Feng Yiren’s eyes narrowed.
Pick what?
This female does not even know which leaf is safe. She will touch poison and then cry and then Mu Qingyi will bla again when she almost dies.
His fox pride did not want to babysit her, but his instincts did not want her hard either, and that contradiction made him annoyed.
So he made a decision quickly.
"I will hold the basket," Feng Yiren said sharply.
Lin Huahua blinked.
"Why?"
"Because you are dumb," he replied without hesitation.
Lin Huahua gasped, offended.
Then Feng Yiren continued, sounding like he was doing her a huge favor.
"I will hold it, and I will watch you, and if you touch sothing poisonous, I will smack your hand."
Lin Huahua’s face twisted.
This fox really talks too much.
But because she was used to princess treatnt, she did not even think deeply, and she only thought, well, if he wants to carry things for her, then that was fine.
So she nodded with a serious expression.
"Okay," she agreed. "We are going to the forest for food."
Feng Yiren stared at her.
In his mind, he swore quietly.
I will watch you closely, because I do not believe you. Not even one bit.
Lin Huahua smiled in her heart.
Because "food" was not her real goal.
Her real goal was spices.
If she had to eat at every day, then she would at least make it taste good, because she was not going to suffer like a tragic heroine without even trying.
She reached for the door.
Then she froze.
Because Hu Baiyu was standing at the entrance.
He was supposed to be asleep.
But there he was, tall and injured, his fur bandages still slightly stained, his blue eyes watching her like he had been waiting for her to step out.
Lin Huahua’s brows knitted in confusion.
"Why are you standing," she asked softly, because her first instinct was worry.
Hu Baiyu did not speak.
But he lifted his hand slowly, hesitant, like he was scared of making her angry, and he pointed at the forest.
Then he pointed at himself.
Then he pointed at her.
His aning was obvious.
He wanted to co.
He wanted to protect her.
Lin Huahua’s chest ward imdiately, because even though this man was injured, even though he was bleeding earlier, he still wanted to stand by her side, and that kind of devotion felt too heavy and too sweet at the sa ti.
But Lin Huahua quickly forced her face into a strict expression, because she knew what he was doing was dangerous.
She stepped closer and shook her head firmly.
"No," Lin Huahua said, trying her best to sound like a responsible female, even though she was not used to being strict at all. "You are staying ho."
Hu Baiyu’s eyes widened slightly, and his expression shifted.
To him, it looked like rejection.
He thought she did not want him.
He thought she was pushing him away.
His shoulders lowered, and sadness showed on his face so clearly that even Feng Yiren, who hated being sentintal, felt uncomfortable looking at it.
Feng Yiren glanced at Lin Huahua again.
Since when did she start caring?
He did not say it out loud, but in his mind, he thought that this was still better than abuse, because even if she was acting, at least the acting was not cruel.
Hu Baiyu took half a step back, because his body rembered pain too well, and he was afraid that her "no" would turn into anger.
Lin Huahua saw his movent and felt her heart pinch.
So she realized instantly what he was thinking.
This poor tiger thought she was going to hit him again.
Lin Huahua swallowed, then she raised her hand slowly, showing him clearly that she was not rushing, and she was not attacking, and she was not angry.
Hu Baiyu still flinched slightly, because his instincts reacted first.
Lin Huahua’s eyes softened.
Then she touched him gently.
She placed her hand on his arm first, then slid it upward to his shoulder, and she patted him lightly like she was soothing a big injured cat.
Hu Baiyu froze.
His entire body stiffened, because he was not used to gentle touches, and he did not know how to react.
Lin Huahua leaned closer, then she spoke softly so only he could hear.
"I am not telling you no because I do not want you," she explained seriously. "I am telling you no because you are injured, and if you go out, you will get worse, and I do not want you to hurt more."
Hu Baiyu’s eyes trembled.
He stared at her like he could not believe the words.
Then his throat moved as if he wanted to speak, but no sound ca out.
He lifted his hand slightly, then stopped, because he was still scared of touching her without permission.
But his gaze was so full of affection that Lin Huahua understood anyway.
He looked like he was falling in love all over again, but this ti with hope.
Feng Yiren watched from the side, and his fox tail twitched sharply.
He hated that scene.
He hated how soft her voice was.
He hated how Hu Baiyu looked at her like she was the sun.
And the worst part was that he hated that he cared.
So he clicked his tongue loudly, breaking the mont on purpose.
"Are we going or not," Feng Yiren said, acting impatient, even though his eyes stayed on her hand touching Hu Baiyu.
Lin Huahua glanced back at him, then she looked at Hu Baiyu again.
"You rest," Lin Huahua ordered gently, still trying to sound strict. "And if you stand here again, I will be strict again."
Hu Baiyu blinked, then he slowly nodded.
He took one step back, then another, and his eyes followed her like he was engraving her into his heart.
Lin Huahua turned away, and Feng Yiren imdiately stepped closer, holding the basket like he was ready to drag her if needed.
Lin Huahua inhaled.
Then she stepped out.
And as she walked into the forest path, she did not notice the way Hu Baiyu stood at the entrance for a long ti, watching her leave, and the way his injured heart felt both warm and aching at once.
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