Chapter 18

The little wolf, drenched, struggled to lift its nose above the surface, paddling its limbs frantically but to no avail.

Ning Shiting lay in bed for several days, his wounds finally healing, but his bones and muscles grew increasingly stiff from inactivity, and his overall spirit was not good.

In the meantime, the apothecary visited him again, suggesting that he go out for walks to aid in his recovery. Noticing Ning Shiting's low spirits, the apothecary prescribed many tonic formulas and reiterated the importance of walking more.

Nowadays, he often slept deeply, waking up with splitting headaches, only to be overwhelmed by drowsiness again. One day, Ting Shu, noticing that his wounds had healed, proactively suggested that he visit Baicao Garden for a bath to dispel the illness and rejuvenate his spirit.

Ning Shiting himself was not very particular about such things; in fact, for a long time, he had been afraid of bathing.

Bathing easily reminded him of the time he was fed upon to become a poisonous Jiaoren.

The Jioaren race was beautiful and gentle but had many natural enemies.

The ice-blood clan and demon clan, who had long lived along the Jiaoren coast, frequently invaded. His biological parents had perished in the seemingly endless wars of the past decades.

The adults died, leaving behind a small Jioaren with an exceptional constitution.

He was the child the tribe had awaited for millennia. No other Jiaoren’s eyes were as clear as his, nor did any Jiaoren’s sea pearl possess a colour as pure and beautiful as his hair.

At that time, the Jiaoren were scattered and nearly extinct.

They planned to cultivate this exceptionally constituted child into the most poisonous medicinal Jiaoren in history. Anyone who kissed his lips would die in a beautiful dream, and anyone who touched his tears would hear their own heart freeze into crystal and stop beating.

They poured poison into the steaming medicinal pool, sparing no effort to collect the rarest and deadliest toxins from the depths of the sea.

The temperature was enough to scald a child's skin, which would then heal after being fished out, leaving flesh cracked and muscles softened. At first, it was painful and uncomfortable, and when the various toxins reacted together, it could drive a person mad.

More often than not, when soaking in the boiling medicinal pool, the children placed in there with him would silently lose their breath.

The medicinal pool was also a death pool. Sometimes, after fainting in it, he would wake up to find himself stepping on the corpses of children his age.

The companions who had talked to him and encouraged each other to endure were gone one by one. As the days passed, there were fewer and fewer people to talk to, and eventually, he was the only one left soaking in the medicinal pool.

After being picked up by Gu Feiyin, he was terrified of the steam from boiling water for a long time, feeling cold and trembling with fear.

What happened after that?

— “I heard you’re a medicinal Jiaoren? Come join us for a bath. The brothers found a hot spring in the northern ice cave today. It’s really cold, very invigorating!”

— “Will we get poisoned bathing with a medicinal Jiaoren? Whatever, we can make a separate small pool just for you. I heard Jiaoren get ugly without water. Then you won't be able to find a wife.”

— “Can I see your tail? Does it turn into a tail as soon as you touch the water?”

Amidst the playful laughter, it seemed even the ice and snow could melt away.

Ning Shiting, immersed in the warm, fragrant spring pool, fell into a hazy, half-awake state, wrapped once again in memories of the past.

The spring pool was warm, yet coldness began to creep up slowly from his fingertips and soles, spreading throughout his body.

He vaguely knew he was on the verge of a nightmare again.

But he couldn't wake up. Day after day, year after year, in this life or the past, he couldn't wake up.

Until something furry fell from the sky, crashing into the pool and splashing water everywhere, jolting Ning Shiting out of his daze; he had been on the verge of sleep and was forcibly awakened.

His heart pounded violently, taking a while to calm down.

Amid the roaring sound of water, a little wolf, dazed from the impact, floated on the surface along with scattered petals.

It was clearly stunned—it had just fallen from the several-zhang-tall celestial Bodhi tree, first hitting the hard marble before bouncing into the water.

The little wolf, drenched, struggled to lift its nose above the surface, paddling its limbs frantically but to no avail.

Ning Shiting rose slightly, carefully grasped the scruff of the little wolf's neck, and lifted it out of the water, quickly setting it down on the shore.

Back in the snowy mountains, he and his comrades had found the answer: soaking in a pool with a medicine Jiaoren wouldn't cause poisoning because the flowing spring constantly carried away and dispersed the toxins from the Jiaoren’s body.

