Hu Xiaoyu had no real reason to drag the original host's past into the present.
He and the boy who once owned this body were now separate beings. For a fox spirit mingling in the human world, revisiting old grievances was strictly forbidden.
But he simply couldn't hold it back.
The way Li Yu used to torment the original host—every detail of it lingered sharply in Hu Xiaoyu's memory.
And this man… this despicable man, who had done such vile things yet still strutted about with arrogance—how could that be tolerated?
Inside the restaurant stood not only Yu Tan, Hu Xiaoyu, Liu Luanzhou, and Ah Jiu, but also several of Liu Luanzhou's companions, the manager, and a handful of staff waiting nearby.
Everyone's gaze moved between Hu Xiaoyu and Li Yu. It didn't take long for them to reach a conclusion:
Hu Xiaoyu was dazzling, undeniably striking, while Li Yu's face flushed with shame—clearly hiding something.
Li Yu wasn't just the pampered son of a wealthy family; he was also a B-list celebrity, accustomed to basking in the spotlight. Normally, he thrived under attention.
But now? Every look directed his way made him want nothing more than to silence Hu Xiaoyu immediately.
Even without Yu Tan speaking a word, his silent presence at Hu Xiaoyu's side was enough to terrify Li Yu into caution. He dared not act recklessly.
In desperation, he turned to Liu Luanzhou. "Cousin… I'm a public figure…"
That single line told Liu Luanzhou everything.
Li Yu was spoiled, yes—but if he hadn't been in the wrong, he would never have tried to play the victim.
Suppressing a sigh, Liu Luanzhou looked at Hu Xiaoyu. "There are too many people here. Why don't we continue this in a private room?"
If Li Yu had truly erred, Liu Luanzhou would make him apologize. But Li Yu was still family, and he couldn't allow him to be publicly humiliated.
As he spoke, he gestured for the manager to lead the way. Private rooms usually required reservations, but for men like Liu Luanzhou and Yu Tan, there was always a door open.
He didn't even think about asking Hu Xiaoyu's opinion. In the past, although the boy had been aloof and reserved, he was softhearted, and had never refused Liu Luanzhou anything.
Surely he would agree now.
The manager took half a step forward—only to freeze when a clear, ringing voice interrupted:
"No. We'll talk here."
It was Hu Xiaoyu.
Gasps rippled through the room. He had just refused Liu Luanzhou.
A man behind Liu scoffed, unable to hold his tongue. "Hu Xiaoyu, do you even realize who you're speaking to?"
Hu Xiaoyu sifted through the original's memories and placed the face—Xu Wei.
He had mocked the original host countless times, calling him a country bumpkin. More than that, he had once publicly confessed to Li Yu.
At first glance, Hu Xiaoyu seemed to falter, as if Xu Wei had caught him off guard.
But then Yu Tan, still clasping Hu Xiaoyu's hand, suddenly tightened his grip. His sharp gaze swept the room like a blade as he frowned.
Aren't you that useless nobody from the Liu family? Or was it the Sun family? My Xiaoyu is timid. He doesn't bother with small fry.
But me? I'm curious. Why don't you crawl over here and kneel?
The entire room was still.
No one believed that Yu Tan—famed for his terrifying intelligence, with an IQ rumored to surpass 200—had truly forgotten Xu Wei's name.
Yu Tan seldom wasted words. But when he did, every syllable cut like a blade.
The cold contempt in his tone left Xu Wei's face burning with humiliation—an agony far worse than Li Yu's embarrassment earlier.
Clenching his fists, Xu Wei muttered, "My surname isn't Sun."
And then he stopped there. Not another word. Not even a defense.
In Shen City's social circles, Xu Wei was "Young Master Xu." But compared to Yu Tan, who commanded a corporate empire, he was less than nothing. Even his own father wouldn't dare cross Yu Tan.
Liu Luanzhou frowned and gave Xu Wei a placating pat on the shoulder.
"Yu Tan, sharp-tongued as always."
Yu Tan raised an eyebrow, unmoved.
"Thank you. And you, Young Master Liu, still can't tell black from white. Now that is truly impressive."
Then he bent and pinched Hu Xiaoyu's cheek, murmuring, "If you've got something to say, say it. Didn't you say you were hungry?"
Whether Yu Tan's care for Hu Xiaoyu was real or feigned, his stance was clear:
What was his could be toyed with however he pleased. But no one else had the right to so much as sneer.
Hu Xiaoyu's mind caught on those two words—"My Xiaoyu."
Yu Tan used to call him "my little fox."
Fox or fish, it didn't matter.
As long as he was Yu Tan's, it was enough.
Eyes shining, Hu Xiaoyu looked Liu Luanzhou in the eye.
