Chapter 426 - 425: Mysterious Communication
The man’s fingertips were cool. Yu Zhizhi held them gently, her lips brushing against his knuckles. She felt a flutter of nervousness and couldn’t resist stealing a glance at him.
Cang Lan looked at the little female curled up on the bed, all groggy and clingy after being woken up. He slowly raised his finger and gently touched her soft lips.
Yu Zhizhi’s rabbit ears twitched slightly.
She seemed to clear her head a little, gradually realizing that Cang Lan was really in her room.
She took a sharp little breath, feeling the foreign object in her mouth. In the darkness, the man gazed down at her, his eyes darkening as he watched her cheeks flush red.
Yu Zhizhi’s eyelids trembled. Her heart began to race, and the tip of her tongue tingled. She gently bit down on his finger.
Cang Lan slowly withdrew his hand.
He saw that the little rabbit’s eyes were misty. She slowly sat up. "Prince Canglan, why are you here? Are... you hungry?"
’The Big Tiger has recovered, so he should be able to eat other things now.’
’She’d looked over the dishes for tonight and thought he would probably like them.’
That was why she hadn’t gone back to Cang Lan’s room after the Snake Cub left.
Cang Lan lifted his chin slightly. "I came to see if you were hiding anything in your room."
Yu Zhizhi’s thoughts immediately went to the little Snake Pup...
’Prince Canglan must have sensed it the moment I summoned it. Not to mention, the whole castle could hear the little tiger cub wailing its head off.’
A smile touched her lips. "Nope, it’s already gone."
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Back at the Extreme Ice Palace, Cang Lan already knew she had summoned one of her beast cubs. The aura at the time was that of a wolf.
This time, however, it was a snake.
Those two from the Valoran Empire had the home-field advantage, seizing every opportunity.
He hadn’t seen any of Duke Bolan’s people at the Extreme Ice Palace, though.
The rumor was that he was already engaged.
His wedding date was fast approaching.
And the little rabbit before him rarely brought up that snake on her own initiative.
Having slept for a bit, Yu Zhizhi wasn’t so tired anymore. She looked up at the man sitting before her, thought for a moment, and then lifted her arm, offering her wrist to his lips.
However, the Big Tiger didn’t react.
’...Is he not hungry?’
Puzzled, Yu Zhizhi slowly withdrew her hand and stared at him, not understanding.
Perhaps because he had just bathed, Cang Lan was wearing a casual white satin shirt with a frilled collar. His long golden hair made his face seem even paler. Unlike the cold, aggressive man from the daytime, he now appeared more mysterious and elegant.
Yu Zhizhi slowly scooted closer to him.
She noticed he didn’t pull away as he had before.
Once she was very close, she mustered her courage and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.
’...Hugging should be okay.’
’Although, it felt like a one-sided hug.’
Just like last time, Cang Lan didn’t push her away.
The little rabbit before him just held him gently, a soft little bundle clinging to his chest.
Cang Lan couldn’t resist lifting a hand, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.
Yu Zhizhi felt his touch and looked up, gazing at him intently. Perhaps it was the darkness, but she wasn’t as shy as she was during the day. His eyes seemed even more profound, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
Feeling a bit bolder, she straightened up slightly, bringing her face a little closer to his.
As the little rabbit drew near, he caught the faint scent of jasmine. His gaze shifted slightly downward, landing on her lips.
Yu Zhizhi’s heart beat even faster.
She slowly tilted her chin up and kissed him.
Cang Lan’s body stiffened slightly.
Her kiss was fleeting, like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface, and she pulled back just as quickly. She stole a glance at the Big Tiger, unable to decipher the emotion in his eyes. She only felt that he was unusually "approachable" tonight.
A sliver of joy bloomed in her heart, as if their relationship had grown a little closer.
Just as Yu Zhizhi was about to slip back under the covers, he suddenly grabbed her. "That’s it?"
...Huh?
Yu Zhizhi froze for a second.
Cang Lan wrapped an arm around her waist and shifted, and before Yu Zhizhi could register what was happening, she found herself sitting in his lap.
She couldn’t help but flinch. ’This position is too familiar...’
’Is the Big Tiger going to drink my blood?’
Cang Lan’s cool lips brushed against the crook of her neck. This time, he didn’t bite, but simply placed a soft kiss there.
The little rabbit wore a white, sleeveless nightdress. Its strap was slightly loose, and a gentle tug was all it would take to expose her small shoulder.
His hand gripped the small of her back as his kisses traveled upward. His fingers tilted her chin up, and he bit down on her lip.
「The night was as still as water.」
Yu Zhizhi’s eyelashes fluttered. This was the first time Cang Lan had ever initiated a kiss with her.
She obediently responded. Cang Lan’s kiss was gentle. He slowly opened his eyes, and as he watched the little female in his arms, her face flushed scarlet, the desire in his heart began to swell.
’This time, he could tell the difference.’
’This wasn’t hunger.’
’He seemed to crave this little rabbit with an exceptional intensity. He wanted more than just her blood; he wanted her body.’
’He knew he should stay away, give her no opportunity.’
’She’s a detestable, irresponsible rabbit, leaving a trail of affections wherever she goes.’
Cang Lan suddenly intensified the kiss.
Yu Zhizhi’s body trembled. The kiss had gone from gentle to aggressive, and she instinctively wanted to flee, but he held her captive in his arms.
She was forced to endure it.
Yu Zhizhi felt like she was about to run out of air...
Cang Lan’s hand found and grasped her small, fluffy rabbit tail. The kiss softened from harsh to gentle, until he was only nibbling lightly at her lip.
The corners of Yu Zhizhi’s eyes grew moist.
’A moment ago, I really thought I was going to suffocate...’
Just then, the communicator on the pillow beside her suddenly rang.
Startled, Yu Zhizhi looked over. A blue light was flashing, and the screen displayed two words: [Unknown Caller].
’It’s so late...’
’Who could it be?’
The ringing was jarring in the dead of night. Cang Lan glanced at the communicator. As a thought occurred to him, his eyes darkened abruptly.
’The little female’s communicator was right by her pillow.’
’Does she talk to other males on it every night?’
Yu Zhizhi reached for it, but Cang Lan was faster, snatching the small, delicate communicator and clenching it in his hand.
’I’ve been in his territory for so long, and I’ve barely used the communicator.’
’This number isn’t saved, either.’
"Let’s... let’s not answer it?" Yu Zhizhi whispered.
Cang Lan’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he answered the call and held the device to his ear.
Yu Zhizhi felt a surge of anxiety.
She tried to squirm out of his lap but found she was still held fast.
No one on the other end spoke.
Cang Lan’s voice was cold. "Who is this?"
Still no response.
Yu Zhizhi said softly, "Maybe it’s a wrong number..."
’A wrong number?’
’Every communicator ID on the Beast World Planet is unique. The odds of a wrong number are practically zero.’
He held the communicator to Yu Zhizhi’s ear, seemingly intending for her to speak.
Yu Zhizhi hesitated for a moment. "H-Hello?"
’First, I can rule out the Spider.’
’He’s the one who gave me the communicator, and at first, his was the only number saved in it.’
’Then there’s Sensen...’
’I’ve never called Sensen, but we’ve exchanged messages.’
’Come to think of it, I’ve gotten calls from unknown numbers before.’
’Could it be...’
"Lord Shen He?" she whispered.