Li Yunwu stepped quietly into the bathhouse, the soft patter of her feet barely audible over the gentle bubbling of the water. Pushing aside the curtain door, a wave of steam greeted her, curling around her like a warm embrace. Her gaze fell instantly on Yin Huli, who sat perched on a wooden stool near the edge of the bath. His foxlike ears twitched with excitement, giving him away before the sly grin even stretched across his face.
"Yin Huli!" she stammered, her voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and exasperation. Clutching the towel tightly around her body, her brows furrowed in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
He tilted his head, his tail flicking lazily behind him as he chuckled. "Let's bathe," he replied, his voice teasing and smooth, the sly smile deepening.
"Eh? Are you crazy?" she exclaimed, instinctively taking a step back. The woven floor creaked underfoot as her fingers tightened their grip on the towel.
Yin Huli's ears drooped slightly, and his lips curled into a petulant pout. "We used to bathe together all the time," he whined, his golden eyes gleaming as they met hers. "You never had a problem back then."
She stiffened at his words, her back brushing against the warm, damp wall of the bathhouse. Steam swirled around them, filling the air with the scent of mineral water. "That was when you were just a little fox!" she chided, her voice rising in disbelief. "You're… you're a man now! I can't bathe with you!"
His cheeks puffed out in mock frustration, and his brows knit together. "Does Yunwu not like this form?" he asked softly, his tone filled with mock innocence. He trailed his fingers lazily through the surface of the water, watching the ripples spread.
Li Yunwu's shoulders slumped as she sighed, her gaze faltering. "I do, but—" she began, struggling to find the right words.
Yin Huli tilted his head, his ears perking up slightly as an idea seemed to dawn on him. "Would Yunwu feel more comfortable if I changed into a woman?" he asked with a playful lilt, leaning forward to let the rising steam caress his skin. Droplets of moisture clung to his hair, making it glisten in the dim, hazy light.
"That's not the problem," Li Yunwu started, but her protest was cut short as he stood abruptly, brushing off her hesitation with a satisfied hum. "That settles it," he said, reaching for the tie of his robe.
Her heart leaped in her chest as he began to shrug the robe off his shoulders, letting it pool at his feet. "Yin Huli!" she shrieked, spinning around and covering her face with both hands. Her cheeks burned hotter than the steaming bath.
The sound of water splashing reached her ears as he submerged himself, sighing deeply in contentment. "The water's perfect," he murmured, leaning against the edge of the bath with a serene smile. Droplets trailed down the sharp contours of his face, catching the golden light of the lanterns. "It'll get cold if you don't hurry."
Li Yunwu peeked over her shoulder hesitantly, her heart hammering against her ribs. She saw him lounging in the water, his face tinged with a soft peach hue from the heat. Slowly, she inched toward the edge of the bath, her bare feet pressing against the warm, wet floor.
His brows furrowed as his gaze flickered to the towel she still clutched tightly around her frame. "You're going to soak your towel," he pointed out with a sulky expression, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
She stiffened and shook her head, gripping the towel tighter. He sighed in surrender, closing his eyes and turning away. "Fine," he muttered, resting his chin on the edge of the bath.
Taking a deep breath, she finally released the towel and slipped into the water. A loud splash echoed through the bathhouse as she sank beneath the surface, the warmth enveloping her like a second skin.
Yin Huli turned to look at her, water dripping from his lashes as a mischievous grin tugged at his lips. Li Yunwu's face turned a deep plum, and she plunged herself further into the water, her gaze darting away to avoid his. The sound of his low chuckle echoed in her ears, setting her heart racing once again.
He noticed the nervous tremor in her face and the stiffness in her posture. Breaking the tension with a casual tone, Yin Huli asked, "So, was the old man pleased?" His amber eyes flicked toward her, carefully gauging her reaction as if tossing her a line to distract her.
