Marrying the Soft-hearted Villain

A simple "Awoo" from a certain wolf, the sound tinged with a husky sexiness, reached Ruan Qiuqiu's ears, causing a strange sensation to bloom in her chest. Her ears flushed, and she felt momentarily at a loss.

A sudden silence descended, thick with an awkward tension.

Ruan Qiuqiu's ears remained pink. Perhaps accustomed to the small, milky "Awoo" from Mr. Gray Wolf in her memory world, she didn't react with much surprise to Mr. Big Gray Wolf's sudden display of affection.

Tianxiu, standing beside her, didn't possess her composure.

The silly roc was completely stunned, hardly believing his own two eyes, which offered a nearly 360-degree view of the world. The two long feathers at the edge of his head stood on end like electrified antennae.

The red roc's feathers puffed out in all directions, and his sharp beak opened wide, revealing a tongue much darker than the typical raptor's.

Ruan Qiuqiu thought, "…Eww."

Her initially calm expression cracked slightly upon witnessing Tianxiu's ridiculous reaction.

Choosing to ignore him, Ruan Qiuqiu lifted her right hand, which gripped the edge of her wheelchair, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her cool fingertips brushed against her ear, attempting to quell the strange warmth spreading from within.

She took a calming breath and looked up at the seemingly unsteady "scheming" wolf before her. Amused, she curved her lips into a smile. Knowing that the wolf couldn't understand her words, she decided to tease him.

Using the way she used to communicate with him, Ruan Qiuqiu softly said, "Husband, it's cold outside. Why haven't you fastened your clothes?"

"Also, I ran into Tianxiu at Granny Ruyi's place. He said the Winter Bear Tribe is short on medicinal herbs. I thought we had some common herbs we weren't using, so I asked him to come with me to get them…"

The big gray wolf, practically drowning in vinegar, thought, "…"

Yuan Jue's head was actually dizzy. He had been cultivating for a long time, but due to the lack of spirit stones, his body still ached.

He hadn't waited outside for long, perhaps less than two hours.

However, his hands and feet were still icy.

This scheming, perverted big gray wolf had originally planned to pretend to faint as Qiuqiu approached, letting her half-carry him into the cave and "accidentally" brush against her lips in the process.

Who knew that his little wife would return with Tianxiu? The wolf couldn't help himself…

But was it just a chance encounter on her way back?

Numerous thoughts flashed through Mr. Big Gray Wolf's mind, but his handsome face remained as impassive as ever.

He half-closed his narrow phoenix eyes, lowered his head slightly, and kept his ears drooped, maintaining an air of utter grievance.

Ruan Qiuqiu softened her gaze and set down her makeshift "wheelchair." She took two steps forward and tentatively reached for Yuan Jue's sleeve. "Are you tired? Do you want me to help you?"

Based on her past experience, the proud wolf would certainly refuse her help and might even, as before, coolly push her hand away, feigning strength.

Ruan Qiuqiu had already prepared her next line, but this time, the aloof and arrogant wolf remained still.

—In reality, he was a wolf perfectly capable of taking care of himself, no longer the wolf cub from her dreams who needed to be held to sleep peacefully.

But Mr. Big Gray Wolf, remembering that in his wife's eyes, he was currently a pitiful, feverish wolf, let out a small, soft "Awoo" and obediently allowed her to take his arm.

Thus, Ruan Qiuqiu not only easily grasped Mr. Gray Wolf's sleeve but also touched his arm.

Ruan Qiuqiu thought, "…"

Surprised, she gradually covered his arm with her hand.

She keenly felt the wolf's body tremble with sensitivity, but he quickly regained his composure, remaining motionless as she held him.

Tianxiu thought, "…" Were his eyes about to be blinded by the sheer brilliance of this moment?

Being a roc was hard. What had he done wrong? Not only was he pestered by a bunch of cubs, but he also had to endure this sickeningly sweet display while simply fetching medicine.

