Volume One, Chapter 14: Expelled from the Residence

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“Don’t care!”

Hearing Cheng Xi’s words, Cheng Zhouxing stood there stunned, momentarily speechless.

Cheng Xi avoided Cheng Zhouxing and was about to leave, but Cheng Zhouxing grabbed her arm, his face full of anguish as he accused, “Cheng Xi, how have you become so cold and selfish?”

Cheng Xi sneered, “Cheng Zhouxing, do you even understand what bloodline inheritance means? Do you know the saying ‘like father, like daughter’? A child is a reflection of their parent. You are selfish, cold, and greedy, so naturally your child will be the same.”

Cheng Zhouxing’s vision darkened; his hand trembling slightly as he pointed at Cheng Xi, “You…”

“Do you wish you could eat my flesh and drink my blood now? Funny, that’s exactly how I feel.”

Cheng Xi walked away, and this time Cheng Zhouxing didn’t stop her—he knew it was useless.

Madam Cheng looked at her son angrily, “She’s just a little girl, and you can’t even control her? Bring her back, lock her up, and teach her a lesson; she’ll learn to bow her head.”

Cheng Zhouxing felt a splitting headache, unwilling to say a word, but if he remained silent, his mother would never stop. So, with a grim expression, he said, “Even when Jiang Boyu was in danger, she refused to save him. Naturally, she’s not afraid of the Tongtian Bureau’s reprimand. Do you think I would dare to capture and imprison her? Do I have such a long life to waste?”

Worried about his son, he hurriedly left, leaving Madam Cheng and his wife, Lady Li, staring at each other in confusion.

That Cheng Xi was just a rebellious little girl, but leaving the Cheng family had only made her stronger?

Madam Cheng refused to believe it, convinced her son was protecting this traitorous daughter on purpose. The thought only made her angrier.

But Lady Li thought more deeply. Having been married to Cheng Zhouxing for many years, she knew his character well and didn’t believe he was siding with Cheng Xi.

Tongtian Bureau?

Cheng Xi had somehow managed to connect with the Tongtian Bureau?

Wasn’t that a joke?

She had tried endlessly to approach the Tongtian Bureau’s threshold but never succeeded. Jiang Boyu was the head official of the Bureau, second only to the chief, Li Zhian.

She herself had to show respect and dared not act rashly in front of Jiang Boyu. Why was Cheng Xi so arrogant?

Lady Li bit her lip hard. There was no way her child would lose to the Du family’s daughter. Absolutely not!

***

After leaving the Prefect’s Mansion, Cheng Xi walked steadily back.

Was it possible Jiang Boyu couldn’t defeat a ghost-faced bird?

She didn’t believe it!

Jiang Boyu must have pretended to be overwhelmed, testing her capabilities.

If the four-eyed demon fox hadn’t rescued Baohua first, she might have reluctantly stepped in for Baohua’s sake, but now?

Let Jiang Boyu play his own game.

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Her steps grew heavier; the aftereffects of excessive exertion began to show. Leaning against the wall, she gasped softly and took out the pills Jiang Boyu had given her earlier, popping two in quick succession.

“You were so formidable before. Look at you now—what a sorry sight.”

Cheng Xi looked up at the four-eyed demon fox. Hadn’t he left?

“Here to watch me fail?” she said leisurely.

“Exactly,” the four-eyed demon fox said proudly, lifting his head high.

“Where’s Baohua?”

“I sent her back. I’m a fox of my word. Since you took me in, I’ll take you back.”

Cheng Xi looked at the four-eyed demon fox, less than two feet tall, ready to mock how he planned to carry her when suddenly he expanded to the size of an ox. Curling his tail, he tossed her onto his back.

The demon fox flew swiftly on the wind. Cheng Xi was caught off guard and nearly thrown off, but her quick reflexes allowed her to grab onto his fur.

