Chapter 35: Little fox trapped, temptation of food

The night was peaceful, and the soft crackling of the campfire was the only sound that filled the air. Lin Ziang leaned against a tree, his eyes closed, letting the warmth of the flames seep into his skin. The cool night breeze brushed past him, but the heat of the fire created a cocoon of comfort. He sighed contentedly, not moving, letting his body relax fully into the earth.

Behind him, a small, snow-white paw crept cautiously along his back. It moved slowly, testing, almost as if afraid of being caught. The delicate paw pressed lightly against Lin Ziang's shoulder, then scratched faintly, as though trying to get his attention. The sensation was ticklish, a feathery touch that seemed almost playful.

Lin Ziang, though fully aware of the small intruder, kept his eyes shut and made no effort to move. He could feel the presence of the creature, but he remained perfectly still, curious to see what it would do next.

The little fox, tilted its tiny head, two bright, round eyes focused intently on Lin Ziang's face. The fox's snow-white fur was pristine, almost glowing in the firelight, and its small, pointed ears twitched nervously. It waited, watching, trying to determine if the human had noticed its actions.

When Lin Ziang showed no reaction, The little white fox's initial wariness began to melt away. The fox's bright eyes blinked once, then twice, and finally, its guard lowered. The little fox let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh of relief, its tiny body relaxing. With slow, calculated movements, the fox stretched out another small paw and began creeping toward the piece of barbecue roasting over the fire. The smell of the meat, savory and rich, filled the air, drawing the fox's attention like a magnet.

But as the little fox reached the roast, it hesitated once more. Its sharp eyes darted back to Lin Ziang, who still appeared to be asleep, breathing deeply and unmoving. The little fox's ears perked up, listening intently for any sign of movement.

Lin Ziang remained perfectly still, a faint smirk hidden behind his closed eyes.

Seeing no danger, the white fox's resolve firmed. Its delicate, snow-white paws darted forward, snatching the roast pork leg from the fire's edge with surprising speed. The fox's heart raced as it clenched the barbecue between its small teeth and quickly scurried off into the tall grass behind the camp, its tail disappearing into the darkness.

For a moment, all was silent. The night continued as before, the fire crackling softly, casting dancing shadows across the clearing.

Then, Lin Ziang slowly opened his eyes, a playful glint flickering in their depths. He watched the small white figure retreat into the night, the grass rustling faintly as the fox made its escape.

A knowing smile crept across his face. "Clever little thing," he mused, standing up from his resting spot. He began to walk quietly toward the rustling sound in the grass.

In the dark cover of the grass, the white fox had made quick work of the barbecue. The little fox sat on its haunches, the roast clutched firmly between its front paws. It gnawed at the meat greedily, tiny teeth tearing through the tender pork, savoring each bite. The firelight barely reached the spot where it had hidden, giving it a false sense of safety.

Oblivious to the approaching human, the little white fox's small mouth worked away at the roast, its fluffy tail swishing back and forth contentedly. The delicious taste of the meat was overwhelming, filling the fox with a sense of joy. For a moment, the little white fox's was in pure bliss, the only thing that mattered was the meal in its paws.

Then, suddenly, a large hand grabbed the scruff of its neck.

The fox froze.

Lin Ziang had moved swiftly and quietly, giving the little fox no time to react. His fingers held the fox gently but firmly, lifting the small creature into the air. The fox's tiny body dangled helplessly from his grasp, the roast still clutched between its paws.

The white fox's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in frustration. The fox's heart thudded in its chest as realization dawned—this had been a trap all along. It had underestimated the human.

The fox squirmed in Lin Ziang's grip, its little paws flailing uselessly in the air. It opened its mouth to reveal sharp, tiny teeth and let out a few high-pitched barks of protest. But its small stature, coupled with its cute, fluffy appearance, made it look more like a mischievous kitten than a fearsome creature.

Lin Ziang couldn't help but chuckle. "You're quite the crafty little fox, aren't you?" he said, watching as the white fox glared at him, its bright eyes filled with indignation.

The little white fox's frustration was palpable. How had it fallen for such an obvious trick? And worse, how had it been caught so easily? The fox's thoughts raced, its little body trembling slightly with annoyance. It twisted and turned in Lin Ziang's grasp, trying to free itself, but it was no use. Lin Ziang's hold was too strong, and the white fox's tiny paws could barely reach the ground.

"Are you pouting?" Lin Ziang asked, amused by the fox's exaggerated expressions. The little creature's large ears drooped, and its eyes darted between the human and the roast it had dropped when it was caught. The roast lay just out of reach, still within sight, but impossible for the fox to grab.

The white fox's frustration reached its peak. Its little face scrunched up in a comical display of irritation, and for a moment, Lin Ziang was convinced the fox might cry. But instead, the white fox let out a tiny, defeated whimper, its ears flattening against its head in surrender.

Lin Ziang shook his head, laughter bubbling up inside him. "You're too cute for your own good."

The fox's once-vibrant tail now hung limp, and its fluffy body seemed to shrink in his grasp. It was as if the fight had completely left the little creature. Its tiny paws dangled helplessly, and its head drooped, eyes half-closed in silent resignation.

"Now, now, don't be so dramatic," Lin Ziang said, gently shaking the fox. The white fox's head bobbed up and down, clearly disoriented by the movement. The small fox's mouth opened and closed in confusion, its whiskers twitching as if trying to regain its bearings.

Lin Ziang lowered the fox, allowing its paws to touch the ground again. The little fox, however, remained limp, refusing to even glance at the roast still lying a few inches away. It was as if all hope had been lost.

Lin Ziang crouched down to the little fox's eye level, his expression softening. "Look, little one. I'm not going to hurt you. All I want is for you to agree to a little contract. You sign it, and I'll let you go. Simple."

The white fox's ears twitched at the word "contract." The fox turned its head away stubbornly, eyes squeezed shut in defiance. Even in its tiny, adorable form, the spirit of a demon beast was still alive and well inside.

"Oh, come on," Lin Ziang said, exasperation creeping into his voice. He reached down, picking up the piece of roast and holding it near the white fox's delicate nose.

Instantly, the fox's little nose began twitching uncontrollably. The smell of the meat was too good to resist, and despite itself, the white fox's eyes popped open. It glanced at the roast longingly, its tiny tongue darting out to lick its lips.

Lin Ziang grinned. "You like that, don't you? Well, how about this—sign the contract, and not only do you get the rest of this roast, but I'll make sure you get plenty more in the future."

The little fox hesitated, its tiny body trembling with indecision. The temptation was strong, but the instinct to resist was stronger. However, as Lin Ziang waved the roast just out of reach, the white fox's resolve began to waver.

Lin Ziang could see the internal struggle in the fox's eyes. He pressed on, his voice firm but gentle. "It's either that or I'll finish this barbecue myself. You choose."

At last, the white fox let out a soft whine, its eyes darting between Lin Ziang and the roast one final time. With a defeated sigh, the little white fox lowered its head in agreement.

"Smart choice," Lin Ziang said, smiling as he prepared the contract.