After being bound to the procreation system, the little female seduces everyone in the beast world.

Zhan Yuan gently dropped the scroll in his hand without making a sound, yet his figure had already stepped off the jade steps, his pace unhurried yet astonishingly fast.

The next moment, he was already standing in front of Yan Shu.

"Ah—Zhan Yuan, you—"

Before she could react, a familiar force supported her knees and back, and he steadily lifted her up in his arms.

Yan Shu gasped, her eyelashes trembling, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Zhan Yuan's lips curved into a smile, and golden light shimmered in his eyes.

He didn't speak, but quietly absorbed the feeling of her embrace into his heart, and then—

He nestled his head into her neck like a dragon cub quietly approaching, his nose brushing against hers—a subtle yet incredibly affectionate gesture.

He deliberately lowered his head, his breath brushing against her collarbone, his voice low and husky:

"Shushu...hold me tighter."

"Push harder."

Yan Shu: "..."

She hugged him tighter, but her lips twitched uncontrollably: "Why are you pushing your luck?"

Zhan Yuan seemed not to hear, and tightened his grip even more, as if he had embraced a priceless treasure and was unwilling to let go.

He carried the female in his arms and walked steadily to the jade-carved recliner in the hall, gently and slowly setting her down.

The chair was already covered with a soft blanket, and as soon as Yan Shu sat down, she felt a sinking sensation beside her.

Zhan Yuan had already half-reclined beside her, and with a stretch of his long arm, he easily half-pulled her into his embrace.

His movements were natural, but his expression was incredibly gentle, as if he were afraid that if he let go, she would fly away from his arms.

The other male dragons in the hall had quietly left the moment he picked up the person, without even leaving a sound.

In an instant, only the two of them remained in the vast palace.

Zhan Yuan turned his head to look at her, his voice low, carrying his usual composure and gentleness:

"Shushu, what brings you here?"

The voice was like jade that had been soaked in a hot spring, gentle and soothing.

Yan Shu leaned against him, gave a soft hum, and curled her lips into a smile, but her gaze didn't meet his: "...Can't I come?"

Zhan Yuan chuckled softly, his palm gently stroking her back, his tone full of affection:

"Sure, I'd be very happy if you came."

He paused, then leaned closer to her ear and murmured, "I just didn't expect... you would come looking for me on your own initiative."

"I thought I should just have to be patient a little longer."

Yan Shu leaned against him, and upon hearing the words "I need to endure a little longer," her smiling eyes trembled slightly.

She glanced down at Zhan Yuan and saw that his handsome features were calm and composed, but he held her with exceptional care, as if he were holding a precious treasure that he dared not hold too tightly.

At that moment, she suddenly felt a strange bitterness in her heart.

Zhan Yuan is the same.

It wasn't that he was indifferent, nor that he was so calm as to be devoid of desire; it was simply that he was too restrained.

He silently watched over her while she slept.

When she woke up, he quietly stepped back from the limelight, shielding her from all the storms.

Even the desire to get closer must be hidden, waiting for her to take the initiative.

He liked her too, wanted to be close to her, and wanted to hold her tightly like Ah Ye and Ah Hou did—but he didn't dare.

I was afraid of taking up too much of her time, afraid of bothering her, and afraid of delaying her decisions.

"Zhan Yuan," she called softly.

Zhan Yuan looked down at her, his eyes gentle: "Hmm?"

Yan Shu raised her hand and touched his cheek, then leaned closer, pressing her face against his chest, her voice soft:

"You won't need to put up with it anymore."

"I don't want you to put up with me, nor do I want you to be so far away from me."

"When I want you to come near, then you come near."

She closed her eyes and said in a voice as soft as a breeze, "I also want to be held tightly by you, just like before."

Zhan Yuan's chest trembled, and after a long while, he slowly tightened his arms around her, letting out a soft "okay" that was even lower than a spring breeze, almost encircling her entirely into his heart.