The demon fox: …

In just a few breaths, they returned to the small courtyard. Baohua hurriedly opened the door, noticing Cheng Xi’s pale face. She brought a bowl of porridge to her.

Cheng Xi was surprised. “You made this?”

Baohua nodded.

“You don’t mind water and fire…” Cheng Xi grabbed Baohua’s hand and saw her fingertips curled and burned.

Baohua quickly withdrew her hand, smiling broadly.

Cheng Xi was silent for a moment, then looked at Baohua seriously. “Once I’m better, I’ll make you a new talisman to protect against fire and water.”

Baohua’s smile stiffened. What did that mean?

Did she have to be her cook from now on?

Wasn’t this biting the hand that fed her?

Cheng Xi saw Baohua’s stiff face and found the porridge even sweeter.

Serves you right for being disobedient!

After drinking the porridge, Cheng Xi went upstairs to sleep. She was utterly exhausted. The Cheng family, Cheng Yunjian, the four-eyed demon fox—all that didn’t matter right now.

The demon fox stared blankly as Cheng Xi left.

Baohua, being a paper doll, didn’t feel tired, but the demon fox was a living being. Knowing Cheng Xi needed rest, Baohua nudged the demon fox and pointed toward an empty room.

Unable to resist, the demon fox asked, “Does she always do this?”

Baohua nodded. Isn’t this normal?

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If you’re tired, you need to rest.

Baohua’s expression was perfectly righteous. The demon fox wondered if the problem was with him, then stiffly walked to the room assigned to him.

He needed to use his fox brain to seriously consider this. Both this human and this paper doll were unusual. Whether he should stay was an important question.

The next day, Cheng Xi slept until noon. Her stomach growled. She’d been hungry quickly and eating a lot lately, which was a good sign—it meant her body was gradually recovering.

Though the recovery was slow.

She went downstairs but froze at the corner.

What kind of battlefield was this?

Jiang Boyu was staring intently at the four-eyed demon fox, who was lying on Baohua’s shoulder, deliberately wagging his tail in provocation.

Seeing Cheng Xi, Jiang Boyu’s expression grew complicated. “Miss Cheng, what’s going on here?”

“I’d like to know too,” Cheng Xi responded innocently as she descended. “Lord Jiang, wasn’t the four-eyed demon fox personally escorted back to the capital by the chief? How is he here?”

The demon fox blinked wide-eyed at Cheng Xi. Who was craftier than a fox? His lie was so natural that if he hadn’t made a deal with Cheng Xi last night, Jiang Boyu would truly believe she was clueless.

Jiang Boyu, meeting Cheng Xi’s startled gaze, thought for a moment, then looked at the demon fox. “He must have escaped again.”

“Then, Lord Jiang, why not capture him again?” Cheng Xi smiled.

The demon fox’s fur flared with anger. “Who can catch me without Li Zhian here?”

Jiang Boyu stumbled, nearly falling. He stared at the demon fox. “You can talk?”

He hadn’t heard a single word from him during all that time in the Tongtian Bureau!

The demon fox said proudly, “Of course I can.”

So why hadn’t he spoken before? Jiang Boyu glanced at Cheng Xi, then at the demon fox, his expression very complicated.

Wanting to resolve the demon fox’s matter quickly, Cheng Xi said to Jiang Boyu, “Lord Jiang, please sit. Since the demon fox has returned, he must have grievances. Why not hear him out?”

Jiang Boyu’s face darkened as he looked at the demon fox. “You have taken lives. I must capture you.” Then he glanced at Cheng Xi. “Miss Cheng, this four-eyed demon fox has been cultivating for a long time and is very cunning. Don’t be deceived.”

As Jiang Boyu finished speaking, a dark shadow suddenly lunged forward. He quickly retreated and drew his Silver Moon Bow, aiming at the demon fox.

Cheng Xi glanced at Baohua, who suddenly stretched out her long arms and grabbed the demon fox’s nape.

Jiang Boyu: …

There’s something I’m not sure if I should say or not!