After The Soft And Cute Beauty Marries The Wolf King - Chapter 64

Xie Lingyue was probably too young to have developed an instinct for sensing danger. Or perhaps, she was also a fierce beast by nature, and encountering another of her kind only made her more excited. In any case, Xie Lingyue wriggled in Xie Zhiqing’s arms, turning toward the boy who resembled either a cat or a tiger. Pointing her chubby finger at him, she said, “Huhu! Huhu!”

 

…It was only then that Xie Zhiqing realized she had been trying to say “tiger, tiger.”

 

But by now, it was too late to worry about such things.

 

Though the grasslands were far from reaching the height of summer, Xie Zhiqing was already drenched in cold sweat.

 

He bit his lip and quietly began to back away with the baby in his arms—too afraid to even turn around, lest he expose his back to the boy.

 

However, as he moved, he accidentally stepped on Wu’erma’s paw.

 

The little wolf yelped, startling Xie Zhiqing into letting out a cry of his own.

 

The sound wasn’t loud, but in the otherwise silent surroundings and with Xie Zhiqing’s nerves on edge, it felt as though even the air itself was rustling around him. His heart pounded wildly, and it seemed as if his feet were glued to the ground, unable to move.

 

The boy in front of him appeared to be startled by the noise as well. His back arched even more, and a loud growling sound emerged from his throat. He parted the grass and took two slow steps forward.

 

The boy’s body was only covered by a tattered piece of cloth. His four limbs were exposed, and thick, yellow-black fur covered them. Below this fur were… four sharp claws.

 

…This was a tiger, not a cat.

 

Xie Zhiqing swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm. He took a closer look at the boy, focusing on his right leg.

 

A huge wound had torn open at the joint of his right leg, blood soaking into his fur, which was matted and dirty.

 

He must have been here for a long time, as the ground beneath him was already stained black with his blood.

 

The boy’s yellow eyes remained fixed on Xie Zhiqing, his gaze calm but oppressively intense.

 

After a long silence, the boy spoke first. “You are human, not wolf.”

 

His words were slow, his speech halting and disjointed, suggesting he was not fully sentient—a trait that could make him even more dangerous.

 

Xie Zhiqing held the baby in his arms even tighter. He might be human, but right now, there were two real wolves beside him…

 

Fortunately, the boy didn’t seem to expect an answer. His arched back gradually relaxed, his body easing, and the wariness on his face faded.

 

Xie Zhiqing discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked down at the little wolf cub at his feet, cleared his throat, and whispered, “Wu’erma, let’s go.”

 

He still didn’t dare to turn his back.

 

After taking a few steps backward, he realized the boy had no intention of following him, which made him feel a bit more at ease.

 

Once he was a safe distance from the tiger, Xie Zhiqing bent down, scooped up Wu’erma, and, with the two wolf cubs in his arms, took off running!

 

The wind roared past his ears, causing sharp pains in them.

 

Just then, he heard a familiar female voice.

 

“Xiao Qing’er, is that you nearby?” The girl’s voice was clear, but her tone was filled with obvious confusion. “Is it you?”

 

It was Lang Xiaoxiao!

 

The fierce aura of another beast caused the tiger behind him to growl once more. Unlike before, this time, the sound was noticeably more agitated.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s heart raced with anxiety. He looked around frantically but couldn’t see where Lang Xiaoxiao was.

 

Xie Lingyue, cradled in his arms, started to fuss again. She pointed in a direction and mumbled, “Mm, mm.”

 

Xie Zhiqing hastily looked in that direction—

 

Lang Xiaoxiao’s figure gradually became clear.

 

…But her steps were also slowing down.

 

“Xiao Qing’er? You, you… Is that a… tiger?” Lang Xiaoxiao said hesitantly.

 

Before she could finish her sentence, the tiger boy was already roaring and lunging at her.

 

His speed was so fast that in almost an instant, he was at Lang Xiaoxiao’s side.

 

Even though Lang Xiaoxiao was highly skilled, she couldn’t dodge in time and was bitten on the back of her hand!

 

“Xiaoxiao!” Xie Zhiqing shouted in alarm.

 

The tiger boy’s canines hadn’t fully receded; they were sharper and more pointed than those of an average person. In just a few moments, blood was pouring from Lang Xiaoxiao’s left arm.

 

After a brief moment of shock, Lang Xiaoxiao finally snapped back to reality. She grabbed the tiger by the neck with her other hand and kicked him in the abdomen—his teeth immediately released her hand.

 

But then, the tiger raised his right paw and aimed directly at Lang Xiaoxiao’s head—

 

Xie Zhiqing’s breath nearly stopped.

 

Whoosh—

 

A short arrow shot out from behind Xie Zhiqing, striking the wounded leg of the tiger boy.

 

The already torn wound now cut deep into the bone, and his injured right leg finally gave out. After stumbling a few steps, he fell to his knees.

 

“Dede!” Xie Lingyue, still unfazed, clapped her hands and continued to babble incomprehensibly.

 

Xie Zhiqing didn’t have time to comfort her—a whirlwind of a person swept past him, and as they passed, they even had the energy to pat him on the head in reassurance.

 

This person moved far faster than the tiger boy. They tore off a piece of their cloak, quickly bandaged Lang Xiaoxiao’s wound, and swiftly subdued the struggling tiger.

 

With one hand, they twisted the tiger’s arms behind his back and used their knee to pin him down, pressing him firmly into the ground.

 

Soon after, a few more attendants rushed out from behind Xie Zhiqing. They surrounded the three in the front and, with coordinated effort, restrained the tiger.

 

“Lang Sa…” Xie Zhiqing murmured, staring at the pack of wolves ahead.

