The black wolf snorted, walked over, picked her up, and headed home.
Yao Zuizui once again had a soft, plush bed to sleep on, drifting off sweetly and soundly.
The journey home was long, and naturally, the black wolf’s mind began to wander with all sorts of thoughts.
He thought, Zhu Yiyi must have fallen asleep out of sheer boredom while waiting.
With only one little pig at home and no one to play with her—and him being the mighty Wolf King, who couldn’t possibly stoop to entertaining her—it was no wonder.
Perhaps tomorrow, he’d catch Zhu Erer and raise her too.
That way, this little pig would have a companion, and her mood would improve.
A better mood meant faster growth, and faster growth meant tender, delicious meat.
The Wolf King had once again found a reason to pamper this little pig.
Casually holding her with one arm, he freed up a hand to tease her.
She slept like a log.
And snored, as if singing.
Her big, round, bright eyes were closed—much more fun when they were open.
Her little nose sniffled and snorted.
And that soft, bouncy belly—so satisfying to squeeze.
Seemed like the little pig had gained weight, with a noticeable ring of fat around her tummy.
He was raising her well. Keep it up!
By New Year’s, he’d have a feast!
The black wolf tightened his grip around the little pig, shielding her face from the biting forest wind with his large paw.
This tender little pig couldn’t be ruined by the cold.
———
The next day, the black wolf arrived punctually at Zhu Erer’s doorstep at six o’clock.
“Little pig, are you ready?” The black wolf even knocked politely.
Zhu Erer laughed from inside. “Ready? I’ve already been and come back—pulled a whole basket of radishes for dinner.”
Zhu Erer was a clever little pig. She’d never put herself in danger.
Naturally, she’d gone to pick carrots at five o’clock, ensuring she wouldn’t run into the black wolf.
The black wolf was furious, but he figured he’d find a way to trick Zhu Erer eventually.
So he said, “Little pig, I know a place with a beautiful apple tree.”
Apples—his little pig loved those too.
Zhu Erer wouldn’t be able to resist.
Sure enough, Zhu Erer asked curiously, “Where?”
“In Madame Mei Li’s garden. If you don’t trick me, I’ll come by at five tomorrow morning, and we’ll go pick apples together.”
The black wolf made another deal with Zhu Erer.
Turning back, he saw his own little pig fast asleep under a tree again.
His own pig was so much better—gluttonous and lazy, perfect for eating.
For some reason, the black wolf found himself liking her a little more.
He walked over and picked her up. “Why are you always sleeping?”
“Pigs are supposed to sleep! What else would we do?” Yao Zuizui yawned, tilting her head to the side.
That… actually made sense.
Watching her drowsy expression, the black wolf suddenly felt a pang of guilt for dragging her out so early to hunt another pig.
Maybe he should just take her to pick carrots instead.
“Zhu Yiyi, do you want carrots? Should I take you to pick some?” His voice softened unintentionally.
Yao Zuizui tilted her head, thought for a moment, then yawned again. “Will you carry me?”
“…” Who else would carry her?!
This lazy pig would never walk on her own.
The black wolf stiffly nodded, remembering how he’d just praised her laziness as a good thing.
He repeated to himself: Don’t get angry. Don’t drop her. Don’t lose your temper.
Luckily, the carrot field wasn’t far.
The black wolf arrived effortlessly, only to find the little pig drooling on his arm in her sleep!
As a wolf king with a cleanliness obsession, this was absolutely unacceptable!
Scanning the area, he aimed for the carrot patch and tossed her onto it.
How dare she drool on the mighty Wolf King’s hand?! Since when did this pig become so unruly?!
Yao Zuizui squinted, wiping her face with a paw.
“What? Are we here?” Her voice was groggy from sleep.
“Wipe your drool before you speak!” The Wolf King shifted to human form, disgustedly plucking grass to scrub his saliva-soaked sleeve.
*I love how you can’t stand me but can’t do anything about it~*
Yao Zuizui giggled inwardly but obediently wiped her mouth.
That’s better. The black wolf’s expression softened slightly.
“Pick whichever carrots you like and take them.”
“Okay!” Yao Zuizui happily grabbed a cloth bag and dashed into the carrot field.
Having the Wolf King as backup was great.
Even his words were domineering.
See a carrot you like? Just take it!
