"I was your mother's lover," Yin Huli said casually, his voice carrying a trace of wistful nostalgia as his thoughts drifted back to the first time he met Li Yunwu. He remembered it vividly. The memory began in a torrential downpour, his body battered and broken after a vicious fight with another demon. His spiritual energy was nearly depleted, forcing him into his smaller, fox-like form. His tiny body trembled as he crawled under the thick bushes, the rain soaking his fur. Curling into a ball, he tended to his wounds, licking them rigorously despite the sting of pain, the sound of the rain a steady drumbeat against the leaves above.
That's when he heard it—a soft voice, gentle yet curious, cutting through the rain.
"Hey there, little one," the voice said, and then a hand reached through the tangled branches, cautious but persistent.
The little fox bristled, his instincts taking over. His lips curled back to reveal sharp fangs, and he hissed before snapping at her outstretched hand. His bite was quick and fierce, his teeth sinking into the tender flesh of her fingers.
An average girl would have yelped, perhaps even run away, but Li Yunwu was anything but average. She merely winced, pulling her hand back for a moment before crouching lower to meet his eyes. Her stubborn determination didn't waver, even as the fox demon continued to growl and bare his teeth.
"Hey, won't you let me help you?" she asked softly, her voice soothing but firm. "I won't hurt you."
But the fox wasn't so easily convinced. His snarl deepened, his fur bristling as he pressed himself further into the safety of the bushes. Li Yunwu let out an exaggerated sigh, pouting her lips as if the little creature's defiance offended her. Then, to his surprise, she lay down next to him in the mud and rain, her arms folded as her face hovered close to his.
It was then that he noticed her eyes—those striking eyes. They were like the meeting of the sand and the sea, a mixture of emerald green and earthy brown, as though the first golden leaves of autumn had been kissed by sunlight. In the rain's dim light, her gaze seemed resiliently bright, shimmering under the weight of the storm. When the clouds passed and the sun peeked through, her eyes became warmer, as if holding the promise of spring.
She stared at him all day, unyielding, her wide eyes locked onto his as the rain fell around them. She was unrelenting, never moving, her determination as steady as the downpour. Finally, as the last drops of rain splattered onto the ground, she reached out her hand once more. Her touch this time was light as a summer breeze, her fingers brushing gently against his soaked fur. He tensed, but her warmth seeped into him, and at last, he gave in.
Li Yunwu smiled as she scooped him carefully into her arms, cradling him as though he were the most fragile thing in the world. She carried him through the forest with surprising ease, her footsteps light and purposeful. Back at her small home, she sparked a flame to chase away the cold and immediately got to work.
She rubbed him dry with a cloth, her hands careful yet brisk, before pulling out a small collection of herbs. Grinding them into a fine paste, she looked at him apologetically. "This might sting a bit," she murmured, her voice hesitant yet kind, "but I promise it'll make you feel better."
Her hands paused for a moment as she glanced at him, and then, to his shock, she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The fox demon's ears twitched at the unexpected gesture, and despite himself, his tail began to wag, betraying his momentary distraction.
Li Yunwu chuckled softly, her voice light as the sound of a bubbling brook. "See? That wasn't so bad," she teased. But before applying the stinging ointment, she leaned down and planted a kiss on every single one of his wounds, her lips brushing tenderly against his battered form. The pain seemed to dull under her touch, replaced by a warmth he hadn't felt in what seemed like lifetimes.
"Yunwu!" an aggravating voice called, harsh and impatient, slicing through the quiet.
"Coming," she replied hastily, her voice strained as she scrambled to her feet. In the dim light of the shed, she bundled up the little fox with a tattered, threadbare blanket, her movements gentle but rushed. Leaning in close, she whispered softly, "You stay here and be really quiet. Papa doesn't like pets." Her warm breath tickled his fur, but the seriousness in her voice kept him still.
She straightened up, her small frame stiff with tension, and slipped out of the shed, the wooden door creaking faintly as it closed behind her.
The shed was humble, a fragile sanctuary against the outside world. Makeshift beds lined the walls, nothing more than simple straw mats laid out on the dirt floor. A faint scent of earth lingered in the air, mingling with the remnants of dried herbs hung along the beams. A few worn wooden toys lay scattered in a corner, chipped and faded from years of use. Strips of fabric hung from nails in the walls, swaying slightly in the draft.