Li Yunwu's face brightened instantly, and for a moment, she forgot the intimate circumstances of their shared bath. "Papa was most pleased!" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. She clasped her hands together, her smile radiant, though it quickly faded into a worried frown. "But… Yu Choy ratted me out. He told him about our confrontation—and about you," she added, her voice trembling with unease. Her round, jade-like eyes glimmered with apprehension as she glanced at him.
Yin Huli scoffed, the sound low and dismissive as he shifted closer to her, though she seemed oblivious to his subtle advance. "Let him gossip," he said, his tone laced with indifference. "He's lucky Yunwu showed him mercy."
Li Yunwu's lips curved into a soft smile, and she instinctively reached out, placing her delicate hands on his head. Her fingers gently massaged his velvety fox ears, drawing a low, satisfied rumble from him. "I'm used to dealing with Yu Choy," she said, exhaling deeply. "He's always bullied me, even when we were kids." Her fingers stilled as she continued, her voice growing distant. "When my father was healthy, he and Yu Choy's father used to venture deep into the forest together. Papa would gather rare herbs, while Yu Choy's father hunted small game or fished by the riverbank. They looked out for each other."
Her gaze dropped, and her hands fell to her side. "But Yu Choy… he's nothing like his father. He seldom fishes anymore—he's too afraid of the beasts lurking in the forest. Besides, he's too busy getting drunk." She leaned back into the bath, tilting her head and letting her damp hair brush the edge. "Still, I don't understand why he despises me so much," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the gentle rippling of the water. Her eyes wandered toward the window, where faint moonlight pierced the rising steam.
Yin Huli rolled his eyes, sinking deeper into the water with a bitter huff. "I know why," he said, blowing bubbles under the surface before emerging with a glare.
"You do?" Li Yunwu asked, startled. Her gaze snapped back to him, her face alight with curiosity.
He swam closer to her, his movements fluid and deliberate, as though the water bent to his will. His fox-like ears twitched as he leaned in, his voice low and bitter. "He likes you."
Li Yunwu blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly. "Really? You think so?" Her tone was far too nonchalant for Yin Huli's liking, and his jaw tightened. He moved abruptly, grabbing the edges of the wooden tub as he leaned closer, his tail swishing in irritation and splashing water onto the floor.
"What… do you like him?" he asked, his voice sharp with an undercurrent of jealousy. His fiery amber eyes burned into hers, unblinking and intense.
"Eh? No! No, not at all—it's just that—" she stammered, her words faltering as her shoulders trembled. She sank deeper into the water, her cheeks flushing a deep red. "No one has ever liked me before, so—"
Before she could finish, Yin Huli interrupted her, his voice dropping to a tender murmur. "I like you. I really like you." His gaze softened as he leaned closer, his face inches from hers. The warmth of his breath brushed against her skin. "Do you like me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Li Yunwu's heart thundered in her chest, her mind scrambling for words that refused to come. Her lips parted, but no sound escaped. Yin Huli leaned in, his golden eyes locked onto hers, closing the distance as his intention became clear.
"Da Jie?" a young voice called, shattering the tension like glass.
Li Yunwu froze in place, her eyes widening in panic. It was Li Shizi, her younger sister, calling from just outside the bathhouse. "Da Jie, are you in there?"
Terrified at the prospect of being discovered bathing with a man, Li Yunwu acted on instinct. She pressed her hand firmly against Yin Huli's head, shoving him underwater with a loud splash. His muffled protest bubbled beneath the surface as she hissed, "Stay down!"
"Da Jie?" Li Shizi's voice grew closer, her footsteps echoing on the woven floor as she entered the bathhouse.
"Da Jie, you've been in the bath for so long, I thought you might turn into a fish!" Li Shizi teased, her light chuckle echoing through the bathhouse. Li Yunwu's heart raced as she held Yin Huli down beneath the water, her foot pressing firmly against him. A few bubbles rose to the surface, betraying his struggle.
"Is the water boiling?" Li Shizi asked curiously, her soft footsteps drawing closer to the tub. She tilted her head, peering at the water with innocent curiosity.
