Marrying the Soft-hearted Villain

Worried that other monsters might come and harm the "fragile" Mr. Snail-Grey Wolf, Ruan Qiuqiu remained vigilant even after returning to their cave, which thankfully showed no signs of disturbance or strong blood scent.

Her knees were burning from running, and having not heard a response from the wolf in the "master bedroom," Ruan Qiuqiu, disregarding the possibility that the wolf might need some private time, quickly lifted the thick, patchwork animal hide curtain.

"Husband, are you alri—"

Before she could finish, Ruan Qiuqiu was stunned by the sight before her.

Yuan Jue leaned gently against the cold rock wall, a small piece of animal hide she had folded for a pillow tucked beneath him. His beautiful collarbones and the faint lines of his muscles were partially hidden by his half-open, crimson robe.

A noticeable blush colored his elegant cheeks, and his slightly dry, thin lips were pressed together in embarrassment. His two furry, pointed ears, atop his long black hair, were folded down. One was still somewhat bald, the newly grown silver-grey fur sparse and pitiful.

Yet, the wolf maintained an air of reserved pride and indifference. His eyes, unfocused due to his blindness, held a look of apathy and gloom, utterly aloof and abstinent. Ruan Qiuqiu couldn't quite tell if the wolf had done something embarrassing while she was away.

However, Yuan Jue didn't appear to be injured, which meant no other monsters had attacked. Perhaps she had overthought things.

Relieved, Ruan Qiuqiu let out a sigh.

But as she relaxed, the wolf, whose keen sense of smell and extended demonic awareness had detected his little wife's injury, visibly darkened in demeanor.

"…You're injured," his voice, low and husky like a winter river, broke the silence. Having completely forgotten his own embarrassing moment and worried about his little wife's anger, his voice was laced with unconcealed concern and self-blame.

She had only been away from him for such a short time, and yet she was hurt.

Ruan Qiuqiu didn't think it was a big deal. She walked in, bent down to pick up the broken wooden bowl, added some firewood to the stone stove, and sat down on the stone stool. After a moment's thought, she recounted her encounter with Qing Ruyi to Mr. Big Grey Wolf.

To her surprise, instead of easing, the wolf's expression grew more formidable, his narrow eyes darkening with ominous emotion. "You're injured."

Ruan Qiuqiu was speechless.

Touching her slightly stinging cheek, she said, "I'm fine, it's just a scratch on my face." In truth, her arm and leg had also suffered minor scrapes and sprains while she was dodging, but they weren't serious, only hindering her movement temporarily.

Rubbing her sore arm, she said, "I don't know what the relationship between Qing Ruyi and Grandpa Mo was. I hope this was just an accident."

Hearing the word "accident," Yuan Jue's pointed ears drooped even lower, his hands clenching tightly.

Perhaps, it wasn't an accident.

Ever since he was a small cub, he had been easily targeted by monsters and beasts.

Before being attacked and nearly killed in the recent beast tide, his demonic bloodline had remained dormant, leading him to believe he was merely cursed.

But now it seemed that his vulnerability was because his flesh and blood were highly nourishing to monsters.

His little wife's injury might also be his fault. She had been with him for too long, and that's why she was attacked.

Fortunately, Ruan Qiuqiu was unaware of the big grey wolf's thoughts. Otherwise, she would have retorted that if being with him made her a target, was it because she had been marinated in demonic energy?

Seeing his ears droop further, Ruan Qiuqiu secretly romanticized his concern for her, her lips curving into a slight smile. Deciding to change the somber topic, she began, "Um…"

"Husband."

"Does the robe fit?"

Ruan Qiuqiu's eyes sparkled, oblivious to the burden she supposedly placed on him. Looking at the large expanse of the wolf's exposed skin, she felt a little embarrassed. "Is it… cold wearing it like that?"

Yuan Jue was silent.

He only then noticed his own appearance and, feigning composure, fastened the animal hide belt of his robe, his deep eyes downcast, lost in thought.

After a while, Ruan Qiuqiu finally heard his reply, "The robe… is it for me?"

Ruan Qiuqiu was taken aback.

She hadn't expected Yuan Jue to ask this question. But hearing him actually ask it made her strangely shy. She stammered, "…Y-yes."

Yuan Jue's ears burned, and an indescribable feeling spread through his chest. The wolf, wanting to appear reserved and polite in front of his little wife, even though his tail, hidden beneath the animal hide, was curled up in delight, pretended to say casually, "Thank you."

Ruan Qiuqiu, "…Y-you're welcome."

After replying, she belatedly felt something was odd. Didn't the wolf know the robe was made for him? Then why… did he wear it?

Could it be…

He was cold?

Was he cold but too embarrassed to say so?

Convinced she had deciphered the wolf's thoughts, Ruan Qiuqiu cheerfully added more firewood to the stove.

