SNOW Chapter 2

Liu Jiao was a “gift” sent by his family.

The Snow Wolf King had recently ascended the throne, and various tribes from the northern lands presented lavish gifts to express their loyalty.

The snow leopard tribe, however, was small in number and not wealthy. They struggled to come up with a suitable gift and finally managed to put together a modest offering. Liu Ming, the snow leopard chieftain, led a group to the capital, Snow City, to present their tribute.

When Liu Ming and his group arrived at the gates of the Wolf Palace, they carried only a single box of gifts. Looking around, they saw other tribes delivering truckloads of offerings, piling up like mountains. Their own gift seemed embarrassingly meager, almost too shameful to present. The civil officer, a cheerful red fox, didn’t show any disdain when he saw Liu Ming’s gift and said with a smile, “The king will appreciate your sincerity.”

Liu Ming asked the red fox, “Is our gift… too insignificant?”

“It’s the thought that counts. Size doesn’t matter,” the red fox replied politely.

Liu Ming glanced at the extravagant offerings from wealthier tribes and felt uneasy.

Liu Jiao, however, was carefree. He only thought about how he could go out and play after delivering the gift.

The snow leopard tribe lived in a mountain village, and this was Liu Jiao’s first time visiting a big city like Snow City. In his village, most residents were spirits and mythical creatures, but in Snow City, he realized how many ordinary humans there were. As he walked through the crowd, his large tail swaying, people turned to stare at him.

Liu Jiao wasn’t bothered by the attention, but he noticed how crowded Snow City was. The shopping malls were packed, and his big tail felt like a nuisance.

While walking through a mall, his tail accidentally brushed against a girl, who let out a startled cry. He quickly apologized, “I’m sorry!”

Holding his tail tightly to avoid hitting anyone else, the girl squealed again.

“What’s wrong?” Liu Jiao asked.

The girl covered her mouth and said, “Holding your own tail like that is just too cute…”

After a moment, she asked, “Are you a cat spirit?” She looked him over and shook her head. “No, a cat’s tail isn’t this thick.”

Liu Jiao smiled sheepishly and said, “I’m a snow leopard. My tail is thicker.”

The girl asked cautiously, “Can I touch it?”

Liu Jiao nodded, “Sure.”

The girl stroked his fluffy tail, her expression so blissful that Liu Jiao felt like he was doing something indecent. She then asked to take a photo with him.

Liu Jiao thought, Are the humans in Snow City always this friendly and enthusiastic?

Unaccustomed to taking photos with strangers, Liu Jiao smiled awkwardly. He decided to stop trying and simply bit his tail while making a peace sign. The girl took the photo and posted it on social media. The image of the beautiful snow leopard spirit biting his tail quickly went viral, garnering countless likes and shares.

Engrossed in surfing the internet, the Wolf Palace’s Princess, an internet-addicted teen, also saw it and showed it to the Wolf King. “Ge, don’t you think this snow leopard boy is very cute?”     

The Snow Wolf King glanced at it and nodded. “He is cute.”

The phrase “He is cute,” though simple, spread like wildfire through the palace because it came from the Snow Wolf King. It went from “He is cute” to “He is lovable,” and then to “He is beddable.” By the time the third version reached Liu Ming’s ears, he began to think carefully. During the next Pilgrimage Day, he brought Liu Jiao to the Wolf Palace.

On Pilgrimage Day, chieftains from various tribes gathered to pay their respects to the Snow Wolf King. Dressed in a white robe that matched the snow, the king stood atop a long stone staircase. Liu Jiao stood on his tiptoes, trying to get a better look, but all he could see was the Snow Wolf King’s distant, snow-capped figure—elegant, noble, and untouchable.

Just as Liu Jiao couldn’t see the Snow Wolf King clearly, the king couldn’t see the crowd below clearly either.

To him, the crowd was a sea of dark figures, but one young man stood out—standing on his tiptoes, craning his neck, with clear, bright eyes.

