A month had quietly passed, and under the thick veil of a moonless night, Yin Huli shed his fox form, reverting to his original human state. His once-glowing fur dissolved into the shadows, leaving behind his true self—a man cloaked in a quiet sadness. "Great," he murmured to himself, his voice low and laced with bittersweet resignation. His gaze fell upon Li Yunwu, who lay soundlessly asleep, her serene expression a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart.
"I guess our time together is up," he whispered softly, his words barely audible in the stillness of the night. Reaching out with trembling fingers, he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his hand lingering on her cheek before trailing to her lips. A fleeting, tender kiss marked the end of his silent farewell. He pulled away, reluctant yet resolute, and stood. The woven mat creaked faintly beneath his weight, but Li Yunwu did not stir. Yin Huli slipped out of the room like a phantom, his figure swallowed by the night as he disappeared into the shadows.
When dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of gold, Li Yunwu awoke to an emptiness beside her. The cold sheets told her everything: Yin Huli was gone. Panic tightened her chest as she called his name, her voice echoing through the quiet hut. With no response, she hurried to her little sister, Li Yang Mei, pleading for help. Together, they scoured the village, their search stretching into the long hours of the day.
"Where could he be?" Li Yunwu asked herself aloud, her voice trembling with worry. Her hands fidgeted, her heart pounding as they combed through forests and riverbanks.
Li Yang Mei, small and determined, followed her sister closely, but as the day waned, exhaustion overtook her. She collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Da Jie," she sobbed, her voice breaking, "what if we never find him?"
Unbeknownst to them, Yin Huli watched from a distance, hidden among the trees. His heart ached at the sight of their desperation, but he remained rooted, unable to reveal himself. His hands clenched at his sides as he fought the urge to step forward.
By evening, Li Yunwu returned home with her sister, her eyes red and puffy from crying. The search had consumed her day, leaving her no time to complete her usual chores. Her absence had not gone unnoticed. Their father stood waiting, his face a mask of fury.
"Useless wench!" he bellowed, his voice sharp as a whip. "What were you doing all day?" Before she could answer, he raised his arm, and the leather whip cracked against her shoulder. The pain seared through her, but she bit her lip, refusing to cry out.
"What am I supposed to sell? How will we eat?" he continued, each question punctuated by another brutal lash. "Did you even think about that while wasting your time?"
Li Yunwu stumbled under the force, her knees threatening to buckle, but she stayed silent, her head bowed. Li Yang Mei, unable to bear it any longer, ran into the room, throwing herself at their father. "Papa, stop! Please!" she begged, clutching at the hem of his robes.
He shoved her aside with a forceful kick. "Useless girls," he spat, his eyes blazing with contempt. "Good for nothing but breeding!" His gaze snapped back to Li Yunwu, who stood trembling. Grabbing her by the hair, he dragged her forward. "Have you been sneaking around with a boy? Is that why you're useless?" His voice dripped with venom as he slammed her head against the hard floor.
"No, Papa! I asked Da Jie to play with me!" Li Yang Mei cried, scrambling to her feet and trying to pull her father away.
He turned to her, his face twisted in rage. "And you, covering for her?" He raised his foot, ready to strike, but Li Yunwu shielded her little sister with her body, absorbing the blow herself.
Their father staggered back, coughing violently. His frame trembled with each heave, and his voice cracked as he muttered, "Why have I been cursed with daughters?" He clutched his chest, his anger still simmering, but his strength waning. "You're worthless scum," he growled, spitting in their direction. "Get out of my sight."
The sisters helped each other to their shared room, their steps slow and unsteady. Li Shizi, their other sister, gasped at the sight of Li Yunwu's battered state. "What happened?" she asked, rushing to retrieve medical ointments and a rag. She dabbed at the blood on her sister's face, her hands shaking.
"Yin Huli is gone," Li Yunwu whispered, her voice cracking as tears spilled freely. "I—I spent all day looking for him," she sobbed, burying her face in her hands.