 

The fear and panic in Xie Zhiqing’s heart gradually faded upon seeing the Wolf King and his attendants. His legs felt weak, and cold sweat covered his forehead.

 

Even though he was a few steps away and speaking in a low murmur, Lang Sa could hear him perfectly.

 

After quickly wrapping Lang Xiaoxiao’s wound, Lang Sa immediately rushed toward Xie Zhiqing!

 

“Xiao Qing’er!” He held Xie Zhiqing tightly, his face showing the same panic. “Are you alright?!”

 

“I-I’m fine…” Xie Zhiqing mustered some strength and added, “The baby is fine too.”

 

Lang Sa was still shaken. “It’s good that you’re okay, good…”

 

He turned to the attendants behind him and nearly roared, “What did I tell you?! How did he end up here?!”

 

The attendants remained silent, unable to answer.

 

Lang Sa looked around and asked, “Where is Ateus? Didn’t I tell it to stay with you?”

 

Xie Zhiqing quickly said, “I sent it out to take Fufu for a walk… Don’t blame it.”

 

Lang Sa’s eyes were tinged with red, his worry mixed with anger, displaying the violent and unpredictable nature of the Wolf King.

 

Xie Zhiqing felt a bit scared. He gently touched Lang Sa’s arm and said softly, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

 

He tugged at Lang Sa’s sleeve and asked, “How is Xiaoxiao’s injury? Is it serious?”

 

Lang Sa looked down at him.

 

The Wolf King’s chest was still heaving violently, and after a long moment, he spoke in a low voice, “…It’s good that you’re okay, you scared me to death.”

 

He then turned to glance at Lang Xiaoxiao, and when he spoke again, his voice had regained its calmness: “Go to my place and get some medicine.”

 

He then addressed the attendants, “Take him away and lock him up properly. The rest of you, go to the discipline hall and receive your punishment.”

 

The attendants left, dejected, dragging the tiger boy with them.

 

Lang Sa took the two wolf cubs from Xie Zhiqing’s arms. He looked a bit weary and shook his head, saying nothing more as he signaled for Xie Zhiqing to return home with him.

 

On the way, Lang Sa explained the situation.

 

“A while ago—I don’t know if you remember—when I came back once, my clothes were covered in blood, and it scared you. Back then, someone reported seeing a tiger that had injured people, but we searched for days and couldn’t find any trace of it. A few days ago, I suddenly saw tiger tracks and had people searching ever since. I didn’t expect he was hiding here…”

 

Lang Sa was still deeply worried, his brows furrowed tightly.

 

“Dede! Dede!” Xie Lingyue, who always loved causing trouble, reached out her chubby hand and slapped Lang Sa right on the brow with a loud smack. “Dede!!”

 

“…” Lang Sa’s previously gloomy mood was miraculously lifted by this slap. Although he continued to frown at her, he was soon amused by Xie Lingyue’s innocent expression.

 

“What ‘Dede’?” Lang Sa scolded with a laugh, “You can’t even talk properly!”

 

After the laugh, he looked at Xie Zhiqing again. His expression still carried exhaustion—fear that had risen from deep within wasn’t so easy to dispel. When he saw Xie Zhiqing standing in front of that tiger, trembling with two wolf cubs in his arms, Lang Sa had nearly lost his mind.

 

He freed one hand to wrap around Xie Zhiqing’s shoulder, took a deep breath, and said, “You really scared me…”

 

Xie Zhiqing slowly shook his head and said, “I remember you specifically telling me not to go too far. I felt like something was off… So this was the reason.”

 

Who was to blame? Xie Zhiqing for not listening? Xie Lingyue for wanting to go out and play? Or the vast grasslands, the tiger running too fast, and the Wolf King searching for days without finding the tiger?

 

“No one could have expected this… It’s rare for me to take Lingyue out alone, and who knew we would run into him.” Xie Zhiqing said, “Ah, I’m so unlucky…”

 

Lang Sa was at a loss for words. He sighed again, reached out to hug Xie Zhiqing, resting his chin on his forehead, and whispered, “Thank goodness you’re okay… thank goodness you’re all okay.”

 

The two of them took a moment to calm down before continuing on their way home.

 

After walking a few steps, a weak voice suddenly came from behind them.

 

“Um, you two,” Lang Xiaoxiao rubbed her face and grinned, “Can I hold the baby?”

 

Xie Zhiqing: “…”

 

He had been so focused on listening to Lang Sa that he had completely forgotten Lang Xiaoxiao was still behind them.

 

“How’s your injury? Is it serious?!” He quickly asked, remembering her wound.

 

“It’s not serious, not serious.” Lang Xiaoxiao raised her arm to show him, “I’ll just grab some medicine with you and apply it, and I’ll be fine.”

 

Earlier, Lang Sa had torn off a piece of his cloak to do a makeshift bandage, and now the wound had stopped bleeding. The rest would rely on medicine and time.

 

Lang Xiaoxiao said, “It’s really not serious, Xiao Qing’er, don’t look so down! This little wound is nothing for a princess like me!”

 

She trotted up to Xie Zhiqing and stared at Xie Lingyue with bright eyes, saying, “Um, hehe, baby, can I hold the baby?”

 

Xie Zhiqing: “.”

 

He blinked and said, “Um, Xiaoxiao, can you first tell me why you’re here? Weren’t you… going to Anyu?”

 

**Author’s Note:**

 

The known uses of the Wolf King’s clothes now include:

 

Padding for Xiao Qing’er’s butt, a teething toy for Wu’erma, bandaging Lang Xiaoxiao’s wound, and being torn into strips by Ateus to tie up Xie Lingyue.