Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off - Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Rong Ye’s Past
The house felt strangely quiet after Han Jue dragged the protesting fox away.

Su Qinglan finally let out a long breath and turned… only to find Hu Yan standing right behind her.

He didn’t say anything. He just looked at her.

His warm golden eyes softened as they landed on her face, and before she could even react, he stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms.

His hug was warm and firm, like a shelter built only for her.

Su Qinglan stiffened for a second, then relaxed into his chest. His steady heartbeat, his scent, his silent comfort… it all wrapped around her gently.

He lowered his head and nuzzled her hair.

“You’re shaking,” he whispered.

She didn’t even realize she was.

“…I’m fine,” she said softly.

He didn’t believe her.

Hu Yan lifted her chin with one finger, his stare deep and silent, searching her eyes as if trying to read every hidden thought inside her.

“Lan Lan,” he murmured, “is something still bothering you?”

His voice was gentle but serious.

Her lips parted.

So she shook her head slowly.

“No,” she whispered.

Hu Yan’s brows lowered a little, but he didn’t press her. He simply tucked her closer, his large hands sliding to her waist as he pulled her into his lap.

Su Qinglan squeaked.

“Hu Yan…”

He didn’t let her escape. He leaned his forehead against hers, warm breath brushing her lips.

“You promised to cuddle,” he muttered.

His voice was deep and a little possessive. Her heart skipped.

She sighed softly. “Okay, just for a little while…” That was all he needed.

He lay down on the soft furs, pulling her with him. His strong arms caged her securely against his chest. His chin rested on top of her head. His warmth surrounded her from every angle.

Su Qinglan felt her cheeks burn, especially when his hand slid to her lower back, holding her gently but firmly.

He was always like this… so caring.

They stayed like that, quietly breathing in the same rhythm. Rain pattered softly outside. The dim light of the sun made his features look even softer… almost boyish.

For a brief time, everything was calm. But the peaceful moment couldn’t last long.

Eventually, Hu Yan exhaled softly, sat up, and gently helped her to sit on his lap. Then he reached over and grabbed her leaf raincoat.

“Come,” he said quietly. “Let’s go.”

She blinked. “Eh?”

“You want to check the females,” he said simply. “I’ll go with you.”

Her heart squeezed painfully, overflowing with warmth. He knew everything even without being told.

She nodded, and he helped her into the raincoat, tying the leaves securely and smoothing her hair. Then he put on his own and held her hand as they stepped back out into the gentle rain.

***

Meanwhile… down the mountain

Rong Ye was being dragged like a dead fox for the first minute.

Then Han Jue let go.

Rong Ye stood up immediately with a dramatic gasp.

“So cruel! So heartless! You treated me like a sack of potatoes…”

SPLASH

Han Jue shoved him face-first into a muddy puddle.

Rong Ye froze.

Then he slowly lifted his head, covered in sticky brown mud from forehead to chin. His once beautiful face was plastered with black sludge.

He looked like a drowned chicken.

Han Jue crouched down beside him with cold eyes.

“If you ever interrupt my sweet time with Lan Lan again…”

His voice dropped to a deep growl.

“…be ready. I will make you bald.”

Rong Ye: “…”

B bald?!

He clutched his muddy tail with a gasp.

“You… you monster! Do I look like cannon fodder to you?!” he screeched. “Anyone can come and beat me?! I’m a noble fox! A prince! The most elegant…”

Han Jue stepped forward.

Rong Ye immediately shut up.

He stood, trembling, covered in mud, staring at Han Jue with wounded dignity.

He coughed. “Sigh… life is truly pitiful.”

He looked toward the dim mountain path, eyes dramatic and full of ancient sorrow.

Rong Ye walked dramatically, dripping mud with every step, sighing like a broken poet.

Han Jue ignored him.

Of course, the fox couldn’t handle being ignored.

“Han Jue,” Rong Ye began, flicking wet mud from his tail, “do you realize what you’ve done? You ruined my face. My beautiful face and hair. Do you know how long it takes to clean this?!”

