CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116: ULTERIOR MOTIVES

Ruan Li hadn’t previously revealed Xu Mo’s true identity to Lu Mujie, but upon hearing him say that, she hesitated for a moment before finally telling Lu Mujie the whole story.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, revealing contemplation, yet his cold, pale face showed no surprise, "So, Xu Mo indeed seems suspicious. Whether it’s him knowing your identity before and still becoming your Beast Husband, or later pretending to have lost his memory, his intentions are impure."

Ruan Li had no idea how to refute his words.

Perhaps Xu Mo had approached her with a purpose from the start, perhaps the emotions he showed were also fake.

Seeing Ruan Li’s face gradually turn pale, with undisguisable sadness in her eyes, Lu Mujie raised his hand and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "Little Li, don’t get upset and sad over someone who isn’t worth it."

He gently held her shoulder, letting her lean on his shoulder, pulling her largely into his embrace.

In the dark cave, the lighting was dreary and indistinct.

If Ruan Li were to look up, she would see Lu Mujie almost in a protective posture, thoroughly enveloping her in his aura and protection.

The sharply defined cheekbones, the chiseled jawline softened by the darkness, the dark vertical pupils flashing briefly, revealing a predator’s coldness.

"Little Li, come home with me."

His voice was as gentle as the full clouds on the horizon, and despite the cold temperature emanating from his clothes, Ruan Li subconsciously leaned against him.

She lowered her eyes and murmured softly, "Okay, let’s go home."

Lu Mujie gently patted her shoulder, his voice slightly hoarse, "Little Li, you’re tired now, do you want to sleep for a while?"

Suddenly feeling drowsy, Ruan Li’s eyelids slowly closed.

In a corner where no one was looking, the man suppressed his increasingly heavy breathing, scales began to appear faintly on his neck, arms, and cheeks.

In the dark cave, the sound of rustling echoed, faintly glowing green snake scales appeared occasionally, a thick snake tail entwining around the delicate white ankle.

Hiss—

If Ruan Li were awake, she would definitely recognize this as the sound snakes make when excited.

The Little Nose Robot crouched at the cave entrance, his peripheral vision couldn’t help but glance into the cave.

Master, he...

Relying on his excellent eyesight, the robot could clearly see the situation inside the cave, the half-human half-snake master had the female practically wrapped around with his limbs, much like a snake strangling its prey, yet there was something different...

The Little Nose Robot was endowed with an independent personality by its master, it knew emotions and propriety and etiquette. At this moment, the robot felt its metal face was so hot it was about to melt.

How could the master do this... it’s not right, the female hasn’t consented, he can’t...

Glanced at by the master’s sharp, cold eyes, the little robot immediately turned its head away.

The master is always right, the master is always right.

Ruan Li had slept quite deeply, just as she was about to sit up, she heard the man’s muffled groan of pain.

"What’s wrong?"

The man showed a helpless smile, "It’s nothing, I’ve just been numb from being pressed for too long."

He rubbed his shoulder, and Ruan Li immediately felt guilty, reaching out to help massage his shoulder, "I unintentionally slept for too long, does massaging like this feel better?"

"...Yeah, your technique is far better than mine. Little Li, when did you learn to massage?"

Ruan Li exclaimed, "I didn’t learn it, just randomly pressed."

"Does this work?"

Lu Mujie curled his lips, "Although I’d like to enjoy Little Li’s service a bit longer, I think your hands might be getting a bit sore."

He held Ruan Li’s hand, gently massaging it in his palm.

Until his palm warmed up, he allowed the little female to retrieve her hand.

Ruan Li, face flushed, suddenly stood up and walked towards the outside.

"Second brother, how did you get here?"

Standing at the cave entrance, she let the incoming cold breeze disperse the heat that had just abruptly risen.

Lu Mujie glanced at the little robot in the corner, "The aircraft found this planet, but at the time it wasn’t certain you were on this planet, so only I came over."

"How did you get injured? And so seriously?"

Lu Mujie’s mouth curved slightly, but his expression was helpless, "The creatures on this planet seem quite different."

"To call them Fierce Beasts isn’t entirely accurate. From observing their behavior these past few days, these Fierce Beasts likely possess self-awareness, and..." He paused, "Their reproductive ability is astonishing."

"Most Fierce Beasts are typically aggressive and rarely possess high-level thinking abilities, but these Fierce Beasts not only patrol but also disguise themselves. They change their forms to appear like ordinary animals, even able to hide their aura."

"It seems their level of evolution is higher than the Fierce Beasts currently plaguing the main planet."

Suddenly, Ruan Li thought of the lively animals she saw on her way out of the research institute, were they all Fierce Beasts?!

Lu Mujie nodded upon hearing her doubt, "That’s indeed the case."

"But analyzing from what you just told me, it can be understood; Mrs. Ruan Ying was able to evolve the Fierce Beasts, I just didn’t expect it could be done to such a degree."

Usually calm and composed, Lu Mujie’s voice carried undisguisable admiration and awe for Ruan Ying, despite ethically, it should be resisted.

Ruan Li knew Lu Mujie was also a professor, though unsure of his field of research.

She saw the amazement in Lu Mujie’s eyes, feeling that these people didn’t seem quite normal.

"So, you were injured by those Fierce Beasts?" Ruan Li asked.

No, rather, it was an incidental injury while observing these unique Fierce Beasts’ behaviors.

Lu Mujie’s eyes subtly flickered, "Yes. Those Fierce Beasts possess extraordinarily high attack power, and they carry lethal pollutants, if I hadn’t met Little Li, I might have been doomed here."

Ruan Li: "If it weren’t for that Little Nose-sized robot, I wouldn’t have found my way here either."

Suddenly pointed out in the corner, the Little Nose Robot shuffled forward tremblingly, looked up at Lu Mujie with a glance then quickly lowered his head.

Ruan Li noticed this little robot seemed to have suddenly changed its personality, originally chattering non-stop in front of her, now showing a bit of cowardice.

Even robots can now judge people before interacting?

Lu Mujie crouched down, the little robot hesitated for only a moment before jumping into his palm, "Its name is Little Qi, it’s my experiment assistant."

The little robot stood obediently in his palm.

"Its personality is usually quite lively, perhaps that’s my fault. Often working alone on experiments, rarely having companionship, I input instructions for it to chatter, so it can keep me company during experiments without feeling too lonely."

Little Qi adopted a formal tone, "Hello little female, I’m the master’s experiment assistant, pleased to meet you."

Ruan Li bent slightly and met its gaze, "Not asking me for wing compensation anymore?"

Little Qi paused for a moment, resembling a human’s awkward state, "The master has already agreed to install a new pair of wings for me."