Chapter 344: The Shark’s Invitation

As for the Little White Snake, it was a young cub of the Snake Clan; there would surely be no problem.

Hearing the Guinea Pig Clan female’s words, Yu Zhizhi burrowed deeper inside. She wanted to bluff her way through, so she had to pretend not to hear.

The Tiger Whale Soldier, on the other hand, was quite surprised to hear the two words "Little Octopus."

’I can’t believe the Young Master from the Beast God’s Homeland has been with Miss Rabbit this whole time.’

Noel sensed the little rabbit’s unease. He looked down and saw a bulging bundle against his chest, its white fur trembling slightly. He looked at the Dolphin Clan female beside him and said, "Ms. Zhi Zhi is tired today. We can test her later."

The Dolphin Clan female nodded. "Yes, Lord City Lord."

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t expected that after hiding for so long, she would be caught off guard and dragged into the incident with the smugglers.

Noel had helped her evade the test for now.

But...

’Later... how much later? If I keep delaying, others will definitely get suspicious.’

Yu Zhizhi buried her head in Noel’s chest.

He had an indescribable scent about him...

Or maybe it wasn’t a scent, but the aura of a rabbit.

The sense of security felt like tucking your feet under a cotton quilt on a winter night, all warm and toasty inside.

Shen He watched the little rabbit’s small, round tail peeking out, and desperately wanted to pull her out of another male’s arms.

’It’s just a test. Is she really that scared?’

’...Scared?’

The shark suddenly thought of something.

Back at Black Tide Bay, because of the smugglers from the Chelsea Territory, everyone on the warship had to undergo screening.

And it was on the second day after the decision to screen everyone that the little rabbit had run away.

’Could it be that she left to avoid the test?’

Noel stood up. "You two continue your discussion. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first."

He had only been the initiator, the one to connect them.

For the negotiations between the two great Empires, it made no difference whether he was present or not.

Noel left with Yu Zhizhi.

As soon as they stepped out of the conference room, Yu Zhizhi’s racing heart finally began to calm down.

The treehouse corridor was quiet. Following it to the back, they soon arrived at the study he usually worked in. The Little Octopus had just finished its test, and the Guinea Pig Clan female was putting away the instrument.

"Lord City Lord, this guest shows no abnormalities."

Noel nodded.

The Guinea Pig Clan female looked at the little rabbit in his arms, her expression growing slightly solemn.

’This noble, SS-Level young lady from the Empire is reacting far too abnormally today. What on earth is she hiding from?’

Noel sat down at his desk. He watched as the little rabbit slowly squirmed, then tumbled out of his arms. Startled, she frantically clung to the fabric on his chest with her paws. Noel caught her with his arm and placed her steadily on the desk.

Yu Zhizhi thought about the snake and the shark still in the conference room...

She looked up. "Noel, can I go home first?"

Yu Zhizhi wanted to hide back in the treehouse.

She had a medicine that could conceal her aura. As long as she hid, the Duke and Lord Shen He wouldn’t be able to find her for a while.

’Besides, don’t they have important things to discuss? They won’t have time to look for me, right?’

Noel took a bite of white chocolate. "Of course you can."

The little rabbit jumped down from the desk. Seeing this, the Little Octopus quickly grabbed the bamboo basket and followed.

They ran all the way back to their mushroom house.

Yu Zhizhi scurried inside. She hadn’t reverted from her Beast Form the entire time she was back. She found a tiny box and crawled inside. After hiding for a while, she still didn’t feel safe, so she climbed out and hopped toward the bedroom.

The Little Octopus flopped onto the sofa, watching the little rabbit hide.

It found this a bit strange, thinking she wanted to play hide-and-seek.

The Little Octopus yawned. It shifted into a comfortable position, full and content, and decided to take a good long nap.

「Late at night.」

A mist gradually drifted in through the window, soon filling the entire mushroom house.

The Little White Snake in the bamboo basket groggily opened her eyes. She saw a familiar figure and called out happily, "Father!"

The Duke glanced at her.

The Little White Snake was full of life and energy; the injury to her Beast Bone had completely healed.

He said nothing and floated toward the innermost room.

Inside the red wardrobe, a little rabbit was clearly hiding. The Duke opened the wardrobe door and saw a small female curled up, having reverted from her Beast Form. Her dark hair was slightly messy, and her breathing was light; she had already fallen asleep.

The Duke lifted her out of the wardrobe.

Yu Zhizhi was sound asleep. She vaguely sensed being lifted up, but she was so tired she just thought it was a dream.

The Duke placed her on the bed and tucked her in.

He sat down.

He pulled out the little female’s hand and pressed it onto the testing device.

Yu Zhizhi had a dream.

She dreamed that she was being tested, but nothing happened.

The next day, she woke up to find herself in bed and felt a bit strange. ’I remember hiding in the wardrobe, didn’t I?’

A staff member from Greenfield City brought her breakfast.

"Mama~" The Little White Snake coiled her tail, sitting upright, her pale golden eyes sparkling. "Father came last night and just left this morning."

Yu Zhizhi’s hand, holding the spoon, paused.

’The Duke came?’

’So I wasn’t dreaming?’

However, she had been asleep the whole time, and the Duke hadn’t woken her.

Recalling the test in her dream, Yu Zhizhi felt a little apprehensive. "So, did he say anything?"

"Father told me to catch up on all the lessons I’ve missed. He’s going to check on my progress tonight."

The Little White Snake shook her head. "Also, he said he’s going to interrogate those smugglers from the Chelsea Territory today. He told us to stay inside because it’s dangerous out, and not to go out or meet with any strange characters."

The "strange character" in question arrived at the mushroom house, found the door open, and was just about to knock on the frame when he overheard the conversation inside.

An awkward smile appeared on the Tiger Whale Soldier’s face. "Ms. Zhi Zhi."

Hearing his voice, Yu Zhizhi turned her head. "Oh, it’s you. Please, come in."

The Tiger Whale Soldier smiled. "I won’t come in. My lord, Shen He, sent me to invite you over."

Shen He...

’No, no way. He still hasn’t made me answer for running away. I’m not about to walk right into a trap.’

Yu Zhizhi’s breath hitched. "...I-I have a lot to do today."

The Tiger Whale Soldier said, "Well, Ms. Zhi Zhi, the two young masters just hatched last week, and they miss you very much. Even though the distance is great, being able to talk via video call would be nice."

Hearing that the shark cubs had hatched, Yu Zhizhi’s heart stirred.

’Aww... I really want to see the shark cubs too.’

But...

The thought of being alone in a room with the Big Shark still made her heart tremble with fear.

The Tiger Whale Soldier added, "It’s in the same conference room as yesterday. There are a lot of staff members there."

The Little White Snake glumly bit her own tail.

When Yu Zhizhi heard the location was at Noel’s place, she thought for a moment and slowly nodded.

"Alright then, I’ll head over."

The Little White Snake clung to her cutely. "Mama, will you still love Little Amon when you come back?"

Yu Zhizhi patted her head. "Of course!"

After finishing her breakfast, she left with the Tiger Whale Soldier.

The Little Octopus was left to watch the house.