Chapter 181: A Woman's Dog

Not far from Nan Xueyin, a black shadow quickly darted into the grass nearby.

Because it was in such a rush, a section of its tail remained exposed and was not tucked away.

Its pure black, sleek fur refracted a glossy shimmer under the sunlight.

Nan Xueyin saw it, pretended she hadn't, let out a "hiss" as if in pain, and crouched down.

She rubbed her left ankle, letting out a sound like a pained groan.

After waiting for only a short while, she heard the rustling sound again.

A large, furry head leaned in close, sniffed Nan Xueyin, and then nudged against her, wanting to check her ankle.

Nan Xueyin grabbed it in a hug and asked with a smile, "You turned and ran away just now—are you angry with me?"

Xiaoyang widened its eyes, belatedly realizing that it had been tricked!

It tried to struggle, emitting a whimper from its throat.

It was practically saying: Big liar!

Xiaoyang was a leopard with human-like intelligence.

To it, Nan Xueyin was different from anyone else.

It could not speak, but it had truly dreamed of Nan Xueyin before they ever met, and more than once.

Although in reality, Nan Xueyin looked somewhat different from the dreams, specifically in that Nan Xueyin was taller and more beautiful.

In the dreams, Nan Xueyin still looked like a sturdy little girl, always either climbing trees or getting into the water.

And in the dreams, Xiaoyang would always trot happily behind Nan Xueyin; she would always secretly save meat for it to eat and hold it while they took naps in the shade of the trees.

So, Xiaoyang's personality later on was actually a little bit similar to Nan Xueyin's.

For a period of time, Xiaoyang was always listless.

It had first left its mother, and later, when its mother returned, it had lost Nan Xueyin.

It always felt that this was somehow its own fault.

Was it unlucky? Was it too stupid?

Xiaoyang had heard Linglang and Jiang Lian'er discussing Nan Xueyin with others, saying that she had been taken away.

Nan Xueyin was already very formidable, yet the person who took her away had to be even more formidable.

So, Xiaoyang worked very hard to eat meat and worked very hard to learn various skills from its mother; it wanted to grow into a strong and powerful leopard so that it could protect Nan Xueyin in the future.

But it also lacked a little confidence: what if Nan Xueyin didn't come back? What if Nan Xueyin didn't remember it? What if Nan Xueyin thought it wasn't as good-looking as before?

The day before yesterday, Linglang watched Xiaoyang finish an entire basin of mutton in one go and suddenly said, "Xiaoyang seems to have been getting chubbier lately; it's not as cute as when it was little."

Xiaoyang was shocked.

If even Linglang said that, wouldn't Nan Xueyin think the same?

And so, Xiaoyang became withdrawn.

Today, Xiaoyang smelled a familiar scent.

It rushed over regardless of everything, forgetting all its previous worries, wanting only to properly express its longing to Nan Xueyin—which was mainly manifested in its rubbing and licking.

Unexpectedly, Nan Xueyin actually said: its eyes didn't look very bright.

It, Xiaoyang, was not bright.

And Nan Xueyin was the one who said it!

Xiaoyang became withdrawn again.

It had already made up its mind never to pay attention to Nan Xueyin again!

But seeing her, it couldn't help but want to be close to her, so it followed behind her in a stealthy, leopard-like way.

Until it saw her get hurt, and Xiaoyang immediately pounced over.

As it turned out, it was all fake!

Xiaoyang was truly heartbroken.

Its eyes were veiled in a layer of mist, looking as if it were crying.

Nan Xueyin saw this, couldn't help but be stunned, and hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

She was rarely gentle, cupping Xiaoyang's head, and said sincerely, "Our Xiaoyang is very smart and very cute. It's been so long since we met, and you've grown so big; I'm very happy."

Xiaoyang looked at her with teary eyes.

"So, does our Xiaoyang miss me too?" Nan Xueyin asked at last.

Xiaoyang buried its head deep into Nan Xueyin's embrace.

Nan Xueyin petted it, "Good, I know. I missed you too. Last month, I saw a little black dog on the side of the road, and I thought of our Xiaoyang. I was wondering, has Xiaoyang been eating meat well and exercising well? I really hoped that Xiaoyang could grow into a healthy and beautiful leopard, and now, Xiaoyang is indeed that way. Xiao Youlan has raised you very well."

