After The Soft And Cute Beauty Marries The Wolf King - Chapter 14

Xie Zhiqing: “What looks alike?”

 

Lang Sa, taking advantage while he wasn’t paying attention, took the small grass rabbit from the top of his head and hid it in his sleeve, saying, “Nothing, just saying you’re cute.”

 

Ateus made a sound in the corner, sitting with its back to them, swaying its tail on the ground, exuding a disdainful air.

 

Lang Sa ignored it, as if just realizing, he took out the small grass rabbit he had just hidden in his sleeve and placed it in Xie Zhiqing’s hand, saying, “Here, for you to play with.”

 

Xie Zhiqing happily took it, suddenly enlightened, “Oh! We were talking about it looking a lot like Fufu, right?”

 

He compared the small object to Fufu’s face, confirming, “Indeed, very similar. How did you make it?”

 

Lang Sa didn’t answer, just stood there with his arms crossed, watching him with a smile.

 

Thinking that Lang Sa didn’t want to teach him, Xie Zhiqing didn’t pursue it and put away the small grass rabbit. Along with the jade-made rabbit that Xie Zhifeng had given him earlier, he placed them in the drawer on top of the letter from his father sent a few days ago.

 

After Lang Sa finished his actions, he touched Xie Zhiqing’s ear from behind, saying, “I’ll be going out tomorrow for a couple of days. I’ll be back in two or three days. Ateis will stay to take care of you, don’t worry.”

 

“You’re going out? Where are you going?” Xie Zhiqing subconsciously asked.

 

Lang Sa didn’t answer, tilting his head and smiling at him.

 

Xie Zhiqing pursed his lips.

 

Since coming to the grassland, Lang Sa had never left him alone, let alone going out for two or three days. They were husband and wife, and it was normal for a caring husband to inform his spouse. Moreover, the grassland was so vast, who knows if there might be danger in some remote corner…

 

Xie Zhiqing thought wildly, and tentatively explained, “I’m just curious, just asking. I’m just worried if there’s any danger…”

 

His voice became quieter.

 

“Worried about me?” Lang Sa teased him.

 

Xie Zhiqing nodded, saying, “Of course, I’m worried about you.”

 

Lang Sa touched his nose and sat down on the bedside.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s straightforward words of concern left him a little dizzy.

 

He took Xie Zhiqing’s wrist and sat beside him, cleared his throat, and said seriously, “Not dangerous, there won’t be any danger. It’s almost the coldest time, some of the elderly and frail in the clan need to add some warm clothes. Tomorrow, I’ll take a few attendants with me, hunt a few bears, and come back to make clothes.”

 

Lang Sa thought for a moment and added, “We go every year, there won’t be any danger.”

 

“Oh, I see.” Xie Zhiqing nodded, quickly having a new question, “Do you go there personally every year?”

 

Making a joke, he said, “Prince Lang Sa is so approachable, always personally taking action every year.”

 

“…” Lang Sa vaguely responded, “Ah, yes.”

 

Xie Zhiqing, who was clueless about these matters, couldn’t express much. He simply tapped Lang Sa’s back of the hand and said, “Take care of yourself, I’ll wait for your return.”

 

He looked at Lang Sa with clear and bright eyes. His fingertips were slightly cool, briefly touching Lang Sa’s back of the hand but leaving a distinct warmth.

 

Lang Sa’s heart was warmed by the phrase “I’ll wait for your return.”

 

He turned around, clasped Xie Zhiqing’s fingers, and held them in his hand. Opening and closing his mouth several times, he still didn’t know what to say. In the end, he just nodded and said, “Okay.”

 

The usually stern eyes softened, with a gentle smile at the corners. Lang Sa gently touched Xie Zhiqing’s nose with his fingers and said in a warm tone, “Okay,” once again.

 

On the desk, Fufu somehow escaped from the rabbit cage at some point. Its short legs took a couple of steps to reach the edge of the table, peering down.

 

Ateis, hearing the commotion, glanced over and walked to the side of the table, lowering its body to let Fufu jump onto its head.

 

It picked up Fufu’s small bowl for drinking water, went outside to fetch some fresh water, and this time the water didn’t spill too much—it turned out the bowl was more practical than the large leaf.

