Chapter 162: Truly Helpless Against This Fox

After an intense entanglement, Jiang Niannian stared lifelessly at the ceiling beams.

She was starting to suspect that Yin Buqi wasn’t a fox but a snake instead.

That silent, intricate entanglement of his truly sent shivers down her spine.

Recalling today’s events, she suddenly felt that Yin Buqi’s title as Emperor Jiuyin was rather watered down.

Not only did he disappear for ten to fifteen days at a time, taking her out to roam the mountains and rivers, but he also dumped a pile of messes on Hu Feishuang to clean up.

In a certain sense, Jiang Niannian felt that no matter where he was, he always seemed like a spy sent by the enemy.

Just like at the beginning—he was the young master of Rimuli, then Rimuli was wiped out by him.

Later, he became the Young Lord of Qingqiu, but because he refused to mate with the goddess, his ancestral bloodline was severed, leading to Qingqiu’s extinction.

After that, he followed her to Nian City, only to set it ablaze and burn it to the ground.

Jiang Niannian gritted her teeth, thinking: This damn sixth child, I swear…

(T/N: lǎo liù/Sixth Child is an internet term that originally referred to being the sixth child in a family, but in online slang, it has evolved into a playful or sarcastic way to describe someone who is cunning, tricky, or unexpectedly mischievous—often in a way that annoys or outsmarts others. It can also imply someone who doesn’t follow the usual logic or play by the rules.)

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

She cast an irritated glare at the man burying his face in the crook of her neck, rubbing against her like a spoiled pet.

His hair cascaded down messily, and his black robe was slightly disheveled, as if a single careless movement would cause it to slip off entirely.

His eyelids were lowered, long lashes trembling slightly.

His skin carried a sickly pallor, yet his lips were red enough to drip blood.

His casual movements were both seductive and stunning.

The more Jiang Niannian thought about it, the angrier she became.

She bit down on Yin Buqi’s fox tail.

And then, shamefully, she discovered that he… again…

Jiang Niannian: “……”

“Niannian, it hurts.”

Yin Buqi’s voice carried a mesmerizing, heart-tickling tone.

Jiang Niannian, half-sprawled in his embrace, was tightly held in his grasp.

His head rested against her shoulder, lips brushing against her earlobe.

Feeling a bit frustrated, she pushed him away.

“Control yourself.”

The moment she pushed him, he let out a muffled groan of pain, looking as delicate as if a gust of wind could knock him over, his entire weight pressing against her.

Jiang Niannian paused, tilted her head, and asked seriously, “Does it really hurt?”

Yin Buqi’s Adam’s apple bobbed, a low hum escaping his chest.

She wasn’t sure if it was real or just an act, but since he claimed it hurt, she usually took it as real.

Resigned, she allowed him to hold her—while taking full advantage of the situation.

…

The two stayed in Nian City for a while.

By now, the human realm could communicate with Nian City’s inhabitants through a barrier.

People could use the special space created by Yin Buqi to see their long-departed loved ones.

Jiang Niannian had observed it a few times—it felt like visiting a prison.

Those unwilling to reincarnate had begun making their way to Nian City.

However, entry wasn’t granted freely—there was a screening process.

Anyone guilty of unforgivable crimes was not allowed in.

In gratitude for Emperor Jiuyin’s mercy, people followed Yin Buqi’s guidance, praying earnestly before the fallen Kunlun Immortal Tree.

Their prayers revived it.

Jiang Niannian accumulated great merit, regaining her position as the Heaven’s Will.

This meant she had no choice but to return to the heavenly realm and oversee the human realm once more.

Jiang Niannian looked around—the place was so immaculately clean that there wasn’t even a speck of dust or clutter in sight.

She strolled through the Heavenly Court, a place so monotonous it wasn’t worth looking at.

Fortunately, with Yin Buqi by her side, she wouldn’t be lonely.

At the same time, she discovered that she had regained control over the power of plant, allowing her to ease Yin Buqi’s pain whenever his divine soul became unstable each month.

She extracted the essence of the Kunlun Immortal Tree to nourish Yin Buqi’s soul.

Of course, Jiang Niannian also had to remain nearby.

As long as she stayed within a hundred meters of him, the tree’s essence would continue to sustain him, preventing any mishaps.

Occasionally, she would descend to the mortal world for a couple of hours, and nothing serious would happen.

But opportunities for her to go alone were rare.

Most of the time, she would take Yin Buqi with her.

Sometimes, Jiang Niannian couldn’t help but wonder—

Why did it seem like this fox’s health only got worse the longer she kept him?

If she left his side for too long, Yin Buqi would clutch his chest in pain, crying out, “It hurts.”

Jiang Niannian had finally figured it out.

She scoffed, “Your divine soul has long been stabilized. What heart pain? You’re just being needy.”

Yin Buqi’s body trembled almost imperceptibly.

His lips pressed together, a hint of childlike stubbornness in his features.

He gazed at her with a pleading look.

“I just want to stick close to you… Niannian, are you annoyed by me?”

“…How could I be?”

The fox continued, “Niannian, you haven’t told me you love me in three whole hours.”

“…I love you, I love you.”

The fox wasn’t satisfied.

“How much do you love me?”

“…To death! Happy now?”

Despite the hint of exasperation in her tone, her affection and amusement were still apparent.

As they spoke, at some point, Yin Buqi’s fox tail had materialized, fluffy and soft.

Without hesitation, he shoved it right into Jiang Niannian’s hands.

Jiang Niannian glanced at the tail.

“What are you doing?”

Every time she saw that one of his nine tails was missing, she felt a pang of sorrow.

Yin Buqi pulled her into his arms.

“I heard that frequent—uh—couple activities will help my body recover faster.”

Jiang Niannian snorted, half-laughing.

“And who told you that?”

“My future son came to me in a dream last night.”

“……”

“Really, Niannian. Truer than solid gold.”

Jiang Niannian shook her head helplessly.

Truly helpless against this clingy fox demon.

…

That day, Jiang Niannian was watching the Floating World Mirror when something caught her eye.

She paused and zoomed in on the image.

The person in the mirror was Zhao Anming.

He had reincarnated.

Beside him stood a young woman—one who looked very much like her.

It was clear that the two were deeply in love.

Jiang Niannian felt a sense of closure.

But then, a familiar voice murmured behind her.

“Niannian, what are you looking at?”

Sensing the penetrating gaze from Yin Buqi, Jiang Niannian turned to look at him.

After a moment of silence, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

After being together for so long, how could she not recognize his displeasure?

And he was definitely unhappy.

Yin Buqi’s red eyes locked onto hers.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“Why were you looking at Zhao Anming… and even zooming in?”

Jiang Niannian froze.

Jealousy!

Just as she was about to explain, Yin Buqi shot her a complicated look—one that made her feel like a heartless, faithless woman who had committed an unforgivable betrayal.

He turned away, flung his sleeve, and left, his retreating figure radiating grief and indignation.

Jiang Niannian sighed.

This fox was getting harder and harder to please.

She could tell—he just wanted her attention, wanted her to coax him.

Chasing after him, she buried herself in his arms.

“Husband, let’s go to bed. I’m tired.”

Yin Buqi could never bear to truly be mad at her—especially when she acted spoiled.

He paused, and in the blink of an eye, their surroundings shifted.

Without moving an inch, they were suddenly in the Heavenly Palace’s bedchamber.

She tried to push him away, only for him to tighten his grip.

He whispered, “No pushing me away.”