Yan Shu was nestled in Zhan Yuan's arms, her heart softening as he gently said "okay."

Her fingertips lightly hooked around his shirt, her breathing slightly erratic, and her eyes still held a trace of lingering moisture.

She was planning to linger a little longer, to make up for all the tenderness she hadn't shown Zhan Yuan these past few days—

Just then, a cautious announcement came from the outer hall: "Ahem... ahem, my lord... Lord Yan Chen has arrived."

Yan Shu's body stiffened slightly.

Zhan Yuan held her in his arms, his eyes still gentle, but a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

She then remembered—

Today seems to be Ah Chen's turn to be on duty by her side.

"..."

She slowly tilted her head back to look at Zhan Yuan, her expression somewhat dazed, and her lips twitched slightly, "Do I... seem to..."

Zhan Yuan chuckled softly: "He's here today."

Yan Shu wanted to cover her face even more.

But she couldn't just say, "Move aside so I can find someone else." She had been so serious just now, telling him he didn't need to hold back, that she wanted to hug him tightly, and that he could hug her whenever he wanted. And now she was talking to someone else...

She was practically splitting apart.

Just then, Ah Chen hadn't come in yet, and his voice was soft and low: "Shu Shu, did I... come at the wrong time?"

Yan Shu: "..."

Zhan Yuan looked down at her and suddenly said, "Go ahead."

"But don't forget what you just said."

His tone was not heavy, but it carried a resilient and unshakeable quality.

Yan Shu was taken aback, and her face immediately turned even redder.

She took a breath, sat up from his arms, her ears burning red, and murmured softly, "I...I won't forget."

Zhan Yuan smiled, gently smoothed her sleeves with his hand, and then raised his hand to indicate to the outer hall: "He has been waiting for a long time."

Yan Shu slapped him, stood up somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, and said through gritted teeth in a low voice, "I'm not a heartless female..."

Zhan Yuan: "Yes, you are my female."

Yan Shu: "..."

Waaaaah, she's such a scumbag.

Achen stood outside the hall, his fingers tightly gripping the hem of his clothes. He looked like a small animal lingering on the threshold, having mustered the courage to come but hesitant to step inside.

He knew, of course, that his arrival was ill-timed.

Shushu seemed to be very intimate with Lord Zhanyuan just now.

And he just happened to be the one who disturbed it.

But today is his turn to be on duty, the day he can finally have Shushu all to himself.

He didn't want to miss it.

The moment the door opened gently, he stood up straight, tense, and cautiously peered into the hall.

The next second, he saw the noble male dragon slowly walk out, his expression gentle, his golden pupils showing no displeasure, and he even nodded to him.

"Go in, she's waiting for you."

Zhan Yuan spoke casually, yet it was like a ritual, solemnly handing over the most precious treasure in his arms.

Achen was stunned for a moment, then seemed to be ignited with hope. He immediately stood up straight and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, Zhanyuan!"

His voice still carried a hint of unease, but he couldn't hide his excitement.

His Shushu, he can finally be with her!

He lowered his head and strode into the hall. His eyes lit up as he saw Shushu on the soft couch, her head bowed as she straightened her clothes, which had been disheveled by Zhan Yuan's embrace. Her cheeks were flushed.

He called out softly, "Shushu..."

Yan Shu looked up and met his wet eyes. Her heart softened, and she beckoned to him with her finger.

"come over."

Ah Chen's eyes lit up like stars instantly, and he immediately sidled up to her, sitting down next to her, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

“I…I don’t actually mind…if Zhanyuan were here too…” he said, his voice trailing off as he blushed deeply, “but…but Shushu only lets me stay here alone, and I’m even happier that way.”

Yan Shu looked at his cautious manner and couldn't help but chuckle: "You're the most obedient one."

Upon hearing this, Ah Chen felt as if he had been slapped into a honey pot; his eyes lit up, his ear tips turned as red as if they were about to bleed, and he couldn't suppress the urge to smile.