Li Shizi placed a comforting hand on her sister's back. "Da Jie, don't cry," she said softly, her voice heavy with sadness.
"Papa is too harsh on Da Jie," Li Yang Mei sniffled, her face streaked with tears and snot.
"Xiao Mei, you know better than to intervene," Li Shizi scolded gently. "Papa shows no mercy." She turned back to Li Yunwu, her expression resolute. "I'll prepare you a medicinal bath. Just rest, Da Jie."
Li Yunwu curled up on the bed, her body trembling with quiet sobs. The faint scent of herbs soon filled the air, but even the promise of relief could not mend her shattered spirit.
Steam curled and rose from the hot water, filling the small bathhouse with a soothing haze. Li Shizi carefully selected a handful of herbs and oils, their potent scents blending into the humid air, and dropped them into the bath. The water rippled gently as the mixture swirled and infused the air with a faintly medicinal aroma. "Da Jie, the bath is ready," she called out softly, her voice tinged with sadness. She lingered for a moment, her expression heavy as she glanced toward the doorway.
Li Yunwu shuffled into the bathhouse, her movements slow and unsteady. Her body bore the cruel evidence of her father's rage, her back marred by thick, open gashes that burned with every step. She avoided meeting her sister's gaze as she untied her stained clothes, letting them fall to the floor. The cool air against her torn skin sent a shiver up her spine, and she hesitated before dipping a foot into the steaming water.
The heat was immediate, searing, she grimaced as the water stung her wounds. Still, she lowered herself inch by inch, her body sinking into the bath until the warmth began to soothe her aching muscles. Her face tightened in pain, but she closed her eyes, gathering a handful of water to pour over her arms. The droplets slid down her bruised skin, washing away grime but doing little to mend the deeper pain beneath.
Outside, Yin Huli approached the hut silently, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. He stopped short of the door, peering cautiously through a small hole in the wood. His heart sank as he saw Li Yang Mei sobbing uncontrollably on the bed, her small frame trembling. Beside her sat Li Shizi, gently patting her sister's head in an attempt to console her.
"Yin Huli is gone," Li Yang Mei wept, clutching at the blanket with tiny, trembling fingers.
"There, there," Li Shizi said softly, her hand smoothing down her sister's disheveled hair. "You need to be strong for Da Jie. She can't keep looking for him and neglecting her duties—it'll only get her into more trouble with Papa." Her voice was calm but firm, as though she were trying to convince herself as much as her sister.
"But… Yin Huli," Li Yang Mei stuttered, her voice breaking again.
"I'm sure he'll come back," Li Shizi said with a faint smile, her tone steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes.
"You think so?" Li Yang Mei sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"I know so," Li Shizi assured her. "Now clean your face and get ready for bed. Da Jie needs us to be strong for her." She pulled Li Yang Mei into a tight embrace, the smaller girl sighing softly as her cries quieted.
From his hiding place, Yin Huli frowned. Though the sisters' conversation tugged at his heart, it was Li Yunwu he longed to see. His sharp senses caught the faint glow of lamplight spilling from the bathhouse, and the distinctive scent of medicinal herbs reached his nose, mingling with the night air. His tail flicked behind him, swishing lightly as he padded toward the bathhouse, his steps careful and noiseless.
When he reached the window, the rising steam veiled the room like a curtain, but he could still make out the slender silhouette of Li Yunwu. Her back faced him as she sat in the water, her long, damp hair clinging to her bruised shoulders. She cupped water in her hands, raising it to her face and letting it cascade down her cheeks. Her dark olive-green eyes, once vibrant and full of life, were now heavy with exhaustion. She stared into the water, her gaze distant, as though searching for answers in its rippling surface.
Yin Huli's tail flicked again, this time knocking over a small stack of tools leaning against the bathhouse wall. The sudden clatter broke the stillness, and Li Yunwu's head snapped up.
"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice sharp but trembling ever so slightly. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the window, her body tensing beneath the water.
