Xia Bing’s Perspective:

It was already the third day, and that female ghost still hadn’t left Qiuyuchen’s house. I tried to avoid too much contact with her, but her constant shuttling through the place made me uneasy. I was pondering Qiuyuchen’s true identity. I’d originally thought he might just be an ordinary guy with a thick skull, but now he might actually be a terrifying sorcerer who kept ghosts.

“Xia Bing, you’re here,” Cute Teacher said. “Yuchen’s taking a shower inside. I’ve bought the dinner ingredients. I’ll go prep my lessons now.”

I nodded, signaling I’d start cooking soon. I had to admit, Cute Teacher was genuinely kind. She was friendly to students at school and treated me well here too. She’d promised 500 yuan salary but insisted on giving me 1000. In this unfamiliar city, I felt real care from others. But…

I glanced toward the bathroom. Who was that person, really? Even now, I couldn’t figure it out. The only feeling was his identity must be extraordinary.

With a restless heart, I knocked on the frosted glass door. If he truly was a shady underworld sorcerer, what should I do? Should we ignore each other, come clean and part ways, or…

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Xia Bing! Got a moment? I want to talk.”

“N-now? But I’m showering.”

“No problem. I’ll talk from outside.”

“Alright, what do you want to ask?”

“Have you been encountering anything… unpleasant lately?”

Qiuyuchen paused on the other side. He seemed to be crafting a suitable excuse. Just as I thought—he wasn’t simple.

“Sorry, I was washing my hair and didn’t reply. Actually, I’ve been fine. Just slipped in the mud earlier. Thanks for caring.”

A perfectly reasonable explanation. But it was too perfect, making him seem even more suspicious.

“Oh, if anything bothers you, tell me. I am your desk mate, after all.”

Qiuyuchen joked, “Do I have ‘unhappy’ written on my face?”

“Hehe, I’m just overthinking. Don’t mind me.”

In the end, I still didn’t dare to come clean. But I sneaked into Qiuyuchen’s room, hoping to find evidence.

Is this what a boy’s room looks like? It wasn’t as messy as I’d imagined. No weird smells either. It felt cleaner than my own room!

I’m not here for a tour!

I slapped my cheeks to snap myself back. I had to hurry, or if Qiuyuchen caught me, it’d be hard to explain.

Persistence pays off. In a desk corner, I found a Yellow Talisman fragment. Though its red cinnabar markings had mostly faded, a faint trace of spiritual power lingered.

Why would an ordinary home have a consecrated Yellow Talisman? The only explanation was Qiuyuchen was indeed a Taoist Priest.

My heart pounded wildly. I pocketed the fragment and searched elsewhere.

Under the bed sat a strange little locked box. This raised my doubts.

I reached to touch it, but a purple magic array repelled me, burning my hand.

Knock knock…

Oh no, Qiuyuchen was finishing his shower. I had to leave fast, or if he caught me, it’d be worse.

“Xia Bing? What are you doing here?”

“Nothing, just looking for a band-aid. I burned my hand.”

Qiuyuchen grabbed my hand and examined it closely. I tried to pull back, but his grip was too strong.

“It’s serious. I’ll get iodine to disinfect it.”

“No trouble needed. It’s just a small burn.”

“No way. Such pretty hands would be a shame to scar. Bear with it.”

Qiuyuchen brought iodine and carefully applied it. Strangely, even knowing he might be a Taoist Priest or shady character, I felt oddly at ease. I barely noticed the pain.

“Almost done. I’ll get a bandage… uh!”

After applying the iodine, he looked up. Our eyes met. Our faces were less than three centimeters apart. Fresh from the shower, water droplets clung to his hair, and shower gel scent filled the air. My heart fluttered strangely…

“Ahem, all better? Your hand’s injured. I’ll cook dinner tonight. You rest on the sofa.”

“Th-that’s not right! You’re paying me. I must work.”

“How about you guide me then?”

The burn wasn’t bad, but he insisted, so I agreed.

We headed to the kitchen. Even with my guidance, the taste wasn’t great.

“Oh~ So tonight’s dinner was made by Yuchen and Xia Bing together? It tastes extra delicious. Hmm~ It has a flavor of young love.”

“Cute Auntie, stop teasing! I know my cooking isn’t as good as Xia Bing’s. Just criticize me.”

“Nonsense! Cooking isn’t about taste; it’s about the cook’s heart. So Yuchen, don’t be rigid! Look at Xia Bing—she hasn’t said a word. Why are you, a guy, so nervous?”

“Ah! Oh, um.”

I’d been daydreaming and missed what Cute Teacher said. Why were they looking at me so strangely?

Embarrassed, I hid my flushed face behind a bowl of rice. Why did I suddenly remember Qiuyuchen applying medicine? Forget it! Forget it!

As usual, I returned to the apartment Moyan had rented for me. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed without changing. I let out my six fox tails—they’d been cooped up all day and needed stretching.

“I never thought you’d get lazy in human society. If Granny saw that lazy expression, you’d be scolded again.”

“Brother Moyan! How did you get in?”

“Open door, push door, enter door.”

I forgot he had a key. If a normal person saw me like this, I’d be in big trouble.

“What brings you here today, Brother Moyan?”

“Can’t I visit a village sister? Hmph… Why do you smell of human talismans? Could it be…”

“Don’t overthink. Look at this. Its Taoist power has mostly faded. I found it at my employer’s house. Now do you believe me?”

Moyan took the Yellow Talisman fragment. His expression turned grave.

“Did you two ‘come clean’?” (meaning: be upfront)

“No. He doesn’t seem to know I’m a Fox Demon. Plus, my homeroom teacher is his aunt—she’s ordinary. I think he’s hiding his identity too.”

“Xia Bing, you’re too naive. Human hearts are treacherous. Everyone wears a mask. We demons know this best. Don’t let your guard down.”

“What do you suggest, Brother Moyan?”

Moyan handed me a small red gourd pendant from his neck. “This is my unique signal. Blow into it, and the bell on my waist will ring. I’ll come to help. Wear it, just in case.”

“Thanks… Now, if nothing else, please leave! It’s not proper for a man to stay in a girl’s room. I need to shower and rest.”

“What? Shy? I’m a man of integrity.”

“But as a fox, that’s another story.”

Moyan looked displeased, but I knew he was faking it. Foxes are masters of deception.

“Remember my words. Blow the gourd if trouble comes.”

Trill…

“What?”

“Remember to close the door.”

Brother Moyan…