'He... he's already been mated with Ping Mei. Even if they broke their bond, he doesn't have a Beast Mark anymore. How could he possibly deserve someone as young, beautiful, and pure as Xia Ming?'
'Even if he selfishly became her male, if something happened to her, he wouldn't even be able to sense where she was...'
A bitter, unbearable feeling spread through Yi Wan's chest.
But Xia Ming was completely oblivious. She smiled and pinched his cheek. "Yi Wan must have been so worried about me you've become all weathered. You've even grown stubble. But you're handsome no matter what, Yi Wan. This look is even more stylish and makes me feel so safe!"
Just then, she noticed the Beast Pattern on Yi Wan's neck. She froze for a second and reached out to touch it, but Yi Wan grabbed her hand.
"Don't touch it. It'll hurt your hand," Yi Wan said, his gaze greedy. He longed for her so much. He wanted to indulge himself just a little, to at least ease the ache of his yearning.
