Volume 1, Chapter 20 – What Can Girls Do Together?
After leaving Red Spring Pavilion, the pungent fishy scent gradually dissipated, allowing Song Shiyuan's tense nerves to relax, if only slightly.
The six-tailed fox demon, who had previously displayed open hostility, had surprisingly let her go.
Song Shiyuan had braced herself for a humiliating encounter, but two swats from the demon's tail were all she endured.
As a sword practitioner with tough skin, the blood she spat was merely a minor inconvenience.
Though she was at the early Nascent Soul stage and the fox demon was only one realm higher, the strikes weren't heavy enough to inflict serious harm.
Disheveled but unbroken, she knew this kind of injury would heal within days.
Yet, the little fox demon beside her was more concerning than her own wounds.
"Are you really alright, little fox?"
Song Shiyuan noticed a shade too pale on the little fox's complexion.
Despite being a Nascent Soul stage practitioner, she knew a tail swipe from Hu Xian'er would be more than the delicate little fox could handle.
"Sister Shiyuan, Ah Xi is fine, just a little tired," the little fox demon replied weakly, though her face and profuse sweating told a different story.
Even Song Shiyuan, known for her straightforwardness, could see through the girl feigning bravado.
The little fox forced a smile, insisting, "Sister Xian'er showed mercy. She softened the blow when hitting Ah Xi, so it's just a minor injury. It'll be fine after taking some medicine."
Song Shiyuan scrutinized her for a few moments before her heart softened.
It was her own actions that had brought trouble to this naive girl.
The little fox's injury weighed heavily on her conscience.
Despite her resolve to maintain distance from fox demons, Song Shiyuan couldn't simply ignore the little one who had bravely blocked the attack for her.
"Let me carry you," she said firmly.
At this, the little fox demon blushed and waved her hands frantically, "No need! No need! Ah Xi is really fine."
But Song Shiyuan had already knelt before her.
"Get on. I'll carry you back."
The tone was unmistakable—there was no room for argument.
Lu Zhuxin's lips curved into a slight smile as she leaned against the female sword practitioner's back, her small chest pressing intimately against Song Shiyuan, rubbing softly before gradually moving upwards.
Song Shiyuan stiffened, her eyebrows lifting in surprise.
Sensing her tension, Lu Zhuxin couldn't help but smile triumphantly behind her.
Lu Zhuxin stretched her arms, settling comfortably against Song Shiyuan's back. Her fingers lightly entwined around her neck.
She leaned in, letting her warm breath pass over Song Shiyuan's earlobe.
Instantly, a rosy hue spread across Song Shiyuan's fair skin.
The sensation was warm yet oddly unsettling, leaving her feeling stiff and frowning as she questioned, "Little fox demon, you…"
Don't mess around!
Lu Zhuxin anticipated Song Shiyuan's reaction.
With a soft and low whisper, she leaned closer, "Sister Shiyuan, did Ah Xi make you uncomfortable?"
"Sorry… Ah Xi knows fox demons shouldn't get too close to sword practitioners…"
"Let Ah Xi down; Ah Xi doesn't want to make you uncomfortable…"
Silence hung in the air as Song Shiyuan opened her mouth, but no words came out.
The little fox demon had thoroughly blocked her words.
What was the point of arguing with a newly transformed fox? This foolish fox demon doesn't understand anything.
"It's nothing," she replied, averting her gaze. "Just don't whisper in my ear."
The little fox demon's sweet whispers sent a tingling itch from her ears straight to her heart.
"Okay, Sister Shiyuan," Lu Zhuxin said, sensing the need to ease up.
If she pushed too far, this girl might refuse to cooperate, leaving Lu Zhuxin to coax her back into good graces.
"System, I've discovered something delightful," Lu Zhuxin chirped, engaging with her system.
[What is it?]
"The straight heroine I've crafted has been successfully bent by me."
"A straight girl wouldn't react so strongly to same-sex touches."
[Heh… Are you sure she isn't secretly gay?] The system shot back.
"Hee hee, I haven't written any yuri themes," Lu Zhuxin declared confidently. "With current trends, a harem novel featuring yuri elements is a major taboo—like a yuri novel with a male protagonist. You'd be hung, toyed with, then crucified!"
[Heh… Just because you haven't written it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Are you really that confident?]
What was up with this dog system? Why did it love to contradict her?
The system and Lu Zhuxin debated about whether Song Shiyuan was naturally a lesbian.
Song Shiyuan, who had been labeled a natural lesbian by the system, breathed a sigh of relief.
The little fox demon felt weightless on her back—small, soft, and delicate.
A faint, sweet scent wafted into her senses, calming her inexplicably with every step.
She recognized it as the little fox demon's pheromones.
While Song Shiyuan carried her, Lu Zhuxin also silently comforted her in her own way.
Did this little creature think she would be upset about earlier?
Song Shiyuan chuckled inwardly. She wouldn't be upset by it. But she did recall the previous events.
The six-tailed fox demon, Hu Xian'er, had displayed some peculiar behavior earlier.
Despite her evident hostility and the fact that she had caught me red-handed, she had refrained from striking hard.
Song Shiyuan had sensed a potent killing intent from Hu Xian'er before; she wouldn't have been surprised if the fox demon had attempted to end her life.
Yet, that hadn't happened.
Instead, Hu Xian'er had held back, seemingly weighing her options.
Was it because I was the Fox Monarch's concubine? Perhaps even the head steward of the Fox Palace couldn't punish me without consequence.
The thought made Song Shiyuan chuckle wryly.
Judging by the fox demon's behavior, it appeared that keeping me away from Red Spring Pavilion was more important than any punishment.
What exactly was Red Spring Pavilion?
The desire to investigate it grew stronger in her mind.
Or maybe… tonight would be the perfect opportunity?
With the little fox demon on her back, Song Shiyuan felt her thoughts racing.
It was worth a try.
Soon, Song Shiyuan carried Lu Zhuxin back to her courtyard.
The little fox demon's residence lay just opposite hers.
However, Song Shiyuan had no intention of sending Lu Zhuxin back.
"Little fox demon, stay at my place tonight," Song Shiyuan declared.
"Eh?!!!!" Lu Zhuxin's eyes widened in surprise. "Sister Shiyuan, i-i-i-isn't that inappropriate?!"
Had this girl finally discovered her sexual orientation and wanted to explore those feelings with me?!
"You were injured because of me," Song Shiyuan replied. "If you stay, I can take care of you."
"Sword practitioners focus heavily on combat, so injuries are common during training and sparring. I'm quite experienced in treating external wounds."
"Stay with me, and I can help you heal."
Song Shiyuan, as if struck by a thought, continued patiently, "Don't worry, we're both girls. I won't do anything to you."
"What could girls even do together?" she smiled.
Ohhh~ There are plenty of things girls could do together.
Lu Zhuxin mused inwardly.
This little sword practitioner is blatantly deceiving an innocent little fox demon.
Does she really think I don't understand anything?
A cunning sword practitioner!
"Ah Xi doesn't mean that," Lu Zhuxin quickly interjected, covering her face.
"If Sister Shiyuan doesn't mind Ah Xi, then Ah Xi is willing."
Seeing the little fox demon's agreement, Song Shiyuan took her hand and led her into the room.
Click. The door locked behind them.