Now she faced a decision that demanded an immediate answer.
Ye Zhibai stared at the message editing box on her phone.
She was debating whether to send the invitation to Little Qiu for Comic-Con.
Her conclusion was obvious.
Send it!
Why not?
No—why the hell not!
She had held back earlier because she suspected Little Qiu might not be one to trifle with. What if she turned out to be some tough customer who could get her in real trouble during a simple outing to Comic-Con?
But Guang Yu had just confirmed it.
Little Qiu was a kind and innocent girl!
What, did she think a sweet, pure girl like that was going to eat her alive?
Ridiculous!
Scummy Zhibai, the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong, realized her counterpart wasn’t a big bad wolf but a soft little lamb. In an instant, she puffed up with heroic grandeur and brimming confidence!
She finished typing up the message she had left unfinished before and sent it without a second thought.
“Little Qiu, are you from Qihai City? Turns out we’re hometown folks. I live right here in Qihai City. This Comic-Con looks kinda meh, but wanna hit it up together?”
Ye Zhibai hit send.
A long while passed with no reply.
The Little Fox wasn’t the sharpest; she tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Huh? Why isn’t she replying? Ohhh! I get it—that ‘better safe than sorry’ thing you were talking about! Tsk tsk, look how blunt you were. You must’ve spooked the poor girl. She doesn’t dare meet up now!”
“I’m saying, is it possible she’s not staring at her phone every second of the day? I literally just sent it.”
“You’ve got a point.”
“…”
Enough debating. Just wait for the reply.
Whether Little Qiu was tied up with something else or stunned by Ye Zhibai’s abrupt message, the response took far longer than expected.
But when it finally arrived, it matched the shocked reaction Ye Zhibai had predicted!
“Whoa!! For real?! Yezi, you’re from Qihai City too? Hometown buddies!! We’ve been chatting online for years, and we’re from the same place?! That’s way too coincidental!”
Right after came a “shocked meow” emoji.
Out of courtesy, Ye Zhibai fired back a “shocked doge” emoji.
One good shock deserved another.
They were even.
As for Ye Zhibai’s Comic-Con invite, Little Qiu took another moment before her next messages trickled in.
Her typing rhythm was clearly slower than usual, her word choice careful. Several times, the “typing…” indicator popped up, only for nothing to send.
Heh, it reminded Ye Zhibai of her university days, when she had gingerly prodded her professor about whether she’d scraped by on the exam.
Ye Zhibai waited patiently. The message came soon enough.
“So, if you’re going too, Yezi, then Comic-Con does sound fun. I’d love to. But before that, can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Um… don’t get mad, okay, Yezi? It’s about meeting IRL, right? Are you a guy or a girl? How tall are you? Do you know any martial arts?”
“…”
Even background checks weren’t this thorough!
She might as well ask for Ye Zhibai’s ID number!
Tempted as she was to fire off a snarky retort, Ye Zhibai replied promptly. She didn’t want to come off as evasive or guilty.
Inviting the girl to Comic-Con meant showing some sincerity first.
Out of sheer habit, she opened the keyboard.
And started to type “male.”
But Guang Yu was faster!
Her two little hands clapped onto Ye Zhibai’s cheeks with a sharp smack!
The Little Fox’s face was dead serious, laced with worry and a well-meaning warning.
“Wake up!! Ye Zhibai, you’re a girl! Remember that! Snap out of it! Self-delusion won’t cut it!”
Damn it!
I know!
Of course I know!
When reality stared humans in the face, they always had to bow their heads.
Ye Zhibai scowled, deleted the half-typed characters, and started over.
“I’m a girl, about five foot three. No martial arts.”
Straight answers to straight questions.
Perfectly parallel.
That was sincerity!
With the message sent, Ye Zhibai let out a breath of relief.
She turned to Guang Yu, raising an index finger to expound on the wonders of humanity.
“See that, Guang Yu? Cautious and vigilant—that’s a survival trait from our primitive ancestors. Always on guard against the jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards lurking nearby. Little Qiu’s the textbook example. She even asked if I know martial arts. Bet she’s worried I’d bully her if I did.”
“True enough. Your bedroom prowess leaves much to be desired. Otherwise, our divine power wouldn’t be recovering this slowly.”
“You’re like a cow listening to a harp. Buzz off.”
Talk about opening the wrong door!
This “kung fu” sure as hell wasn’t that “kung fu”!
Ye Zhibai brimmed with confidence. She could practically read Little Qiu’s mind.
Barr ing surprises, the next step would be a video call request to verify everything.
But no.
“No kidding! Yezi’s a girl too! Awesome!! I’m a girl as well—bet you didn’t see that coming! Now I’m totally at ease. I trust you. First time meeting an online friend had me all nervous, but we’re good! Alright, off to lunch. Catch you on Comic-Con day!”
Where was all that caution?
Come on, at least video call me! Don’t just take my word for it!
Guang Yu attempted a carp flip but flopped right back down.
She sprawled on the bed like a salted fish, hands folded over her flat chest, gazing blankly at the ceiling.
The Little Fox’s even tone reeked of sarcasm.
“Ohhh~ Humans really are so vigilant, forever watching for those jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards since primitive times~ Little Qiu’s the shining example. Ye Zhibai, doesn’t what you said just… linger in the air?”
Nice vocabulary, Guang Yu.
“Lingering echoes”—perfect for dialing up the snark.
Suddenly, Ye Zhibai’s phone buzzed!
Ecstasy!
