Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The air was practically solid, and Bai Zhi didn’t even dare to breathe heavily. His little brain was spinning so fast it felt like it was sparking.

He gently withdrew the paw he had placed on Xie Yuzhan’s hand, hugged Pikachu tightly, burying half his face in the fluff. His voice was muffled. “I’m sorry, please don’t be angry… I didn’t mean to waste time, and I don’t want to become gossip fodder for others, but—but I’m really nervous…”

This was a natural predator!

Even though he knew the other party still needed him, it didn’t mean he could be completely unafraid.

The fear and resistance stemming from instinct weren’t so easily dismissed.

Seeing no change in Xie Yuzhan’s expression, he quickly added, “This is my first time getting married… A fake marriage is still a marriage, so it’s normal to be nervous.”

Xie Yuzhan watched the person in front of him. Bai Zhi looked a little timid, as if he wished he could find a hole to crawl into, a soft, cowardly little ball.

He was genuinely afraid of him.

As for Xie Yuzhan, he wasn’t exactly angry. The other party had no idea why he was experiencing emotional fluctuations; it was simply because he hadn’t had direct physical contact with anyone else for a long time. His friends knew he minded and wouldn’t cross the line, and others lacked the courage or opportunity.

Half a minute later, he silently sighed. Forget it.

On the bright side, being straightforward and not hiding anything was good. He appreciated hearing a few honest words.

He unbuckled Bai Zhi’s seatbelt, tore open a single-use wet wipe packet, stepped back, and wiped his hands. He said, “Don’t let it happen again. You can’t bring anything this large; it draws too much attention.”

Bai Zhi nodded profusely. “Okay! Next time I’ll bring a small plushie to keep in my pocket!”

Xie Yuzhan gave a noncommittal sound. Next time, they would see.

The two walked into the Bureau of Civil Affairs, separated by half a step. Bai Zhi surveyed the unfamiliar environment. There were only a few people besides the staff. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief, wanting only to get the certificate and retreat quickly.

After sitting down and facing the kind-looking sister across the desk, he kept mostly silent, answering with a hum whenever possible—less talk, less chance of error.

When the staff member’s gaze landed on the Pikachu doll in his arms for the third time, he gave an embarrassed smile. Well… he was an adult, and carrying such a large doll was indeed childish.

But he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t risk his hand trembling while signing due to nervousness; that would be even more suspicious.

Before his smile faded, a well-meaning tease from the staff member completely stunned him. What did she mean by saying he was very well protected?

Huh?

Who protected him? Where did that come from?

He looked blankly at Xie Yuzhan, sending a questioning look. Why would she say that?

Xie Yuzhan looked at Bai Zhi’s clear eyes. It was obviously because of the doll, which was hard to ignore.

Of course, it wasn’t just this childlike innocence.

It was also Bai Zhi’s lively demeanor, untouched by the world’s harshness and weariness, possessing a flawless purity. Only those who were very well protected had such clean, pure eyes.

It was strange. As the unfavored second son of the Bai family, he shouldn’t have had an easy life. How had Bai Zhi managed to be both intelligent and naive?

Perhaps he had raised himself well?

Xie Yuzhan pulled his thoughts back. Facing the teasing, he remained composed.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled slightly, half-helplessly. “This doll is our token of love. We specifically brought it today as a witness. Please excuse us.”

“Not at all, you two have a wonderful relationship!”

The curve of Xie Yuzhan’s lips showed no flaw. Bai Zhi pursed his lips and inwardly scoffed. Nonsense! Shameless lying. Truly worthy of the deep-scheming Mr. Wolf—cunning enough.

Catching Bai Zhi’s gaze, Xie Yuzhan looked back with a gentle expression and said slowly, “Just sign the papers and take a photo, and we’ll be done.”

Alright.

Bai Zhi understood that. He was updating him on the progress, which was appreciated. As for the things he didn’t understand, as long as they didn’t affect him, he didn’t care.

Human society was so complex. As a little rabbit, understanding even a fraction was good enough, enough to let him live well.

After signing, his steps were noticeably lighter on the way to the photo booth. Click, and it was done.

However, he hadn’t expected to be so tense in front of the camera.

The photographer told him to relax, and he wanted to, but it wasn’t something he could control. This was his first time taking a photo in his rabbit life, and facing the round, dark lens, forget smiling, his body instinctively tensed up.