Yin Huli ducked low, his heart racing as he pressed himself against the wall. He held his breath, willing himself to be invisible. Inside, Li Yunwu's suspicion flared. "That Yu Choy," she muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with disdain. "He thinks he can be sneaky."
Sinking low into the water, she moved like a predator stalking its prey, her eyes fixated on the window. Her muttered complaints bubbled beneath the water as she plotted how to catch the intruder. But after a few moments, her shoulders relaxed, and she sighed in resignation. Deciding it wasn't worth her energy, she soaked a rag in the water and continued her bath, her movements slow and deliberate.
As she began to hum a quiet, melancholic tune, her voice echoed softly against the wooden walls of the bathhouse. Yin Huli, still crouched outside, felt his chest tighten at the sound.
He perked his ears at the soft melody of her voice, the sound tugging at his heart like a distant memory. Unable to resist, he made a second attempt to peer through the window, his golden eyes narrowing as he took in every detail of her figure. The steam framed her like a dream, and he followed her every movement, careful not to miss a single detail. Just as she tilted her head back to pour water over her shoulders, her lithe arms raised the bucket, her skin glowing under the lamplight.
But before he could admire further, the bucket came flying straight at his face with unerring precision. The impact was loud and sudden, leaving him momentarily dazed. "Ah ha!" Li Yunwu screamed, her voice filled with righteous fury. She burst out of the bathhouse, soaking wet, her hair dripping as water cascaded down her body. The bucket, now perched awkwardly on Yin Huli's head, jostled with each of his startled movements.
"I caught you now, you pervert!" she shouted, grabbing a nearby broom. Without hesitation, she swung it down with ferocity, striking the bucket on his head repeatedly. "You think you can spy on me, you creep?"
"Yunwu, stop!" Yin Huli exclaimed, his voice urgent as he raised his hands to defend himself. He gripped the broom mid-swing, stopping her next blow. "It's me!" With a quick tug, he pulled the bucket off his head, revealing his face beneath.
Li Yunwu froze, her grip on the broom slackening as her eyes widened. Standing before her was a man unlike any she'd ever seen. His snow-white hair, fell like silk down to his waist, framing a face so striking it seemed almost otherworldly. His dark robes, embroidered with faint silver patterns, clung to his tall frame, accentuating his pale, flawless skin. But it was his eyes that caught her breath—their amber color glowed faintly, like smoldering embers tinged with fire.
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "How… how do you know my name?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she stared at him. But before he could answer, instinct kicked in, and she swung the broom again, striking him squarely on the head.
"Ow!" Yin Huli flinched, his fox ears twitching in irritation at the sudden assault. Perched atop his head, the triangular ears twitched furiously, the fluffy white fur betraying his growing exasperation.
"Enough!" he growled, grabbing the broom again to stop her mid-swing. His fiery amber eyes locked onto hers, their intensity sending a jolt through her. "Yunwu, it's me—Yin Huli."
Her eyes narrowed in disbelief as she gritted her teeth, refusing to release the broom. "Hmph!" she scoffed, tugging at it to free it from his grip. "Don't be ridiculous! Yin Huli is a cute little fox with arctic white fur and a thick, fluffy tail."
Her words stung, but Yin Huli let out a resigned sigh. He tightened his grip on the broom and gave it a sharp tug, pulling it toward him. The sudden force sent Li Yunwu stumbling forward, her body colliding with his chest. She gasped as his arms instinctively steadied her, her hands landing on the soft fabric of his robes.
"It's really me, Yunwu," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. His amber eyes searched hers, his expression earnest. "Don't you believe me?"
"I don't know any man named Yin Huli. Hmph." Li Yunwu turned her head sharply, her damp hair swaying with the motion. Her murky jade-green eyes narrowed in disdain before she shut them with a huff, clearly done with whatever charade she thought this man was playing.
Yin Huli exhaled, a long, weary breath that carried a hint of frustration. "You're really going to make this difficult, aren't you?" he muttered to himself. He straightened, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. "Fine," he said with a casual air, though his amber eyes glimmered with determination. "Let's see if this jogs your memory."
