Chapter 48: Really don’t need it

After applying the ointment to the inside of her thigh, Liu Qiu turned over, preparing to treat her backside.

Riding a horse had truly left those two areas aching terribly.

Kneeling on the bed, she supported herself with one hand while the other scooped up some ointment and reached behind her.

Not being able to see made it rather inconvenient to apply.

But just as her fingertip touched down, the little fox burrowed in again.

If it were a person, Liu Qiu might have tried to avoid them, but the fox was only an ordinary animal.

She continued applying the medicine.

“Little fox, I don’t need your help.”

“Ao!”

Su Li glanced at the human’s strange posture, dabbed a bit of ointment onto her nose again, and in a flash darted behind Liu Qiu.

“Ao ao.”

Liu Qiu turned her head helplessly.

“Little fox, I really don’t need your help.”

Su Li ignored her.

She needed to appear obedient—but not too obedient—lest the human suspect she was a demon.

She only wanted to help apply the ointment.

But when she lifted her gaze and looked carefully, her heart suddenly trembled.

From this angle, it felt oddly strange.

Earlier she had only brushed past quickly and hadn’t taken a close look.

Now that she could see clearly, she realized that this part of a human looked the same as the one she had when she transformed into human form—except the human’s was much pinker.

The little fox braced her front paws and pressed them onto the soft, rounded, faintly flushed flesh before her.

She pressed her nose against it and gently rubbed, smearing the ointment clinging to her nose onto the skin.

It was a little… a little fragrant.

And very soft.

Her tail began wagging quickly, brushing against Liu Qiu’s calf and making her feel ticklish.

Liu Qiu reached out to grab the fox and shoo it away.

But then her expression changed abruptly and she cried out, “Little fox! You can’t lick there!”

As she spoke, she quickly straightened up.

The sudden movement made Su Li leap aside lightly onto the bed, letting out a small whine.

Humans truly made a fuss over nothing.

When she was young, her mother had licked her backside many times.

A faint blush rose to Liu Qiu’s face.

She patted the fox’s head.

“I really have to chase you out.”

It was good that the fox wanted to help, but an animal was still an animal—it couldn’t control its urge to lick randomly.

That barbed tongue scraping over such a sensitive and fragile place had been far too vivid a sensation.

It had startled her badly.

The fox barked twice, then turned around to present her backside toward Liu Qiu, silently cursing the human for being stingy.

She had only licked once.

Her saliva even had healing properties.

Seeing the fox behave that way, Liu Qiu finally relaxed.

Not daring to delay any longer, she quickly finished applying the ointment, even spreading some over the spot the fox had licked.

Afterward, she pulled her trousers back on.

Tomorrow, she would have to lock the little fox in the cage before applying medicine.

Liu Qiu lay back on the bed and called softly, “Little fox.”

Su Li turned her head.

Seeing that the human was lying down properly now, she took two or three steps and leapt onto Liu Qiu’s chest, planting her paws there and letting out an “Ao.”

A faint smile curved Liu Qiu’s lips.

She reached up and stroked the fox’s soft fur.

“We should rest now.”

[Host, stop minding it and come watch a TV drama with me. I found a film from an interstellar minor world.]

[They say it was cursed out across the entire galaxy because the villain was too powerful.]

The system chattered incessantly in her mind.

The host had never treated it so gently before.

It had thought she was a dull human with zero emotional intelligence, yet she was unexpectedly tender toward small animals.

What was so great about that stinky fox?

It was the one who could let the host watch TV in this ancient world without internet.

[Ao! Host, hurry!]

Liu Qiu couldn’t help but reply, [Why are you making such strange noises?]

[You seem very anxious today. If you want to watch, you can start first. I’ll join you soon.]

The system replied, […Heh. Host, you’re such a double-standard dog.]

It was calling her strange, of all things.

“Ying ying.”

The little fox’s cry drew Liu Qiu’s attention back.

Seeing the fox staring at her with wide eyes, Liu Qiu’s heart softened into a puddle.

So adorable.

“Little fox, I hope when I open my eyes in the morning, I’ll still see you.”

Her gaze was gentle, her voice soft, the candlelight flickering in and out.

Her curled black hair framed her clear dark eyes.

A small beauty mark dotted beneath the elegant curve of her eye.

Her features were more delicate than striking, yet her pale skin and frail frame gave her an absurd, almost eerie beauty in the dim light.

The fox watched for a while, then lay down on Liu Qiu’s chest.

“Ao.”

This human truly had her methods.

She was even more seductive than a fox spirit.

But Su Li was a female fox.

She would not be tempted by a woman.

As the night deepened and she listened to the human’s steady breathing, Su Li opened her eyes.

Her brilliant golden pupils glimmered faintly green in the darkness.

The little fox lifted her head and quietly padded to Liu Qiu’s side.

Staring at the exposed wrist, she opened her mouth and first licked it, then bit down.

