Wagging My Tail in the Ice Queen CEO’s Embrace - Chapter 83

Ming Ying couldn’t quite recall exactly when she first began suspecting that Fu Anyu was keeping secrets from her.

But as their relationship grew increasingly intimate, coupled with the likelihood that she might have to live in the human realm for the rest of her life, the hidden suspicions in her heart began to take root.

She could no longer remain the little princess who needed to do nothing and understand nothing. At the very least, she needed to know what the demon race would face in the human realm, and what Fu Anyu had sacrificed to help her avoid the hardships she should have endured.

Fu Anyu was indeed keeping many things from her. If the little fox didn’t ask, she didn’t even feel the need to bring them up. After all, some things couldn’t be changed once spoken aloud, it was better not to know.

But she understood that what the little fox was asking had nothing to do with the demon realm. The little fox probably just wanted to know how a powerful demon who had crossed over would normally be treated.

So, she placed a hand on the little fox’s arm and admitted, “Yes, there are. Do you want to hear about them?”

Ming Ying’s heart leaped into her throat.

But she suppressed her unease and nodded.

Fu Anyu had already set up a sound-isolation array earlier. Those outside the array could only see them leaning close together but couldn’t hear a single sound.

“If the one who crossed over is a powerful demon, unable to return and wishing to reside long-term in the human realm, they will face two choices,” Fu Anyu said. “First, wear Spirit-Binding Rings all over their body, permanently forbidden from using spiritual power. The rings will be forcibly recharged with spiritual energy every five years to extend the binding period.”

“Second, sign a Body and Soul Contract with a guardian. After that, the use of spiritual power will no longer be restricted, but life and death will be in the guardian’s hands. If the guardian dies, the demon will also perish. Additionally, they must accept a Speech-Binding Restriction, meaning they cannot tell anyone that they are a crosser.”

After hearing these two choices, Ming Ying felt a chill run through her body.

For the demon race, either option was nothing short of humiliating.

A lifetime ban on using spiritual power essentially forced a powerful demon to remain in their beast form forever, unable to take human form or speak, no different from an ordinary animal.

As for the Body and Soul Contract, it was similar to the master-servant blood pact in her clan, just phrased differently. In essence, there was no difference, and it was also a lifelong arrangement, ending only in death.

Ming Ying felt that her guess had been correct. To maintain social stability, those in power would inevitably enact numerous rules to suppress the demon race.

These rules would also be adjusted based on the strength of different demons. In short, they were designed to prevent “powerful demons” from emerging in the world.

She suddenly thought of Li Lingmao and hurriedly asked, “What about the black cat at Hu Xiuliu’s place? Isn’t he very powerful too? He and Hu Xiuliu,”

“They signed a Body and Soul Contract back then,” Fu Anyu said. “But the black cat is not a crosser.”

“So that’s how it is…” Ming Ying murmured.

For any member of the demon race, the human realm was clearly not a land of freedom.

But she could no longer return home. The entrance to the demon realm remained elusive, time-travel technology had yet to be developed in this era, and her third sister had already brought word from their parents, they would be staying long-term in the human realm.

Fu Anyu’s home was now her only home.

“I never told you because I thought you might still have a chance to return,” Fu Anyu said, patting her back gently. “But the situation has changed now. Even if you hadn’t asked today, I would have told you soon.”

Her earlier refusal of Hu Xiuliu’s matchmaking had also been due to her consideration of the restrictions these rules placed on powerful demons.

Hu Xiuliu didn’t mind because the black cat had never shown any aversion to the soul-binding contract. For a stray black cat, such a contract instead told him that he had found a home.

But the little fox was different. As a princess of the nine-tailed great demon royal clan since childhood, she naturally understood what a soul-binding contract meant.

“I’m sorry.” Seeing Ming Ying remain silent, Fu Anyu took the initiative to apologize.

“You haven’t done anything wrong to me.” After a long while, Ming Ying finally spoke, her voice carrying laughter yet tinged with sobs. “It’s alright, I can accept it. This way, I can stay with you forever, no need to worry about you abandoning me, nor worry… that you might leave before I do.”

Fu Anyu didn’t know how to respond. Then she heard the little fox whimper beside her ear, “But I’ve implicated Third Sister. Though she isn’t a nine-tailed great demon, she is still the noble Third Princess. Her exceptional medical skills rely on spiritual power. She…”

Ming Ying choked up, unable to continue, every word filled with self-blame.

“If only I hadn’t argued with Mother, if only I hadn’t left home.”

“Fu Anyu, I regret it, but… but it’s already too late.”

The slender bamboo fishing rod had already been bitten by a fish, yet since its owner never lifted the rod, the hooked fish struggled to escape, tugging forcefully at the line.

The bamboo rod was dragged from its stand and fell into the water, pulled by the fish as it drifted toward the center of the pond.

Helpless against fate.

Fu Anyu didn’t know what she felt when she hypnotized the little fox and carried her back to their lodging.

Even though she had promised Su Jinhua never to tell the little fox that the nine-tailed clan’s royal city no longer existed, the little fox would still blame herself for her family.

