CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: NAN’S UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR

"What welcome ceremony?"

Wen Shu was a bit puzzled. In the original owner’s memory, there had never been such a thing.

Hearing this, Chief Weng slowed his pace and said in a somber tone, "Because of Beast City’s negligence, it has caused losses to the tribe. The City Lord intends to give the Beastmen an explanation at the ceremony."

Wen Shu furrowed her brows. She also had doubts about this matter and was somewhat curious to hear what kind of statement Beast City would make.

Moreover...

A welcome ceremony sounded like there might be a free dinner involved.

"Wait a moment."

She looked back and saw that only Nan had followed out. She then went back inside to drag out Julius, placing the meat he held onto the table, "There’s not much food at home, you come along too."

Caught off guard by her tugging on his beast skin, Julius staggered a few steps before steadying himself, his beautiful eyes widened a bit, "Why are you so strong?"

Wait, that wasn’t the issue!

He made an effort to pull back his beast skin, looking as if the sky was falling, "I won’t go. All the tribe’s beastmen will be there. Can’t I just not eat?"

Wen Shu raised her eyes to look at him, feeling a throbbing at her temples. Despite Julius’s tall and robust appearance, his temperament was like that of a spoiled child.

To avoid people, he would even claim he wasn’t hungry.

Seeing her dilemma, Nan took something from his pocket and handed it to Julius, "Wear this for now."

It was a wooden mask, identical to the one on Nan’s face.

Watching their tacit and heartwarming action, Julius was momentarily stunned, a pang of bitterness welling up in his heart.

Only with such a partner could one be happy. But he could only be in a cold partnership with a stranger of the opposite gender...

Seeing his eyes redden, Wen Shu was baffled. She picked up the mask and stuffed it into his hand, somewhat helplessly urging, "Put it on."

Heading straight along the residential area, at the end of the long slope, the large circular arched building situated on the lawn was the City Lord’s manor.

At this moment, two rows of long tables with sumptuous and fresh food were set up in the center of the lawn, where many beastmen were selecting and eating with stone bowls in front of the tables.

However, it wasn’t just the tribe’s beastmen present here.

Across a circular flower bed, the city dwellers, dressed in fine clothes and fashionable attire, elegantly took their food and returned to their seats, casting disdainful glances every so often to the other side.

Feeling Chief Weng was pulling her to the central seat, a sense of unease arose in Wen Shu’s heart, "Wait, Mother."

She halted her steps, placing a hand on her abdomen, quickly raising her eyes to look at Nan, "I—I’m feeling a bit sick to my stomach."

Nan reacted swiftly, immediately stepping forward to support her, pulling her into his embrace, saying anxiously, "Chief Weng, I’ll take Ashu to the back courtyard."

After speaking, without waiting for Chief Weng’s reaction, he picked up Wen Shu and walked towards the corner leading to the backyard.

They moved quickly. Julius, believing it to be true, caught up in a few steps, somewhat puzzled to see them suddenly stop.

Then he saw Wen Shu’s normal expression as she sat on a stone bench in the corner.

"Wen Shu, you?"

Wen Shu picked up a stone bowl, meeting Julius’s innocent gaze, and couldn’t help but curl her lips, feigning surprise, "It suddenly stopped hurting."

Though naive, Julius wasn’t a fool. Hearing her teasing tone, he immediately pouted, "You, you’re quite the trickster!"

Restraining the smile at the corners of her mouth, Wen Shu also pulled Nan to get some food.

The hosts of the manor arrived quite late; Wen Shu was half-full when she finally saw their tardy figures.

Bai Rong, dressed in grand attire, led Bai Qiao in a flowing pink dress, followed by her nine Beast Husbands and their tall and handsome male offspring who inherited their admirable genes.

Wen Shu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

This body certainly had many brothers...

Standing on the central platform, Bai Rong gracefully addressed the crowd, "Beastmen of the tribe, are you enjoying yourselves?"

Subsequently, she expressed her sorrow, repeating words identical to those of Bai Yan.

The unfortunate High Priest, with eyes full of terror and panic, was also dragged onto the platform to confess face to face.

Yet Wen Shu, watching him thoughtfully, sensed something amiss but had no evidence.

Never mind, since it’s a wasted trip, might as well leave early.

She finished her remaining food and was about to call for others to leave when she realized Nan, who had left earlier, hadn’t returned.

She looked at Julius, "Where did Nan go?"

Julius, engrossed in his food, raised his head in bewilderment, clearly unreliable.

Wen Shu sighed silently, instructed, "I’ll go find him, wait for us here."

Speaking, her gaze shifted to the center of the lawn, where Bai Rong was still speaking, the beastmen all sat upright, with no one around the long table.

She scanned the area and walked towards the backyard.

As she approached the corner, indeed some voices emerged. Her ears perked up slightly, catching more and more clear vile insults.

A deep male voice, full of malice, "What an ugly thing! That female’s taste is truly unique, able to stomach you!"

Someone sneered in agreement, "Haha, the female perhaps wants a change too, but conditions don’t allow it, do they? However, once she returns to the City Lord’s house, things might change..."

His words implied something.

And as reminded by him, abrupt sounds of scuffle suddenly erupted.

Wen Shu’s heart tightened, quickening her pace, but before approaching further, the sounds of punching and kicking instantly ceased, and the insults abruptly stopped.

Wen Shu halted, sensing something strange.

As she tried to get closer, she almost collided with a tall male.

She stepped back a few paces, only to see that the male’s steps were stiff, walking straight ahead, his demeanor and unfocused eyes even more peculiar.

Wen Shu furrowed her brows slightly, her gaze lingering on the male’s rigid body, then on his vacant eyes, her confusion deepening.

Before she could think further, Nan’s voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"Ashu, are you looking for me?"

The gentle, lazy tone was no different from usual.

But Wen Shu felt a chill down her back, inexplicably breaking out in goosebumps.

Nan’s steps were so light she hadn’t noticed. When had he gotten so close...

Two warm hands rested on her shoulders, gently pushing her back towards the banquet, "Why are you so cold?"

He sat beside Wen Shu, wanting to pull her into his embrace.

But Wen Shu stiffened all over, immediately standing up.

She looked at Julius, seeing he’d almost finished eating, pointed to the exit, "There’s nothing more to hear. Let’s head back."

Julius wiped his mouth with a napkin, immediately agreeing.

But Nan, avoided by the female, hesitated with his arm frozen in midair for two seconds before letting it slowly fall, a slight, forlorn smile on his face, "Alright, it’s getting late. I... I happen to have something I wanted to discuss with Ashu alone."

His misty eyes gazed intently at Wen Shu, caution evident in his eyes, with a tiny tremor in his voice as he spoke.

In the past, seeing him like this Wen Shu couldn’t help but soften. However, at this moment, as she scrutinized him, her emotions were quite complex.

The empty eyes of that male seemed to remain before her, and given her familiarity with the Soul Capturing Technique, this gaze was all too familiar.

"We’ll talk when we get back."

Avoiding his gaze, Wen Shu stood up, intending to leave through the corner exit.

The originally lively banquet suddenly fell silent at this moment.

"Everyone, I have something to announce today. You’ve all heard recent news..."

Bai Rong, appearing sorrowful, fixed her gaze on Wen Shu, "Taking this opportunity, I want to introduce my poor child to everyone."