I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

Yeyong revealed a bitter smile, originally thinking that fighting side by side would improve their relationship. It seemed that there wasn’t much improvement: “Cóng Yān, do you know…”

“Master, don’t say anything. Shī Jiā mom deserves it, having diverted the evil spirit’s attention so many times.”

“Hahaha, young master, just agree with her.” Ōu Xuě couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore.

“What’s so funny?” Huā Cóng Yān found it strange.

“I remembered something happy.”

“???” The fox was puzzled.

—

Soon, Ye Yong explained the results of the reward division. After listening, Hua Ningyan fell into silence, swaying unsteadily for a while before murmuring, “Ah… my head is spinning… I just woke up and don’t even know what I’m doing. Huh? How did I end up here? Master, what happened?”

“Tsk tsk tsk…” Wu Xue shook her head at the little fox, who had switched to a mode of feigned ignorance. “Truly shameless.”

“What did you say? I can’t understand you. By the way, Master, where’s the reward?”

—

87 A Sense of Being Ambushed

At six in the evening, Wu Xue’s reward was due. Though reluctant, they had to part ways; she needed to set a good example. If she lingered now, Hua Ningyan would surely follow suit, and then she would lose the right to complain.

“It’s your turn.” Moreover, Wu Xue was quite satisfied with Hua Ningyan’s performance. Aside from the brief disturbance when she first woke, the little fox had remained quietly in the room, not interrupting her time with the young master—very perceptive indeed.

“I’ve decided to let Mama Shi Jia come first; I’ll save mine for tomorrow morning,” Hua Ningyan replied with a serious expression.

“Is that so?” Wu Xue felt that this fox, while appearing simple and cute, was actually quite cunning. After all, fox spirits are known for their ability to beguile with their looks.

“Of course! I’m not like you; I understand what it means to be gracious.”

“Is that so?” A woman’s intuition told Wu Xue that the fox was definitely scheming something. After all, it had been eager for the reward the moment the division was announced, and its current reaction was clearly out of the ordinary. But unable to pinpoint the issue for now, Wu Xue merely stared at it meaningfully, saying nothing more.

“No, what else could it be?” Hua Ningyan felt the intensity of the gaze and grew a bit anxious, yet still forced herself to appear calm.

As for why she wanted to save the reward for tomorrow? The reason was simple: the little fox was quite good at arithmetic and even more calculating than Wu Xue.

That evening, Ye Yong would be in the room cultivating. Once Mama Xia Shi Jia’s reward time passed, the little fox could easily take advantage of the situation, claiming to have just begun receiving her reward when Wu Xue woke up the next morning and found her snuggled up to the young master, thus extending her time.

In the clan, everything was harmonious, so Hua Ningyan had always maintained her innocence. But since following Ye Yong, she had faced Wu Xue’s hostility and been bullied by Xia Shiqi. It was then that she realized: while she couldn’t harm others, she must think of herself.

“I’ll go call Mama Shi Jia over.” Unable to bear the scrutiny any longer, Hua Ningyan hurried outside to find Xia Shi Jia.

Xia Shi Jia was in the pavilion, watching the snowflakes fall, while Xia Shiqi was nearby, howling in a half-hearted manner, as if engaged in idle chatter. Though Xia Shi Jia didn’t respond at all, it seemed the wolf was quite happy, enjoying itself thoroughly.

“Mama Shi Jia, it’s time to claim the reward!” Calling Xia Shi Jia this way wasn’t entirely inappropriate, as she was indeed Xia Shiqi’s mother and had taken great care of Hua Ningyan, treating her like a child.

—

Xia Shijia turned to look at Hua Ningyan, tilting her head as if trying to grasp the meaning behind her words. Xia Shiqi also ceased her howling, mimicking her mother’s actions, curious about what the other was saying.

“Anyway… just follow me.”

Some simple phrases, like “follow me,” Xia Shijia could understand. She walked behind Hua Ningyan, and Xia Shiqi hurried to keep up, eager to see if there was something good to be found.

Upon entering the room, Ye Yong waved at Xia Shijia, who approached him and sat down properly, waiting for his instructions and arrangements.

However, Ye Yong suddenly bent down and lifted her onto the chair, leaving Xia Shijia bewildered, her wolf ears pressed back, head lowered, too timid to move.

Xia Shijia was quite large, cradled like a giant doll in Ye Yong’s arms. He adjusted her position, letting her lie across his lap, then gently stroked her head.

Confused by the situation, Xia Shijia felt a sense of comfort and ease from the gentle caress, her wolf ears gradually perking up, clearly less tense now, her wolf paws overlapping as her rigid body slowly relaxed.

Xia Shiqi watched with eyes nearly ablaze, bouncing with excitement. If even her mother received such treatment, how far could she be from her turn?

Seeing Xia Shiqi so animated, Hua Ningyan could easily imagine how it would wail and gnash its teeth upon realizing it was left out. Shaking her head silently, the little fox entered the room to practice, passing the time until the deep night arrived.

Wu Xue also went to soak in a medicinal bath; warriors in the muscle tempering stage needed to soak frequently to enhance their physical strength. She felt no discomfort at Xia Shijia enjoying such treatment; if she had to choose among the two wolves and one fox, her favorite was undoubtedly Xia Shijia, and she deserved it.

Before long, the living room was left with just one person and one wolf, along with a silly wolf bouncing around.

——

By the time Wu Xue finished her medicinal bath, an hour had passed. She stepped out of the living room to find Ye Yong feeding Xia Shijia, while Xia Shiqi lay nearby, drooling all over the floor.

Suddenly, it dawned on her that this was a reward for Xia Shijia, and a punishment for Xia Shiqi.

But since Xia Shiqi often snatched her things, Wu Xue felt no pity; in fact, she thought it deserved it.

The little fox was practicing in the room, and Wu Xue planned to quietly take advantage of Xia Shijia’s reward time. After all, Xia Shijia couldn’t speak, and her attitude towards Wu Xue was quite friendly; she would surely forgive her.

“Master…” Wu Xue approached Ye Yong, her eyes sparkling, a smile playing on her lips, steam still rising from her body. Her hair was damp, and her face, already flushed from the bath, now resembled a ripe peach, tempting enough to make one want to take a bite.

“Are you planning to break the rules?” Ye Yong regarded her with a half-smile, half-teasing gaze.

Wu Xue felt shy under his scrutiny, her hands clasped behind her back as she shifted from side to side. “I just want to take a little time, after all, that fox took up my time this afternoon.”