The Cold Queen is My Exclusive Little Snack - Chapter 36

That night, after returning from the hospital, Zuo Xingning lay in bed, unusually unable to sleep.

During the day, she had seen Jiang Shuqing’s fangs.

Two slender, elongated canines, barely longer than her adjacent teeth, resembling the fangs of an oversized cat.

Jiang Shuqing couldn’t retract them properly. After several failed attempts, the rims of her eyes began to redden. Zuo Xingning felt utterly helpless, even regretting showing her the fangs.

Zuo Xingning walked to the window, pretending to admire the view. After a moment, she glanced back furtively. Jiang Shuqing remained seated on the hospital bed, her head bowed.

Though Jiang Shuqing wasn’t looking at her, she sensed Zuo Xingning’s gaze and asked, “Zuo Xingning, am I a failure?”

At that moment, Zuo Xingning felt a sudden ache in her chest.

She didn’t know what answer Jiang Shuqing wanted, but she could only offer one.

Zuo Xingning embraced her and replied, “No, you’re Jiang Shuqing, just Jiang Shuqing.”

“……”

Back home, Zuo Xingning remained curious about Jiang Shuqing’s peculiar fangs. She subtly inquired with Ms. Zuo Minglan and learned something intriguing.

Ms. Zuo Minglan had once heard of such underdeveloped fangs.

Over a century ago, the Vampire Clan had been a prominent noble family in this land. The Family Head was chosen not by primogeniture or seniority, but from among the clan members who had awakened their bloodline and demonstrated exceptional strength.

This system led some to resort to unorthodox methods, using special drugs to stimulate their bloodline, hoping to enhance it or forcibly awaken it.

However, failure would result in the very condition Zuo Xingning had described: an inability to control one’s powers, or worse, transformation into an ordinary human.

This dangerous practice, with its risks far outweighing any potential benefits, had long been abandoned. Nowadays, the title of Family Head held more symbolic weight than real power; no one would willingly sacrifice themselves for such a hollow honor.

Yet, Jiang Shuqing had been…

Zuo Xingning hugged her plush toy and rolled over.

They had once been friends, and later rivals.

In her eyes, Jiang Shuqing had always been a flamboyant, fiercely competitive young lady with a bit of a temper, but ultimately not someone you could dislike.

How could such a proud person ever label herself a “failure” with her own lips?

Yet that was exactly what Jiang Shuqing had said, her tone as final as a death sentence.

Zuo Xingning struggled to articulate her feelings. She couldn’t help but imagine herself in Jiang Shuqing’s situation, and all she felt was overwhelming sorrow.

Influenced by these emotions, when she finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams were heavy with bitterness.

Half-asleep, Zuo Xingning felt the bed dip beside her. Her sense of smell awoke first, her nose catching the familiar, delicate fragrance of magnolia.

Her body moved almost on muscle memory. She turned and reached out, burying her face in the newcomer’s neck and nuzzling against it.

Still preoccupied with the day’s events, she murmured, “Jiejie, do you think Jiang Shuqing and Zhongli Yan will be okay?”

Chu Shiyin paused, surprised. “Why are you thinking about them?”

“Because…” Zuo Xingning mumbled, her words slurred and indistinct as if she were talking in her sleep. “I don’t think Jiang Shuqing really dislikes Zhongli Yan. It’s like she has so many worries.”

Chu Shiyin mentally translated her meaning for a moment before understanding. Even though she knew Zuo Xingning might not fully grasp what she was saying, she still considered her words carefully before replying earnestly, “They’ll be okay.”

Even if Zhongli Yan willingly had his fangs and claws removed for his lover, he would still be a tiger at heart.

As for Jiang Shuqing…

Chu Shiyin actually knew more about her than Zuo Xingning did.

Having worked in the industry for years, Chu Shiyin had sensed something was off the third time she met Jiang Shuqing.

Jiang Shuqing’s girl group was highly popular, and she was one of its brightest stars. A rising star at the peak of her career, even if she wanted to rest, her agency would never let her go. How could she be so carefree?

Seeing Jiang Shuqing’s willingness to accept a minor role in Fuyi, Chu Shiyin didn’t think she was the type to be picky or afraid of hard work. There had to be something else going on.

Curious, Chu Shiyin asked Yu Siya to investigate.

