"Chi chi." As long as she wasn't required to explain anything right now, she could happily stay silent about anything.

  "You... I really can't get mad at you," Lian Muxiu said, reaching out to gently pinch Xiao Jiu's ear. He loved her—her body so soft, as if it had no bones, especially when she curled up in his arms, so small and fragile, making him want to protect her even more.

  "Chi chi." Xiao Jiu, pleased by the praise, gave Lian Muxiu a little kiss on his cheek and then shyly buried her head in his neck, refusing to look up no matter how much he coaxed her.

  If it weren’t for the fur covering her face, Lian Muxiu would have seen that her face had turned red.

  "Alright, alright." Lian Muxiu gently stroked Xiao Jiu, smiling, "Xiao Jiu, I’m not asking you to say anything right now, but remember, you are special. You must never cry in front of others, understand?"

  "Chi chi." Xiao Jiu nodded. She understood. The tears she shed earlier in the room were accidental. A fox who cried was rare, and a fox whose tears turned into pearls was even rarer!

  If someone with bad intentions found out, they would undoubtedly stop at nothing to capture Xiao Jiu and subject her to unspeakable torture to uncover those mysterious secrets.

  With that thought, Lian Muxiu tightened his embrace around Xiao Jiu. It was a blessing that she had crashed into his arms when she was at Wuqie Mountain, a blessing that he had decided to keep her, a blessing that Xiao Jiu trusted him so much!

  Outside Tai Bai Restaurant, Ying San had been waiting for a while. Upon seeing Lian Muxiu come out, he quickly approached, "Master, shall we return to the estate directly?"

  "Let’s go back," Lian Muxiu replied.

  "Yes."

  Ying San lifted the carriage curtain and helped Lian Muxiu into the carriage. Lian Muxiu patted Xiao Jiu, "Xiao Jiu, be good, it’s time to head back to the National Master’s estate."

  "Chi chi, chi chi chi." Xiao Jiu shook her little rear end and wagged her tail, refusing to come down. Her little paws tightly grasped Lian Muxiu’s collar, not letting go.

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  Ying San found it strange, "Master, what’s with this little fox... no, this little ancestor?"

  Ying San let slip calling Xiao Jiu a little fox, and Lian Muxiu shot him a look. "You dare call her a little fox?" he muttered, making Ying San quickly correct himself. It was clear now that this little fox was quite precious, and he, like everyone else, had to bow his head in her presence.

  "Xiao Jiu, if you don’t come down, I’ll get on the carriage first. Be careful not to bump into anything."

  "Chi chi."

  Lian Muxiu felt Xiao Jiu nodding her head against his neck, knowing she would be careful. He lifted his leg onto the small stool while protecting her head with his hand.

  Ying San, watching Lian Muxiu take such great care of Xiao Jiu, was puzzled. "Isn’t she just a fox with some intelligence? Why is the master being so cautious?"

  "Master, why is this little fox... no, this little ancestor staying on your shoulder and not getting up?" Ying San asked curiously before pulling down the curtain.

  Lian Muxiu had already settled in the carriage and, hearing Ying San's question, laughed softly. "Xiao Jiu, look, Ying San is curious about why you're not getting up. If you don't come down, I'll tell him."

  Xiao Jiu grumbled softly and then, when Lian Muxiu glanced at her, saw her big eyes closed, her face relaxed and comfortable as she had fallen asleep.

  Lian Muxiu smiled, and silently mouthed to Ying San, "Xiao Jiu is shy."

  Ying San, who had learned lip reading, immediately understood. His eyes widened in shock, staring at the sleeping Xiao Jiu, his mind racing. This little ancestor? Shy? Did she even know what being shy was? Wait a minute, why is she shy all of a sudden? What happened?

  Seeing Ying San holding the curtain and standing still, Lian Muxiu, with one hand holding Xiao Jiu, grabbed a piece of pastry from the plate and tossed it at Ying San's head.

  Ying San, caught off guard, instinctively hissed and then quickly covered his mouth, glancing at Lian Muxiu. Seeing that Lian Muxiu wasn’t angry, he awkwardly dropped the curtain and went to sit at the driver’s seat, driving the carriage out of Tai Bai Restaurant.

  On the road, Lian Muxiu, concerned that Xiao Jiu might be uncomfortable, gently shifted her from his shoulder into his arms. Xiao Jiu opened her eyes and looked at him with a dazed expression, making Lian Muxiu’s heart melt.

  "Sleep well, we’ll be home soon."

  Lian Muxiu’s voice was soft and filled with unique tenderness. Xiao Jiu obediently closed her eyes, smelling the refreshing mint scent from Lian Muxiu’s clothes, and drifted back to sleep.

  Xiao Jiu was very quiet when she slept. Every time she did, her long, large tail would naturally curl under her head, serving as both a pillow and a blanket, killing two birds with one stone.

  Lian Muxiu watched her sleep, thinking to himself that he could just watch her forever, with no need to do anything. With Xiao Jiu by his side, all his troubles seemed insignificant.

  As Lian Muxiu stared at Xiao Jiu, her tail moved slightly.