"Eh? No! It's just a new herb that… um… produces bubbles! Ha-ha," Li Yunwu stammered, her voice unnaturally high as she forced a nervous laugh. Beads of sweat mingled with the steam on her forehead as her grip on composure wavered.
Li Shizi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, I'll leave you to it then." She turned to leave, but Li Yunwu scrambled to pull herself out of the water. Her movements were frantic but deliberate, her feet still keeping Yin Huli firmly submerged.
"Don't wait for me!" she called after her sister, forcing a strained smile. "I'll just use this lantern to find my way back later."
"Very well," Li Shizi said, her footsteps retreating, brushing the soft curtain behind her.
The moment she was certain her sister had left, Li Yunwu exhaled deeply, wiping her forehead with a shaky hand. She stepped out of the bath, her body still slick from the water, but before she could take a second breath, Yin Huli burst from the surface with a loud gasp.
Coughing and spluttering, he shook his head furiously, sending droplets flying everywhere. His velvety ears were flattened against his head, now completely soaked, and his golden eyes glared at her accusingly. "You tried to drown me!" he rasped, his voice half-whine, half-laugh as he flicked his tail, sending more water splashing around.
"I wouldn't have had to if you weren't so—" Li Yunwu started to retort but was interrupted as Yin Huli reached out and grabbed her wrist. His touch was firm but gentle, and the playful indignation in his eyes softened into something far more tender.
"Hey," he said softly, his voice low and earnest. His gaze locked onto hers, molten amber and unwavering. "Can you answer me now? Do you… like me?" His tail flicked behind him, sending small ripples through the water as it curled slightly upward in anticipation.
Li Yunwu froze, her chest tightening. The green in her eyes, muddled with flecks of warm brown, seemed to shimmer in the lantern light. She stared at him for a moment, her heart pounding in her ears, before lifting her hands to cup his damp face. His skin was warm beneath her palms, the lingering heat from the bath making her fingertips tingle.
"I love you," she whispered, the words tumbling from her lips in a rush of courage. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss against his lips.
Yin Huli's eyes widened in surprise, but the shock melted into a blissful daze as the kiss ended. Before he could react, Li Yunwu pulled away, her heart racing like a wild drumbeat. Without another word, she turned and hurried away, her hand pressed against her lips, her breath shaky as if she had just run a mile. In her flustered state, she completely forgot to take the lantern with her, tripping once in the darkness as she vanished into the shadows of the night.
Left alone in the bathhouse, Yin Huli's ears perked up, standing tall for the first time since he'd been dunked underwater. His tail wagged vigorously, splashing water onto the edges of the tub as his grin stretched wide across his face. He licked his lips over and over, savoring the fleeting taste of her, and chuckled softly to himself.
Li Yunwu slipped into her small, worn bed, clutching her chest as her heart raced uncontrollably. Her mind swirled with the confession she had made to Yin Huli, the words replaying like a melody she couldn't forget. Her cheeks still burned, and her lips tingled from the brief kiss she had dared to steal. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to calm down. Slowly, the rhythm of her breathing evened out as she surrendered to the quiet embrace of sleep.
Outside the modest shack, Yin Huli lingered in the shadows, the soft glow of the moonlight catching the silvery sheen of his hair. His fox-like amber eyes gleamed with a mixture of affection and longing. He moved with deliberate silence, each step cautious and calculated as he made his way inside. His presence was almost ghostly, and the faint creak of the woven floor was barely louder than the soft rustle of the night wind.
Standing over Li Yunwu, his gaze softened as he watched her sleep. Her expression was peaceful, her lips slightly parted as if caught mid-dream. Her cheeks still carried a faint flush from the events of the evening, a hue that made her all the more radiant under the dim light. Yin Huli knelt beside her, his clawed fingers trembling slightly as he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. His touch lingered, his fingertips grazing her warm, rosy cheeks.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice barely audible, a confession meant only for her unconscious ears. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her temple, his lips grazing her skin with featherlight care. He hesitated, savoring the closeness before trailing kisses along her brow, down the bridge of her nose, and finally to the curve of her neck. Each kiss grew more fervent, his breath becoming uneven as he panted softly, overcome by the intensity of his emotions.
