CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: HOW TO TAME A TIGER: STEP ONE, FEED HIM MEAT

Su Qinglan forced her lips to move. A stiff little smile pulled up, and she took a small step back. Her throat still burned, but she tried to sound soft.

She walked toward the corner where she had kept the roasted meat bundle. Her fingers trembled a little, but she made her voice sweet.

"You don’t have to believe me now," she said lightly. "My actions will prove to you in the future. Here, try this. I made it myself for you as an apology."

She untied the leaves slowly. The warm aroma of roasted meat spread in the cave. It slipped into the air like a silent trick.

Hu Yan froze. His nose twitched once, then again.

His golden eyes widened just a little. Like a big tiger catching the smell of prey. Or like a cat that suddenly spotted dried fish.

But the moment he remembered who was standing in front of him, his face turned dark again. His sharp eyes covered the spark like a heavy stone.

He looked at her as if she had just offered him poison.

He could not believe it. This female who once did not even know how to bathe. Who used to stink of sweat and beast fat. Who once ordered others to serve her food and mocked those who tried to clean themselves.

Now she was handing him roasted meat.

Impossible.

His chest rose and fell once. His gaze dropped to the meat again. The smell was real. His ears caught the sound of fat sizzling inside. His instincts screamed to snatch it up.

But his heart resisted. His mind shouted it was a trap.

Yet as he stared at her again, his eyes faltered.

This female was clean. She was not wrapped in dirt. Her face was smooth and pale under the cave light. Her soft orange hair looked fluffy and strangely cute.

Hu Yan blinked.

When had she bathed?

He felt another jolt. She was still round and soft, yes, but after bathing she seemed fresh like the forest after rain. Even her body gave off a faint fragrance. Not the smell of grease or rot.

His throat tightened without warning.

Su Qinglan instantly noticed his gaze.

Her fingers itched to pinch her own cheeks. Ohhh, he looked shocked. His eyes stuck to her like glue.

Inside her chest a wicked gloating bubbled up.

Heh. Look, tiger man. Just who is this goddess standing before you. Not the filthy bully of before. Not the useless spoiled daughter of the tribe leader. But Su Qinglan who will soon slim down into an hourglass beauty.

Wait until that day. She will blind his dog eyes. Yes...dog eyes...no, his tiger eyes.

The corners of her lips almost curled into a smirk. She quickly pressed them down. She did not dare to smile.

If this beast man misunderstood her again, she might end up dead on the floor.

But oh, her heart was laughing.

Su Qinglan almost giggled aloud. Her fantasy was already running. She pictured herself standing tall with shining hair and a waist so fine that Hu Yan would fall on his knees.

Ah. Life could be so sweet.

Su Qinglan broke from her daydream with a snap. And quickly said to herself, "No more gloating." It’s time to act.

Before Hu Yan could blink, she grabbed a piece of roasted meat and stuffed it straight into his mouth. Without giving him time to understand what she was trying to do.

He froze. His jaw locked. His eyes flashed with shock.

For one moment he looked ready to spit out the roasted meat. Like she had just shoved poison into him. His throat rolled with emotions as his sharp gaze landed on her.

But then the taste hit him.

The smoky flavor spread across his tongue. The fat melted soft and rich. The meat was juicy and full.

Hu Yan’s breath hitched at the taste spreading in his mouth. He chewed once. Then again.

The anger on his face suddenly vanished.

The more he chewed, the harder it was to keep his stern face. His golden eyes flickered and softened. His chest eased. His shoulders lowered just a bit as he chewed something so delicious.

He chewed and chewed, and for a moment he forgot to glare. He even forgot that this evil female might be poisoning him.

Su Qinglan watched his face like a proud chef watching her first customer.

She almost clapped. Haa! Mission accomplished. She had fed the big scary tiger.

Inside she gave herself a pat on the back. See. Who said you could not tame beasts with food? To calm someone’s anger, you just feed them good food, and if they refuse, then just shove it down their throat.

And then She quickly shoved the bundle into his hands before he could react.

"Eat this. I will bring you something delicious tomorrow."

She did not wait for his answer. She turned on her heel and rushed out of the cave. Her voice echoed behind her.

Hu Yan stood frozen with the bundle in his hands.

He slowly chewed the meat still in his mouth. His eyes followed her retreating figure. His chest twisted with countless emotions.

He did not know what to think.

Did she really change? Or was this another trick? A new way to trap him.

He sighed. A low, heavy sound that shook his chest.

But his jaw kept moving. He could not stop eating as he tossed another piece inside his mouth.

The roasted meat was too good. Too soft and rich. It melted in his mouth like nothing he had ever eaten before.

He had lived on raw meat most of his life. Sometimes tender meat if he was lucky. But this. This was different.

He did not know how she made it. But it was delicious.

His hand tightened around the bundle. He hated that his heart wanted more. He hated that his mind whispered of her words.

Tomorrow she would bring something else.

He lifted his gaze to the cave entrance. The sound of her footsteps had long faded.

Still his golden eyes burned.

This female. What was she planning?

And why... why did the thought of her coming again tomorrow make his chest feel so restless?