An Jin deftly took the dry animal hide, lowered her sopping-wet head, and began carefully tending to her hair, which was dripping water all over the floor.
"What is this material?" Song Yi asked, his attention drawn to the cloak and clothes she was wearing.
The fabric was very light and neat. It didn’t look like an animal hide, nor did it resemble the heavy feathered garments that his kind, the Eagle Beasts, conjured from their feathers.
[Ding—Random Mission issued: Establish a long-term trade agreement with the Clan Leader of the Feather Clan from Beast Gathering City standing before you.]
’Song Yi is the Feather Clan’s Clan Leader?’
’Right, a Golden Feathered Giant Eagle. I should have guessed from the iridescent golden glow about him.’
’Ling Hong once mentioned that he controls the Iron Ore Mine in Beast Gathering City.’
"This is a specialty product from my tribe. We’re using it to trade for valuable resources this year. If you like it, you can trade for it with us," An Jin said, quickly snapping back to reality. She looked up at Song Yi, her eyes full of hope.
He nodded. "Yes."
Despite his cool tone, Song Yi’s expression showed obvious delight. A faint smile appeared on his handsome, stoic face. "When you’re done, I’ll take you back to your tribe. I’ll find your Clan Leader then to discuss the matter."
Song Yi saw she was only a female. And while she was beautiful, important positions like Clan Leader were always held by powerful males, so he didn’t press the matter with her any further.
An Jin didn’t object. She just lowered her head and quietly went back to drying her hair. She squeezed a section of her long, thick, and soft hair, and more water trickled out.
Her clothes were instantly soaked in another spot, and droplets clung to her long, curled lashes.
’This animal hide is terrible at absorbing water.’
’I can’t get my hair dry no matter what.’
An Jin was awkwardly thinking she should just get dressed and let the wind outside dry her hair. But she was caught off guard by a sudden pressure on her head. She looked down and saw a tall, imposing shadow appear on the floor.
"I’ll help you dry it." Holding a folded, dry animal hide, Song Yi gently gathered her long, sopping-wet black hair, revealing her slender, fair neck and shoulders.
The red, snake-like pattern on her arm, which had been covered before, was now exposed.
Song Yi’s gaze faltered, lingering on her arm for a long time. ’She’s already mated?’
’It’s no surprise. She’s far too beautiful; she must have several mates.’
’I just didn’t expect it to be a Wandering Beast.’
He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, gathered her long hair into a bundle behind her, and began to wipe it carefully with the hide.
His technique was extremely clumsy, but he was surprisingly meticulous and earnest.
The humid air was filled with the female’s faint, rich fragrance.
Song Yi had smelled it the moment he walked in, but it was much stronger now, almost bewitching.
Most males in the Beast World found mates by scent, and Song Yi was no exception. The natural fragrance of a superior female was exceptionally captivating to them.
He was so tall that he had to bend over slightly. His fingertips unintentionally brushed against her skin, carrying a scorching heat.
"..." An Jin’s body tensed. She shrank back and rubbed the goosebumps that had erupted on her arms.
’This is awkward.’
’She was used to Mi Yin’s touch and could accept it from Ling Hong and Ye Xi, but she had an instinctive aversion to a stranger’s touch.’
Soon, her hair was dry. The heat from Song Yi’s palms had quickly dried it completely.
Her beautiful, smooth black hair was now fluffy and soft, cascading over her shoulders as if it had just been blow-dried.
A faint warmth still lingered in the strands.
"That’s amazing!"
An Jin was utterly stunned.
Song Yi’s gaze landed on her. Accepting her praise, he gave a faint nod.
In a flash, An Jin got dressed and walked toward the door, but when she looked back, she saw Song Yi was still watching her.
’What’s there to look at?’
She grumbled to herself but lowered her head.
That was when she noticed the problem.
Because someone had been with her, she had been too embarrassed to dry her body properly. She had gotten dressed while still damp, and the soft fabric had quickly become soaked and was now clinging to her skin.
It outlined her exquisite figure—full where it should be, perky where it should be, and slender where it should be, accentuating her narrow waist and long legs.
Song Yi was facing her from the side, giving him an unobstructed view of her every curve.
His gaze froze. He pursed his lips, and after coming to his senses, he uncomfortably averted his eyes and turned away stiffly.
He picked up a large animal hide and tossed it to her.
"Your clothes are wet. Wrap this around yourself first. I’ll take you to get a fresh set."
An Jin’s face flushed. She hastily took the hide and wrapped it tightly around her body, taking the opportunity to reapply the makeup on her face.