In the Serengeti, time passed silently.
Today’s plan was to drive near the Grumeti River to observe the wildlife, hoping to catch sight of the famed African Big Five— the African Lion, African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, African Leopard, and African Buffalo.
Li Yaru changed into an outfit rich with Western frontier flair: a brown vest, a short skirt, and knee-high cowboy boots.
To ward off mosquitoes, she wore an invisible layer of sheer pantyhose on her legs. Her wide-brimmed straw hat shielded half her face, leaving only a splash of bright red, full lips visible.
Seeing Li Yaru like this made Kurt’s heart race. He instinctively raised his camera, then restrained himself.
Learning from past mistakes, he politely asked, “Eleanor, may I take some photos of you?”
Li Yaru had grown used to having a shadowy tagalong these past few days— someone she couldn’t shake off.
She had come to treat him as her personal photographer, hardworking and uncomplaining, who didn’t even charge for his services.
A few meals were enough to keep him happy, and best of all, he was young and handsome, making occasional glances rather pleasing.
“Take the pictures and send them to me. I’ll delete them later,” she teased.
Kurt sighed, “Fine… but I want to keep one.”
Li Yaru rolled her eyes dramatically, feeling in a good mood as she leisurely walked outside the hotel.
Three safari vehicles, all modified Toyota Land Cruisers, were ready to depart — two open-top and one enclosed.
The drivers were all locals familiar with the terrain, accompanied by a guide and four Anti-Poaching Team members for protection.
Kurt carried his array of cameras and lenses, trailing behind Li Yaru.
Standing a solid 1.85 meters tall, his posture was upright, towering over Li Yaru by a head. A simple black T-shirt outlined his lean but toned muscles. Overall, he was a very handsome young man.
Back home, he was popular with the ladies. Since childhood, thanks to his good looks and affluent background, girls had never stopped liking him.
Yet, he had no interest in romance, dedicating himself fully to his art. He never imagined that here, in the remote wilds of East Africa— where the pulse of the earth beat strongest— he would find his muse.
Eleanor. Eleanor, his muse.
His desire to keep her photos was selfish. His work always featured all sorts of peculiar animals— only the liveliness, cunning, and vitality of animals could move his brush. But now, he wanted to paint Eleanor.
She resembled an animal, but he couldn’t say which kind— noble, mysterious, exquisite, elegant, wild.
Simply perfect.
The high clearance of the safari vehicle made it easy to board. Kurt was nimble and jumped on first, then extended his hand to Li Yaru. “Come on, Eleanor.”
She took his hand and stepped onto the vehicle.
The fully open luxury safari vehicle was very comfortable, allowing close-up views of nature and equipped with picnic tables and chairs.
Rain had fallen in the early morning, leaving the day cool and pleasant. With the scent of earth and fresh grass in the wild breeze, the group headed deep into the Grumeti wilderness.
The dirt roads kicked up clouds of yellow dust. Under the vast sky, the primal heartbeat of the earth pulsed steadily.
Li Yaru raised her binoculars and watched massive herds of elephants playing by the river.
A baby elephant was covered in mud, still clumsy with its trunk, swinging it around before tumbling over and nestling at its mother’s feet.
Along the way, they encountered a family of four cheetahs. The mother cheetahs cuddled affectionately, while a daring cub jumped onto their safari vehicle. Li Yaru tensed, barely daring to breathe.
The guide smiled and explained, “This is a cheetah. They’re gentle and not aggressive. It probably jumped up looking for food from humans.” He reached out and petted it.
Li Yaru found this amusing and mustered the courage to carefully stroke the cheetah’s head. The animal was indeed docile, purring softly and rubbing affectionately against her soft palm.
“A big kitty, just like Jeffery,” Li Yaru chuckled endlessly after having that thought.
“Who’s Jeffery?” Kurt asked while furiously clicking away, unwilling to miss a single frame of his goddess’s smile.
“My youngest son.”
The shutter clicks stopped instantly. Kurt’s eyes widened in horror. “What!? You had a child in your twenties?”
Though noisy, she really had a sweet mouth! Li Yaru glanced at him mysteriously, only smiling without replying.
The Anti-Poaching Team fed the half a rack of lamb they brought to the hungry cheetah family. The air soon filled with the scent of blood.
The cheetahs used their cuteness to earn their meal, gathering around to eat heartily.
By five in the afternoon, everyone prepared to return. The hotel had arranged a romantic sunset dinner for Li Yaru, to be enjoyed before six-thirty.
She had petted cheetahs, watched elephants, observed lions, and taken countless memorable photos.
