Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Bai Zhi padded barefoot across the floor, rushing up to the third floor with fiery speed yet utter silence. When he stopped at the master bedroom door, the only sound in the quiet hallway was his slightly hurried breathing.

He raised his hand to the doorknob, took a deep breath, and regulated his breathing. Well…

Good little bunnies aren’t supposed to sneak into other people’s rooms at night.

But he had to be temporarily naughty now. Besides, entering someone else’s territory when facing danger counted as emergency avoidance, right? It should.

He hoped Xie Yuzhan wouldn’t fly into a rage at a little rabbit.

He slowly pressed down the doorknob. With a soft click, the master bedroom door opened. Thank goodness Xie Yuzhan didn’t have the habit of locking his door before sleeping, or Bai Zhi would have had to climb through the window.

He carefully opened the door just wide enough for himself and Pikachu to slip through. Once inside, he gently closed the door. The room was dark, and the carpet was soft. He stood still for a while, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness.

He slowly approached the bed, holding his breath as he stood still, terrified of accidentally waking the sleeping man.

Xie Yuzhan’s sleeping posture was neat and quiet, his face expressionless, conveying a sense of detached indifference. The usual gentle elegance was nowhere to be seen, but neither was the cold, ruthless malice he had imagined belonging to a wolf.

It felt a little strange.

He stared at Xie Yuzhan for two minutes. The man was sleeping soundly, showing no sign of being disturbed. Little bunnies were very light-footed, after all.

He wanted a hug, but he suddenly realized a problem: Xie Yuzhan wasn’t awake, and he didn’t really want to wake him up. If he couldn’t hug him, should he just return the way he came, having done nothing?

The bunny was unwilling.

He definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep if he went back.

He blinked. How about…

He stayed for a short nap to calm his nerves? With Mr. Wolf nearby, he felt very safe, not afraid of being captured, slaughtered, and turned into braised rabbit head and legs.

He would only sleep for a little while and then leave. Xie Yuzhan wouldn’t even realize he had been there.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed. This bed was huge—more than enough room for two! He would be quiet and careful, absolutely ensuring he didn’t wake the other person.

Perfect.

He circled to the other side and tiptoed onto the bed, lying down an arm’s length away from Xie Yuzhan. He didn’t bother with a pillow, hugging his Pikachu plushie, curling his body, and quietly observing Xie Yuzhan’s profile.

He had to admit—

Mr. Wolf was very handsome and pleasing to his eye. It was just that his aura was indeed too severe. But he was also cool. If they weren’t natural enemies, Bai Zhi would be very willing to be friends with such a cool person.

As he thought aimlessly, his eyelids grew heavy. He kept repeating to himself that he would only sleep for a little while, just a shallow nap for an hour or two…

Once the breathing of the person beside him became steady and deep, Xie Yuzhan silently opened his eyes.

He turned onto his side, gazing at Bai Zhi, who was close enough to touch. His eyes were as deep as a forest spring, though now slightly rippled.

He had woken up the moment the door opened.

At this hour, who could it be? There was only one answer.

It was probably because seeing the rabbit meat had given him nightmares, and the shock hadn’t truly passed.

He sighed soundlessly, feeling both pity for Bai Zhi’s nightmare and relief that the rabbit hadn’t chosen to build a nest to endure the long night, but had instead come to him.

Even if he hadn’t woken him up.

He got up and fetched a thick blanket to cover Bai Zhi. The sleeping little rabbit burrowed into the blanket, only exposing a small part of his face, so well-behaved it made Xie Yuzhan’s heart melt.

He gently smoothed Bai Zhi’s hair from his forehead. The rabbit mumbled a few animal-like sounds and then settled down again.

A flicker of contemplation crossed Xie Yuzhan’s eyes. Bai Zhi had run over to him and was sleeping so close, indicating a subconscious reliance and trust, yet still a little fear.

Progress was good.

