The eavesdropping teenager, who regained focus, already long forgotten.
"I'm not like any other rabbits, don't compare me to them!!"
Finally XiaoXiao snaps.
After seeing her reaction Wang Yi started to cheer,
Yes!!! That's it!! You go!
Reject him, mother-
"Xie Hun, I don't see nor do I feel like a woman anymore. I can't imagine myself being romantically involved with any gender. I was lucky enough to end up as a widow because at least I had a husband.
I think I might've become broken, except for Xie Yun I don't wish to be with anyone else anymore...Xie Hun, you really look like him, every time I look at you I keep remembering his death that was in vain. I can't stand it, but I try to be strong..."
Xiao Xiao rambled, unable to control herself any longer.
Upon seeing how she was about to break down, by instics Wang Yi wanted to rush over without even knowing what was going on and what he was feeling, all he knew was that his foster mother looked sad and needed comfort.
But before he could, the werewolf uncle was quicker to act, transforming himself into his animal form. A stage of wolf cub.
"For a second i forgot that child is still here!!! Ugh, he shouldn't have heard this! I need to move faster."
The werewolf who was currently in his cub form, urges himself.
"Senior sister, it's already over...You're okay now, none of that will happen again. Just look-, look at me!"
The top General of the country, known to be ruthless yet gentle, was now nothing but a pup that was wagging its tail, eager to gain his senior sister's attention with an aim to cheer her up.
"Oh, Xie Hun...i-I'm sorry...it seems like I've really become weaker. But looking at you..."
Xiao Xiao hurriedly wipes her tears away, regaining her focus.
She reached out her hand to gently pick up the small puppy near her chest, scratching its head to which it responded with a baby howl, Xiao Xiao couldn't help chuckling.
"You seem excited, hehhe."
Seeing an innocent creature cleanses heart, pain forsaken.
"...Xiao Xiao, in my human form I don't dare to get this much close to you, nor ever lay a finger on you after what you've faced in this life. But at least like this I'll be able to help you in some way...It's best if you forget."
Xie Hun innerly spoke to himself as he deeply stares at XiaoXiao's face up close, while she nuzzles her nose to his, embracing his pup form.
After some time Xiao Xiao has calmed down, now placing him on her lap.
"By the way, that Yu Ping's son you're raising, Wang Yi. How is he like right now? Is he causing trouble for you? I almost don't see him at all."
The puppy, who layed on its stomach asks with ambiguous intention.
What's this dog uncle's problem!? He must be delibarately doing this! Ugh, he definietly knows that I'm here...
The teenager starts to feel awkward and guilty, debating whether he should just leave now that he's found out.
"Didn't you attend his classes today? Have you not seen him even then?"
"Exactly, i haven't and we were together there too."
Aaaahhh, It's because it's awkward between us!!! We are neither close nor distant, but you've been there with me as a kid and took part of seeing me grow up under mother Xiao.
Wang Yi responds innerly.
"Oh, then...um, It must be because he's avoiding me."
"More like avoiding me."
The Xie Hun in his pup form muttered under his breath to which Xiao Xiao couldn't catch. He then questions,
"Why?"
Before answering Xiao Xiao gives an heartfelt smile as she runs her fingers through his fluffy fur.
"Because that child...must probably hate me right now. He's a good kid, he really is. I can see that he's talented, he will grow up very well,"
Huh?
If that's what you think about me then why do you act so harsh towards me?
"...But I just,- I can't, and I don't want to blame him because it's not his fault, it never was yet I still see Wang Jian in him, Xie Hun."
Father? What does my father have to do with this?
"At first I thought it would be fine, but now that he's grown they resemble each other and it's no wonder since they're father and son. But it's been hard for me to look at him and treat him the same as before so all I could do is push him away..."
What is she saying? It doesn't make sense! How is all of this related to him!?
Wang Yi found himself feeling irrated the more he listened,
"I predicted this to happen the moment you took him in, Xiao Xiao. This is a huge torture for you that you took upon yourself-"
Xie Jun quiets down half way, contemplating whether to say the next words or not.
"However... It's also not so hard to get rid of that boy, you know?"
Taking care of a boy, whose father took everything you cherished away from you. Who in the world would do that?
The werewolf thought to himself with a sigh.
Xiao Xiao was indeed something. What exactly was she thinking?
"No. I've already accepted this, I just need more time to open up to Wang Yi, that's it. After all a child doesn't choose who their parents gonna be, but a mother chooses the father of the child."
Seeing the pained look that Xiao Xiao had on her face as she spoke, strives the curiosity of the youth.
Just what exactly did my father do to you, mother!???
