Chapter 72: Thank You

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Thank You

Xi Yunxui began packing her belongings shortly after deciding that she would continue renting the apartment.

However, the task took far less time than she had expected.

As she stood beside the small bed and looked through the original Xi Yunxui’s possessions, a complicated expression gradually appeared on her face.

Although she had always known from the memories she inherited that the original owner of this body had lived a difficult life, seeing the reality of it with her own eyes was still somewhat surprising.

There was simply very little to pack.

The original Xi Yunxui owned only two sets of clothes, one of which was the outfit Xi Yunxui was currently wearing. She had two pairs of shoes as well—again, one pair currently on her feet—and aside from those necessities, there was little else.

Her old backpack, which had clearly been used for many years, had already been left behind at the Huo residence after Huo Jingchen gave Xi Yunxui a new one.

There were only a few small personal items remaining: a nearly empty container of face cream, a comb, and several other inexpensive necessities.

Xi Yunxui stared silently at the small collection of belongings spread before her.

She had expected the original Xi Yunxui to own very little.

Still, seeing the entirety of someone’s possessions fit so easily into a single bag left an uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

After carefully folding the clothes and placing everything inside the bag she had brought with her, Xi Yunxui looked around the apartment.

The room was quiet.

For a brief moment, she imagined the original Xi Yunxui standing there instead.

A timid young woman who had somehow endured a life Xi Yunxui had only begun to understand.

Xi Yunxui’s expression softened.

"Thank you," she murmured quietly.

Of course, there was no response.

Still, she continued.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to live in this body."

Her gaze slowly moved across the apartment.

"I don’t know whether you can hear me, but I’ll take care of this place. Since this was once your home, I’ll make sure it remains safe."

The room remained silent.

Xi Yunxui stood there for another moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

Perhaps she was speaking to herself more than anyone else.

After picking up the bag containing her belongings, she walked out of the apartment and carefully locked the door behind her.

Xi Yunxui stood outside for a few seconds, looking at the door.

Then she placed the key safely inside her bag and headed downstairs.

---

By the time Xi Yunxui returned to the Huo residence, it was already approaching mid-morning.

The journey had taken longer than she expected because of the heavy traffic on the road, and by the time the vehicle finally arrived near the old Huo residence, Xi Yunxui was already beginning to worry about what might be happening inside her room.

More specifically, she was worried about the three creatures she had left behind.

The moment she entered through the gates, Xi Yunxui quickened her pace.

Then she began walking even faster.

Before long, she was practically hurrying toward the staff quarters.

Please let them behave themselves.

She tightened her grip on her bag.

Please let King C not destroy the bed.

The system’s voice suddenly sounded in her mind.

[King C does not consume furniture.]

Xi Yunxui did not slow down.

"That isn’t the point."

[Then what is the point?]

"Have you forgotten who we’re talking about?"

The system fell silent.

Xi Yunxui continued walking quickly.

"Have you not seen how troublesome those three become whenever they’re hungry?"

There was another brief silence.

[The system has no response.]

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

"Exactly."

She had almost reached her room when the system spoke again.

[However, the system would like to point out that King C is not responsible for the behaviour of the other two creatures.]

Xi Yunxui stopped walking.

For a brief moment, she considered that statement.

Then she shook her head.

"No. They’re all troublesome."

[Even Biyu?]

Xi Yunxui immediately resumed walking.

"Biyu is troublesome in a quieter manner."

[That is unfair.]

"It ate more food than me last night."

The system remained silent.

Xi Yunxui nodded to herself.

"Exactly."

---

She reached her room shortly afterward.

Standing before the door, Xi Yunxui took a deep breath.

For some reason, she suddenly felt nervous.

Please don’t let them destroy anything.

Her hand slowly reached for the doorknob.

Please don’t let King C destroy the bed.

[Again, King C cannot—]

"I know!"

Xi Yunxui hurriedly opened the door.

Then she stopped.

The room was completely intact.

Nothing had been destroyed.

Nothing had been overturned.

Nothing appeared to have been bitten.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

The little ash-grey tiger-like creature was lying quietly on the floor near the bed, its small body curled into a comfortable position.

