That night, Jiang Qingli slept soundly, but fitfully.

She woke up several times, and each time, she had to check if Jiang Yi was still by her side. Only after confirming her mother was there could she relax and go back to sleep.

But no matter when she woke, she could feel her mother’s hand gently and tenderly patting her back.

Just before dawn, Jiang Yi took a phone call.

She hung up and whispered softly in Jiang Qingli’s ear, "Xiao Li, Mom has to go out and handle some work matters. I’ll be leaving for a little while, okay?"

"Mmm..."

The girl groggily opened her eyes and nuzzled her cheek against her mother’s hand, clinging to her playfully. "You have to come find me the moment you get back."

"Alright, Mom promises." Jiang Yi hooked her pinky finger and gave it a little shake. "Pinky promise."

Only then did Jiang Qingli hug her pillow in satisfaction and fall soundly asleep again.

In her drowsy state, she sensed someone enter the room. The blanket she had kicked off was gently pulled back over her.

Her fingers unconsciously grasped at the air, only to be held by warm, dry fingers.

"Sleep," a gentle voice said beside her ear as someone softly stroked the top of her head.

The last bit of unease in Jiang Qingli’s heart slowly faded away. She hugged the newcomer’s arm and slept sweetly.

Even after she was fast asleep, Baili Jing didn’t stop stroking her hair.

Stroke after stroke, as if he would never tire.

His gaze fell on the girl’s profile. Baili Jing reached out and touched the reddish skin at the corners of her eyes, his own eyes filled with heartache.

’She cried so hard,’ he thought. ’My heart is about to break.’

Baili Jing worried her eyes would be swollen when she woke up, so he took out some medicine. With his free hand, he gently applied it for her.

He warmed the cool ointment on his fingertip before dabbing it on the corners of the girl’s eyes.

His fingertip traced the texture of her delicate skin, his gaze focused.

When they were alone, he always looked at her with this intense, fervent gaze of love.

After applying the medicine, his long fingers brushed against the girl’s rosy, beautiful lips.

The soft touch made the young man stiffen.

His eyes half-lidded, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he propped himself up with one hand beside the girl and slowly lowered his head.

A shadow fell over her. Just as their lips were inches apart, Baili Jing’s brow furrowed slightly, and he slowly looked up.

The door had been opened at some point. Jiang Youchen was standing in the doorway, staring at him with a cold expression.

Baili Jing raised a hand, creating a soundproof Barrier around the sleeping girl, then spoke slowly, "It’s been one night, and your peeping tom habit has gotten worse, big brother-in-law."

Upon hearing those three words, Jiang Youchen wanted to sneer. "Are you looking to die?"

"She’s still here. How could I bear to die?" Baili Jing’s eyes curved into a smile, his tone lazy. "As for you, you should stay put during your special period. Don’t just take suppressants and wander around. You’ll cause trouble for my female master."

Baili Jing enunciated the two words "female master" heavily and deliberately.

Beneath his refined and handsome smile was intense hostility.

Beastmen in their special period were irritable and prone to fits of rage.

Jiang Youchen had only taken suppressants to come check on her, and Baili Jing’s words nearly provoked him into a fight.

His gaze fell on the sleeping girl, and Jiang Youchen managed to suppress his frustration.

He walked in, took a long gift box from inside his coat, and placed it by the girl’s pillow.

Lifting his eyes, he stared at Baili Jing in warning, his hoarse voice thick with menace. "If you dare touch it, I’ll kill you."

Baili Jing acted as if he hadn’t heard, his eyes curving. "I heard every family member prepared a gift for Xiao Li. Xiao Li will surely be delighted to know. It’s a shame she’s still asleep, so I’ll thank you on her behalf."

The Dragon narrowed his vertical pupils, his killing intent deepening.

The fox blinked his light golden eyes, feigning innocence.

Jiang Youchen couldn’t stand seeing this fox spirit act like this. He was about to speak when he heard footsteps behind him.

