Chapter 65: The Wolf Has Come

“Ranran, I don’t know what’s gotten into Jelly and the others. They’re all huddled in that corner, shaking like leaves.”

In the corner, a calico cat, a Maine Coon, and a Sphynx cat—along with a golden retriever—were all curled up together, trembling nonstop.

The golden retriever was shaking the hardest, its teeth chattering audibly.

The scene felt all too familiar. The last time Ji Yingran had come home covered in wolf fur, they had reacted the exact same way.

Ji Yingran lowered her head and sniffed her clothes. She figured it must be the wolf scent clinging to her that had scared them, even though she couldn’t smell anything strong herself.

“Why are they shaking so badly? They look terrified. Could something unclean have gotten into the house?” Lady Ou’s imagination ran wild, and she immediately grew tense.

“I’ve heard that cats’ eyes are spiritual, that they can see things people can’t. They’re this scared—could it be…”

Ji Yingran hurriedly cut off her spiraling thoughts. “Mom, where’s your mind going? That’s impossible. Nothing like that’s happened, so don’t let your imagination run away with you.”

Lady Ou supposed such a thing was unlikely, but doubts still nagged at her. She glanced around uneasily, half hoping to spot whatever “unclean” presence might be lurking.

After a couple of reassurances, Ji Yingran left her mother to it. She didn’t try to approach the cats and dog, heading straight for the bathroom instead.

She needed to take a shower first, lathering up extra with body wash to scrub away the wolf scent. Otherwise, the pets really might be frightened out of their wits.

Ji Yingran kept so many pets that she knew a thing or two about this. If small animals got too stressed, it could even endanger their lives—a serious risk.

From now on, the first thing she’d do after interacting with wolves was shower. She couldn’t keep scaring them like this.

Half an hour later, Ji Yingran emerged from the bathroom, tilting her head to towel-dry her still-damp long hair.

Steam wafted around her, her skin glowing pink, a faint tea fragrance lingering from the body wash.

“All done? Look outside—no idea what’s going on today. Jelly and the others actually ran out into the yard,” Lady Ou said as she mopped the living room floor.

“A little while ago, they wouldn’t go out no matter what. Now they won’t come inside for anything. It’s so strange.”

Ji Yingran draped the towel casually over her neck and headed outdoors.

The cats and dog were huddled in a spot far from the house.

As she approached for a closer look, Ji Yingran saw they’d stopped trembling—but they still refused to get anywhere near the building.

She sniffed herself again. Aside from the tea scent of the body wash, there was nothing else.

The wolf smell was gone, so why were they still so afraid?

This wouldn’t do. She needed to find a way to introduce the wolves to the cats and dog, maybe have the wolves show some goodwill. Once they got used to each other, the fear might fade.

On second thought, Ji Yingran shook her head. Expecting that wolf to show goodwill? That was a pipe dream.

Not only did Mu Ci never act friendly toward the cats and dog—she barely held back her barbs with Ji Yingran herself…

How could she get the wolf and the pets to coexist peacefully?

Ji Yingran sighed softly, drawing a blank on any good solutions for the moment.

It was a real conundrum.

Since they wouldn’t come inside, Ji Yingran didn’t force them. The weather was cold, but not so harsh they couldn’t stay out.

She went back indoors and dragged out their cat beds and dog bed for the night, tossing in some treats for good measure.

Seeing them eat heartily eased her mind, and Ji Yingran headed back inside.

She pushed open the door to her room.

The moment the door swung wide, Ji Yingran froze.

There, smack in the middle of the room, sat a massive white-furred lump—a huge wolf perched on the wooden floor, one hind leg propped up as it groomed itself.

At the sound of the door, the wolf’s ears twitched. It paused its licking but didn’t glance over, resuming right away.

Just then, Lady Ou approached.

Slam!

Ji Yingran yanked the door shut.

Lady Ou jumped at the forceful bang. “What’s with you, slamming the door like that? You scared me half to death.”

