As they clung to each other, lips locked in an intimate embrace, the sound of a metallic clang shattered their moment. Startled, they turned toward the door, where Li Shizi stood frozen in the doorway, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. She had walked in on the sight of her sister, Li Yunwu, passionately kissing none other than the fox demon, Yin Huli.
"Er Jie," Li Yunwu gasped, abruptly pulling away from Yin Huli. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she stammered, "Let me explain—"
But Li Shizi cut her off with a sharp, commanding tone. "Yin Huli," she said, her voice laced with an almost chilling authority.
Li Yunwu's eyes widened, her face a canvas of confusion. "How—how did you know?" she stuttered, barely finding the words as her mind raced.
Li Shizi sighed, exasperation written all over her face as she placed her hands on her hips. "Da Jie, you can't seriously be asking me that question. Who else but Yin Huli would have a snow-white, thick, fluffy tail and a pair of unmistakable fox ears?"
At this, Yin Huli's golden eyes brightened with amusement. A playful grin stretched across his lips as his tail flicked behind him, its snowy fur shimmering faintly in the light. His velvety fox ears twitched lazily, betraying his calm demeanor. "Your sister is perceptive," he said with a chuckle, leaning down to plant a quick, mischievous kiss on Li Yunwu's cheek. His arm remained firmly wrapped around her waist, protective yet teasing, as if challenging anyone to separate them.
Before Li Yunwu could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. A moment later, Li Yang Mei burst through the doorway, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. Her wide eyes locked onto Yin Huli, and her face lit up with a mix of disbelief and overwhelming emotion.
"Yin Huli!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks. Without hesitation, she ran toward him, throwing her small arms around his leg as if she might never let go. "You came back. You really came back."
Yin Huli's expression softened, and with one hand, he reached down to gently pat her head. His touch was tender, almost fatherly, as he looked down at the little girl clinging to him.
Li Yunwu stood there, her face frozen in a mixture of shock and confusion. "Xiao Mei, how did you—"
"Only Yin Huli's tail could be this soft and fluffy!" Li Yang Mei sobbed, clutching the luxurious tail that had tenderly wrapped itself around her. She buried her face into its silky fur, finding comfort in its warmth.
Yin Huli chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned to meet Li Yunwu's stunned gaze. "Your sisters are sharp," he remarked, his tone light and teasing.
Li Yunwu, however, remained utterly dumbfounded, her mind reeling. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. Yin Huli smiled, his tail swaying gently behind him as if to emphasize the obvious. Her cluelessness, so endearing to him, stood in stark contrast to her sisters' quick wit.
"But how—" Li Yunwu's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind struggling to connect the pieces of the puzzle laid before her. Before she could finish her thought, her sister, Li Shizi, cut her off sharply.
"Da Jie, you surely can't be that dense," she said, her tone a mix of frustration and disbelief.
Yin Huli's fox ears twitched, his golden eyes flicking toward Li Yunwu, who was still cradled in his arms. His lips curved into a wry smile as a thought crossed his mind: Oh, she's really that dense, alright.
"I've always known Yin Huli was a fox demon," Li Shizi stated bluntly, her stern gaze never leaving her sister.
"Really?" Li Yunwu asked, her voice tinged with amazement. She blinked in astonishment, still trying to comprehend how her sister had figured it out so quickly.
Li Shizi folded her arms, her eyes narrowing as she began her explanation. "As a little fox, he was… too human. Always sneaking into your baths, digging into your robes—his behavior was far too clever, too calculated. Everything he did reeked of human-like mischief."
Li Shizi's gaze shifted to Yin Huli, her eyes narrowing further, sharp as a blade. "And then there were the nights," she continued. "I caught him sneaking around after dark more than once. He never did anything worse than kiss you, so I kept my silence. I never told Mama or Papa."
"Please don't," Li Yunwu interjected quickly, her voice trembling with worry. Her eyes glistened with unease as she clutched onto Yin Huli's arm, as though fearing her sister's next words might shatter everything.
"I won't," Li Shizi replied, though her tone was far from reassuring. "But, Da Jie, he's a demon," she added, her voice firm with conviction.
"But Yin Huli is a good demon!" Li Yang Mei piped up suddenly, her small voice breaking through the tension. Her tear-streaked face turned upward as she clung tightly to Yin Huli's tail, which had curled protectively around her.
Li Shizi glanced at her youngest sister, her expression softening for a brief moment. "That may be so," she admitted, "but humans and demons aren't meant to mingle. You know the rules, Da Jie." Her sharp gaze returned to Li Yunwu. "That old woman who's always hanging around you—it's him, isn't it?" she asked, one brow arching in a knowing manner.
"Eh? How did—" Li Yunwu stammered, completely caught off guard.
"Da Jie," Li Shizi interrupted, her tone both scolding and exasperated. "Mama has always said that demons are crafty, that they'll do anything to ensnare their prey. How could you not see it?"
