Seeking Praise, This Beautiful Misunderstanding

Accompanied by Ling Mo, Simon Sun went to see William Wang and learned about the situation at the front. Afterward, Simon struggled internally: "The plague is spreading so fast. If we don't contain it, more and more people will die. But... if I leave, what about Master?"

Simon Sun wanted to go, but he couldn't stop worrying about Serena. From the way he tested things today, it looked unlikely Master would forgive Ninth Royal Uncle. Master is about to give birth, and there's not a single family member at her side. No matter what, Simon can't rest easy.

Ling Mo rolled his eyes, coolly saying, "What help can you actually offer by staying here?"

Ling Mo’s words hit the mark. Simon Sun nearly choked: "I’m a doctor—I can take care of Master!"

"There are gynecology experts sent from the palace here. Are you sure you’re better at caring for a pregnant woman than they are?" Ling Mo snorted, face full of disdain.

Blocked by Ling Mo, Simon Sun was left speechless. Not one for arguments, Simon could only go look for Serena.

It was safest to discuss this with Master, but unfortunately, when Simon Sun returned to the manor, Serena still hadn't come out of her room. By the time she finally emerged for an evening walk, she was suddenly accosted by the Snow Wolf, who had just returned.

"Awooo..." The moment the Snow Wolf returned, he howled skyward. Even the common folk passing by on the street could hear the wolf’s cry from Feng Manor.

"You’re back." Serena’s expression was calm, but the sorrow in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. She seemed drained of energy, yet when she saw the Snow Wolf, a flash of light crossed her gaze before she returned to her usual composure.

On the way to the Capital, the Snow Wolf had left the group early—apparently to handle some business. After a brief 'conversation,' Serena had let him go on his way.

She knew the Snow Wolf wouldn’t be in any danger.

"Awooo... awooo!" The Snow Wolf, seeing that no one rushed forward to greet him, let out two more dissatisfied howls: Hurry up and welcome me! I worked hard!

Spring and Autumn were holding Feng Jin and couldn’t help but laugh. But Feng Jin couldn’t sit still; twisting around, he slipped from Autumn’s arms and, on his chubby legs, staggered straight toward the Snow Wolf.

"Wolf-wolf... eat candy!" Feng Jin stuffed a piece of candy—one he’d just tried and found unpalatable—into the Snow Wolf’s mouth. Seeing the wolf bite down, Feng Jin burst out laughing, clapping his little hands with delight.

It was wonderful having Wolf-wolf back. Now, the things he didn’t like eating didn’t have to be forced down—he could secretly give them to the Snow Wolf instead. Hehe...

With candy in his mouth, the Snow Wolf’s eyes actually misted with tears: Feng Jin was the best—he even remembered to save him a share of the treats. So moving.

Unfortunately, this time out, everything he found was for Serena—nothing for Feng Jin. Next time, he’d make a special trip just for Feng Jin.

After finishing the candy, the Snow Wolf gently rubbed against Feng Jin, making him laugh out loud. Seeing the wolf-fang pendant occasionally slip from Feng Jin’s collar, the Snow Wolf felt even more satisfied.

His wolf life was complete.

The Snow Wolf rolled around playfully for quite a while, only stopping once Feng Jin was sweaty from laughing so much.

Serena scooped Feng Jin into her arms, wearily stuffing a dry towel into his hands. "Silly boy, don’t get too wild next time—your clothes are soaked again."

"Sister... kisses for baby, baby’s good, uncle will buy you sweets." Feng Jin giggled, his little hands hugging Serena’s belly as he rubbed his face against it. His bright eyes were pure and joyful, like an angel.

Really, all of this was thanks to Serena. She worried Feng Jin might think she’d treat him worse once she had a new baby. So even with her big pregnant belly, Serena made sure to care for Feng Jin herself and do whatever little things she could for him.

She didn’t want the child she’d loved for so long to become unhappy because of it.

Children in this era have such short childhoods. Ethan Su is already a little adult—she couldn’t change that, nor did she have the strength to. But she hoped Feng Jin could be happier, at least have more beautiful memories of his childhood.

Exhausted from playing, Feng Jin leaned against Serena’s belly, eyelids drooping and mouth puffing bubbles, but he stubbornly refused to leave, insisting on staying with Serena and the Snow Wolf. He was so cute, even the Snow Wolf rolled on the ground laughing.

A bunch of troublemakers.

Feng Jin pouted, rubbed his little eyes, and yawned. "Sister, sleep..." As he spoke, he automatically stretched out his arms for Autumn to carry him.

Serena’s tenderness toward Feng Jin was well-earned—he was just that lovable.

Once Feng Jin left, the Snow Wolf immediately sprawled beside Serena, gazing at her with wounded reproach. After all those days away, he’d missed Serena and the child terribly, but she barely seemed happy to see him.

He’d been gone so many days, missing Serena and Feng Jin desperately, and now Serena barely seemed happy to see him at all. How awful.

Feeling sad, the Snow Wolf gnawed at the trees, chewing up the gardener’s carefully pruned flowers like a sulky stray dog—wrecking patches here and there.

Serena’s mouth twitched. She patted the Snow Wolf’s head and resignedly said, "All right, where’s the wounded person?" She could smell faint blood beneath the strong scent of medicine.

The medicinal aroma was so strong it masked the blood, but Serena didn’t find it unpleasant.

"Awoo..." The Snow Wolf drooped his head, all swagger gone from playing with Feng Jin. He rubbed innocently against Serena’s feet, making sure she wasn’t angry, then sprang up and darted over the wall in a few powerful leaps.

"Have Young Master Simon bring his medicine chest." The Snow Wolf had just been playing with Feng Jin and wasn’t hurt at all, so clearly someone else was injured.

The Snow Wolf was fast—gone in the blink of an eye, only to leap back carrying someone in his jaws.

Not an adult, but a child—about six or seven years old, covered in blood and filth. But as soon as the Snow Wolf set him down, Serena recognized him instantly.

"Zed?" The Demon Sect’s little Young Master—the same bloodthirsty, ruthless kid she’d once treated.

Serena immediately forgot her own discomfort, half-kneeling beside Zed and activating the Smart Med-Pack to examine him.

"How could he be hurt so badly?" The diagnosis shocked Serena.

His internal organs had been shattered, the meridians in his limbs all severed. He was surviving only by clenching a fresh wild ginseng root in his mouth—unclean, still smelling of earth.

"Awooo... awooo!" The Snow Wolf howled twice to reassert his presence. When Serena looked over, he hooked a small cloth bundle forward with his paw and handed it to her.

Serena fumbled the catch and the bundle fell to the ground, spilling its contents everywhere. She was stunned when she saw what was inside.

The Snow Wolf had basically gone 'robbery mode'—he’d packed a whole bag of ganoderma and ginseng for her. Were these things really so cheap now?

The Snow Wolf sat there proudly, ignoring the battered Zed he’d dragged back. He squatted obediently, eyes shining at Serena: begging for praise!

Unfortunately, Serena truly had no time to praise the Snow Wolf—because Zed had just regained consciousness...