Chapter 17: Gray Wolf is Back!

He was the one who had done wrong. Why…

Just as Shi Huai was still unable to snap out of his daze over the tiny cape, his entire fox self was suddenly scooped up into Ming Ruan’s arms.

Shi Huai let out a soft, tiny “yip.”

Was the scolding about to begin?

Ming Ruan held the fox, looked into his eyes, and gave a light cough. “I’m sorry, Baby!”

[???]

[?? What’s Ming Ruan apologizing for?]

[Could it be he’s seizing the chance to try to repair his relationship with Shi Huai?]

Ming Ruan first explained his own reflections about ‘favoring one over the other,’ then added, “It was my oversight not to notice that Baby needed activity. Next time, if Baby wants to play, can you call me to take you outside, okay? It’s okay if things in the house get knocked over, but I’ll worry about Baby getting hurt.”

“Okay? I know Baby is very smart. Can you promise me?”

Sincere, gentle, patient.

[!! Mom!! It’s a mommy-type male lead, wuwuwu!!]

[Good heavens… I can’t imagine how cheerful I’d be if I had parents or teachers like this.]

[I don’t believe it. My worldview is collapsing. I need to go watch a couple of old videos where Ming Ruan was causing trouble to steady myself…]

[Not gonna lie, I’m literally watching one right now. I suspect the Ming Family misplaced another young master. I really suggest they investigate!!]

[Seriously, putting all his previous deeds aside, the current Ming Ruan really seems good. He’s really worth it. Fellow sisters, getting on board now is a win!!]

[Whoa, you dare buy stocks in this one? The one above is truly brave. But… I’m tempted too.]

The barrage today was more harmonious than it had ever been. Both Ming Ruan antis and Shi Huai fans had been knocked completely dazed and were momentarily speechless.

On this side, Ming Ruan took the little fox’s paw and forcibly high-fived him. He then rubbed the fox’s tummy to make sure he wasn’t hungry, put him down, and cheerfully went off to wash up and go to sleep.

He left Shi Huai alone, a fox curled up in his den, eyes glowing with a faint, eerie green light in the darkness.

He couldn’t sleep. He simply couldn’t sleep.

He didn’t know why. When he’d made a complete mess of everything, he’d still felt quite righteous and justified. Yet, after Ming Ruan spoke to him so softly and gently, he began to feel uncomfortable all over.

Ming Ruan hadn’t scolded him for going crazy. He hadn’t lamented over the expensive ruined clothes. He hadn’t gotten annoyed about having to tidy up the chaotic mess of a room.

Instead, Ming Ruan had taken the blame upon himself, offered a sincere apology, and even comforted him, saying that little foxes were just like that and it wasn’t his fault…

Damn it. Shi Huai chomped down on his own paw and began grinding his teeth. He didn’t know why, but he really wanted to slap himself a couple of times.

After grinding his sharp canine teeth for a while, Shi Huai gradually stopped his movements and unclenched his jaw. Suddenly, as if all his strength had drained away, his head flopped dejectedly into the den, and he closed his eyes.

Ming Ruan should have entered the Executor regularization probationary evaluation period by now. If he wanted to, he had many ways to stop Ming Ruan from becoming a full member.

And that was precisely why he had come here.

But all that was under the condition that Ming Ruan was a thoroughly rotten person through and through.

But the Ming Ruan now… was he truly rotten?

The little fox furrowed his brow unconsciously. He tossed and turned, restless and unable to settle.

Finally, as the night passed and the sky began to lighten ever so slightly…

He made his decision.

The reason Ming Ruan had developed such a massive conflict with him back then was, in the final analysis, all for the camera, for traffic, for profit.

So… what if he stole his spotlight again right now?

Would Ming Ruan still remain as calm and gentle as this?

…

Thus, the next day, Ming Ruan discovered that his little fox had become both clingy and an extravagant show-off.

First, early in the morning, he was crouched neatly in front of Ming Ruan’s bedroom door wearing that beautiful little cape. The moment Ming Ruan stepped out, he was treated to a fox smile.

“Oh—good morning, cute baby, kiss kiss!” Ming Ruan, still half-asleep, scooped up the little fox and made exaggerated kissing noises—though, due to Shi Huai kicking and struggling violently, the kisses ultimately failed to land.

But the little fox didn’t retreat because of this. All day long, he jumped and pranced around Ming Ruan. His gaze flowed and shifted like layers of fine gauze, subtly and deliberately brushing against the camera lens, making one’s heart itch.