However, although the medicinal spring in Qing Wang Mansion was a flowing spring, the water flowed very slowly. He had been soaking in it for quite a while, and the surrounding plants were already showing signs of withering. It wouldn't be good to let the little wolf stay in such water.

The little white wolf had choked on quite a bit of water. Finally, out of danger, it lay dejectedly on the shore, spitting out a few mouthfuls. Sprawled out, still dizzy, it seemed unable to catch its breath.

Ning Shiting laughed, "How did you get here? Climbing trees, too? Can white wolves even climb trees?"

Gu Tingshuang was almost knocked out by the impact.

When he finally managed to open his eyes groggily, the first thing he saw was the clear, bright eyes of the Jiaoren, and the familiar question he always asked when he saw the little wolf, "What are you doing here?"

This Jiaoren didn't seem very good with words. It was always the same question, like he was teasing a kitten or a puppy, never minding the lack of novelty.

Even with his exceptional spiritual awareness, Gu Tingshuang couldn't overcome the dizziness of the little wolf's body. He struggled to open his eyes, seeing only a blurry figure in front of him.

Ning Shiting casually threw on a robe, got out of the water, and wrapped the little wolf carefully in an outer garment.

He still laughed, "Why are you so silly, ya?"

The voice carried a light-hearted laugh, sounding much more energetic than a few days ago. His eyes were bright, and his entire face was flushed with a thin layer of red from the steam, making him look delicate and beautiful.

Ning Shiting still carried the fresh scent of his bath. For a moment, he had no intention of leaving, holding him through the outer robe.

The embrace was very warm, enveloped with the heat from the hot spring, damp and fragrant.

Two thin layers of clothing, almost clinging to the skin, revealed everything once soaked.

Gu Tingshuang was momentarily stunned.

He saw beneath the water, not the slender feet of a young man, but a translucent light blue fish tail, edges shimmering with delicate light, sharp as a knife, and beautiful as a rainbow.

Anyone who had seen Ning Shiting would think he was unmatched in elegance, but seeing him underwater, they would feel even more that such a person was born to be a Jiaoren.

Emerging from the brilliance of the moon, like an eastern sea pearl, his eyes and hair mirrored the sea's tranquillity, every inch of his curves and bends flawless. Water droplets rolled down his taut curves, soft and smooth, his whole being as pliable as if he were boneless.

He belonged to the water and possessed a natural charm that could captivate all beings.

Ning Shiting probably still thought he was holding the lively little wolf, showing no shyness, his collar wide open, loose and casual.

When Gu Tingshuang struggled, he tightened his embrace firmly, saying seriously, "Don't move. Let me find a place to dry you off... Look at you, playing around the whole day, getting all dirty and muddy, ruining your nice fur."

The Jiaoren glanced around and noticed another clear water pool nearby. He wrapped the outer robe around him and kindly suggested, "Shall I wash you up a bit?"

Gu Tingshuang struggled fiercely.

He had never suffered such humiliation in his life—immortals were naturally clean from the use of purification spells, but due to his stunted spiritual roots and limited mobility, he could only clean himself like an ordinary person. Moreover, he had never let others know about this condition, nor did he allow anyone in the mansion to assist him; he considered it shameful.

If it were Ning Shiting doing this for him, it would be even more humiliating.

Even though he was in the form of a small wolf right now, he would not allow such humiliation to happen!

However, having just been knocked unconscious, he couldn't control the small wolf's limbs. The small wolf's consciousness also had a strong affinity for Ning Shiting and was very willing to comply with his wishes to take a bath.

Under this double pressure, Gu Tingshuang was helplessly carried away by Ning Shiting.

Ning Shiting casually pulled out a slender spirit vine and tied up his damp hair. Then he brought over his hand cage and put it on, securing it around his wrist to prevent it from slipping.

He stepped out of the water, and at that moment, his fish tail transformed back into legs.

The little silver wolf lay curled up in the wrap, looking innocent and pitiful, its round eyes filled with confusion.

Seeing this, Ning Shiting smiled again. He gently patted the little wolf's head and said, "Wait here, I'll go get bath fragrance and a clean silk cloth for you."

