Chapter Nine: The Key to the Little House (Part One)

Tao Ming reasoned that the White Tiger probably wouldn’t lie and made up her mind. “Alright, as long as we can confirm you’re telling the truth, we’ll ask for Ruanyuan’s opinion. If she agrees, you two can form a contract to guarantee your safety first.”

Hearing this, the White Tiger felt a weight lift from its heart. It had been most afraid of disappearing. The world was so vast—there were still so many places it wished to see.

Tao Ming glanced at the time; it was already past midnight. “Do you need to sleep? I’m tired—no matter how important something is, it can only be handled one step at a time.”

The White Tiger waved its paw. “I’m not sleepy. You go ahead and rest. I’ll keep reading. When I’m tired, I’ll sleep.”

Tao Ming carried the White Tiger to the sofa, pulled out a small blanket to cover it, and plugged the tablet into the charger. “Since you were born after Ruanyuan, you’ll be the little sister from now on.”

The White Tiger nodded silently.

After checking everything once more and finding nothing amiss, Tao Ming headed to the bathroom.

With Tao Ming gone, the White Tiger lay on the sofa, its mind swirling with thoughts. From what it knew, every sacred beast that had appeared at the Wei River since ancient times had been treated as an accessory to the holy maidens and sons, sent into battle, used as shields, blamed for mistakes. Never had anyone regarded a sacred beast as an individual. No one considered that a sacred beast might have its own feelings—joys, sorrows, pain, and bleeding.

Just now, Tao Ming had said it would be Ruanyuan’s little sister in the family—was she really treating it as one of her own?

While brushing her teeth, Tao Ming pondered whether what the White Tiger had said was true. Her mother had left behind a divine artifact, and the key to the little building should have been left as well. Where could it be?

She still had many belongings from before marriage at her parents’ house. Perhaps the key was there. She’d have to go back and look tomorrow.

After washing up, she lay in bed, turning to gaze at Ruanyuan’s small, peaceful face.

Ruanyuan was sleeping soundly; in her sleep, she was quiet and angelic, a perfect little cherub. Awake, from the moment she opened her eyes until she dozed off again, she was like a radio station—constantly talking, chattering away.

Tao Ming reached out to gently brush a few stray strands of hair from Ruanyuan’s cheek, resolving to protect her at all costs.

Drowsiness soon overtook Tao Ming, and she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, before Tao Ming had fully woken, Ruanyuan was already up. She pounced onto Tao Ming, prying open her eyelids with tiny hands, chirping, “Mom, wake up, wake up!”

Resigned, Tao Ming opened her eyes with a smile. “Good morning, Ruanyuan. Let’s brush our teeth and wash up.”

With a tumble, Ruanyuan wriggled out of her sleeping bag, announcing, “I want to wear the pink sweater today.”

After helping Ruanyuan change, Tao Ming started to get herself ready.

Ruanyuan, already in her slippers, dashed out of the bedroom.

From the bedroom, Tao Ming heard Ruanyuan cry out in surprise and hurried out to see what had happened.

She found Ruanyuan stroking the White Tiger and, upon seeing Tao Ming, said, “Mom, I almost forgot—we have a kitty at home!”

The White Tiger opened its eyes groggily, saw the two humans by its side, and was utterly bewildered. “What’s going on?”

Tao Ming pulled Ruanyuan away. “Hurry up and brush your teeth. Today we’re going to Grandma’s house.”

Reluctantly, Ruanyuan shuffled into the bathroom, peppering Tao Ming with questions all the while. It took some effort to get her ready. As soon as the scented lotion was applied, Ruanyuan ran back to the living room and started poking at the White Tiger.

The White Tiger looked at her. “Don’t poke me—it hurts.”

Ruanyuan stuck out her tongue. “Sorry! You’re just so much fun.” She then fished out a toy comb and began brushing the White Tiger’s fur.

The White Tiger stretched out luxuriously. “Comb my head, too.”