The carrots in this fairy-tale world were crisp, sweet, and utterly delicious—her favorite.
Each one was plump, bright red, and adorable.
She loved them all and wanted to take every single one.
But the carrot field was enormous, and there were just too many.
She stuffed the bag full, struggling to drag it over to the black wolf.
“Can you even eat all this?” The black wolf’s eye twitched. He had a bad feeling.
“You can eat some too!” Yao Zuizui patted the bag contentedly. It felt great to have so much.
“Tch. I don’t like carrots.” The black wolf turned away, refusing to look at the bag.
What’s so good about carrots?
“Then what does the Wolf King like to eat?” Yao Zuizui tilted her head.
“I only like eating you!” The black wolf grinned, flashing his sharp teeth.
Yao Zuizui shrank back.
Could she take that as some kind of twisted love confession?
He didn’t like carrots—only her.
“Wolf King, I can’t carry it!” Yao Zuizui tugged at the immovable bag.
“Eat it yourself, carry it yourself.” The black wolf crossed his arms, unimpressed.
“You eat me, I eat carrots.” Yao Zuizui counted on her fingers. “So you have to carry me *and* the carrots!”
“…” He took back what he’d said about this pig being dumb. She was as cunning as a monkey!
Resigned, the black wolf hoisted the pig in one hand and the bag in the other.
Typical pig—ate so much! Good thing he was strong.
“Carry me properly. Holding me by the scruff hurts, and that’ll make me taste bad!” Yao Zuizui had mastered the art of hitting the black wolf’s weak spots.
Sure enough, the black wolf immediately cradled her in one arm.
Yao Zuizui hid a smirk in his embrace. Maybe the “gluttony” trait wasn’t so bad after all~
Back home, Yao Zuizui stormed into the kitchen, clattering away to prepare a carrot feast.
The black wolf sat by the stove with a newspaper, keeping an eye on her to ensure his carefully fattened pig didn’t meet any accidents.
Unaware of his true intentions, Yao Zuizui assumed he was guarding her out of fear of poisoning.
*Coward!* She silently cursed Suhei’s soul fragment.
But her hands never stopped working.
First, she made crispy carrot cubes—tiny, bite-sized pieces, tangy and sweet, impossible to resist.
Then a carrot sandwich—thick bread layered with crunchy carrot slices, bursting with flavor in every bite.
And a glass of carrot juice, sweetened with honey, rich and refreshing.
Since the black wolf had refused, she didn’t make any for him.
But she had to ask out of courtesy.
“Wolf King, really not having any?” She waved the plate.
“No! What’s so good about carrots? I only eat meat!” The black wolf turned away.
Perfect.
Yao Zuizui slurped her juice, reaching for the sandwich—only to find…
It was gone!
The black wolf wiped his mouth. “Delicious. Make more.”
He’d only meant to taste-test for the pig.
But somehow, he’d eaten everything…
———
The black wolf was smart and quick to adapt.
Last time, Zhu Erer had gone an hour early for carrots.
So this time, he left an hour early too, heading straight for the apple orchard to intercept her.
Yao Zuizui nestled in his arms, cozy and content, chanting, “Apples, apples~”
Somehow, Yao Zuizui hadn’t always been this gluttonous and lazy.
Maybe she’d absorbed pig-like traits, making her love food and naps even more.
The entire walk, she hummed a self-made song, all about her apple cravings.
Fairy-tale apples were fragrant and crisp, bursting with sweet juice—her absolute favorite.
The black wolf watched her happily swaying head, exasperated.
*Just apples. They’re nowhere near as good as meat. Such a simple-minded pig.*
In the distance, he spotted Zhu Erer picking apples.
She saw them too.
The entire orchard had been stripped bare, branches left naked.
The black wolf set Yao Zuizui down and charged toward Zhu Erer.
Zhu Erer panicked, bolting away—but not before grabbing an apple from her basket and hurling it in the opposite direction.
The apple was big, red, and smelled irresistibly sweet.
Gritting his teeth, the black wolf veered toward the apple, abandoning the chase.
*Pigs can be caught another day. Zhu Erer’s house isn’t going anywhere.*
But if he missed this apple, he’d have to wait ages for the next harvest.
By then, the pig would already be in his belly—no apples for her.
So, better to grab this one now. She’d been begging for apples all morning.
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