Chapter 5: The Delicate One

Jiang Chengyan, walking ahead, hadn’t felt much at first, but as the little woman beside him kept hopping along, he found himself pressing a hand to his forehead.

“Stop.” The word alone brought the hopping woman to a halt.

She looked about fifteen or sixteen, pale and slender, her big eyes blinking earnestly at him. Only children usually hop about like that; her hopping wasn’t really a big deal, but it made her seem even more... adorable.

It certainly drew more attention.

“Huh?” The rabbit spirit looked at Jiang Chengyan in confusion, not understanding what she had done wrong.

“Walk properly, don’t bounce like a rabbit.” Jiang Chengyan rubbed his brow, holding her back from another leap.

“But... but I am a rabbit,” she replied innocently.

“If you keep walking like that, someone might recognize you and catch you to cook you for meat,” Jiang Chengyan lied without batting an eye.

The rabbit spirit fell silent.

She trailed behind Jiang Chengyan, mimicking his steps like a little tail, slowly learning how humans walked.

But when she saw a table full of delicious food, she forgot everything, leaping onto a chair and grabbing chopsticks, immediately starting to eat.

The loud clatter of the chair caused by her jump made Jiang Chengyan’s eyelids twitch.

“Husband,” the rabbit called smoothly.

“Mm?” Jiang Chengyan answered naturally.

“The clothes are prickly,” the rabbit muttered, cheeks puffed.

Jiang Chengyan glanced at her wearing men’s clothes; he’d known since last night that she was picky about clothes and blankets, so he nodded, “We’ll buy some for you today. Stay close to me so you don’t get caught, alright?”

The rabbit nodded obediently.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Chengyan’s lips curved ever so slightly as he lowered his head to drink his porridge.

Because Jiang Chengyan had risen early, when they set out, the sky was still dim. He carried a basket on his back and reached out to take the rabbit’s hand; with few people on the road, she was once again full of energy, hopping along at his side. The oversized men’s clothes made her look like... a beggar.

“Is it far?” After walking for some time, the rabbit whispered, still not seeing the marketplace.

“Mm, about another half an hour,” Jiang Chengyan nodded, squatting down as he spoke.

“Get on,” his voice was cool yet solid, giving a strong sense of safety.

The rabbit was momentarily stunned, then happily climbed onto his back.

Jiang Chengyan carried her, placing the basket onto her back.

“You don’t know any magic?” Jiang Chengyan chuckled.

Books always said mountain spirits could use spells.

“No, but I can quickly find the tastiest grass and mushrooms. Husband, do you want to eat grass?” the rabbit asked naively.

Jiang Chengyan snorted. Thank you very much!

“Yesterday, by the tree stump, you kept chirping at me. Why?” Jiang Chengyan pressed.

“I thought I was about to transform, but I was naked, so when I saw you, I jumped on you,” the rabbit replied honestly.

But as soon as she finished, Jiang Chengyan’s expression darkened noticeably.

“So you’d jump on anyone?” His voice was suddenly dangerous.

“Not anyone, only if they look good,” the rabbit’s voice grew timid.

Jiang Chengyan fell silent, clearly upset.

Only then did the rabbit spirit realize: this man seemed to be angry.