Chapter 76: What Is That?

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: What Is That?

Xi Yunxui followed the young maid through the corridors of the Huo residence, quietly wondering why the Patriarch had specifically requested her presence.

More importantly, she wondered why he had insisted that all three creatures accompany her.

King C walked ahead with an unusual amount of confidence, as though he had personally received an invitation to an important meeting. Biyu remained perched comfortably on Xi Yunxui’s shoulder, occasionally rubbing its small head against the side of her neck, while Hui stayed close beside her leg, its ash-grey body moving silently along with her.

Naturally, the sight of one maid walking through the residence with a goat-like creature, a strange red bird, and what appeared to be a small tiger attracted more than a few curious glances from the servants they passed.

Xi Yunxui did her best to ignore them.

She had already accepted that her life in the Huo residence was becoming increasingly complicated. At this point, worrying about people staring at her pets would only give her another headache.

The young maid eventually led them toward the main residence.

As they approached the entrance, Xi Yunxui instinctively slowed her steps. She straightened the folds of her maid uniform, adjusted her posture and followed the maid inside.

The living room was considerably quieter than usual.

Xi Yunxui immediately spotted the Huo Patriarch sitting comfortably on one of the sofas. From the relaxed manner in which he sat, it was obvious that he had been waiting for her.

The Patriarch’s attention shifted toward the ash-grey creature.

Xi Yunxui subconsciously watched his expression.

Hui had never appeared before the Patriarch.

He had seen King C before and had also met Biyu, but he had certainly never encountered the strange tiger-like creature that had suddenly begun following Xi Yunxui around the residence.

Xi Yunxui expected him to react.

At the very least, she expected surprise or confusion.

Perhaps even alarm.

Instead, the Patriarch studied Hui for several seconds before calmly shifting his gaze back to Xi Yunxui.

There was no obvious shock on his face.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

Wait.

Why isn’t he surprised?

She stood quietly while her thoughts raced.

Could someone have already informed him about Hui?

Xi Yunxui mentally called for the system.

System.

[Yes, Host?]

Has the Patriarch seen Hui before?

[Negative.]

Xi Yunxui frowned.

Then why is he acting as though there is nothing unusual about her?

The system remained silent briefly before responding.

[It is possible that someone reported Hui’s existence to him.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes brightened slightly.

That explanation immediately made sense.

Auntie Zhang had seen Hui that morning, and several servants had already noticed the creature walking around the staff quarters with her. It was entirely possible that someone had informed the Patriarch about the unusual animal currently residing there.

Xi Yunxui gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Oh.

That explains it.

The Patriarch watched her expression change from confusion to sudden understanding, and one of his eyebrows rose slightly.

He had absolutely no idea what conclusion the young woman had reached inside her head.

Judging from her expression, however, she appeared perfectly satisfied with it.

He decided not to ask.

Xi Yunxui finally realized that she had been staring at him for longer than was appropriate and hurriedly lowered her head.

"Good afternoon, Patriarch."

The Patriarch nodded.

"You’re here."

"Yes."

Xi Yunxui glanced around the living room.

Apart from a few servants standing quietly at a distance, there was no one else present.

She waited.

The Patriarch looked at her.

Xi Yunxui looked back.

Several seconds passed.

The Patriarch’s lips twitched slightly.

"Are you waiting for me to explain why I called you?"

Xi Yunxui immediately lowered her gaze.

"I wouldn’t dare."

A quiet laugh escaped the Patriarch.

Xi Yunxui remained silent.

The Patriarch then rose from the sofa.

The moment he stood, King C immediately became alert.

The Patriarch glanced down.

King C stared back.

For several seconds, the two simply looked at one another.

Xi Yunxui watched the silent confrontation with growing suspicion.

Then, without saying anything, the Patriarch calmly stepped past King C.

King C immediately relaxed.

Xi Yunxui looked down at him.

King C pretended that nothing had happened.

The Patriarch turned toward her.

"Come with me."

Xi Yunxui blinked.

"Patriarch?"

"Bring them as well."

His gaze moved toward King C, Biyu, and Hui.

Xi Yunxui followed his gaze.

King C immediately lifted his chin.

Biyu tilted its head.

Hui blinked slowly.

Xi Yunxui looked back at the Patriarch.

"All three of them?"

"All three."

She hesitated briefly before asking, "May I know where we’re going?"

Amusement flickered in the Patriarch’s eyes.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

Xi Yunxui knew better than to continue questioning him.

"Yes, Patriarch."

The Patriarch began walking toward the entrance, and Xi Yunxui followed after him with the three creatures close behind.

---

The moment they stepped outside, Xi Yunxui noticed two cars waiting in front of the residence.

The Patriarch headed toward the first vehicle, where the driver immediately stepped forward and opened the rear door for him.

He entered without hesitation.

Xi Yunxui, however, paused beside the second car and looked at the three creatures gathered around her.

She had travelled in a vehicle before.

That was not the problem.

The problem was that she had never travelled anywhere with three strange creatures.