 

Fufu hopped down, its little face buried in the bowl.

 

Ateus stood by, extending its front paw as if wanting to touch it, but ultimately refrained. Its sharp wolf claws swayed aimlessly in the air twice before retracting.

 

Afterward, it crouched down again, and Fufu curled up beside it. The little rabbit’s face had a few water droplets, all wiped onto the thick wolf fur.

 

The next day, Lang Sa left in the late afternoon.

 

Before leaving, he patted Ateis, saying, “Take good care of Xiaoqing, find something for it to do so it’s not just eating and playing with rabbits all day.”

 

After all, he had to go out, so Lang Sa changed into more practical clothes. The short top and slightly fitted trousers outlined his slim and sturdy figure, the black short boots tightly wrapping around his calves, making Lang Sa appear even taller and his legs longer.

 

Buttoning a few buttons on the front of his shirt, he said to Xie Zhiqing, “Alright, take care of yourself, pay attention to keeping warm.”

 

Lang Sa wasn’t that meticulous, and with his divided attention talking to Xie Zhiqing, he didn’t manage to button those few buttons properly. Feeling a bit annoyed, he uttered an “ai” in frustration, only arranging the clothes on his chest and not wanting to bother anymore.

 

Xie Zhiqing smiled and, reaching out, helped him fasten the topmost button, saying, “The first one was crooked.”

 

Lang Sa lowered his head to look—

 

Xie Zhiqing’s slender fingers pushed the small button into the buttonhole, a rather ordinary movement. However, this seemingly ordinary action, in the eyes of Lang Sa, who could only distinguish between black and white, became both warm and slightly suggestive.

 

Lang Sa’s Adam’s apple rolled, watching Xie Zhiqing slowly button up those few buttons with his long fingers, his gaze ambiguous and unclear.

 

“Alright, Prince Lang Sa.” Xie Zhiqing patted the big pocket on his chest, “It’s time to set off.”

 

Lang Sa still didn’t answer, just watched him quietly. After a while, he finally spoke, “Okay.”

 

His voice still had a bit of hoarseness. Lang Sa cleared his throat and responded again.

 

He reached out and pinched Xie Zhiqing’s cheek, pinching toward the center. Xie Zhiqing, caught off guard, pouted, asking unclearly, “What are you doing?”

 

“Nothing.” Lang Sa released his grip, scratched his chin, and loudly said, “I’m leaving!”

 

After leaving the house, Lang Sa turned back to look.

 

Xie Zhiqing leaned against the doorway, rubbing his face. He looked quite obedient, waving his hand when he noticed Lang Sa turning back.

 

The sky had darkened.

 

The usual changes in the sky didn’t affect Lang Sa much – after all, wolves are naturally nocturnal animals. However, with Xie Zhiqing standing alone there, the faint light from a small oil lamp behind him made him shine so brightly.

 

Like the sole beam of light in the darkness.

 

Lang Sa smiled and even his departing steps seemed reluctant.

 

During the two days Lang Sa was away, Lang Xiaoxiao often came to talk with Xie Zhiqing. There wasn’t anything serious, just casual conversation.

 

Xie Zhiqing, realizing it belatedly, asked, “Did Lang Sa ask you to come and keep me company?”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and said, “I was about to go out, but that annoying Lang Sa called me back. It’s so irritating.”

 

Xie Zhiqing said, “You don’t have to mind me. Go out and have fun. I have things to do and won’t be bored.”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao shook her head, “Forget it, finding a man won’t make much difference in these two days.”

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing was truly shocked by the phrase “finding a man,” covering his face, crying and laughing, “Xiaoxiao, what kind of, um, man do you like?”

 

Holding her face in both hands, Lang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have any specific preferences, let’s see when I go out!”

 

Xie Zhiqing said, “There must be some general ideas, right?”

 

Talking about this, Lang Xiaoxiao was genuinely distressed.

 

“Xiaoqing, you wouldn’t understand,” Lang Xiaoxiao sighed deeply, “In our beast clan, marriage is considered important, but at the same time, it’s not. Our marriages are for relieving the mating period, for mating and reproducing offspring. So, most wolf people don’t care about the qualities of their future mates.”

