Chapter 801: The Spiritual Fox Xiang’er
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
No matter how strong Mo Wen was, he could not help but tear up when he entered his home.
Qin Xiaoyou held on to the corner of his shirt anxiously while looking at her feet. She hid behind Mo Wen like a shy deer.
The figure in the kitchen turned around. It was a middle-aged woman dressed in an old shirt made of rough material. However, her clothes were very clean.
“Little stone, you have finally come home! Why are you standing at the door in a daze? Quick, come in and sit down. This lady is so beautiful. Come in and sit, make yourself at home.”
Mo Wen’s mother sized Qin Xiaoyou up and then pulled her into the house by her hand with a smile. Her son had brought a girl home; how would she be unaware of what’s happening?
Qin Xiaoyou blushed. “Hello Auntie, my name is Qin Xiaoyou,” she said softly with her head lowered.
She had wanted to greet Mo Wen’s mother as Mrs. Mo, but she looked very young. She only seemed to be around 30 years old. Even though she was wearing coarse clothing and was dressed simply, she seemed like a wealthy woman. A person who held herself with dignity and was noble would seem aristocratic even if she was dressed like a beggar.
Mo Wen’s mother was very young. She was dignified and noble and was a rare beauty. Mo Wen had lived with his mother for years and was used to how she looked. But Qin Xiaoyou was stunned by her beauty. She even suspected that Mo Wen’s mother was from a rich family, and had later married before coming to this village.
“Your mother is so beautiful,” Qin Xiaoyou said softly as she tugged on Mo Wen’s sleeve. His mother could be an actress and act as Empress Wu Zetian with her disposition and beauty. How could a person with such exceptional disposition appear in a village in the middle of nowhere?
Mo Wen paused slightly when he heard what she had to say. He studied his mother carefully and suddenly realized that the years did not seem to have left any traces on his mother. His mother had not changed much since he was a child.
However, the spiritual energy in this space was strong. The air and waters were clear and were very nourishing. It was not a bad thing for his mother to be able to maintain her youth.
“Little Stone, why didn’t you introduce us? I very much like it that you brought her home.”
Mo Wen’s mother nattered on with a smile after she nudged Qin Xiaoyou onto a chair. Mo Wen’s nickname as a child was Little Stone and that was what his mother still called him.
“Mom, her name is Qin Xiaoyou, and she is the daughter-in-law I have found for you. Do you like her?” Mo Wen asked with a smile. He would not have been able to behave so calmly in the past if he had found a girlfriend and even brought her home. However, his mental state was different now.
“Of course I like her. Any girl who likes our Little Stone is a girl with a good sense of judgment. But does she mind the fact that we are from the village?” Mo Wen’s mother glanced at Qin Xiaoyou carefully with surprise in her eyes. Not even Mo Wen noticed the change in her expression.
“Auntie, there is a saying that goes “the highly skilled are always hidden deep in the mountains.” It is my fortune that Mo Wen likes me. Why would I mind? I would be satisfied if you do not find me a hindrance.”
Qin Xiaoyou twisted her hands together, feeling rather nervous. What she was most worried about was that Mo Wen’s mother would not like her and would not allow her and Mo Wen to be together. However, it seemed that Mo Wen’s mother was not hard to get along with.
“Miss, you have a glib tongue.” Mo Wen’s mother laughed.
“Mom, where’s Xiang’er? We’ve been here for a while. Why haven’t I seen her?”
Mo Wen looked around the house and was surprised to not have seen Xiang’er, whom he had missed. Mo Wen’s gaze grew softer when he mentioned Xiang’er.
Qin Xiaoyou felt curious. Who was this person who could make Mo Wen look like that?
“Oh, she went out a while ago. I don’t know where she went.”
Mo Wen’s mother had only just finished talking when they heard something squealing at the door. A little head poked out from behind the door. The head was half-hidden behind the door and looked very shy.
“Xiang’er, come here and let me hug you.” Mo Wen smiled happily when he saw the little figure behind the door. He flung his arms wide open exaggeratedly.
Purr!
There was a flash of white light and the little figure appeared in Mo Wen’s embrace with a slight shuffling sound. It rolled around in his embrace coyly, and they looked very close.
“What a beautiful little fox.” There was a bright glint in Qin Xiaoyou’s eyes. She could not help but want to pet the white fox in Mo Wen’s arms.
The little figure was a tiny lithe fox. It was pure white and had a smooth coat. It was shiny and there was not a speck of dirt on it. It was as pure and white as a snowflake. It had a large pair of eyes that shone like two precious gems, and also a tiny pink nose and mouth. It was chubby and very adorable.
The moment the little fox appeared, the entire house was filled with a fragrant scent. It was not too thick or too faint and was just right. It lifted one’s mood and revitalized a person. That was why the fox was called Xiang’er.
Women were usually defenseless against beautiful and adorable creatures. Furthermore, Xiang’er was an exceptionally intelligent little fox. Qin Xiaoyou immediately wanted to take the little fox from Mo Wen and hug it.