The subtle sounds of his affection stirred Li Shizi awake. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light, as she caught sight of something unusual—a large, fluffy tail, perked up and swishing gently at the foot of her sister's bed. Her breath hitched, and she stifled a gasp.
Yin Huli's ears twitched at the faint sound, and his head snapped toward her direction. His sharp amber eyes scanned the room, but Li Shizi had already shut her eyes tightly, feigning sleep. He hesitated, studying her for a long moment before letting out a soft sigh.
Turning his attention back to Li Yunwu, Yin Huli leaned in for one last kiss. His lips brushed hers delicately, lingering as if committing the sensation to memory. A small, contented smile curved his lips as he straightened, his movements slow and deliberate.
Li Shizi cracked an eye open, curiosity overcoming her nerves. Her breath caught again when she saw him fully—a man with flowing silver hair and fox ears, his expression tender and filled with warmth as he gazed at her sister. He was otherworldly, beautiful in a way that didn't belong in their simple world.
She watched as Yin Huli stood, his tail swaying softly behind him. Without a sound, he slipped into the shadows and disappeared into the night. Only when she was sure he was gone did Li Shizi exhale, her breath shaky and uneven. She turned her gaze to her sister, who remained blissfully unaware, her face serene in sleep.
Days passed, and Li Yunwu carefully kept Yin Huli's true identity a secret. Every morning, she slipped away to meet him in the meadow, her heart leaping at the sight of him. Without hesitation, she would plunge into his waiting arms, their laughter carrying across the dense forest. Hidden beneath the canopy of ancient trees, they found their sanctuary in each other, far from prying eyes.
Yu Choy, suspicious of her prolonged absences, routinely scoured the meadow in search of her, but his efforts were futile. He was far too cowardly to venture into the shadowy depths of the forest, where Li Yunwu often rested against Yin Huli's chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her.
As twilight fell, it had become their habit to bathe together in the bathhouse. Though their closeness was undeniable, Yin Huli was always careful never to overstep his boundaries, his respect for her unwavering. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the water as they climbed out, droplets clinging to their skin. Yin Huli shook himself like a fox, his fluffy tail scattering droplets everywhere, making Li Yunwu laugh softly.
As he began patting himself dry and slipping into his trousers, she approached with a towel in hand. Standing on her toes, she draped it over his head, gently drying his velvety fox ears with slow, deliberate strokes. His ears twitched beneath her touch, but he remained still, closing his eyes to savor the moment.
"Yin Huli," she murmured softly, her voice hesitant. She paused mid-motion, the towel still against his ears, and her gaze darted toward the lantern resting nearby. "I need to tell you something. I'm going to be gone for a few days."
His ears immediately flattened, and his amber eyes snapped open. "Gone? Why? Where are you going?" His voice carried a hint of anger, though it was underscored by worry. His brows furrowed as he searched her face, his gaze piercing.
"The Young Lord of the Bao estate is celebrating his twentieth birthday," she explained with a sigh, her voice tinged with regret. "Mama says they need all the help they can get, so I'll be going to assist as reinforcement."
She resumed patting his head with the towel, avoiding his eyes. His hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer as his grip tightened protectively. "How long will you be gone?" he asked, his voice low and filled with longing.
"Ten days," she replied softly, her gaze lowering to the ground.
"Ten days?" he repeated, his voice sharpening with disbelief. "That's too long." His ears pinned back further as his amber eyes narrowed in determination. "I'll come with you."
Her head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. "Yin Huli, you can't—" she started to protest, but before she could finish, his hand gently cupped her chin.
He tilted her face up to meet his, the fire in his gaze softening as his thumb grazed her cheek. Then, without another word, he leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.