Before she could decide how to arrange them, King C suddenly marched toward the Patriarch’s car.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

"King C!"

He ignored her.

The Patriarch was already seated inside when King C stopped beside the open door and peered into the vehicle. His gaze travelled from the back seat to the front before settling thoughtfully on the driver’s seat.

Xi Yunxui immediately understood what he was thinking.

"No."

King C turned toward her.

Xi Yunxui crossed her arms.

"Absolutely not."

The Patriarch watched the exchange from inside the car.

"What does he want?"

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"He wants to sit in front."

The driver’s expression immediately changed.

King C proudly lifted his chin.

Xi Yunxui continued, "He cannot sit in the driver’s seat."

King C opened his mouth.

"I wasn’t—"

Xi Yunxui immediately covered his mouth.

Silence descended.

The driver froze.

The Patriarch raised an eyebrow.

King C stared at Xi Yunxui with betrayal written all over his face.

Xi Yunxui offered everyone an awkward smile.

"He makes strange noises when he’s excited."

The Patriarch looked at King C.

Then at Xi Yunxui.

His lips twitched.

King C glared.

Xi Yunxui leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Do not speak."

After several seconds of silent resistance, King C finally lowered his head.

Xi Yunxui released him.

He immediately turned away with an offended expression.

Meanwhile, Hui had been staring suspiciously at the second vehicle.

Xi Yunxui noticed and crouched beside her.

"Don’t tell me you’re afraid of cars too."

Hui looked at the dark interior before taking one cautious step backward.

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"Wonderful."

Biyu made a small sound from her shoulder.

Xi Yunxui glanced at it.

"Don’t start."

Biyu immediately looked away.

Xi Yunxui placed one hand gently against Hui’s back.

"It’s fine. I’ll be inside with you."

Hui looked up at her before finally allowing Xi Yunxui to guide her toward the car.

Xi Yunxui climbed inside first and extended her hand.

"Come."

After a brief hesitation, Hui jumped inside.

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"See? Nothing happened."

Hui looked around suspiciously.

Biyu fluttered from Xi Yunxui’s shoulder and settled near the window.

King C was the last to enter.

He stood outside the open door for several moments, staring at the vehicle as though it might suddenly reveal its true intentions.

Xi Yunxui waited.

"Are you coming?"

"I don’t trust this thing."

Xi Yunxui immediately covered his mouth again.

The driver slowly glanced back.

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"He doesn’t like travelling."

The driver looked at King C and then at her.

"...I can see that."

Xi Yunxui released King C.

"Get inside."

With a dissatisfied snort, King C finally climbed into the vehicle and immediately positioned himself beside the window.

Once everyone had settled inside, the vehicles pulled away from the Huo residence.

The journey itself was uneventful.

Hui gradually relaxed when it realized the vehicle had no intention of eating her, while King C, who had initially claimed that he was merely evaluating the car’s safety, soon became completely absorbed in watching the streets through the window.

Xi Yunxui noticed and couldn’t help smiling.

"You were scared of the car earlier."

"I wasn’t scared."

She raised an eyebrow.

King C looked away.

"I was evaluating its safety."

Biyu made a sound that suspiciously resembled laughter.

King C glared at it.

Xi Yunxui shook her head and turned toward the window.

By the time the vehicles entered an older part of the city, the streets had gradually changed.

Modern buildings gave way to quieter roads lined with older structures and traditional storefronts.

Eventually, the Patriarch’s car slowed to a stop.

Their vehicle followed closely behind.

Xi Yunxui looked outside and immediately noticed the building standing across from them.

Unlike the modern stores surrounding it, the shop possessed a distinctly traditional appearance. Dark wooden panels framed the entrance, while an old signboard hung above the door, its elegant characters slightly weathered by time.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

"An antique shop?"

The driver opened the door for her.

Xi Yunxui stepped outside, followed closely by King C, while Biyu returned to her shoulder and Hui remained at her side.

The Patriarch had already exited the first vehicle.

Xi Yunxui looked toward the antique shop before turning toward him.

She still had absolutely no idea why he had brought her there.

The Patriarch glanced at her curious expression.

"Come."

Without offering any further explanation, he began walking toward the shop.

Xi Yunxui exchanged a glance with King C.

King C looked equally curious.

Hui blinked.

Biyu made a quiet sound.

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"Let’s go."

The four of them followed the Patriarch toward the antique shop.

---

Xi Yunxui followed, while King C, Biyu, and Hui gathered around her.

The moment they entered, a small bell above the door chimed.

A young man sitting behind the counter immediately raised his head.

At first, his expression was relaxed.

Then he saw the Huo Patriarch.

The young man’s eyes widened.

He hurriedly stood.

"Master Huo!"

His attitude immediately became respectful.

The Huo Patriarch gave him a small nod.

"Where is your master?"

The young man opened his mouth to answer.

Then his gaze shifted.

It fell upon Xi Yunxui.

His expression changed slightly when he noticed her maid uniform, though he quickly concealed his surprise.

However, the moment his eyes travelled downward—

He saw Hui.

The young man froze.

His face slowly turned pale.

