268 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Unconsciously, Lei Shuang's slightly awkward dance movements came to a halt. Her sleepy eyes blinked open wide suddenly as Jiang Ying approached. At the same time, Jiang Ying took her hand, a gentle warmth brushing past her ear, "That's not how you dance. Let me teach you." With a light tug, Jiang Ying pulled Lei Shuang into her embrace. Lei Shuang looked confused, feeling warmth seeping through the thin fabric from Jiang Ying's body. Jiang Ying's face was so close that Lei Shuang tilted her head slightly. She had recently been crying, and the lingering tears in the corners of her eyes made her seem like a little puppy that had been bullied. "Do you really like me?" Lei Shuang asked softly, "You’re not lying to me, right?" Though she often put on a proud facade, with this particular question, she repeatedly sought Jiang Ying’s reassurance. It felt unbelievable, like dreaming. She couldn't comprehend why Jiang Ying would like her at all. Jiang Ying lowered her gaze, looking deeply into Lei Shuang's eyes, "I swear." There was a glimmer in Lei Shuang's eyes, unsure if she was having a moment of clarity or further succumbing to intoxication. Suddenly, she leaned in, her chin nearly bumping into Jiang Ying's. "Swearing isn’t enough," Lei Shuang said, tilting her head up with eyes that suddenly seemed to shine, "Kiss me, then I'll believe you." Jiang Ying’s throat moved slightly and as she looked at the flicker in Lei Shuang's eyes, her heart softened, albeit with a hint of helplessness. Wasn’t this a dream for her as well? She wanted to take Lei Shuang's drunken words as truth, hoping this moment could last forever. Jiang Ying lifted Lei Shuang's chin, "If I kiss you, will you remember when you wake?" Lei Shuang's lips curled into a smile, whether she heard the question or not was unclear, but she didn’t answer. Jiang Ying let out a soft sigh. Even if this was a fleeting dream that would dissipate by morning, she was willing to dive in headfirst. Until morning came and Lei Shuang would personally send her away. Firmly grasping Lei Shuang's hand, she leaned down and kissed those lips she had longed for. Lei Shuang was tough, but her lips were soft, easily parted with just the tip of Jiang Ying’s tongue. Jiang Ying held tight to her waist, throwing caution to the wind for the night, leaving a mark of her own on Lei Shuang's delicate lips regardless of what tomorrow might bring. Unexpectedly, Lei Shuang didn’t pull away, instead raising her head in response, deepening the kiss. A kiss saturated with alcohol's fervor grew entangled and passionate, an all-consuming battle where neither stopped until their very breath seemed spent. What started as a smoldering flame turned into an intense exchange, almost seeking other avenues to spread. Sensing the fire nearly out of control, Jiang Ying suddenly awakened, pulling back just in time. She released Lei Shuang, creating slight distance between them. Lei Shuang, with flushed cheeks and limbs softened by intoxication, leaned heavily against Jiang Ying, her chest heaving with breath. Jiang Ying asked, "Now do you believe me?" Lei Shuang's misty eyelids lifted, a hint of confusion in her expression, "Why stop?" Jiang Ying pondered before speaking, "It's not the right time yet." Lei Shuang was drunk, and Jiang Ying didn’t want to take advantage, nor let it all happen in ambiguity. If, when Lei Shuang awoke, she regretted it or forgot, there would be no chance for redemption left. Moreover, this was someone else's domain, and someone needed to stay clear-headed. But Lei Shuang, heavily intoxicated, didn’t grasp what "not the right time" meant. She took Jiang Ying’s hand, asking, "Is it because we haven’t formed a partner bond?" Jiang Ying was taken aback. Before she could explain, Lei Shuang wrapped a strand of her own hair with the small braid at Jiang Ying’s ear, tying a knot that couldn’t be undone. "The bond ceremony is complete," Lei Shuang said with a playful smile, holding Jiang Ying’s face, "Jiang Ying, from now on, we are partners." She lifted the intertwined hair knot, "This is the proof; you can’t deny it." Chapter 292 Lei Shuang woke with a pounding head, her mind unable to think clearly. Something heavy pressed down on her left arm, leaving it numb and distant, as if it no longer belonged to her. She instinctively tried to pull her arm away, but couldn't, so she opened her eyes to glance beside her. The sight jolted her awake instantly. Lei Shuang snapped her eyes shut, body freezing in place, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, leaving her thoroughly chilled. Her mind began to race, internally screaming: What was going on? How did this happen?! Why was Jiang Ying sleeping beside her, both with disheveled clothes, in the same bed... Lei Shuang couldn’t comprehend what might have happened last night! Could it be that Jiang Ying, holding a grudge, took advantage of her drunken state for revenge? She raised her right hand to cover her face, taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. After a more careful assessment, apart from a hungover pain in her head and the numbness in her arm from Jiang Ying's weight, she felt otherwise fine. Reflecting on this calmed Lei Shuang slightly, and another thought crossed her mind: Could she have acted out on her impulses after drinking and done something to Jiang Ying instead?! This was more terrifying than Jiang Ying taking revenge on her! Lei Shuang suddenly recalled the incident years ago when she accidentally intruded on Jiang Ying's bathing at the cold pond. Oh no, back then just taking a peek resulted in years of animosity from Jiang Ying; now, how could she possibly walk out of this room alive? The more she thought about it, the more panicked Lei Shuang felt. No, no, calm down, calm down! There's always a way out. Take a deep breath, consider your options. There might still be a chance. Lei Shuang silently recited a calming