Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi. In the other man’s caramel-brown eyes, starlight scattered wildly, and shyness and joy were written in the trajectory of those stars, direct and candid.

It was deeply moving.

He was willing to drown in this galaxy.

Sharing the deepest hidden secret required absolute trust, so how could this not be an implicit answer? He was ready to listen. To be honest, he was genuinely curious.

A secret that, even now, he didn’t know, and whose very existence he hadn’t suspected.

Bai Zhi adjusted his breathing, pulled back the hand he was holding with Xie Yuzhan, and began fiddling with the other man’s fingers. Taking a deep breath, he said, “I am not the original ‘Bai Zhi.’ The original owner is dead. I am someone else who has occupied the magpie’s nest.”

Xie Yuzhan’s thoughts paused. This was indeed a secret surprising enough to warrant the name.

Bai Zhi’s voice, husky from having cried so much, carried a soft quality. Saying this sounded like an intimate joke between lovers, yet Xie Yuzhan knew perfectly well that the other man was serious.

Half a minute later, he spoke. “This truly qualifies as a genuine secret, and a very weighty one.”

Bai Zhi raised his eyebrows. “And?”

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze lowered slightly. “As you said, the original ‘Bai Zhi’ was truly the rumored vase, a mere pretty face. The first time we met, I realized you were different from him—lively and intelligent, resilient, pure, full of vitality, and very spirited.”

“As we spent more time together, it became obvious that you were too different from the rumors, so much so that it was hard to believe you were the same person.”

“But I didn’t think deeply about it then, because what you’re saying truly falls outside the realm of science.”

“Of course, having said that, I am delighted by your change. I didn’t know the former ‘Bai Zhi.’ The person I cherish is the current you.”

“I know exactly who I like.”

Bai Zhi blinked, gripping Xie Yuzhan’s hand tightly. His voice was strained. “Your feeling is correct, we are indeed not the same person. But… don’t you think I’m talking nonsense? You just believe me like that? No suspicion at all?”

Xie Yuzhan slowed his speech, his tone soothing. “I know you wouldn’t lie about something like this. It would be meaningless, and you wouldn’t stoop to lying. Therefore, even if what you say is truly beyond common sense, I will still choose to believe you.”

“The wonder of the world lies in the parts that humans can never fully explore. Everything is possible, and there are always exceptions.”

“You are that miraculous ‘exception,’ and I am very fortunate that you arrived.”

Bai Zhi blinked, his heart warm.

He could feel that Xie Yuzhan’s words were sincere, that he was genuinely happy and fortunate about his arrival, which allowed them to meet.

Xie Yuzhan murmured, “So, are you ready now to tell me where you came from?”

“…Mm, I’m ready.”

Bai Zhi pursed his lips, suppressing the rush of emotion that threatened to well up in his eyes. He continued his confession. “The original owner and I aren’t even the same species.”

“I was afraid of you because before I transmigrated into this world, I was a rabbit—a pika from the grasslands. We are numerous, but we also have a ton of natural predators. We are the ‘rice’ that feeds many carnivorous animals on the prairie.”

“Although the corsac fox and manul are the most common predators for rabbits, wolves and eagles hunt us too.”

“I was bitten and killed by a wolf, right on the neck, during a rare thunderstorm on the prairie. So… whether it’s wolves or that kind of bad weather, I have a bit of psychological trauma.”

Listening, Xie Yuzhan felt a subtle shift in his mood.

A pika?

He knew those small animals—very timid, weighing no more than two or three hundred grams, a tiny ball in the palm of your hand. Very cute, but they were wild animals after all.

A little rabbit that was bitten to death by a wolf during a thunderstorm and then transmigrated. This explained some of the other man’s preferences, dislikes, and habits.

He said slowly, “You said I was a ‘natural predator.’ I thought before that you meant my aura.”

“You said you were a little rabbit, that you didn’t understand those emotions and didn’t need them. I never imagined you were speaking literally. I thought it was just an excuse to reject me. I never expected… but…”

Bai Zhi nervously gripped Xie Yuzhan’s hand, leaning forward slightly, pressing him. “But what?”

Xie Yuzhan stroked Bai Zhi’s cheek, looking into those clear, honey-like eyes. His voice was soft and slow, carrying a sense of reassurance. “This fits the feeling you give me.”

