Don't You Like Me?

"Mm." Feng Rumeng turned and walked into the crevice.

Jin Ling transformed into a giant golden eagle and flew above the forest.

Feng Rumeng leaned against the rock wall, chewing dried meat as she mumbled indistinctly, "He's so good-looking. He probably wouldn't lie to me, would he?"

She rested with her eyes closed for a while, and after about an hour, Jin Ling returned.

Her profile was reflected in his golden eyes. She was so delicate and beautiful.

Feng Rumeng noticed his gaze and walked out. "That was fast?"

Jin Ling lowered his golden eyes slightly. "Mm, we can set off now."

Feng Rumeng walked briskly up to him. "All right."

Jin Ling took his beast form and put Feng Rumeng on his back. "Little female, hold on tight. We're taking off."

Feng Rumeng took out a piece of animal hide and put it beneath her, then lay against his back. "I'm ready. Let's go."

The golden eagle spread his wings and rose into the air. With another sweep, he was already dozens of meters away.

Feng Rumeng watched the mountains below slowly shrink. Around noon, the golden eagle swooped downward.

"Little female, that's the Eagle Tribe below. We'll rest here for a while and ask where the Fierce Tiger Tribe is."

"All right."

Above the Eagle Tribe, the golden eagle transformed into his human form and caught Feng Rumeng. Holding her, he drew his wings in slightly and spiraled down to the ground.

At the entrance to the tribe, Jin Ling released Feng Rumeng and politely greeted the Eagle Tribe beastmen. "Hello, warriors. My female friend is a little tired. May we rest in the tribe for a while?"

The two eagle beastmen exchanged a glance. A golden eagle beastman! One of them placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Please allow us to ask our chief."

Jin Ling nodded slightly. "Thank you."

Feng Rumeng watched the scene before her. The way the young man spoke and bowed gave him a gentle, refined air. His features were exquisite, neither distinctly masculine nor feminine, like a noble young master as graceful as a moonlit breeze.

He was a completely different type from Ling.

Jin Ling sensed Feng Rumeng studying him, and his beautiful golden eyes shifted slightly. "Little female, may I know your name?"

"My name is Feng Rumeng," she answered readily.

"Feng Rumeng!" What an unusual name. Jin Ling thought her every movement was like a painting, but when had her face turned so dark?

"Yours sounds lovely too." The two exchanged compliments.

Ji Feng came hurrying over and gave Jin Ling a long, searching look before bowing respectfully. "My lord, my lady, please come inside."

Jin Ling offered no explanation. "You're too courteous, Chief."

My lord? Feng Rumeng glanced at Jin Ling again. He turned back and smiled at her. "Come on, Rumeng."

When they reached the tribal square, Feng Rumeng stopped and looked carefully at someone ahead and to the side. That figure seen from behind was so familiar.

Was it? It was Batu! She raised her voice. "Batu!"

Batu turned around and waved in surprise. "Female Rumeng!"

Ji Feng and Jin Ling stopped and watched Batu and Jianyue run over.

"Rumeng, thank goodness you're all right!" Jianyue ran over at full speed and pulled Feng Rumeng tightly into her arms.

Ji Feng turned his gray eyes toward Batu, who nodded.

Ji Feng beckoned to an eagle youth. "Go tell Young Chief Hu Feng and the others that the female they're looking for is safe."

"I can barely breathe." Jianyue had pressed Feng Rumeng firmly against her chest.

Jianyue released her and looked her over, then turned to Jin Ling. "Rumeng, who is he?"

Jin Ling looked at Jianyue and Batu. "Rumeng, are they your tribemates?"

"Mm." Feng Rumeng turned sideways to introduce them. "My good friends Jianyue and Batu."

Then she turned to Jianyue and Batu. "This is Jin Ling. He helped me and brought me here."

"Thank you for saving Rumeng." Jianyue held out a Beast Crystal to Jin Ling.

Jin Ling didn't take it, offering a polite smile instead.

Feng Rumeng pulled Jianyue's arm back and spoke gently. "Jianyue, thank you. I already have mates, so I can't keep troubling you with everything. I'll pay him myself."

She took two Orange Crystals out of her pants pocket. "Jin Ling, if this isn't enough, I'll have my beast husband make up the difference when he gets here."

Jin Ling accepted them and put them in his storage space. "It's enough."

Jianyue took Feng Rumeng's hand, and the two sat down beneath a tree. Jianyue told her how they had been rescued, how worried Ling had been about her, how Ji Feng had helped, and how Hu Feng and Hu Chun had lent a hand as well...

Guilt flashed in Feng Rumeng's eyes. "It was all because I was careless. Thank goodness you're all right, Jianyue."

Jianyue's voice choked as she spoke. "You shouldn't have followed us then. When I heard you were missing, I was terrified."

"I couldn't help, and I even made everyone busy looking for me. I really was rash," Feng Rumeng said sheepishly.

Jin Ling, who was leaning against the tree, chimed in. "Are all the females in your Fierce Tiger Tribe this gentle?"

Jianyue's ears turned red. "Jin Ling, would you like to visit our tribe?"

"Another time." Jin Ling met Jianyue's expectant gaze. "I still have things to do. Once I've filled my stomach, I'll be on my way."

"You're leaving so soon?" Jianyue pressed.

Jin Ling answered with a hum of assent.

Batu brought over pieces of meat and gave one each to Jianyue and Feng Rumeng.

Jin Ling watched them both accept the meat, surprise on his face. Didn't females mind their beast husbands having contact with other females? How could they...

Ji Feng looked a little surprised too. He and Jin Ling exchanged a glance, then each went to cut themselves a piece of cooked meat.

After the meal, Jin Ling stood up. "Rumeng, may I have a word with you alone?"

"All right." Feng Rumeng stood and followed him.

When Jin Ling thought they had walked far enough, he said quietly, "Could you save me a place as one of your beast husbands?"

Feng Rumeng didn't think there was anything wrong with her ears. "Jin Ling, I already have two beast husbands."

Jin Ling smiled warmly. "I sensed that."

Feng Rumeng pondered for a moment. "Jin Ling, I can't bear cubs."

Jin Ling's golden eyes lit up. "Rumeng, does that mean you agree?"

Feng Rumeng clicked her tongue. Didn't the males of the beast world all consider cubs the most important thing? She had already told him there was something wrong with her, yet he was still eager to come running?

Jin Ling studied Feng Rumeng's expression. When she remained silent, he sighed a little. "Rumeng, don't you like me?"

Feng Rumeng looked at the handsome young man. "Jin Ling, we don't know each other, and besides, my situation is rather complicated."

Jin Ling stepped gracefully closer. "Rumeng, I understand what you mean. Once I've finished my business, I'll come find you at the Fierce Tiger Tribe. When the time comes, I'll let you get to know me properly. I won't disappoint you."

"Jin Ling, I'm not planning to find another beast husband for now," Feng Rumeng said tactfully.

Jin Ling was a little disappointed to hear that, but he quickly composed himself. "Rumeng, I'll work hard to earn your approval."

Feng Rumeng could only give him an awkward smile.

Jin Ling slowly brushed aside his long, cascading brown hair. "I'm leaving, Rumeng."

Feng Rumeng's beautiful eyes widened. Was he flirting with her... Wasn't that move a little too deliberate?!

She kept her composure and waved. "Have a safe journey, Jin Ling."

Jin Ling transformed into a giant golden eagle and soared into the sky, disappearing from view before long.