Chapter Five: Big Brother, Don’t Mess with the New Account
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Dongfang Jibai stared intently at Ji Ci, recalling the first words Ji Ci had spoken. Could the annihilation of the Dongfang family be connected to something that happened at the Flower Viewing Banquet? But if that were the case, not attending the princess’s banquet would only make him appear more arrogant and presumptuous, taking advantage of his favor.
“Full now, let’s go out for a stroll,” Ji Ci said, spitting out a chicken bone and rubbing her round belly.
She jumped straight down from the table.
Just as Ji Ci was about to sneak away, Dongfang Jibai grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
“Come, I just happen to want to buy you some clothes,” Dongfang Jibai said.
“Buy clothes for me? I’m a fox, big brother. Have you lost your mind?” Ji Ci exclaimed loudly.
Did this man have some strange fetish for dressing foxes? It was like forcing a sow to wear a bra—one ridiculous outfit after another!
Before they could go out, an invitation arrived from the princess’s residence.
Jibai hurried in, the gilded invite glowing with an air of wealth.
“Master, this is from the princess’s manor,” he whispered. “The messenger said it must be handed to you personally.”
Ji Ci lifted her little head and sniffed delicately near Jibai. The invitation carried a faintly sweet, cloying scent, reminiscent of “Spring Breeze Drunkenness.”
“Tsk, the smell of desire,” Ji Ci murmured, shaking her head.
Dongfang Jibai didn’t accept the invitation but nodded. “Tell the princess I will attend the banquet tomorrow.”
Ji Ci looked up at Jibai’s chin, her eyes darting as her claws twitched restlessly.
“If Dongfang Jibai becomes impotent, then he won’t be able to sleep with the princess, right? Then no need to marry her. I’ll just slip him something strong.”
[System: Detected attempt to violate rules! If the male lead loses reproductive ability, the mission will fail immediately! Host will be terminated.]
“...Tsk.”
She sulkily withdrew her claws, then her eyes flickered. “How about laxatives instead? Diarrhea is better than sleeping with the princess!”
Ji Ci reached out toward Dongfang Jibai with her claws.
His hand gripping her neck suddenly stiffened.
“I just remembered I haven’t reviewed the military dispatch yet.” With no expression, he put Ji Ci down and turned away.
He looked like a dog being chased.
Ji Ci blinked, confused.
Why was he leaving already?
Wasn’t he going to buy her clothes?
Ah! Bah!
She’s a fox. She doesn’t need clothes!
Ignoring Dongfang Jibai, Ji Ci wanted to savor the fresh grass, the breeze, the warmth of the human world—something she hadn’t experienced in a long time, even as a fox.
Night fell.
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Ji Ci trotted back on her four short legs, her head held high like a triumphant general.
She was now the leader of the local dog pack.
All afternoon, she had fought every wild dog nearby!
Now she had a group of loyal dog minions, even if they were dogs.
Dongfang Jibai’s study was still lit. Ji Ci hurried toward it.
Seeing the window open, she leapt and climbed in smoothly.
The next moment, she fell right into Dongfang Jibai’s inkstone.
Ji Ci froze, obediently standing on the inkstone, not daring to move.
“I swear the inkstone attacked me first, believe it or not?” she chirped in explanation.
Dongfang Jibai smiled wryly, scooped her up, and gently washed her little paws with clear water.
“Did you have fun today?”
Seeing Dongfang Jibai was not angry, Ji Ci immediately stood on the table and danced an elaborate reenactment of Wu Song slaying the tiger.
“I pinned the big black dog down, gave it a Black Tiger Heart Extraction, then a White Crane Spreads Its Wings...”
Ji Ci jabbered and gestured, performing like an eager animal actor.
Refused to act, but the animal insisted!
Dongfang Jibai smiled, watching Ji Ci’s antics.
“Really that impressive? Did you fight a tiger?” he chuckled.
Ji Ci was stunned. This human actually responded! And smiled at her!
“Yes, yes, a tiger,” she nodded vigorously.
Dongfang Jibai laughed heartily, pulling Ji Ci into his arms. “Hungry? Eat then sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the princess’s banquet.”
The word “banquet” made Ji Ci immediately bristle.
She began gesturing wildly on the table again.
Her muddy, ink-stained footprints left a trail of plum blossoms on Dongfang Jibai’s desk.
“Dongfang Jibai, you can’t go! You’ll get beheaded! The princess is no good!” Ji Ci clawed at his arm, terrified he’d cancel the engagement and doom the family to destruction, spiraling into darkness!
Why bother with the mission? Just erase me now!
“You don’t want me to go?” Dongfang Jibai asked, feigning ignorance.
Ji Ci nodded her head like a pecking chick, almost dropping to her knees.
“If I don’t go, it will be seen as arrogance and disregard for the royal family, and I’ll be punished,” Dongfang Jibai explained, rubbing her head.
He scooped her up and headed to the dining hall.
“Let’s get you something to eat. Don’t worry about tomorrow—I have it all under control.”
“Big brother, I have no confidence! This is a new account, don’t mess it up!”
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Ji Ci cried silently inside. She really didn’t want to die!
Dongfang Jibai laughed heartily at her expression. This little fox must have cultivated with immortals somewhere—she was too amusing.
In the dining hall, Ji Ci had little appetite, quickly feeling full after a few bites.
Dongfang Jibai didn’t push her, carrying her straight to bed.
In the bedroom, he tucked Ji Ci into the covers, holding her close.
Ji Ci thought, since she was a fox, being held by a handsome man while sleeping was a rare blessing in this otherworld. Men like this were never free—always charging extra!
At this moment, Ji Ci forgot all about the system’s warnings.
The full moon hung in the sky, moonlight spilling onto Dongfang Jibai’s bed. A red glow flashed, and Ji Ci transformed into her human form.
Dongfang Jibai’s eyes trembled.
No way.
Why change into human form in the middle of the night?
He really wasn’t a beast.
Ji Ci seemed unaware of her transformation. After fighting dogs all afternoon, she was fast asleep.
Dongfang Jibai carefully got out of bed, took a cold shower, and went to sleep on the soft divan in his study.
He tossed and turned, worried a guard might burst in at midnight with urgent military news.
He also worried Ji Ci, unfamiliar with her human form, might catch a cold sleeping at night.
After much thought, Dongfang Jibai decided to return and sleep beside Ji Ci.
When he returned, the bed was empty.
Panic surged.
He shouted, “Little fox, where are you?”
Inside the wardrobe, Ji Ci curled into a ball.
She clamped her mouth shut, fingertips digging into her palm, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Naked!
She was naked!
And on Dongfang Jibai’s bed!
Moonlight filtered through the window crack, shining on her bare foot.
Ji Ci withdrew her foot inward.
A scene flashed through her mind—“the demon burned alive” from costume dramas—and her throat tightened.
“It’s over, it’s over! Nowadays, fox spirits get dunked in pig cages! System, you’ve set me up!”
Footsteps grew closer outside the wardrobe.