Chapter 157: 157 Epilogue (3)

◎The Little Fox Cub◎

Time flew by, and Bao’er was already four years old.

It was the height of winter, with snow falling. Bao’er wore a pink ruqun, her soft black hair styled into twin buns. She hadn’t learned to control her form yet; she could hide her tail, but not her ears. Her fluffy ears peeked out, her cheeks were rosy from the cold, and her eyes were like black grapes, very much like her mother’s.

Bao’er was out with Ji Hengyu today to pick snow berries. However, the basket on her back was empty, though there were quite a few berry pits behind her.

Bao’er was not a well-behaved child. She ran and jumped, and in no time, she tumbled to the ground, getting a mouthful of snow. She looked up, seeking comfort, but saw her father walking far ahead. Immediately unhappy, she puckered her mouth and burst into tears.

Ji Hengyu’s steps paused, and he turned to look at her.

“Daddy, Bao’er fell, it hurts.” She stretched out her arms, wanting to be held.

Ji Hengyu could easily tell she was playing a trick. She said it hurt, but she was clearly just tired and lazy to walk.

Ji Hengyu walked over, grabbed the little girl by the back of her collar, and lifted her out of the snow pit. The little girl was still happily asking for a hug.

Ji Hengyu, however, looked at her messy state and sighed. “Your mother just made you this new outfit. She’ll scold me when we get back.”

Bao’er looked down at the black stain on her chest. This time, she was genuinely sad. She puffed out her cheeks, then frantically wiped the stain with her chubby little hands. Seeing that it wouldn’t come off, she forced back tears and said in a choked voice, “It’s okay, Bao’er will apologize to Mother.”

The little fox cub was quite responsible. Ji Hengyu chuckled, scooping up his daughter.

Clutched in her father’s warm, strong arms, she saw his bamboo basket filled with bright red snow berries and grew greedy. While Ji Hengyu wasn’t looking, she spread her five fingers and grabbed a few to eat.

Ji Hengyu pretended not to see. After a moment, he said, “It’s your birthday today. Your Uncle and Aunt Si Tu are coming tonight. I heard they brought you a lot of delicious food.”

Delicious food...

Bao’er didn’t know whether to swallow or spit out the berry in her mouth. After a long moment of blankness, she swallowed it whole.

But she had been eating all the way and was already full. How could she possibly eat any more delicious food?

Bao’er was glum, but Ji Hengyu smiled.

On their way home, they passed a plum grove. The winter plums amidst the snow bloomed with extraordinary beauty. Bao’er loved what she saw and begged Ji Hengyu to pick the most vibrant and beautiful one for her, saying she wanted to give it to her mother when they got back.

After a short walk, they saw the direction of their home. A tall, slender figure stood at the gate, draped in a crimson cloak.

Bao’er’s eyes lit up. In three quick moves, she leaped off Ji Hengyu’s shoulder and flew into Sang Li’s arms. “Mommy—!”

Sang Li was about to embrace her, but her sharp eyes spotted Bao’er’s dirty paws and stained chest. Her face instantly donned a pained expression, and she stepped back two paces, letting her smiling daughter tumble into the snow.

Ji Hengyu walked past at that moment, expertly picking the little girl out of the snow.

Bao’er shook the snowflakes off her head, her fox ears trembling. Happily, she handed the picked snow plum to Sang Li. “For Mommy~”

However, after that previous shake, the snow plum had already bent in the middle.

Bao’er hadn’t expected such a state. Her big eyes first widened in surprise, then tears welled up, and she burst into loud sobs.

Sang Li didn’t know why her daughter was crying. She looked questioningly, and in return, received a helpless glance from Ji Hengyu.

“Here.”

He had already anticipated this situation. He bent down and presented the secretly picked plum branch to the little girl.

Bao’er hiccuped, stopping her tears. Seeing that this snow plum was even more beautiful than the broken one, she put away her sadness, roughly wiped her tears, and shook her head, refusing. “This is Daddy’s for Mommy, not Bao’er’s, Daddy give it.” She said in her tiny voice, even pushing Ji Hengyu lightly.