He began twirling a strand of his silver hair between his fingers, his fox ears flicking slightly as he spoke. "You have two younger sisters—Li Shizi and Li Yang Mei. Your father is a sickly old man with a temper like a storm cloud, never happy with anything you do, and frankly, an asshole. And your mother? She works tirelessly at a wealthy estate, barely coming home." He arched an eyebrow, his sharp gaze cutting through the steam that lingered between them. "Isn't that proof enough?"
Li Yunwu's eyes flew open, her brows furrowing as she studied him. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, her lips parting slightly as if the pieces of a puzzle were falling into place. She raised a trembling finger, pointing it at him. "You—you are…" she stammered, her voice caught between disbelief and something else.
A small, satisfied smile played on Yin Huli's lips. Finally, he thought, expecting her to come to the realization that he was her little fox companion. But then, her expression twisted into shock and horror.
"You're a stalker!" she gasped, crawling back with wide eyes. "You've been stalking me and my family!"
The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a look of utter exasperation. He dragged a hand down his face, pinching the bridge of his nose as if to hold back a scream. "How dense can you possibly be?" he muttered under his breath, the words half-growled. He dropped his hand and leveled his glowing amber eyes at her, his fox ears twitching irritably. "It's really me. Who else would have fox ears and a tail?" He gestured sharply to the swishing white tail behind him, its soft fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight.
Li Yunwu froze, her eyes darting up to the twitching ears perched on his head and then to the thick tail sweeping the air behind him. The realization seemed to hit her like a thunderclap. Her lips parted, but instead of words, a scream erupted from her throat. "Ahhh!"
Yin Huli winced at the sound, his sensitive ears flicking back. "What now?" he groaned, already dreading her next words.
"You—you're…" Her voice trembled as she crawled back, her legs shaking. Her terrified gaze locked onto his ears, then his tail, as if finally registering the full extent of what she was seeing. "You're a demon!" she yelled, pointing at him like he was some monstrous apparition that had crawled out of the shadows.
"Well… that is true," he admitted with a resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. He avoided her accusing gaze for a moment, glancing down at the ground. "But not the eating-humans kind," he mumbled, though she didn't seem to hear him over her panicked thoughts.
"Please don't eat me!" she stammered, her voice breaking with desperation. She clasped her hands together as though pleading for her life. "I—I don't taste good! Really, I don't!"
Yin Huli smiled, his lips curling slightly as he licked them, his piercing amber eyes locked onto Li Yunwu. Yet she remained frozen in place, trembling and crawling backward, her body stiff with fear. Her eyes darted over his features, wide and unblinking, tears welling at the corners.
"You really don't believe me?" His voice softened, tinged with frustration, though his fiery gaze didn't falter. "Who else but Yin Huli would have this scar?" Slowly, he raised his hand, brushing back the long strands of silver hair that framed his face. Beneath the curtain of his hair, he revealed a faint scar above his brow, a mark she instantly recognized.
In his fox form, that scar had always been visible—a bare spot in his otherwise pristine snowy fur, a wound she had tirelessly treated with ointments and care. No matter how hard she had tried, no fur would grow back, leaving him with a mark that followed him now, even in his human form.
Li Yunwu's trembling gaze flickered between the scar and his familiar amber eyes. Tears began to spill as her lip quivered. "Is it… is it really you?" she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
A tender smile softened his sharp features. "Yeah, it's me," he replied, his tone warm and reassuring.
Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms, her tears flowing freely now. "I—I looked everywhere for you!" she cried, her voice muffled against his chest. His hands instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her close, but she flinched at the pressure. The fresh welts from her father's lashings burned at the slightest touch, and she winced.
Yin Huli stiffened, his brows knitting together as his fingers brushed against her torn and tender back. "This—" he began, his voice shaking with anger as his jaw clenched. His eyes burned with a fiery rage, but Li Yunwu gently placed her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him.
