Chapter 390 - 350: We’re All Family
Chapter 390: Chapter 350: We’re All Family
Alex had never been particularly bothered by other males approaching and fawning over Gu Ning. Females were far too rare; any adult female was bound to be surrounded by male suitors.
But pursuit was one thing. If another male interfered with Ningning’s choices, or worse, crossed the line and interfered with his time with Ningning, he wouldn’t be so polite.
This wasn’t the first time Barto had crossed the line. For Gu Ning’s sake, and because he was a Mixed Breed, Alex could tolerate it and coexist peacefully as long as Barto didn’t go too far. But given that fox’s personality, they could probably only get along peacefully if he degenerated to Cook’s level.
There was only one Cook, and Barto was no Cook. If he didn’t knock some sense into that fox, Ningning wouldn’t have a moment’s peace later.
And yet, Ningning was exceptionally protective of that fox, Barto. With him, she could act spoiled; with the two elder females, she was respectful and admiring; with Vine and the others, she offered reluctant compromises or placations, always maintaining a subtle distance. She doted on Cook like a puppy, but only Barto... she was always coaxing him.
Perhaps Ningning herself hadn’t even realized that she favored this fox far more than any of the other males around her.
This special affection made him take notice, and it bothered him.
Based on his understanding of females, they had different preferences in males. They might show concern, pity, or even affection for a Mixed Breed, but they would never choose one as a primary mate, nor would they develop the kind of emotions reserved solely for a partner.
The exception would be a Mixed Breed who had degenerated later in life; it wasn’t uncommon for a normal male Beastman to degenerate due to age or genetic issues.
The strange thing was, Barto had started out as nothing more than an atavistic Mixed Breed.
From his past investigations, Cook and Barto had been complete opposites, but now their situations were reversed.
Ningning treated Cook as just a puppy, yet she had developed special feelings for Barto.
If Barto were a normal Beastman, or if Gu Ning were a female who had grown up in the Beast Alliance, he wouldn’t be nearly as worried.
’Barto has...’
"Who wants your charity?!"
Barto forcefully slapped Alex’s hand away.
Just then, Gu Ning came out of the restroom.
With a sharp crash, the Inhibitor that flew from Alex’s hand smashed against Gu Ning’s IV pole.
Shards scattered everywhere, and the Blue Gold liquid splattered across a corner of Gu Ning’s white pajama pants, staining them with a vivid, glaring pattern.
The two Beastmen’s expressions changed, and they shouted in unison, "Ningning, don’t move!"
Gu Ning looked down at the shattered Inhibitor and her pants, then asked, "Alex, Barto? What were you... talking about?"
"We were just talking about the recent price and quality of Inhibitors." Alex walked over and lifted her, IV pole and all, to move her away from the broken glass. Then he went to find her some clean clothes.
Gu Ning sat on the edge of the hospital bed, watching the little fox silently squatting on the floor and cleaning up the glass shards and liquid. She asked, "Barto, were you two..."
"We weren’t fighting," Barto said without looking up. "I was just asking if he’d sell me some Inhibitors. The price was too high, so we couldn’t agree. I lost my temper and accidentally broke it."
Gu Ning’s gaze shifted to the IV pole. She touched her index finger to a bit of the blue liquid dripping down the pole. The texture was thick, with flecks of gold glittering within it. It was a Blue Gold Inhibitor.
’Barto would never "accidentally break" such an expensive and rare Inhibitor just because they couldn’t agree on a price. Back in Zone 19, he worried constantly about getting Purification Crystal Stones, and he would carefully and preciously store every single one he obtained.’
"What did Alex say to you?" Gu Ning asked the little fox.
Barto didn’t answer, just kept his head down and wiped the floor.
"Barto."
"Barto?"
"Barto!" Gu Ning called to the little fox, her voice low and firm.
Barto took a deep breath. "I already said it was nothing, just an acc—"
"Come here," Gu Ning said. "Right now. Immediately. Come here."
