Chapter 572: But I’m So Cute!

All the seemingly unreasonable aspects suddenly made sense. Liu Churan acted mysteriously because this formula was too embarrassing to disclose.

“Lady Wenxin, why did you stop?” Big Sis Cat looked at Ye Wenxin with a puzzled expression. She couldn’t understand why Ye Wenxin had been crouching for so long. She was starting to feel a bit uneasy herself.

Ye Wenxin shook her head slightly. “Nothing… this is just my first time tasting something like this. How should I put it…” She wanted to offer a compliment, yet her emotions were conflicted. Her previously established worldview had shattered again. This particular ingredient for the spirit wine recipe left Ye Wenxin in an obscure mood.

“Ah, so you just aren’t used to it. I once picked up a human child. She didn’t like drinking it either.” Big Sis Cat casually mentioned something that sounded unsettling again. Feeling that she probably shouldn’t pursue the matter further, Ye Wenxin slowly stood up. “Thank you very much for your warm hospitality, Big Sis Cat.”

Big Sis Cat chuckled. “No need to be so polite, Lady Wenxin. Without your help, we wouldn’t have reconnected with the demons.”

Although both demonic beasts and demons evolved from animals, one differed from the other. Demons became demons by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. They were much more powerful and intelligent than demonic beasts.

Demonic beasts, on the other hand, became what they were by chance. Most of them only possessed the intelligence of a young child. Hence, demons looked down on demonic beasts.

However, now demons had claimed Liu City as their territory, and the Golden Age Dynasty seemed to be turning a blind eye to the situation. So, the Hundred Flowers Dynasty, which had the closest relationship with demonic beasts, had chosen to collaborate.

Their partnership would put Liu City under the protection of the Hundred Flowers Dynasty. It was undoubtedly the best possible outcome for the demons. After spending time with the Flower Lord and her people, Ye Wenxin also felt they were sincere. So, she no longer had concerns about the kitsune’s future.

“I still must thank you all. Without your help, we would likely be drifting along the edges of the dynasty like duckweed.” Remembering her position as an envoy, Ye Wenxin didn’t forget to exchange some polite compliments with Big Sis Cat.

Big Sis Cat gave a characteristic cat-like smile. “Don’t mind Scholar Asu’s apparent dislike for you. It was her who suggested partnering with Liu City.”

Scholar Asu, of course, was none other than Asuka. Recently, Ye Wenxin had been too busy exploring the Hundred Flowers Dynasty to pay much attention to her. She was a bit surprised to hear this now. “Wait, she actually dislikes me?”

For the first time, Ye Wenxin felt her peach blossom chains weren’t working effectively. Usually irresistible to women, her charm had surprisingly failed to sway Asuka’s heart.

On second thought, since Asuka had a female lead’s luck, it made sense she was hard to win over.

Asuka had demonstrated her might within the Hundred Flowers Dynasty, yet the two had barely interacted. According to the ministers, Asuka was considered old-fashioned in her thinking. As a neoclassicist¹, she often found herself at odds with the other court officials. Her straightforward personality even led to frequent assassination attempts.

“*Sighs*, didn’t Envoy Hua Ju tell you? Scholar Asu hates rabbits…” Big Sis Cat looked surprised while muttering about Hua Ju’s failure to mention such an important detail.

Ye Wenxin went quiet. She recalled how Envoy Hua Ju had gone to great lengths to convince her to come to the Hundred Flowers Dynasty. Whenever Ye Wenxin brought up Asuka, Envoy Hua Ju subconsciously changed the subject. She had assumed it was a diplomatic tactic.

But Ye Wenxin understood now. Everyone knew that Asuka hated rabbits, while Ye Wenxin, Liu City’s envoy, happened to be a rabbit demon.

“Is it still possible for me to switch to a different race?” Ye Wenxin sighed inwardly. Big Sis Cat chuckled. “Of course not. Everyone’s been talking about you recently.”

Ye Wenxin was confused. “In what way?”

Puzzled, Big Sis Cat answered, “They say you’re looking for a mating partner.”

Ye Wenxin gave a blank look, then asked uncertainly, “What? Mating partner? Why would I be looking for that out of nowhere?”

She couldn’t understand the purpose behind this rumor. Big Sis Cat just laughed louder. “Wasn’t it you who asked my little brother to find one for you?”

Ye Wenxin was feeling increasingly unsettled. Others had been taking action behind her back. It was becoming quite perplexing. She recalled Little Brother Cat dragging her around to visit various demonic beasts. Those beasts had been strangely affectionate toward her. In hindsight, that was not friendliness. It was a mating signal.

It was a strange misunderstanding, Ye Wenxin wanted to say. However, the more she thought about it, the more she wished to stop thinking altogether.

Big Sis Cat smiled at her embarrassed expression. “Lady Wenxin, have you still not found someone you fancy? If not, I also can help find a suitable match for you.”

Big Sis Cat was brimming with enthusiasm. She was unconcerned about whether Ye Wenxin was human or not. But as a human, it leaned too far out of Ye Wenxin’s comfort zone. She awkwardly declined Big Sis Cat’s kind offer and planned to retreat to her quarters.

Big Sis Cat gave a quick goodbye to the little demonic beasts. “I happen to be heading back, too. Why don’t we walk together, Lady Wenxin?”

She transformed into the size of a regular cat and walked by Ye Wenxin’s side. Ye Wenxin nodded.

One human and one cat continued on their way. Eventually, they ran into Little Brother Cat and his mate.

The two cats were nuzzling affectionately, lost in their little world. When Little Brother Cat noticed Ye Wenxin walking with Big Sis Cat, he let out a cheerful meow.

It was unclear what he was trying to say, but his expression carried mischief. Annoyed, Big Sis Cat gave him a few swats. That only made Little Brother Cat grin even wider. He seemed to be dropping all sorts of heavy hints at Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin was thoroughly baffled. She tried asking Big Sis Cat what they were talking about. Big Sis Cat stayed silent, but she was clearly holding back something.

Ye Wenxin figured it might be some internal squabble between Big Sis Cat and Little Brother Cat. She decided not to press. They continued walking and happened to run into Asuka.

Despite the summertime, Asuka kept herself well-covered with a high-collared outfit. She looked a bit gloomy, as if unwell. Her expression soured upon seeing Ye Wenxin.

The path was a little cramped but big enough for them to brush past each other. However, Asuka chose to stop, unwilling to come into close contact with Ye Wenxin.

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Footnotes:

1. 1. Neoclassicism is a revival of a classical style (in art or literature or architecture or music) but from a new perspective or with a new motivation. ↩︎