See? Humans were cautious after all!
Here came the video call!
Guang Yu’s fox ears perked.
She immediately balled up into a fox curl, dodging any counter-slap!
Ye Zhibai and Guang Yu traded blows in their little battle, each move calculated!
Ye Zhibai snatched up her phone, victory all but in hand.
But the triumphant glee hidden beneath her calm expression evaporated before it could solidify.
The fox ball that was Guang Yu lifted her head from the crook of Ye Zhibai’s elbow, eyeing the outcome, ready to claim the high ground and keep sniping.
In truth, Guang Yu had scored a tactical win.
Because the caller wasn’t Little Qiu.
It was Lin Zihan.
And it was a voice call.
Ye Zhibai turned her back, unwilling to face Guang Yu’s insufferably smug grin.
A sore loser had to lose with dignity.
She tapped accept. The QQ call connected with a beep.
“Hello?”
“Little Bai’er! Been thinking of me?!”
“Goodbye.”
“Whoa, wait! My bad! Don’t hang up, Little Bai’er! I’ve got real business!”
If only she’d cut to the chase.
If you only knew—that selfie you sent yesterday was so stunning, it left me parched all night.
Ye Zhibai walked to the desk.
She grabbed her water cup and chugged half a glass of cool water to rehydrate.
Then she settled into the chair and listened quietly, curious what Lin Zihan had to say.
Lin Zihan’s opener made Ye Zhibai’s eyes light up!
“Listen, Little Bai’er! We talked yesterday about me weaving a new ring with that vine you gave me. It’s done, and I wanna hand it over ASAP.”
Oh!!
Her vine! It was finally coming home!
Ye Zhibai nodded, her tone even.
Inwardly, though, she buzzed with anticipation!
“Sure, that’s fine. Easier weaving the ring this time?”
“Yep! Worthy of Little Bai’er. This vine of yours is way more resilient than the scraps I scavenged before. It bends any which way without snapping. Incredible!”
“Naturally.”
Heh, feel free to call me the Vine Master!
Lin Zihan heaped praise on the vine before finally revealing the call’s purpose.
“Little Bai’er, you free to head out this afternoon? If not, I can drop the finished ring at your place. Uh… but give Zhiyun a heads-up first. If she’s not up for visitors, no biggie, but don’t let her deck me!”
You keep from spouting weirdness, and I doubt Zhiyun will lay a hand on you.
Face it—which time wasn’t it you prancing on the knife’s edge?
Ye Zhibai had half a mind to invite her over to the mansion.
But on second thought…
She already had dinner plans with Sister Liang that evening. She was heading out anyway, so the afternoon worked perfectly.
“I’ll swing by and pick it up this afternoon. Where can I find you?”
“I’ll be at the family flower shop. Sending you the address now. Yay! Little Bai’er’s coming to visit! I’ll have roses ready for you!”
“No.”
“You’re trying to get Yun’er to throw heavy punches at you again, aren’t you!”
She sent over the address. Ye Zhibai had originally been planning to hang up the call and head out to eat.
But then…
Lin Zihan seemed to suddenly remember something.
Right before hanging up, she added one more reminder.
“Oh, right, Little Bai’er! When you’re almost at the flower shop this afternoon, give me a call. I’ll come out to pick you up!”
“No need. I can find the flower shop on my own. I can just go by myself—no need to pick me up.”
“It’s not that!”
Ye Zhibai could sense that Lin Zihan’s tone had suddenly grown a bit anxious.
But just as quickly, it returned to its usual calm confidence. Zihan even teased her with a joke.
“My mama will be in the shop this afternoon too~ She doesn’t really like seeing customers who wander in without buying flowers. Even someone as cute as you, Little Zhibai, might not get the best welcome from her. So wouldn’t it be better if I take you for a stroll outside first!”
“Oh… sure?”
“Great! It’s a deal then! Talk soon—I’ve got to go make lunch now. See you this afternoon, Little Bai’er!”
“Mm.”
Beep, beep, beep.
The call ended.
Ye Zhibai stared at Lin Zihan’s profile picture—a cartoonish blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds.
For a moment, she felt utterly baffled.
What was that about her mama not liking customers who didn’t buy flowers?
As if I enjoy freeloading!
It’s just spending some money! Watch me grit my teeth, stomp my foot, and buy… cough… at least a single little red flower!
She pocketed her phone.
Turning back, Ye Zhibai patted Guang Yu on the shoulder.
“Guang Yu, pack your things. It’s time for us to head out this afternoon.”
“Oh~ Humans really are so cautious. Jackals and wolves… giraffe? Tigers and leopards?”
And you’re still dripping with sarcasm?!
Cut it out with the sarcasm already. First, come with me to check if that cactus you watered with boiling water can be saved.
They headed to the yard. After confirming that the cactus had well and truly croaked, Ye Zhibai dragged Guang Yu back into the room.
“Ye Zhibai, what are we doing now!”
“Eating.”
With all that racket from the kitchen, didn’t you hear?
Obviously, Yun’er had charred the red-braised pork earlier.
Don’t always sit back and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor. Times like this, you need to pitch in and help out. Got it, you scummy fox!
There was still plenty to handle that afternoon and evening.
She needed to eat her fill to keep her strength up!
“Jackals, wolves, tigers, leopards…”
“From now on, ‘jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards’ is banned. Say it again, and Fox Carrot’s warning you.”
“Oh. Tigers, leopards, jackals, wolves.”
“……”
