Chapter 7: Friends Part 1

With her tail held high, the Snow Wolf paced back and forth across the rock, strutting smugly.

Ji Yingran couldn’t help but chuckle. Was she really this proud and happy just from winning a little race?

The wolf, in the middle of preening with her tail raised, whipped her head around at the sound of laughter. Confusion flickered across her face.

Ji Yingran could practically read the question in those puzzled eyes: What was wrong with this two-legged beast? Why was she laughing after losing?

Ji Yingran suppressed her smile, cleared her throat, and teased her on purpose. “That one doesn’t count as a win for you. You only succeeded because I wasn’t ready. It’s not exactly honorable.”

The Snow Wolf’s beautiful eyes widened a fraction.

Ji Yingran fought back a laugh. As expected, cats, dogs, and wolves were all the same. For a moment, she’d almost believed the wolf didn’t enjoy racing with people.

This wolf was such a show-off. A total tsundere wolf!

They hadn’t known each other long, but Ji Yingran had already seen through her “tough act.”

“That last one doesn’t count. Let’s race again. Same starting point, but this time we’ll end there. Three, two, one—go!”

With that, Ji Yingran bolted forward.

The deep snow hampered her every step; she could barely run at all.

As for the wolf behind her? Not a sound of pursuit. Instead, the Snow Wolf plopped her fluffy rear down on the rock, striking a perfect pose of utter disinterest in the race.

Yet just as Ji Yingran neared the finish line, an arrow named Snow Wolf shot forth from behind. With a whoosh, she streaked ahead.

She timed her steps perfectly, crossing the line a heartbeat before Ji Yingran could.

Just like last time, the Snow Wolf waited at the end, tail antenna waving triumphantly, chin lifted high, pointedly ignoring her opponent.

This time, she went even further, turning her butt right toward Ji Yingran—a blatant taunt. So slow, and you still think you can race me? I won again. No excuses about catching you off guard this time.

Ji Yingran put her hands on her hips and feigned outrage. “That’s not fair! You still won dishonorably. You’ve got four legs, and I’ve only got two!”

The Snow Wolf, who had been presenting her backside, whipped around at those words.

She looked downright displeased. This two-legged beast was always making excuses! No sportsmanship at all!

Ji Yingran backed down with a grin. “All right, all right. I lost. Sure, I’ve only got two legs and you’ve got four, but you let me start first, so it was fair enough. I just wasn’t as fast.”

The Snow Wolf huffed through her nose.

“I’ve noticed you really like huffing, don’t you, Wolfie?” Ji Yingran teased.

The Snow Wolf shot her a glance and rolled her eyes.

“And you really like rolling your eyes too,” Ji Yingran continued.

The Snow Wolf ignored her and turned to walk away.

Determined to build their bond, Ji Yingran hurried after her.

The wolf moved quickly, forcing Ji Yingran into a jog to keep up. Too hasty on the slick snow, her foot caught on something.

She glanced down.

Oh no…

She had stepped on the Snow Wolf’s tail again.

With her fiery temper, this wolf wouldn’t take that lightly. Sure enough, even before turning around, she let out a whine.

Ji Yingran yanked her foot back immediately.

The Snow Wolf narrowed her wolfish eyes, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Paired with her tiger-sized body and wild gaze, it was quite intimidating.

Ji Yingran had been scared by her countless times before.

But strangely, this time it didn’t faze her as much.

Maybe it was the way the Snow Wolf had proudly flaunted her tail earlier, or how she’d left half her fish for Ji Yingran, or played with her own shadow at sunset. Or perhaps the race they’d just shared…

Preening and smug one moment, lonely and aloof the next, tsundere and childish at times—the wolf’s many vivid sides had steadily chipped away at Ji Yingran’s fear.

So even now, with an accidental tail-step and the wolf whirling around with bared fangs, Ji Yingran felt bolder.

“Don’t glare at me like that. It was an accident.”

The Snow Wolf bared her fangs wider.

Ji Yingran didn’t flinch.

She bared them again.

Ji Yingran got the hint, stepped back, and put on a show of fear.

The Snow Wolf raised a brow, looking satisfied.

She resumed walking, and Ji Yingran trailed behind, stifling a secret laugh.

She finally understood: this wolf loved to menace people and scare them, but she never actually bit. Put on a scared face, and she was pleased.

They’d only gone a couple of steps when a tug came from her tail again.

The Snow Wolf looked back. The human had stepped on it once more.

What was this?! Was this two-legged beast treating her like a pushover just because she hadn’t snapped yet?!

Ji Yingran pulled her foot away. “Sorry, sorry! Accident again.”

The Snow Wolf whined sharply. “Whine! Whine!”

Ji Yingran shrank back in mock terror, wide-eyed.

The Snow Wolf tilted her head slightly, puzzled. Was this two-legged beast faking it?

She advanced, raised a paw, and swatted Ji Yingran’s face.

No claws—just a soft pad pat, harmless. But the force, combined with the slippery snow, sent Ji Yingran sprawling flat on her back.

Seeing the human’s undignified tumble satisfied her. She withdrew her paw.

But the woman in the snow stayed still for a long moment.

The Snow Wolf blinked in confusion.

Ji Yingran lay motionless, as if smacked dead.

Circling her with paws leaving prints all around, the Snow Wolf grew visibly anxious. She leaned in, black nose twitching as she sniffed.

She nudged gently with her snout.

