“Big sister, is your friend looking for a boyfriend? One who is currently in college and happens to be a giant panda,” Yarlim joked.
Anqiluo replied, “I don’t know if Xiazu needs a boyfriend, but I can tell you that Xiazu doesn’t have one and really likes pandas. Yarlim, I think you two would be great together.”
Yarlim was just joking, but Anqiluo’s comments sparked a bit of interest in him.
It wasn’t until he saw the slender figure walking out that Yarlim, looking puzzled, asked, “Big sister, are you sure his name is Xiazu?”
”Of course, is there a problem?” Anqiluo asked, confused.
Of course, there was a problem! A major one!
Yarlim would never forget that face; it was unmistakably his former internet boyfriend, Shaen!
So even the name was fake! He had wasted a year pining after someone he thought was worthy, but now he wasn’t interested in getting to know any female beastmen.
Yarlim took a step back, transformed back into his beast form, and lay down next to Shuichang, watching as Xiazu opened the door and embraced Anqiluo.
”Anqiluo, I’m so happy to get your call! Where are we going to play later?”
Anqiluo said, “Not yet, let me introduce you to my boyfriend first.” Anqiluo pointed to Yadunis, who was lounging in the corner. “This is Yadunis, someone very important to me.”
But Xiazu’s gaze was irresistibly drawn to the chubby panda beside the white tiger.
”Ahhh, what an adorable panda! Anqiluo, where did you meet him?” Xiazu ran over to hug Yarlim’s plump body and began to rub it affectionately.
Yarlim felt tense all over, trying to muster some spirit, but he still obediently sat there holding bamboo… and Xiazu.
If it weren’t for his thick fur, Yarlim’s flushed face would have betrayed his embarrassment.
Xiazu was small and soft; Yarlim didn’t dare to hug back too hard.
Anqiluo quickly intervened, pulling Xiazu back, “Xiazu, I came to you for a reason; you can hug the panda later, okay?”
Reluctantly, Xiazu got up from Yarlim’s embrace. “Anqiluo, you mentioned you had something to discuss, what is it?”
Anqiluo replied, “Yadunis and I plan to get married. Please be our witness. We won’t hold a wedding for now. Are you free to come with us to the city hall tomorrow?”
”What?!” Xiazu exclaimed in surprise. “Anqiluo, are you out of your mind? You’re only nineteen, and you’re planning to get married? How will you handle your school courses? How could you think like this?” Xiazu sounded frustrated.
Anqiluo held Xiazu’s hand and explained, “Xiazu, I made this decision after careful consideration. The military will soon come to the beastmen academy to select soldiers and lieutenants. If Yadunis is chosen, he must have a female beastman spouse, and as his boyfriend, that responsibility falls on me.”
”That’s not right,” Xiazu wasn’t swayed by Anqiluo’s words. “How could Yadunis be selected if he doesn’t even sign up? Anqiluo, are you foolish? You’re putting in so much effort for him, but what if he dies during the beast tide? Have you thought about what you would do?”
”Xiazu, Yadunis is very capable; he won’t run into any trouble,” Anqiluo firmly believed in Yadunis.
”Forget it, Anqiluo, I can’t persuade you. Get Yadunis to change back into human form, and I’ll talk to him.”
Xiazu was Anqiluo’s only friend, and now that Xiazu genuinely cared for him, Anqiluo felt helpless about how to alleviate Xiazu’s concerns.
Shuichang, who had sensitive ears, turned back into human form and walked over to Anqiluo. “Hello, Xiazu, I’m Yadunis, Anqiluo’s boyfriend.”
Xiazu crossed his arms, regarding him with suspicion. “Since you two are so determined to get married, I’m sure my words won’t change your minds. I just have one question to ask on behalf of Yadunis.”
Shuichang nodded, unbothered by Xiazu’s sharp tone. “Alright, ask away.”
Xiazu inquired, “Anqiluo’s parents only have him as their child. Now the Niges family has no heir. I just want to ask if marrying Anqiluo means you’ll be joining the Niges family?”
Shuichang replied matter-of-factly, “Xiazu, you should know I’m an orphan. I took the surname of the orphanage’s director, Sir O’Brien. Of course, marrying Anqiluo means I will join the Niges family.”
”Yadunis?” Anqiluo looked at Shuichang in shock. He had never considered this matter before and was surprised that Yadunis had already planned to join the Niges family.
Xiazu was at a loss for words. “Fine, Anqiluo’s choice seems indeed wise.”
Poor Yarlim, who had just heard about Shuichang and Anqiluo’s marriage while hesitating to change back into human form in front of Xiazu, thought, “Why didn’t the boss tell me he was getting married?” He felt disoriented.
”Okay, since there are no issues, let’s go shopping together. Yadunis and I still have some things to buy,” Anqiluo said, climbing onto Shuichang, who had transformed back into his beast form.
Xiazu, not wanting to be left out, wrapped his arms around Yarlim’s neck.
“I forgot to ask for your name. Why didn’t you change into human form just now? Were you afraid of trouble, or were you shy about meeting strangers?”
Hearing Xiazu’s familiar chatter, Yarlim ran while shedding tears. A year ago, Shaen had abruptly said they should break up and had blacklisted all forms of communication. All Yarlim knew were Shaen’s name and appearance; otherwise, he was completely oblivious and took too long to muster the energy to focus on his studies.
At that time, Yarlim was chubby in human form, and his panda shape was more robust than now, making it difficult for him to dodge attacks in fights. After breaking up with Shaen, he couldn’t eat or sleep properly, and within a month, he lost a lot of weight, transforming from a somewhat self-conscious fatty into a well-known figure in the beastmen academy today.
“Oh panda, I haven’t seen one for over a year. I wonder how Yarlim is doing now…”
Suddenly hearing his name mentioned by Xiazu made Yarlim shudder, almost causing him to fall.
“Ah!” Xiazu, startled, hugged Yarlim’s neck. “Are you alright?”
Shuichang heard the commotion, stopping to look back at the two with Anqiluo.