling’er pushed him forward, and he had heard Long Wu’s entire conversation. He stared coldly at Hu Jiao Jiao, who was standing frozen in place.

He sneered inwardly. She must be thrilled, right? She had found another strong male to be her mate. She probably can’t wait to push him out of the tribe again.

So, all the efforts she’d been making lately—they were to secure a place in the Dragon Tribe? That place of humiliation for him!

Hatred swelled in his golden eyes, growing like a sponge soaking up water.

Long Wu, relishing the moment, continued to taunt. “So many years have passed, Long Mo, and yet you’re still a coward. You’re still so weak! You haven’t improved at all. You’re a disgrace to us dragon beastmen.”

“If anyone asks, don’t tell them we’re from the same tribe. I’d be too embarrassed.”

Long Wu’s voice boomed as he ridiculed Long Mo in front of everyone. Then, as if remembering something, he added with a mocking smile, “Oh, I almost forgot—you were kicked out of the Dragon Tribe. Someone as useless as you doesn’t deserve to go back. Hahaha…”

After his words, an awkward silence settled over the crowd. The males frowned.

They had once ridiculed Long Mo the same way, but for some reason, hearing Long Wu say it made them uncomfortable. After all, Long Mo was part of their tribe now. If Long Wu insulted him, didn’t that mean he looked down on all of them?

Gradually, the beastmen in the crowd began glaring at Long Wu, now viewing him as the enemy of the tribe. Oblivious to the growing hostility around him, Long Wu stood tall and proud, completely absorbed in his own arrogance.

Long Mo clenched his teeth and balled his fists tightly. His eyes grew darker, and his gaze turned bloodshot, radiating an aura of hostility and bloodlust.

Just then, a sharp, confident voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

“Excuse me, I don’t know you, and I’m not interested in you at all. The ‘waste’ you’re talking about is my mate. And in my eyes, he’s a thousand times, no, ten thousand times better than you.”

Hu Jiao Jiao stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Long Mo. She raised her chin proudly, staring directly at Long Wu with a fierce glint in her eyes. Her voice was sharp and threatening.

“Long Mo is not only my mate; he’s also the father of my five children. He is the male I intend to spend my life with. If you insult my mate again, don’t blame me for not being polite.”

Long Mo’s expression froze.

He stared in disbelief at the small female standing in front of him. She was defending him—against a powerful male. Was this really the Hu Jiao Jiao he remembered?

After finishing her declaration, Hu Jiao Jiao took Long Mo’s hand and held it up for Long Wu to see, as if to confirm her words.

Long Mo stood completely still, his body stiff as stone. He felt frozen, unable to move as Hu Jiao Jiao took control of the situation. She… she was holding his hand! The same female who had always called him a “waste” and claimed to hate him was now saying she wanted to spend her life with him.

“No way!” Long Wu’s face stiffened as he shouted in disbelief. “How is that possible? How is he better than me?”

Suddenly, a look of realization crossed his face, and he grinned smugly.

“I get it now. You must feel like you’re stuck because you already have a mate, right? Don’t worry—I don’t mind. If you just get rid of this waste, I’ll gladly accept you and your cubs.”

Hu Jiao Jiao’s eye twitched.

Where did this guy get his absurd confidence?

Long Mo’s dark eyes flickered with uncertainty and doubt. She must be pretending, right?

Hu Jiao Jiao, no longer able to tolerate his arrogance, grabbed a handful of dirt and marched up to Long Wu, her anger blazing. Seeing her approach, Long Wu’s face lit up with smug satisfaction.

“Ah, you’ve finally come to your senses! You’re going to leave that waste behind, right? Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well…”

As he continued speaking, Long Mo’s eyes flashed with disappointment.

So, he had been right after all. She was always planning to leave him behind.

Long Wu reached out toward Hu Jiao Jiao, his grin lecherous. “We’ll find a time to mate soon. I’ll make sure you have strong cubs—mmph!”

Before he could finish, Long Wu’s eyes widened as Hu Jiao Jiao stuffed a handful of dirt into his mouth.

Caught completely off guard, Long Wu choked, swallowing a large mouthful of dirt.

“Cough, cough! What are you—”

“You want to say something? Try calling him a ‘waste’ one more time, and next time, it won’t be dirt. I’ll bury you.”

Hu Jiao Jiao glared at him with barely contained fury, giving him a hard stomp on his toes for good measure.

Beastmen were strong, but their toes were a vulnerable spot. Hu Jiao Jiao put all her strength into the stomp, and Long Wu’s face turned blue from the pain. He doubled over, hopping around in agony like a fool.

The other beastmen burst into laughter, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction.

Maybe Hu Jiao Jiao wasn’t so bad after all.

“Let’s go, Long Mo.” Hu Jiao Jiao waved her fist threateningly at Long Wu before grabbing Long Mo’s hand and pulling him away.

Long Wu glared at their retreating backs, furious and humiliated. “Damn female… Long Mo… Just you wait!”

After walking for a while, Hu Jiao Jiao’s anger subsided, and she realized she had been holding Long Mo’s hand the entire time.

She quickly let go, awkwardly rubbing her neck. “Uh… earlier, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just acting on impulse. I won’t randomly touch you again, I promise.”

She remembered how uncomfortable Long Mo seemed when she had treated his wounds before and didn’t want to upset him further. In a panic, she quickly explained herself.

Long Mo silently squeezed his now empty hand, then slowly tucked it behind his back.