Huh?

Bai Zhi was stunned. He instinctively rubbed his face against Xie Yuzhan’s palm, murmuring, “What do you mean?”

Xie Yuzhan pinched Bai Zhi’s cheek before lowering his hand, explaining, “You have the alertness and intuition of a small animal. You cherish food and are accustomed to a vegetarian diet. You like all kinds of grass…”

“These all align with your original nature.”

“You don’t know much about human society, but you see things very clearly and are good at being direct.”

“Although you sometimes appear overly rational and detached, unable to fully grasp emotions, especially being quite slow when it comes to love, you also possess incredibly tenacious vitality, a wild love for freedom, and exuberant energy.”

“I deeply appreciate these qualities in you. Whatever you were originally doesn’t affect my perception or feelings for you. Of course, pika babies are very cute.”

“You are the cutest little rabbit in this world.”

“And to me, you are the most special one, my one and only.”

Bai Zhi stared blankly at Xie Yuzhan. The other man’s pace was unhurried; he heard every word and phrase clearly.

Understanding the meaning behind the words, he couldn’t help but smile. It was unexpected, yet he felt that this was exactly the person he had chosen. He hadn’t been disappointed; instead, he had received the best possible response.

He relaxed his shoulders, suddenly feeling a sting in his eyes. “Thank you for believing me, and thank you for saying all this to me.”

Xie Yuzhan wiped a trace of moisture from the corner of Bai Zhi’s eye. “You never need to thank me, Zhizhi. You give me so much more.”

Bai Zhi smiled, pursing his lips, and corrected him. “It’s not one-sided. It’s mutual.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Xie Yuzhan guessed, “If I’m not mistaken, when we first met, you hadn’t been in this world for long?”

Bai Zhi nodded. Thinking back, he still felt a sense of melancholy. “At that time, I hadn’t fully adapted to my new identity. After all, changing from a little rabbit to a human is a huge shift. Human society is too complicated, and people are too complicated.”

“I hadn’t fully figured out the situation yet, and suddenly seeing you… well, I was a little scared.”

Xie Yuzhan pondered for a moment before speaking. “You said I have the aura of a wolf, that I resemble a wolf. Zhizhi, I won’t deny that. But beyond the fierce side, wolves are also animals of absolute loyalty. These traits, when applied to a person—”

“Mean loving only one person for life.”

“Being faithful and unwavering in love.”

“Even with sharp claws, even with a cold, ruthless side, those things are never directed at one’s own people. The sharp blade exists to protect the beloved, not to harm.”

Bai Zhi listened carefully, inevitably recalling what Lu Qinghe had told him before. Isn’t this just being biased and protective of one’s own?

Everyone has many facets. He knew that Xie Yuzhan’s refined and elegant demeanor wasn’t a disguise or a facade. He also knew that the other man’s tenderness was real, his ruthlessness was real, and his jealousy and quiet, powerful possessiveness were equally real.

All these things combined made him a living, breathing person.

Not just a symbol or a representation existing in the words of others.

He should be looking at the person right in front of him. The other man said he would only love one person for life… He had to admit, he was moved. Why couldn’t that person be him?

Mr. Wolf had retracted his sharp claws and offered him unique tenderness, consideration, tolerance, and indulgence. Wasn’t this kind of love enough to believe in?

It wasn’t a difficult answer.

The little rabbit was afraid of death, timid, and cowardly, but for such a pure and sincere love, he should be brave once—brave enough to run into an embrace that was open only for him.

He smiled, his eyes curving into crescents. He took Xie Yuzhan’s hand, brought it to his lips, kissed the palm, and then threw a quick wink. “I believe what you said.”

Xie Yuzhan had just kissed his fingers; he had to kiss him back!

He couldn’t be the only one feeling hot and flustered. He knew how to flirt too—it was all about applying what he learned!

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze deepened. Precisely because Bai Zhi was a small animal, he had such candid and direct emotional expression. He loved it.

It was difficult not to be completely captivated.

He pulled Bai Zhi’s hand, bringing him into his arms, and gently pinched the other man’s chin. Lowering his voice, he asked, “May I?”

