Bai Heng crouched on the rock, gazing at the red jacket.
The bright red satin stood out vividly against the snow.
Qin Yun had already walked far into the distance. His figure had vanished into the wind and snow, leaving only the vast expanse of white and this single splash of red before her.
She watched it for a long time before finally standing up and walking over to the jacket.
Wear it or not?
A fox’s paws were not as nimble as human hands, so putting on clothes by herself would not be easy. But she had telekinesis. This small task was not beyond her.
With a slight shift of her mind, the red jacket rose slowly from the snow.
She adjusted her posture and slipped her front paws into the sleeves. Her telekinesis drew the front panels together, guided the ties around her side, and gently knotted them.
Done.
She lowered her head and looked at herself.
The bright red jacket wrapped around her body, its white-trimmed edges blending with her own snow-white fur. It did not look too out of place.
It did, however, feel rather strange.
Bai Heng took a few experimental steps.
Her front and back legs felt slightly uncoordinated. Every movement seemed a little off.
She recalled the cats and dogs from her previous life who wore clothes. Their comical, awkward gait had not been because they were clumsy. It really was difficult to get used to.
She tried running a few steps.
Even more awkward.
Bai Heng stopped and shook herself.
Never mind. She would not wear it often anyway. Since the Qin family had gone to the trouble with good intentions, she could wear it for them to see.
She lifted her head and looked into the distance.
Snow was still falling. The world between heaven and earth was a vast blur of white, and she was the single point of red within it.
Extremely conspicuous.
Bai Heng narrowed her eyes slightly.
People were already watching her. This would only make her easier to spot. But it did not matter. Those people had long since labeled her as a first-tier little demon who had only recently awakened her intelligence. A fox wearing a red jacket would probably seem even more comical and ridiculous in their eyes.
They would not care.
With that thought, Bai Heng stopped worrying about it.
She walked back to the rock cave entrance and lay down on the dry leaves. The red jacket wrapped her snugly, noticeably warmer than before.
It had been over three thousand years since she had last worn clothes.
The feeling of fabric enveloping her body was something she had not experienced in a very long time.
She closed her eyes and listened to the howling wind and snow outside the cave.
A few days later, Qin Yun came up the mountain again.
He carried his bundle and trudged through the deep snow along the familiar path. When he reached the edge of the woods, he stopped and looked around.
“Miss White!”
He called out.
There was no answer.
He called again.
“Miss White, I brought you food!”
In the distance, a flash of red suddenly caught his eye.
Qin Yun paused, then looked more closely.
Between the snow-covered trees, a red figure was bounding toward him. The red stood out sharply against the white snow. Its movements were a little awkward, yet somehow carried a graceful, lively beauty.
Closer. Closer still.
It was Bai Heng.
She was wearing the red jacket. She leaped lightly out of the snowy woods and landed on the rock where she usually crouched. The rock was covered in snow, only its outline faintly visible. She sat upon it, her red figure distinct and striking against the white background.
Qin Yun looked at her and for a moment could not speak.
Bai Heng crouched on the rock and looked back at him.
For some reason she could not quite name, she stretched her body slightly and turned two slow circles on the spot.
The red hem swept across the snow, leaving a faint arc.
Qin Yun snapped out of his daze, his eyes brightening.
“Miss White, you really wore it!”
He walked forward quickly and stopped roughly two zhang away, studying her carefully.
“It looks really good.”
Bai Heng’s tail swished gently.
Qin Yun watched the slight movement of her tail and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
That seemed to mean she was pleased?
He thought for a moment and added, “I mean, you already look good no matter what you wear.”
Bai Heng’s tail swished again.
This time it moved a few more times than before.
Qin Yun looked at the gently swaying tail and suddenly understood.
He had said the right thing.
He could not help smiling.
“Then I’ll compliment you more often from now on.”
Bai Heng looked at him and remained still.
Qin Yun said nothing more. He simply crouched down and began taking food out of his bundle.
Glutinous rice cakes, cured meat, and a packet of pastries wrapped in oil paper. He arranged everything neatly on the ground.
Bai Heng leaped down from the rock, walked over slowly, and lowered her head to eat.
Qin Yun stood up, hesitated for a moment, then walked to the edge of the rock and sat down.
The rock was large. The spot he chose was still some distance from where she was eating, so he would not disturb her.
He sat there and watched her eat.
“It’s been snowing heavily these past few days. My mother won’t let my little sister come out. She’s been talking about you at home, saying she misses you.”
He chattered on.
“My father went hunting yesterday and caught a roe deer. My mother saved a hind leg and said she’ll have me bring it next time.”
“Those strangers in the village are still around. They wander everywhere every day, but no one knows what they’re looking for.”
Bai Heng ate and listened.
Every so often she lifted her head and glanced at him.
Qin Yun kept talking.
“I heard them say there’s treasure in these mountains, but I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
“I don’t believe it. I’ve walked through these mountains since I was little. If there was anything special here, wouldn’t I know?”
