Chapter 5 — My Little Vixen

Rong Vang did not ask anything further in the end. That night, the mist lingered for a long time before finally dissolving, and the rain outside the window eventually ceased. I only remembered how his nine tails had entwined around me, layer upon layer, soft as driven snow and delicate as drifting clouds, gently supporting my weary form. He was no longer passively enduring my teasing as he had before. Instead, he had finally learned how to turn the tables. He would pull me tightly against him whenever I tried to evade his touch. He would pause when I grew breathless, his eyes flushed red as he whispered to ask if I was in pain. And the very moment I answered that I was not, he would lean down to deepen the kiss. By the end, I could no longer distinguish whether I was being held in his arms or completely enveloped by his nine magnificent tails. I only recall that as the sky began to grow pale with dawn, he buried his face in the crook of my neck, letting out a low, muffled sob.

Co Mien.

I am finally no longer alone.

When I awoke the following day, my entire body was buried beneath a sea of white fox tails. Nine of them were neatly layered around me, enclosing me tightly in the center like a pristine, snow-white nest. They were overwhelmingly soft and desperately clinging. Rong Vang was holding me close, his long hair cascading loosely across the pillow, the corners of his eyes still tinged with a rosy flush that had not entirely faded from the previous night. Seeing that I was awake, his very first reaction was not to speak, but to lower his head and press a gentle kiss to my forehead. The movement was incredibly light, executed with such meticulous care as though he feared a slightly heavier touch might cause me to shatter.

Are you still feeling uncomfortable?

My face burned fiercely.

You should not be asking such direct questions.

The tips of his ears turned a vivid shade of crimson.

I was only worried that you were not well.

I am fine.

I paused for a moment, then quietly added, Just a little tired, that is all. Rong Vang’s nine tails instantly drooped flat.

I am sorry.

I was left speechless. Why was this fox so prone to crying at the drop of a hat? I hurriedly reached out to stroke his ears.

I am not blaming you.

Really?

Really.

Still not entirely reassured, he lowered his head to kiss my fingertips.

Then next time, I will be a little gentler.

My face grew so hot I wanted to bury myself deep within the fur of his tails.

Rong Vang.

Hmm?

Back then, in front of me, you always acted as though you were entirely free of earthly desires.

And the result...

His long eyelashes fluttered slightly.

What was the result?

I stared straight at him.

The result is that you are actually quite experienced.

Rong Vang’s entire body went rigid. His ears blazed red from base to tip, and even his nine tails bristled as if they had been scorched. At last, I could not help but laugh out loud.

Stop pretending.

Did you always have to hold back before?

He remained silent for a very long time before finally murmuring, Yes.

Why did you have to hold back?

I was afraid of frightening you.

He looked at me, his gaze moist with unshed emotion yet intensely serious.

I was also afraid that you only liked my tails.

And not me.

My heart melted instantly. Moving closer of my own accord, I pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his lips.

Do you know now?

Know what?

I do not just like your tails.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I whispered, I like you, too.

I like it when you hold me.

I like it when you kiss me.

And I even like the way you no longer try to hide from me.

Rong Vang was stunned. The very next second, the corners of his eyes grew red once more. I instantly went on the defensive, You are not planning to cry again, are you? He buried his face in the hollow of my neck, his voice muffled and forlorn, No. Yet a small patch of skin against my collarbone quickly grew damp. I sighed, absentmindedly stroking his hair.

Alright.

You are not crying.

It is just my little fox being too happy.

After the misunderstandings were cleared away, Rong Vang still refused to let me go. He held me tightly, as though afraid that the slightest hesitation on his part would cause me to vanish the next second. Surrounded by his nine tails, I felt as though I were sinking into a sea of soft, white clouds. What I had yearned for day and night was now mine, yet I suddenly found myself too timid to move. For I had just learned a vital truth: a fox's tails were his most vulnerable spot. The lightest touch sent ripples of sensation straight through him. I swallowed hard.

So, may I still touch them in the future?

