Chapter 26: Lustful Wolf Part 1

“Something the matter?” Ji Yingran looked at her, puzzled.

The Snow Wolf circled in front of the human, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on her, even carrying a hint of urging.

Ji Yingran lowered her hands from unbuttoning her clothes. She really felt some pressure under that intense stare.

Seeing that the human wasn’t moving after a long while, she lost interest right away. Rolling her eyes in disdain, she withdrew her gaze and sauntered slowly off to the side.

With the wolf no longer staring, Ji Yingran breathed a sigh of relief and resumed undressing.

When she reached the last piece, she didn’t know when, but the Snow Wolf had run to the opposite side of the hot spring. Sitting there with her front paws neatly planted in front of her, she watched eagerly from across the steaming water.

Ji Yingran: “…”

Wasn’t this a lustful wolf?

The thought made Ji Yingran shake her head with a smile.

A cold wind blew, and the thinly clad human shivered, shrinking her neck. Ignoring the wolf still watching from across the way, she hurriedly stripped off the final garment. Finding a shallower spot, she carefully stepped into the hot spring.

Only once she was fully submerged, enveloped by the warm water, did she let out a long sigh of relief.

The chill she’d felt moments before was matched only by the comfort now.

She scooped up some water in front of her, sending ripples across the surface, then relaxed back with a contented lean.

The spot where she sat had a flat rock beneath her and a convenient stone wall behind for support—utterly comfortable.

Ji Yingran hummed a tune, idly playing with the water’s surface. But then… she really couldn’t take it anymore. She lifted her head and looked across.

The wolf sat there primly, not just watching but tilting her head this way and that, left then right.

Ji Yingran knew what that meant. Little animals often tilted their heads back and forth when seriously observing a person or object.

She was scrutinizing the completely naked human.

Tilting her head wasn’t enough; she occasionally pawed at the ground too, looking quite pleased.

Their eyes met.

The Snow Wolf froze mid-paw, her earlier delight vanishing. She rolled her eyes in disdain.

Generally speaking: not good-looking, doesn’t pass muster.

“Even though you’re just a wolf and I shouldn’t hold it against you, ‘don’t look where you shouldn’t.’ Who stares at someone while they’re bathing?” Ji Yingran said helplessly.

The Snow Wolf snorted coldly. This Wolf wasn’t staring. So chatty, annoying—doesn’t pass.

Ji Yingran shook her head. Fine, whatever. Let her watch; she was just a wolf, after all. It wasn’t like she could stop her anyway. In this open-air setting, there was no way to blindfold the wolf.

From initial discomfort with the wolf’s gaze, Ji Yingran had grown indifferent and accustomed to it. She continued soaking just as before.

She soaked a towel and scrubbed her body left and right. Without any bath soap, it was just a simple wash, but these were minor issues. Having a place to soak was a pleasant surprise already.

Who would have thought that, trapped on Snow Mountain, she could eat well every meal and bathe daily?

Staying here for fifteen days didn’t seem so bad. It felt more like a vacation—with a wolf for company, no less.

Glancing up, she saw the wolf wasn’t watching the human anymore. Instead, one paw was splashing around in the water.

“What’s this? Fish in the hot spring? Is Wolfie trying to catch one?” Ji Yingran teased with a laugh.

The Snow Wolf’s paw paused in the water.

Ji Yingran swam over to her. “Let me see if there are any fish.”

Of course there were no fish in the hot spring. Ji Yingran just wanted to play with the wolf.

She’d noticed the wolf often entertained herself—chasing her shadow in the sun, rolling in the snow, or splashing in water like now.

Ji Yingran could tell the Snow Wolf was very childlike, a bit immature, and loved to play. But without others of her kind, she was left amusing herself alone.

Perhaps she liked being Head Wolf precisely because she envied the pack’s companionship.

Ji Yingran cupped her hands, scooping up water. Taking advantage of the wolf’s distraction, she splashed it right at her.

Splash!

Caught off guard, the Snow Wolf’s face was drenched.

Her eyes went wide.

“Haha!” Ji Yingran burst out laughing.

The Snow Wolf got mad and raised a paw to swat at her, but Ji Yingran swam to the middle of the spring, out of reach.

“Come on, get in and fight me!”

The Snow Wolf jumped up and down furiously on the bank but ultimately didn’t enter the water. Instead, she busied herself washing her splashed face.

Lick her paw, rub her face. Lick her paw again, rub her face again.

She frantically washed her face.

She seemed to think she could rub it dry this way. The wolf had her work cut out for her.

Ji Yingran swam about in the hot spring while the wolf licked away on shore.

The wind and snow picked up, howling fiercely.

But the person soaking in the spring found nothing terrifying about the weather. If anything, it added a unique elegance.

Snowflakes fell onto the water’s surface, creating ripples before melting away instantly. They didn’t affect the pleasantly warm temperature at all.

After nearly two hours, as dusk began to fall and the storm eased a bit, Ji Yingran finally prepared to leave, reluctant as she was.

Getting out required mental preparation.

It was too cold—cold enough to make her want to hide forever in the water.

But she couldn’t stay forever. Prolonged soaking would prune her skin, and the sulfurous fumes irritated it somewhat. Occasional dips were fine, but not long or frequent ones.

As Ji Yingran psyched herself up against the cold, her gaze incidentally fell on the wolf still washing her face.

Ji Yingran had soaked for so long, and the wolf had been licking her face for just as long—never tiring.