Li Shizi's sharp reprimand hung in the air, but her stern expression softened as she studied her sister's trembling form.
"Yunwu is no prey," Yin Huli snapped, his tail striking the ground with a resounding thud. His face was tense, visibly upset, as his golden eyes trembled with emotion. "I don't see her as prey. Please don't make assumptions about how I feel without understanding the depth of my love for her." His gaze burned into Li Shizi, daring her to challenge him further.
"Yin Huli," Li Yunwu murmured softly, her voice trembling as she looked at him, her heart aching at the intensity of his emotions.
Li Shizi exhaled deeply, her stern features softening just slightly. "I'm not opposed," she admitted after a pause, her voice steady but tinged with concern. "I'm just worried for Da Jie. This is not an easy path."
"Please, no more fighting!" Li Yang Mei cried, her small voice breaking through the tension. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she brought her hands up to cover her face, her tiny shoulders shaking with sobs.
Li Yunwu crouched down and pulled her little sister into a warm embrace, holding her tightly. "It's okay, Xiao Mei," she whispered soothingly, stroking her hair as the young girl's sobs quieted.
Li Shizi sighed, crossing her arms and glancing toward the door. "Get dressed," she said after a long moment, her voice carrying a touch of exasperation. "There's hot soup waiting. I made enough for all of us." Her gaze flicked to Yin Huli, who still wore a deep frown as he watched her.
Li Yang Mei's face brightened instantly at the mention of food. Sniffling, she wiped her tears away and reached out to grab both Yin Huli's and Li Yunwu's hands. "Come on!" she urged, tugging them toward their hut with renewed energy.
Yin Huli chuckled softly, patting her head with his tail as they walked. He leaned down to whisper into Li Yunwu's ear, his warm breath tickling her skin. "I wouldn't mind having a little one like this," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. Her face flushed a bright red, as she glanced away, flustered by his words.
As they sat around the small wooden table, the fragrant steam of hot soup wafted through the room. Li Yang Mei eagerly clutched her bowl in her small hands, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she took a quick sip. "Yin Huli," she asked between slurps, "are you going to stay with us forever?"
Yin Huli smiled tenderly at her, his golden eyes softening. "I intend to marry your sister," he said matter-of-factly, reaching out to ruffle her hair with his tail.
The room fell silent. Li Shizi gasped, her chopsticks pausing mid-air as she turned a sharp glare toward Li Yunwu. "Da Jie…" she began hesitantly, her tone heavy with warning.
Before she could continue, Yin Huli cut her off, his tone calm but resolute. "A thousand years ago, a bandit hid a great treasure deep within the mountains," he said, shifting his gaze to Li Yunwu, who was quietly holding her empty bowl. "While you're away, I'll retrieve it and offer it to your father as a dowry."
Li Yunwu blinked, her surprise evident. "But how do you know where it's hidden?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I was the bandit," he said nonchalantly, sipping the last of his soup. "I know exactly where it is."
"You were…" Li Yunwu's voice trailed off, struggling to process the weight of his words. It dawned on her then, perhaps for the first time, that Yin Huli was far older than she had ever imagined.
"Da Jie," Li Shizi interjected, her tone growing more serious. "Demons and humans have different life spans. Are you truly prepared for what this means? Papa might be swayed by the treasure, but Mama…" Her voice faltered, her worry clear in the furrow of her brows.
"I love Yin Huli," Li Yunwu said firmly, clutching her chest as her eyes glimmered with determination.
"But, Da Jie," Li Shizi countered, her voice rising slightly, "when you grow old, he'll remain the same. You'll age while he…"
"I don't plan on parting with Yunwu, even in old age," Yin Huli interrupted, his tone unwavering as he wrapped his arm protectively around Li Yunwu's waist.
Li Shizi's eyes darted between her sister and the fox demon, frustration evident. "But demons are immortal," she argued. "They don't die of natural causes. What happens then?"
Yin Huli's expression softened as he gazed into Li Yunwu's eyes—golden with flecks of emerald that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight. "The day there is no Yunwu," he said quietly but with absolute conviction, "I will cease to exist."
Silence filled the room, heavy and profound. Li Shizi lowered her head, her eyes falling to the woven floor. "So you really are taking her away from us," she said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"Da Jie and Yin Huli are leaving?" Li Yang Mei's worried voice broke through the quiet, her wide, tearful eyes pleading with them. "Please don't leave!" she begged, clutching at their hands as her lips quivered.
"Umm…" Li Yunwu stammered nervously, her voice shaky as she tried to console her sisters. She glanced between them, her heart heavy with the emotions swirling in the room.
"You make it sound like I'm kidnapping her," Yin Huli sighed, running a hand through his long, silver hair, the strands catching the dim candlelight like threads of moonlight. His golden eyes softened as he looked at the sisters, particularly at Li Shizi, whose face had turned sullen. "My dwelling is not far from here. With the treasures, your father can hire someone to tend to the herb gathering, and your mother won't have to overwork herself at the estate." His voice was calm, measured, as if he were presenting a carefully thought-out plan, yet there was an unmistakable undercurrent of earnestness.