Outdoors, he leaped and bounded through the woods, pouncing this way and that, like an unattainable flame spirit within the deep forest. Paired with that tiny cape, he looked like a beloved child of a mountain god descending to play among mortals. Every scene was spirited and enchantingly beautiful enough.

Back inside the house, he showed his belly, stretched his body with languid slowness, pranced about with his tail held high, on tippy-toes, whiskers twitching.

Exuding charm was a skill etched deep into Shi Huai’s very bones. Even if he didn’t do anything earth-shatteringly dramatic, Shi Huai knew: the most eye-catching thing in today’s live broadcast room would definitely be him, not Ming Ruan.

And indeed, things unfolded exactly as Shi Huai expected.

[Good heavens, so beautiful!! Such a cute fox! The beast form works for me again!]

[I want to recommend Shi Huai as a beastman ambassador. He’s so healing. I’m suddenly not so afraid of therianthropy anymore.]

[He looks so free and happy.]

[I’ve already recorded the whole live stream and posted it on Star Super Topic!!]

[Ahh, I really want to see his human form on stage again, wuwuwuwah.]

[Report! I heard S.T Magazine has already contacted Shi Huai’s previous agent. Can we look forward to a beast-form photoshoot??!]

Today’s live broadcast room had extremely low Ming Ruan content.

Shi Huai had been secretly observing Ming Ruan the entire time, but Ming Ruan showed no particular reaction all day.

Yet, he had already made himself so obvious. Ming Ruan definitely knew what he was doing.

For a moment, Shi Huai actually felt a panicked, flustered sensation in his heart. It was like walking into a dense fog, uncertain of what would come the very next moment.

He swallowed. His heart felt empty and hollow, the emptiness making him feel weak.

He couldn’t articulate his own thoughts. Ever since this second encounter with Ming Ruan, he hadn’t been able to understand his own thoughts for a long time now! He only knew that if Ming Ruan’s reaction this time was the same as before, then all of this could finally end.

This all should have ended long ago anyway! He hadn’t come here to bury the hatchet with Ming Ruan!

He would leave this warm little house, leave the soft den. No more comfortable, exquisite baths. No more of that infuriatingly strange brush that made his fur stand on end…

He would return to the Outdoor Zone of District 7.

Back to being utterly alone.

A sudden impulse surged up from who-knows-where. Shi Huai suddenly bolted in a few quick leaps, jumping onto Ming Ruan’s lap and baring his teeth.

What’s the big idea, ignoring him like this, Ming Ruan? What exactly is your stance? Give him a clear answer!

Ming Ruan was in the middle of frantically writing his inspection report!

He’d successfully earned points yesterday. Today, he also had to clock in quickly!

Whenever he thought that after becoming a full member, he could stay here forever, petting these well-behaved, intelligent, affectionate fluffballs without needing to socialize or clock in for a 996 schedule…

He truly felt this place was practically paradise.

The little fox had suddenly jumped onto his lap. Ming Ruan moved aside the Light Brain screen and was just about to say something to him.

The door of the little house was suddenly knocked on.

Thud.

Thud.

Two muffled, vague sounds made both the man and the fox stop their actions and look toward the door.

Shi Huai felt annoyed. Who would be knocking on the door so late at night?!

But then he saw Ming Ruan open the surveillance feed on his Light Brain and glance at it. Suddenly, Ming Ruan scooped up the fox in one motion and dashed to the door, pulling it open.

Shi Huai: ?!

Before Shi Huai could even react, he heard Ming Ruan sharply inhale. Then, in an extremely happy tone—a happiness that overflowed and filled the entire room—he loudly exclaimed:

“Oh my god, Mr. Gray Wolf! You came back!!”

What’s that about?

Shi Huai frowned and looked outside the door.

His gaze met that of a silver wolf.

Gray Wolf stood outside the door, the deep, dark winter night behind him.

The fox was held in Ming Ruan’s arms, bathed in the warm yellow indoor light.

Xie Gewen averted his eyes. Calmly, just as he’d done countless times before, he brushed past Ming Ruan’s waist and walked into the house. He also walked into the light.

In that instant, it was as if time had paused on a certain second from the past, never having flowed away. Yet, it also felt as though a very long time had passed.

Ming Ruan didn’t see it, but as Gray Wolf passed the fox being held, he angled his head slightly and glanced sidelong at him.

That one glance made Shi Huai’s internal danger alarms skyrocket. All the fur on his body bristled!

He didn’t know why, but he instinctively reached out his claws and clutched tightly to Ming Ruan’s arm.