Chapter 189: Chapter 189 - 183: Exhausted Working Outside, Home Stolen (Part 2)

Shen Tang went downstairs and saw Lu Xiao and Jia Lan sitting at the dining table, neither of them moved their chopsticks, obviously waiting for someone.

The atmosphere was tinged with an indescribable strangeness.

She paused in her steps, thinking about her long entanglement with Xue Yinzhou. The two probably came back long ago, but who knows if they heard...

Having experienced awkward moments multiple times, Shen Tang remained calm and collected. She sat at the table without changing her expression, picked up the freshly made dish, and buried her head in eating.

Ignoring everything outside the window, focusing solely on eating.

She tried hard to ignore the different glances from the three males beside her.

Lu Xiao sat on her left, his gaze slightly lowered, noticing the red marks on her neck.

His hawk-like grayish-blue eyes flashed darkly, and his chopsticks tightened slightly in his hand. His face remained unchanged, and his voice stayed calm and composed, "Female Master, I reminded you, always prioritize your health, and never indulge excessively in desires."

Jia Lan’s attack was directed at Xue Yinzhou, his beautifully curved lips curling in a sneer, "A hidden guard should behave as one, not hide in the shadows and overstep. If I were your master, I’d have dismissed you long ago!"

"I am rightfully Shen Tang’s Beast Husband, and no one else has the right to talk, even if she wanted to dismiss me." Xue Yinzhou glanced at Jia Lan indifferently.

He used to strictly perform his duties as a hidden guard, having no interest in petty jealousy, finding it ridiculous and dull. But now, how could he be content with only being a ghost in the shadows?

This was his rightful due.

He was fearless, backed by the Female Master’s affection.

With his serpent tail wrapped around Shen Tang’s waist to pull her into his embrace, Xue Yinzhou whispered in her ear, "The night before last, you said with your own mouth, who do you love most?"

Recalling the messy memories, Shen Tang’s face turned slightly red, glaring at him viciously. We’re eating, why talk about such things!

The faces of the other two Beast Husbands instantly turned as black as a pot’s bottom.

Especially Jia Lan, his chopsticks nearly snapped. He was so filled with sourness that he almost flipped the table and stormed off.

"Alright, calm down, eat properly."

Shen Tang said with a headache, noticing Jia Lan’s change in aura, delighting, "You’ve broken through to the Sixth Rank Peak, that’s amazing."

She wasn’t deliberately flattering him, she was genuinely surprised.

Though Jia Lan’s strength was the lowest among the five Beast Husbands, he was the youngest, and his talent wasn’t inferior to the others. In just a few days, he broke through a minor stage, truly deserving to be an important male lead in the later part of the plot.

Seeing her finally focus on the main point, Jia Lan’s expression slightly eased, his tone relaxed, "Just so-so, nothing worth mentioning!"

Saying this, he casually rolled up his sleeves, revealing scars on his arm.

On his smooth white skin, they were particularly conspicuous, like a flawed beautiful jade, showing a few traces of distressing ferocity.

Shen Tang noticed immediately, frowning in concern, "You’re hurt? I’ll treat you later, it wouldn’t be good if scars remain."

She knew how much the Mermaids loved beauty.

Jia Lan lifted his chin slightly, speaking disdainfully, "I’m a strong male, a little injury is nothing! No need to worry!"

Now, even Xue Yinzhou and Lu Xiao glanced at him with curiosity. Did the Mermaid change temperament after going out once?

After finishing the meal, Shen Tang still went to Jia Lan’s room to treat him alone.

Jia Lan quickly stripped off his top completely, obediently laying on the bed, gazing at her with burning eyes, his handsome face slightly red, "I’m injured all over, everything hurts, you must treat me well, in case there are lingering issues..."

Looking at the young man in this state, ready to be picked, and those minor flesh wounds healing soon enough, Shen Tang’s lips twitched slightly. She honestly helped him finish the treatment but also inadvertently got a bit handsy.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, Jia Lan’s affinity +5!]

[By the way, the host has completed the side quest of mating with Xue Yinzhou, reward: Factory building blueprint!]

[Once the raw materials are sent into the factory, they can be automatically processed into building materials needed for constructing walls, houses, and other basic future buildings!]

[With sufficient manpower and funds, the host can quickly build the factory to start the ensuing construction plans,] the system reminded.

Shen Tang nodded, knowing ordinary stone and wood could also build city walls but with low defense, easily giving way to even slight weapon use.

To process more sturdy and durable building materials, a factory is essential.

But with some of Greenfield City’s adult Beastmen hunting, a small portion farming, and another part constructing walls, the remaining workforce surely isn’t enough to build a factory.

After discussing this matter with the three Beast Husbands, Jia Lan reminded, "You can recruit Beastmen from nearby tribal villages. Those places are very poor, constantly struggling on the poverty line. Just give them some money, and they’ll come work, they’ll even be grateful, letting you gain more local supporters."

"Though those small areas are poor, there are also talented Beastmen. That dead leopard originated from the slums; you can also seize the opportunity to find some strong, loyal followers, killing three birds with one stone."

The Mermaid Prince generously stated, "As for the money, don’t worry about it, I’ll cover it!"

Shen Tang looked at him in surprise, thinking that as someone destined to become the future Sea Emperor, he truly knew how to win people’s hearts... ah no, he’s really good at gathering public support!

"Okay, let’s do as you said, I’ll leave it to you to handle!"

Meeting the bright worship-filled gaze of the female, a warmth surged in Jia Lan’s heart, thinking she surely saw him as incredibly masculine! Though he wasn’t very eager to work under the sun, he couldn’t refuse.

He nodded to agree, "Just right, I’ve made acquaintances with several tribal chiefs these past few days during my outings. This prince will reluctantly help you find some."

After concluding the matters here, Shen Tang left the city in the afternoon, strolled around the fields, and went to the quarry.

Xiao Jin was leading Beastmen working at the quarry.

Under the blazing sun, some Beastmen turned back into their original forms to excavate, while others remained human-shaped to transport materials.

No females came here, so male beasts were recklessly shirtless.

Xiao Jin was no exception. He had taken off his shirt, revealing a robust and muscular body, his muscles exuding explosive power, gleaming with sweat under the sun. His masculinity was so overwhelming that Shen Tang couldn’t help but stare.

Seeing Shen Tang staring intently at Xiao Jin, Xue Yinzhou’s expression darkened slightly. Before he could say anything, Xiao Jin noticed the two coming over.

With a wild smile on his handsome face, Xiao Jin leaped down from a high pile of rocks, pulling Shen Tang into his arms, chiding, "Little heartless one, you finally came to see me! Leaving me here to work unnoticed, I thought you’d forgotten about me!"

Shen Tang felt a bit guilty. She had been indulgently enjoying herself these past few days, oblivious to the world, and hadn’t thought of him.

She comforted him verbally, "Of course I haven’t forgotten, I’ve always kept you and the others in mind. It’s been hard on you these past few days, I brought food and water, come rest a bit!"

"Her Highness is so kind, bringing us food!"

"Then we won’t stand on ceremony!"

The Beastmen quickly dispersed, hurrying to eat and drink, replenishing their stamina.

Shen Li, hearing the commotion, also walked out from the cool shed.