Free Web NovelChapter 60: Chapter 60: A Beast Can Endure, But a Pallas’s Cat Cannot
He remembered how he used to suspect Shi Lan was a spy sent by someone from the Empire, but that thought had long since vanished without a trace.
She was such a good person. Even if she really were a spy, he would have to pull her into his own territory.
His crimson, almond-shaped eyes flickered, as if he’d finally figured something out. He walked forward, the burning darkness in his gaze hidden, and the corners of his lips curled up. "Alright, I’ll accept them."
Shi Lan watched happily as he took the flowers from the robot and cradled them in his arms. The red Nine-tailed Fox holding the dazzling bouquet looked like a fairytale come to life.
It was beautiful and dreamlike.
But she didn’t know that the man holding the flowers was watching her out of the corner of his eye.
It was hard to tell if he was smelling the flowers or admiring her...
But the peaceful scene lasted only a moment before Mu Tangfeng finally felt it was unfair.
Shi Lan had given them all perfume, so why was she checking on Jiang Xia and giving Yan Huoshui flowers?
What about them?
The courtship had just begun, and she was already playing favorites. If they actually got married in the future, wouldn’t he have no standing at all?
Mu Tangfeng couldn’t even imagine a scene where he had to beg his wife for affection every day. He slammed his wings against the door. "Shi Lan, how could you do this?"
His tone was accusatory. Thinking something was wrong, Shi Lan hurried over, only to see his deep, dark eyes shimmering with unshed tears, looking utterly wronged.
In that short moment, a million thoughts raced through Shi Lan’s mind, but she couldn’t figure out what she had done to set him off.
’We didn’t even argue today, so why does he look like he’s about to cry from anger?’
She was so nervous she could barely speak clearly. "Wh-What’s wrong?"
"You know what you did."
Mu Tangfeng himself didn’t realize that his tone was that of a resentful husband glaring at a wife who was never home.
Shi Lan searched her conscience for a few seconds but still couldn’t figure out what she was supposed to know.
She offered weakly, "How about... you give me a specific hint?"
"You... you..." ’You’re the one pursuing me.’
Mu Tangfeng was too embarrassed to say it. If his suitors in the Empire found out that he, a male being pursued by a female, was in turn desperately begging for that female’s affection, he would be a laughingstock for ages.
In the past, other females couldn’t coddle him enough. Not like Shi Lan, who didn’t seem to cherish what she’d won at all.
He was so angry he forgot his usual fussiness about cleanliness. He plopped down on the floor with his back to Shi Lan, hugging his wings and leaving her with nothing but the sight of his mournful, desolate, furry back.
Shi Lan: "..."
’Great. I placate one, and another one starts up.’
’The problem is, I still don’t even know what he’s mad about!’
Shi Lan rubbed her temples. To make matters worse, Jiang Xia chose this moment to secretly fan the flames. "Lanlan, a male with a temper that bad isn’t worth bothering with."
"We great males should properly manage our tempers, keep them to ourselves, and be gentle with females..."
Shi Lan gave him a skeptical look. ’Listen to him. Talk is cheap.’
If she were to really think about it, Jiang Xia’s temper wasn’t much better, but he was certainly easier to placate than Mu Tangfeng. A few tasty snacks and he’d be soothed immediately.
Mu Tangfeng was already jealous that Shi Lan treated Jiang Xia better than him. Hearing this now, his anger flared. "Short-legged beast, you just wait! I’m coming over tonight to beat you to death."
"Bring it on! Bring it on! I’m not afraid of you!"
Jiang Xia had been wanting to fight Mu Tangfeng for a long time. He hated it when people called him short, and Mu Tangfeng called him "short-legged beast" every chance he got.
A beast might stand for it, but this Pallas’s cat will not!
"Fine! You just wait! I’ll beat you until you can only crawl on the ground."
"Ooh, listen to you! You think my Pallas’s cat clan eats grass?"