 

She looked at Xie Zhiqing, her eyebrows tightly furrowed, “I don’t want that!”

 

Blunt but logical.

 

“While that’s true,” Xie Zhiqing shook his head, “It’s too difficult. How many people get to meet their future partners before getting married? Without even seeing each other, not to mention knowing each other. Xiaoxiao, since it’s like this, you’d better not waste time here with me. Go on and do your own things.”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao no longer held back, saying, “Alright, then I’ll leave tomorrow. Hehe!”

 

Saying that, Lang Xiaoxiao revealed an envious expression.

 

“Xiaoqing, actually, I envy you and my brother.” Lang Xiaoxiao suddenly approached Xie Zhiqing, her face full of curiosity, and asked, “Hey, Xiaoqing, do you love him? Can you explain to me what love really is?”

 

Xie Zhiqing: “…”

 

He discreetly took a sip of water and stammered, “Xiaoxiao, um, when you grow up, you’ll understand.”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao said, “You’re only a few months older than me. Are you considered grown up?”

 

“Well…” Xie Zhiqing answered nervously.

 

Fortunately, Lang Xiaoxiao didn’t dwell on the question for long and asked another one, “Xiaoqing, let me ask you again. Do you hate him?”

 

This time, Lang Xiaoxiao’s expression was serious, devoid of the usual playfulness and teasing.

 

“Hate who? Who are you talking about?” Xie Zhiqing was taken aback. “Lang Sa? What kind of question is this?”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao sighed, “Alright, alright. I’m still a child after all. What you said is beyond my comprehension. Xiaoqing, honestly, I feel conflicted. On one hand, I envy my brother for finding someone he truly likes to marry, and on the other hand, I feel he’s a bit too much. Oh well, I give up thinking about these things!”

 

After saying that, Lang Xiaoxiao stood up and exclaimed, “I’m leaving! I’ll go pack my bags and find a man tomorrow!”

 

“Okay, okay,” Xie Zhiqing advised, “Take care on your journey—oh, Xiaoxiao, your hair is messy.”

 

“Huh? Really?” Lang Xiaoxiao reached for the back of her head, tangled her hair haphazardly, and said, “Alright, I fixed it.”

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing helplessly said, “Come here, let me help you redo your hair.”

 

Wolf people don’t pay much attention to these things.

 

Lang Xiaoxiao hadn’t properly tied her hair for a long time, and a few braids had strands of hair sticking out. Xie Zhiqing decided to untie them all and redo it with a comb.

 

“Xiaoqing,” Lang Xiaoxiao, unusually honest, sat on a stool, looking at Xie Zhiqing through the mirror, and asked, “Do you also help your little sister tie her hair?”

 

Xie Zhiqing said, “Sometimes, but I know fewer styles. Most of the time, it’s the nanny who helps her tie her hair.”

 

“I envy her. Lang Sa won’t do it!” Lang Xiaoxiao complained, “He’s so clumsy!”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao, curious again, asked, “When will your brother and little sister come to the grassland? I really want to meet the princess from your Central Plains!”

 

“Wait until it’s a bit warmer. Second Brother is not in good health, and I worry he might get sick on the way,” Xie Zhiqing straightened up, met Lang Xiaoxiao’s gaze in the mirror, and said, “Alright, the hair is done. You’re our grassland’s little princess.”

 

Lang Xiaoxiao looked left and right in the mirror, delightedly said, “Great! Thanks, Xiaoqing!”

 

She skipped to the door, waved to bid farewell to Xie Zhiqing, and said, “The princess is leaving!”

 

Xie Zhiqing smiled and said, “Goodbye.”

 

After Lang Xiaoxiao left, the house returned to quietness.

 

It’s quite miraculous. In just two days, first, he sent away his brother, and now, he sent away his sister. Lang Xiaoxiao didn’t know where she was going or when she would come back. Strangely, when comparing the two departures, he found himself more concerned about where Lang Sa was at this moment and when he would return.

 

Xie Zhiqing rubbed his face, smiling and shaking his head.