Force-fed a mouthful of sweet dog food mixed with the cold wind, Tianxiu quickly shut his beak, which had gaped open in astonishment.

Tianxiu looked at the indifferent, aloof wolf, who stood there obediently, his body radiating barely contained ferocity, his dark brows still furrowed with gloom and suppression.

Yuan Jue had lost his sight, and his once jewel-like gray-blue eyes had turned into dull blood pupils, but somehow…

Tianxiu felt that something about the wolf was different.

As if a faint, invisible barrier surrounded him and Ruan Qiuqiu, shielding them from all malice and darkness.

Even amidst countless hardships, a warm light always shone between them.

As Tianxiu watched, he found himself captivated. He felt a bit giddy. A cruel and ferocious big gray wolf who only showed tenderness to one person, paired with a kind, lovely, and delicate little wife… If his own mate were here, she would be even more enthralled…

The roc, as he watched, suddenly felt less afraid. Then he saw Ruan Qiuqiu, bathed in a soft, romantic glow, supporting the wolf and turning to him with a sweet smile. "Roc brother, would you mind helping me push the wheelchair into the cave?"

After speaking, she turned back and helped the clearly conscious Yuan Jue into the cave.

Tianxiu pushed the wheelchair forward. A second before entering the cave, his head slammed into the "door," which had been abruptly shut for some inexplicable reason, raising a large bump.

"Heh."

A low, mocking chuckle, filled with vinegar-induced resentment, came from within.

Tianxiu thought, "…Fuck."

His brain must have been marinated in demonic energy to even consider shipping Yuan Jue, this jealous wolf. What was he even thinking?

… …

Ruan Qiuqiu found Mr. Big Gray Wolf's petty trick of slamming the door on the silly roc both exasperating and amusing.

Yet, the wolf refused to admit it in front of her, seemingly determined to maintain his unconscious act. His long black hair fell around him, carrying the fresh scent of plants, which mingled with his own faint aroma, surprisingly pleasant.

Ruan Qiuqiu slowly helped him forward.

This was the first time she had walked side-by-side with Mr. Big Gray Wolf while he was awake. With every slight movement, she could hear the rustle of their clothes.

In the quiet cave, the sound was prominent.

Ruan Qiuqiu's ears were filled with the sounds of her own breathing and heartbeat. She had originally wanted to coax a few more "Awoos" from the wolf, but by the time she came to her senses, she had already helped him to the stone bed.

Despite the interference of certain unwelcome elements (the roc - "??"), the scheming wolf decided to stick to his original plan.

He truly couldn't hold on any longer.

Mr. Big Gray Wolf leaned forward slightly. Ruan Qiuqiu felt a weight on her shoulders and waist, and she fell backward uncontrollably, landing gently on the soft animal hide blanket.

Mr. Big Gray Wolf's lips brushed lightly against her ear. He didn't dare put his full weight on her, but simply collapsed beside her, his handsome face flushed.

The oblivious Ruan Qiuqiu thought, "…"

What was he doing?

She sat up, adjusted her clothes, and looked thoughtfully at Yuan Jue, who had his eyes tightly closed.

She wondered if she should just tell Yuan Jue that she could understand the language of the yao.

After some thought, Ruan Qiuqiu decided to wait for Mr. Big Gray Wolf to discover it himself.

This wolf was usually so awkward, only revealing his true feelings through his "Awoos."

He actually cared that she had returned with Tianxiu. Could it be…

He didn't like Tianxiu?

That made sense. After all, although Tianxiu hadn't meant to, he had caused Mr. Little Gray Wolf quite a bit of trouble in the past.

Ruan Qiuqiu chuckled and, without wasting any time, carefully pulled her hand away while he pretended to be unconscious.