But the little fox’s reaction was sharp. It rolled over and dodged Qin Xiaoyou’s approaching hands before sprawling over Mo Wen’s shoulder. It yelped at Qin Xiaoyou with dissatisfaction.
“Let me hug you, let me hug you.” Qin Xiaoyou reached out a slender finger with an amiable expression.
“Xiang’er, this is Qin Xiaoyou, and she will be part of our family in the future. Why don’t you let her hug you?”
The little fox was very intelligent and Mo Wen knew that she definitely understood what he said. Xiang’er had been Mo Wen’s best friend since he was a child and had grown up with him. Mo Wen could recall Xiang’er’s existence even when he was in swaddles. Back then, he slept in the cradle while Xiang’er slept beside him. Xiang’er had been present throughout his childhood. However, he had grown up now, but Xiang’er had not. She was still so tiny.
His mother said that Xiang’er was a spiritual fox his father had rescued deep in the mountains. Spiritual foxes were like humans and understood gratitude. To thank Mo Wen’s father for saving her life, she stayed in their home and never left.
That was the only thing his mother ever said about his father. Other than that, she had not said a single word about him no matter how Mo Wen tried to ask her.
Mo Wen had never felt that his father existed because he had never seen him. His mother had only said that his father died before he was born and that he had not had a long life.
After Mo Wen’s intervention, Xiang’er unwillingly reached out her soft paws, allowing Qin Xiaoyou to hold her.
Qin Xiaoyou smiled happily and grabbed Xiang’er to cuddle her. However, she did not have a firm hold on the little fox and Xiang’er jumped out of her arms with a swoosh. The little fox returned to Mo Wen’s arms while squealing at Qin Xiaoyou. It seemed to be saying that Qin Xiaoyou had already hugged her and would not be able to again. She ignored Qin Xiaoyou and snuggled up in Mo Wen’s embrace.
Qin Xiaoyou looked at her empty arms and felt like crying. She had not even hugged the little fox but it had already run away…
Mo Wen laughed helplessly. He held up the little fox’s head and kissed it. Xiang’er had stuck to him since he was a child. Other than him and his mother, no one else in the village was allowed to touch her. She had already been nice to Qin Xiaoyou by allowing her to hug her for the slightest moment.
Mo Wen’s mother had whipped up a few more dishes in the kitchen since Mo Wen had arrived. The family gathered in the courtyard and had lunch.
The little fox was exceptionally obedient. She perched on Mo Wen’s leg during lunch and had her own small bowl in front of her that was filled with food. It ate delicately like a polite lady. When it saw something tasty, it would reach out with its shiny paws and shove it into Mo Wen’s mouth.
Qin Xiaoyou sat behind the table and played with the rice in her bowl. She was focused entirely on Xiang’er. When she saw how close Xiang’er and Mo Wen were, her eyes were filled with jealousy. How could there be such an adorable and intelligent white fox in this world? It was so adorable!
While they had lunch, Mo Wen briefly explained why he did not return during the last summer holidays. It was mostly him trying to find an excuse. He did not know how to describe his experiences and did not feel comfortable talking about them either.
Mo Wen’s mother did not ask him too much about it and they made small talk during lunch.
After lunch, Mo Wen rolled up his sleeves and help out in the fields. In a village like theirs, their livelihood was entirely dependent on their hard work. They had to plant their own food and make their own cloth…His mother was home alone and had to work hard for the family. One could imagine how hard it was for her.
Mo Wen had wanted to take his mother out of the village and allow her to enjoy life in the bustling city. However, his mother did not agree and said that she was used to the life in the village. She was happy to stay in the village for the rest of her life. Mo Wen felt helpless with regards to this. In the village, money was useless even if they had it. Furthermore, he could not hire a bunch of people to come and serve his mother. It would disrupt the ethereal peace here.COMMENT
Fortunately, Xiang’er was here to keep his mother company. Xiang’er was adept at hunting and would bring some of her prey home every couple of days. As such, the conditions in their home was not harsh and life was more relaxed compared to others.
Mo Wen did not cultivate that night and had a good night’s sleep. The warmth he felt at home was one he did not feel usually. He did not want to waste his time here cultivating. Xiang’er slept beside Mo Wen as usual and sometimes even served as a pillow for Mo Wen.
While Mo Wen was fast asleep, Xiang’er opened her eyes stealthily. She studied Mo Wen for a while and then pulled his shirt open. A small bronze compass fell out. It was the eight trigram that Mo Wen had found at the construction site.
Xiang’er looked at the eight trigram hanging from Mo Wen’s neck with a grave expression that was very humanoid. She ripped the eight trigram from his neck and then jumped off the bed and went into Mo Wen’s mother’s room which was next door.
Mo Wen remained deeply asleep. He did not sense Xiang’er’s movements at all. It was almost as if he was comatose.