Just as Wu Qingqing was still immersed in the unique texture and scent of Yan Qi’s fox tail—
Yan Qi, worried that her parents might discover her absence from home, knew she couldn’t waste any more time. She pulled her tail out of Wu Qingqing’s embrace.
The sudden loss of the soft, fluffy tail made Wu Qingqing freeze, her previously joyful expression fading instantly.
Then, noticing Yan Qi turning to look at her, Wu Qingqing put on a pleading face.
Seeing this, Yan Qi—who had no intention of letting her play with the tail any longer—said:
“Alright, little Qingqing, tail-touching time is over. Now it’s time for your treatment.”
Hearing this, Wu Qingqing’s face immediately fell with disappointment. She had really loved that soft, sweet-smelling fox tail.
But before long, she composed herself and nodded at Yan Qi.
“Okay, I understand. Then, Fox Sister, please heal me now.”
“Good. But before we begin, you need to drink this potion first.”
As she spoke, Yan Qi retrieved a strange green vial from her tail and handed it to Wu Qingqing.
Curious, Wu Qingqing asked:
“Fox Sister, what kind of potion is this?”
“It’s a life-sustaining tonic. After drinking it, I can start your treatment properly.”
“Mm, got it.”
Without hesitation, Wu Qingqing uncorked the vial and downed the green liquid in one gulp.
Watching Yan Qi hand over the peculiar potion, Bai Yuling, standing to the side, almost spoke up. But remembering Yan Qi’s current abilities as a transformed fox-girl, she held her tongue.
Instead, she quietly observed Wu Qingqing, waiting to see what changes would occur after she drank the potion.
“Mmm… Fox Sister, your medicine is really sweet.”
Setting down the empty vial, Wu Qingqing licked her lips and spoke to Yan Qi.
Ignoring whether the basic healing potion was sweet or bitter, Yan Qi quickly asked:
“How do you feel now? Is your stomach warm? Are your limbs less stiff than before? Does your head feel clearer?”
Wu Qingqing soon realized that everything Yan Qi described was happening to her.
“I really do feel all those changes, just like you said.”
Pleased with her response, Yan Qi smiled.
“Then let’s begin the real treatment now.”
…..
After about ten minutes of work in the hospital room, following her pre-planned treatment, Yan Qi used her skills and her enchanted gourd to refine over a dozen different potions—each imbued with unique supernatural effects—and fed them to Wu Qingqing one by one.
With every potion she drank, the color quickly returned to Wu Qingqing’s pale face. The warmth that had initially been confined to her stomach now spread throughout her entire body.
“Ah… so comfortable… I’m so sleepy…”
For the first time since falling ill, Wu Qingqing—wrapped in this soothing warmth—drifted peacefully into a deep, sweet slumber.
“What’s wrong with her?”
Noticing Wu Qingqing’s closed eyes, Bai Yuling couldn’t help but ask.
“She’s just so comfortable that she fell asleep.”
Knowing the treatment was complete, Yan Qi pulled the blanket over Wu Qingqing and offered this explanation.
“Asleep? That’s good then.”
Seeing the steady rise and fall of Wu Qingqing’s breathing, Bai Yuling finally relaxed.
“Alright, little Qingqing’s situation is settled. Now, Auntie Bai, can you tell me why you lied to me earlier?”
Turning around, Yan Qi lifted her small head and fixed her gaze on Bai Yuling.
Hearing this, Bai Yuling had no intention of hiding the truth—but first, she hesitated over how to address Yan Qi.
“Um… Little Hu Yao’er, can I call you ‘Yao’er’ like others do?”
The request felt awkward to Yan Qi. Bai Yuling wasn’t family, and letting her use such an intimate nickname didn’t sit right.
“Auntie Bai, you can call me ‘Little Hu,’ but not ‘Yao’er.’ That’s only for people who share a special bond with me.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Bai Yuling’s face, but she quickly adjusted.
“I see. Then I’ll call you ‘Little Hu’ from now on.”
“Auntie Bai, you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Oh, right—sorry.” Bai Yuling hurriedly apologized before explaining:
“The reason I lied earlier, saying I was Wu Laosan’s friend, was to avoid upsetting Wu Qingqing. She has no idea what foolish things her father did yesterday, and given her condition… it’s better she doesn’t know.”
“I see. You’re right—it’s best she remains unaware of such things.”
Pausing for a moment, Yan Qi then recalled her own shock upon encountering Bai Yuling here and pressed further:
“Auntie Bai, why are you even in this hospital to begin with?”
“Well, after learning from Wu Laosan that a supernatural healer—you—was coming to treat his daughter, how could I, as the soon-to-be director of Fangfeng City’s Supernatural Affairs Bureau, not come to observe? It’d be downright negligent of me otherwise.”