He felt awkward from the tips of his hair to his toenails.

He looked at Xie Yuzhan again, curling his fingers. “I… I just, I just…”

Being stared at intently by both Bai Zhi and the photographer, Xie Yuzhan had a subtle premonition. Could this marriage partner truly be as trouble-free as he had anticipated?

A question mark hung in the air.

The eyes of the person beside him were clean and clear, like a still, pure lake. Those eyes seemed to hold the fresh, free wind of the grasslands, gently blowing, carrying straight into his heart.

In the silent exchange of glances, he had to admit that Bai Zhi’s demeanor was indeed rare.

He signaled the photographer to wait, paused briefly, and then raised his hand—

He just didn’t want to waste time here.

No other meaning.

When his fingers touched Bai Zhi’s hair, his fingertips paused for three seconds. It was a little warm. When he rubbed down, the texture was predictably pleasant: slightly cool, soft, yet resilient.

It was a strange sensation, both unfamiliar and intimate.

He didn’t dislike it at all; in fact, he wanted to rub it a little more.

Bai Zhi was momentarily flustered by Xie Yuzhan’s sudden action, followed by a strange feeling. This was the first time his hair had been stroked like this.

It hadn’t happened when he was a rabbit, and certainly not after transforming into a human.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. Mmm~

Despite the touch coming from a natural predator, he didn’t resist the feeling; he even quite liked it. But the other party was probably just putting on a show of affection in front of others again.

He shouldn’t overthink it, lest he misunderstand.

Self-pity leads to suffering.

Xie Yuzhan withdrew his hand and comforted him in a low voice. “I’ll take the photo with you. We need one picture for the marriage certificate. Think about something you like? Or something you enjoy doing. It will only take a few seconds.”

Bai Zhi took a few slow breaths and nodded. “I’ll try.”

Looking back at the camera, he tried hard to shift his focus, thinking about the vast, boundless grassland, the blue sky, white clouds, gentle breeze, and green grass. Indeed—he slowly started to relax.

The photographer quickly took the picture. They looked perfectly matched.

Both were good-looking, had excellent proportions, and their temperaments complemented each other. Even their height difference was exactly ten centimeters. They were pleasing to the eye.

A match made in heaven.

After the photo, Bai Zhi let out a long sigh of relief and quickly retrieved the doll from the nearby chair.

Xie Yuzhan slightly curled his fingers, subtly placing his hand behind his back. There was usually a vow-reading segment for the certificate, but there was no need for it. It was a contractual marriage; the simpler, the better.

On the way back.

Bai Zhi held Pikachu with one arm and the freshly minted marriage certificate with the other. He repeatedly opened and closed the bright red booklet, examining it carefully. He sighed, “You humans have so many rules, like this marriage thing. But it’s quite interesting.”

Xie Yuzhan was noncommittal. Rules existed because they were reasonable. One should use these rules, not be bound by them.

He was slightly surprised by Bai Zhi’s tone when he said “You humans,” as if he were separating himself from the species. It was strange, but he didn’t dwell on it.

Ultimately, there was no need to pay too much attention.

If his marriage partner could be somewhat interesting, in addition to being obedient and cooperative, it was a bonus.

Upon arriving at the Bai residence, Bai Zhi got out of the car quickly and didn’t forget to thank Xie Yuzhan. Cooperation was cooperation, and bringing such a large doll meant the other party had accommodated him.

How should he put it? Mr. Wolf seemed quite easy to talk to sometimes.

Perhaps he didn’t take a small fry like him seriously, and he hadn’t truly crossed any lines. Still, thanks should be given, but he couldn’t let down his guard against a natural predator just because of some superficial kindness.

With the certificate secured today, the matter that the elders on both sides were concerned about was set in stone.

The auspicious date was ten days away. Xie Yuzhan would arrange for someone to pick him up then. In the meantime, he would continue to study social norms and try hard to integrate into human society.

Humans were arguably the most complex animals.

So many people had studied them for thousands of years without fully figuring them out. How could a little rabbit completely understand? He just needed to grasp enough norms and common sense to live.

He also discovered something very interesting: live streaming.

He could chat with netizens from all over the world, and it was very free. He could broadcast from home, which was perfect for a homebody like him. He was very interested in all kinds of grasses and flowers. Maybe he could create an account and try streaming with that as the theme?

