Hu Xiaoyu quickly noticed the way A-Jiu moved—measured steps, silent breath, the bearing of a trained fighter.
It didn't matter. His martial arts had been honed under Yu Tan himself for ten long years. And as a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, his natural talent soared far beyond ordinary cultivation.
The bout didn't last long—barely enough to shake a single chair.
Less than five minutes later, Hu Xiaoyu stood unscathed, while A-Jiu knelt on one knee, cradling his wrist, a dusty footprint marking his chest.
The room froze in stunned silence.
Yu Tan's eyes darkened with intrigue, a soft chuckle slipping from his lips. "Interesting."
Hu Xiaoyu turned to his opponent. "Want another round?"
A-Jiu eyed him warily, then shook his head.
Instead of gloating, Hu Xiaoyu walked over and helped him up, kneading the injured wrist lightly.
A-Jiu's caution turned into a surprise. The tendon—damaged years ago, aching even in calm weather—suddenly felt whole again, as though it had never been hurt.
Hu Xiaoyu had infused a thread of spiritual energy, and immediately regretted the drain. Still, he was a demon. A-Jiu was only human. Winning had hardly been fair. And this man belonged to Yu Tan—on some level, they were allies. A little lost energy was worth it.
He said nothing, but inwardly swelled with pride.
Hands clasped behind his back, he approached Yu Tan, tilted his snow-pale face up, fox eyes glimmering. "So? Am I qualified now?"
Yu Tan narrowed his eyes. "Who taught you that ancient martial art?"
The youth's gaze flickered with nostalgia, a soft pride. "Someone… very special."
"Is that so? If he's available, ask him to be my bodyguard instead."
Hu Xiaoyu laughed, bright and unguarded, cheeks puffing ever so slightly. Irresistibly charming. "Then could you praise me? Just once? On behalf of my master?"
There was something strange in the way he asked—hopeful, almost desperate, as if reaching for something half-remembered.
"No," Yu Tan said flatly.
Honestly, the boy's face was growing more irritating by the second. No one in this room looked at him with true goodwill—what was there to smile about?
Yu Tan reached out and pinched his cheek. No meaning, just the urge to spoil that infuriatingly bright smile. And perhaps—it did feel strangely satisfying.
Hu Xiaoyu didn't resist. He leaned closer, radiating a blind trust, like a newborn creature seeking warmth.
Parent…?
The thought unsettled him. He let go abruptly, voice cold. "Stand properly."
Hu Xiaoyu rubbed his cheek with a lazy drawl. "Got it~ Your hand's freezing. Want me to warm it?"
Yu Tan: "..."
For a brief moment, he looked almost like a long-suffering spouse being teased. Shi Jingyang couldn't hold back a snort, stifling his laughter under Yu Tan's cutting glare.
No rejection meant permission.
Hu Xiaoyu eagerly reached out.
His spiritual energy was nearly spent, but enough remained to warm Yu Tan's hand.
Yu Tan slapped his hands away, a vein twitching. "No need."
If it were anyone else, he'd have had them thrown out. But A-Jiu couldn't beat him. And doing it himself—undignified.
Hu Xiaoyu pouted, then cast a glance around the room. Ah—he understood.
Too many people. Yu Tan was shy.
Alright. Later.
The others quickly looked away, pretending innocence, though their minds spun with speculation.
Defying Yu Tan openly and still unscathed? Looks really like armor.
Warming hands? These two must-have history…
The tension thickened, until the manager arrived, pushing a food cart.
Of course, the dishes weren't prepared solely for Hu Xiaoyu. If the others weren't hungry, they could abstain.
Hu Xiaoyu politely offered first. The heirs declined with vague gestures.
He ladled a bowl of soup for Yu Tan, carefully picking out scallions and cilantro before placing it before him.
Shi Jingyang couldn't help blurting out, "How did you know he didn't like those?"
Hu Xiaoyu's lips curved, sly and sweet. "I know everything."
Yu Tan: "..."
He had no patience for words. The only thought in his head: when this boy left, investigate every detail of his past.
Though he'd asked for fish, Hu Xiaoyu sampled every dish. He ate quietly, rhythmically, with refined grace—like a scion raised under old-world tutelage. His joy was contagious; the very act of eating seemed like a charm.
Ren Zhifan coughed lightly, nudging Shi Jingyang. "Strange… why do I feel hungry?"
Shi Jingyang grinned, passed him chopsticks. "Let's eat a little."
The room warmed, shifting into the air of a casual banquet. Laughter and clinking utensils replaced stiff silence.
Only Yu Tan remained cold.
Hu Xiaoyu noticed. Somehow, the fish in his mouth lost all taste. The Yu Tan of old had smiled more.
Still, he remembered Yu Tan disliked noise. He offered the soup bowl. "Try it. It's good." Not as good as what you used to make…
The room froze again. All eyes darted sidelong.
Yu Tan lowered his gaze. His coldness ebbed. After a beat, he lifted the spoon and sipped.
Not bad.
He set it down, smirking faintly. "Not hungry. You finish it."
"Oh." Hu Xiaoyu drank the rest in gulps, as if that were perfectly natural.
As if it had always been so.
The heirs exchanged looks, unable to hide their shock.
Hu Xiaoyu, oblivious—or uncaring—focused only on Yu Tan. Unless someone sprouted a tail, they hardly existed.
He stretched with satisfaction. "That soup really hit the spot."
Yu Tan: "..."
Hopeless. Utterly hopeless.
A century ago, as a little fox, he'd often steal bites of Yu Tan's food—snacks, tea, tonics.
Soup now was nothing new.
If the bowl were bigger, he'd probably swim in it.
Yu Tan rose abruptly, unwilling to endure another moment of this ridiculous atmosphere. He left first.
Hu Xiaoyu immediately followed.
A-Jiu flexed his healed wrist, silently trailing behind.
In the underground garage, A-Jiu went to fetch the car.
Yu Tan turned, eyes cold. "Think carefully. If you're going to follow me, no second thoughts. Otherwise, you'll leave something behind."
"What?"
His gaze swept like a blade over Hu Xiaoyu's limbs.
The boy rubbed his arms. Without his fox fur, the chill bit deep. Still, he nodded earnestly. "Whatever you want, I'll give it."
He had come to repay a debt. Anything Yu Tan asked, he would give. What frightened him was the thought Yu Tan might want nothing at all.
Yu Tan turned away without a word. Give anything? Not even a child would believe such nonsense.
Hu Xiaoyu blinked, confused by his displeasure.
Upset again… but why?
Yu Tan's long strides carried him ahead, near 1.9 meters of cold distance.
Hu Xiaoyu skipped after him, light-footed. "Why are you upset?"
Yu Tan stopped, glanced down. His voice was ice. "Because you talk too much."
Hu Xiaoyu puffed his cheeks, and wagged a finger before his face. "One last thing. Can I hold your hand?"