The Little Fox Spirit Doesn't Want to Carry a Cub - Chapter 18

Jiang Shen’s words left Li Ruan fretting for quite some time.

He truly didn’t know how to seduce anyone. If he knew how, wouldn’t he have snatched Jiang Shen up long ago?

…What was he to do?

Li Ruan soaked himself in the hot spring pool, blowing a frustrated string of bubbles.

Once the New Year passed, the weather grew warmer by the day. While Changming Mountain was still covered in snow, this valley was already as warm as spring.

Chirping bird calls drifted from the horizon. Li Ruan looked up to see a little titmouse circling and singing above his head.

Thanks to Jiang Shen using it to deliver letters, this little bird had spent the winter on Changming Mountain without going hungry. In fact, it had grown quite plump.

The titmouse landed in front of him.

“Li Ruan, what are you dazing out for? I’ve been calling you for a while,” the titmouse asked.

Li Ruan was listless. “I’m thinking about things.”

Titmouse: “About what?”

Li Ruan sat up from the spring water. He leaned sideways against a nearby reef, resting his head on his arms. “Little titmouse, you go to the mortal world often. Do you know how those mortals get seduced?”

The little titmouse widened its beady eyes.

After a moment of silence, Li Ruan withdrew his gaze. “Fine, I knew asking you would be useless.”

He buried his face in his arms. Drops of water rolled off his wet hair, leaving trails that meandered down his neck.

So annoying.

He couldn’t think of anything.

Maybe I should just use magic to force it. It’s not like I can’t beat him, Li Ruan thought vexedly to himself.

The little titmouse tilted its head, thought for a moment, and said, “Why don’t you ask someone else?”

“I don’t want to ask A-Xue.” Li Ruan’s voice was muffled. “He’ll just call me stupid again.”

“I don’t mean A-Xue,” the titmouse said. “For this kind of thing, you should obviously ask a mortal. For example, that shop assistant A-Xuan at the pawnshop—he knows a lot. Two days ago, I saw him sneaking a look at a storybook. It seemed to be about a ‘Little Widow Seducing a High Official.’ Is that the kind of thing you’re looking for?”

Li Ruan’s head snapped up, his eyes bright.

“Is there really such a storybook?”

“There is! I even saw two pages of it.” The titmouse spread its wingtips to gesture. “But it was full of colorful pictures; I couldn’t understand what they were doing.”

Li Ruan asked, “Can you help me bring that book back?”

Titmouse: “If you want it, why not just have Jiang Shen write a letter and ask them for it?”

Li Ruan: “I obviously can’t let Jiang Shen know. You have to help me keep it from him.”

When Jiang Shen walked near the area, he happened to catch his little fox whispering with the little titmouse by the hot spring. Unfortunately, he was too far away to hear what the two little creatures were saying before he was spotted.

The titmouse flapped its wings and flew off, while the little fox turned his head away with feigned indifference, as if he hadn’t seen him.

Jiang Shen chuckled to himself, came to a stop by the pool, and asked, “What mischief are you plotting now?”

“None.” Li Ruan rested his head on his arms, his gaze drifting everywhere. “I was just chatting with it.”

Jiang Shen: “Just chatting?”

Li Ruan: “Mm, just chatting.”

Jiang Shen didn’t believe it.

Ever since he had mentioned “seducing” to the little fox, the fox had been trying to “seduce” him in various ways. But the methods were always bizarre—if he wasn’t turning back into his original form to wag his tail, he was wobbling through a dance in front of him.

The most extreme instance was when Jiang Shen woke up to find nearly ten freshly killed wild rabbits lined up by his bed.

In the dead of winter, Jiang Shen didn’t even know how he had hunted so many in one night.

From then on, Jiang Shen became highly alert to the little fox’s every word and action, fearing he would dream up another world-shaking method of seduction.

Jiang Shen knelt by the pool.

When the little fox took human form, he looked young, but his body wasn’t actually frail. The texture of his shoulders and back was like white porcelain—fine and firm. Leaning against the reef like that, a pair of delicately shaped shoulder blades stood out on his back, resembling a butterfly about to take flight.

Those smooth, beautiful lines flowed downward into a narrow, powerful waist.

When the little fox had pestered Jiang Shen for his essence, Jiang Shen had accidentally touched him a few times; the sensation was supple yet firm, and one could feel the power contained within.

The air by the hot spring was heavy with mist. After leaning there for a while, the little fox’s bare arms were covered in condensed water droplets.

Even the fox ears hidden in his hair couldn’t escape the moisture; a crystal drop of water gathered at the tip of the fur, clinging on precariously.