Bai Zhi lay against Xie Yuzhan’s chest. Those dark, cold, bottomless eyes had once terrified him into trembling, making him want to jump ten feet away. Now?

Those eyes held an entire deep, vast universe of stars, a tenderness and deep affection that made one willing to drown in them.

It was reserved only for him.

No one could take away a single thread of it.

This made him feel very secure and satisfied. If he had enough courage to take this step, it was because the other man had given him so much love that it had stirred an echo in his heart.

So, may he?

He pursed his lips and answered with action, kissing him directly. But his kissing technique was still non-existent, and the initiative quickly changed hands. He simply closed his eyes and leaned into the embrace, relaxing and enjoying the deep kiss.

He just still couldn’t catch his breath.

When the kiss ended, he lay limp in Xie Yuzhan’s arms, taking a long while to breathe evenly. He frowned and muttered softly, “You really haven’t dated before? Am I really your first?”

Xie Yuzhan knew what Bai Zhi was asking.

He stroked the hair of the person in his arms, his voice filled with a soothing, joyful laugh. “Truly, no one before you. I never had the inclination. Zhizhi, we are each other’s first love. First love is the only love. That is a very fortunate thing.”

Bai Zhi lowered his eyes and chuckled softly. First love, the synonym for innocence and beauty. When that beauty extended for a lifetime, it would become even richer and more moving.

Xie Yuzhan was right; they were very lucky.

He looked up and pinched the other man’s cheek. “So you still haven’t answered my question. I’m a little rabbit, so it’s normal that I don’t understand these things. But you haven’t dated. Even if you’ve read up on it, being this skilled, this good… isn’t that a bit suspicious?”

Xie Yuzhan waited until Bai Zhi finished pinching and let go before smiling leisurely. “When passion strikes, one becomes self-taught. And—”

He paused, watching the little rabbit perk up his ears, and continued, “I have desired you for a long time.”

Whoa!

Bai Zhi’s already flushed cheeks instantly turned even redder. His eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings trembling in the wind, and his earlobes and outer ears were completely crimson.

The entire rabbit was practically cooked!

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi bury his face in his chest, the smile on his lips gentle, carrying the satisfaction of having his possessiveness finally partially fulfilled.

The sight of the other man’s flushed face was more delicious and tempting than the piece of red apple that had once been placed before him, full of seductive meaning.

Patient waiting had given him a richer reward.

Bai Zhi stayed in the hospital for the next few days. The shock from that day hadn’t completely subsided, and he could only feel at ease when Xie Yuzhan was safely within his sight.

As for his dislike of the smell of alcohol, disinfectant, and blood—all were thrown to the back of his mind.

From Lin Haiyan to Lu Qinghe, and then to Lu Yunyi, Tang Chen, and Yu Fei, he accepted all their teasing and joking, both overt and subtle. Yes, he was clingy. Yes, he couldn’t bear to leave his Brother Yuzhan!

They were a legally married couple!

The marriage was real, not fake. They hadn’t filed for divorce; they had only been living separately for a few months! That didn’t change the fact of their marriage. Wasn’t it his duty to take care of his spouse?

Xie Yuzhan was delighted by this, allowing Bai Zhi to cling to him and accepting it well.

If possible, he wished to take the other man everywhere he went, never separating, ever. The person placed on the tip of his heart—he could never look at him enough.

On the day of discharge, Bai Zhi first accompanied Xie Yuzhan to the company, then secretly returned to the Xie family home to prepare things, keeping it hidden from Xie Yuzhan. After finishing, he went to pick up CEO Xie from work.

If asked, he was preparing a surprise, of course.

The two walked hand-in-hand into the restaurant. The moment the lights dimmed, Xie Yuzhan clearly saw the setup at the dining table: candlelight gently flickering, roses interspersed—a classic candlelight dinner.

Bai Zhi squeezed Xie Yuzhan’s hand. It was false to say he wasn’t nervous at all.

He stared at the roses on the table and said a little stiffly, “The roses are called ‘Candlelight.’ They are a very bright yet soft yellow, and the meaning is good. I hope we both visit the hospital less in the future.”

Candlelight roses were a warm blessing.

It wasn’t the most original idea, but he had put his whole heart into preparing it.

