Chapter 101: Exposing Thoughts

Yun Li, who still doesn't realize she was almost kept talking all night by three males, is now facing Ji Chen's heart‑wrenching interrogation.

"Why? A Li, what am I lacking?"

His eyes were dim, as if he had been badly hurt by Yun Li's rejection.

Yun Li couldn't even be bothered to say that his pursuit of females was worse than Ge's; at least he brings food, delivers messages, and genuinely helps when needed, even though his assistance is also at Ji Xuan's behest, but he still puts in his time and effort.

"I prefer stronger males, and you look too frail."

Even worse than Chang Yue of the Youbuluo tribe.

Ji Xuan, who had come with Leng Xiu, happened to hear this at the doorway; he instinctively glanced at himself, then turned his head to look at Leng Xiu.

Sensing Ji Xuan's gaze, Leng Xiu slightly raised his eyebrows and knowingly asked, "Young Master, what are you looking at me for?"

Ji Xuan knew very well that his thoughts would eventually be exposed; to win Yun Li's favor, he inevitably had to cultivate good relations with Leng Xiu and the others.

So he lowered his eyes and said half‑truthfully, "I just didn't expect A Li to use this reason to reject A Chen. Apart from Leng Xiao, you and Mu Qing don't appear to be the kind of strong males."

He knew Yun Li didn't think highly of her brother, but he hadn't expected her to reject Ji Chen for this reason.

If Yun Li truly prefers stronger males, then among her three Beast Husbands, only Leng Xiao seems to fit.

After all, Leng Xiao is the type whose muscles are obvious, while Leng Xiu and Mu Qing have slender, lanky builds—one with narrow shoulders and a thin waist—so if they don't take off their shirts, you can't tell they also possess that overwhelming sense of strength.

"Young Master, what do you mean by that?"

Leng Xiu's brows and eyes seemed tinged with displeasure, "Do you think A Li is deliberately lying to reject your brother?"

"No, I'm just wondering what aspect of 'strong' A Li is referring to?"

Ji Xuan lifted his eyes, "If it's not the aspect everyone can see, then it's something else."

What else could it refer to? Naturally, it's a male's capital.

Realizing Ji Xuan was indirectly praising them, Leng Xiu's brows softened, and with a slightly familiar tone he said, "Young Master, you seem very concerned about what kind of male A Li likes? So, do you intend to serve A Li together with us in the future?"

Fortunately, Yun Li wasn't present for that remark, or else they'd have had to crawl underground.

Serving together? She already has three males serving her at home; that's more than enough.

Hearing that, a thought unintentionally flashed through Ji Xuan's mind: does she like having several at once?

He even suddenly recalled a nightmare he had upon waking at midnight—a crimson‑cheeked female's gaze, hazily soft as she nestled in her Beast Husband's arms, seeming to sense his approach, slightly lifting her head, then calling his name with a delicate, tender voice.

"Axuan~"

Ji Xuan felt a heat in his abdomen; he suppressed the stirring in his heart and tried to make his tone sound completely normal, "Yes, if you all agree."

"You should ask A Li that, not us."

Leng Xiu wasn't at all surprised by his thoughts; that night, seeing him and Mu Qing both wounded yet forcing themselves to hold on in front of A Li, he realized Ji Xuan had developed feelings for A Li.

He just didn't know when he started liking A Li; before coming to Hongcao Valley, he hadn't had such feelings for A Li.

Ji Xuan's gaze swept over Leng Xiu's face, then he nodded, "Understood."

Since he didn't have a male representative from the family warn him, that shows the only obstacle to his entry is A Li; as long as A Li agrees, they won't oppose.

…

Inside, Ji Chen fell into a prolonged silence because of Yun Li's remark.

Finally, he gave a bitter smile, "So that's it; I'm indeed not the kind of male A Li likes."

But after saying that, he waited for a long time and no one came to help him out.

Whether it was Jiao Jiao, who had come with him, or that foolish female who had often shown shy expressions before him, they both seemed oblivious to his embarrassment.

Xin quietly probed Yun Li's criteria for selecting a Beast Husband.

Yun Li seemed to consider her requirements for a Beast Husband: "He must not be weak, should be steady‑tempered, and I dislike males who still have unresolved ties with other females."

Hearing this, A Yu reflexively glanced at Ji Chen, saw his despondent posture with his head down, making his expression unreadable, and couldn't help pouting.

She thought she did like Ji Chen, but he's just a male; would she really fall out with her good friend over a single male?

Moreover, Ji Chen had said he liked more than one female; at first A Yu was hurt that Ji Chen had liked many females, but later she came to terms with it.

And Yun Li went on to list seven or eight more requirements; after hearing them, Xin knew her brother stood no chance.

The third point alone was enough for A Li to reject her brother, let alone A Li also mentioned disliking males who are hot‑tempered, arbitrarily aggressive, and leave without reporting their whereabouts.

Xin felt her brother was truly a pity; his strength wasn't lacking, yet he stubbornly set his sights on Miduo.

If Miduo were willing to formally become a Mate Bond with a male, Xin wouldn't oppose her brother pursuing Miduo so much; she even thought of introducing A Li to him.

"Actually I have a brother; I originally wanted to introduce you to him. But when I asked him, he stubbornly told me he already has a female he likes."

Seeing Yun Li curious about which male she intended to introduce, Xin sighed helplessly, "I was thinking that the female he likes has never accepted him, so I wondered if I could introduce other females to him.

After all, he's been an adult for several years; staying alone like this forever isn't ideal."

After listening, Yun Li gave a polite yet slightly awkward smile, thinking to herself that she has no interest in a male who already has someone in his heart; she doesn't want to be anyone's backup.

"He already has a female he likes, so introducing me to him is pointless."

Xin shook his head, "It's not that I think you look good and that after he sees you, he won't go near Miduo; you should know other females aren't as beautiful as Miduo."

Of course, the most important thing is she knows her brother's temperament; he's not the kind who is clever, and if he goes into another female's household, he might end up being exploited by that female's Beast Husband and lose everything.

But A Li is different; she's very kind to her Beast Husband, so her household's atmosphere is great.

If her brother could become A Li's Beast Husband, the family would only need to please A Li, unlike being by Miduo's side, where he'd have to watch the moods of the few males around Miduo.