“Wolfie,” Ji Yingran called softly, hoping to lure her over. With her nearby, getting out and dressing wouldn’t feel so frigid.

But this wolf wasn’t easily summoned.

Sure enough, the Snow Wolf didn’t budge or even glance up. She focused intently on licking her paw to wash her face.

Ji Yingran gave up, took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and stood.

The moment she rose, biting winds lashed her skin. The bone-chilling cold sent her plopping right back into the spring.

She psyched herself up again, inhaled deeply once more, and surged out in one go. She hurried to shore, wringing out her towel without delay and shivering as she wiped away the water droplets.

“So cold, so cold…” Her voice trembled.

Just then, a sudden warmth enveloped her.

Ji Yingran stopped shivering. Before she could wonder, she realized the wolf had come over.

As expected, with her there—even naked—it wasn’t unbearably cold. This furry hot water bottle was always effective.

Ji Yingran was thrilled at the banishing chill when she noticed the wolf circling her, peering up, down, left, and right.

Ji Yingran clutched her towel, covering her key areas.

The Snow Wolf glanced away from the corner of her mouth: What’re you covering for? Think This Wolf wants to see? Very average.

The Snow Wolf bared her teeth in dissatisfaction: Doesn’t pass!

Ji Yingran snatched up her clothes and hurriedly pulled them on.

The Snow Wolf watched the whole time, pursing her lips now and then, rolling her eyes, or scoffing.

Once the human was fully dressed, the wolf instantly lost interest and resumed washing her face.

Ji Yingran took her discarded clothes to the spring’s edge, gave them a quick rinse, brushed her teeth, and tidied up. Time to head back.

She called to the wolf still washing her face. “Heading home, Wolfie. Come here—you need to drag the firewood back.”

Ji Yingran pointed to the three bundles of collected and tied firewood nearby.

The Snow Wolf didn’t budge.

Ji Yingran knew this wolf well. If she agreed so easily, she wouldn’t be her.

Every task assigned always got done, but it took coaxing and wheedling—more coaxing—before the wolf would grudgingly comply.

Summoning her with a single sentence? Impossible.

Ji Yingran was used to it and hit her with a targeted line: “These can all be traded for treats. You sure you don’t want to drag them back?”

The Snow Wolf’s ears perked up—she’d clearly caught the keyword “treats.”

“Getting food is Head Wolf’s job, and dragging firewood counts. If not, I’ll do it myself. No trouble for you. I make a pretty good Head Wolf too.”

Treats and Head Wolf—double precise strike.

Sure enough, the previously indifferent wolf was displeased at once.

What? This weak, useless Human thought she could usurp the position?

I am Head Wolf!

The Snow Wolf scampered over with a “pat-pat-pat,” bit one end of the rope in her mouth, and started dragging.

Ji Yingran hurried over to help. “It’s too much work dragging with your mouth. We’ll use this rope—one end tied to you, the other to the wood. It’ll be easier for you and keep you clean. Don’t you love being clean, Wolfie?”

The Snow Wolf let go of the wood at her words, lifting her head proudly. Of course This Wolf loves cleanliness. This filthy firewood—This Wolf wouldn’t touch it if not for Head Wolf duties.

Ji Yingran linked the three bundles with the rope and tied the free end to Wolfie.

The wolf cooperated at first but grew uncomfortable once secured. She immediately balked, growling lowly in protest.

Ji Yingran coaxed her some more until the wolf’s temper subsided and the rope was properly fastened.

With the Snow Wolf dragging the firewood, Ji Yingran decided against riding on her back too. She couldn’t push the servitude that far—dragging wood and carrying her both.

Ji Yingran was only thinking of the wolf’s well-being, but the wolf grew irritated seeing her dawdle along slowly behind, forcing her to wait every now and then just to keep up.

She doubled back and smacked her twice with her paws.

“Ah?” Ji Yingran looked baffled after the unexpected swats. “Why the sudden anger? Are you tired from dragging the firewood? Let’s rest for a bit, then.”

The Snow Wolf curled her lip in disdain. Dragging that little bit of firewood? This Wolf wouldn’t get tired. Who are you looking down on?

The Snow Wolf lifted her chin.

Ji Yingran blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Another two swats from the paws, followed by another lift of the chin.

Ji Yingran pondered for a moment and got it. She wanted her to ride on her back.

She’d refused to carry a person before, but now she was offering of her own accord.

Ji Yingran shook her head and refused. “I’m fine. Walking isn’t tiring for me. You’re already dragging so much firewood—adding me on top wouldn’t be right.”

The wolf smacked her again with a paw. Who cares if you’re tired? That snail’s pace of yours is annoying This Wolf just looking at it. Such a nag—hurry up and get on!

Faced with the wolf’s fierce glare, Ji Yingran wanted to refuse, but she had no choice except to go along with it.

“You’re dragging firewood and still thinking about me. You must be the head wolf—how can you have such a kind heart? Good wolf, good wolf.” As she climbed onto the wolf’s back, she kept up a stream of chatter.

The Snow Wolf rolled her eyes so hard they nearly vanished into the sky.

The person wasn’t even settled yet when the wolf strode forward, scaring her into flattening herself against the wolf’s back and clinging tight.

“Wolfie, I’m not criticizing or anything, but your temper is too hasty. At least let me get steady before you start moving.”

“Woo!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say it. I’m the naggy one—your temper isn’t hasty at all.”

Ji Yingran rode on the wolf’s back, peering around curiously. Three bundles of firewood trailed behind them, carving a long furrow through the snow.