King C was lying on top of the bed.

Meanwhile, Biyu stood beside the window with its head slightly tilted as it stared outside.

The room was peaceful.

Almost suspiciously peaceful.

Xi Yunxui slowly stepped inside.

The sound of the door closing immediately caught their attention.

Three heads turned toward her at the same time.

For several seconds, no one moved.

Then their eyes landed on Xi Yunxui.

Xi Yunxui suddenly understood what it must feel like to be the last person arriving with food after a famine.

King C’s eyes immediately brightened.

Biyu turned completely away from the window.

The little creature stood up from the floor.

Then all three of them rushed toward Xi Yunxui.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

"Stop!"

They did not stop.

"Stop right there!"

They continued moving toward her.

Xi Yunxui quickly lifted one hand.

"Everyone, stop!"

The little ash-grey creature was the first to stop.

It stared at Xi Yunxui before releasing a soft, pitiful whine.

Xi Yunxui’s expression immediately softened.

She slowly lowered her hand.

"...I wasn’t talking to you."

The little creature blinked.

Biyu, who had also stopped, tilted its head curiously.

Xi Yunxui looked toward it.

"I didn’t mean you either."

Biyu made a satisfied sound.

King C was the only one still standing before her.

He narrowed his eyes.

"So you meant me?"

Xi Yunxui stared at him.

"Of course I meant you."

King C’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Xi Yunxui placed one hand on her waist.

"You’re the only one here who has already given me experience with running away, causing chaos and getting into fights."

King C immediately straightened his body.

"I have already apologized for the garden incident."

"You didn’t apologize."

Xi Yunxui stared at him.

King C stared back.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Xi Yunxui slowly shook her head.

"There is something seriously wrong with you."

King C lifted his chin.

"I know."

Xi Yunxui sighed.

Before King C could continue defending himself, she suddenly remembered something.

Her eyes brightened slightly.

King C immediately noticed.

"What?"

Xi Yunxui smiled.

Instead of answering, she placed the bag containing her belongings on the floor before reaching into another nylon bag she had been carrying.

The faint sound of vegetables shifting against one another immediately filled the quiet room.

King C’s ears perked up.

Xi Yunxui pulled the bag open.

Inside were several fresh vegetables she had purchased on her way back to the residence.

King C immediately swallowed the words he had been preparing to say.

His gaze fell directly upon the vegetables.

Then he spotted them.

Carrots.

Xi Yunxui watched as his entire expression changed.

The righteous expression he had been displaying only moments ago disappeared without a trace.

King C slowly looked toward her.

Xi Yunxui raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

King C cleared his throat.

"...Thank you."

Xi Yunxui’s lips twitched.

She knew very well that he had only suddenly remembered his manners because of the carrots.

Still, she decided not to expose him.

"You’ll have to wait."

King C’s expression immediately changed.

Xi Yunxui picked up the bag of vegetables.

"I need to wash them first."

King C stared at the carrots as though they were being taken away from him forever.

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"Don’t look at me like that. They’ll only take a few minutes."

The little ash-grey creature approached curiously and sniffed the bag.

Biyu fluttered closer as well.

Xi Yunxui looked at the three of them.

"Since all of you are already here, come along."

King C immediately followed her.

The little creature followed behind him.

Biyu, after giving one final glance toward the window, fluttered after them.

Xi Yunxui picked up her backpack and the bag containing her belongings before leaving the room.

The three creatures followed closely behind her as they made their way toward the small kitchen located within the staff quarters.

Once they entered, Xi Yunxui placed her belongings aside before setting the nylon bag containing the vegetables on the counter.

King C immediately climbed onto a nearby chair.

The little ash-grey creature remained beside Xi Yunxui’s legs.

Biyu perched on the edge of the counter and watched her expectantly.

Xi Yunxui looked at all three of them.

"You three really have no intention of giving me any peace, do you?"

King C blinked innocently.

"We’re hungry."

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"Of course you are."

With that, she turned toward the sink and began taking out the vegetables, preparing to rinse them while three pairs of eyes watched her every movement as though their lives depended entirely on the fate of those vegetables.

~~~~~