2 – Bathing the Wolf Cub
As if to warn Fu Yao against any rash moves, Jin Zhi placed his hand on hers and squeezed with all his might, only easing his grip when she cried out in pain—a reaction that seemed to satisfy him.
The mixture of grease and grime, sticky and unsettling like some monstrous creature from a comic, churned her stomach.
But when she looked closely at the boy before her, she saw in his eyes a wariness only those of his kind could recognize.
A wolf cub abandoned once would not easily trust another, yet it could not resist the biting cold of the night, instinctively seeking warmth and light, craving even a sliver of comfort.
This longing was hard-won, and she would not let it slip away easily.
She just didn’t know how to earn his trust.
Fu Yao reached out with her other hand and patted his head. “Be good, I won’t hurt you.”
He seemed skeptical, staring motionlessly at her as if probing the sincerity of her words.
Fu Yao understood his caution and said nothing more. Instead, she turned and firmly grasped his grimy hand, letting the warmth of her palm convey what he sought—the comfort he longed for.
He believed her. Guided by Fu Yao, he followed step by step toward the bathroom, his fierce gaze now tinged with confusion, the bruises on his back growing darker.
It was as if he were asking himself why she was different from the others.
The director was stunned to see the two holding hands, as if he’d seen a ghost.
When he had brought the young miss of the Fu family from the police station, she had firmly refused to let him hold her hand.
Her reason? He was dirty.
He hadn’t pressed the matter, as his goal was the Fu family’s donation anyway.
But now, seeing this little princess willingly take Jin Zhi’s hand, it was utterly baffling, stirring a strange unease within him.
Was he dirtier than this mad dog?
A faint displeasure simmered in his heart.
Yet the two paid him no mind, stopping before him.
Fu Yao, having grown up in the lap of luxury within the Fu family, was accustomed to giving orders.
Of course, she knew not everyone could be commanded, but for now, as long as this director was compliant, it was enough.
“Go buy him a set of pajamas, a summer outfit, and a winter outfit.”
The director frowned. “What? You want to spend money on this mutt? Are you insane? He can wear anything!”
Jin Zhi, lost in thought, seemed dazed. Normally, such words would have made him bare his teeth, but now he showed no reaction.
Fu Yao looked at the tattered rags the boy wore—no patches, his exposed skin marred by bruises and scratches.
It was clear he lived exactly as the director described: a mad dog.
This was his way of survival.
Fu Yao said, “He’s sleeping in my room tonight. I don’t like things too dirty.”
Hearing this, the director was even more bewildered.
The boy usually slept beside the doghouse, something he had grown used to. After all, the kid never cried or complained, saving money on blankets and pillows. But now, this little princess had to meddle and raise his standard of living.
Rich kids really were overflowing with compassion, but could this wolf cub ever be tamed?
“Fine, fine, I’ll go buy them for you.”
With that, he left.
Fu Yao led the little one inside.
An iron basin barely knee-high was filled with hot water, white steam rising from it. Just looking at it, Fu Yao could feel the heat. She deliberately used a smaller basin nearby to scoop out some water, then added cold water into the larger basin. Once the temperature felt just right, she stood up.
Beside her, Jin Zhi seemed unfamiliar with such a task, but he knew it was for bathing. He knew what to do—step directly into it with one foot.
Fu Yao reached out to block his path. A seven-year-old girl had a natural advantage over a six-year-old boy, and with Fu Yao’s good genes, she stood a head taller than Jin Zhi.
Thinking he was being tricked, Jin Zhi bared his teeth at Fu Yao: “Grr—!”
Ignoring the red aura above his head, Fu Yao said, “Take off your clothes and pants before getting in.”
Jin Zhi’s emotions slowly returned to normal, shifting into a complex mix of colors.
It was the first time Fu Yao had seen such a color, and she found it fascinating.
Though this little one wasn’t good at expressing himself, his inner emotions were rich.
But the little one still didn’t move.
Fu Yao asked, “Can’t even take off your clothes? I’ll help you.”
Her hand had already reached the hem of his clothes when he grabbed it and flung it away.
He glared at Fu Yao with a pair of wary eyes.
Then, he took off his clothes and pants, revealing his pitiful skin.
His emaciated bones were almost visible, barely covered by a thin layer of skin. How much suffering he had endured went without saying. If possible, Fu Yao wanted to help him more, but they were both in the same boat now.
Who could pity whom?
Fu Yao hadn’t expected Jin Zhi to be wearing underwear underneath. He didn’t take it off, and she didn’t ask him to continue.
Even a young boy was still a boy, and Fu Yao had a deep understanding of the distinction between boys and girls.
Jin Zhi sat in the basin of just-right water, but the moment his wounds touched the hot water, the pain felt like his body was being torn apart. He quickly stood up, wanting to stop bathing.
Fu Yao grabbed his thin wrist. “I’ll help you wash. I’ll avoid all your wounds.”
The bruises on Jin Zhi’s body and head almost covered him entirely. He couldn’t understand why Fu Yao would go to such lengths.
But he didn’t ask or say anything; he just watched.
After a moment of stalemate, Jin Zhi seemed to make up his mind and plopped back into the basin, splashing water that soaked Fu Yao’s clothes.
He endured the pain, gritting his teeth, his body trembling along with his clenched jaw.
Fu Yao picked up a cloth, dipped it in water, and carefully wiped the areas around his wounds first.
“Hiss—!”
She must have accidentally brushed against a wound, making Jin Zhi cry out in pain.
Fu Yao’s heart skipped a beat, pounding anxiously. “I’m sorry, does it hurt?”
Jin Zhi closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and shook his head.
Only then did Fu Yao slowly resume wiping.
Although the wounds were so densely distributed that she occasionally brushed against them, Jin Zhi later only trembled slightly and didn’t cry out again.
Fu Yao knew he was enduring the pain.
Time passed minute by minute, and Jin Zhi didn’t make a single sound afterward.
After the washing was done, the water in the basin had turned black. Jin Zhi’s hair, which hadn’t been cut for a long time, reached his shoulders. Wet, it was pushed aside by Fu Yao for a look.
There were no major injuries on his face, just a shallow scratch on the bridge of his nose. His skin was pale, his features delicate, and his eyes brimmed with an intense tension, revealing a wild and fierce nature.
He was indeed a very good-looking person.
But even good looks could be abandoned.
Fu Yao: “Go out and let the director help you get dressed.”
Jin Zhi remained motionless, as if he didn’t understand.
Fu Yao added, “With me here, he won’t dare hit you.”
Jin Zhi still didn’t move, like a large block of wood, staring at Fu Yao, the color above his head a mix of orange and light red.
Happy yet angry?
Fu Yao chuckled softly, “You want to help me wash?”
Jin Zhi nodded. He didn’t want to owe anyone anything; the only reason he accepted coming to bathe was because it made him comfortable.
But Fu Yao shook her head, “I can manage on my own. Go get dressed.”
With that answer, Jin Zhi left wearing only a soaked pair of underwear.
Fu Yao then locked the door and began washing herself.
By now, the water temperature had turned cold, with only a faint trace of warmth remaining.
But Fu Yao didn’t mind in the slightest.
There were too many cold things in life; the water temperature was hardly worth noting.