Lin Qinghe also paused when she saw You Rong.
In less than two years, You Rong had changed considerably. His frame had grown taller, and the childishness had faded from his features, revealing a sharp, sculpted face that appeared even more aloof and handsome.
Seeing You Rong frozen in place and not approaching, Lin Qinghe's lips curved into a slight smile. "What are you standing there for? It's only been less than two years; have you forgotten me?"
You Rong's throat bobbed as he forced down his surging emotions. He walked towards Lin Qinghe, each step feeling exceptionally heavy. Only when he stood before her did he dare to be sure of one thing.
He wasn't dreaming. She was truly awake and standing before him!
Seeing You Rong speechless, Lin Qinghe blinked her alluring eyes. "Hmm? Why aren't you speaking? Are you too surprised to talk?"
You Rong swallowed hard, his whole demeanor appearing somewhat dazed. "When... when did you wake up? Why didn't you tell me? Are... are you feeling alright?"
Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, smiling as radiantly and charmingly as ever. "I just woke up this morning. I'm fine, my bones are just stiff from lying down for too long. Nothing else is wrong."
"It's good that there's nothing wrong, it's good that there's nothing wrong..." You Rong sighed, repeating the words woodenly. He looked at Lin Qinghe, and even though she hadn't done anything, he felt flustered, unsure of where to put his hands.
He wanted to hold Lin Qinghe close and tell her how much he missed her...
Lin Qinghe's gaze flickered, her eyes sweeping past You Rong to the large "囍" characters pasted at the doorway. The smile on her face grew wider, but the mirth in her eyes slowly diminished.
Lin Qinghe said, "Oh, right. As soon as I woke up, I heard that today is the day you and Miss Meng are becoming partners. I rushed over to congratulate you. I thought I might be too late, but it seems I've arrived just in time. It's a shame, though; I came in such a hurry that I couldn't bring you a congratulatory gift. After all, I raised you for several years; I suppose I'm practically half your elder. I should have prepared a gift for you."
Lin Qinghe was satisfied to see You Rong's face turn ashen.
*Hmph!*
You want to make me angry the moment I wake up? She wouldn't let him off so easily!
You Rong felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. The joy he had felt moments ago instantly turned to bitterness, his heart feeling as if a piece had been hollowed out.
You Rong desperately wanted to explain, "It's not like that. Today isn't my partner-binding ceremony; it's..."
Just then, another group of people arrived at the manor entrance – people from the Lion and Cat tribes, led by a burly man, the chief of the Lion tribe.
He immediately recognized You Rong as the leader of the Werewolf tribe and walked straight over. "Leader You, congratulations, congratulations! Today is your auspicious day of binding your partner. We of the Lion tribe have come specifically to offer our congratulations."
You Rong was in a frenzy. He merely glanced at the Lion tribe chief and was eager to continue explaining to Lin Qinghe. "Qinghe, listen to me, today is..."
Lin Qinghe deliberately interrupted You Rong, preventing him from speaking further. "These are guests who have traveled from afar. You Rong, as the host, you must entertain them properly and not neglect them. Standing outside the gate and talking doesn't seem right. Why don't we invite everyone inside to sit down and talk properly first?"
The Lion tribe chief's gaze fell upon Lin Qinghe, and he looked slightly confused. "Leader You, is this the young lady you are about to bind as your partner?"
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly. "You're mistaken. I am not the beautiful bride. I am the progenitor of the Blood Clan, and I've also come specifically to congratulate You Rong today."
The Lion tribe chief was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected the progenitor of the Blood Clan to come, especially since many had said the Blood Clan progenitor had fallen into a coma and hadn't appeared for a long time.
You Rong was about to explain further, but more and more leaders from other beast tribes began to arrive. Meng Bei, following behind You Rong, noticed his unusual behavior and anxiously reminded him, "Leader, these leaders have all traveled a long way. It's really not appropriate for them to stand at the door and talk. Let's invite everyone inside to sit down first."
You Rong finally came back to his senses. He calmed himself and said to the other beast tribe leaders, "Please come inside, everyone. You've all traveled a long way. Let's go inside, sit down, have some tea, and then talk."
The other beast tribe leaders exchanged glances and chorused, "Alright, alright... Let's all go inside. Let's all go in and talk."
You Rong slightly shifted aside. "Please..."
Several beast tribe leaders walked ahead, and Lin Qinghe was about to follow them in when You Rong grabbed her hand. "Qinghe, you..."
Lin Qinghe smiled with innocent naivety. "I've also traveled quite a distance. It's not too much to ask to come in and rest for a bit, right? Or... you don't welcome me here?"
"No! I don't! I have something I want to say to you, you and I..."
Before You Rong could finish speaking, Meng Bei anxiously reminded him, "Leader! Hurry inside, don't keep the other beast tribe leaders waiting for too long!"
Seeing that You Rong remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard him, his eyes glued to Lin Qinghe, Meng Bei grew impatient and whispered, "Leader, don't forget our plan!"
Lin Qinghe heard Meng Bei's words clearly and became even more convinced that her previous guess was correct: this partner-binding ceremony wasn't simple.
She chuckled inwardly, pretending not to have heard, and feigned confusion. "What's wrong? Why aren't you going in? Do you really not welcome me?"
You Rong swallowed the words he wanted to say, suppressed the bitterness welling up in his throat, and said in a low voice, "...No, I'll take you in. You follow me."
You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe inside.