Barto threw the towel in his hand aside and walked up to Gu Ning. "What is it that you want?"
Hearing the obvious displeasure in his voice, Gu Ning looked up at him. "Are you... mad at me?"
"Who’s mad at you? I was just arguing with that guy..." Barto cut himself off, pursed his lips, and turned his head away.
Gu Ning tugged on the corner of Barto’s shirt.
Barto snapped irritably, "What?"
"Squat down."
Barto glared at her, looking even angrier.
Gu Ning raised her hand and gestured. "Hurry up and squat."
"I’m not Cook!" Barto plopped down beside her, resolute. He refused to be like Cook, squatting when she said squat, sitting when she said sit, and giving a paw when she said shake.
Gu Ning was speechless. "...You’re too tall. It’s hard to talk like this."
Barto crossed his arms and fumed for three seconds, then let out a breath and squatted down in front of Gu Ning, bringing them eye to eye.
Gu Ning held up her index finger, which was coated with the inhibitor. "This is a Blue Gold Inhibitor."
Barto said, "So what if it is? Are you going to scold me, too?"
Hearing that "too," Gu Ning’s eyes scanned the little fox’s face, and she roughly understood the reason for his sudden, irrational anger. "I’m not going to scold you. I just wanted to say... it’s very expensive. We shouldn’t waste it."
"My job... at the Military Department, my salary." Gu Ning spoke slowly, gesturing with her fingers. "One month, two Blue Gold Inhibitors. You and Cook, one each. It’s just enough."
"Don’t... don’t be so reckless."
Originally, she only got one a month. But after her position became permanent, Cyril informed her that her work benefits had been increased by one more Blue Gold Inhibitor. She had been very happy about that.
Given the state of Cook’s and Barto’s degeneration, regular Inhibitors weren’t very effective anymore. But Blue Gold Inhibitors couldn’t be bought even if you had the money. She had been worrying about this very issue, so it was a good thing her work benefits had increased.
Still, it was hard to say if the two of them would need even more Blue Gold Inhibitors in the future. If someone could help, that would be for the best.
’She guessed that Alex had probably been trying to give his own Blue Gold Inhibitor to Barto. Knowing Barto’s personality, he most likely wouldn’t have accepted it. A fight was only natural.’
Barto looked at the fingers Gu Ning was using to count and said, "Are you trying to get me to accept Alex’s charity?"
"It’s not charity. Alex is... family."
Gu Ning’s voice was soft, yet it carried weight.
"You, me, Cook, Alex... we’re all a family."
’After saying this, Gu Ning felt a sense of discomfort and guilt, as if she were violating her own moral code. The wicked little tail of guilt in her heart began to wag and wag.’
’She silently made a patch for her conscience: Barto and Cook are family, but Alex is a partner. It’s different, it’s different.’
’Yes, yes, yes, that’s it.’
"He’s not," Barto said. "Only we are."
Gu Ning sighed, not wanting to argue with the little fox while he was angry. "So, are you going to listen to me or not?"
"If Alex gives it to you, just take it," she said. "I have money. Don’t... reject it. It’s valuable."
Barto cracked a smile, but under Gu Ning’s gaze, he immediately wiped it from his face and put his cold expression back on.
Gu Ning said, "I saw that, you know. You smiled."
Barto said, "No, I didn’t."
Gu Ning reached out and poked the corner of Barto’s mouth, pushing it up. "I did see it. You smiled just like this."
The little fox stared at Gu Ning for a moment, then grabbed her hand—the one with the inhibitor-coated index finger—opened his mouth, and took it into his mouth.
Gu Ning: "..."
Feeling a soft, slick, and warm sensation curl around her finger, Gu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to pull her finger back, but Barto held her wrist tightly, preventing her from moving.
His tongue curled around her finger again, sweeping the taste into his mouth, before Barto reluctantly let go.
Meeting Gu Ning’s stunned gaze, Barto said, "You said it. It’s very expensive. We shouldn’t waste it."