Jiang Shen reached out and caught the drop.

In truth, even if the little fox did nothing but stay there quietly, it was already a form of seduction to Jiang Shen.

Why would he need any of those tricks?

Jiang Shen’s throat felt a bit dry. He cleared his throat and looked away. “Let’s go home. It’s time for dinner.”

“Oh.”

Li Ruan stood up from the water.

The moment he rose, a faint light flickered around him, and a bright red gauze robe draped over his exquisite frame. He didn’t dry the water on his skin; as soon as the clothes touched him, they became damp and translucent, covering almost nothing.

Jiang Shen’s breathing deepened.

But Li Ruan was completely oblivious. He stepped out of the spring, his bare feet treading on the soft ground as he moved to head back. After two steps, he suddenly remembered something and turned around.

Before Jiang Shen could react, mwah—he planted a kiss on his lips.

“I almost forgot to say: I really like you.” Li Ruan gazed at Jiang Shen, his eyes bright and focused.

Although Li Ruan was a fox demon, his eyes weren’t the classic “fox eyes” meant for bewitching; instead, they were more rounded, with the outer corners slightly upturned, clear and bright. When he looked at someone, it was easy to feel he was being sincere and passionate.

It was as if he could absorb all the brilliance around him into his eyes.

Jiang Shen dazed out for a moment. Li Ruan merely gave him a smile and turned to keep walking.

His steps were light. After a few paces, he realized Jiang Shen hadn’t followed and turned back to urge him: “Come on! What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Shen: “…”

Since Jiang Shen told the little fox that people who loved each other in the mortal world did this, the fox had followed suit, coming over to kiss Jiang Shen once every day.

…It was like completing a daily task, without a shred of genuine focus.

Jiang Shen answered “Coming” and raised a hand to press against his pounding heart. The figure ahead had already walked so far he was almost out of sight. Jiang Shen shook his head with a soft laugh, feeling as though he had invisibly dug a hole for himself.

If this continued, he couldn’t say for sure if the little fox would learn how to love, but he himself… was finding it harder and harder to leave.

A few days later, the titmouse indeed used the excuse of delivering a letter to help Li Ruan get the storybook.

Secretly, of course.

The two little ones had agreed to meet by the hot spring. The titmouse handed the book to Li Ruan and cautioned, “Read it quickly. I took it while the assistant was out today; I have to return it once you’re done.”

“I know, I know.” Li Ruan waved him off. “Go deliver the letter to Jiang Shen. Remember to stall for a while; don’t let him come looking for me.”

The titmouse flapped its wings and flew away.

Li Ruan sat cross-legged on a reef by the spring and began to read seriously.

The book was indeed a story about seduction, and the illustrations were extremely explicit. The little widow in the story used every means at her disposal, leaving Li Ruan stunned.

So, this is what mortals mean by seduction?

Li Ruan looked at the woman in the drawing whose clothes were half-undone, then looked down at his own clothes and reached out to untie his belt.

When Jiang Shen found Li Ruan, the youth was lying on the reef, chin resting in his hands, reading the book spread out before him with great interest.

Perhaps hearing footsteps, the fox ears on his head twitched, and he hurriedly tried to hide the book behind his back.

“Don’t hide it, I already saw,” Jiang Shen said. “What are you reading? Where did it come from?”

Li Ruan looked flustered as he lied: “I… I picked it up.”

His belt was loose, and the movement caused it to fall away completely. His collar slipped off one side, revealing a smooth, white shoulder.

Jiang Shen’s gaze darkened. He stepped forward and helped him pull his collar back up. “Why can’t you even dress properly?”

Li Ruan peeked at Jiang Shen secretly.

How strange. According to the book, when the High Official sees the Little Widow with her clothes half-undone, he should immediately come up to kiss her and take off her clothes. Why is he putting them back on?

Li Ruan grabbed his clothes and stubbornly pulled them back down a bit. “I’m not wearing them.”

He stole another glance at Jiang Shen. “It’s hot.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

He didn’t know what ghost of an idea the fox had now.

But he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he looked away and sighed, “Little fox, my Imperial Father has ordered me back to the capital.”

Li Ruan froze.

Jiang Shen handed him a slip of paper; it was a message just delivered from the capital.

Li Ruan didn’t take it. He asked in a low voice, “Then… are you leaving?”

Jiang Shen: “Imperial orders cannot be disobeyed. Furthermore… my Imperial Father’s health has been poor these past two years. I fear…”

Li Ruan clutched the storybook behind his back, unable to describe the feeling in his heart.