Han Jue kept walking, completely ignoring him like he didn’t even exist.

Rong Ye stomped in front of him. “Hey! I’m talking!”

Han Jue finally looked down at him.

“…Move.”

Rong Ye’s tail puffed up. “Move?! That’s all?! Do you think you can treat me like some useless squirrel?! I am a mighty Sky Fox! A prince! My bloodline…”

Han Jue’s eyebrow twitched.

He stepped forward.

Rong Ye squeaked and jumped back.

“I I’m warning you!” Rong Ye flailed his arms. “Don’t come closer! I’ll… I’ll bite!”

Han Jue stood calmly.

“Try.”

Rong Ye froze.

Then—

He lunged dramatically.

It was a beautiful, elegant fox leap… for one glorious second.

Then Han Jue simply extended one foot.

THUD

Rong Ye crashed into the mud like a falling potato.

He popped up immediately, flinging mud everywhere.

“That was cheating!!”

“No.”

Han Jue grabbed his neck again.

“This,” he lifted him up effortlessly, “is called being weak.”

Rong Ye’s jaw dropped.

“Weak?! Me?! I am a legendary fox! Only my brothers can beat…”

Han Jue swung him around and tossed him lightly into a bush.

Rong Ye exploded out, tail quivering with rage.

“You cold hearted brute!! Fight me properly!!”

Han Jue turned around slowly.

“Sure.”

Rong Ye blinked.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

Why did he open his stupid mouth?

Han Jue cracked his knuckles.

Rong Ye tried to retreat silently, but the wolf grabbed him again, pushing him into a fighting stance.

“Try to hit me,” Han Jue commanded.

Rong Ye gulped.

“I I don’t think violence is the answer”

“Hit.”

“No, really, we can solve this with talking”

Han Jue stepped closer. “Hit.”

Rong Ye panicked and swung wildly.

Han Jue caught his wrist, twisted gently, and sent him rolling across the mud with no more effort than flicking away dust.

Rong Ye landed face-first again.

“…You bully…” he sobbed.

Han Jue straightened and began walking toward the forest edge.

“Grow stronger,” he said flatly. “Or stay out of my way.”

Rong Ye watched him leave with a trembling expression. How could he be so cruel?

When Han Jue’s back disappeared into the trees, the forest went quiet.

Rong Ye slowly sat down in the mud.

His heart felt heavy in a way he didn’t like.

“…Weak,” he whispered, almost laughing at himself. “He really called me weak…”

He looked at his hands. They were slender and delicate, nothing like Han Jue’s powerful build.

And he suddenly remembered the fort, his home, where he was the youngest, most cherished prince.

Living a carefully luxurious life, even though he was the most talented, he didn’t want any power or title. He was already content with this life… living like a slayed fish.

Even though he was a beastman, he hardly did any dirty work. Even after hunting, the prey was handled by different people.

Then…

He remembered the fear.

The way his brothers’ eyes watched him. The way they plotted. The way death almost reached him more than once.

Because he was special, and in the entire bloodline it was him who had the potential to awaken the Nirvana Golden Flame.

Because his father favored him too much. He looked down at the mud on his arms and tail.

“…Even as a prince,” he murmured, “I was never safe.”

But here in a small unknown tribe, life was messy and chaotic. There was nothing in order, but it gave him a peace he never had in his previous home.

Even the bullying wolf and that stinky snake.

“At least… no one here wants me dead.”

Being beaten was fine. Being thrown in mud was fine.

As long as no one wanted to kill him. He hugged his tail gently… then gagged at the muddy smell.

His ears drooped miserably.

“When I awaken my Golden Fire… they will all see,” he muttered with big, determined eyes. “I won’t be weak anymore… then the first thing I will do is kick them out of the nest.”

“Haha… me, the noble fox, can never be weak.” Suddenly laughter escaped his lips as he completely forgot that just moments ago he was on the verge of crying.