That was when Ji Yingran lost it and let out a quiet laugh.

The Snow Wolf froze, then backed up several paces.

The once-still body sat up, eyes open. “Just kidding. I’m not dead.”

The Snow Wolf fell silent.

The next instant, she charged forward and swatted Ji Yingran’s face again.

Still no claws, just a pad smack—not too hard.

It was just like her own cats at home, batting playfully without scratching.

Wasn’t this wolf basically a giant cat?

“Are you mad?” Ji Yingran scrambled up from the snow. “You swatted me first! You can scare me, but I can’t scare you back?”

That earned her another paw.

Ji Yingran laughed instead of getting angry. “I see it now—you actually care about me. I’m not just reserve grain to you. You want to be friends, right? You want me to hang out and play with you. Admit it!”

Another swat.

Ji Yingran beamed. “Got it. You want to be friends, and honestly, I want that too!”

Yet another paw.

After that one, the Snow Wolf raised her paw again, poised for more.

Ji Yingran threw up her hands. “Whoa, stop! No more swats. You weren’t even trying hard, but my face still hurts a little. Friends have to know limits when they play, right?”

She lectured earnestly.

The Snow Wolf seemed to actually listen. Her raised paw hovered uncertainly in midair, debating whether to drop or swing.

“That’s right. No more swats. Paw down.”

Smack.

Another direct hit to the face.

Ji Yingran: “…”

One wasn’t enough. The Snow Wolf followed up with four, five, six, seven quick pats until her temper cooled.

Ji Yingran rubbed her stinging forehead—right on target, as always.

The Snow Wolf huffed once more, tail erect, and sauntered off with an elegant catwalk stride.

Ji Yingran climbed out of the snow, forehead red, and jogged to catch up.

“Wait for me!”

The Snow Wolf didn’t slow, but her fluffy ears perked up at the voice.

Ji Yingran fell into step beside her. “We’re friends now, right?”

The Snow Wolf ignored her, though her ears twitched now and then.

She found a sunny spot and settled down to bask.

Ji Yingran sat nearby. “I’ll come play with you often from now on, okay?”

She could tell this wolf loved company. She’d been thrilled during the race, and even while swatting over the tail, her eyes had sparkled with joy.

The wolf showed none of the outward signs—not wagging like a dog, not purring like a cat—but Ji Yingran just knew.

She loved it. She was happy.

“Okay? I’ll come play with you lots from now on.” Emboldened, Ji Yingran extended a cautious finger and poked her gently.

Pure fluff.

The Snow Wolf didn’t react.

Growing braver, Ji Yingran, seeing no response, placed her whole hand on the wolf’s back. A light stroke, then another.

The Snow Wolf glanced sideways at her.

Ji Yingran snatched her hand back and looked away, pretending nothing happened.

When the wolf looked away again, Ji Yingran sneaked another pet.

The wolf eyed her; hand withdrew.

After a few cycles, the Snow Wolf timed it perfectly and chomped down on the offending hand.

“Ah!”

Ji Yingran yelped and yanked free, checking frantically.

No real bite—no wound, not even teeth marks. Just a warning nip: Stop petting!

Ji Yingran exhaled in relief. Scared her half to death—she’d thought her hand was gone.

“I raced with you and everything. We’re friends now. Why bite a friend?”

“Hmph.”

“You—hmpf? Doesn’t that mean we’re friends? Well, even if we’re not, we are now.” Ji Yingran persisted shamelessly, chattering away to herself.

The snow wolf didn’t even bother with a huff. She treated her like thin air.

Ji Yingran wasn’t discouraged in the slightest. A kitty having a bit of temper was only natural, and she understood that perfectly. Besides, she needed a favor from this wolf right now, so putting on a humble front was the least she could do.

Ji Yingran mulled it over in her mind. When should she bring it up? Would the wolf be willing to help her find her backpack? Should she ask right now? Wouldn’t that come off as too calculating?

The snow wolf’s tail thwacked against the ground—thwack, thwack.

That was a sign of displeasure, just like with cats. When they weren’t happy, they’d swish and smack their tails.

Ji Yingran blinked in confusion. She hadn’t even revealed her true intentions yet—that befriending the wolf was really just a ploy to get her to fetch the backpack. So why was she already upset?

Before Ji Yingran could figure it out, one paw came flying, smacking her right on the forehead.

Ji Yingran went blank, utterly stunned.

The snow wolf paid her no mind. After the smack, she turned and headed back to the mountain cave.

Ji Yingran clutched her forehead. “?”

What was that about? Heaven and earth could bear witness—she hadn’t done a thing. She hadn’t made noise, stepped on her tail, touched her, or provoked her in any way.

She quickly shrugged it off, though. Her own cats acted the same way. They didn’t need a reason to smack you—they’d do it whenever the mood struck, timing be damned.

Her personality really was just like a cat’s…

Ji Yingran glanced at the spot where the snow wolf had been lying. A thick layer of snow had melted there. Good grief, her body heat was intense. Just lounging for a bit had melted a circle right around her.

Ji Yingran jogged after the wolf heading back to the cave. “Done playing already? Heading back so soon?”

The snow wolf ignored her completely, her steps toward the cave unwavering.

Ji Yingran sped up to catch her. “Wait for me!”

The snow wolf still didn’t acknowledge her, but her pair of ears perked up on top of her head. She was listening to the human speak, but that didn’t mean she was going to wait or pay attention.

Playing pretend again.