For a moment, the fox demon remained wrapped in the blanket, but curiosity soon got the better of him. Shaking it off, he crept forward, his tiny paws making no sound against the earthen floor. His sharp eyes caught a faint glow of light seeping through a gap in the shed wall, and he padded toward it.
Peering through a knothole, he caught sight of the main hut. His sharp, golden eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. A frail, elder man stood hunched in the center of the room, his face twisted in anger. His savior, Li Yunwu, stood before him, her head bowed, her slender figure trembling slightly. Without warning, the man's bony hand lashed out, striking her viciously across the face.
"Good-for-nothing wench!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. The sharp crack of the slap resounded in the small space as Yunwu fell to her knees, clutching her cheek.
"Is this all you brought?" the man demanded, his voice laced with venom. He gestured to a meager bundle of herbs on the table, his lips curled in disgust. "Do you honestly believe we'll make any money off this?"
Another slap followed, sharper and louder than the first. Li Yunwu staggered but remained on her knees. The little fox demon's fur bristled, every hair on his body standing on end. His ears flattened, and his fangs glinted as he bared his teeth. Rage burned through him, his muscles coiling as he prepared to launch himself through the hole and attack.
But just as he was about to leap, his eyes met hers.
Those gentle green eyes that had coaxed him from the bushes now burned with fierce defiance. She stared directly at him, her gaze sharp and commanding, warning him with an intensity that froze him in place. She was telling him—no, demanding—that he stay hidden.
"Useless," the man spat, his voice breaking into a fit of violent coughing. He leaned against the table, wheezing as his shoulders shook. "Why have the heavens cursed me with only daughters?" he lamented bitterly, wiping his mouth with a trembling hand.
Li Yunwu, still kneeling, lowered her head further. "This daughter has failed her father," she said quietly, her voice calm but tinged with anger. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But… it was raining. Surely Father can show mercy."
The truth, of course, was far different. Li Yunwu had spent the entire day trying to befriend the fox demon, neglecting her task of gathering medicinal herbs. It was a risk she'd taken willingly, though the consequences now stung more than her reddened cheeks.
The elder man waved her off dismissively, another fit of coughing overtaking him. Li Yunwu rose gracefully to her feet, moving with an eerie calm that belied the tension in her swollen face. She fetched a steaming cup of tea from the stove and brought it to him, her hands steady despite the sharp pain radiating from her cheek.
"Father mustn't worry too much," she said softly, her voice soothing as she handed him the tea. Her muddy green eyes softened under the flickering light of the candles, her demeanor composed. "I promise to gather three times the amount tomorrow." She forced a small smile, her swollen face betraying none of the pain she felt.
The old man grumbled as he took the cup, his scowl deepening. "You are dismissed," he said coldly, sipping at the tea. "But if you fail to gather anything less than that, you will receive lashings for lying. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Father," Li Yunwu said with a bow. Her voice remained steady, even as the weight of his words lingered heavily in the air.
She turned and left the main hut, her composure unshaken. Outside, she immediately spotted the little fox demon lurking in the shadows, his sharp eyes burning with barely contained fury. Without a word, she scooped him up into her arms, her grip firm but careful.
"What do you think you're doing, little one?" Li Yunwu murmured, her voice trembling with both upset and fear as she cradled the little fox demon tightly against her chest. Her brows furrowed, and she glanced around nervously. "If Papa had caught you…" Her voice faltered, and a horrified expression settled on her face, her lips trembling as the dreadful thought consumed her. "He would have skinned you alive."
She held him closer, her arms trembling as her tears spilled over, sliding down her cheeks. The image of her father's wrath played vividly in her mind, and the very idea of the little creature being harmed made her heart clench painfully. Her fingers stroked his fur absentmindedly, seeking comfort as much as she offered it.
Suddenly, the loud chatter of children echoed from the doorway, their voices filling the small shed like an unstoppable tide. One voice, high-pitched and curious, rang out above the others.
"Da Jie, what's that?"
Li Yunwu flinched at the question, turning to see her youngest sister, Li Yang Mei, standing in the doorway, her tiny finger pointing directly at the fox demon. The little fox bristled, baring his sharp teeth in a warning growl.
"There, there," Yunwu murmured soothingly, patting the fox demon's head with gentle strokes to calm him. "That's only my little sister, Yang Mei. She won't hurt you."
As if on cue, the tattered curtains shifted with a gust of cold air, revealing another girl stepping into the shed. Li Shizi, the second sister, crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pressing into a firm line.
