Hu Xiaoyu quickly noticed that A-Jiu moved with steady steps and silent breath—clearly, a skilled fighter.
But that didn't matter. His martial arts had been taught by Yu Tan himself, over ten full years. As a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, his talent went far beyond spiritual cultivation.
Their sparring didn't last long—not even enough to disturb a single chair in the room.
Less than five minutes.
Hu Xiaoyu was still standing upright. A-Jiu now had a dusty footprint on his chest, was cradling his wrist, and knelt on one knee.
Everyone else stared in shock.
Yu Tan's eyes darkened with intrigue. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Interesting."
Hu Xiaoyu turned to A-Jiu. "Still want to go another round?"
A-Jiu glanced up, warily eyeing Hu Xiaoyu, and shook his head.
Hu Xiaoyu walked over, helped him up, and lightly kneaded the man's wrist.
A-Jiu's wariness instantly turned to surprise.
The tendon that had once nearly been severed—always aching even in calm weather—suddenly stopped hurting. As if it had never been injured.
Hu Xiaoyu had channeled a bit of his spiritual energy to heal A-Jiu, and he felt an immense pang of regret over it.
Still, he was a demon; A-Jiu was just a human. It was hardly a fair win. Besides, A-Jiu was Yu Tan's man. Technically, they were all on the same side. Losing a bit of energy? Worth it.
He did the good deed in silence but felt smugly pleased with himself.
With his hands behind his back, he walked up to Yu Tan, leaned in slightly, his snow-pale face tilted up with sparkling fox eyes. "So? Am I qualified now?"
Yu Tan narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who taught you your ancient martial arts?"
Then he saw the youth's gaze flicker—filled with nostalgia and pride. "Someone... very special."
"Is that so? If he's available, ask him if he'd like to be my bodyguard instead."
"Sure!" Hu Xiaoyu broke into a bright laugh, eyes curving into crescents. The little chubbiness on his cheeks puffed slightly, making him irresistibly cute. "But could you praise me? Just once? On behalf of my master?"
There was something strange and hopeful in the way he asked, like he was feeling around for something that had once been familiar.
"No," Yu Tan replied bluntly.
Honestly, he found this boy's face increasingly irritating.
No one in this room looked at him with genuine goodwill, so what was there to be happy about?
He raised a hand and pinched Hu Xiaoyu's soft cheek—puffed slightly from smiling.
No special meaning. Just found the smile annoying. Wanted to ruin it.
Or maybe... it really did look satisfying to pinch.
Hu Xiaoyu didn't resist—instead, he leaned closer. Like a newborn animal finding its parent, he radiated an odd sense of trust and attachment.
Parent...?
Yu Tan let go abruptly, his tone cold: "Stand up straight."
Hu Xiaoyu rubbed his cheek and drawled, "Got it~ Your hand's freezing. Want me to warm it up for you?"
This wasn't the olden days—why was Yu Tan acting like some grumpy schoolmaster, picking at every tiny detail?
Yu Tan: "..."
For a second, he looked like a decent housewife being teased. Shi Jingyang couldn't help but snort. He quickly covered it up under Yu Tan's icy glare, but his shoulders still trembled with suppressed laughter.
No rejection meant silent permission.
Hu Xiaoyu eagerly reached out his little paws.
He didn't have much spiritual energy left, but he still had enough to warm Yu Tan's hands.
Yu Tan swatted his hands away, a vein twitching on his forehead. "No need."
If it were anyone else this annoying, he'd have asked A-Jiu to throw them out. But A-Jiu couldn't best Hu Xiaoyu. And doing it himself? Too undignified.
Hu Xiaoyu gave him a look of exaggerated injustice, then glanced around the room.
Ah, understood now.
Too many people. Yu Tan was shy.
Alright then. Wait until they got home.
Everyone in the room, having been stared down by Hu Xiaoyu, sat quietly with faces full of innocence—but minds swirling with juicy gossip.
'Openly defiant in front of Yu Tan, and still safe and sound? Clearly, looks are the best form of armor.'
'Warming hands? These two must've had history…'
The atmosphere grew thick and strangely electric.
Then, the silence was broken by the manager, pushing in a food cart.
Naturally, he hadn't just prepared food for Hu Xiaoyu alone. If the others weren't hungry, they could simply choose not to eat.
Hu Xiaoyu politely asked if anyone wanted food. Everyone demurred with vague gestures—they didn't have much appetite.