Her tail swayed lightly as she drew a small amount before releasing.

She licked the skin again, and it healed at a visible speed.

Crawling back onto the human’s chest, Su Li licked her nose in satisfaction.

Not bad.

With just one sip of essence blood, she already felt a bit stronger.

She found a comfortable position, curled up, and closed her eyes.

In another small room, Liu Huang lay with her brows tightly furrowed.

Her legs unconsciously pressed together.

What was Liu Qiu doing?

Why was she always stripping naked in front of her?

“Liu Huang, come over and apply medicine for me!”

The commanding voice rang in her ears.

Liu Huang’s face darkened.

“Are your hands broken? Can’t you apply it yourself?” she mocked.

Liu Qiu snorted, turned her back to her, and lay down with her hips raised high.

“Wasn’t it because you dragged me riding and injured me? If you’re not responsible, then who is?”

Liu Huang clicked her tongue but obediently began applying the ointment.

The touch beneath her fingers was soft and delicate.

Her gaze fell to the place in between.

She had stared at it for a long time during the day, wondering if perhaps because Liu Qiu’s skin was so fair, that place was delicate as well.

Liu Qiu seemed impatient and wiggled her hips.

“Can you hurry up?”

Liu Huang’s heart skipped violently.

Her body grew unbearably hot, and she couldn’t help but raise her hand and smack down.

“Ah! Liu Huang, what are you doing?”

Liu Qiu suddenly turned around, her beautiful eyes shimmering with moisture.

Liu Huang sneered.

“What are you rushing for? You were the one who asked me to apply the medicine.”

Liu Qiu turned back again, sounding displeased.

“I know.”

Silence fell.

Liu Huang’s gaze remained fixed as she continued applying the ointment gently.

After a while, she asked, “All right. Anywhere else that needs medicine?”

The moment she finished speaking, a pair of hands reached back, gently parting the soft flesh.

Liu Qiu’s teasing voice floated over.

“Liu Huang, inside here still needs you to apply it.”

“Boom—”

Liu Huang jolted awake from the couch, her heart pounding violently.

How could she have such a lewd dream?

She had actually dreamed that Liu Qiu parted herself and asked her to apply medicine inside.

Her expression darkened.

Reaching down, she found herself damp, which only made her face look worse.

Was something wrong with her body?

Why did she keep leaking?

This had never happened before.

After fetching water to wipe herself down and changing into fresh trousers, Liu Huang pushed open the door and stared at the not-yet-bright sky.

A heavy frustration churned in her chest.

She began chopping firewood in the yard.

The villagers all rose early.

At this hour, thin white smoke could already be seen curling into the sky.

Fang Lian and Liu Tieniu were up early as well.

By the time Liu Huang was chopping wood, breakfast was already prepared.

Fang Lian approached her with a smile.

“Huang girl, your father and I are going into town to buy things. Stay home and look after your Sister Qiu.”

“The food’s on the table. Remember to eat. No need to chop more wood—don’t tire yourself out.”

She gave a long list of instructions.

Liu Huang smiled without any sign of abnormality.

“I understand, Mother. Go with Father.”

Fang Lian responded and walked out.

Liu Tieniu had borrowed an ox cart from a villager, and it was waiting outside.

As Fang Lian climbed aboard, she called out again, “Huang girl, stop working and eat!”

Liu Huang nodded with a smile, tossed aside the axe, and headed inside.

Only then did Fang Lian say, “Tieniu, let’s go. We need to make proper preparations today.”

After finishing breakfast quickly, Liu Huang headed toward Liu Qiu’s room.

Her entire family had risen so early, yet that sickly weakling was still sleeping soundly.

She truly had been spoiled.

Liu Huang pushed the door open forcefully, strode in, and lifted the white bed curtain.

“Liu Qiu—”

The two words stopped abruptly in her throat.

Liu Qiu lay on the bed with her collar loose, exposing her slender, rounded shoulders and a stretch of snowy skin across her chest.

And pressing atop her chest was that fox.

The fox was alert, eyes already open and fixed sharply on her.

Liu Huang’s gaze fell to where the fox’s paw rested.

Her brows furrowed.

Without ceremony, she grabbed the fox by the scruff of its neck and flung it away.

“You little beast. Where do you think you’re touching?”

Liu Huang was swift.

The fox had no time to react before being thrown aside.

Liu Huang reached out and pulled Liu Qiu’s inner garment closed, her eyes lingering briefly on the rise and fall beneath.

Another inch and the fabric would have revealed far too much.

How foolish.

The thought passed through her mind before she tugged the garment properly shut.

Su Li barked angrily and tried to leap back onto the bed, but the moment her paws touched it, she was seized by the scruff again.

Liu Huang carried her outside and tossed her into the yard.

Coldly, she said, “Little beast. I’m giving you freedom. Get back to your forest.”

Su Li bared her fangs and snarled, making Liu Huang snort.