"So what if you eat meat? You’re just a short, fat pig..."
"AARGH! Mu Tangfeng, I’m going to fight you to the death! It’s either you or me!"
...
The two beasts started arguing across the distance between their cells as if no one else was there. The commotion gave Shi Lan a headache. ’Day in and day out, it’s either tantrums or arguments. Can’t they be as low-maintenance as He Hanshi?’
’No wonder he gets to be the female lead’s white moonlight.’
Shi Lan glanced over at Prison Cell One. The White Lion, his fur sleek and smooth, sat gracefully on his bed. He was like a pure white lotus on a cold, snowy mountain—uncompetitive, quiet, and refined. He was even looking at her with a gentle, concerned gaze.
She instantly felt as if she were bathed in a spring breeze. Then she turned her head back to Cell Two, and her ears were filled with the blare of noisy trumpets.
Seeing that the two were about to smash down their cell doors and start brawling, Shi Lan shouted, "That’s enough! If you two keep arguing, there will be no more after-dinner desserts for either of you!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the prison fell dead silent.
The two beasts belatedly realized Shi Lan was still there. Now, Mu Tangfeng didn’t dare throw a tantrum, and Jiang Xia didn’t dare fan the flames. They each obediently moved back to their own spots, showing Shi Lan that they would be absolutely obedient.
Seeing this, Shi Lan breathed a sigh of relief. ’Good, as long as they still listen to me.’
She glanced at each of them and began to lecture patiently, "It’s a kind of fate that has brought you all together here. There’s no need to get so worked up."
Then she addressed them one by one. "Mu Tangfeng, you shouldn’t always attack Jiang Xia for his beast form. Beast forms are innate. No matter what they are, they all have their own unique advantages."
"Just like how you can fly, he can run on land."
"And you, Jiang Xia..."
Shi Lan knew she had to be fair with her criticism, so she turned to the other one. "Don’t fan the flames."
’When you’re lecturing someone, you should also examine yourself.’
Of course, Shi Lan didn’t dare say that part out loud, afraid the hard-won peace would once again descend into chaos.
Jiang Xia’s eyes darted around guiltily. ’So Lanlan knew I was doing it on purpose...’
Jiang Xia felt a pang of regret. Arguing with Mu Tangfeng today had really damaged his image. ’I wonder if Lanlan will dislike me because of this.’
He started to feel uneasy. Mu Tangfeng was also annoyed with himself for not holding his tongue in front of Shi Lan. She had been on the verge of placating him, but now he was the one in the wrong.
For the first time ever, the two beasts were completely silent. Shi Lan nodded to herself. As the Prison Director, maintaining order in the prison was one of her responsibilities.
Since they were being so cooperative, she decided to apply the carrot-and-stick method. "Seeing as you have a good attitude, I’ll let it slide this time," she added. "But don’t let it happen again."
"Thank you, Lanlan."
"Thank you, Shi Lan... Lanlan." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
When Mu Tangfeng heard Jiang Xia dare to call her ’Lanlan,’ he refused to be outdone and quietly changed his form of address as well, carefully watching Shi Lan’s expression.
She wasn’t angry.
He unconsciously let out a breath of relief. ’Lanlan, Lanlan... it sounds so nice...’
He repeated it to himself several times in his head. He Hanshi, along with the two others who had remained quiet, also seemed to understand something. They silently mouthed the two syllables, familiarizing themselves with them in advance.
After dealing with the matter, Shi Lan finally had a moment of peace and returned to her office.
After the day’s commotion, no one else caused trouble for the rest of her shift. However, she noticed that after Jiang Xia took the lead, the others had all tacitly started calling her ’Lanlan’.
Shi Lan didn’t correct them. A name was meant to be used, after all.
The rest of the time passed peacefully, and Shi Lan once again enjoyed a comfortable work routine. But just after she finished dinner, before she could even have her dessert, Xiao Du suddenly exclaimed urgently, "Master, quick! Something good is here!"
