A Silken Tether for a Dragon - Chapter 5

After I’d taken liberties with the lion, I thought it wouldn’t come back for a long time.

Instead, it returned within days.

Its coat was in even worse condition than before.

Sopping wet, twisted into clumps, and knotted.

I couldn’t understand what was going on. Where did it go to get itself into this state?

I knew I shouldn’t ask.

But seeing it ruin the fur I’d worked so hard to groom…

That hurt my feelings too.

So there was an edge of temper to my work that day.

When I said, “All finished,” the lion didn’t get up.

Its eyes remained closed. After a long while, it said, “Why isn’t there an ear massage today?”

I pursed my lips. “Oh, that… Perhaps it’s because your coat was in such a terrible state. Tidying it nearly killed me. Where would I find the strength to massage your ears as well?”

The lion slowly opened its eyes.

Time seemed condensed in those golden depths, flowing as slowly as lava.

“…You’re angry.”

It was a statement.

I pressed my lips together and lowered my head without speaking.

It slowly pushed itself upright.

“You’re angry that I spoiled your hard work.”

I gave an inward start.

This beast could see straight into a person’s heart! Terrifying!

I hurriedly offered a placating smile. “Of course not… I’m only a groomer. How would I dare be angry with an honored guest?”

The lion looked at me.

“Xu Changying. Don’t smile at me like that.”

Its cold tone instantly infuriated me.

Forgetting all about “honored guests” and “mustn’t offend,” I jumped up. “Like what?! I’m just a worker! If I can’t afford to offend someone, can’t I at least keep out of their way? Yes! I’m angry! But what right do I have to be?! If our honored guest wants to go off and ruin that coat, that’s our honored guest’s business! Who am I? I… I…”

Then I suddenly came to my senses.

Oh, damn. I’d done it again!

I’d lost my temper at an honored guest!!

I was finished!!!

I threw down the brush, spun around, and ran outside.

Suyu was approaching from a distance. Seeing me run out, she called, “Xu Changying! Where are you going?!”

I didn’t stop. Soon I was far away.

I didn’t know what complaints the lion would make to Suyu.

Whatever.

With any luck, she’d extend my suspension.

I QUIT!!!

For several days, I waited in terror.

Suyu never came to make trouble.

Perhaps the lion hadn’t complained about me.

I let out a slow breath.

Whatever else you could say about that lion, it was very forgiving.

Any other beast would have filed a complaint long ago.

I wrote furiously in my room.

With nothing to do during my suspension, I might as well write something and make a little money.

Independent cultivators like me, with no sect behind us, were still bottom-rung laborers even after reaching the divine realm.

If we wanted to advance, we had to find our own way to earn.

By money, I didn’t mean currency. I meant treasures.

Treasures that could improve our cultivation.

Those were precious everywhere.

And I’d paid out an entire year’s savings in one go.

The only things left in my pouch were a few pieces of amber from the lion.

Its amber didn’t look ordinary.

The color was just like its eyes. Golden light flowed inside, as though each piece held a pool of lava.

I didn’t know what it was, but instinct told me it was good.

The other beasts gave me a few hairs at most.

The lion was so generous.

Ah… Too bad I’d offended it.

That source of income was gone too.

I wrote on, heartsick.

Suddenly, a young temple attendant came running. “Sister Changying! The honored guest is back! It wants you!”

I sprang to my feet.

—

I ran to the back of the mountain as fast as I could.

The lion stood outside the temple, gazing quietly at the horizon.

“Ren’er!”

I called loudly.

Its long white eyelashes trembled.

Then, very, very slowly, it turned its head toward me.

I ran up to it.

“Ren’er, I thought you wouldn’t ask for me again.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because… before, I… I lost my temper at you…”

I hung my head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

The lion watched me.

“Xu Changying.”

“Mm?”

“Could you massage my ears today?”

My eyes lit up.

“Of course I can!!”