Ji Yingran gripped the doorknob tight, forcing an awkward laugh.

Lady Ou eyed her suspiciously. What was this girl grinning about in the dead of night—and so weirdly? Had something unclean really gotten in? Was she possessed?

“Do you know who I am?” Lady Ou probed.

Ji Yingran’s smile stiffened, black lines practically forming on her forehead. “Mom, come on. Where’s your mind at? I’m not possessed.”

Lady Ou shot her a glare. “If you’re not possessed, then why the creepy grin?”

Ji Yingran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She hadn’t realized her mother’s imagination was quite this fertile.

Slurp.

Lady Ou perked up her ears. “Hey, did you hear that? Sounded like something.”

Ji Yingran rubbed her nose. “Hear what? I didn’t catch anything.”

Slurp! Slurp slurp!

Lady Ou pinpointed the source, pointing at Ji Yingran’s bedroom door. “It’s coming from your room—slurp slurp slurp. What’s that noise? Sounds off.”

Ji Yingran subtly shifted to block the door. “It’s Jelly. Jelly’s in my room, probably grooming itself.”

Lady Ou nodded in realization. “That explains it. But that licking sounds awfully loud. I don’t remember it being this noisy before.”

Though doubtful, Lady Ou didn’t press further and walked away.

Ji Yingran let out a long breath of relief there at the door, wiping sweat from her brow.

Good thing she’d talked her way out of it. If not, and Lady Ou had pushed the door open to see that enormous wolf inside—bigger and bulkier than a full-grown tiger—she’d probably faint on the spot.

Peeking out to confirm Lady Ou wasn’t paying attention, Ji Yingran quickly slipped back inside and shut the door.

The massive Snow Wolf was still grooming, having switched from her left hind leg to her right.

No wonder Jelly and the others wouldn’t come in—this wolf had shown up.

Ji Yingran asked, “How did you get here?”

The Snow Wolf lazily lowered her propped-up leg and shot her a disdainful glance. “None of your business.”

Hearing a wolf talk… it felt downright surreal.

But amid the weirdness, it was mostly adorable.

Ji Yingran couldn’t resist. She dashed over and rubbed the wolf’s face, cooing, “So cute, so cute. Too cute!”

The Snow Wolf shook her head to bat the hand away, growling a low woof woof.

Ji Yingran wasn’t scared. She knew the wolf wouldn’t really bite—just putting on a fierce show.

Ignoring the protests, she kept rubbing the face, then moved to the head.

The fluffy fur felt like kneading clouds from the sky.

Same as always—amazing texture.

Tired of it, the Snow Wolf growled again to no avail and swatted with a paw.

Ji Yingran, ever the opportunist, caught the paw and stroked it.

The Snow Wolf yanked it back and glared. “No more petting! That’s rude. I just got my fur all clean and sleek, and you mess it up!”

Ji Yingran paused… only to give in to temptation moments later and resume petting.

The Snow Wolf looked equal parts annoyed and exasperated. She raised a paw to swat several times, but each time remembered the petting retaliation and reluctantly lowered it.

“Wolfie, you’re cutest in wolf form. Like this, all fuzzy—no matter what mean things you say, I still think you’re adorable.”

“Our Wolfie’s so pretty—the prettiest wolf ever. Hehe, so soft and fluffy…”

Flattered into good spirits, the Snow Wolf stood and pranced back and forth around the room, tail held high to show off her beauty.

Thud thud.

Thud thud thud.

Her paws hit the wooden floor with resounding thuds.

Knock knock.

The door rattled, followed by Lady Ou’s voice. “Ranran, what are you doing in there? I can hear the floor thumping from the living room.”

The Snow Wolf was still strutting smugly. Ji Yingran rushed over, scooped her up, and held her still.

“Mom, I bought new high heels. I’m just trying them on.”

“Trying high heels in the middle of the night? You sure you haven’t been possessed or something?”

