That was how Feng Ling and Cui Lian's story started. As to where and when Chu Nuan entered the story...…
Feng Ling opened his eyes to a familiar face. "Great sage..." He said, eyes full of respect as he gave a deep bow.
Chu Nuan sighed, "I told you, I'm not a great sage. I'm an envoy, a guide to Hell." She pointed at his floating feet. "I decided to be your guide this time."
Looking at his floating feet and transparent body, Feng Ling feels no pain, no sadness, no regret. Only a huge sense of longing. Chewing on his lower lip for a moment, he carefully opens his mouth. "Great….no, Your Honor. Can I request something of you?"
"Oh?" Chu Nuan sang with a smile, while her eyes looked at him emotionlessly.
Clenching his shaking hands, he continued, "Another chance, please give me another chance to meet her again!"
She stares at him quietly, observing his firm eyes and nervous hands. Her mouth opened to reply, "don't want to."
"Huh?" Feng Ling said dumbly.
"I don't like doing free labor. What's in it for me?" She said as her fingers fiddled with the jade tablet in her hand.
"Anything!" He hurriedly answered. "As long as I'm able to, I'll give anything for a chance!"
"Anything?" She repeated.
"Anything!" He replied.
"Then, I want one of your tails." Chu Nuan stated. "One tail for another chance to meet again. Not too expensive now, is it?" She said with a smirk.
"..." Feng Ling became silent.
"What is it? Can't let go." She asked in disdain. Well, she thought. It's normal if he feels conflicted, after all, it took a lot of effort to form one tail. He already gave one to the girl, it's reasonable to hesitate. I guess that's the limit to his affections.
"Two tails…."
At this moment, Feng Ling asked. Pulling Chu Nuan out of her thoughts.
"?"
"If I give you two tails, can I meet her two times?" He asked, eyes shining brightly.
Pausing in surprise, Chu Nuan suddenly laughed merrily. "Haha! Sure! Give me two tails and I'll give you the chance to meet twice!"
"Agreed!"
And so, Chu Nuan established a contract with him. Before sending him to reincarnate, she told him. "Although you have the chance to meet with her, because you've done too many malicious deeds before your death. Even if you can meet her, there's still the chance you're unable to be with her. It's not too late to cancel the contract."
"No." Feng Ling shook his head. "Even if I can't be with her, it's enough if I can catch a glimpse from afar." Saying so, he jumped into reincarnation without hesitation.
———————
Second Lifetime.
In this lifetime, the fox reincarnated into Feng Ling, the father of Feng Cui Lian.
Technically, her father is Feng GuZheng, his older brother of this lifetime. But he died in a car accident years ago along with his wife. Leaving the 3-month old Feng Cui Lian by herself.
With no other relatives to rely on, Feng Ling decided to take up this task. From feeding to changing diapers, he did everything the best that he could. Till young Cui Lian bloomed into a beautiful flower.
He thought, finally we can be together! Get married, have children, and die together of old age.
But the cruelty of reality hits him in the head when young Cui Lian brought home her first boyfriend.
Seeing her dazzling smile, blushing cheeks and starry eyes. It made him realize, in her mind, he is only a "father" to her. It never crossed her mind to think of him as anything else. Of course, he could try to cross this boundary. But he knows, if he does cross it, the person hurt the most would be her.
So he tried his best again to smile.
Starting on the day she brought home a boyfriend.
"What a promising young man!"
From smiling at her wedding day.
"Congratulations, Cui Lian."
To the day he laid on his deathbed.
"I'm glad to have met you again, Cui Lian."
—————————-
And so, his third lifetime started.
This time, they met at an old age. He accidentally picked up her purse three weeks ago on the streets of a busy shopping district.
"It's love at first sight." She said, as he handed her, her purse.
"Ah?" Feng Ling said.
"Let's become official." She declared.
That was how they signed the papers, becoming husband and wife in a matter of hours.
This is what happiness feels like, he thought. As the days pass with her by his side.
But he must've done something wrong.
Three days ago, they went back to the same shopping district for a date. Seeing the dessert Cui Lian likes, he told her to wait for him as he goes to buy some.
When he came back, she was gone. He desperately searched for her.
Where did you go Cui Lian?
I miss you.
Come back soon.