The little rabbit actively poking his head out of his curled-up nest showed that Xie Yuzhan’s actions had resonated with Bai Zhi. If he was afraid of him, if he lacked the courage to take a step forward, then Xie Yuzhan would give him that courage.

As long as he did enough.

Bai Zhi slept soundly through the latter half of the night. Slaughterhouses and cooking stoves—get lost! He didn’t have any other dreams and slept deeply. It was only when he opened his eyes that he suddenly realized something—

Had he overslept?!

No… right?

He nervously raised his eyes, which immediately focused on a pair of long legs. Huh?

Xie Yuzhan had changed clothes and was about to check if the little rabbit was awake. Just as he reached the bedside, Bai Zhi opened his eyes, which were filled with obvious surprise and confusion.

Xie Yuzhan rubbed Bai Zhi’s head and chuckled, “You seem to have slept well. Want to eat a lighter breakfast?”

Bai Zhi blinked, stunned. He was done for!

He had only meant to take a shallow nap and quietly leave before Xie Yuzhan woke up, pretending nothing had happened. How did he manage to oversleep completely?!

How was he supposed to explain this?

Huh?

How, exactly, was he supposed to explain?!

He shot up, momentarily dizzy. Once his vision focused, he stammered, “I… I slept quite well, actually. Too well, excessively well… Otherwise, I wouldn’t have overslept!”

As for breakfast?

He didn’t have the brain cells to spare for breakfast right now!

Overslept? Xie Yuzhan immediately understood and asked, “You snuck over last night, slept beside me, didn’t plan to stay until morning, but intended to leave after a while, and wouldn’t even tell me about it, pretending you hadn’t come?”

Bai Zhi hugged the plushie in his arms and subconsciously clutched the blanket… Wait a minute, a blanket?

He looked down at the blanket covering him, then back up at Xie Yuzhan, suddenly realizing. He asked blankly, “I entered your room without permission and slept in your bed. Aren’t you angry?”

Xie Yuzhan adjusted his tie. “Of course not.”

Bai Zhi let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank heavens, thank the Rabbit God!

He quickly explained, “I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt I was also caught and killed for meat… I originally just wanted to come over for a hug, but you were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. So I thought I’d just sleep next to you for a bit, but I accidentally overslept.”

So that was it.

Xie Yuzhan leaned slightly to meet Bai Zhi’s gaze, asking with a hint of amusement, “Do you regret refusing the hug last night?”

Bai Zhi felt a little guilty about that, his eyes starting to drift. He said dryly, “Uh… I do regret it. Does what CEO Xie said about hugging before bed every night still count?”

As he said this, he mustered the courage to meet the man’s eyes and emphasized, “It’s only been one night!”

Xie Yuzhan’s lips curved slightly. “Call me by my name.”

“…Yuzhan.”

Xie Yuzhan pinched Bai Zhi’s warm cheek. “It counts. It always counts. We can make up for last night’s hug right now, and then starting tonight, one goodnight hug. How does that sound?”

“Good!”

Bai Zhi agreed, jumping out of bed so quickly it was almost a leap, practically crashing into Xie Yuzhan’s arms. He hugged him tightly for a moment before letting go.

He sat back down and said, “It was wrong of me to sneak into your room last night. I apologize for that. I’m sorry.”

Xie Yuzhan ignored the wrinkles Bai Zhi had made on his suit and ruffled the rabbit’s hair with a little force. “It’s alright, I’ve already forgiven you. However—”

Bai Zhi squinted slightly from the rubbing and asked, “However what?”

Xie Yuzhan withdrew his hand, looking at the messy-haired but still adorable little rabbit. He couldn’t help but smile, then carefully smoothed Bai Zhi’s hair back down before pulling his hand away. “Next time, you can just wake me up. It’s fine. And you can openly sleep in my bed. I permit it.”

Eh—?

Bai Zhi’s brain overloaded instantly. He couldn’t quite process what those words meant.

Such leniency?

CEO Xie was a germaphobe! Not only did Bai Zhi sneak in, but he brazenly slept in the man’s bed. Not only was he not angry, but he was told he could sleep here openly in the future?