Rong Vang’s body noticeably stiffened. After a long pause, he asked in a low whisper, Do you want to touch them? I nodded honestly.

I do.

A faint spark of light suddenly flickered in the depths of his eyes, though he quickly suppressed it.

Is this not out of pity for me?

It is not.

Not out of a sense of guilt?

Not at all.

Not because you are afraid I might turn dark and vengeful?

I fell silent for a single second.

There is a little bit of that, too.

He lowered his gaze. I hurriedly cupped his face in my hands.

But mostly because I truly, genuinely want to touch them.

He looked up at me, his eyes tranquil yet damp, carrying a lingering trace of hesitation and caution.

All nine of them?

I glanced back at the magnificent display of tails spread across the bed behind him, then nodded with solemn resignation.

It is very difficult not to want to touch them.

Rong Vang finally smiled. The gesture was exceedingly faint, yet so breathtaking that it caused my heart to skip a beat. Yet even as he smiled, a single tear escaped and rolled down his cheek. I panicked.

Why are you crying again?

Rong Vang lowered his gaze, his voice barely a breath.

I thought you would never want to touch them again.

I thought...

you truly had no more need of me.

At that moment, my heart felt as though it were being squeezed in a tight fist. I reached out to wipe the tears from his face.

Rong Vang.

Hmm?

You do not need to cry like this.

I cannot help it, he murmured softly.

I waited for you to turn back and look at me for far too long.

My hand froze against his cheek. Rong Vang bowed his head, voluntarily pressing one of his fluffy fox ears directly into my palm.

Then touch my ears first.

As for the tails...

He paused for a moment, his voice raspy and fragile.

We must take it slowly.

The moment my fingertips brushed against his ear, Rong Vang’s eyelashes fluttered. His nine tails rippled in unison in response. I instantly froze.

Does it hurt?

It does not hurt.

His voice was somewhat unsteady.

It feels very nice.

My face began to burn fiercely. How had I never realized before that such a scene could be so utterly laden with unspoken intimacy? Rong Vang, as if finally receiving the long-delayed comfort he had craved, rubbed his cheek softly against my palm.

Co Mien.

Hmm?

Do not ever mention the word divorce again, alright?

Alright.

Do not yield me to anyone else.

Alright.

And do not ever think my nine tails are terrifying.

My heart melted completely.

They are not terrifying.

Then what are they?

I gathered one of his tails into my arms and replied softly, They are my little fox.

Rong Vang’s breath hitched. The next second, all nine tails wrapped around me completely.

Co Mien.

His voice was low, husky, and fraught with restraint right beside my ear.

In the fox clan, one takes only a single lifelong mate.

Since you have touched my tails,

you cannot cast me aside now.

The brush of his fur sent a slight tickle dancing over my skin, and I could not suppress a chuckle.

Is this considered clinging shamelessly?

He pondered the question with utmost seriousness.

It is.

...

But you have touched them many times.

I was utterly lost for words. Rong Vang looked at me, the corners of his eyes still flushed, yet his tone carried a grievance so profound it was almost endearing, Therefore, you must take responsibility.

I sighed and reached up to wrap my arms around his neck.

Very well.

I will take responsibility.

The depths of his eyes gradually grew brighter, bit by bit, much like the moonlight breaking through the dissolving mist. I thought to myself that the original plot had surely been entirely mistaken. It spoke at length of how terrifying the Fox King would become should he ever turn dark and vengeful, yet it never explained why he would turn dark in the first place. Nor did it mention how many times, whenever I kept my distance, he had been forced to hide his tails in the shadows, wandering through the dark and questioning over and over again whether he had been abandoned once more. The story claimed I perished from an excess of indulgence, but the truth was far simpler: I had nearly died from a lack of fluffy tails. Thus, one must never be too extreme in this life, especially when faced with a breathtakingly beautiful white fox who was starved for affection and resourceful enough to bring all nine of his tails right to your doorstep with reddened eyes. If he offered them, one simply had to touch them, or else he truly might weep. Yet Shen Jin still refused to give up.