Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off - Chapter 128

128: Chapter 128: The Snake’s Declaration 128: Chapter 128: The Snake’s Declaration He clenched his fists unconsciously, trying to control himself.

No.

It doesn’t matter.

It shouldn’t matter.

He reminded himself coldly.

I have no right to care.

I’m not her real mate.

It was all just a fake act between us.

But even as he thought that, his chest only grew tighter.

There was a strange heaviness in his heart that refused to go away…

a bitter, suffocating feeling he didn’t know how to name.

Su Qinglan, unaware of the turmoil in his heart, smiled brightly at both of them.

“I’m fine,” she said softly.

“I was just… rescued by him.

He’s actually really gentle, not like how he looks.” Her words only made Han Jue’s heart ache more.

He didn’t reply, just stared at her radiant face, and felt something inside him crumble.

He wanted to say something, anything, but no words came out.

Why am I feeling like this?

he thought bitterly.

Why does my chest hurt when I see her smile at someone else like that?

His gaze softened despite himself.

All the fear and worry he had carried since the moment she disappeared came rushing back.

He had almost lost his mind when he saw her trail vanish and blood staining the ground.

And now, standing before her safe and smiling, he didn’t know if he wanted to scold her or just pull her into his arms and never let go.

But he said nothing.

He just stood there, quietly watching her, while Rong Ye laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder again, still chatting excitedly.

Han Jue’s jaw tightened as his eyes flicked toward Rong Ye, who was still wrapped around Su Qinglan like a clingy fox cub.

The idiot had no idea that the giant snake behind them was glaring holes into him…

quite literally.

The snake’s tail twitched, and the ground beneath Rong Ye’s feet cracked faintly, a tiny puff of dust rising where a hole formed.

The air was thick with killing intent, and yet that silly fox was laughing, tail wagging, still pressing himself close to Su Qinglan’s side like nothing was wrong.

Han Jue’s lip twitched.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.

The fox really had no sense of danger at all.

Still… a part of him couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.

He looked at Rong Ye again, at how easily the fox leaned on her, how freely he touched her without hesitation like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Must be nice, he thought bitterly, his hand unconsciously tightening into a fist.

To act so shamelessly, to get away with it, to be close to her without having to think twice.

He let out a quiet sigh and turned his gaze away.

At that moment, Su Qinglan gently pushed Rong Ye aside.

“Alright, alright, stop clinging,” she said, patting his shoulder.

“You’re acting like you haven’t seen me in years.” Rong Ye pouted but obeyed, muttering something under his breath about “making up for lost hugs.” Su Qinglan ignored him and turned toward the giant snake behind her with a bright smile.

“Oh, right!

Let me introduce you all properly!” Han Jue’s brows drew together, his body instinctively tensing again as she looked up at the snake so affectionately.

“This is Xuan Long,” she said in her soft and warm tone.

“He’s the one who saved me.” Xuan Long’s enormous head lowered slightly, green eyes shining as if pleased by her words.

Then, in front of their eyes, his huge body shimmered, scales fading into light.

In just a moment, where the massive snake once stood, a tall man appeared.

He was… beautiful.

Even Han Jue had to admit that.

Long black hair flowed down to his waist, his skin pale with a faint, almost glowing sheen.

His eyes were the same emerald hue as before.

The air around him carried that same cold, ancient aura…

noble and untouchable…

yet his gaze softened the moment it landed on Su Qinglan.

Su Qinglan blinked once, her cheeks reddening slightly.

“See?

He’s Xuan Long,” she said, glancing at Han Jue and Rong Ye, trying to sound casual.

“And these are Han Jue and Rong Ye…my friends.” Rong Ye’s face twitched instantly.

Friends?

He wanted to say something, but before he could, his attention snapped back to Xuan Long, and his jaw almost dropped.

“Wait a minute,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes.

“Why the hell is this snake so handsome?” Han Jue silently agreed, though he said nothing.

The man was tall, built perfectly…

neither too bulky nor too lean, with an elegance that made even Rong Ye’s usual confidence waver for a second.

No one spoke for a few seconds.

but Rong Ye felt like his position was going to be in a big threat.

Then Xuan Long smiled.

It was faint, dangerous, and strangely charming.

He stepped closer to Su Qinglan, wrapping one arm around her waist without hesitation.

His fingers brushed her belly protectively as if marking his territory.

Rong Ye’s tail puffed up instantly.

“Hey!

What do you think you’re doing, you scaly bastard…” Before the fox could finish, Xuan Long’s eyes flicked toward him with a chilling gaze.

“Hello,” he said smoothly in a deep and low voice, the kind that could send shivers down someone’s spine.

“I am Xuan Long, from the Teng Clan.” He tightened his hold on Su Qinglan slightly, looking directly at Han Jue and Rong Ye.

“And I am her new mate.

Nice to meet you.” Silence.

Rong Ye froze mid-yell, his mouth hanging open.

His tail went still.

Han Jue’s expression darkened visibly, eyes narrowing as a cold chill spread around him.

Su Qinglan’s entire face went red.

“W… What are you saying!?” she blurted out, smacking his chest with her elbow.

“Who asked you to say all that!?” Xuan Long just looked down at her, completely unfazed.

“It’s the truth,” he said, eyes softening again as he brushed her hair away from her face.

“Why should I hide it?” Su Qinglan glared up at him, half embarrassed, half flustered.

“You…you can’t just declare things like that!” Rong Ye finally found his voice again.

“New mate!?

What do you mean new mate!?

Since when!?” His ears twitched violently as he pointed accusingly at the snake.

“I didn’t hear about this!

Lan Lan, what is this snake talking about!?”