mantra, feeling her mind clear a bit, and she cautiously peeked at Jiang Ying. The latter slept soundly, her expression serene and gentle, lacking the sharpness of wakefulness, appearing charming and gentle. Without realizing it, Lei Shuang found herself staring, thinking: If not for this woman’s tigress-like temper, her looks are undeniably exquisite, no less than the dance performer at the lord’s mansion, each possessing their own allure. Lei Shuang asked herself honestly, even if only considering appearances, she preferred Jiang Ying’s alluring radiance. Except for her temper, Jiang Ying had no other flaws. Lei Shuang secretly lamented, knowing Jiang Ying didn't fancy her and often gave her disdainful looks, wishing she could devour her whole; Lei Shuang was hardly one to enjoy such 'blessings.' Sigh, considering Jiang Ying disliked her so much, why wouldn’t she resist? Just as a spark of hope ignited, Lei Shuang suddenly thought: Oh, she’s still injured, unable to fight back against me. "…" The situation was even more dire! Lei Shuang’s wavering heart felt a heavy blow, regardless of her attempts to foresee a hopeful path, the future seemed bleak. Perhaps sneaking away before Jiang Ying woke was her only chance of survival! With a surge of determination, Lei Shuang planned her escape, cautiously glancing around and slowly inching her arm away. Finally freeing her arm, Lei Shuang prepared to slip out of bed. Suddenly, "Ouch—" A sharp pain on her scalp made her grimace. Two strands of hair were entwined with a knot, and tugging one end immediately stirred the other person awake. Jiang Ying’s eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, meeting Lei Shuang’s gaze. Lei Shuang froze, inwardly lamenting. What kind of day was it anyway?! How had their hair gotten tied together? "Ah, well, you, I, uh…" Lei Shuang stammered. Jiang Ying remained lying on her side, her gaze fixed on Lei Shuang's face, watching for a long time. Seeing Lei Shuang's panicked, fumbling attempts at explaining, Jiang Ying couldn’t help but sigh inwardly with resignation, as she had expected. Lei Shuang felt uneasy under Jiang Ying's penetrating stare. Amidst the chaos of her emotions, Lei Shuang found herself calming down, albeit just a bit. Resolving herself, Lei Shuang realized there was no evidence to suggest she had wronged anyone; all her conjectures were just frightening herself. Jiang Ying must remember what happened last night. If, due to her own mistake, something irreversible indeed occurred, and Jiang Ying harbored resentment, Lei Shuang was willing to accept any consequences she would face. Lei Shuang's eyes darted around before pointing at the knot of hair suspended between them. "What... what's the deal with this?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Ying calmly supported her chin with her hand, lazily remarked, "You insisted. I didn't force you." Lei Shuang was bewildered, "What? What do you mean?" Mimicking Lei Shuang’s actions from the previous night, Jiang Ying lifted the hair knot, "A bond of hair makes us partners. This is the evidence; you can't deny it." A figurative bolt of lightning struck Lei Shuang, leaving her thunderstruck. "A bond of hair?" She stammered, her eyes wide with shock like a plucked duck struck dumb by lightning. "Me and you? Bonded?" Her trembling hands took the hair knot, examining it closely. The familiar knotting style was distinctly hers, impossible for others to replicate. Jiang Ying wasn’t lying. After a brief moment of shock, Lei Shuang's mind flared with alarm: How did it come to this? What have I done! Calm down, calm down. She reminded herself once again. The worst that could happen for her crimes might just be her demise. Bracing herself, Lei Shuang asked with a trembling jaw, "Did we... last night, did anything... uh, happen?" Jiang Ying's expression turned subtly intriguing at the question. Lei Shuang, seeing this, wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground out of embarrassment. What am I doing! Lei Shuang lamented with more regret than ever. As she waited for a reply, cold sweat formed on the hands holding the hair knot, both anxious and afraid. Her mind was muddled, swirling with confusion and trepidation, while hinting at something else she couldn’t quite identify, uncertain of what answer she truly wanted. Then, Jiang Ying's gaze shifted, using a tone that was both hesitant and poignant, she asked, "What do you think?" Lei Shuang’s heart skipped two heavy beats. "I..." Lei Shuang opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say, the words dying on her lips. Jiang Ying asked, "Do you not want to acknowledge it?" Context condensed and crystallized in Lei Shuang's mind, making her head spin. Apparently, it was indeed her misbehavior last night. In all her thousands of years alive, she just discovered she was such a beast. She had even thought of sneaking away earlier. Lei Shuang was filled with remorse. Jiang Ying sighed, her tone full of patience, "Forget it, I don't want to force you..." With a thud, Lei Shuang dropped to her knees beside Jiang Ying, clutching her hand as she begged: "Blame me, hit me, scold me, or even kill me. I’m a beast and deserve to die. You weren't wrong to hate me before, and if my death doesn't satisfy you, you can cut me into pieces..." Before she could finish, Jiang Ying pressed her hand over Lei Shuang's mouth, stopping any further raving with a muffled hum. "You’re being ridiculous," Jiang Ying chided softly, gazing at Lei Shuang with helpless exasperation. "I've never hated you." Lei Shuang was stunned, "What?" Jiang Ying gave a snort, "Though you're annoying, always spewing nonsense, I've never hated you or thought you were bad." Lei Shuang's head drooped lower during the first part, but she lifted it again when the tone turned, her eyes suddenly shining with remarkable brilliance. Carefully, she sought Jiang Ying's confirmation, "You didn’t hate me before, and you don’t hate me now?"