HPDBC Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Zhi Yao's hands trembled uncontrollably as she looked at the fur and scent before her - there was no way she could be more familiar with them!
It was Mother!
If she had been deceived by the Red Fox last time due to her concern and confusion, this time Zhi Yao knew without a doubt that she was not mistaken.
"You!" Her voice quivered as she grabbed onto Xie Qinzhou's sleeve, unable to control herself. "Where did you get this thing from?"
The eyes behind Xie Qinzhou's golden glasses narrowed slightly. His voice softened, and his expression grew gentler, like a beautiful yet dangerous opium flower in the night.
"Do you really want to know?"
Zhi Yao nodded. "This... this thing is really important to me. Can you tell me, please?"
Her gaze was earnest and pleading.
Xie Qinzhou gazed into Zhi Yao's eyes, silently marveling at their beauty.
He extended his hand towards Zhi Yao. "Come with me, and I'll show you."
Zhi Yao did not take his hand, lowering her head. "Sorry, Pei Chiyao doesn't like me having physical contact with others."
Xie Qinzhou didn't seem to mind, merely smiling and withdrawing his hand smoothly without any awkwardness.
"Then follow me."
Zhi Yao trailed behind Xie Qinzhou, walking slowly and cautiously.
Xie Qinzhou's pace was relaxed. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you here," he said as he walked.
He scoffed lightly. "If I really did do something to you, Pei Chiyao probably wouldn't let me leave here alive."
Zhi Yao remained silent.
He suddenly paused, stopping in front of a rest room. "We're here."
Zhi Yao was still puzzled, but then she froze.
"Mother?!"
She could smell Mother's scent, so strong and unmistakable.
Her trembling hand reached for the door, but Xie Qinzhou stopped her. "Not yet."
She remained silent.
Xie Qinzhou's voice suddenly turned cold. "Because she was kidnapped by the Wolf Tribe."
The Wolf Tribe...
Zhi Yao was shocked.
Those savage beasts had kidnapped her Mother? Why?!
"You... You mean the person talking earlier was from the Wolf Tribe?"
"Yes." Xie Qinzhou admitted openly. "Do you know what would have happened if I hadn't stopped you from going in there?"
His tone became ominous. "He would have torn you apart!"
"He wouldn't let anyone take your Mother away."
Zhi Yao was stunned. "Why... Why would he kidnap my Mother?"
Her Mother had no dealings with the Wolf Tribe. Why would they do this to her?!
And why did Xie Qinzhou seem to know so much about all this?!
Zhi Yao grew suspicious. "How do you know all this?"
"Don't forget, I came here long before you did," Xie Qinzhou patiently wiped the tears from her face before withdrawing his hand.
"Zhi Yao, over the years, the best way we've found to evade human hunting and persecution is to hide among their kind and become human ourselves."
As he spoke, Xie Qinzhou revealed his ears and tail - he was a Red Fox too, but a much older and wiser one than Zhi Yao.
"It's been so long since I've seen my true form. I hate having to put on this human disguise and deal with their deceptions!" His gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a grim and fierce expression.
"I witnessed your Mother being taken away, and to save the last of our Nine-Tailed Red Foxes, I followed them secretly. But I never expected that human to hand your Mother over to a Wolf."
He found the whole situation baffling.
"The Wolf Tribe is even more cunning than us. They've been breeding among humans for a long time, establishing a massive family - the Ling Family."
Zhi Yao listened, utterly confused. If the Wolf Tribe wanted to integrate into human society, what did that have to do with her Mother?
From the voice she had heard, it didn't seem like the person meant any harm to Mother, despite the overwhelming pressure in his tone that frightened her. But that tone... Zhi Yao was all too familiar with it.
It was the same way Pei Chiyao spoke to her.