"Da Jie," Li Shizi scolded, her voice low but stern, "you know Papa doesn't like pets."
"Shhh!" Li Yunwu hissed, placing her finger against her lips as her eyes widened in panic. She turned to Li Shizi, cupping her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Er Jie, don't tell. Please!"
Li Shizi's frown deepened as she tilted her head, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Hmph. Father is just going to sell it anyway, like all the other animals you've brought home."
Li Yunwu's expression darkened, her jaw tightening as she clutched the fox demon protectively against her chest. "This one's different," she whispered fiercely, her voice trembling with desperation. "Please…"
Li Shizi hesitated for a moment before groaning in defeat. "Oh, alright," she said, rolling her eyes.
Li Yunwu's face lit up instantly, her earlier tension melting away as she nuzzled her cheek against the fox demon's soft fur. "Isn't she cute?" she cooed, lifting the little fox demon up so the others could get a better look.
Li Yang Mei's eyes sparkled with wonder, her small hands clapping excitedly. "Can I hold her?" she asked, extending her tiny arms toward the fluffy creature.
The fox demon's golden eyes narrowed dangerously, and his sharp claws glinted as he flexed his paws in warning.
"Eh…" Li Yunwu hesitated nervously, her lips curling into an awkward smile as she gently pulled the fox demon closer. "She's, um… a little bit injured right now. Let her rest and regain her strength, okay?"
Li Yang Mei pouted, her lips pushing out in disappointment. "Hmmm, okay," she relented, though her eyes never left the fluffy bundle. "Da Jie, what's her name? Does she have a name yet?"
Li Yunwu tilted her head, her fingers absently stroking the fox demon's soft fur as his big, fluffy tail curved over his body like a protective blanket. "Hmmm," she murmured, her brow furrowed in thought. "I haven't thought of a name yet. But we need to give her a nice name."
"How about Princess?" Li Yang Mei chimed in, her face lighting up with excitement. "She's cute and fair, just like a Princess!"
The little fox demon's ears twitched in irritation, and his golden eyes narrowed further. Princess? he thought disdainfully, his tail flicking sharply. Tch. As if.
Li Shizi leaned closer, her brows furrowing as she scrutinized the fox demon. "How do you know it's a female fox?" she asked, her voice skeptical.
"Eh… you're right!" Li Yunwu exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization. Carefully, she lifted the fox demon under his front legs, holding him up like a doll. But his big, fluffy tail immediately tucked between his legs, hiding his lower body from view.
Li Yunwu frowned, a determined look flashing in her eyes. Gently but firmly, she grasped the fox demon by the scruff, holding him steady as she used her free hand to nudge his tail aside.
The fox demon's ears flattened against his head, his face flushing in a mix of embarrassment and indignation as her eyes scanned his intimate area.
"Er Jie, it's a boy!" Li Yunwu exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.
Li Shizi burst into laughter as Li Yang Mei clapped her hands in delight, while the little fox demon glared at Li Yunwu with a look of utter mortification. His fur bristled, and he curled his tail tightly around himself, grumbling silently.
Li Yunwu beamed at him, completely oblivious to his humiliation. "Well, I guess Princess won't do, then," she said cheerfully, her mind already spinning with ideas for a new name.
"Yin…" she began softly, her voice trailing off as she looked down at the little fox dangling in her arms. Her eyes glimmered with a quiet determination, the corners of her lips curving into a gentle smile. "No," she said after a moment, her voice firmer this time, as if sealing her resolve. "Yin Huli."
The fox tilted his head in confusion, his sharp golden eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to make sense of the name she had spoken. His ears twitched, catching the soft hum of her voice, and his bushy tail swayed faintly, as though responding to her warmth.
"That will be your name," she continued, her tone tender yet resolute, as though she were bestowing upon him something sacred. She carefully lifted him, her hands supporting his small frame, cradling him as if he were the most precious thing in the world. His white fur glowed faintly under the dim light, and the curious tilt of his head made him look almost childlike in his vulnerability.
"Do you like it?" she asked, her voice a whisper. Her fingers combed gently through his soft fur, smoothing it down as she gazed at him with an affection so pure it made his ears flatten slightly in embarrassment.
She brought him close, pressing him tightly into her arms in a warm embrace. Her heartbeat was steady against his small body, a calming rhythm that made his heart skip a beat his tail curling around her arm as he buried his face into the crook of her neck.