When Tao Ming returned to the living room, she saw Ruanyuan hugging the White Tiger. The two little ones were watching something on the tablet, singing, “Grilled gluten, grilled gluten, my grilled gluten. Fragrant grilled gluten, spicy and savory…”

Tao Ming’s mouth twitched. “What are you two watching?”

Ruanyuan looked up excitedly. “Mom, let’s eat grilled gluten today!”

The White Tiger looked slightly sheepish. “I was just watching something at random.”

Tao Ming unplugged the charger and picked up the tablet, discovering that the two had been watching Bilibili. Her mouth twitched again as she thought, “My daughter is three and a half and has been watching Bilibili since she was little. Well, well…”

Ruanyuan’s eyes sparkled. “Mom, can we keep the kitten?”

Tao Ming felt a headache coming on. This was a bit tricky—a talking cat would cause a sensation if taken outside, and the whole world would be in an uproar.

She cautioned Ruanyuan seriously, “You can keep it, but you can’t tell anyone the kitten can talk. Otherwise, people will think it’s a monster and take it away.”

Ruanyuan hugged the White Tiger tightly. “I won’t tell anyone. It’s our secret.”

The White Tiger felt like it was being squeezed to death.

Tao Ming nodded. “I trust you. Now, give the kitten a new name. From now on, she’s your little sister. You have to take good care of her.”

“Okay! What should I call her?” Ruanyuan was delighted.

The White Tiger looked at her with anticipation.

Tao Ming suggested, “The kitten’s fur is so soft—how about calling her Fluffy?”

“That doesn’t sound nice,” Ruanyuan objected.

The White Tiger agreed, “I don’t think it fits either.”

“You can decide for yourself,” Tao Ming replied indifferently.

Suddenly Ruanyuan brightened. “I know! From now on, you’ll be called Quacky!”

Tao Ming couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

The White Tiger recalled the cartoons it had watched and protested, “Quacky is an orange tabby, and a boy at that. I’m the ancient divine beast White Tiger—how could I be called Quacky?”

Ruanyuan gently stroked the White Tiger’s fur. “Quacky is a wonderful name! Quacky is very brave.”

Inwardly, Tao Ming added, “Yes—brave, impulsive, a bit superstitious, and a little silly.”

The White Tiger continued to resist, “I’d rather be called Fluffy.”

Ruanyuan insisted, “Quacky!”

The White Tiger was utterly defeated. “I’m going to jump off the balcony!”

When Tao Ming had laughed enough, she said, “Ruanyuan, Quacky is a little strange for a name.”

She studied the White Tiger carefully. “Right now, you look like a little glutinous rice cake. Ruanyuan’s formal name is Su Ruan, so since you’re her little sister, you’ll be Su Nuo from now on.”

“Glutinous rice cake sounds nice,” Ruanyuan said, happily stroking the White Tiger’s fur.

“Then you’ll be called Nuonuo from now on,” Tao Ming decided.

“As long as it’s not Quacky,” the White Tiger said, trying to pry itself from Ruanyuan’s grip. Its soft fur tickled Ruanyuan’s hands, making her giggle uncontrollably.

Tao Ming went to the balcony and looked outside. The sun was shining, the puddles had mostly dried up, and the breakfast stalls downstairs were already open.

She returned and said, “Nuonuo, I’m going back to Grandma’s to look for the key today. Be good and stay home.”

Nuonuo jumped out of Ruanyuan’s arms. “I want to go too! See, I can run around now.”

“You can come, but you can’t speak. Otherwise, people outside will be scared to death and call the police,” Tao Ming said, thinking that perhaps the White Tiger could sense the location of the key, so bringing her along might be a good idea.

Nuonuo promised earnestly, “Don’t worry, I’ll cast a little spell so only you two can see and hear me. No one else will notice.”

Tao Ming eyed her skeptically, “Didn’t you say your cultivation wasn’t very good?”

Nuonuo put on a look of exaggerated pride. “I’m nowhere near your grandma’s level, but I’m a divine beast! How could I possibly—”

“Alright, alright, you’re amazing. Just make sure you hide well,” Tao Ming interrupted, cutting off her boasting.