Let Me Ruffle Your Fur a Little

Chapter 62.1

Finding You Cute

Translated by boilpoil
Edited by boilpoil

As Bai Yao has only treated Mu Mu’er with unconditional kindness up to this point, so Mu Mu’er quickly loses any hesitation in speaking. His tone is quite sombre, with emphatic raising in pitch at the end for a question.

“Mu’er, Mu’er is a good boy, a very good boy. Does Yaoyao not think Mu’er is a good boy?”

“You are a very good boy. Mu’er is the most good, most behaved boy Yaoyao has seen,” Bai Yao is tempted to poke the upturned hedgehog in his soft little tummy, but he doesn’t want to spook him. He decides to squeeze his fingers instead.

Mu Mu’er is completely flabbergasted. His voice goes quieter as he asks, “then, why…”

Why does Yaoyao not want to share the home with him anymore? He thought Bai Yao gave him half his bed, half the delicious food, and half his arms for him to hold.

Yet, that might not be true. He went to the lodging with his older brother, and kept waiting, and waiting, and by the time he goes to sleep, he’s wondering why Bai Yao is not coming to look for him. He does not understand. It must be because his Yaoyao does not like him anymore, and wants him gone too.

Bai Yao sighs and puts his hand on Mu Mu’er’s head, “because Yaoyao was wrong. Yaoyao thought Mu’er would be happier being with your older brother; thought Mu’er would like your older brother more.”

It appears this has ticked off Mu Mu’er for once. He takes a step back, away from Bai Yao’s hand.

When Mu Mu’er is angry, it doesn’t show outwardly as big frowns or loud yells. It’s still quite clear to Bai Yao, though, that he’s unhappy. Not just simply unhappy, but saddened, misunderstood, disappointed.

Mu Mu’er does not impose. He’s like the grass in the garden. Not vibrant like the colourful flowers, or dangerous like prickly thorns. He lives in a secluded corner of the garden by himself, and happily grows taller and greener with a little bit of water and sunshine.

Yet, if you accidentally step on him, he’d also be hurt. Though a blade of grass, he will still feel pain and anger.

Bai Yao did not clarify; Mu Yi lied about their return later in the day, but Bai Yao said nothing. Put more bluntly, he was ignoring Mu Mu’er’s feelings. He did not even say goodbye properly, thinking that it’d ‘ease things the best.’

He was in the wrong.

Before Bai Yao can apologise, Mu Mu’er slowly says, “Mu’er likes gege, but Mu’er likes Yaoyao so much more…”
“This is Mu’er’s home. Don’t tell Mu’er to go away. Yaoyao cannot.”

Mu Mu’er only knows very, very few people in his little world. He is not accustomed to society, and doesn’t even remember much of school. He has long since lost any friends after he went missing.

Mu Yi is his older brother, and he is happy to reunite with him. He likes him, but he does not really feel reliant on him. He’s become quite independently capable in the six years he lived alone. It’s Bai Yao he first met when rehabilitated to human society, not Mu Yi.

Bai Yao gave him scallops, bathed him, taught him to transform, and hold hands with him at night. Bai Yao gave him a home.

So Mu Mu’er really, really likes Bai Yao. He likes Bai Yao, his little restaurant, the two months of loving care… Qiaohai has already become Mu Mu’er’s true hometown.

He wants to go nowhere else. He wants to stay.

After Mu Mu’er finishes speaking, he falls into thought. He really likes Bai Yao, so he wants to stay. So does this mean that Bai Yao does not like him as much, that he wants… wants him gone?

“Yaoyao, likes Mu’er,” Mu Mu’er asks, almost pleadingly, “likes Mu’er, right?”

The poor, poor little sea otter. Bai Yao finds he has no words he can say, that he is certain will not wound him further.

Mu Mu’er is clean as a white lily of the valley. Bullying him is no different from plucking him roughly off the stem, and then throwing him onto the ground while he writhes in pain.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong,” Bai Yao is hesitant, but decides to still put his hand on Mu Mu’er’s forehead in the end. He caresses him. There is nothing he can say but ‘sorry,’ and he feels utterly regretful inside.

“Yaoyao cannot lie to Mu’er,” Mu Mu’er says, repeating it over and over, seemingly unable to give a reason, “cannot lie; cannot lie.”
“If Yaoyao lies, Mu’er will be sad.”

The little sea otter is really cute. Even when he is hurt, saddened, angered, or just simply looking at you, bored, he is still soft and cute.

He lets Bai Yao rub his soft belly, massage him where he is most vulnerable. He only trusts him in the whole world.

Bai Yao lifts Mu Mu’er off the counter, sneaking in a hug before letting him down.

“I promise, Yaoyao will never lie to Mu’er again. A lying Yaoyao is a bad doggy,” he says, adding in a ‘woof’ at the end. He looks as dumb as a silly husky doing so.

It is definitely effective, however. Mu Mu’er relaxes immensely. Pacified, he nods and trusts Bai Yao’s promise.

“Good boy. It’s all good,” Bai Yao squeezes the boy’s finger again, “Yaoyao likes you.”

Mu Mu’er’s eyes brighten. He’s clearly elated to hear that.

Truly befitting of a little trusting sea otter. He’s fully earnest and believes in someone wholly once they’ve decided to follow them for life.

“Now, go brush your teeth and wash your face. We’ll have lunch in a moment,” he can see Mu Mu’er’s hair, slightly ruffled, from where he stands. He can’t help but teasingly ruffle it messier.

The boy stands in place, obediently letting Bai Yao play with him like a doll. His eyes are bright; he clearly trusts Bai Yao a whole lot.

When he remains standing after Bai Yao is done, Bai Yao has to push him to get him to move.

“Now go.”

After Mu Mu’er finishes washing his face and wiping the trails of tears, he looks much more awake. He then goes to Bai Yao, who has now moved downstairs to cook, and stares at the stove.

His mood is much better now, convinced he no longer needs to leave with his older brother. His smile is a sign that he believes Bai Yao will never lie to him again. His Yaoyao is the best person in the world. He will never lie.

Bai Yao sees Mu Mu’er look more and more longingly at the stove, and chuckles inside. There really is nothing in the world that can get to Mu Mu’er; he forgets whatever was plaguing his mood in less than ten minutes if food is offered for solace.