He liked to chatter.

In his less than two years of rabbit life, he had constantly faced life-or-death situations, brushing past the grim reaper more than once daily, snatching his life from predators, and fighting with his own kind for grass and nests. There was no place for peaceful communication. If he wanted to talk, he could only talk to the grass stored in his nest, which offered no response.

Now it was different. Thanks to great human civilization, and thanks to the magical internet!

However, since he had a cooperative relationship with Xie Yuzhan, it would be better to communicate with him beforehand once he decided whether or not to start streaming.

He didn’t want any unnecessary complications.

On the day he was to move to the Xie family, Bai Jishan and his elder brother were not home. Only his mother and sister-in-law symbolically saw him off. Oh, right, the Bai family also had a daughter, the second child, who had been estranged from the family for a long time and was naturally absent.

He didn’t mind or ask any questions. He didn’t want to get tangled up with the Bai family.

It was better if they had no connection whatsoever from now on.

The people Xie Yuzhan arranged to pick him up were the housekeeper couple, Zheng Feng and Lin Haiyan. Zheng Feng was gentle, honest, and quiet, like a reliable and capable leader of Tibetan antelopes. Lin Haiyan was cheerful, kind, and enthusiastic, like a protective kangaroo mother. He had a good impression of both of them.

Much, much better than the Bai family.

At least their conversation was comfortable.

He sat in the back seat with Lin Haiyan, still clutching the Pikachu doll, which was arguably his most important piece of luggage.

Lin Haiyan subtly observed Bai Zhi. The more she looked, the more she felt the child was sensible, bright, and endearing, possessing a vibrant, resilient life force, quiet yet tenacious.

A rare quality.

She smiled and introduced the household. “There aren’t many people at home. Yuzhan’s maternal grandparents, Uncle Lu, and two close friends occasionally visit. Usually, it’s just the two of us and Mr. Xie.

“You’re part of the family now, so treat this as your own home.

“As long as you are happy and healthy, you can do whatever you like. Don’t worry about what others say; just let it pass like the wind.”

She liked this child, regardless of the rumors calling him a good-for-nothing or a pretty face.

No law or axiom stated that only a career-successful life was meaningful. Simply living and striving was good and worthwhile.

They already had one workaholic in the house.

Bai Zhi understood. She was giving him an overview and comforting him. Some of the rumors were indeed nasty, and while he didn’t care, he appreciated her kindness in looking out for his feelings.

Moreover, the fact that she spoke to him in this manner indicated she must have a good relationship with Xie Yuzhan.

He also gathered from Lin Haiyan’s words that Mr. Xie was not close to his so-called uncle, and he didn’t have many other relatives. The relationships were simple, which shouldn’t be too much trouble to handle.

He nodded, smiling slightly. “The Bai family is the past. I’m starting a new life at the Xie family. Please take care of me.”

“Don’t be polite, it’s our pleasure.”

Bai Zhi smiled, turning his head to look at the Bai family villa growing smaller in the distance. His mood lightened. Off to a new life!

Xie Yuzhan naturally didn’t live with his aunt and uncle after becoming an adult. He returned to the place where he had lived with his parents. The villa was three stories high, with a large yard in the front and back, offering an open view—a bit like a small grassland.

Inside, the decor was generally classical, grand, and minimalist, which was visually soothing.

Zheng Feng and Lin Haiyan helped him put away his luggage. His bedroom and study were on the second floor, and Xie Yuzhan was on the third. Lin Haiyan gave him a brief tour—excluding the third floor, where she specifically instructed him not to go unless it was important.

He obediently agreed. A bedroom with an open-air balcony and a study were more than enough.

During the day, he mainly unpacked. He sorted the vegetarian canned goods, vacuum-sealed nuts, dried fruits, and small biscuits he had brought, placing some in the bedside cabinet and storing the rest in the walk-in closet.

Here, no neighbors would steal from him while he was out, and no goats or other grazing animals would try to snatch his food.

He felt a steady sense of security now.

However, Lin Haiyan saw him unpacking and looked at him with obvious pity. Well… the Bai family did provide food, but hoarding cans and nuts was just a rabbit habit!

But when he explained, she didn’t believe him and spent a long time asking about his dietary habits.

Truthfully, he only had one preference: he didn’t eat meat; he was a pure vegetarian. Lin Haiyan readily agreed and told him to ask for anything he wanted to eat.

