Wagging My Tail in the Ice Queen CEO’s Embrace - Chapter 74

“Sister, why did you stop brushing?” Ming Ying’s voice pulled Fu Anyu’s thoughts back to the present.

“I need to go to Zhuqing Taoist Temple tomorrow morning,” Fu Anyu put away her phone. “Hu Xiuliu has news.”

“Really?!” Ming Ying was startled, then asked excitedly, “Did they find the entrance to the demon realm?”

After a moment’s thought, Fu Anyu decided to keep the truth hidden. “He said it’s hard to explain clearly over WeChat.”

Ming Ying let out a disappointed “Oh” and said, “Then I’ll wake up early tomorrow.”

In truth, Fu Anyu already had her suspicions, but she kept them to herself and didn’t share even a hint with Ming Ying.

Late into the night, after confirming that the little fox was sound asleep in the guest room, she called Hu Xiuliu to inquire further.

Hu Xiuliu was a night owl, accustomed to staying up late. Even after his trip to Linlan Manor, he was still awake at this hour.

“Hello? Why are you calling so late?” The call connected quickly, and Hu Xiuliu’s voice sounded somewhat weary. “This isn’t like you, President Fu.”

“Cut the chatter. Tell me the specifics,” Fu Anyu replied, her tone icy as it often was with outsiders.

“The specifics are just as I messaged you,” Hu Xiuliu said. “We only found one fox. After using a sleep talisman and sealing her demonic aura, the tracking signal disappeared. He Che said the demonic energy fluctuations I detected yesterday were likely unintentionally released by the fox while she was healing.”

“A fox demon who doesn’t understand the rules…” Fu Anyu pondered for a few seconds. “Did she say anything?”

“Does cursing count?” Hu Xiuliu clicked his tongue. “But I got the impression she speaks in a rather refined manner. It’s possible she’s a transmigrator, just like your little friend. If that’s the case, it complicates things. If transmigrators, especially powerful demons, keep appearing every now and then, first in the city center and now in a scenic area, it’s bound to cause trouble sooner or later.”

“Since you used Ming Ying as a medium for tracking, this fox demon must be connected to her in some way,” Fu Anyu analyzed. “Their auras are similar, they share the same bloodline, or they come from the same era. If she can communicate, don’t provoke her. Be gentle and try to understand the full story first.”

“He Che has already taken her back to the hospital. The surgery should still be ongoing at this hour. I’ll talk to her later,” Hu Xiuliu said, the sound of rapid keyboard clicks coming through the phone. “Our plan is to treat the fox’s injuries first. She’s badly wounded, and when she wakes up and realizes we haven’t harmed her but have taken good care of her, trust will naturally develop.”

He thought for a moment and added, “Also, the fox demon used a secret technique to hide her aura. Even my foolish son couldn’t detect it. If she really is the little fox’s family, the little fox will have to come identify her herself.”

“How severe are her injuries?” Fu Anyu asked.

Hu Xiuliu replied, “He Che did a preliminary assessment. One of the fox’s legs is badly damaged. Even with spiritual protection, it’s uncertain whether it can be saved. There’s also a long wound stretching from her left shoulder to her abdomen. However, this fox seems to be a medical cultivator. When we found her, most of her fatal injuries had been sutured using her spiritual energy. Otherwise, she might not have survived until we arrived.”

“Use the best equipment and medicine for her treatment,” Fu Anyu instructed. “I’ll cover the expenses.”

“The boss is so generous!” Hu Xiuliu said with a yawn. “I should get some sleep. You can take Little Fox to He Che’s place tomorrow, but make sure she’s mentally prepared. If it really is her family, she might cry herself unconscious.”

“I haven’t told her yet,” Fu Anyu said before he could hang up.

“You’ve changed, you’ve really changed!” Hu Xiuliu sighed. “But in the wrong direction. Hiding things when you’re in a relationship, do you even realize it means you don’t trust the other person?”

“I’m not in a relationship with her,” Fu Anyu said firmly.

“If you’re not in a relationship, why do you both carry each other’s scent? And so strongly at that?” Hu Xiuliu didn’t believe her. “My silly son has complained to me more than once, saying Little Fox is covered in your scent, reminding him of the night you beat him up. And you’re reeking of fox aura… Are you two marinating in each other’s presence without even realizing it?”

Fu Anyu remained silent, so he continued on his own, “You can’t keep using our old engagement to deal with outsiders forever, can you? You think all those men and women out there are dirty, and now heaven sends you someone pure and clean, who’s completely devoted to you, and you still don’t want her?”

“I don’t dare want her,” Fu Anyu finally spoke. “I’m afraid if I do, I won’t let her go.”

“I think you’re overcomplicating things,” Hu Xiuliu sighed again. “When the time comes for her to leave, I don’t believe you’d actually stop her. You’re not some yandere; you’re just a tsundere who’s deliberately avoiding the issue.”

“You really love meddling in other people’s business.”

“What can I do? I’ve been doing it since we were kids!” Hu Xiuliu laughed. “Your parents entrusted you to me, and even now, I see you as my own little sister. How could I not care about my little sister’s love life?”

Before Fu Anyu could respond, he bid her goodnight, “I’m off to sleep. If you have any questions about relationships, feel free to ask me anytime. Even though I’ve never been in one myself, I write about same-sex relationships every day, so I’ve done some research.”

After hanging up, Fu Anyu found herself wide awake.