Gu Tingshuang still wanted to struggle, but Ning Shiting tied a knot with the sleeve button of his outer robe, loosely fastening it around the little wolf's neck.

This person spoke gently and kindly on the surface, but there was a hint of mischief hidden inside. Afraid that he might run away, Ning Shiting even hung the knot from a tree branch, letting the heavy parcel dangle.

When Gu Tingshuang realised he couldn't struggle free, he gave up and lay down where he was, waiting for Ning Shiting to return.

The wolf's eyes could see far, and from where he was, he could see what Ning Shiting was doing.

Having just recovered from a serious illness, he had just come out of the hot spring pool. If he caught a cold breeze now, he might fall ill again. He was currently drying himself off and changing clothes.

He didn't mind that there was a little wolf in the distance, nor did he know that all the plants and creatures in the courtyard had eyes.

Although his body was slender, it wasn't the kind of effeminate slimness seen in others. He had military training, his skin was taut, with no hint of slackness, and he looked energetic.

When standing tall, every part of his body was smooth and graceful. The Jiaoren clan had a fair complexion, with skin that was even slightly translucent at the edges. Combined with his silver-blue hair, he appeared immaculate.

Gu Tingshuang didn't like this appearance.

It should be said that what he disliked most about Ning Shiting was exactly this appearance. Standing aloof in the distance, seeming unreachable by anyone. He wanted to see him in a dishevelled state, he wanted to see him as he had that afternoon in his hands, flushed with embarrassment, eyes teary. That's when he seemed like a real person, not just a pale, thin imitation.

In that moment, he was astonished by the dark, destructive desire rising from his heart:

To ruin this person, to completely tear apart his false mask, to see him in pain, crying out, feeling miserable. To embarrass him, to make him open his thin lips and beg, and then to use that clear, gentle voice of his to call out his name.

Ning Shiting quickly dried himself off and changed clothes, bringing over the cleaned items.

He reached out and gently held the little wolf's head, softly saying, "Stay still, be good."

The wolf inhaled with a gurgling sound in its throat, and Gu Tingshuang held back.

Thinking the wolf cub was afraid, Ning Shiting continued to soothe in a gentle tone, "Good boy, don't be scared. Washing up will make you clean, and you won't get sick afterwards, right?"

Seeing it still not moving and willing to be close to him, he felt somewhat happy.

His tone of coaxing the wolf was still devoid of novelty and rather cloying.

Gu Tingshuang held back again.

Worried about the wolf being cold, Ning Shiting first scooped warm clear water with a jade ladle, pouring it slowly over the wolf's fur.

The action was surprisingly gentle, the warm water wetting the fur below its neck, washing away the mud and dirt. As the water seeped deep through his gentle massage, it unexpectedly felt warm and comfortable.

The little wolf felt so comfortable that it fluttered in his consciousness, even developing a desire: to snuggle in Ning Shiting's arms.

But this desire was mercilessly suppressed by Gu Tingshuang.

Gu Tingshuang lifted his eyes to stare at him, momentarily forgetting he was a wolf, and asked coldly, "Is this how you win my father's favour? Don't count on it. Even in another ten years, the true master of this mansion won't be you. He won't give you that status."

What came out was, "Aowū, aowū."

Gu Tingshuang: "..."

Ning Shiting clearly mistook these two milk-like wolf howls as a friendly gesture, his smile deepening in his eyes.

He coaxed softly, "I'm pouring water over your head now."

Taking up the jade ladle again, he scooped another handful of warm spring water and moved it to pour over Gu Tingshuang's head.

Instinctively, Gu Tingshuang closed his eyes, a reflexive response as a wolf, intending to hide his upright ears that had always been a symbol of his dignity.

But as the warm water poured down, he felt nothing on his face and heard nothing in his ears.

Opening his eyes again, he saw Ning Shiting had erected a small canopy in front of him with his hand, allowing the water to flow down his wrist and slowly soak into the newly changed clothes.

Gu Tingshuang knew from his daily cleaning and grooming that having clothes stick wetly to his body like this was incredibly uncomfortable.

Ning Shiting, who valued cleanliness, would likely find it even more uncomfortable.

Yet the Jiaoren before him seemed oblivious, patiently crouching down to first dampen the fur in front of the little wolf, using his hands to gently clean it, then grabbing both ears to clean the top of his head.