This team-building activity was originally meant to help the little fox relax. Fu Anyu had thought that once the little fox adjusted her mindset, facing Third Sister’s situation would be much easier.

After carrying Ming Ying to bed, removing her shoes, and tucking her in, Fu Anyu walked to the window and sent a message to He Che.

[What are Su Jinhua’s plans? Have you told her about the rules for restraining great demons?]

He Che was probably resting, as she replied quickly.

[He Che – Doctor: It’s rare for you to reach out. Has something happened to the little fox again?~]

Reading this reply, Fu Anyu instinctively tightened her grip on her phone.

He Che was right, every time Fu Anyu initiated contact, it was because of Ming Ying.

Her phone vibrated again, and Fu Anyu lowered her gaze.

[He Che -Doctor: I won’t joke with you. The big fox says she plans to stay long-term. Of course, I told her the rules right away.]

[What did she say?] Fu Anyu asked.

[He Che – Doctor: Other than accepting, she has no choice, unless we can find the entrance to the demon realm and send her back. But you know better than I do that’s impossible. Even if they could return, the sisters no longer have a home.]

Fu Anyu stared at the message for a few seconds before continuing.

[Between the Spirit-Restraining Ring and the soul-binding contract, which did she choose?]

He Che instantly replied with “soul-binding contract,” without hesitation.

[He Che – Doctor] Once she’s fully recovered, I’ll take her to the Management Bureau to register and form a soul-binding contract with her.

[You’ve already made the decision without asking Ming Ying what she thinks?] Fu Anyu typed, frowning.

[He Che – Doctor:Huh? Do you think her opinion will affect the outcome? An exorcist can only form a body-soul contract with one spirit. You already have the little fox, so of course the big fox belongs to me. Could there possibly be another candidate?]

Fu Anyu, of course, had no other candidates.

An exorcist forming a body-soul contract with a great spirit must have held a license for over five years and made positive contributions to society every year. Additionally, the exorcist’s family must be willing to accept a spirit into their home.

Fu Anyu trusted very few exorcists, and aside from He Che, only Chen Yanxue met the conditions set by the rules. However, Chen Yanxue came from a long line of exorcists with strict family traditions that would never allow a spirit to enter their household.

Although Dr. He’s words were correct, Fu Anyu was still irritated by her lighthearted tone and replied coldly, “There’s no other candidate. But she is Ming Ying’s elder sister, a conservative traditionalist. Please make sure to treat her with respect.”

Fu Anyu still remembered how, during university, people in the literature club often called He Che a “fox enchantress”, both men and women.

It wasn’t a flattering term, but after being teased by He Che, Fu Anyu understood why she’d earned that nickname.

She was like a human-shaped fox, beautiful and fond of using intimate words and gestures to charm others, a habit that persisted even now.

He Che hadn’t been popular during her school days, partly because of her outgoing, “flirtatious” nature, and partly because of her sexual orientation.

There was even a saying in the club: “He the fox only enchants women, not men.”

He Che didn’t reply, perhaps she was busy.

Fu Anyu put away her phone, drew the curtains, and sat on the edge of the bed, keeping watch over the still-unconscious Ming Ying.

But she hadn’t been sitting for more than a few minutes when her phone showed an incoming call from Hu Xiuliu.

Fu Anyu had to get up and walk back to the window to answer. “Yingying is asleep. If you have something to say, make it quick.”

“Alright, I just wanted to talk to you about that flood dragon spirit at the bottom of the lake,” Hu Xiuliu said.

Fu Anyu responded patiently, but inside, she was restless.

Right now, she didn’t want to deal with any flood dragon. She was only worried that the little fox would wake up crying, that she’d be upset and have nightmares every night.

“The higher-ups have identified the former owner of the villa. It seems that person’s sister has some connection to this flood dragon and promised to come handle the matter tonight,” Hu Xiuliu said. “The details haven’t been shared with me yet, but it’s now confirmed that the flood dragon isn’t an evil spirit and hasn’t been suppressed. Once the former owner arrives tonight, the truth should come out.”

“Then protect the scene and wait for them to come,” Fu Anyu replied. “Is there anything else?”

“No. But did something happen between you and the little fox?” Hu Xiuliu asked. “He Che called me earlier. Since I’m close by, it’s convenient to figure things out together. If there’s a problem, we can talk in the courtyard.”

“No need. I can comfort her myself,” Fu Anyu declined politely. After a moment’s thought, she made a request. “Are you still at the fishing platform? Catch a couple for Yingying. She wants to take them back for her third sister to make soup.”

“No problem, leave it to me and my silly son,” Hu Xiuliu said before hanging up.

Fu Anyu turned off her phone and walked back. Just as she reached the bedside, she noticed Ming Ying had opened her eyes at some point and was staring blankly at the ceiling.

Feeling her presence draw near, Ming Ying quickly sat up, spread her arms, and flashed her a radiant smile. “Sister, give me a hug~”

Fu Anyu was momentarily stunned by her smile. She walked over in a few steps, sat down, and embraced her in her arms.

“Sister, when do you plan to sign the soul-binding contract with me?” Ming Ying’s voice came from within her embrace, full of anticipation.