"Tianxiu didn't return to the Sha Clan; he went to help the Winter Bear Tribe. I heard that many of the bear yao were injured in the beast tide and are short on medicinal herbs." Ruan Qiuqiu spoke to "Sleeping Beauty Wolf" as she gathered the herbs in their home.

"Granny Ruyi also went there two days ago. She discovered a barrier in the back mountains of the Winter Bear Tribe." Ruan Qiuqiu wrapped the herbs in a piece of animal hide and continued, "She said the spiritual energy within the barrier is very dense…"

"It should be suitable for cultivation…" Ruan Qiuqiu trailed off. She held the herbs in her hand and sighed softly, deciding to let Tianxiu take the herbs back first and then discuss moving with Mr. Big Gray Wolf.

She thought for a moment, then filled a new wooden bucket with hot water. Carrying both the herbs and the water, she lifted the animal hide curtain and stepped outside, handing the herbs to the sullen Tianxiu.

She didn't notice that after she left the bridal chamber, Mr. Big Gray Wolf, who had been lying on the stone bed with a heart full of sweetness, secretly clenched his fists.

—Yuan Jue slowly sat up, a sinking feeling growing in his chest, his expression turning cold.

He hadn't noticed it outside, but now he saw a faint mark on Qiuqiu's wrist.

It was a mark that appeared only after making a pact with a yao or demon.

In other words, during the afternoon he hadn't been a part of, Qiuqiu had made a pact with some yao.

This realization made him feel as though he had plunged into an icy abyss, each breath a torment.

He could guess that Qiuqiu had likely made a pact with the half-yao, half-demon named Qing Ruyi. Qiuqiu had mentioned her to him before.

He had vaguely overheard some of it, but his consciousness had been unclear at the time, and he had only caught snippets.

He wasn't worried about what would happen to Qiuqiu; he was only worried that she would be deceived.

Anxiety gnawed at his heart, his tail thrashing back and forth. Gritting his teeth, his eyes darkened.

His vision had partially returned, but all he saw were blurry patches of light. He even found the flickering flames in the stone stove irritatingly bright.

Water droplets quickly gathered on his long, dark eyelashes. The wolf's eyes were red-rimmed. Enduring the pain, he even drew a sliver of his yao consciousness, lowering his abilities, not to peek, but to anxiously eavesdrop on the conversation between his little wife and the silly roc.

"There are six medicinal herbs and a few small ginseng roots inside, which should last for a while." Ruan Qiuqiu looked at the large roc and explained, "The leafy ones are anti-inflammatory, and the bluish ones can stop bleeding and relieve pain. The small ginseng roots contain some spiritual energy, which can be used for yao who are on the verge of death."

The roc listened carefully, storing the herbs and hot water securely. Still curious, he flapped his wings and asked, "Wah~ Goo-wah~ (Thank you, Madam Yuan. You know so much.)"

Ruan Qiuqiu thought, "……………" Madam Yuan? What the heck? She was baffled by the title.

Hearing this address, the wolf in the bridal chamber snorted and curled his lips slightly, approving of the roc's tact.

But Mr. Big Gray Wolf's smugness was short-lived. He heard the roc continue, "Wah~ Goo~ (I can't believe that wolf, so unpopular, managed to marry a wife like you. It's truly astonishing.)"

Ruan Qiuqiu thought, "…"

Yuan Jue perked up his ears, slightly anticipating his little wife's response.

But a second later, he remembered—

Qiuqiu couldn't understand the yao language.

His ears drooped again. Just as Mr. Big Gray Wolf gave up hope of hearing Qiuqiu's response—

Qiuqiu chuckled and softly said, "…He saved me." Strictly speaking, if it weren't for Yuan Jue, she would have been long dead.

"Goo~ (Alright, but why don't you tell him you can understand the yao language?)" Tianxiu asked earnestly.

Mr. Big Gray Wolf's pupils widened, and the tips of his ears turned pink with shock.

Blushing, he heard her voice, "It's cute."

Because, it's cute.

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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