"It's okay," she whispered softly, her voice trembling but firm. "I neglected my duties. I deserved it."
"No." His voice was low, a rumble of barely contained fury. "This is not okay." His fists tightened as his gaze darkened. He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm as he pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting hers. "It's my fault for leaving you. Can Yunwu forgive this one?" His tone softened, his arms shifting to hold her more delicately, like she might shatter if he squeezed too hard.
Her heart ached at the remorse in his voice. She leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Yes," she said softly.
For a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the soft swishing of his fluffy tail behind him. She leaned back slightly, her brows knitting in confusion as her eyes darted to the twitching fox ears atop his head. "Are they… real?" she asked, her curiosity overriding her fear.
Yin Huli's amber eyes gleamed with amusement as her hand hesitantly reached toward his ears. She touched them, her fingers brushing against the thick, velvety fur as his face sunk deep in her chest. His tail wagged with excitement as her touch lingered. Meanwhile, his eyes—not so discreetly—wandered lower, settling on her breast. His ears twitched with delight.
"They're very real," he murmured with a sly smile, his tongue darting out to lick his lips as his gaze devoured her.
Realizing his gaze, Li Yunwu's face burned bright red. She crossed her arms tightly over her bare chest, her fingers trembling with embarrassment. "But… if you're really Yin Huli, then how—how do you look like this?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Well," he began, still grinning, "when demons are severely ill or injured, they revert to their original form from infancy. What you saw before—that was me in my fox form." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But this… this is my true human form."
His warm breath tickled her ear, and she suddenly felt something firm pressing against her thigh. Her eyes widened in alarm, her face growing impossibly hotter. "H-Human!" she stuttered, shoving him away as panic consumed her. "You have a human—" Her voice faltered, her words trailing off as her gaze darted downward, connecting the dots.
Yin Huli couldn't suppress the chuckle that bubbled from his throat. Covering his mouth with one hand, he smiled mischievously. "Yes, I have a human…" He leaned in closer, his lips brushing her ear. "Would you like to see it?"
Her face flushed crimson as she remembered that she was completely naked and proceeded to cover up her breast.
He frowned, his tail swishing gently behind him. "It's not like I haven't seen them before," he said.
"Yes, but—" she stammered, her face flushing. "You were just a cute little fox back then, and now you're… you're a man!"
She cupped her breasts tightly shielding them from his preying eyes. His thick, fluffy tail brushed against her face, trailing down her neck and softly caressing her bare chest before reaching her stomach, its touch light and ticklish. She let out a soft laugh, releasing her arms from her breast as she squirmed under the playful sensation. Her laughter faded as her gaze fixed on the tail.
His amber eyes flicking to her back, the sight of her torn skin, marred with red welts and bruises, made his chest tighten with anger. "Hey," he called softly, extending a hand toward her. "Come here."
She shook her head shyly, refusing to turn around. His patience wore thin. With a sigh, he brushed his silver hair back, his eyes narrowing as he approached her. Leaning just behind her, he came in close, his breath hot against her neck.
"This might sting a little," he murmured.
Before she could protest, a soft blue flame ignited in his palm. Her eyes widened in panic as she twisted to see what he was doing, but it was too late. He gently pressed the flame to her back. The warmth spread over her skin, soothing rather than burning, as the welts and bruises began to fade.
"It's… healed," she whispered in disbelief, her hands patting her back where the pain had been moments ago.
"Of course," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips as he pulled her into a gentle embrace. His white lashes brushed his cheeks as he closed his eyes, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.
"Da Jie?"
A small voice echoed through the bathhouse, shattering the intimate moment. Li Yang Mei stood at the doorway, her curious eyes scanning the room.
Leaning in close to Li Yunwu, he whispered into her ear, his voice low and firm. "Don't search for me tomorrow. I'll come to you." He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before retreating into the shadows, vanishing into the night.
Blah Blah Blah:
I have a type. Stupid is my type.