Despite having things on her mind, Ming Ying slept soundly through the night so she could wake up early the next day.

Du Yunxin had prepared a lavish breakfast. As Ming Ying ate heartily, she noticed Fu Anyu seemed a bit off, as if she wanted to say something but was holding back for some reason.

“Sister, if you have something to say, just say it,” she prompted proactively.

“Finish your meal first,” Fu Anyu said, shaking her head, worried it might affect her appetite.

Ming Ying suddenly felt a sense of impending trouble, but she didn’t press further. She obediently finished her breakfast, swallowed the last mouthful of porridge, and asked, “Can you tell me now?”

“We’re not going to Zhuqing Taoist Temple today. We’re going to He’s Hospital instead,” Fu Anyu said.

Ming Ying was confused. She didn’t recall anyone else being injured, but then she remembered that Hu Xiuliu and the others had gone to the villa yesterday to search for the entrance to the demon realm. It was possible someone got hurt then, and Fu Anyu was taking her to visit the injured and ask about the search. So, she nodded.

She didn’t ask further, which surprised Fu Anyu. After a pause, Fu Anyu continued, “When they arrived yesterday, they didn’t find the entrance to the demon realm, but they encountered a single-tailed white fox.”

Ming Ying’s mind went blank with a buzzing sound. The next moment, she heard her own voice ask, “Was the white fox injured?”

Otherwise, why would they need to go to the hospital?

“Yes, the injuries are severe and require surgery.” Fu Anyu spoke while observing her expression. “Since she was located using you as a conduit, we suspect she’s likely your family member.”

When Ming Ying heard that Hu Xiuliu and the others had found the fox demon, she had already anticipated this possibility, though she hadn’t wanted to entertain the thought. She now understood that injuries requiring surgery must be critical.

If her family member had arrived here gravely injured, then the royal capital.

She didn’t dare continue that line of thought. Unable to wait another moment, she stood up and grabbed Fu Anyu’s sleeve, pleading, “Sister! Take me there quickly!”

Chen Yanxue was already waiting by the door. Ming Ying slipped on her shoes and rushed out without even brushing her hair.

Before leaving, Fu Anyu remembered to pack a comb and hair ribbon. During the car ride, she sat in the back seat combing the little fox’s hair.

She could sense Ming Ying’s mind had drifted far away, the young fox didn’t even react when her hair was accidentally pulled.

But then, if she were in Ming Ying’s position, hearing news of a family member undergoing emergency surgery for severe injuries, she’d be equally distraught.

“Doctor He is highly skilled. Your family member will be fine,” she attempted to comfort.

Ming Ying wanted to believe this, but her own experiences receiving treatment from He Che hadn’t been particularly positive. She bit her lip and offered a noncommittal “Mm” in response.

Fu Anyu had never seen the little fox so despondent. If the usual Ming Ying resembled a vibrant orange hue, bright and lively, today she had become a dull gray, her eyes losing their usual sparkle.

The sight suddenly reminded Fu Anyu of herself five years ago, freshly bereaved of both parents.

When they reached the entrance of He Family Hospital, Chen Yanxue parked as close to the main door as possible. After Fu Anyu and the fox got out, she went to find a proper parking spot.

Though burning with anxiety, Ming Ying hadn’t completely lost her composure. Before exiting the car, she remembered to retract her demon ears and tail. She obediently followed Fu Anyu, holding her hand and allowing herself to be led toward the inpatient ward.

The sun beat down fiercely today, yet as Ming Ying walked beneath its rays, the wind blowing against her felt piercingly cold.

Fu Anyu had notified He Che the previous night. Upon reaching the inpatient ward, they found He Che waiting by the nurses’ station.

“The surgery went smoothly. She just needs rest and recovery after waking up,” He Che informed them softly as she led them to the room, specifically addressing Ming Ying. “Little fox, try not to get too emotional during the reunion. She’s still under anesthesia, don’t disturb her rest.”

Ming Ying repeatedly agreed, her nose already stinging and her vision blurring with unshed tears.

She was terrified, terrified that her family member had been injured while searching for her, yet she forced herself to keep moving forward.

No matter what, she had to see her family.

She missed all of them so much.

Due to the white fox’s special circumstances, He Che had arranged a private room even without Fu Anyu’s request.

“She had already lost the ability to maintain human form when we found her,” He Che explained, pushing the hospital room door open. “However, her spiritual power isn’t depleted, and there are no curse marks or similar traces on her. She likely reverted to her demon form voluntarily to accelerate healing.”

The moment the door opened, Ming Ying rushed to the bedside.

Lying quietly on the bed was a white fox, breathing faintly. Its body was swathed in blood-stained bandages, with a thin red plastic tube extending from beneath the covers to a blood bag hanging nearby.

“She lost too much blood and is receiving a transfusion,” He Che explained. “Don’t worry, we share the same blood type, so the blood came from me.”

Even though the room was thick with the smell of medicine, Ming Ying could still detect a familiar scent. She stared in disbelief at the white fox, and the next moment, she tightly covered her face with her hands, trying to muffle her sobs so as not to disturb the fox.

Fu Anyu walked over and embraced her, letting her cry into his chest.

“Don’t be afraid, she’s fine now,” Fu Anyu whispered soothingly.

Ming Ying’s shoulders trembled as she cried as quietly as she could.

After a long while, she finally spoke in a muffled voice, “She’s my third sister, the one who doted on me the most, besides Mother and Father.”