Guo Xuxu hurried downstairs. As soon as she reached the bottom, she saw a snow-white figure swiftly dart to her feet, and then with quick movements, it climbed up her leg and into her arms.
The housekeeper and bodyguards who had been chasing the little fox stopped in their tracks when they saw this.
At the same time, other members of the Jiang family also noticed the little fox curled up in Guo Xuxu's arms.
"Xuxu, this fox... did you bring it here?" Yao Lin was the first to react, looking surprised. "It's a fox! We have children in the house—what if it bites someone?"
"Of course it's her. I told you last night that the house doesn't allow it, but she didn't listen!" Jiang Suo also came downstairs when he heard the noise. Upon hearing this, he immediately fueled the fire.
"This is my pet fox, and it won't hurt anyone," Guo Xuxu spoke firmly, holding the little fox in her arms.
"Foxes are wild animals that are difficult to tame. Just because you say it won't hurt anyone, doesn't mean it won't," came the cold, indifferent voice of another young man, Jiang Han, who was about the same age as Guo Xuxu. He clearly wasn't very happy about her return.
Jiang Suo immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Exactly!"
Perhaps noticing Jiang Suo's repeated antagonism, the little fox raised its head from Guo Xuxu's arms and bared its teeth at him.
Jiang Suo immediately took a step back, pointing at the fox, shouting, "Look at it! Look at it!"
Then, another frightened voice rang out, "Mom! I'm scared! Make it go away! Get rid of it!"
That was Jiang Han's youngest daughter, Jiang Ying, who was six and a half years old. She was now holding onto Yao Lin's leg, hiding behind her in fear.
When Jiang Huai entered the scene, he saw Guo Xuxu holding the fox standing at the foot of the stairs, surrounded by a crowd, as though they were holding a public trial.
He instinctively smiled coldly. Stepping forward, he said, "The fox is something I promised Xuxu she could keep. If anyone has an objection, feel free to bring it up with me."
Upon hearing that Jiang Huai was the one who allowed it, the Jiang family cousins couldn't believe it.
At this point, Lu Xuexi stepped forward gently, her tone soft, "Cousin, we're not trying to target Xuxu. It's just that the fox came so suddenly, and Grandma...," she trailed off, her words implying something unspoken.
Everyone understood what she meant. Jiang Grandma didn't like pets with fur. The family had always banned them, especially because Grandma was in poor health and everyone tried not to defy her. If she came back to see a fox in the house, it would surely upset her, possibly even worsen her health.
Lu Xuexi was subtly reminding Jiang Huai that not everything could be decided by him.
Jiang Huai shot a brief glance at Lu Xuexi, and then smiled faintly, "I'll talk to Grandma about it."
Although he smiled, his tone was firm, showing no room for dispute.
He turned, then instructed the people behind him, "Set up the pet house in the east garden, and build a shed as well."
Only then did everyone notice that two workers were standing behind Jiang Huai, holding wooden boxes. It seemed that they were preparing a place for the fox to stay.
Guo Xuxu had gotten Jiang Huai's guarantee last night, but she never expected that early this morning, he had already prepared a home for the little fox.
With someone protecting her, she didn't need to worry about being a burden. She no longer had to take the fox back to the rented apartment.
It wasn't because of concern for her; it was just the way things were.
With Jiang Huai's bloodline suppressing the situation, no one dared to bring up any objections about the fox. They were all waiting for Jiang Grandma to return, and then they'd see how Jiang Huai would deal with it.
Unaware of everyone's thoughts, Guo Xuxu went upstairs, changed clothes, had breakfast, and then carefully brushed the little fox's fur to ensure each strand was sleek and shiny. Only then did she feel satisfied, hugging the fox and heading out.
Since she had gotten up late, it was already 10:30 in the morning when she left. She thought that by this time, Chu Beihe had probably already gone to work, but after the commotion last night, Guo Xuxu decided to visit and apologize in person.
To her surprise, Chu Beihe was at home.
Dressed in a full suit, impeccably neat from head to toe, he radiated golden light, making him appear as if he was bathed in a layer of gold, still dazzling and striking.
Guo Xuxu blinked a few times, adjusting to the sight. She then walked up, holding the little fox.
"Mr. Chu, you're home?" she asked.
Chu Beihe looked at her winking, his dark eyes becoming a little deeper. His expression was still cold, almost unreadable. His thin lips parted slightly, and he said, "You said you'd come first thing in the morning."
Guo Xuxu froze for a moment. She realized that, dressed like this, he was probably waiting for her because she said she'd come early. But... was he really waiting for her?
Wasn't this big shot's time worth millions per minute?
Could he really be so... free?
Guo Xuxu was focused on her visit, not realizing that Chu Beihe's main focus was on her saying "first thing in the morning."
One of Chu Beihe's compulsions was to always keep his word. She said she'd come early, so he waited. However, he didn't expect her "early" meant 10:30 AM.
"I'm really sorry about last night. My fox caused you some trouble. This is a peace talisman I carved, as an apology," Guo Xuxu said, handing over a pouch with a jade talisman inside. The talisman was carved by her, and the back bore symbols for good fortune.
Considering Chu Beihe's golden glow that even demons would avoid, she knew he wouldn't need the usual talismans for warding off evil. So, she chose this one instead. Plus, the jade used was of the highest quality, imbuing the talisman with pure spiritual energy. It was also a way to get on good terms with the "golden glow" big shot, in case she could somehow benefit from it.
Chu Beihe took the pouch but didn't open it immediately. He gestured to the housekeeper to take it, as though accepting her "apology."
Guo Xuxu couldn't help but remind him, "The peace talisman is most effective if kept on your person."
The housekeeper's action of putting it away in his suit pocket seemed to pause for a moment, but Chu Beihe didn't say anything. The pouch was simply placed in his pocket.
Seeing this, Guo Xuxu smiled in satisfaction.
With the "apology" out of the way, Chu Beihe stood up and was about to leave.
Guo Xuxu, still holding the little fox, followed him.
As they walked side by side, she secretly reached out, rubbing her hand through the golden glow around him. In the next second, she felt two golden sparks in her palm.
Guo Xuxu widened her eyes in surprise.
She actually rubbed off his golden glow!
"What are you doing?" Chu Beihe's cold voice came, as though he had noticed her little move.
Guo Xuxu was caught red-handed, but she remained calm, casually coming up with an excuse. "You're leaving. Can you give me a ride? I'm heading out too."
Chu Beihe narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her, then suddenly thought about the peace talisman she had given him.
A peace talisman, an apology, and a ride? She made efficient use of one talisman for two purposes.
He thought this silently but didn't show it, merely giving a slight nod.
Guo Xuxu smiled and, holding the little fox, got into the car with him.
Noticing Chu Beihe's gaze fall on the fox in her arms, she quickly explained, "I gave it a bath last night after bringing it home. It's clean now."
Chu Beihe pressed his lips together and asked, "Where are we going?"
Guo Xuxu's eyes flickered as she replied, "To the Song family."
She was going to earn some extra money.