As he spoke, something occurred to him and he smiled.
“But you’re the exception. Someone like you… I doubt I’ll ever meet another.”
Bai Heng did not respond. She simply continued eating.
Qin Yun did not mind. He kept talking on his own.
After a while, he suddenly fell quiet.
Bai Heng lifted her head and looked at him.
Qin Yun sat there, his gaze resting on her, but his thoughts seemed far away. His expression was calm and his breathing steadier than before.
Bai Heng tilted her head slightly.
This youth was not nervous today.
Qin Yun noticed her gaze and came back to himself with a smile.
“Miss White, you smell really nice.”
He said it naturally, the way one might comment on fine weather.
Bai Heng’s ears twitched slightly.
Qin Yun continued.
“I noticed it the first time I got close to you, but I was too nervous back then to think much about it. Sitting here today, I finally realized how calming your scent is.”
He took a deep breath.
“It’s like the mountains after snowfall, or the fragrance of flowers under moonlight. I can’t quite describe it, but it just feels good.”
Bai Heng looked at him without moving.
This youth was truly straightforward.
Qin Yun did not feel he had said anything improper. He simply sat there, quietly keeping her company.
After Bai Heng finished eating, she lifted her head and looked at him.
Qin Yun stood up.
“Finished? Then I’ll head back.”
He was about to gather the oil paper from the ground when Bai Heng suddenly stood and took two steps toward him.
Qin Yun stopped and looked at her.
Bai Heng glanced at him, then turned and walked toward the rock cave.
After a few steps she looked back at him.
Qin Yun paused.
Did she want him to follow?
Bai Heng did not look back again. She continued walking.
Qin Yun hesitated for a moment, then followed.
The rock cave was not far. They reached it quickly.
Bai Heng stopped at the entrance, glanced back at him, then slipped inside.
Qin Yun stood outside and did not dare enter.
A moment later, Bai Heng came back out.
She held a small jade vial in her mouth.
The vial was only the size of a thumb, pure white and lustrous, giving off a faint glow even in the snow.
Bai Heng walked up to Qin Yun and placed the jade vial on the snow at his feet.
Qin Yun looked down at the vial, stunned.
“This… is for me?”
Bai Heng gently swished her tail.
Qin Yun crouched down, picked up the jade vial, and felt its warm, smooth surface. It was clearly no ordinary object. He pulled out the stopper and brought it close to smell.
A crisp medicinal fragrance washed over him, carrying the fresh scent of herbs and an indescribable subtle aroma.
Qin Yun’s eyes widened slightly.
He was a hunter’s son and had followed his father into the mountains since childhood. He knew many herbs. He had used ordinary wound medicines and hemostatic powders before.
But whatever was inside this jade vial was clearly no ordinary medicine.
He looked up at Bai Heng.
“This is… medicine?”
Bai Heng nodded.
Qin Yun was silent for a moment. He stoppered the vial again and carefully tucked it into his clothes.
He did not refuse.
“Thank you, Miss White.”
He stood up and cupped his hands toward her with solemn respect.
Bai Heng looked at him and gently swished her tail.
Qin Yun looked at her and suddenly smiled.
“If my mother knew you gave me a gift in return, she would be overjoyed.”
He paused.
“I’ll keep this medicine. If you ever need my help in the future, Miss White, just say the word.”
Bai Heng did not respond. She simply turned and walked slowly back toward the rock cave.
At the entrance she stopped and glanced back at him.
Qin Yun stood where he was and waved.
“I’ll head back now. I’ll come again in a few days.”
Bai Heng looked at him and gave a slight nod.
Then she slipped into the rock cave and disappeared.
Qin Yun stood outside the cave for a while longer before turning and walking down the mountain.
After walking quite a distance, he looked back.
The cave entrance was empty. Only a flash of red could be seen for a moment before it vanished into the darkness.
He touched the jade vial in his clothes. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly.
That evening, when Qin Yun returned home, he took out the jade vial and showed it to his family.
Qin Shi took the vial, smelled it, and frowned slightly.
“This medicine… is no ordinary thing.”
Li Lianhua leaned over to look.
“How is it not ordinary?”
Qin Shi shook his head.
“I can’t say exactly. It just feels much stronger than the medicines sold at the town pharmacy.”
Qin Yu’s eyes sparkled as she listened.
“It’s from White Fox Immortal? She’s so kind!”
Li Lianhua nodded, smiling.
“We made her one piece of clothing and she gave us such a heavy gift in return. This fox immortal truly knows how to repay kindness.”
Qin Shi put the jade vial away carefully.
“We should keep this medicine safe. It could save a life in a critical moment.”
Qin Yun listened quietly from the side.
In his mind he kept seeing the white fox wearing the red jacket, crouched on the rock. He kept seeing her clear eyes when she looked at him.
She was completely different from ordinary wild beasts.
He touched the vial in his clothes. A faint, refreshing fragrance still lingered there—her scent.
That night, Qin Yun slept very peacefully.