This was like a super-doting mother!

Xie Yuzhan returned late, so Bai Zhi ate alone that evening. Lin Haiyan prepared half a table full of dishes for him.

Three-delicacy crystal rolls, king oyster mushrooms with broccoli, seaweed tofu, stir-fried lotus root cubes, vermicelli casserole, Siwu soup, steamed egg custard… Although vegetarian, the food was flavorful, especially a bowl of mushroom noodle soup topped with a perfectly round poached egg.

Lin Haiyan said, “Dumplings when leaving, noodles when arriving. You’re home now.”

Hearing this made his eyes feel a little moist. He thought he was just moving to a new place to live alone, but he hadn’t expected such warmth and thoughtfulness from the Xie family.

And everything Zheng Feng and Lin Haiyan did was likely partly at Xie Yuzhan’s instruction.

The other party was showing great sincerity in their cooperation. He, too, would seriously fulfill his responsibilities, being an obedient, well-behaved ornamental vase that showcased a harmonious marriage.

Absolutely no problem.

Xie Yuzhan came back late that night, so they didn’t meet. Bai Zhi finished tidying up and went to bed early.

Hugging his doll, he closed his eyes contentedly, resting up. Tomorrow, he could start decorating the balcony and create his own little grass paradise.

He slept well that night, dreaming of vast, lush grasslands. He rolled around, took a bite of fresh, juicy grass, and saw countless snow lotus and rhodiola, which he rarely got to eat…

He was woken up the next morning by sunlight filtering through the curtains.

In midsummer, only the morning and evening sun weren’t too hot. The time for sunbathing enthusiasts was short. He liked basking in the sun, but high temperatures made him uncomfortable.

Thank goodness for air conditioning.

Modern technology was convenient; humans knew how to enjoy life.

After washing up, he went downstairs for breakfast. As long as he maintained a proper distance from Xie Yuzhan and didn’t have to hide in his room like at the Bai family, he was happy to chat with the two elders.

Turning past the partition, he immediately saw the person sitting at the head of the dining table. Xie Yuzhan was still dressed in a perfectly coordinated formal suit. Frankly, an elegant person was pleasing to the eye in every gesture.

He looked very handsome.

Lin Haiyan brought him a plate. He greeted her cheerfully. The Xie family used a separate serving system, which was nice and convenient. However, when he clearly saw Xie Yuzhan’s breakfast, his smile froze—

There was meat!

It was steak.

He had been careless. The man was not a vegetarian.

He wasn’t against eating meat; it was a way of survival, and he respected it. But watching someone eat meat was a little… unsettling.

On the grassland, rabbits sustained countless carnivorous and omnivorous animals, definitely the main contributors to everyone’s eating KPIs. They were either eaten by land predators or birds of prey. Their lifespan was usually very short; few lived past two years.

In short, rabbit life was tough.

Xie Yuzhan glanced at the suddenly stiff Bai Zhi, signaled Lin Haiyan to leave, and then calmly asked, “What startled you this time?”

If it were him, Bai Zhi would have been startled upon seeing him, not after sitting down.

As easily startled as a little rabbit.

Bai Zhi took a huge bite of his egg roll, swallowed, and took a deep breath, asking in return, “Is this roughly your meal composition every time?”

Xie Yuzhan was slightly puzzled, but in a good mood, he was willing to tease the little rabbit. He replied, “I eat both Chinese and Western food. The ingredients are generally these types to maintain a balanced diet.”

Bai Zhi gripped his chopsticks, sweating profusely.

He stared intently at Xie Yuzhan, his scalp tingling. If they ate face-to-face every day, even with separate servings, one who walks by the river often is bound to get their shoes wet. What if, what if…

His mind stalled, and he blurted out, “You said you wouldn’t eat me, but you didn’t say if that meant never or just not now. You aren’t treating me as ‘emergency rations,’ are you? Fattening me up for a big chomp?”

Hearing this, Xie Yuzhan’s gaze darkened slightly.

He watched the already pale-skinned person grow even paler and began to wonder what the other party was trying to do. He had already clearly stated last time that he didn’t have that disgusting, criminal fetish. So what was the meaning of bringing it up again now?

Eat him?

Had he shown any inclination toward that? This little rabbit was thinking far too much.