Was the pika-bunny who dared to sleep next to its natural enemy crazy, or had Mr. Wolf’s brain short-circuited?

On the savanna, if a wolf caught prey and was already full, it might carry the prey back to its den to play with it, treating it as a reserve meal, until it got bored or hungry, and then gobble it up.

Thinking of it that way, he understood.

Xie Yuzhan must view him as property, right? That’s why he was so tolerant. After all, he was already the man’s “reserve meal,” posing no threat, just waiting for the time when he would be disposed of somehow.

But if it meant temporary safety, maybe this wasn’t so bad?

He nodded knowingly and obediently replied, “Okay~ I understand. Next time I’ll tell you directly.”

“Good boy.”

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi transition from shock and confusion to sudden enlightenment. He must have understood his meaning: this closeness was reserved only for him, and no one else.

He asked again, “Do you want to get up and eat a light breakfast, or sleep a little longer? You can continue sleeping here.”

“I’m up!” Bai Zhi scrambled off the bed using both hands and feet. “I’ll eat a light breakfast. I’ll go back and change clothes first.”

Xie Yuzhan turned and walked out with Bai Zhi. “No rush. I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay!”

After separating at the staircase, Bai Zhi watched Xie Yuzhan continue downstairs, smiling softly, then slightly pursing his lips. This year might not be so difficult to endure after all.

After breakfast and seeing Xie Yuzhan off, he strolled around the backyard a couple of times.

Summer was gone, and there was no trace of heat. Autumn was deepening; the ginkgo leaves were already starting to show golden skirts. This weather was undoubtedly the happy season for pika-bunnies, making him much more willing to go out than in the middle of summer.

Over the next week, he went out twice. First, to Lu Qinghe’s studio to stock up on some autumn and winter clothes for the change of season.

Second, he met with Bai En’yan.

The two genuinely got along well. Her cheerful and generous personality suited him, and he felt comfortable interacting with her. He didn’t mind having an extra sister.

As for the Bai family? Sorry, they weren’t his family.

That day, he started his live stream in the afternoon and finished at six. After tidying up, it was perfect timing for dinner. However, when he came downstairs, he was surprised to find the dining room completely dark.

Hmm?

Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng were home. They had even asked him what he wanted for dinner when they brought him afternoon tea. Why were the lights off?

As he wondered, a small orange light flickered on near the dining table. He paused, and in the weak light, he saw the object: a cake. The light was from the candles stuck in the cake!

What was this for?!

Before he could think too much, the dining room lights gradually came on. Besides the cake, dinner was already set on the table, and a small mountain of gifts was piled up at the other end.

He blinked, looking at Zheng Feng and Lin Haiyan, who had stepped out, still confused, until the person behind him placed a small crown on his head.

He looked back in surprise. It was Xie Yuzhan.

He touched the crown—was it diamond? His voice was tight as he asked, “What is all this?”

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze was gentle, devoid of detachment. He smiled lightly. “Happy Birthday.”

Bai Zhi was utterly bewildered.

Before transmigrating, all he thought about on the savanna was how to hoard food and survive. He had no concept of birthdays and didn’t even know the day he was born.

This was his first birthday since transmigrating.

He didn’t feel the need for fuss. Birthdays were merely a way to add ritual to life; celebrating or not didn’t matter, he’d still age a year. But Xie Yuzhan had suddenly given him such a surprise.

He nervously pursed his lips, feeling a little tense.

No one had ever taught him how to react to such a surprise.

Xie Yuzhan sensed Bai Zhi’s tension and, while understanding, felt a pang of affection.

As the unfavored, almost neglected youngest son, it was clear without asking that the Bai family never celebrated his birthday.

He adjusted the diamond crown on Bai Zhi’s head, then placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning in slightly. He comforted him softly, “Regardless of the past, and whatever the future holds, as long as you are in the Xie family, we will celebrate your birthday.

“This is the first year, and we’re celebrating together. In the future, if you want a bigger party, you can invite friends and family and host a birthday banquet.”