Looking at the three eggs on the stone table and remembering the leftover wild beef, she said with a smile, "Let's have beef and egg custard tonight."

Regarding dinner, although Mr. Big Grey Wolf, starved and hungry for a long time to conserve food, claimed he wasn't hungry, his little wife disregarded his opinion and cooked a lot of meat. As she left the cave to clean up, she said in a troubled tone, "It would be a waste if we can't finish all this meat. If only Mr. Snail-Grey Wolf were here, he could definitely eat it all."

So, when Ruan Qiuqiu returned, the meat had been completely devoured by the lemon wolf.

Looking at the spotless stone pot and then at the big grey wolf, whose complexion was slightly rosier than before, Ruan Qiuqiu flashed a sly smile.

It seemed Mr. Big Grey Wolf had quite the appetite. At this rate, their food reserves would only last half a month. She would have to hunt diligently.

Perhaps she could use her healing ability to trade with the bears of the Winter Bear Tribe for food.

She had originally planned to ask Grandpa Mo about the Winter Bear Tribe, but Qing Ruyi's interruption had made her forget.

However…

Her gaze fell on Mr. Big Grey Wolf's eyes, which reflected the soft starlight filtering into the cave. Hesitating, she asked, "Husband, do you know where the Winter Bear Tribe is?"

Yuan Jue paused, then said hoarsely, "Yes."

His dark eyelashes fluttered. "Do you want to go?"

Ruan Qiuqiu nodded, then shook her head. "Not necessarily. I met two bear demons in the forest before, who came to the Flame Wolf Tribe to trade for medicinal herbs."

"They didn't get any. I'm a variant water-type, so maybe I can trade with them."

Ruan Qiuqiu continued, "We don't have enough food and salt stones at home. We also need to exchange for animal hides and more spirit stones…"

Her voice was soft, each word carefully considering their future, like a warm stream gently tapping against Yuan Jue's hardened heart, softening him.

"It's not far. Northwest, over two mountains."

Ruan Qiuqiu thought, That's not far? It would take me a day or two to walk there, and another two or three days to return.

The big grey wolf, whose demonic awareness was exhausted and could no longer see his little wife's reaction, waited for several seconds without a response. He clenched his large paws and, gathering his courage, said, "If you want to go, I'll take you the day after tomorrow."

His meridians were almost healed. Although his severed limb and eyesight couldn't be restored, and he hadn't found a way for his demon core and magic core to coexist completely…

She was light. He could carry her.

The forest was full of dangers. With him there, she wouldn't have to worry.

Mr. Big Grey Wolf felt a little shy. He didn't know about other wolves, but he was a wolf of principle, and he had never let anyone ride on his back. There was an ancient custom: when a male demon asked his beloved human if she was willing to ride on his back, it was a sign of courtship.

Thus, Mr. Big Grey Wolf, having heard some nonsensical rules from somewhere, waited nervously for Ruan Qiuqiu's response after saying this.

He didn't know that his little wife was unaware of these customs and didn't understand this was a sign of courtship. Hearing that the wolf, who still needed to recuperate, offered to take her, Ruan Qiuqiu immediately shook her head. "…No, it's okay if we don't go."

She had finally nursed him back to some semblance of health and didn't want to see him injured again. Although she wanted to trade with the Winter Bear Tribe, her wolf was her priority.

But…

Looking at the wolf's seemingly dejected expression, Ruan Qiuqiu, remembering Mr. Big Grey Wolf's cub-like appearance when they first met, secretly planned to indulge in petting his fluffy tail once he was asleep.

It had been too long since she had simply laid in bed and enjoyed the feeling of soft fur.

Meanwhile, the wolf, after his first (supposed) courtship attempt was rejected, dejectedly decided that tonight, after his little wife fell asleep, he would secretly hug her and, like a lovesick wolf, caress her smooth face.

He longed to see her face with his own eyes, to kiss her.

He hadn't forgotten Qing Ruyi, who had hurt her. He held grudges. Every demon who had harmed her was etched in his memory, waiting for their reckoning.

Both the human and the wolf planned to do something "naughty" after the other fell asleep. They were still easily embarrassed around each other, but they tried their best to accommodate each other, patiently waiting for nightfall.

After completing the last task of the day—cultivation—the human and wolf finally "decided" to sleep.

Ruan Qiuqiu, looking at Mr. Big Grey Wolf's twitching furry ears, could barely contain herself.

Feigning composure, she made sure the "door" was secured with a wooden block to prevent ordinary beasts from entering. Returning to the "master bedroom," she looked at Mr. Big Grey Wolf with his dark eyes and hesitated.

Then she heard the wolf raise his eyes slightly and say, as if casually, "Are you going to sleep?"

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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