Chapter 423 - 375: Love is Mutual

Chapter 423: Chapter 375: Love is Mutual

Sunlight passed through the clear window, flooding into the hospital room and casting a warm, golden glow on the white blanket.

The small human under the blanket was curled into a ball, with only her dark-haired head peeking out.

She was fast asleep in the patch of sunlight, her breathing even. A healthy blush colored her cheeks, making her look like a small sapling growing resiliently in the snow.

A head nudging her from behind roused her from a pleasant dream.

Gu Ning frowned, letting out a soft groan as she burrowed deeper into the blanket.

"Time to get up."

The red-haired fox disturbing her dream tickled her face with his hair. "Sleep any longer and it’ll be night."

Gu Ning burrowed deeper. "Just a little longer..."

Barto leaned over her. "What time did you go to sleep last night?"

Gu Ning mumbled, "I don’t know."

"He really doesn’t know any restraint." Barto’s tone was reproachful. His brow furrowed, especially when he spotted a dark red mark on her neck.

Now that he’d woken her, Gu Ning couldn’t get back to sleep. She lazed in bed for a moment, half-asleep, until she finally registered the voice as Barto’s. She yanked the blanket down, turning to look at the little fox behind her with half-lidded eyes. "Barto? When did you get back?"

Barto squeezed her cheek. "Just before dawn."

With that, he rolled out of bed. Reaching out a long arm, he drew the curtain beside Gu Ning’s bed, blocking the rather harsh sunlight.

Gu Ning scrubbed her face and rubbed her eyes. "You slept in the bed? Next to me?"

Barto retorted, "What, did you expect me to sleep on the floor?"

Gu Ning smiled. "That’s not what I meant. Just asking."

Barto caught her eyes darting around, searching for a certain wolf. He snorted. "Looking for where Alex went, are you?"

Gu Ning asked, "So, where did he go?"

Barto: "..."

Gu Ning checked her terminal. It was almost noon. ’Alex must be busy,’ she thought.

She and Alex had talked for a long time last night.

After Alex said he would help her look after Barto, she took a long time to process his words. Only then did she haltingly finish telling him what she had prepared to say.

Even though Beastmen in this world viewed partnerships completely differently than in her former world, and she was trying to adapt, she still felt she needed to have a serious talk with Alex about her feelings.

’If I don’t say it now, then later... by the time ’later’ comes, I won’t have the same state of mind to say it anymore.’

’These were things she could only say to Alex.’

Because he was willing to try and understand her, even if he couldn’t truly grasp it in his heart. After all, the environment he’d grown up in and the education he’d received had shaped his entire worldview. That wasn’t something that could be changed easily.

’It was just like how she, herself, couldn’t psychologically accept everything about this world yet.’

Her most fundamental drive was still survival. Beyond that, it was to cherish those who were good to her.

’That was why she would never abandon Cook and Barto.’

One had risked his life to protect her, allowing her to find her footing in this terrifying and uncertain world. The other had constantly provided her and Cook with help and shelter.

Their existence was proof to her that she would be cherished for who she was, not because she was some rare female Beastman or any other kind of precious treasure.

’Even though she was safe now, she always felt on edge.’

’She was human. That would never change.’

This journey had made her understand the difference between herself and Beastmen even more clearly. She could never become a Beastman, which meant that in some ways, she was just like a Mixed Breed.

Therefore, she would repay Cook and Barto with the same kindness they showed her.

As long as Cook and Barto didn’t devolve into Mutant Species, as long as their souls still resided within their Mixed Breed bodies, she would do everything in her power to help them.

Even if the future didn’t look bright, it was enough to be able to spend more time together.

On this foundation, since Alex was willing to understand and accept her, she was willing to open her heart to him in return.

Love is mutual.

Especially after what Alex had said, she knew she had to open up and talk to him.

Alex had already gone this far for her. She couldn’t just keep retreating, hiding behind his tolerance—his indulgence, even—and complacently enjoy his protection.

She couldn’t bring herself to do that.

Many times, she had considered the fact that she was a female. Perhaps she could gain the protection of the Upper District and live the good life she imagined there.

Even now, she still held on to that beautiful hope.

She was just an ordinary little human. She got scared, she ran away, she retreated.

Self-preservation is a basic human instinct.

But her journey had shown her so much more of this world.

She couldn’t run forever, nor could she escape the identity of "female" that she carried. She had to face it. Even if it was still difficult, she had to take the first step.

That night, Gu Ning told Alex her thoughts on her relationships with him and with Barto.

"This isn’t right," Gu Ning said, her voice laced with guilt. "It’s not fair to you or to Barto."

"Why do you think it’s wrong?" Alex lifted her chin, taking in the guilt that filled her eyes.

’He truly didn’t understand, but he would do his best to try.’

"Females are allowed to choose multiple males," Alex soothed her. "Every female has her favorite mate."

"But that doesn’t mean every male she favors will become her mate, or a lifelong partner," Alex added. "Not every male gets that chance."

With that, he smiled and gently kissed the corner of Gu Ning’s mouth. "Perhaps I can be one of the lucky ones."

Gu Ning shook her head.

Alex’s smile froze. He sighed softly. "It seems I still have work to do."

"No." Gu Ning looked at him. "Your feelings for me... they’re important. And they’re different."

’The world she’d grown up in had taught her this was wrong. She could have chosen to accept neither of their affections, but she couldn’t accept both at the same time.’

’That was why she had sworn so adamantly to Barto that she could only accept one partner for the time being.’

’And that "for the time being" had proved to be so short it made her ashamed.’

’She wasn’t even sure if what she felt for them was fondness or love, but she knew how she felt when she was with them. She knew she could never abandon Barto and Cook. She couldn’t lie to her own heart.’

Barto’s actions over the past two days had made it impossible for her to keep running. She had to face this.

"Our relationship... it makes you uneasy." Alex pinpointed Gu Ning’s deepest feelings.

"I’m sorry." Alex hugged her. "I was too impatient."

’He had been selfish, too.’

’He knew he couldn’t be the only male by her side. He knew about her feelings for Barto, and he knew others were eyeing her like predators. That was why he’d wanted to secure his place beside her now, to win more of her affection.’ 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

When she said that his feelings and Barto’s feelings were important to her, he felt a pang of guilt.

’He had underestimated his own importance in Ningning’s heart. He’d underestimated the burden his affection placed on her.’

’He had never truly understood the world she came from, or the workings of her heart.’