The Snow Wolf King couldn’t help but look twice. The red fox whispered, “That’s the snow leopard boy you called ‘cute.’”

“Is that him?” The Snow Wolf King paused, then narrowed his eyes, using his supernatural vision to get a closer look. Finally, he said, “He really is cute.”

The Snow Wolf King was new to the throne, but the red fox was a seasoned palace official who had served two generations of kings. Eager to please the new king, the fox took the Snow Wolf King’s praise as a sign of interest.

After the meeting, the red fox hinted to Liu Ming that if Liu Jiao could win the Snow Wolf King’s favor, their tribe’s standing would be secure. Liu Ming quickly agreed.

Later, the red fox informed the Snow Wolf King, “The snow leopard chieftain has a special gift for you, my king.”

The Snow Wolf King, reclining on a couch and reading a book, replied without looking up, “Thank him. Store it for now.”

The red fox leaned closer and whispered, “He has sent a snow leopard beauty, currently waiting in the side chamber.”

The Snow Wolf King’s expression changed. “What? Why?”

The red fox, surprised by the king’s reaction, quickly shifted the blame. “Chieftain Liu Ming felt his tribute wasn’t enough to express his loyalty, so he decided to offer a beauty…”

The Snow Wolf King set his book aside and said, “If I refuse this gift, won’t Liu Ming feel uneasy?”

“Exactly,” the red fox said. “Your Majesty may need to reassure him to ease his worries.”

A blue cat servant chimed in, “Yes, Your Majesty… You must do your best!”

The Snow Wolf King sighed. “In that case, I’ll make this sacrifice for the kingdom.”

With that, the Snow Wolf King straightened his robes and headed to the side chamber where the snow leopard beauty awaited.

Meanwhile, Liu Jiao was trembling in the chamber…

As a wild mountain boy, Liu Jiao was honest in front of the Snow Wolf King. “I’m scared you’ll… you know… my backside.”

The Snow Wolf King apologized, “My apologies. That’s exactly why I’m here.”

Liu Jiao trembled even more, like a sieve shaking rice.

The Snow Wolf King sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to steady Liu Jiao, but Liu Jiao instinctively shrank back. The king withdrew his hand and stood tall like a jade mountain.

Liu Jiao asked, “Am I… being rude?”

“Not really,” the Snow Wolf King replied. “Though you didn’t bow when you saw me…”

Liu Jiao’s face turned red, and he quickly jumped off the bed to bow. “Long live the king!”

The Snow Wolf King said, “No need for formalities.”

Liu Jiao straightened up and stole another glance at the Snow Wolf King, once again struck by his beauty. With looks like his, why would he need anyone else?

The Snow Wolf King asked, “What’s your name?”

Liu Jiao answered, “I’m Liu Jiao. ‘Liu’ as in willow tree, ‘Jiao’ as in chili pepper.”

“Oh, what do people close to you call you?” the Snow Wolf King asked.

Liu Jiao replied, “Number Two Fool.”

The Snow Wolf King was taken aback. “Then… who’s Number One Fool?”

Liu Jiao was also confused and explained, “It’s… not a ranking.”

“Oh, really?” The Snow Wolf King sat on the bed and said, “Then what is it?”

Liu Jiao struggled to explain. “It’s like how you’re ‘the Great King,’ but there’s no ‘Second King.’”

“I see… That’s interesting,” the Snow Wolf King said calmly. “So, how did you end up in my chamber?”

Liu Jiao blushed and said, “Well… it’s a long story.”

The Snow Wolf King said, “I have time. You can tell me slowly.” He then added, “Sit down and talk.”

Liu Jiao glanced around the room. Seeing the Snow Wolf King already sitting on the bed, he asked, “Where should I sit? On a chair?”

“No, sit here,” the Snow Wolf King said, patting his lap.

Liu Jiao’s face turned even redder. “Th-that’s not appropriate, is it?”

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