He ladled a bowl of soup for Yu Tan first, carefully picking out the scallions and cilantro before placing it in front of him.
Shi Jingyang couldn't hold it in. "How did you know he doesn't like those?"
Hu Xiaoyu, ever the clever little fox, easily caught the unspoken words. "I know everything."
Yu Tan: "..."
He had no interest in talking anymore. The only thought in his head was: once Hu Xiaoyu was gone, have someone investigate everything about him. No detail too small.
Though he said he came for fish, Hu Xiaoyu ate much more than that.
He started with a bit of soup to whet his appetite, then sampled every dish. If he liked something, he'd take another bite. He only began eating fish at the very end.
He ate with quiet rhythm and grace, every motion refined and elegant—like something out of a bygone era. The kind of education that seeps into every gesture.
His joy in eating, the peace on his face—combined with that stunning appearance—was like some sort of spell. Everyone watching suddenly felt… hungry.
Ren Zhifan, who had been silently observing beside Shi Jingyang, gave a discreet cough and nudged his friend with an elbow. "It's late… why do I feel kinda hungry?"
Shi Jingyang got the hint and nodded in full agreement.
He bent down, grabbed two pairs of chopsticks, and passed one over. "Yeah, let's eat a little."
And just like that, the room buzzed back to life.
It didn't feel like Nightfall's VIP room anymore—more like an impromptu banquet at a traditional restaurant. Everyone joined in without a word of instruction.
Amid all the noise, Yu Tan alone remained cold and distant.
Hu Xiaoyu noticed, and for some reason, the fish in his mouth lost all flavor.
The old Yu Tan used to smile more.
Still, he remembered Yu Tan didn't like noisy environments. He picked up the soup bowl and offered it. "Try it. It's pretty good." Then added in his heart: Not quite as good as what you used to make…
The entire room froze.
No one dared to look directly, but subtle side-eyes were thrown, waiting to see what would happen next.
Yu Tan lowered his gaze. Most of the coldness had faded.
After a beat, he took the spoon from the bowl Hu Xiaoyu was holding and sipped a small mouthful.
It wasn't bad.
He placed the spoon back and gave a faint smirk. "Not hungry. You can have the rest."
"Oh," Hu Xiaoyu replied, unfazed, and finished the soup in a few gulps.
As if that was how it should be.
Shi Jingyang and Ren Zhifan exchanged a glance and quietly resumed eating. But the shock in their eyes lingered like ripples in a pond.
Others with weaker composure couldn't even swallow properly.
Hu Xiaoyu didn't notice—or maybe didn't care. His attention was solely on Yu Tan. Unless someone grew a tail or something, he probably wouldn't look twice.
He stretched his arms, satisfied. "That soup really hit the spot."
Yu Tan: "..."
He closed his eyes. What a hopeless little idiot.
In truth, a hundred years ago, when Hu Xiaoyu was still a small fox, he used to sneak food from Yu Tan all the time.
Snacks, tea, tonic soup…
So drinking some soup now? Totally normal.
If the bowl were any bigger, he'd probably swim in it.
Yu Tan couldn't stand how whipped everyone in the room looked. He stood and left first.
Hu Xiaoyu immediately followed.
A-Jiu glanced at his healed wrist and made no move to compete. He silently followed them out.
Down in the underground parking garage, A-Jiu went to fetch the car.
Yu Tan turned to look at the boy tailing him like a shadow. "Think carefully. If you're going to follow me, no second thoughts. Otherwise, you'll have to leave something behind."
"Leave what?"
Yu Tan's gaze swept over his limbs, sharp as a blade.
Hu Xiaoyu rubbed his arms. Without his fox fur, he really did feel chilly. Still, he dutifully replied, "Doesn't matter. Whatever you want, I'll give it."
He'd come to repay a debt. No matter what Yu Tan asked, he'd give it. He was only afraid Yu Tan wouldn't want anything at all.
Yu Tan turned and walked off, not even bothering to sneer.
Give anything?
Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe a lie like that.
Hu Xiaoyu sensed his displeasure and blinked in confusion.
Upset again… but why?
Yu Tan was tall—nearly 1.9 meters. With those long legs, a few strides left Hu Xiaoyu far behind.
Hu Xiaoyu didn't walk like him. He skipped and bounced after him. "Why are you upset?"
Yu Tan stopped, looked down at the boy beside him, and said coldly, "Because you talk too much."
Hu Xiaoyu puffed his cheeks and wiggled a finger in front of Yu Tan's face. "One last thing. Can I hold your hand?"