Xiaoyang buried its head even deeper.

The person and the leopard snuggled for a long time, and Nan Xueyin patted its back, "Let's go, let's go find Wu Zhui."

Xiaoyang lifted its head.

"I heard he took on an apprentice, is that true or false?"

Xiaoyang let out an 'aowu' sound, which sounded like it was snickering.

Nan Xueyin was even more curious.

Wu Zhui could be considered an old-timer at the Duan Prince Mansion; he had deep seniority and, coupled with his outstanding ability, was highly valued by Xiao Mingyu.

Many people who came to the Duan Prince Mansion later all wanted to take Wu Zhui as their master; with a formidable master to guide them, the path ahead would always be much easier to walk.

For instance, Bai Chuan; he was not a very sharp youth, but because his older brother Bai Sheng had status, he was able to handle important errands at the Duan Prince Mansion as well.

It wasn't as if Wu Zhui hadn't taken on apprentices in the past.

That Lin Bie had once taken Wu Zhui as his master.

But for some reason, Wu Zhui later swore solemnly, pointing to the heavens in front of Nan Xueyin: "In this life, if I, Wu Zhui, take on another apprentice, I'm a dog!"

At this moment, having gone to the backyard, Nan Xueyin was caught off guard, hearing Wu Zhui's patient voice: "Don't be afraid, you are my, Wu Zhui's, disciple after all."

Nan Xueyin fixed her eyes and saw Wu Zhui, as well as Jiang Lian'er standing before him with a serious and solemn expression.

Nan Xueyin raised her eyebrows very slightly.

Wu Zhui was still rambling on to Jiang Lian'er about something; when Jiang Lian'er saw Nan Xueyin, her face suddenly lit up: "Nan-Nan-Nan Miss! You... when did you come back? How did you come back?"

Wu Zhui also turned his head back.

His expression was extremely complex, containing the surprise of the unexpected, as well as the joy and vicissitudes of a long-awaited reunion.

Nan Xueyin did not much like such sentimental occasions, so she smiled slightly at Jiang Lian'er: "Just got back, the Crown Prince went to fetch me."

She then asked Wu Zhui: "I heard that our Lord Wu has taken on a disciple?"

Wu Zhui had originally been feeling emotionally stirred, but upon hearing her say this, he felt a bit guilty all of a sudden.

If it were anyone else, it would be fine, as they would not know about those past events, but Nan Xueyin knew them clearly.

He scratched his head, blushing a little, "That's right..."

Nan Xueyin saw it immediately.

Wu Zhui was clearly harboring ulterior motives.

Indeed, if he took on another disciple, he would be a dog.

And a woman's dog at that.

Jiang Lian'er was full of admiration and said: "Miss Nan, Brother Wu is so amazing! There are many things that, once he investigates, he can find out everything; many matters were already a tangled mess for me, yet he could arrange them in perfect order..."

Nan Xueyin took another deep look at Wu Zhui.

Wu Zhui looked back at her.

Having worked together for many years, the two of them could already communicate through eye contact.

Nan Xueyin: Like her?

Wu Zhui: She is so cute, it's hard not to like her...

Nan Xueyin: Indeed.

Wu Zhui's eyes pleaded for help: Help me!

Nan Xueyin: Easy enough.

"What are you two doing?" Jiang Lian'er tilted her head, looking at the two of them.

Nan Xueyin withdrew her gaze and smiled: "In the past, Wu Zhui had never taken a disciple; you are the first."

Jiang Lian'er nodded her head: "I know! So I will definitely work very hard!"

Nan Xueyin added: "And for so many years, Wu Zhui hasn't even held a girl's hand."

Jiang Lian'er: "Eh?"

Jiang Lian'er recalled: "That's not right, a few months ago, when Brother Wu and I wanted to go save the Crown Prince, I almost tripped, and Brother Wu supported me; he held my hand at that time..."

Nan Xueyin said happily: "So there you have it, you are the first girl whose hand Wu Zhui has held. Congratulations."