" Wang Yi deserves so much better, Xie Hun. He shouldn't have gone through this despite I'm the one who's causing this and neglecting him. It's my personal grudge against Wang Jian that caused my disciple to be wronged..."
The woman lets out a defeated sigh, but later recalling,
"Speaking of which he should be coming home soon, he's late out today. He must be celebrating out with other teenagers since they were allowed to go out without restriction."
Wang Yi was glad to hear that she showed her worry towards him to the dog uncle, feeling his insides twirl.
Doesn't this mean that teacher Xiao actually likes me...? She's just pretending to hate me!?? Somehow I'm relieved to hear this...
Also you have no idea that you and this uncle are the only things they discuss about.
Xie Hun, while comfortably snuggling on her lap, senses the eavesdropping teenager's good mood. He wanted to ruin it, so he says,
"Then make sure that boy, Wang Yi, chooses to join our forces, Xiao Xiao."
Huh?
What forces?
"He certainly will."
No way, is there war outside!?? Is that why this dog uncle came back to recruit new armed forces? He wants me to join?
The confused Wang Yi couldn't guess, struggling in thinking that he didn't even notice that those two adults had already bid their goodbyes and were heading back.
The sudden voice of the older got him back on his track.
"Had fun eavesdropping? You ill mannered brat."
Xie Hun gawked at the merman as he hisses.
He was back to his human form unlike before, furry tail and wolf ears are the only ones remaining.
"You better be grateful that I didn't let her find out about you. But the next time you're gonna be like this, I'll roast your fish tail till you're gonna cry for mercy."
Wang Yi only bows down a little, not wanting to say anything but show his respect and apology.
"Now move."
The man walks past him with a shove, strong shoulder meeting the weaker boy's.
Once he left, the teen lets out a sigh, looking back.
"He hasn't changed one but, tsk. Still acting like a grumpy old man that only know how to threaten young boys."
"Well whatever, I'm still grateful. Anything as long that devil doesn't find out-, wait no, she's not a devil anymore... Since that woman likes me it would be rude her names..."
Wang Yi corrects himself, cheeks heating up. Quiet delusional for a teenager.
Only now noticing the presence of her disciple, Xiao Xiao elegantly stands up from her seat to meet him.
"You've come back early. I expected you to be back by tomorrow. Well, since you're here go clean the garden."
All the good thoughts about his foster mother came crushing down,
"Right, should not have come back this early...For a second I forgot that I was just a servant."
The teen thought on the inside before lightly nodding.
"Mn."
The jade rabbit, Xiao Xiao, like always
with her expressionless face doesn't give much thought to her disciple as she leaves him all alone.
When Wang Yi began to move and clean he takes a glance at the place where the two adults not long ago say, inside thinking.
Now, dear mother Xiao and uncle...what are you two hiding?
---At philosophy class---
The next morning Wang Yi still has a back sore from kneeling for too long when he swept the floor and collected wild grass last night.
Today he needed to privately talk with his two comrades to seek for advice. While lesson was going on he wrote down on a paper that said,
"meet me in a secluded area after class, I need to know something"
Before throwing it out to Yufeng's and Zhenyi's area, where they say in front.
After reading the notes ZhenYi and Yufeng looks at each other in worry, thinking it must be something serious.
Wang Yi gives a thumbs up accompanied with a boyish smile to them both, letting them know there's no reason to be afraid before continuining to listen to what their teacher was expressing.
Wang Yi wasn't the active type of disciple when it comes to speech, he preferred learning on his own and being quiet, almost like in solitude compared to Yufeng, who was the top of all the male disciples in every aspect. He did well on his exams as well as in battles. Yufeng had the looks and skills and most of all, manners, which most boys lacked. He was almost perfect.
Making him the favorite disciple of all the teachers, including Xiao Xiao.
"Listen here, today I gathered you all to discuss about something."
The youngest of them all crosses his arms, staring intensely at the two.
"What is it brother? You look awfully serious-"
Zhen Yi starts with a gulp, but starts to choke hard after hearing Wang Yi's next words,
"Can anyone of you teach me about dual cultivation?"
"Oh Lord, forgive me-"
"Cough. Cough. The what now-"
"Did I just hear it right!?"
"How- no, since when brother Wang is interested to learn about double cultivation!???"
"What's up with you both!?"
The youngest with annoyance look them with hidden confusion.
Yufeng was blushing madly, almost about to faint.
"This kind of topic..."
"Oh my, our small boy must've really changed after spending a night with Ke La all alone~ is she the one who asked you about this??"
Wang Yi dodged the question when seeing the smug smile of his retarded friend,
"What are you so happy about? You're gonna tell me or not!"