Jiang Shen looked down at him, his voice low and gentle: “Do you want to come to the capital with me?”

“There are many new and interesting things in the capital. I’ll take you to eat delicious food, watch plays, and go boating on the lake. If you want to go further, I can take you to see the scenery of the Western Regions or take a fishing boat out to sea.”

“I can’t go.” Li Ruan lowered his head. “I still have to cultivate. I can’t go playing everywhere.”

Jiang Shen breathed a soft sigh of relief. “Very well.”

It was the answer he had expected.

If possible, Jiang Shen would have liked to stay longer—long enough for the little fox to like him a bit more and be willing to return to the capital with him. Alas, heaven does not always grant human wishes.

The little fox still kept his head down and didn’t speak. Even the tips of his ears drooped, looking quite dejected.

In all the time Jiang Shen had known him, this was the first time he had seen him with such an expression.

He smiled and reached out to stroke his hair. “Why that face? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. The capital is close; I can come back to find you, right?”

Li Ruan: “I… I guess so.”

“Then why the long face?” Jiang Shen teased. “Don’t want me to go?”

Li Ruan gave a soft “Mm.”

Li Ruan: “I don’t really want you to.”

Jiang Shen’s heart began to race again.

He lifted the little fox’s chin, forcing him to look him in the eye. “Then… is it that you truly can’t bear for me to leave, or do you feel that after I leave, your cultivation will be delayed again?”

Li Ruan couldn’t answer, his eyes appearing dazed.

He didn’t know himself.

He only felt uncomfortable in his heart—more uncomfortable than when he was struck back to his original form by heavenly lightning.

It was probably because of cultivation; he had only just learned a bit about how to seduce people so Jiang Shen would engage in dual cultivation with him.

If Jiang Shen left, he didn’t know how much longer he would have to wait.

Jiang Shen sighed softly. “Do you know that I have been intentionally delaying your cultivation?”

Li Ruan: “Huh?”

“I have been delaying your cultivation all along, little fox,” Jiang Shen said. “Because I didn’t want you to recover your magical powers so quickly. I wanted you to still need me, to be unable to leave me. I wanted to stay with you a bit longer, hoping you would like me a bit more.”

Li Ruan pursed his lips. “I…”

“Are you angry?” Jiang Shen asked. “I lied to you. Are you angry?”

Li Ruan fell silent.

He seemed to consider the question seriously for a long time before shaking his head. “Not really angry.”

“I’ve been very happy during this time. I also wanted to… stay with you a bit longer.”

Jiang Shen began to laugh. “Good.”

He looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted; his previous worries vanished, and his whole being felt lighter.

Jiang Shen said, “It seems you like me enough already.”

Li Ruan blinked.

“You can’t feel it yet, but that’s okay,” Jiang Shen said. “Once I finish handling the affairs in the capital, I’ll come back for you. We still have time; we can take it slow.”

“However, there is one thing that cannot be taken slow.”

“I said that when you liked me enough, I would engage in dual cultivation with you,” Jiang Shen said. “This imperial summons took at least four or five days to travel from the capital to Jiangnan. It’s not an urgent summons; it won’t matter if I’m delayed on the road for about ten days. Which is to say, I have at least half a month left.”

“…How many days do you need for dual cultivation to help you recover your cultivation base?”

Li Ruan hadn’t processed it yet and was momentarily stunned by the question. “I… I don’t know, I haven’t tried it…”

“Then let’s give it a try. But before that…” Jiang Shen smiled slyly and suddenly leaned in, snatching the book Li Ruan was hiding behind his back. “No wonder that bird was acting strange today, pestering me to keep me from coming here. It was for this.”

Li Ruan reached out to grab it back. “Give it back!”

“I won’t.” Jiang Shen deftly dodged, even flipping through it. “The High Official and the Pretty Widow… what a name. You were learning from this just now?”

Li Ruan felt he was being mocked again and got a bit annoyed. “I don’t know how! Of course I have to learn.”

“How much have you learned?”

Li Ruan dazed out.

Because they were fighting over the book, the two of them were very close. Jiang Shen let go, and the storybook fell to the ground. But Li Ruan didn’t have time to pick it up, because Jiang Shen suddenly gripped his wrist.

A scorching heat traveled from the point of contact straight to his heart.

“The book…”

“I’ll compensate him later.”

The mountain stream flowed over the blue stones. Jiang Shen placed Li Ruan on the reef where he had been sitting, watching him with a smile. “Now, I must first inspect how well my little fox has learned.”

“…Close your eyes.”