With her extensive connections in the industry, Yu Siya quickly discovered that investors had intervened to suppress Jiang Shuqing.

Jiang Shuqing, the eldest daughter of the Han Clan, also had Zhongli Yan standing behind her. Even though her background remained a secret within the industry, with such powerful backing, how could any investor dare to suppress her?

Chu Shiyin knew this was as far as her investigation could go. The rest was beyond her purview.

Returning the favor, Chu Shiyin informed Zhongli Yan of her findings. His reaction suggested he might not have been aware of these behind-the-scenes machinations.

As for Jiang Shuqing herself…

She must have known exactly who was trying to keep her down, but various reasons had silenced her, preventing her from even a single complaint.

To continue steadily forward despite such relentless pressure, she was clearly far more resilient than her delicate appearance suggested.

All she needed was an opportunity—a catalyst for transformation.

With two such determined individuals, things were bound to turn out well in the end.

A few days later, Ancheng experienced its first snowfall of the season.

Jiang Shuqing was discharged from the hospital that day, and Zuo Xingning made time to visit.

Zhongli Yan was also there. The two had finally reconciled, their gazes meeting with unspoken emotions.

Seeing this, Zuo Xingning felt a great weight lift from her heart.

On her way home, she spotted a hawthorn candy stall near a school. Joining the students leaving for the day, she bought a skewer of the candied hawthorns.

The pale yellow sugar coating was evenly applied, without any artificial coloring. Remarkably, the hawthorns had been carefully washed and pitted, striking a perfect balance between sweet and tart.

After eating one hawthorn, Zuo Xingning walked a few steps before turning back to buy another skewer, adding a skewer of candied strawberries as well.

The newly purchased hawthorns were for Chu Shiyin—not too cloyingly sweet, they should suit her taste.

As for the strawberries, they were Zuo Xingning’s own “treat.”

Discovering delicious food always lifted her spirits. Unfortunately, her good mood lasted only until she reached home and opened the door.

Three figures sat on the sofa: Chu Shiyin, Yu Siya, and Lin Fei.

The familiar scene involuntarily conjured memories of the day she had sprained her ankle and shared a bed with Chu Shiyin. Today, Zuo Xingning’s guilt was even more overwhelming.

There was no time to hide the candied hawthorns. Yu Siya’s sharp, lightning-like gaze had already locked onto her.

“Xingning, what did I just tell you?”

“No sweets. Diet.”

Ever since Zuo Xingning had started “eating her fill” at Chu Shiyin’s place, her naturally slim physique had begun to falter. To make matters worse, Aunt Chen had mastered her preferences, and every meal she prepared during Zuo Xingning’s stay was irresistibly tempting.

Before she knew it, Zuo Xingning had started to gain weight.

Though it was only a slight increase, Yu Siya, ever the strict manager, immediately consulted a nutritionist to adjust Zuo Xingning’s diet. She also required daily reports on her workout duration and weight.

Realizing she had indulged too much, Zuo Xingning dutifully handed the hawthorn candy skewers to Chu Shiyin. She hesitated between Yu Siya and Lin Fei for the remaining strawberry skewer before Lin Fei finally took it.

“Go ahead and eat it. It’s fine,” Lin Fei said, always eager to defy Yu Siya’s authority.

Under Yu Siya’s piercing gaze, Lin Fei returned the skewer to Zuo Xingning. “We’re heading into the mountains next week. The conditions there are far harsher than in the city. You’ll shed the weight in no time.”

“Next week?” Zuo Xingning’s eyes lit up, barely noticing the skewer. “It’s already been confirmed?”

“Mm,” Yu Siya glanced at Lin Fei but ultimately didn’t object. “You and Shiyin still have a few projects to wrap up. We’re planning to depart next Wednesday.”

“We’ll rest for a night at Pingxia Mountain before starting the official filming the next day. We’ll likely stay for about ten days.”

“This isn’t a vacation, Xingning.”

After traveling by plane, train, and car, Zuo Xingning and her group finally arrived at their destination: the Pingxia Mountain Area.

The film crew had arrived ahead of them. As Zuo Xingning wandered around after settling into her borrowed village home, she saw them setting up fixed camera positions. The director, camera in hand, was filming sweeping aerial shots across the mountains and fields.

This was a collaborative project with the government, facilitated by Chu Shiyin and Yu Siya, ultimately resulting in a public service micro-documentary series focused on rural education.

