Chapter 31 — Keep Up
Hua Mian took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then slowly let it out.
“Then pray I’m dead, not captured.”
She mimicked his cold smile.
Nangong Zheng looked at her stubborn little expression — she really looked like an embarrassed, angry little cat baring its tiny sharp claws.
The image amused him so much that the corners of his lips curled silently.
“Keep up.”
Nangong Zheng had infiltrated this place for two reasons: first, to find the source of that top-grade soothing potion; second, to investigate why the “goods” at the gem auction were being sold at such inflated prices.
He hadn’t expected to discover an organization trafficking females.
And the familiar rose scent on Hua Mian gave him good reason to suspect that this female might be the S-class soother who’d supposedly been captured.
Perhaps the soother who provided top-grade soothing pheromones hadn’t died three years ago at all — perhaps she’d been imprisoned and treated like a blood bag, drawn from whenever they wanted.
“I’ll take you out first.”
Hua Mian noticed that his tone suddenly softened. The abrupt change was strange enough to make her doubt his intentions.
She responded softly and lowered her head, pretending to submit.
Nangong Zheng nodded inwardly, very satisfied with her tact.
Hua Mian followed close behind him.
Only now did she realize how tall this beastman was — at least 1.85 meters. His build was excellent: wide shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. Only his face was somewhat plain and honest-looking.
Only his mist-blue eyes stood out — cold, emotionless, and exuding the pressure of someone born to command, completely out of place on that ordinary face.
She guessed this probably wasn’t his real face. After all, breaking into a prison and smuggling someone out while using your real face would be idiotic.
Following behind him cautiously, Hua Mian noticed how effortlessly he moved — as if strolling through his own garden.
His pace varied, sometimes quick, sometimes slow, yet he narrowly avoided every patrol team.
Hua Mian even suspected he might be an internal traitor within the organization.
But she wasn’t stupid enough to question him at this moment.
Her biggest problem now was exhaustion — her heart hurt terribly, and she felt she might collapse any second from palpitations.
To keep up, she clenched her teeth and stayed silent, terrified he’d get annoyed and abandon her, or worse, use her as a convenient shield. Any outcome would be disastrous.
Nangong Zheng also noticed the little female’s breathing growing heavier. At first, he assumed she was simply nervous and even took a more roundabout route.
But later he saw her pale face, sweat-soaked black hair sticking to her cheeks. She looked like she might collapse at any moment, yet she stubbornly followed.
He bit the inside of his cheek.
If she can’t walk, why doesn’t she just ask for help? All that sharp tongue for nothing.
Hua Mian, overwhelmed by the stabbing in her heart, didn’t notice he had stopped — she walked straight into him.
Fortunately, he turned and caught her before she fell.
His irritation faded when he inhaled her rose scent — a fragrance that seemed to seep from her very bones. His expression grew serious.
He took off his coat and wrapped her in it, then lifted her into his arms.
Hua Mian was stunned, completely bewildered.
But she knew this wasn’t the time to fuss. If he felt like carrying her out, that was even better — far less exhausting. She didn’t care how he did it, as long as they got out.
His coat covered her head as well, and even her breaths were filled with the cool mint scent of his clothes.
The chill cleared her mind.
Seeing the little female neither resist nor struggle, Nangong Zheng suppressed the upward curl of his lips.
He liked obedient people.
“Password.”
The beastman guarding the gate widened his eyes when he saw the slender, pale legs of the female in his arms.
“Forest,” Nangong Zheng said.
Hua Mian felt his chest vibrate slightly as he spoke, but his voice was completely different — hearty, deep, and sounding very honest.
“Snow mountain,” the guard replied.
He stepped aside and asked nosily, “Zhang Shitou, what happened to her?”
From that one sentence, Hua Mian could imagine just how sleazy the guard was.
“I didn’t do anything. She didn’t listen.”
Worried that talking too much would expose him, Nangong Zheng rushed past quickly.
This identity was still useful — he couldn’t let anyone realize it wasn’t the real person.
Hua Mian stayed quiet. After a long while, since he still hadn’t stopped, she assumed they’d left everyone’s line of sight.
To be safe, she didn’t speak but instead tapped his chest lightly with her fingertip.
Even through two layers of fabric, Nangong Zheng felt the light scratching on his chest — like a tiny cat tickling directly at his heart, leaving an itchy sensation.
He paused slightly and said in a low voice, “Don’t move.”
Hua Mian froze obediently.
Almost two hours later, she realized something was wrong. She scratched his chest harder — she was suffocating in his coat.
Why were they still not at a safe place?
“Behave,” the man said, voice low and slightly husky.
Even through the coat, she could tell his voice was incredibly sexy — the kind of voice that could make someone’s ears pregnant, as modern people would say.
After another half-hour, she heard the sound of entering a house. Five minutes later, she was placed on a sofa.
Realizing they were safe, she struggled out from under the coat.
“Why did it take so long? What are those long legs for, decoration?!”
The moment she spoke, she was met with several shocked pairs of eyes. She jumped in surprise and leaned back.
“Where is this?”
She looked up at the man.
Their gazes were full of disbelief, yet all turned toward the tall man standing alone — clearly waiting for his answer.
“This is my home,” he said calmly, as if he didn’t notice the accusation in her voice.
“Oh.” Hua Mian blinked, thrown off by his straightforward reply.
Then she glanced at the six beastmen staring at her with gossip-filled expressions.
They exchanged looks and spoke one after another:
“Yes, yes, don’t be shy — this is our boss’s home!”
“Right, make yourself comfortable.”
“Our boss has never brought a female home before. You’re the first.”
“Boss has been single for years. Finally, the iron tree blossoms!”
“You’ve got great taste, choosing our boss!”
“Sister-in-law, you’re a soother, aren’t you?”
Hua Mian blinked in confusion.
“I’m not your sister-in-law. I have nothing to do with your boss, and I’m not a soother. I’m just a normal female.”
“Huh?”
All six beastmen stared at her, then at Nangong Zheng, clearly expecting him to deny it.
Nangong Zheng frowned impatiently.
“If you’re idle, go gather intel. Don’t stand here being an eyesore.”
The six beastmen immediately got up and went upstairs.
Hua Mian also noticed the complete shift in their attitudes. Only the young beastman who had called her “sister-in-law” gave her an apologetic glance before leaving. The others fled quickly.
“Thank you for saving me. If I get the chance, I’ll repay you. But I really need to leave now.”
