"Brother Mo, don't you believe me? That guy is truly one of those shady characters. I even revealed my true form, but he just stood there without any reaction. If he's not an idiot, he must be a lunatic!"
Brother Mo patted my shoulder comfortingly. "Maybe he's just naturally airheaded. These days, online xianxia novels do a lot of harm. He might be one of those influenced by them."
Was Brother Mo suggesting he'd read too many cultivation novels? Mistaking me for a spirit beast, thinking a smile would lower my guard, then capturing me as a cute pet to start his immortal journey and break through the void?
Stop, stop! I'm already awed by my own imagination. Modern folks have no crisis sense—it's those online forums spreading nonsense like 'post-founding, no spirit cultivation.' Real yaoguai like us show up in the human world, and passersby just call it cosplay. Seriously, even being a fox spirit is tough now!
"Human cities hide shady characters, but sorcerers are rare nowadays. I've lived long and never met one. Plus, that guy's your classmate—young and unlikely to be ruthless. I suspect a third possibility."
"Brother Mo, are you saying he might be a Taoist Priest?"
"Possibly, but not very likely."
Taoist Priests oppose sorcerers. We dislike both, but sorcerers hunt yaoguai for selfish desires, while Taoist Priests act for the greater good. As long as spirits stay out of trouble, we and Taoist Priests keep to ourselves.
True Taoist Priests are pitifully rare now. Many were imprisoned last century as humans dismissed this feudal-superstition profession. Scammers and half-baked practitioners ruined its reputation—no real skills, just swindling. Now, claiming to be a Taoist Priest gets you labeled a scammer or sent to a mental hospital.
Some smarter ones hide their identities, blending in to uphold justice. But I'm not interested.
"By the way, Greenhill sent a pigeon-delivered letter with important matters for you."
"Granny wrote to me! Let me see!"
I took the fox-sealed envelope and pressed my palm on it. This Azurehill Fox Clan mark prevents outsiders from intercepting messages. Even in advanced human society, our traditions remain unchanged.
'My dear granddaughter, I trust you've reached the human world. To help you adapt, I've arranged with Mo Yan to sponsor your living expenses for one week. Afterward, earn your own through part-time work. I know it's tough for your first time here, but this is what a proper fox immortal must face. PS (No illegal activities!) Love, Granny'
"Brother Mo..."
"Uh... even that pitiful look won't work. It's Granny's order—I must obey. I'll cover rent, but you handle your own meals."
"Brother Mo, am I not the Xia Bing you used to dote on?"
"Did you forget I'm fox clan too? Charm magic doesn't work on me. Give up."
"Tsk!"
"Don't click your tongue!"
Surviving this big city—meals aren't too pricey, but not cheap. Plus utilities and other expenses... oh god! How do I live?
Since acting cute failed, I'll use women's ultimate weapon!
I covered my mouth and sobbed softly. "Wuwu... Granny treats me this way, Brother Mo too. My two closest people are abandoning me. Are you forcing this poor little fox to death? I'll jump off the rooftop—let city officials collect my corpse tomorrow!"
"City officials don't handle wildlife corpses much."
"Waaah~ I'm dying, and you coldly joke? This life is unbearable!"
Brother Mo clearly had a headache from my crying. Sounds in this rental apartment travel to neighbors. A scandal would mean his sister-in-law never forgiving him.
"Alright, alright! I'm scared of you, my lady—stop crying!"
"So... you'll cover my living expenses?"
"I can't disobey Granny, but I'll point you right. Many students work-study, but you're just in high school—restaurants won't hire you. Try being a nanny! Housework's easy for you. Nannies earn well; after expenses, you'll have pocket money."
As a well-bred Azurehill fox, housework comes naturally. But would anyone hire me? I can clean, but no childcare experience.
"Brother Mo, I have school—I can't stay 24/7. Will it work?"
"True. Be a cook-only nanny—just three meals daily, free time otherwise. Pay might be less. What do you think?"
Just a cook-only nanny? Doubtful anyone would hire me.
"Brother Mo, help me find a place?"
"You must sell yourself door-to-door. Don't worry—even a basic attack can crit sometimes. I believe in you!"
He left after that, leaving me alone in the room, silently crying over Granny's letter. Must the Azurehill young lady beg for food?
As they say, even a blind cat catches a mouse! Maybe someone will hire me.
I slung my backpack and started asking house by house.
"Hello, need a cook-only nanny?"
"No!"
"Hello! Need a cook-only nanny?"
"Little sister, you're so pretty! Come in for a bit?"
"Ah! Thanks, no. Goodbye forever!"
"Hello! Need a cook-only nanny?"
"I can barely feed myself—no money for a nanny!"
"Hello! Need a cook-only nanny?"
"I prefer takeout!"
......
Forty-third house. Still no luck. That jerk Brother Mo! Such a terrible idea. Azurehill Fox Clan dignity is nearly in the garbage heap! When have I, Xia Bing, ever humbled myself like this? Furious!
"Forty-fourth house. After this, I'll go back. Tomorrow... I'll continue."
"Hello! Need a cook-only... Huh? Cute Teacher!"
"Student Xia Bing! What are you doing here?"
"I, I'm just..."
Oh no! If she finds out I'm working, she might report me—I could get expelled.
"The way you look... could it be..."
"No! Nothing, not that!"
Cute Teacher suddenly hugged me. "I know—you ran away from home. Rebellious phase stuff. I was a rebel girl too. Don't worry, I won't tell your parents. Homeless now? Stay at my place awhile."
Teacher, you misunderstood... but whatever. I'm exhausted and just need rest.
"Teacher, no dinner yet?"
"Yeah, waiting for my nephew. He's not back."
"Teacher, not good at cooking?"
Awkward silence. Cute Teacher's face reddened; she stammered.
"I... I can cook! My food just tastes awful. And if I cook early, my nephew won't get steaming hot meals..."
That explanation with that face? Zero persuasiveness.
"In that case, I, this young lady... ah, this student will cook. You won't go hungry."
"Oh! Really? You can cook?"
Cute Teacher, stop looking at me like cooks are gods just because you can't.
"I don't boast, but cooking's my specialty! Lend me your kitchen—I'll check the fridge."
As I opened the fridge, the doorbell rang. A familiar voice and figure entered.
"Xia Bing!"
"Qiuyuchen!"
