The Beast King’s Palace where Cang Yan resided consisted of nine grand halls. The central one was his own dwelling, while the other eight were arranged symmetrically around it—positioned to the east, south, west, north, northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest.
With evident enthusiasm, Cang Yan led Yun Qingxue through each of the halls, showing her every room.
“Which one does Qingxue prefer?”
After touring them all, Cang Yan finally stopped, smiling as he asked the question.
Yun Qingxue frowned, pretending to deliberate. Though each of the nine halls was distinct, they were interconnected, forming a cohesive whole. No matter which one she chose, she would still be under Cang Yan’s watchful gaze—monitored without a blind spot.
So, in truth, it made no difference which one she picked…
But since Cang Yan had so “enthusiastically” taken her on this tour, if she acted indifferent in her choice, it would likely displease him.
“Is Snow Snow having trouble deciding?” Cang Yan’s amused voice sounded by her ear.
Yun Qingxue instinctively flinched away.
*If you have something to say, say it—why suddenly get so close?!*
Her reaction made Cang Yan’s eyes narrow slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face. Though he chose not to dwell on such a trivial matter, that didn’t mean it didn’t bother him.
Being instinctively avoided by someone he liked—who wouldn’t feel awkward about that? Especially someone like him, the mighty Beast King! In the past, women had practically thrown themselves at him. Yet now, the first time in his life he had developed feelings for someone, it seemed she was rejecting him!
“Each hall has its own unique charm, making it quite difficult to choose,” Yun Qingxue said, her clear eyes meeting his, her expression still troubled.
Cang Yan studied her intently. “If Qingxue finds it so hard to decide, why not switch halls every day?”
“Huh?” Yun Qingxue widened her eyes at him. “I don’t want to move every single day!”
“Heh…” Cang Yan chuckled at her earnest, almost childish reaction.
“Don’t worry, Qingxue. I’ll have each hall prepared for you in advance. You’ll only need to walk in—no need to move anything.”
Yun Qingxue pouted slightly, thinking it over. “No, I’d rather not be greedy. I’ll just pick one. Even if I don’t have to move, switching every day would be as tiresome as living in an inn!”
*Making me change rooms daily? Cang Yan really leaves no loopholes.*
Moving into the Beast King’s Palace already meant being under his constant surveillance. If she had to switch rooms every day, even if Feng Zihuang or Jin Lin dared to come looking for her, they’d have to evade Cang Yan’s watch *and* pinpoint her exact location—making contact far more difficult.
*What a cunning man.*
“From now on, this is your home, Qingxue. In your own home, you should stay wherever you please—how could that be called greed?” Cang Yan smiled, but his tone brooked no refusal. “Since you like the palace’s arrangement so much, I’m delighted. Let me personally decide your daily accommodations, alright?”
“Are you so idle as the Beast King?” Yun Qingxue raised a brow, teasing.
“Idle or not, I’ll always have time for this,” he replied with a laugh. Never before had he gone to such lengths for a woman—he only hoped she wouldn’t disregard his efforts.
“You make me feel like a burden,” Yun Qingxue sighed, a trace of melancholy crossing her features.
“Why would you say that?” Cang Yan’s smile faded, and for a moment, all his schemes and calculations vanished from his mind.
In that instant, his eyes and heart held only her.
“Having everything arranged for me—what else does that make me but useless?” She pursed her lips, brows tightly knit.
“Have you forgotten, Qingxue? I’m not just ‘someone else.’ I’m the man who will soon be your husband!”
Without thinking, Cang Yan reached for her hand, speaking urgently. Yet at the same time, his rationality miraculously returned. He realized, with some astonishment, how easily this woman had swayed his emotions.
*Husband?*
What an unfamiliar word…
“Has the Beast King forgotten our agreement?” Yun Qingxue withdrew her hand.
Their relationship was purely one of mutual use. Trying to force an intimate title onto such a transactional bond only felt… strange.
A husband—the closest companion in a woman’s life. If even that person had to be guarded against, sharing a bed but not a heart… what a profound sorrow that would be.
Cang Yan’s gaze turned icy. His feelings had evolved, but this woman remained stuck at the beginning.
She hadn’t noticed his changes. She hadn’t sensed his affection. This realization filled him with unease—and an inexplicable fury.
*How could Yun Qingxue not like him?* He had already fallen for her. *How could she not feel the same?*
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