The slight warmth of Xie Yuzhan’s breath on his ear made Bai Zhi’s eyes sting with emotion, followed by a rush of heat.

Whatever Xie Yuzhan’s motive was, it didn’t matter at this moment. The fact that he had specially done this for him was undeniable.

His eyelashes fluttered, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “Why did you…”

Xie Yuzhan looked at Bai Zhi and said, “You deserve it. What you didn’t have before, I will give you now.”

Bai Zhi’s feelings couldn’t be described merely as complex. He couldn’t find a single trace of insincerity in Xie Yuzhan. It seemed genuinely to be just a birthday celebration.

Perhaps his attempt at showing goodwill had received an unexpected response?

He sniffled. “Thank you all… for preparing this for me. I’ve never, never celebrated a birthday before…”

This was the first time.

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze deepened. Bai Zhi’s voice was moist, and his eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. His usually clear, bright eyes were even more brilliant now. Priceless jewels couldn’t match this dazzling light.

Incomparable.

The diamond crown already looked inferior.

Being watched by such eyes, Xie Yuzhan would willingly trade everything for the clear skies in them.

This was certainly not a rational thought, but the essence of emotion defied absolute logic. He had always believed he wouldn’t experience such feelings, but now that it was happening, he had to admit it was because he hadn’t met the person in front of him.

The risk of giving his heart was too great, yet Bai Zhi was such a pure person.

He made him willing to take the risk.

And relish it.

He cupped Bai Zhi’s cheeks and gently coaxed, “Birthdays should be happy. No dropping golden beans allowed.”

Bai Zhi was amused by Xie Yuzhan’s tone and words, which sounded like he was comforting a child. He shook his head free of the man’s hands and rubbed his eyes. “Can we cut the cake first?”

“Of course. The little birthday star calls the shots.”

Bai Zhi looked at Xie Yuzhan, then at Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng, who were smiling nearby. He took a slow breath. He would just enjoy the present moment.

This birthday, starting with the cake, was perfectly to his liking. It was decorated like a green savanna! Complete with blue sky, white clouds, and a sun. When cut, the layers were filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.

He couldn’t help but laugh while eating the cake. The baker who took the order must have been dreaming about why someone would request various vegetables in the cake layers—it was so bizarre, but the taste was surprisingly good.

Dinner consisted of all his favorite dishes. The steamed egg custard with shrimp won the award for the best dish of the night.

He didn’t usually like meat, but this was genuinely delicious.

Listening to Bai Zhi praise the egg custard, Xie Yuzhan silently curved his lips. The little rabbit knew how to eat well.

After dinner, Bai Zhi and Xie Yuzhan carried the gifts up to his room. Lu Qinghe, Bai En’yan, and Aunt Lin and Uncle Zheng had all prepared birthday presents for him. Of course, his nominal spouse’s gift was also there.

He sat on the carpet unwrapping gifts, with Xie Yuzhan sitting on a nearby chair.

He saved Xie Yuzhan’s gifts for last.

There were two of them, surprisingly.

He opened the top box and gasped! Inside was a rabbit nightlight holding a crescent moon!

He looked at it from every angle, absolutely loving it. He looked up and smiled at Xie Yuzhan. “It’s so cute! I love it! It’s the perfect size for the bedside table. I can turn this light on when I sleep now!”

Even though it was a white rabbit, not a pika, it didn’t matter. White rabbits were cute too!

Xie Yuzhan was almost dazzled by Bai Zhi’s bright smile. After a few seconds, he said, “This little rabbit will keep you company while you sleep. I hope Zhi Zhi won’t have nightmares anymore.”

Bai Zhi paused, then nodded seriously.

CEO Xie, who was usually so busy, remembered that he woke up from nightmares. That was unexpectedly thoughtful and considerate.

He carefully held the nightlight and got up to place the little rabbit on the bedside table. It had triple switches—touch, voice, and remote—which was very convenient, and multiple light colors and settings to choose from.