"Brother Liu, I'd rather speak here. You know the saying—'A straight body casts no crooked shadow.' If Li Yu is afraid, it's only because he knows he's guilty. Isn't that right?"
Liu Luanzhou found himself speechless beneath Hu Xiaoyu's clear, unwavering gaze.
"You're lying!" Li Yu blurted. "Stop slandering me! You've never been good enough for my cousin—trying to get attention now is pathetic!"
Hu Xiaoyu answered calmly: "I have proof."
Li Yu froze.
Hu Xiaoyu pressed on. "I recorded our calls. I still have our chat logs. It wasn't just a lie about the vacation villa. Half of my illness back then was because of your bullying. Do you want me to make everything public?"
In truth, he had long since deleted the evidence and blocked Li Yu. But with a touch of spiritual energy, he could probably restore it.
As for the recordings—pure fabrication.
Two young men, nearly the same age, stood locked in confrontation.
Li Yu had climbed to the B-list not only through family influence but also by his handsome looks. Against the timid, bedraggled Hu Xiaoyu of the past, he had always seemed untouchable.
But now, Hu Xiaoyu gleamed like a freshly polished pearl, making Li Yu look small and mean in comparison.
Li Yu's face went pale. His lips trembled—but he couldn't speak.
Everyone present could see it: he was in the wrong. And Hu Xiaoyu held the upper hand.
Whispers began to stir. Wasn't Li Yu famed for treating his cousin kindly?
So that was just an act?
Yu Tan frowned, his voice heavy with disdain.
"A rising star with a rotten core. Screenshots, recordings… tch."
That last sound broke Li Yu.
His voice dropped to a whisper: "I'm sorry. It was my fault."
And with that, everything was settled.
Xu Wei stared at Li Yu in disbelief. Whether it was Yu Tan's crushing dominance or Li Yu's mask slipping away, he was too stunned to play the comforting friend as before.
Liu Luanzhou led the humiliated Li Yu out of the restaurant.
Dinner, needless to say, was ruined.
Yu Tan's group, however, ascended the stairs in calm composure.
Well—Yu Tan was calm.
Hu Xiaoyu, still swinging his hand happily in Yu Tan's, was practically glowing.
"Yu Tan, you're amazing!"
Yu-Tan-Is-So-Amazing had his arm tugged back and forth by the gleeful little fish.
Too tired to scold him, Yu Tan muttered, "We'll see if you're still smiling after the bill comes."
Later, Hu Xiaoyu wasn't smiling at all.
That single meal had devoured nearly a third of his monthly salary.
Yu Tan had never seen the little fool so crestfallen. And strangely—it amused him.
Flicking ash from his cigarette, he drawled, "What's wrong? Regret it already?"
Hu Xiaoyu's ears drooped. He gave a sheepish little smile.
"If I can only afford to treat you three times a month… does that make me completely useless?"
Yu Tan: "…"
He turned to gaze out the window, where the city glittered with neon light.
It was beautiful, yes—but all he could picture were those slightly downcast eyes.
A strange restlessness stirred in his chest.
"You know how many people would kill just for the chance to buy me dinner?" he said coldly. "Three times a month? Keep dreaming."
And yet… Hu Xiaoyu was the Hu family's young master. He certainly wasn't short on money.
Almost let the little idiot fool him.
Hu Xiaoyu brightened instantly.
Still, he vowed to earn more. To let Yu Tan spend his money—not anyone else's.
In his past life, he had eaten countless delicacies and worn the finest things given by Yu Tan.
A fox, however, must always repay kindness.
That night, on the way home, Hu Xiaoyu glanced down at his slightly rounded belly and sighed.
Oops. He'd eaten too much.
Beside him, Yu Tan leaned with eyes closed. Then, suddenly, he spoke:
"What reward do you want?"
"What?"
"Nothing extravagant. Since you behaved today, I'll grant you one not-too-outrageous wish."
"Can I become a celebrity?" Hu Xiaoyu asked at once.
Li Yu's appearance earlier had reminded him: if enough people liked him, he could absorb their affection and transform it into spiritual power.
And then, he could give it to Yu Tan—make him less pale, less sickly.
"No." Yu Tan rejected him coldly. "One day as a bodyguard and you've already quit. Now you want to be a star?"
If it were anyone else, Yu Tan wouldn't have minded offering resources.
But Hu Xiaoyu?
He was best kept close.
With a face like his, fame would come quickly. But fame also meant exposure—and distance.
Yu Tan never made losing deals.
"Then I don't want a reward anymore" Hu Xiaoyu wilted.
That night, sprawled on his bed with his game console, Hu Xiaoyu's phone buzzed.
A transfer—100,000 yuan. From Yu Tan.
They had only exchanged contact information during dinner.
Attached was a single word: Reward.
Hu Xiaoyu replied with a sticker of a kitten blissfully devouring a fish.