Lin Fei was one of the project leaders.

The Pingxia Mountain Area was where Lin Fei had volunteered as a teacher during her university years. She had returned every year or two since, becoming familiar with the locals, which made filming much smoother.

Before they even reached the village, the village chief, principal, and other officials who had been waiting at the village committee office whisked away the three main participants, leaving only Zuo Xingning with time to wander.

After playing with an unfamiliar but enthusiastic dog, Zuo Xingning looked up to see a familiar face at the end of the path.

“Jiejie!” Zuo Xingning clapped her hands and ran over. “All done with work?”

“Mm, it went smoothly.”

Chu Shiyin lowered her head to touch Zuo Xingning’s fingertips, then casually tucked her hand into the pocket of her trench coat. “Siya and the others went to the school. Want to go see?”

“Sure!” Zuo Xingning turned back and made kissing noises at the little dog crouching by the roadside. “Xiaobai, come here.”

Whether it understood or not, the little white dog followed closely behind them, step by step.

Chu Shiyin asked, “A new friend?”

Zuo Xingning winked mischievously, pulled her right hand from her pocket, and dangled a small plastic bag.

Chu Shiyin: “Tuantuan’s freeze-dried treats? How could you steal her food on a business trip?”

Zuo Xingning muttered, “Who told her to keep stepping on my chest and stomach these past few days? It really hurt.”

Chu Shiyin glanced at her. “It’s cold. Tuantuan likes to sleep under the covers. Why did you take her bed?”

“Hmph, I’m just teaching her a lesson. At least she’ll eat less. She’s too heavy—if she keeps stepping on me, I’ll break a bone sooner or later.”

As she spoke, Zuo Xingning tossed another freeze-dried chicken treat behind her. One by one, she tossed them until a small pack of barking dogs had gathered behind them by the time they reached the school gate.

“I originally wanted to give these to the cats here as a new flavor, but I ended up feeding them all to you guys,” Zuo Xingning grumbled, then tore open a small bag of freeze-dried treats and scattered them like flower petals to disperse the dogs.

School was about to let out, and so many dogs gathering at the gate could potentially injure the children if they started fighting.

Zuo Xingning entered the school gate, glancing back every few steps. Only when she saw the dogs had finished the treats and scattered did she finally relax.

Yu Siya and Lin Fei weren’t hard to find. The school was small, and the sounds of cheering reached them even before they entered the gate.

“Wow!”

“Teacher Lin! Teacher Lin! Teacher Lin…”

The children’s high-pitched, innocent voices combined into a chorus that sounded like the roar of a thousand people, as they waved flags and cheered earnestly from the sidelines.

Zuo Xingning checked the time. “Shouldn’t the students still be in class?”

“Maybe they were dismissed early?” Chu Shiyin suggested, equally puzzled. Following the noise, they walked toward the schoolyard.

The schoolyard was a simple affair: a plastic running track, two basketball hoops, and a few peeling-paint horizontal and parallel bars. It was sparsely populated; most families who could afford to send their children to schools in the city had already done so, leaving few willing to remain in this underdeveloped village.

Even with children from neighboring villages attending Pingxia Elementary School, the student body remained small. The students, mostly short with only a few taller ones, had gathered around the schoolyard, forming a jagged wall of varying heights. Inside this human barrier, Lin Fei glided back and forth like a skater on ice.

As Zuo Xingning approached, she noticed what Lin Fei was wearing: roller skates.

“You’re here?” Yu Siya said, noticing them. Seeing Zuo Xingning staring at Lin Fei, she explained, “The children have so few recreational activities. Before Lin Fei came, she discussed it with the Principal and arranged for a batch of roller skates to be purchased and sent over to give the students something fun to do.”

“The skates arrived just today. Since the school’s physical education teacher doesn’t know how to roller skate, we asked Lin Fei to teach them first.”

As she spoke, several brave children had already put on protective gear and roller skates, wobbling tentatively across the ground.

Zuo Xingning found herself drawn closer. The boxes on the ground still contained some adult-sized skates.

Chu Shiyin asked, “Want to try?”

“I haven’t skated in ages…”

“Perfect.”

Chu Shiyin glanced at the nearby cameraman filming footage, bent down, and pulled out two pairs of skates from the box, extending a hand to Zuo Xingning.

“I’ll guide you.”