Chapter 193 - 192: Blatant Favoritism

This was the first time Chu Liangyu had ever felt anything like this. She was like a cat on catnip, craving the sensation.

The entire journey back to the tribe was a delight for her, and even the wounds on her body seemed to heal much faster.

"Female Master, why... why are you looking at me like that?"

After they arrived at the tribe, He Yushu shifted back to his human form. Just as he was about to say something, he looked up and met Chu Liangyu’s strange gaze.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but her eyes made him feel as if she were looking at a precious treasure.

And faintly, there seemed to be a hint of regret.

It had to be said, He Yushu’s intuition was spot on.

For a fleeting moment, Chu Liangyu had indeed thought just that. The only shame was that He Yushu was a living person; it wasn’t exactly practical to carry him around everywhere.

"COUGH, COUGH. It’s nothing. Thank you for the trouble of bringing me back."

Chu Liangyu coughed awkwardly, reigning in her longing gaze.

He Yushu dismissed the thought and said a moment later, "Ah, it was what I was supposed to do. There’s no need to be so formal, Female Master."

Chi Yizhong and Feng Qiwu had arrived at the tribe ahead of them and were now waiting in the square.

Leaves littered Chi Yizhong’s clothes and hair, but being unable to see, he could only try to brush them off by feel.

Chu Liangyu’s brow furrowed unconsciously as she watched. This was clearly Feng Qiwu’s handiwork.

She should have expected it. She’d just subconsciously assumed that Feng Qiwu wouldn’t dare go too far right under her nose.

Besides, with Chi Yizhong’s power, she didn’t think he could be put at much of a disadvantage.

"Don’t move. I’ll get them for you." Chu Liangyu gently pressed down on his fumbling hands, her voice soft.

Chi Yizhong froze for a second before letting her push his hands down. "Mm, alright," he said.

Nearby, Feng Qiwu watched them with a strained expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it again after seeing Chu Liangyu’s gentle actions.

’Chi Yizhong doesn’t even have eyeballs anymore. It’s so scary. Why does the Female Master still care about him so much?’

’And that glare she just shot me was filled with reproach and anger.’

Swallowing hard, Feng Qiwu had a bad feeling. He said nothing and tried to quietly slip away.

"Feng Qiwu, wait a moment."

Feng Qiwu had barely taken half a step before Chu Liangyu’s voice reached him.

Feng Qiwu’s entire body froze instantly. He slowly turned his head. "Female Master? Is something wrong? Is there anything else?"

"This mess on Chi Yizhong... you did it on purpose, didn’t you."

Chu Liangyu didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.

Feng Qiwu had felt a little guilty, but seeing her defend Chi Yizhong so fiercely, that sliver of remorse vanished completely.

He straightened his posture and nodded in admission. "That’s right. I did it on purpose."

Seeing him act like this, Chu Liangyu was absolutely furious!

"You’re being incredibly childish, using your advantage in the air to play such petty, underhanded tricks."

Chu Liangyu had always avoided taking sides in the past, but today was different—especially since Chi Yizhong had lost his eyes because of her.

"So what if I like using petty tricks?"

"This isn’t the first or second time something like this has happened between us. You’ve never taken a side before, so why the change today?"

Feng Qiwu’s temper flared, perhaps from a sense of injustice. His eyes reddened with anger. "We’re all your Beast Husbands, so why are you favoring him? Is it because he’s blind? Do you pity him?"

Feng Qiwu was highly emotional, his tone dripping with resentment over Chu Liangyu’s perceived favoritism.

And this was precisely why Chu Liangyu so often refused to take sides.

But today was different. She couldn’t stand by and watch Chi Yizhong be subjected to such petty bullying.

Chu Liangyu stared him down and said bluntly, "Yes, I am favoring him. He was willing to gouge out his own eyes for me. Would you do that?"

"What he has sacrificed for me is far, far more than you ever have. You tell me why I *shouldn’t* favor him?"

Feng Qiwu stared at Chi Yizhong in disbelief. ’So... that’s how he lost his eyes!’

The anger in Feng Qiwu’s eyes was instantly doused, as if by water, leaving only faint wisps of smoke.

’That’s right. If Chi Yizhong could go to such lengths for their Female Master, what right did he have to feel dissatisfied or think it was unfair?’

’After all, Chi Yizhong had earned it.’

The question was, if it were him, Feng Qiwu, could he really sacrifice himself for Chu Liangyu the way Chi Yizhong had?

Feng Qiwu didn’t know if he could, but he certainly admired Chi Yizhong for it.

Seeing that he seemed to understand, Chu Liangyu continued, "So, Feng Qiwu. Apologize to Chi Yizhong."

"Chi Yizhong, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have played those petty tricks on you."

Feng Qiwu’s apology was direct, his attitude sincere enough.

Chu Liangyu remained silent, turning her gaze to Chi Yizhong to see what he thought.

"It’s nothing. I didn’t take it to heart."

Chi Yizhong’s expression was filled with joy; he clearly wasn’t bothered by Feng Qiwu’s petty tricks.

Chu Liangyu’s blatant defense of him made his heart feel as if it were soaking in a warm bath—cozy and comfortable.

"Alright, everyone is tired. Let’s head back."

Chu Liangyu said to the others, then took Chi Yizhong by the hand and led him away, leaving the rest to stare at their retreating backs.

The others exchanged glances, then looked with a hint of sympathy at Feng Qiwu, who stood there alone.

They had all just witnessed the entire scene, and now they were all pondering the same question that had confronted Feng Qiwu.

When the time came, would they be able to sacrifice their own eyes—or even their very lives—for Chu Liangyu?

This was why Yu He and Xiong Xianhui, who were usually at odds with Feng Qiwu, didn’t kick him while he was down.

They had no right to judge Feng Qiwu, because when they asked themselves that question, they too hesitated.

The two walked a short distance together before Chu Liangyu suddenly stopped. She turned to him and said seriously, "If they ever pull any petty tricks on you again, you have to tell me."

"Okay, I will."

A smile touched the corners of Chi Yizhong’s lips as he nodded in assent.

"What you did... back there. Was it out of guilt?"

Chu Liangyu, who had started walking again, paused. After a long moment, she replied, "No. My heart ached for you."

"Your heart ached for me?" Chi Yizhong looked bewildered, as if he couldn’t understand why she would feel that way.

"Yes."

Chu Liangyu affirmed it but didn’t explain what she was thinking.

Chi Yizhong was the polar opposite of Jiang Li. Once he committed to someone, that person became his entire world.

He would not hesitate to sacrifice everything for them.

He considered his own sacrifices a matter of course and would never ask Chu Liangyu for anything in return.

And that was one of the reasons her heart ached for him.