"Good boy," Ning Shiting praised.(1)

Ning Shiting's hands were lathered with bath essence, and he scrubbed Gu Tingshuang all over.

Though still a young beast, the White Wolf Clan was known for their massive size, and even crouched down, Gu Tingshuang was nearly half a person tall.

Ning Shiting washed him halfway through and seemed to find it somewhat strenuous, his breathing becoming heavier, but his movements showed no signs of slackening.

Despite being covered in poison, his breath always carried a fragrance.

Perhaps due to years spent with scents day and night, when he leaned in close, his breath brushed by with a sweetness tinged with a hint of bitterness, only to return to sweetness afterwards.

Under the sunlight, the Jiaoren's deep blackish-blue eyes gleamed brightly.

After a stick of incense burned down, Ning Shiting gently said, "All done."

Having washed a wolf, his once-dry clothes were now soaked halfway through. The light blue fabric had turned into a muddy green when wet, creating a somewhat comical sight.

Standing up to look at him, Gu Tingshuang still stood there motionless, looking dazed.

The little wolf was completely wet, looking foolishly still, squatting motionlessly.

"Were you knocked foolish?" Ning Shiting was about to leave, but seeing the little wolf's dumbfounded appearance, he found it utterly adorable and couldn't bear to leave for a moment.

He looked around, seeing no one nearby, and seemed unable to resist. He walked back over, crouched down, and touched its head.

"Your fur isn't even trembling anymore. Are you really that silly?" Ning Shiting pinched the little wolf's cheek, his tone affectionate. "If your master finds out, he might blame me. You'll have to speak up for me then, won't you?"

Gu Tingshuang: “…”

Was he really this mischievous?

Ning Shiting then grabbed a large clean cloth from nearby and lifted the little wolf up in his arms.

The furry lump felt warm and comforting in his embrace, inspiring a slight flutter in his heart.

Gu Tingshuang had become numb by now, and when lifted this time, he didn't resist.

But then, a gesture from Ning Shiting left him stunned once again.

Through the thin layer of clothing, the Jiaoren leaned down and nuzzled the little wolf's face, then gently kissed it.

In that moment, the scent he had sensed during the bath intensified directly.

Magnified endlessly, so warm, the breath passed through the thin barrier and mingled with his own.

That fragrance, capable of numbing the mind, carrying a bittersweet medicinal sweetness, invaded every inch of his body, reaching the very core of his being with a sensation that made his scalp tingle.

In that fleeting moment when those soft lips touched him, Gu Tingshuang felt as though something had been toppled, trampled upon, and shattered. It was the sail in his heart that had been teetering on the edge for so long, the modesty cloth he had stubbornly held up for four years.

Ning Shiting...

So pitiful, unable even to intimately touch and caress an ordinary little wolf through a thin veil.

That thought resurfaced in his mind.

He must... he must have never been embraced affectionately, caressed, or cherished by anyone before, right?

Unexplainable and complex thoughts surged within him in that moment, so intertwined that he couldn't distinguish whether there were other emotions mixed in.

He couldn't discern those feelings at all.

Yet in that instant, he felt a rage that he couldn't contain—Who does this person think he is‽  

Even though he didn't realise he was inside the little wolf's body, but he—Who does he think he is‽

In that moment, he couldn't even understand where his shame and anger came from, let alone realise that this unnamed emotion was unfounded.

Ning Shiting achieved his wish, nuzzling against the fluffy cheek of the little wolf, then feeling the small creature slipping from his arms—this young white wolf might be small in size, but its weight was not to be underestimated. That weight had just snapped a branch and fallen to the ground.

The little wolf kicked its legs a few times, prompting Ning Shiting to release it naturally.

He called out, "Little wolf, wait."

In his storage ring, there were still some jerky and cheese treats prepared for it, but this time, the damp little wolf didn't listen to him. It seemed to have forgotten how to shake off the water from its fur, leaping down and darting away into the distance in a somewhat panicked manner.

The Author has Something to Say

A terrified persimmon wolf.

The real little wolf: I'm so miserable. I can't get any snacks, can't snuggle with my Jiaoren Gege, and I still have to be suppressed by the boss.

Foot Notes

1. He actually says 好乖 (hǎo guāi) which is good + well-behaved or clever, usually for a child.