He finally set the light to the warm white setting and returned to the carpet. There was still one more gift.

He opened the last heavy gift box. Inside were four pots of rare alpine grasses: *Anemone rupicola* (Rock Anemone), *Saussurea laniceps* (Snow Lotus), *Aquilegia ecalcarata* (Spurless Columbine), and a miniature *Saussurea medusa* (Jellyfish Snow Rabbit)!

He had mentioned these during his live streams before, but hadn’t been able to find them.

When he looked up, his voice was uncontrollably high-pitched. “How did you know I liked these? Where did you find them?!”

Xie Yuzhan’s tone was calm and his expression composed. “It was a coincidence. I just picked a few rare varieties. I’m glad you like them. As for where I found them, it was also a stroke of luck.

“My grandmother is a botanist. Thanks to her, I know some seniors in the field. Knowing you like flowers and plants, I asked around.

“These were brought out of a laboratory. It wasn’t difficult.”

There was no need to mention things like funding the laboratory.

Wow~~~

Bai Zhi’s eyes were practically sparkling. As expected of CEO Xie, his connections were vast! He achieved it effortlessly!

He hugged the gift box, stood up, and pulled Xie Yuzhan’s hand. “I’m going to put the grasses in the study right now! I can introduce them to everyone during tomorrow’s live stream!”

Xie Yuzhan looked at their joined hands, his gaze slowly moving up to Bai Zhi’s back. The little rabbit was radiant and probably temporarily forgot about being afraid of him.

That was good.

Bai Zhi led Xie Yuzhan all the way into the study. Once inside, he released his hand and carefully placed the four pots of grass on his streaming desk. He turned and smiled. “They fit perfectly here.”

Xie Yuzhan looked at Bai Zhi’s smiling eyes and also relaxed his expression. “This is my first time in your study. It’s well organized and has a great atmosphere. If my grandmother saw this fresh and natural arrangement, she would definitely love it.”

Bai Zhi’s smile faltered. He belatedly realized his own recklessness.

He had just brazenly dragged Xie Yuzhan by the hand, and the man hadn’t pulled away… Ahem, it was probably just because it was his birthday today.

He followed up, “My stuff is just a small hobby, nothing like a professional botanist.”

Xie Yuzhan shook his head slightly. “No one could dislike the vitality and life in this room.”

Bai Zhi smiled sheepishly, then puffed out his chest with a little pride. “Since you’re here, should I give you a quick tour? You can check out my live stream setup.”

“Your fans will be envious.”

Bai Zhi curved his eyes. “You’re different from them. They are online friends; you are right here beside me.”

Xie Yuzhan raised a hand to gently adjust his glasses, his lowered eyelids concealing the smile in his eyes. The little rabbit’s directness was definitely pleasing.

The more unintentional the words, the more they came from the heart.

Bai Zhi gave Xie Yuzhan a general introduction, finally stopping in front of the streaming desk.

He leaned against the desk, fiddling with a small pot of anemone. Following the conversation about the grasses, he began to daydream. “After the divorce, I want to go south, to a warmer place with more sunshine and water, far away from the Bai family. I’ll plant lots and lots of grasses. If you’re interested, I can mail some to you.”

Xie Yuzhan’s mood had been excellent—until that sentence.

He took a step closer, lowering his voice slightly. “Getting away from the Bai family is fine, but, Zhi Zhi, are you that afraid of me?

“Do you need to go that far?

“If you want to plant flowers and grasses, I can build you a facility. Temperature, light—any standard you want can be achieved. Why do you absolutely have to go so far away?”

Run away? That was unacceptable!

Bai Zhi’s hand, which was fiddling with the small potted plant, froze.

He tilted his head, a little confused about what was wrong with Xie Yuzhan. He had been fine just a moment ago. Why was he suddenly… angry?

He didn’t think he had said anything wrong.

But he didn’t want Xie Yuzhan to end the day angry. The man had prepared so much for his birthday; he couldn’t ignore these emotions.