He turned to see Qin Muye rushing over.

Baili Jing stroked Jiang Qingli’s hair and spoke slowly, "Are you sure that with two males present, your suppressants can hold back your belligerence and keep you in human form? Don’t you dare damage her room with your ugly beast form."

Jiang Youchen’s face darkened, and he turned and left.

The aura around him was oppressive. He didn’t even spare a glance when Qin Muye called out a dry "Big Brother."

In fact, Qin Muye even heard him snort coldly.

The Prince was instantly annoyed.

’That guy is so arrogant.’

’Every time I see him, he looks like everyone owes him a ton of money.’

’I’m not calling him that next time! Unless Jiang Qingli makes me!’

Qin Muye scoffed, closed the bedroom door, and walked to the bedside.

Jiang Qingli was sleeping soundly, her curly lashes lowered, twitching occasionally.

The sight immediately softened Qin Muye’s heart.

Last night, all the Beast Husbands except for Baili Jing received a message saying that Jiang Qingli was asleep and they should come back tomorrow.

Qin Muye hadn’t slept at all, so he came over as soon as it was light out.

’Good thing I came,’ he thought, ’or I would’ve missed seeing her sleeping so cutely.’

’Of course, it would be even better if that fox spirit Baili Jing hadn’t taken the opportunity to hold her hand.’

Qin Muye reached out and pinched the girl’s cheek. She furrowed her brows, shook her head, and rolled over to avoid him.

As she rolled over, her hand let go of Baili Jing’s.

Qin Muye shot a triumphant look at the fox spirit, raising his eyebrows.

Baili Jing didn’t look displeased at all. He just smiled; he was always good at hiding his true emotions.

’That’s what makes him so fake,’ Qin Muye thought.

Qin Muye also went to grab a chair, placed it gently by Jiang Qingli’s bed, and stared at the girl’s back.

It was as if blinking would mean he’d seen less of her than Baili Jing, and that would mean he’d lost.

This one-sided, childish competition left Baili Jing with a rare sense of speechlessness.

Before long, Qin Muye’s eyelids began to droop.

He started by propping up his face, but as he grew sleepier, he switched to resting his forehead on his hand.

His head bobbed up and down, like a chick pecking at grain.

Baili Jing suggested, "If you’re sleepy, you can go rest for a bit. I’ll be here."

Of course, Qin Muye refused. "Who said I’m leaving?"

He glanced at the bed, then at the formal suit he was still wearing. After a moment of thought, he lifted the sofa, placed it sideways in front of the door to block the only way out, and then lay down on it to sleep.

’No way,’ he thought. ’This fox spirit loves to take every single opportunity to seduce Jiang Qingli.’

’Today, the other competitive guys aren’t here. There’s no way I’m letting Baili Jing get another chance.’

’I’m going to stand guard! I’ve even blocked the door. Let’s see him try to take Jiang Qingli away now!’

Qin Muye smiled smugly and closed his eyes to sleep in peace.

...

Outside, the day grew bright.

When Jiang Qingli opened her eyes again, the first thing she saw was the handsome, magnified face of a young man.

That same handsome face, which had moved thousands of viewers on the big screen, was now just inches away.

But in the light golden eyes of the fox, curved into a smile, was a gentle, starry light that belonged only to Jiang Qingli.

Jiang Qingli froze for a moment.

Then she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips touching his face.

The warm, smooth touch confirmed that the person before her was real.

Jiang Qingli looked at him, and after a long moment, she said, "I had a very, very long dream."

"What did you dream about?" Baili Jing took her hand, kissed her fingertips, and pressed them against his cheek, his voice soft. "Did you dream of me?"

"I did," Jiang Qingli nodded. "Lots and lots of you."

Before Baili Jing could react, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her cheek to his, and nuzzled him like a small animal.

The girl’s soft breath sent a tingle through him.

Using the same tone she had as a child, she whispered in his ear:

"Brother Baili, Xiao Li is back."