Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off Chapter 589: The Fear of Being Abandoned

As Su Qinglan finished examining a few more females beneath the sprawling tree, the assembled crowd gradually began to disperse. Numerous females cast lingering glances her way, their expressions a mixture of complexity and curiosity as whispers circulated amongst them.

A portion of the onlookers clearly harbored lingering doubts regarding her capabilities, while others, swayed by the recent events involving Yue Lian, had begun to acknowledge her skills.

Meanwhile, Elder Ye, the old healer, strode with an air of immense pride, his hands clasped behind his back. He seemed rejuvenated, as if Su Qinglan’s performance had shaved a decade off his own age.

"Hmph, did you all witness that?" he repeatedly boasted, stroking his beard with satisfaction. "This is this old man’s granddaughter and apprentice. Naturally, she is extraordinary."

Su Qinglan nearly chuckled at his incessant boasting but dutifully remained by his side, accompanied by Shi Feng.

On the other side of the gathering, Yue Lian remained standing beneath the large tree, a solitary figure after the crowd had departed.

Her eyes, still faintly red from tears, held a somber sadness.

Beside her stood her mate, Li Quan, a formidable wolf beastman characterized by sharp brows and dark, piercing eyes. He observed Yue Lian for a considerable moment before letting out a soft sigh.

He then stepped closer, gently placing an arm around her shoulders.

"Lian’er..." he murmured in a low tone. "You should have confided in me about your past sooner."

At his words, Yue Lian’s body tensed almost imperceptibly. Her fingers slowly curled into tight fists at her sides. After a prolonged silence, she finally lowered her gaze and asked with quiet melancholy,

"So you could find another female instead?"

Li Quan stood momentarily frozen by her question.

Yue Lian’s voice grew increasingly subdued, yet each word was laden with the profound bitterness that had festered within her heart.

"If you had known from the beginning that I could never bear children..." she whispered, her voice trembling, "then you wouldn’t have had to waste your time on me any longer."

Li Quan’s pupils contracted sharply at her confession. A flicker of profound hurt crossed his eyes.

"So in your heart..." he inquired, his voice thick with emotion, "you think so little of me?"

Yue Lian pressed her lips together tightly, choosing not to reply.

Li Quan let out a sudden, bitter laugh.

"You believe that if you cannot give birth to cubs, I would abandon you?" he questioned, his gaze fixed intently upon her.

Yue Lian finally raised her tear-filled eyes to meet his.

"Then what else am I to think?" she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion. "In this world, females are valued for their ability to bear children. Isn't that the truth? And it’s the one thing I cannot do."

Her voice began to falter once more.

"So what worth do I truly possess?"

Li Quan’s heart constricted with a sharp pang upon hearing her words.

He suddenly grasped the depth of fear and insecurity that Yue Lian had silently endured for so many years.

But simultaneously...

He also felt a sting of personal hurt.

For after all their years together, Yue Lian still lacked faith in the sincerity of his feelings for her.

Li Quan’s arm around her shoulder slowly loosened its grip. Disappointment and a sense of helpless pain clouded his expression.

"Yue Lian," he stated softly, "I chose to stay with you because I love you. Not solely for the prospect of having cubs."

"But you have never truly believed me."

Yue Lian’s lips trembled slightly at his pronouncement.

Li Quan gazed at her for a prolonged moment before ultimately turning away. In that instant, his imposing figure seemed to exude an unexpected aura of loneliness.

"You have truly wounded me today," he spoke in a low, resonant voice. Without waiting for her response, he began to walk away.

Yue Lian stood rooted to the spot, her eyes widening slightly as she watched his retreating form.

"Li Quan..." she whispered involuntarily. Yet, Li Quan did not halt his stride. Soon, his figure vanished entirely from her view.

Yue Lian’s face instantly grew pale, and she pressed her lips together in a mixture of indignation and disbelief, but she made no move to pursue him.

***

For the past several mornings, Su Qinglan had accompanied Elder Healer Ye on his rounds. The old man had fully embraced her as his own granddaughter.

Wherever he went, he proudly paraded her alongside him, proclaiming to all who would listen that his apprentice surpassed all the incompetent youngsters in the city.

During these intervening days, Su Qinglan had also extended assistance to Yue Lian on numerous occasions.

However, even up to this point, she had refrained from directly employing her plant-based healing abilities on her.

Su Qinglan understood with absolute clarity that Yue Lian’s ailment was beyond the scope of ordinary remedies. Her womb had sustained deep-seated damage from childhood.

Common herbs could offer only temporary relief from pain and gradual physical nourishment; they were incapable of truly mending the injury.

Only her unique healing ability possessed the capacity for such restoration. The same power that could mend flesh and knit bone could undoubtedly repair Yue Lian’s damaged womb.

Yet, Su Qinglan was hesitant to reveal her powers indiscriminately. This caution was particularly pronounced towards an individual she could not yet fully trust.

The memory of Yue Lian’s haughty demeanor during their initial encounter remained vivid in Su Qinglan’s mind.

Though Yue Lian had softened her stance considerably later, Su Qinglan continued to watch her cautiously.

Assisting others was one matter, but endangering herself and her cubs was an entirely different proposition.

She wasn't so foolish as to unveil all her hidden cards prematurely. Therefore, during these intervening days, she contented herself with preparing only common remedies for Yue Lian while keeping a close eye on her condition.

And before long, the fourth day dawned.

That morning, Su Qinglan was seated outside the rustic stone dwelling, diligently organizing herbs, when the sound of hurried footsteps abruptly echoed from the distance.

A tall beastman came rushing in, his face etched with profound anxiety. It was Yue Lian’s mate, Li Quan. His complexion was ashen with worry.

"Female Su Qinglan!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with nervousness. "Could you please hurry and examine Yue Lian? She’s feeling terribly unwell."

Su Qinglan immediately lifted her head, her attention sharply focused.

"What has happened?" she inquired.

Li Quan’s features contorted further with distress.

"It’s her estrus cycle..." he confessed, a blush coloring his cheeks. "But it appears to have intensified significantly this time. Since this morning, she has been writhing in pain, her entire body trembling uncontrollably."

"She adamantly refuses to come outside, no matter how much I implore her," he added, his voice thickening with helplessness.

His ears flushed a deeper shade of red as he continued, speaking with palpable embarrassment, "And... owing to her estrus cycle, she’s also unwilling to leave the confines of the house."

Su Qinglan paused for a fleeting moment, a flicker of understanding crossing her face, before she nodded.

"I comprehend," she stated calmly.