Xie Yuzhan stroked Bai Zhi’s cheek, turning him around. He leaned in, forehead to forehead, gazing into the other man’s eyes where the candlelight danced. “I love this setup. A candlelight dinner should happen at least once. You just beat me to it, Zhizhi.”

Bai Zhi sighed in relief and smiled. “Then you can prepare something else next time.”

“Alright.”

Xie Yuzhan was thoughtful. There were many things lovers could and should do together. He was very willing to try them all with Bai Zhi. Even the most ordinary things took on a different color when done with the person you loved.

What mattered wasn’t the thing itself, but the person you were with.

Both enjoyed the dinner thoroughly. After putting down their chopsticks, Bai Zhi took out the prepared item and handed it over. “This is a gift to celebrate your discharge from the hospital.”

Xie Yuzhan had noticed it earlier, so he wasn’t entirely surprised when Bai Zhi produced the gift, but he was slightly surprised by the quantity.

He took it and asked, “Why are there two?”

Bai Zhi explained, “I had been planning this candlelight dinner and one of the gifts before, but the sudden incident interrupted it. One thing is one thing; it’s separate from the gift celebrating your discharge.”

Xie Yuzhan opened the gift box, chuckling softly. “Regardless, this is double the joy. Zhizhi, you are very thoughtful.”

Bai Zhi smiled, pursing his lips. That was because Mr. Wolf was good to him.

Xie Yuzhan opened the first gift. Inside was a wristwatch, a classic model from a brand he favored. The brand had sent him a rose gold one; this one was the same style but in platinum, adorned with royal blue sapphires.

He recalled that this model only came in one color.

He took out the watch, examining it carefully, and asked, “What about this color?”

Bai Zhi smiled, pursing his lips, and pulled a small object from his pocket, shaking it slightly. “I asked Qinghe to contact the brand. He has resources in that area. I specially customized a pair. You don’t lack watches, but this kind is probably the first, right?”

If he was going to give a gift, he wanted to give something unique.

Xie Yuzhan looked closely. Bai Zhi was holding the identical watch, but the embedded gemstone was different—a ruby. In other words, it was a couple’s watch.

A smile spread across his eyes. “Zhizhi, this will be the watch I wear most often.”

Bai Zhi thought of Xie Yuzhan’s different colored suits and his dazzling array of accessories and couldn’t help but laugh. “Then I need to prepare more things for you, so you have better options for matching.”

He couldn’t bear for the meticulous CEO Xie to have limited choices.

Xie Yuzhan was noncommittal. Bai Zhi wasn’t very knowledgeable in this area, but his intuition was always sharp, and the things he chose perfectly matched his aesthetic.

This was called being in sync.

Next, he opened the other gift. Inside was a handmade ceramic mug. Engraved on the bottom of the cup was a line of cartoon-style text: “Zhizhi’s Yuzhan.”

He looked up, asking meaningfully, “Also a pair?”

Bai Zhi was a little embarrassed, but since the deed was done, he nodded honestly. “You drink coffee, so you can use this cup. Mine is for drinking milk tea.”

Xie Yuzhan understood. Couple’s items.

Those two little words, “belonging to,” were the most moving. They should be in pairs.

Bai Zhi’s awareness was excellent. They belonged to each other. One-sided possessiveness was unrequited affection or coercion; mutual possessiveness meant truly caring for the other person, which was the key to longevity.

The little rabbit, now enlightened, was very direct and thoughtful in his expressions. How could he not be loved? He was loved more and more each day.

He stroked the ceramic cup. “This is very much to my liking. I love it. I’ll keep it in the study.”

“Mm!”

Xie Yuzhan looked into Bai Zhi’s eyes, slowing his pace of speech as he asked, “Are you staying tonight?”

Bai Zhi paused, then shook his head like a rattle drum. “It’s still early. I’m going back to the apartment. I haven’t been back for days.”

Xie Yuzhan was silent for a moment. He carefully put away both gifts before speaking again. “Then, Zhizhi, when do you plan to move back?”

“Back to our home.”

Bai Zhi froze. When to move back?

Xie Yuzhan’s gaze was calm yet burning, the meaning self-evident. He understood. When should he move home? He had thought about it, truly thought about it seriously.