Ji Hengyu smiled and handed it to Sang Li.

She took it, lowered her head, and sniffed. The pure, cold fragrance brought a wave of warmth to her heart.

“They’ll be here soon. You go wash the fruit, and I’ll go change Bao’er’s clothes.”

“Okay.”

Ji Hengyu nodded and left. Sang Li led Bao’er back to the warm room.

Bao’er knew she had done something wrong and was very well-behaved. While bathing, she still apologized guiltily to Sang Li, “Mommy, it was my fault, I accidentally dirtied the clothes Mommy made.”

The little girl was very good. Although sometimes mischievous, she always understood when she had made a mistake. But in Sang Li’s eyes, this was no mistake at all.

She rubbed and washed her fluffy fox ears. “Clothes are meant to be worn. If they get dirty, we just change into new ones. Bao’er doesn’t need to apologize to Mommy.”

Bao’er, hearing this, happily splashed water with her feet, shaking her head and acting cute. “Bao’er loves Mommy~”

The more Sang Li looked at her, the cuter she found her. She kissed her little cheek. “Mommy loves Bao’er too.”

Bao’er was overjoyed and accidentally let her big tail pop out, flapping wildly in the water bucket.

After bathing Bao’er and changing her clothes, it was already getting late.

By the time Sang Li carried Bao’er out, the guests had also arrived one after another.

First came Li Ningxi, followed closely by Yue Zhuqing and Qi; then Si Tu and Qu You.

Bao’er loved seeing Li Ningxi, because he doted on her the most. Every time he came, he brought all sorts of little trinkets to make her happy.

Bao’er clung to him, calling “Uncle, Uncle” repeatedly, which made Ji Hengyu increasingly displeased. Seeing his dark expression, Li Ningxi finally put Bao’er down and stepped forward to greet him as Master. Ji Hengyu’s expression was cool, responding briefly and without much warmth.

Li Ningxi didn’t mind and turned to tease Bao’er again.

Sang Li chatted with everyone, and after the birthday celebration, the group went back to doting on Bao’er.

At three or four years old, children are at their most endearing. Bao’er was also clever and intelligent; whatever she said made the adults burst into laughter. She wasn’t afraid of Qi either, and instead really enjoyed having Qi fly around with her in the sky.

While the adults and one child were enjoying themselves over there, the couple here seemed to be overlooked.

“Shall we go for a walk?” Ji Hengyu took her hand.

Sang Li glanced at Bao’er and nodded.

The two didn’t go far, walking hand in hand into the plum grove.

The plum grove wasn’t dark at all. Every tree was adorned with talismans emitting light, a vast expanse of clear yellow, appearing quite warm and romantic at a glance.

There was no need to look to know it was Ji Hengyu’s doing.

Sang Li subtly glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Perhaps it was because he had become a father, but the sharpness in his expression had softened, making him appear more composed and benevolent.

“Once Bao’er is older, let’s return to Guixu.”

“Mm.”

He didn’t ask why, responding in a low voice.

“Bao’er will eventually need to join a sect for her studies, but I don’t know what she’ll like to learn.”

“No matter what she likes, she will always be the most outstanding.” Ji Hengyu’s words were full of indulgence and admiration for his daughter.

Sang Li chuckled. “What if she becomes a great demon lord then?”

Ji Hengyu said with certainty, “Then she will be the most terrifying great demon lord in the world.”

Sang Li laughed again, then teased him, “Then what am I?”

Ji Hengyu’s gaze fell upon her. After a long silence, he said, “You are... the one I fear most in this world.”

Because of deep love, fear often arises.

Sang Li was startled for a moment, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned in.

The flickering talisman lights were like a mirrored sea of stars. Soon, Qi flew through them with Bao’er, and Big-Eyed Cub chased behind. After their laughter faded, Si Tu, not far away, waved to her—

“Come drink! What are you two just standing there for?”

Sang Li replied, “Coming!”

The two walked over and joined the group in the small courtyard.

Snow had begun to fall again at some unknown point.

When one is alone, one often fears the wind and snow. But now, with warmth in their home and friends and family surrounding them, they no longer feared the frost.