Chapter 49: When the Wolf Falls for the Lamb

“Stay close behind me, and don’t wander off.” Even knowing there were dogs outside, Jiang Chengyan remained calm as he spoke to Bai Yan.

Bai Yan followed closely behind him, her fingers gripping tightly to the hem of his robe.

Earlier, two large dogs had been eyeing Bai Yan with predatory intent, but the moment Jiang Chengyan stepped out, the dogs instantly tucked their tails and slunk away in fear.

Bai Yan stared wide-eyed at the scene, finding it utterly incredible.

“Why is that? Husband, are you not human either?” she asked, her face full of astonishment as she looked at Jiang Chengyan.

Jiang Chengyan fell silent, feeling as though this little rabbit was hurling an insult at him. Not human?

“Are you a wolf then?” Bai Yan leaned in curiously, sniffing all around him.

He nudged her away. “If I were a wolf, you wouldn’t be alive right now.”

“That can’t be,” she replied. “One day, while I was resting in my burrow, I overheard a child say that wolves like sheep! I’m much cuter than a bleating lamb, so it’s not impossible you’d like me.” Her eyes darted mischievously.

“What nonsense have you been listening to now?” Jiang Chengyan muttered, wondering what strange memories had poisoned her mind this time.

“I also often see two people being all lovey-dovey,” she continued, gesturing in front of him.

Jiang Chengyan’s face darkened completely.

He didn’t need much effort to guess what Bai Yan must have witnessed back then.

The forest was dense with undergrowth, offering plenty of secrecy; it was hardly surprising that such things would happen. Besides, she had lived a hundred and fifty years—there was little she hadn’t seen.

“Make sure you forget all about that,” Jiang Chengyan said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Alright, I understand,” Bai Yan nodded.

This time, Jiang Chengyan had come up the mountain mainly to help her. Bai Yan, familiar with the terrain, led him straight to a grove of particularly ancient-looking trees.

“Look, the mushrooms here are the tastiest,” she said, swinging the small basket off her back and using her hands to brush aside the dead grass, revealing hidden mushrooms beneath.

In no time at all, she had filled her basket to the brim.

She picked one up, wiped it clean, and was about to take a bite.

A slender, well-defined hand snatched the mushroom away and tossed it aside.

“You’re human now; you can’t eat things raw, or you’ll get an upset stomach,” Jiang Chengyan said. “What else do we need to do?” There were still two large baskets left.

“We need to fill these with the rich soil under the thick blanket of fallen leaves,” Bai Yan pointed to the dark, fertile earth on the ground.

Jiang Chengyan carried two full baskets of rich soil back without asking Bai Yan what she planned to do with it. In his eyes, this was just a little rabbit’s whimsy—nothing much would come of it.

To put it plainly, he simply wanted her to be happy; he never expected her to accomplish anything significant.

Unlike Jiang Chengyan’s indifference, Bai Yan was delighted, carrying a basket of mushrooms and having also dug up several wild strawberry roots. She hopped and skipped all the way down the mountain, so much so that by the time they reached home, nearly half the mushrooms had bounced out of the basket.

But just as they arrived at the door, before Jiang Chengyan could open it, Jiang’s father called out to them.

“Ah Yan, girl, the tofu’s ready—and it’s especially delicious! Come and have a look!”

His face was alight with joy.

Bai Yan immediately dashed forward.

“Not afraid of dogs anymore?” Jiang Chengyan asked, setting down the baskets as he opened the door.

Bai Yan paused, then hurried back, leaping onto his back—

With a big wolf carrying her, there was nothing to fear anymore.