Guan Xuxu hurried downstairs. As soon as she reached the bottom, a snowy white figure darted to her feet and nimbly climbed up her leg, scurrying all the way into her arms.
The butler and bodyguards chasing the little fox skidded to a halt at the sight.
At the same time, the rest of the Jiang family noticed the little fox huddled in Guan Xuxu's embrace.
"Xuxu, you didn't bring this fox here yourself, did you?" Yao Lin was the first to react, her face filled with astonishment. "This is a fox! There are children in the house what if it bites someone?"
"It was definitely her! I said last night that pets weren't allowed inside, but she wouldn't listen!" Jiang Su had also come downstairs after hearing the commotion, and he immediately fanned the flames.
"This is my fox, but it won't hurt anyone without reason," Guan Xuxu said with a firm tone, holding the little creature close.
"Foxes are wild animals and hard to tame. Do you expect us to believe it won't bite just because you say so?"
Another youth, roughly the same age as Guan Xuxu, spoke up. This was Jiang Han from the second branch of the family. His gaze was cold, clearly indicating that he was not particularly welcoming of Guan Xuxu's return.
Jiang Su immediately chimed in. "Exactly! Exactly!"
Perhaps sensing Jiang Su's repeated hostility, the little fox lifted its head from Guan Xuxu's arms, turned around, and bared its teeth fiercely at him.
Jiang Su instantly recoiled a step, pointing at the fox and yelling, "Look at it! Look at it!"
Then, a high-pitched, childish voice rang out in fear. "Mama! I'm scared! Make it go away! Make it go away!"
This was the youngest daughter of the second branch, Jiang Ying. She was six and a half years old, and at that moment, she was clinging to Yao Lin's leg, hiding behind her in terror.
This was the scene Jiang Huai walked into. Guan Xuxu stood at the base of the stairs, clutching the fox, while a crowd surrounded her as if they were holding a public criticism session.
The habitual smile on Jiang Huai's lips turned slightly cold as he walked forward. He simply stated, "I gave Xuxu permission to raise the fox. If any of you have an issue, you can take it up with me."
Hearing that Jiang Huai was the one who had allowed it, the cousins were incredulous.
Beside them, Lu Xuexi stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "Cousin, we aren't trying to target Xuxu. It's just that the fox appeared so suddenly, and then there's Grandmother's side..."
She spoke with hesitation, but everyone knew exactly what she meant.
Old Madam Jiang disliked furry pets, and the family had long been forbidden from keeping them. The old lady was in poor health, and the family usually didn't dare to defy her. She was currently resting at a mountain resort, but if she returned to find a fox in the house, wouldn't she be driven ill by anger?
Lu Xuexi was essentially reminding Jiang Huai that he couldn't make every decision for his sister.
Jiang Huai's almond eyes swept over Lu Xuexi with a faint glance before he offered a slight smile. "I will handle Grandmother's side of things."
Though he was smiling, his tone brooked no argument.
He then turned to address the people following him.
"Set up the pet house near the eastern garden and put up a shed."
Only then did the crowd notice the two workers standing behind Jiang Huai, carrying crates of timber. It seemed he had even prepared the fox's living quarters.
Although Guan Xuxu had received Jiang Huai's promise the night before, she hadn't expected him to have everything ready for the little fox so early in the morning.
Her grip on Hu Piaoliang tightened slightly. Guan Xuxu abandoned her original plan to suggest sending the fox back to her rental apartment.
Since someone was acting as her shield, she wasn't about to drag them down by retreating.
That wouldn't be consideration; it would be weakness.
Faced with Jiang Huai's natural dominance, Jiang Su and the others didn't dare say anything else about the fox. They would simply wait for Old Madam Jiang to return and see how Jiang Huai would protect Guan Xuxu then.
Guan Xuxu didn't care what they were thinking. She carried Hu Piaoliang upstairs, changed her clothes, and ate breakfast. Afterward, she solemnly groomed the fox's fur, ensuring every strand was sleek and glossy. Only then did she pick up the little fellow and head out.
Because she had woken up late, it was already ten-thirty in the morning by the time she left. She assumed Chu Beihe would have already gone to his office, but after the scene the previous night, she decided she had to visit him to apologize.
To her surprise, Chu Beihe was actually at home.
Dressed in a meticulously tailored suit, looking refined from head to toe, he was clearly outfitted for work. He sat there casually, his body emitting a Golden Light that seemed to plate him in a layer of shimmering aura, as dazzling and eye-catching as ever.
Guan Xuxu blinked a few times to adjust her eyes before stepping forward with the little fox.
"Young Master Chu is home, I see."
Chu Beihe watched her blink at him, his dark pupils deepening with an unreadable depth. His face remained cold and expressionless. His thin lips parted slightly as he said, "You said you would come first thing in the morning."
Guan Xuxu was momentarily stunned. Was the Big Boss in his full gear at home because she had said she would come to apologize, and he was... waiting for her?
Surely not?
Isn't the time of a Big Boss worth millions every minute?
Was he really that... free?
Guan Xuxu focused on the visit itself, but she didn't realize that Chu Beihe's focus had been on the words "first thing."
One of the Great Demon King's obsessions was keeping his word. She said she would come early, he listened, and so he waited.
He just hadn't expected her "early morning" to mean ten-thirty.
"I'm truly sorry about last night. My fox caused you quite a bit of trouble. This is a Peace Talisman I carved myself; please accept it as an apology."
Guan Xuxu handed over a silk pouch containing a Jade Plaque. She had carved it by hand, and the back was inscribed with runes meant to invite auspiciousness and blessings.
Considering that Chu Beihe was covered in a Golden Light that most evil spirits wouldn't dare approach, a standard evil-warding talisman would be useless to him, so she had chosen this instead.
Furthermore, the Jade Plaque was made of high-quality jade rich in spirit energy, making the effect even purer. This was also an effort to build a good relationship with the Golden Light boss in advance perhaps she would get more chances to sponge off his Golden Light.
Chu Beihe took the pouch but didn't open it. He raised his hand to have the butler take it, considering the apology accepted.
Seeing this, Guan Xuxu couldn't help but remind him, "The Peace Talisman only works if you carry it on your person."
Chu Beihe's movement stalled. He waved the butler away and tucked the silk pouch into his suit pocket.
Guan Xuxu smiled with satisfaction.
Seeing that the apology process was complete, Chu Beihe didn't linger and rose to leave.
Guan Xuxu followed him out, carrying the little fox.
As they walked side by side, she covertly reached out toward the Golden Light surrounding him, making a scooping motion. A second later, two specks of golden light were caught in her palm.
Guan Xuxu's eyes widened slightly.
She actually managed to sponge some!
"What are you doing?" Chu Beihe asked coldly, clearly having noticed her small gesture.
Caught red-handed, Guan Xuxu remained perfectly calm and came up with a random excuse. "Since you're heading out, could you give me a lift? I happen to be going out as well."
Chu Beihe looked at her suspiciously. Then, his mind flicked back to the Peace Talisman she had just given him.
One talisman used as an apology and a way to get a ride; she certainly was efficient.
Though he thought this, his face showed nothing. He gave a reluctant nod.
Guan Xuxu hopped into the car with the little fox.
Noticing Chu Beihe's gaze linger on the fox in her arms with a scrutinizing look, she quickly explained, "I gave it a bath after I brought it home last night. It's clean."
Chu Beihe pursed his lips and asked simply, "Where to?"
Guan Xuxu's eyes flickered. "To the Song family."
She was going to earn some side money.
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