“What? You’re unhappy about leaving?”

“Do you want me to skin you?”

Hearing that, Su Li turned and ran off.

With her powers gone, she couldn’t defeat this woman who resembled a vicious ghost.

She would hide first and reappear after the human called Liu Qiu woke up.

The sun climbed high before Liu Qiu was awakened by noise.

Still groggy, she opened her eyes and stretched.

Pulling aside the bed curtain, she sat on the edge and called, “Little fox?”

“Little fox, did you leave?”

There was no sound.

It seemed the fox really had gone, and Liu Qiu felt a little disappointed.

She walked to the window and pushed it open.

Suddenly, a white blur shot inside.

Recognizing it, Liu Qiu smiled.

“Little fox, did you go out to play?”

Su Li let out an “Ao.”

Liu Qiu didn’t understand, but she assumed that was the case.

At that moment, the door opened and Fang Lian hurried in with a basin, her face brimming with joy.

“Qiu girl, hurry and wash up. Feng girl has reached the town!”

Ah.

Today was the day the original owner’s other sister, Liu Feng, returned.

After washing, Fang Lian dressed her and tied her hair.

Liu Qiu didn’t refuse.

Fang Lian looked too excited.

Soon, Liu Huang entered as well, her brows curved in delight.

“Sister Qiu, hurry and eat.”

“Sister Feng’s return is making quite a spectacle. Don’t dawdle here.”

“What will people think if they see the family of the Third-Ranked Scholar like this?”

So early in the morning and Liu Huang was already belittling her.

Just how much did she hate the original owner?

Liu Qiu ate a little and left the rest for the little fox.

Seeing the white fox, Liu Huang’s gaze darkened slightly.

The little beast was clever enough to return.

Fang Lian left again after finishing with Liu Qiu.

Liu Huang remained, her smile fading as she stared at her.

“If you insist on staying in this house as a parasite, then stay quietly in your corner and don’t provoke Sister.”

Before Liu Qiu could analyze the meaning, Liu Huang added, “Do you need medicine applied?”

Liu Qiu parted her lips.

“I can handle it myself.”

Liu Huang gave an “Oh” and left.

Liu Qiu found it baffling but didn’t dwell on it.

Outside, the noise grew louder, as if many people had gathered.

She didn’t want to go out.

Instead, she crouched to watch the little fox eat and gently stroked its head.

“Eat slowly. Don’t choke.”

As the sun blazed higher, she heard the distant sound of approaching hoofbeats.

A Third-Ranked Scholar.

She should go see.

It was the kind of scene one only saw in history books or on television.

Liu Qiu stepped outside slowly.

As expected, the courtyard entrance was crowded.

Most were villagers in coarse cloth, with only a few wearing refined long robes.

She didn’t see Liu Huang or the others.

Pressing her lips together, she edged closer.

In the original owner’s memory, these villagers disliked her.

Because she was often ill, she rarely went out and had grown timid and afraid of strangers.

Illness had also twisted her heart somewhat, making her cruel toward those weaker than herself—bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

Her personality had many sides.

So far, Liu Qiu believed she was playing her role well.

The world’s consciousness had not noticed her, which meant she was doing things correctly.

The hoofbeats grew louder, along with the rumbling of wheels over earth.

Liu Qiu realized she was taller than most of the people present.

Standing on tiptoe, she looked ahead.

At the front were several fine horses, followed by a vermilion official sedan chair, with a grand procession behind.

Suddenly, the driver reined in the horses, and the sedan stopped.

A slender, pale hand with distinct knuckles slowly lifted the curtain.

Voices erupted instantly.

“It’s the Liu family’s second girl! She really became Third-Ranked Scholar!”

“Oh my, the Liu family has struck it rich!”

“How handsome!”

When Liu Qiu saw clearly, she was momentarily stunned.

Though Liu Feng shared Liu Huang’s face, the impression she gave was entirely different.

Black hair, fair skin, slender but upright, elegant in bearing.

She wore a crimson robe embroidered with a vivid peacock in gold thread across the chest.

Her eyes held a gentle smile like the misty rain of Jiangnan, soothing and capable of calming restless hearts.

No one suited the phrase “refined as jade” more than Liu Feng.

Then their gazes met.

Liu Feng smiled at her.

It seemed friendly.

Liu Qiu relaxed.

Liu Feng should be easier to get along with than Liu Huang.

In the original owner’s memory, Liu Feng and Liu Huang had looked identical—same height, same build, both sallow and thin.

Yet five years apart had changed everything.

One was flamboyant like the blazing sun, the other serene like the moon.

Both beautiful beyond recognition.

Still, it made sense.

The woman who would one day become her wife was another protagonist.

Naturally, she wouldn’t be lacking.

[System, time is passing so slowly. I want to die soon.]

The Green Hat value would only increase after marriage.

Her body was weak, yes, but it didn’t look like it was about to die anytime soon.