activa-t Chapter 254 Tacit understanding
Chapter 254 Tacit understanding
In a corner of the Nanzhao Kingdom's royal palace, the residence of Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao has become a joyful little world, where two little foxes—Snowball and Lightning—are the most lively protagonists.
The morning sunlight, like fine gold leaf, filtered through the carved window frames and fell onto the soft carpet inside the room.
Xiao Nanyao slowly woke up from her sleep, her eyes still bleary.
Then she saw a small, fluffy white figure sitting upright beside her pillow.
A pair of bright, ruby-like eyes were staring intently at her.
"Snowball, you're awake!" Xiaoyao called out softly with delight, reaching out to gently stroke Snowball's soft fur. Snowball contentedly squinted its eyes.
It made soft purring sounds in its throat and affectionately nuzzled Xiao Yao's palm with its head, as if telling her about the longing that had accumulated all night.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Xiao Nanyi also opened his eyes amidst the energetic "harassment" of lightning.
Lightning jumped onto Xiao Nanyi's bed, nuzzling his cheek with its wet little nose and making urgent "woof woof" sounds.
It urged its little owner to get up quickly and play with it. Xiao Nanyi smiled and picked up Lightning, gently pinching its ears: "Okay, okay, I know you can't wait."
After Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao finished washing up, they took Snowball and Lightning to the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Garden was a riot of color, with vibrant flowers vying for attention. A gentle breeze blew, and petals drifted down like snowflakes. As soon as Snowball arrived in the garden, it began to run happily, weaving through the flowers, sometimes stopping to sniff them, sometimes chasing after fluttering butterflies, its nimble figure like a lively little sprite. Lightning followed closely behind Xiao Nanyi, going wherever he went, occasionally jumping up to grab the twigs swaying in his hand.
"Snowball, come back quickly!" Xiao Yao called to Snowball, holding a piece of its favorite jerky in her hand. Hearing Xiao Yao's voice, Snowball immediately stopped, its ears twitched, and then it turned and ran towards Xiao Yao. It ran to Xiao Yao's feet, sat down properly, its eyes fixed on the jerky in her hand, its little tail wagging like a rattle, and making "squeak" sounds, as if to say, "Xiao Yao, I'm back! Give me the treat!"
Seeing this, Xiao Nanyi smiled and said to Xiao Yao, "Snowball is so smart. It knows there's something delicious to eat as soon as it hears you call it."
Xiao Yao smiled and handed the jerky to Xueqiu. Xueqiu took it in one bite and wolfed it down. After finishing, it licked its paws with lingering satisfaction and looked at Xiao Yao longingly, as if it wanted more.
"I knew you were greedy." Xiao Yao took out another piece of jerky and deliberately held it high. Snowball was so anxious that its front paws left the ground and it tried to jump up to reach it. It looked very funny and made Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao laugh.
In the afternoon, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao were reading and writing in the study, with Xueqiu and Shandian quietly lying beside them. Xiao Nanyi was diligently copying poems when suddenly a drop of ink accidentally fell onto the paper. Xiao Nanyi frowned, somewhat annoyed. Just then, Shandian seemed to sense Xiao Nanyi's mood. It gently jumped onto the table, patted Xiao Nanyi's hand with its paw, and made a comforting "woof woof" sound, as if saying, "Little master, don't be sad, it's okay."
Seeing this, Xiao Yao smiled and said, "Brother, look how sensible Lightning is, he even comforts you."
Xiao Nanyi patted Lightning's head, and his mood immediately improved: "Yes, Lightning is really my little darling."
In the evening, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao practiced swordsmanship and dance in the courtyard. Xiao Nanyi held a long sword, his movements agile and swift, the sword flashing; Xiao Yao, dressed in a light dance costume, danced gracefully, like a blooming lotus flower. Snowball and Lightning watched intently, seemingly captivated by their young master's charm, and became excited as well. Lightning ran and jumped around Xiao Nanyi, occasionally reaching out its claws to catch the flashing sword; Snowball spun around Xiao Yao, mimicking her movements, its adorable antics bringing a smile to everyone's face.
After practicing swordsmanship and dance, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao were panting heavily. They sat on a stone bench to rest, and Snowball and Lightning immediately ran over. One lay down at Xiao Nanyi's feet, and the other snuggled in Xiao Yao's arms, using their warm bodies to dispel their little masters' fatigue.
"Snowball, Lightning, it's so good to have you guys around," Xiao Yao said, gently stroking Snowball's fur.
Xiao Nanyi nodded in agreement: "Yes, they are like our family, bringing us so much joy."
As night fell and the stars twinkled, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao returned to their room with Snowball and Lightning.
In the warm candlelight, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao told Snowball and Lightning a bedtime story, and Snowball and Lightning lay quietly on the bed.
Listening intently with blinking eyes, it soon drifted off to sleep to the gentle voice of its little owner.
Days flowed by quietly like water in the Imperial Garden. Under the careful care of Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao, Snowball and Lightning became more and more lively and agile. The tacit understanding between them also grew quietly and deeply over time.
On another bright and sunny morning, a unique spring banquet was held in the palace. Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao were invited to attend, and naturally, they wanted to bring their beloved little fox along to share the joy with more people. When they stepped into the banquet hall with Snowball and Lightning, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the two furry little creatures.
"This little fox is so adorable!" one minister exclaimed.
Snowball seemed to sense everyone's affection. It raised its head, proudly wagged its tail, and circled around Xiao Yao, occasionally stopping to observe the people around it with its big, watery eyes, looking very adorable. Lightning, on the other hand, was more lively. It moved freely through the crowd, sometimes sniffing at the minister's feet, sometimes jumping onto the table to curiously look at the food, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Halfway through the banquet, the musicians played cheerful music, and the dancers began to dance gracefully.
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao also got up and joined in the joyful atmosphere.
Snowball and Lightning seemed to be infected by the commotion and started dancing around as well.
Lightning followed the rhythm of the music, its front paws hopping happily, its head swaying back and forth, while Snowball spun around Little Yao. Its fluffy body looked like a tiny white pom-pom, so adorable.
Their wonderful performance added a lot of fun to the banquet, and everyone applauded and cheered.
However, just as the banquet was drawing to a close, an unexpected incident occurred.
A startled peacock wandered into the banquet hall, rampaging wildly and instantly turning the scene into chaos.
The dancers panicked, the guests scattered, and the scene became chaotic.
Snowball and Lightning were also quite frightened by this sudden change. They huddled close to Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao, trembling with fear.
"Don't be afraid, we're here." Xiao Nanyi reassured Shandian while cautiously looking around.
Just then, the peacock charged towards a young princess, a very dangerous situation. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao exchanged a glance and rushed forward without hesitation, wanting to protect the princess. Snowball and Lightning seemed to understand their young master's intentions; no longer afraid, they followed behind Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao, charging towards the peacock together.
Lightning ran incredibly fast, reaching the peacock first and howling loudly in an attempt to scare it away. Snowball wasn't to be outdone; it circled behind the peacock and gently scratched its tail with its claw. The peacock was startled by this sudden attack.