Satisfied, she leaned back in her seat, connected her phone to the Bluetooth speaker, and played a song— “wildest dreams.”
Kurt was also tired and stopped his chatter, softly humming along with the music.
Forty minutes later.
As is common with car enthusiasts, Kurt spotted a row of pickups from a distance, including a Barbaros G900 parked majestically at the hotel entrance.
Several bodyguards in camouflage uniforms were unloading goods from the vehicle.
There were many supplies— five or six boxes of bottled water, seasonal fresh fruits, dairy products, and goods marked with official stamps.
“This car is so cool,” Kurt exclaimed.
Half-awake, Li Yaru opened her eyes groggily. “Are we there yet?”
“Yes, yes, Eleanor. You slept so soundly. We even passed a few impalas on the way, but I didn’t wake you— I was afraid you’d be upset.”
“Then why didn’t you wake me? You selfishly enjoyed the impalas alone!” Li Yaru glared at him angrily.
Kurt smiled, his clear blue eyes gently watching her. “Don’t be mad. You’re the Lucky Goddess. You might meet more today. Serengeti likes you.”
Li Yaru was pacified. This little wildebeest kept calling her “Lucky Goddess,” “Peerless Beauty,” “Eastern Beauty,” “Rose of the Serengeti.” Where did all these flattering words come from?
Corny as it was, she loved it!
Far more elegant than Zhuang Qiting calling her “naughty baby,” “water baby,” or “little flirt” while tormenting her.
The vehicle stopped, and everyone disembarked one by one. Kurt jumped down first and offered his hand. “Here, Eleanor, I’ll help you.”
Li Yaru yawned, habitually reaching out her hand. Just as she was about to take his slender fingers, a large, powerful palm suddenly came over.
Lightly tanned, veins bulging on the back of the hand, knuckles thick and rugged. A gold ring adorned the ring finger.
This rough, masculine hand was clearly unrefined— tough everywhere— but irresistibly sexy.
This unexpected hand gripped Li Yaru’s fair fingertips firmly, clenching tightly as if afraid she’d run away, both fierce and possessive.
A jolt of electricity shot through her body. She sharply turned her head to look at the man.
Under the sheer blue sky, Zhuang Qiting stood there wearing a simple pinstriped casual shirt, a smile curling his lips.
His dark eyes locked onto her with abandon, gently saying, “Baby, have you been having fun lately?”
Li Yaru’s face went pale. She stared at him blankly.
She knew he was capable, but never thought he could reach this far. He found her here— she had fled all the way to Africa! Africa! Brother!
She had guessed he would check flights. To avoid his influence, she even bought multiple tickets to different nearby countries in staggered time slots— first flying Korean Air to Dubai, spending two days there, then transferring to Emirates to Tanzania!
Kurt looked confused and protective of his goddess. Who was this man who silently rushed over and grabbed Eleanor’s hand?
“Who are you? She doesn’t know you, please let go of her hand!”
Where did this noisy little vixen come from, shouting? Zhuang Qiting frowned displeased, casting her a cold glance. An aura of dignified authority radiated from him.
Nearly 1.9 meters tall, he looked down on Kurt. His exposed arms were more muscular and powerful than the young, lean one’s, imbued with the maturity of years immersed in power and prestige.
He effortlessly dominated this inexperienced young man.
Kurt immediately held his breath.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t bother to look again. He retracted his gaze coldly and pronounced slowly, “Get away, little boy. She’s my wife.”
Li Yaru pressed her lips tightly, her eyes cool. After years of marriage, she certainly knew what he was doing— asserting his ridiculous claim of ownership!
Does he really think he has any “rights”?
“Not getting down?” Zhuang Qiting smiled freshly, stepping toward Li Yaru.
“Let go of me.” She tried hard to pull her hand away.
After half a month, his wife finally spoke to him. Whether good or bad, at least there was communication.
Zhuang Qiting’s heart stirred. He seemed to sigh softly, unwilling to argue. Instead, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her slim waist, lifting her off the vehicle.
Li Yaru didn’t want to cause a scene in public, embarrassed to be quarrelling here in Africa. She gave him a murderous look and strode quickly into the hotel, leaving everyone behind.
She just wanted to get to her room and change into a dress before the sunset.
Kurt looked puzzled and wary at this sudden older man who claimed to be Eleanor’s husband. He hurried after Li Yaru, whispering, “Eleanor, is he really your husband?”
Li Yaru sneered, “My ex-husband, ex-husband!”
Kurt’s emotions tangled— pain, regret, and relief all mixed.
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