SLLBTT Chapter 8
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 8⊱⊷⋇
After an unknown amount of time, The Snow Wolf King finally released Liu Jiao.
Liu Jiao's tail stood high, resembling a small flagpole.
Seeing him like this, the Snow Wolf King laughed. "Startled again?"
Liu Jiao shook his head in a daze.
The Snow Wolf King lifted a teacup and asked, "Care for some tea?"
"Mmm." Liu Jiao reached out, took the teacup the Snow Wolf King offered, and gulped down the tea in one go, not tasting much.
The Snow Wolf King simply said, "This tea is called 'Drops of Pine.' It's very precious."
Liu Jiao blinked, licked his lips, and said, "Really? Why does it feel tasteless?"
The Snow Wolf King took a sip of Drops of Pine tea, lifted Liu Jiao's chin with his fingertip, and leaned down to transfer the tea from his mouth to Liu Jiao's.
"Wuwu..." Liu Jiao struggled to swallow the Drops of Pine tea, inadvertently choked, and some droplets landed on his clothes.
Anxiously, Liu Jiao wiped the dampness off his clothes. "This might ruin the clothes, you know?"
The Snow Wolf King responded, "No need to worry. The Laundry Department can take care of it."
Liu Jiao could only nod in response.
The Snow Wolf King abandoned the kneeling posture, lounged lazily, and then gestured toward Liu Jiao, "Don't be so constrained. Doesn't kneeling for too long hurt your knees?"
Liu Jiao shook his head. "Not really." Then added, "Just a little numbness."
"Sit down."
"Many thanks, Great King." Liu Jiao shifted to a cross-legged position, hands resting on his legs, his tail casually hanging on the floor.
With a smile, the Snow Wolf King asked, "You mentioned that people familiar to you call you Second Fool?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Do your family members also call you that?"
"I don't have any family," Liu Jiao replied, "I'm an orphan."
Upon hearing this, the Snow Wolf King felt somewhat apologetic. "I've been rude. I shouldn't have asked that way."
Liu Jiao, however, said, "What's rude about it? It's just a normal question, right? Besides, you're also an orphan!"
The Snow Wolf King was momentarily unsure of what to say.
Liu Jiao realized he misspoke again and hastily tried to bow in apology.
However, the Snow Wolf King smiled, waved his hand, and said, "Can't everyone just call you 'Second Fool'? Is there no cuter nickname?"
Liu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "Some also call me Xiao Jiao."
"Xiao Jiao," the Snow Wolf King nodded, "That suits you well."
With that, the Snow Wolf King opened his arms, "Xiao Jiao, come here to me."
Without much thought, Liu Jiao snuggled into the Snow Wolf King's embrace.
In the Snow Wolf King's arms, there was a refreshing chilly fragrance.
Liu Jiao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, feeling that this scent was much more precious than that Drops of Pine tea.
The two chatted leisurely. When Liu Jiao saw the sun turn golden and drop to the west, he finally spoke, "Great King, the sun is setting."
"So?"
"I need to return to my palace for dinner."
The Snow Wolf King smiled, "Go ahead."
Bowing, Liu Jiao took his leave, leaping out of the courtyard wall.
Liu Jiao's assigned residence was called Chunguang Pavilion, very close to the Snow Wolf King's Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain. Liu Jiao ran fast, quickly reaching the outside of Chunguang Pavilion. He heard some commotion inside and ran in, finding several chamberlains organizing something. As soon as they saw Liu Jiao, they all stopped and saluted.
"What's going on?" Liu Jiao asked.
Da Huangya rushed out and saluted Liu Jiao before explaining, "Today, two newcomers will stay in the west and north chambers of Chunguang Pavilion."
"Oh," Liu Jiao thought those empty chambers might as well be used for the newcomers. He nodded and said, "Fine. Should I go and greet them?"
Da Huangya hurriedly said, "Don't. As the master of the palace, it's their duty to come and greet you."
Liu Jiao didn't pay much attention and said, "Alright, they are neighbors after all, no need for formalities. Oh... by the way, is dinner ready?"
"Yes," Da Huangya responded, "We're just waiting for Master to return for the meal!"
"Then hurry up. I'm hungry too." Liu Jiao happily ran into the main hall where he lived, getting ready for dinner.
When Liu Jiao returned, Ah Ye pulled him aside to ask, "Master, how did it go today when you went to show your face to the Great King?"
"It went fine," Liu Jiao said. "The Great King said he won't forget my face."
Ah Ye, however, was skeptical. "Men's words are like deceitful ghosts..."
Liu Jiao retorted, "We're both men! Doesn't that insult yourself as well?"
"I'm a neutered domesticated cat, not considered a man."
"......" Liu Jiao couldn't help but cast a sympathetic look at Ah Ye.
Ah Ye continued, "Neutering is good, it prolongs life."
Liu Jiao had no response but after a while said, "Can we serve the meal now?"
Soon, Liu Jiao's table was filled with dishes.
Just as Liu Jiao was about to start eating, he heard the flat voice of Da Huangya coming through the curtain, "The newcomers have come to pay their respects."
Liu Jiao hesitated for a moment, glanced at Ah Ye, and thought, "If I don't meet them, won't it seem like I'm acting high and mighty? I better see them."
Saying this, Liu Jiao said, "Enter."
Soon after, Da Huangya lifted the curtain, letting two beauties inside. Both demons were stunning, each with unique charm. One had a graceful and charming figure, named Bai Juan, while the other possessed a slender and noble elegance, named Leng Jiao.
Seeing them, Liu Jiao finally believed what everyone had said — the most exceptional beauties from across the country were sent to the palace. He seemed to be not that good-looking after all.
Bai Juan and Leng Jiao bowed in unison to Liu Jiao.
Liu Jiao, a bit stunned, cleared his throat before saying, "Rise..."
"Thank you, Beautiful Lady." After Bai Juan and Leng Jiao stood up, they remained silent.
Liu Jiao thought, "Why aren't they talking? This is so awkward."
Then he realized, being the higher-ranked, if he didn't speak, they naturally wouldn't. So, Liu Jiao cleared his throat again and said, "Have you eaten?"
Bai Juan and Leng Jiao replied, "Not yet."
"Then sit down and let's eat together." Liu Jiao signaled to Ah Ye, who brought two chairs for them to sit.
Liu Jiao, feeling hungry, didn't bother with small talk. He started devouring chicken legs, cracking bones, and only then noticed that Bai Juan and Leng Jiao weren't eating much, just sipping tea.
"Ah..." Liu Jiao thought for a moment, assuming they were being polite, and quickly said, "You... you don't like this kind of food?"
The two only replied, "Many thanks, Beautiful Lady, for the meal."
Finding it strange, Liu Jiao asked, "Leng Jiao, you're not eating?"
Leng Jiao helplessly answered, "I am a sheep, I only eat vegetarian dishes."
Liu Jiao was stunned. This person looked extraordinary, but ate so plain?
Liu Jiao cleared his throat and asked the other, "Bai Juan, do you also eat only vegetarian dishes?"
Bai Juan helplessly replied, "I am a butterfly, I only eat nectar."
Liu Jiao was shocked. So sophisticated?
After a while, Liu Jiao looked at Bai Juan, hesitating.
In fact, he had been curious about something for a long time but was too embarrassed to ask.
Did butterflies need to use the restroom?