“Nothing like that! I just wanted to test the shoes. I’m getting sleepy—gonna crash now. Good night, Mom!”

A few seconds passed, then came the sound of retreating footsteps. Lady Ou had left.

Ji Yingran relaxed, still cradling the wolf to stop any more thumping.

“I know you’re gorgeous. You don’t need to show off—I get it. Just quit prancing before you draw Mom back here. I won’t be able to talk my way out again.”

To her surprise, the Snow Wolf actually went still, her expression all awkward and tsundere.

Ji Yingran released her.

The wolf’s tsundere look faltered, her face falling. Why’d you let go? You were holding on tight just now—who said you could stop?

“Woof woof!”

Ji Yingran clapped a hand over her muzzle. “Shh! Your whines are loud too, you know.”

Muzzle covered, the Snow Wolf went quiet, her expression turning tsundere once more.

Seeing she’d settled, Ji Yingran removed her hand.

The wolf face fell again: Who gave you permission? Keep covering!

Ji Yingran scurried to the door and locked it. Lady Ou never barged in anyway, but better safe than sorry.

With a wolf this size in the room, it’d be too shocking.

She turned back—and the fluffy wolf was gone. In her place stood the silver-haired woman.

Mu Ci circled the room, peering here and touching there.

“Talk about old-fashioned. Your room’s decor—even a dog would shake its head at it.”

She didn’t know about any dogs, but the wolf was shaking hers.

Ji Yingran glanced at the neatly folded quilt on the bed. It was light gray, a simple, ordinary style.

Ji Yingran didn’t care for overly flashy things, whether in her clothes or her bedding. She preferred solid colors, light tones.

But to the wolf, such plain hues were downright ugly. She favored gaudy patterns.

Having critiqued the bed linens, she turned her sights on the desk. “Wooden table, nothing special. Ugly too.”

“The chair’s ugly, the curtains are ugly. It’s all ugly…”

As she rambled on, her gaze abruptly settled on the other woman.

“You’re ugly too.”

Ji Yingran shrugged it off. “Ugly? I think I look pretty good.”

Mu Ci scoffed. “So full of yourself.”

Ji Yingran laughed. “All right, stop picking fights on purpose. What did you come here for anyway? Want to sleep with me?”

“Who said I want to sleep with you?” Mu Ci shot back. “Getting ahead of yourself, shameless. Whatever—since you’re begging so nicely, I’ll reluctantly humor you.”

Ji Yingran: “…”

Somehow, Mu Ci produced her blanket and spread it out on the floor. She straightened it precisely, then lay down atop it, leaving a deliberate space beside her.

She lay facing away, as if ignoring the other woman entirely, but her ears remained perked upright.

Her inner monologue buzzed with activity: Why hasn’t she come over yet? Hurry up—the blanket’s got space cleared for you. Lie down already. This Wolf’s tired; it’s bedtime. This damn two-legged beast is taking forever. Come on, get over here and sleep…

She waited ages, but no sign of her. Instead, she heard the sound of Ji Yingran settling onto the bed.

Mu Ci bolted upright in a flash, her eyes wide as she stared at Ji Yingran, now comfortably on the bed.

“I don’t want to sleep on the floor,” Ji Yingran explained, patting the empty space beside her. “If you want to sleep with me, then get up here on the bed.”

“Who wants to sleep with you?” Mu Ci grumbled.

With that, Mu Ci stretched out and claimed the entire blanket, leaving no room for the two-legged beast.

“You’re really not coming up?”

“Nope.”

Her refusal rang out firm and absolute.

Ji Yingran didn’t press her. “Fine, suit yourself. Lights out.”

With a soft click, the room fell into darkness.

Ji Yingran lay on the bed and began counting silently in her head. In about ten seconds, the wolf would leap up.

Ten, nine, eight…

The figure on the blanket stirred slowly, creeping stealthily toward the bed.

Ji Yingran’s eyebrow arched faintly. She’d overestimated her—it hadn’t even taken ten seconds. Apparently, three would do.