The corners of Lin Qinghe's lips curved upwards; she seemed to be in a very good mood. Zhang Yi and Chu Tianhao exchanged glances behind her, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
They had thought the progenitor had come to disrupt the wedding. How could she now seem as if she had come to congratulate the young master?
Upon entering the manor, Meng Xiaoyi was already diligently playing the role of the bride at the guest reception area, ushering the leaders to their seats.
She had initially disagreed with You Rong's methods, finding them too cruel and not straightforward enough. However, Meng Jianghe's words had convinced her.
Putting aside other matters, You Rong had indeed led the Werewolf tribe in a positive direction after taking over as leader. The Werewolf tribe no longer feared attacks from the Blood Clan, and their prestige among the beast tribes had been steadily increasing.
Meng Jianghe had said that You Rong was the one who could make their Werewolf tribe a powerful existence, and as a member of the Werewolf tribe, they should support him unconditionally, no matter what he did.
Because of this, Meng Xiaoyi had agreed to help You Rong with today's charade.
You Rong, holding Lin Qinghe's hand, was among the last to enter. Meng Xiaoyi paused when she saw Lin Qinghe.
She recognized Lin Qinghe. She had seen her at the Blood Clan's castle previously, but at that time, Lin Qinghe had been in a coma, just as the rumors outside suggested.
When did Lin Qinghe wake up? Why was she here today? Did she want to take You Rong away? Or...?
While Meng Xiaoyi was lost in thought, Lin Qinghe subtly assessed her. Dressed in a white evening gown, she had a shapely figure.
As expected of the heroine, she was indeed very beautiful.
Lin Qinghe chuckled softly and deliberately said to You Rong, "This must be Miss Meng, who is about to bind as your partner. Aren't you going to introduce me? After all, I'm practically half your elder..."
You Rong's gaze darkened. He avoided Lin Qinghe's words and changed the subject. "I'll take you to sit over there."
Without any further ado, You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe to sit at the head table.
After sitting down, Lin Qinghe thoughtfully added, "You're the groom today. You can't always leave the bride to entertain guests by herself. Don't mind me; go and entertain the guests with her."
You Rong's thin lips pressed together. He felt a mixture of sourness and fullness in his heart, yet he had to pretend to be nonchalant. "...It's fine. She can handle it. I'll stay here with you."
Lin Qinghe smiled and said nothing more. She narrowed her eyes, lazily and comfortably surveying the surroundings.
She didn't look at You Rong, yet she knew his gaze was fixed on her. In fact, ever since You Rong had seen her, his eyes had never left her face.
During this time, a leader from one of the beast tribes came over to exchange pleasantries with You Rong. He responded absentmindedly, his gaze never leaving Lin Qinghe.
Servants from the Werewolf tribe brought out wine. Meng Bei and Meng Xiaoyi entertained the other beast tribe leaders, suggesting they have some drinks first, as the ceremony would officially begin later.
Lin Qinghe looked at the wine before her and, on a whim, wanted a drink. As she reached for the stemmed glass, You Rong grabbed it and whispered, "...Don't drink it. If you're thirsty, hold on a little longer. I'll give you my blood later."
Lin Qinghe put down the wine glass and looked at You Rong with a half-smile.
Before she had seen You Rong, she might have thought he was actually going to bind as partners with Meng Xiaoyi. But after seeing him, she was completely convinced that such a possibility was out of the question.
In a much better mood, Lin Qinghe became even more inclined to tease You Rong. "You Rong, now that I look closely... you and Miss Meng are truly well-matched. Talented man, beautiful woman, a perfect pair!"
You Rong bit his lip tightly, his gaze dark and unreadable. After a long pause, he managed to utter, "Is that so?"
"Of course!"
"I have a partner... are you very happy for me?"
Lin Qinghe pretended ignorance, feigning confusion. "Yes, shouldn't I be happy for you?"
You Rong's heart felt as if it were being slowly tortured by a blunt knife. He looked at Lin Qinghe, unable to utter even a perfunctory remark, his eyes feeling incredibly sore.
She truly only saw him as family. He shouldn't have harbored such feelings for her...
An hour passed before anyone realized it. The other beast tribe leaders who had been drinking and chatting merrily suddenly slumped onto the table, motionless.
Lin Qinghe showed no surprise at this, as if it were exactly what she had expected.
You Rong said to Meng Bei, "Proceed with the plan. I'll be gone for a while."
You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe up. "I have something I want to say to you." With that, he led Lin Qinghe away. Meng Bei and Zhang Yi wanted to follow, but You Rong tossed back over his shoulder, "None of you follow me!"
Meng Bei and the others truly didn't dare to follow. They watched helplessly as You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe away and disappeared from their sight.
You Rong brought Lin Qinghe to his residence in the manor.
Lin Qinghe was led to the sofa to sit down. You Rong stood before her, his eyes cast down, and explained in a low voice, "Today is not my partner-binding ceremony. It's a trap I deliberately set to lure the northern beast tribe leaders here."
You Rong paused, then spoke again, his words tinged with endless bitterness. "I have no intention of binding as partners with Meng Xiaoyi. I don't like her!"
Lin Qinghe raised her eyebrows and remained silent, quietly watching You Rong, seemingly waiting for him to continue.
You Rong clenched his fists, a flicker of struggle in his eyes. He forced some words down.
Lin Qinghe sighed helplessly. "You Rong, is this all you wanted to tell me? Is there nothing else?"