Li Shizi turned toward her older sister, her lips quivering as she fought back tears. "Da Jie, you promise to visit?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes shimmering with unspoken fears.
"Of course," Li Yunwu responded warmly, pulling her sister into a tender embrace. "You'll always be my family."
Li Yang Mei, unable to resist, darted forward and nuzzled herself between her two sisters, wrapping her small arms around them both. "Don't leave forever, Da Jie," she murmured, her voice muffled against their robes.
The sisters held each other tightly, their bond evident in the quiet of the night. Yin Huli stood nearby, watching with a faint smile tugging at his lips, his tail swishing softly behind him.
As the night deepened and preparations for bed began, Li Shizi pointed toward a simple mat in the corner of the room. "Unmarried women must not mingle with men at night," she declared, her tone authoritative despite her young age. At thirteen, she carried herself with a maturity far beyond her years, her protectiveness over her sisters always at the forefront of her actions.
Her sharp gaze locked on Yin Huli as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "You may have Da Jie's approval, but that doesn't mean you can share her bed. It's improper."
Yin Huli met her glare with a scoff, turning his head dismissively. Without a word, he strode over to Li Yunwu's bed and settled down in the exact spot he used to curl up in his fox form. His actions were deliberate, almost defiant, as if daring Li Shizi to argue further.
Li Yang Mei, who had been watching quietly, wasted no time. She trotted over to Yin Huli's side and burrowed herself behind his thick, fluffy tail, giggling softly as the soft fur enveloped her. Though Yin Huli let out a faint, exasperated sigh, he allowed her to nestle close, gently wrapping his tail around her like a protective cocoon.
Li Yunwu climbed into bed beside them, her movements graceful and calm, as though the unusual arrangement were the most natural thing in the world. Yin Huli's arm found its way around her waist, pulling her close, while his head rested comfortably against her chest. She ran her fingers through his velvety fox ears, soothing him with slow, rhythmic strokes.
"Yin Huli is truly shameless," Li Shizi muttered, her brows furrowed as she glared at him. Her narrowed eyes burned with disapproval, though her pout gave away her begrudging acceptance of the situation.
"Er Jie, you needn't worry," Li Yunwu murmured sleepily, her voice soft and reassuring. "Yin Huli is very respectful."
Li Shizi's frown faltered, her gaze lingering on the fox demon who had so easily inserted himself into their lives. As Li Yunwu's breathing slowed and she drifted into a peaceful slumber, Li Shizi sighed, retreating to her own sleeping mat.
The morning breeze drifted gently through the open window, stirring the soft fabric of the curtains and carrying with it the faint scent of dew and blooming flowers. The light of dawn painted the room in shades of gold, nudging its occupants from their slumber.
Li Yunwu and Li Shizi were already bustling about, quietly preparing for their departure to the Bao Estate. The soft rustle of robes and the clink of travel supplies filled the space. Yin Huli stirred, his golden eyes fluttering open, only to find Li Yang Mei curled snugly in his tail. Her small form was nestled so deeply in the fluffy fur that she resembled a contented kitten.
"Good morning, Yin Huli," Li Yunwu greeted him warmly as she knelt beside him, her smile radiant in the early light. Leaning in, she placed a tender kiss on his forehead, her lips brushing softly against his skin.
He reached out to take her hand, his fingers wrapping gently around hers. "Please take care of yourself while you're gone," he murmured, his tone laced with a subtle vulnerability.
She chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I miss you already," he added, his golden eyes gazing up at her with unrestrained affection.
"I haven't even left yet, and you're already being so dramatic," she teased, her voice light with amusement.
Before she could say more, he leaned up and captured her lips in a lingering kiss, the kind that spoke volumes more than words ever could. The motion caused a sleepy murmur from Li Yang Mei, who stirred and blinked her eyes open, her small hand rubbing away the remnants of sleep.
"Da Jie," she said in a soft, groggy voice, her pout evident even as she clung to the remnants of her dreams. "You almost left without saying goodbye?"
Li Yunwu turned to her with a warm, apologetic smile, scooping the little girl into her arms for a tight embrace. "I didn't want to wake you, but we'll be back sooner than you think," she assured her, smoothing down her messy hair. "Be a good girl, okay? Stay out of trouble while I'm gone."
Li Yang Mei clung to her tightly for a moment longer before nodding reluctantly. "Okay, Jie Jie," she whispered, her voice small.
With one last squeeze, Li Yunwu set her back down and gave her a fond smile. As she turned to leave, the golden light framed her figure, casting her in a halo of warmth that matched the gentle love in her eyes. Yin Huli watched her go, his tail twitching softly in a silent wish for her safe return.