Xi Yunxui watched him curiously.

The young man stared at Hui.

Hui stared back.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then the young man screamed.

"AH!"

Xi Yunxui jumped.

Biyu fluttered its wings.

Hui blinked in confusion.

King C, however, immediately narrowed his eyes.

"What are you screaming f—"

Before King C could finish his sentence, Xi Yunxui moved.

She bent down and covered his mouth with one hand.

King C froze.

Xi Yunxui smiled awkwardly at the young man.

"Please ignore him."

King C’s eyes widened.

He struggled slightly beneath her hand.

Xi Yunxui immediately tightened her grip.

King C glared at her.

Xi Yunxui leaned closer and whispered.

"Don’t you dare speak."

King C’s eyes narrowed.

He attempted to remove her hand.

Xi Yunxui did not move.

The young man stared at them.

Then he looked toward Biyu.

Biyu stared back.

His gaze moved toward Hui.

Hui blinked again.

The young man looked as though he was beginning to question every decision he had ever made in his life.

He slowly pointed at Hui.

"W-What is that?"

Xi Yunxui looked down.

"That?"

The young man nodded furiously.

Xi Yunxui hesitated.

She looked at Hui.

Then she looked back at the young man.

"It’s..."

King C suddenly tried speaking beneath her hand.

Xi Yunxui pressed his mouth shut even more firmly.

King C looked personally betrayed.

Xi Yunxui continued.

"...a dog."

The young man stared.

Xi Yunxui smiled.

The young man stared some more.

Hui tilted its head.

Xi Yunxui’s smile became increasingly awkward.

The young man slowly looked at the creature again.

Then back at Xi Yunxui.

"...That is a dog?"

"Yes."

His gaze moved toward the Patriarch.

The Patriarch looked entirely unconcerned.

The young man looked back at Hui.

Then he slowly nodded.

"I see."

His expression clearly said that he did not see anything.

Before Xi Yunxui could further embarrass herself by attempting to explain Hui’s existence, footsteps sounded from the back of the shop.

The commotion had apparently attracted someone’s attention.

An elderly man emerged from the inner room.

He wore a simple traditional outfit, and although his hair had turned grey, his posture remained straight. His eyes were sharp, carrying the alertness of someone far younger than his appearance suggested.

The moment he stepped into the main part of the shop, his gaze landed on the young apprentice.

"What exactly are you screaming about?"

The apprentice immediately pointed toward Hui.

"Master, there is—"

The elderly man’s gaze moved toward the Patriarch.

He paused.

For several seconds, the two old men stared at one another.

Then the elderly man sighed.

"Of course."

The Patriarch raised an eyebrow.

"Of course what?"

The elderly man walked closer.

"Of all the unpleasant faces my apprentice could see today, yours had to be the first."

Xi Yunxui blinked.

The Patriarch stared at him.

"My face is unpleasant?"

The elderly man nodded without hesitation.

"Terrifying, actually."

The Patriarch smiled.

It was not a particularly friendly smile.

"I see that age has done nothing to improve your eyesight."

The elderly man scoffed.

"At least my eyesight is still good enough to recognize an ugly old man when I see one."

The Patriarch’s expression darkened.

The apprentice stood silently behind the counter.

He looked from one old man to the other.

Xi Yunxui watched them with growing confusion.

Were they arguing?

They certainly sounded like they were arguing.

Yet neither man appeared genuinely angry.

There was an odd familiarity between them, one that could only exist between people who had known each other for many years. Their insults were sharp, but beneath them rested something warmer—an unspoken affection and respect neither appeared willing to openly acknowledge.

The Patriarch finally shook his head.

"Your mouth has become worse."

The elderly man immediately responded.

"And you’ve become uglier."

King C’s eyes brightened.

Xi Yunxui looked down at him.

King C was clearly enjoying the argument.

She tightened her hand over his mouth.

King C immediately looked offended again.

The elderly man was about to continue when his gaze shifted.

It landed on Xi Yunxui.

His expression changed.

Recognition flashed across his face.

Xi Yunxui noticed it.

She blinked.

Does he know me?

Before she could ask, the elderly man’s gaze travelled downward.

His eyes landed on King C.

Then Biyu.

Finally—

Hui.

The elderly man’s entire body stiffened.

The amusement on his face disappeared.

His eyes widened as though he had suddenly seen something that absolutely should not have been standing inside his antique shop.

For several moments, he simply stared.

Then, very slowly, he turned toward the Huo Patriarch.

His expression was one of complete disbelief.

"What exactly..."

His gaze returned to the three creatures.

Then to Xi Yunxui.

Finally, he looked back at his old friend.

"What exactly have you brought into my shop?"

The Huo Patriarch’s lips slowly curved upward.

"That’s precisely why I came."

The elderly man’s expression immediately became wary.

Xi Yunxui, meanwhile, stood beside the Patriarch with King C’s mouth still covered, Biyu perched nearby, and Hui innocently staring back at the elderly man.

She suddenly had the strange feeling that whatever was about to happen—

It was probably not going to be simple.