CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: THE BEASTMAN’S TRUE MATE

Everyone’s jaw hit the ground at once.

Hu Yan’s words were so sharp, so cruel, and utterly merciless that the clearing felt colder than a snowstorm.

No one had ever expected this.

In the past, the great five-striped tiger barely spoke at all to females. At most, he may grunt or nod, maybe a single word if forced. Because of that, everyone thought he was the gentle type.

The quiet, stoic, and steady beastman. He was famous among the females, the dream male. Whether unmated or already mated, every female secretly wished she could crawl into his den.

And now...

This cold voice, these ruthless words... tearing Bai Lianhua’s mask apart in front of everyone?

The wide-eyed females stared, as though they were seeing a stranger.

Meanwhile, Bai Lianhua looked like she’d choked on a thorny fish bone. Her throat bobbed, her lips quivered, and her teary eyes darted between Hu Yan and Su Qinglan.

Then she stammered in a trembling, broken voice, "B-Brother Hu Yan... what happened to you? You... you were never like this before... Did Sister Lan say something bad about me? Did she tell lies about me to you? I only ever wanted to care for you... but it seems Sister Lan doesn’t want me to care for you..."

The crowd sucked in another sharp breath.

Su Qinglan blinked. Once. Twice. Her face was blank.

Excuse me?

She almost burst out laughing. Was this bitch for real? After getting roasted alive, she still dared to crawl back out and blame her for it?

Damn, I’ve really opened my eyes today. Just where the hell does she get the guts? She was just told off so hard her ancestors probably heard it, and instead of shutting up, she decides to act like Hu Yan’s sudden coldness is because of me? Are you kidding me?

Su Qinglan stared at her with an expression that said, "What kind of circus am I watching right now?"

But before she could even roll her eyes, another shriek burst out.

Xu Meiyan, who had been teetering like she might faint...suddenly jumped forward, almost spitting blood, and jabbed a trembling finger at Su Qinglan’s nose.

"Yes! Yes, it must be you, bitch! Ugly pest! You must have whispered lies into Warrior Hu Yan’s ears, poisoning him against us!"

The crowd gasped again.

Su Qinglan’s jaw nearly unhinged. Oh my god. They really are singing in sync. What is this, a duet of shamelessness?

Even Xuyu, the ever-annoying system in her head, sounded shocked.

[Host, I have seen many shameless creatures in my existence, but this... this is first-class bitchcraft. Honestly, they’re performing on the same level as those CEO-drama mistresses in your world. I think they were born in the wrong world. They belong on a melodrama set, not here.]

Su Qinglan pinched the bridge of her nose in her heart. I swear, I don’t know if I should strangle them or clap for their acting skills. Either way... this circus is not ending today.

Hu Yan’s golden eyes narrowed, flicking briefly toward the two screeching females like he was deciding whether they were even worth acknowledging.

And Su Qinglan...

She tightened her grip on his arm and smiled sweetly, the exact picture of an innocent bride shielding her husband. Inside, though, her mind was sharpening knives.

Good. Very good. These two idiots just signed their own death warrants. You want to play with me? Fine. Let’s play. I’ll make sure every time you see Hu Yan, you choke on your own bile.

Su Qinglan finally exhaled.

Alright. Enough was enough. She had been sweating, worrying Hu Yan might stab her in the back with one careless word. But after hearing him slice Bai Lianhua apart with his sharp tongue, she realized—this tiger wasn’t going to betray her.

Good. Very good.

Which meant... it was her turn to play.

She lifted her chin, lashes lowering as her sweet smile bloomed like spring flowers. Her gaze slid to the scheming pair of bitches, and her voice dripped with honey.

"Bai Lianhua," she began softly, as if explaining to a child, "why would I say bad things about a strange female to my own beast husband? It’s not like you’re his sister, or his mother, or any relative at all. Do you really think just a few words from me could make him hate you?"

The crowd stirred. A few females exchanged glances.

Su Qinglan pressed a hand to her chest, her expression so gentle, so puzzled it could almost pass for sincerity. "Why would I speak badly about you... unless..."

She let the words hang, her voice trailing into silence. Then...

She gasped dramatically, her eyes widening as though she had just uncovered some terrible secret. Her horrified expression hit the crowd like a whip crack.

Instantly, Bai Lianhua and Xu Meiyan paled. Their stomachs dropped, and their hearts froze. They knew whatever Su Qinglan spat out next would be poison.

"Unless," Su Qinglan whispered, staring directly at Bai Lianhua, "you wanted to mate with my male."

The world stopped.

Gasps echoed everywhere, spreading like wildfire. Heads whipped toward Bai Lianhua, eyes wide, mouths agape.

"Impossible!" "Could she...?" "So that’s why...!"

Bai Lianhua’s gentle mask shattered. Her face twisted, and she shrieked like a real bitch. "Y-You... you’re slandering me! How could you say such a thing about me?!"

But her hysteria only made things worse. The more she screamed, the more desperate she looked—like a guilty woman stepping on a trap. Her reaction fanned the fire, making her look exactly like what Su Qinglan had accused.

Bai Lianhua’s face darkened as she realized the crowd’s eyes were shifting. Hard gazes pierced her like knives, questioning and judging her.

Bai Lianhua’s chest rose and fell too fast. Her lips trembled. And then...

She collapsed.

The females gasped. "Bai Lianhua!" "She fainted!"

Of course, Su Qinglan could tell it was fake. Her dramatic fall, the way her hands fluttered too perfectly, her lashes trembling just enough—please. Amateur acting. But Qinglan didn’t bother exposing her.

That’s enough for today, she thought smugly. Let her roll around in her own shame. I’m too hungry to keep playing this game.

Her stomach gave an ungraceful growl, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten a single bite that morning, and all this scheming had burned through what little energy she had.

So, while everyone panicked around Bai Lianhua’s "unconscious" body, Su Qinglan tugged on Hu Yan’s arm and started dragging him away.

But someone shouted, "She is still a female of our tribe! We can’t just leave her like this! Someone has to carry her back to rest."

All eyes turned at once.

And who did they fall on?

Hu Yan.

The only male present there.

The only one strong enough to lift her.

The tiger’s expression turned black. His jaw tightened, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. Then he scowled at them.

"I don’t touch dirty things."

The crowd froze. And before anyone could say another word, the mighty warrior turned on his heel and stormed off, his heavy steps making everyone’s heart tremble.

Behind him, Su Qinglan skipped along with her potato-shaped body, her eyes shining like stars as she stared at her cold, ruthless tiger.

Damn, so handsome. So cruel. My beast husband is truly the best.

On the ground, Bai Lianhua’s lashes fluttered, her body still "unconscious"...but her hands clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms until blood welled.