“This rat is quite fragrant.”

Xiao Qing licked her grease-stained paws, looking thoroughly satisfied. She’d just swallowed the giant rat whole—bones and all—making me swallow hard.

Do beautiful girls really eat this… barbarically?

“You take your time licking. I’ve got things to do and need to head back.”

Once my demonic energy settled, I slipped my clothes over the fox form and shifted back into my human shape. Class was long overdue. The teacher would mark me absent for sure—and scold me endlessly later.

“Why go back, Lady Nine Tails? To endure that crazy woman’s yelling? We’ve already skipped class—might as well skip properly and have fun!”

*Poof!* A wisp of smoke later, Xiao Qing returned to her human form, still licking her fingers with unshakable habit.

“You’re not still thinking about asking me for a ‘shuangxiu’ session, are you?”

Seeing her so close, I instinctively stepped back and covered my chest… Wait, why am I covering *this*? There’s literally nothing here…

“Come on, Lady Nine Tails, you’re overthinking it,” Xiao Qing cooed, switching instantly to a heartbroken expression. “I just want to cheer you up. Hearing you cry earlier… it shattered my heart.”

Watching her Oscar-worthy acting, I almost wanted to recommend her for Hollywood. With that face, talent, and ageless beauty? She’d outshine every big-name star—minimum, she’d snag a “Wild Horse Award” or “Chrysanthemum Award.”

“How exactly do you plan to make me happy? Nothing… indecent, right?”

“…So in your eyes, Lady Nine Tails, I’m just *that* kind of vixen?”

“Yes.” I nodded firmly. Hmph. Pushing for a ‘shuangxiu’ on our first meeting? Definitely not a proper fox spirit.

“My lady, you jest! Xiao Qing simply meant—*ride me*…”

She patted her chest. The second “ride” left her lips, my phone was already out.

“Hello, 911? There’s a female pervert here—”

“Wait, Lady Nine Tails! Please let me finish!”

She lunged to stop me.

“Go ahead,” I set the phone down. Just bluffing—I’d never actually call the cops. If anything, I’d dial the wildlife protection association to deal with this fox.

“I meant I’d turn into a horse! You’d ride me galloping freely—*ride together through the mortal world*, live carefree, enjoy life’s splendors! My old human friend adored my white horse form… She passed away over a decade ago… Sigh…”

Her eyes sparkled with nostalgia. I doused her dream instantly.

“Horses aren’t allowed in the city.”

“Huh? Since when? I thought it was fine in the Republic of China era.”

“How dare you quote *previous dynasty* rules for *this* dynasty? Bold move.”

I pinched my throat, voice shrill like a eunuch’s.

“What if I become a motorcycle? A bit complex, but it runs!”

“Sorry. Traffic law requires a motorcycle license. I don’t have one.”

This city enforces rules strictly. As a law-abiding citizen, I’d never break them.

“Then… an electric bike? *Please*?”

“Electric motorcycles are banned.”

“A… bicycle? *Surely* that’s allowed…?”

“We have shared bikes. Why ride one you transformed?”

“B-because I can hit 300 km/h! Name one bike that can! Add wings—I can *fly*~”

“City speed limit: 40 km/h. Below 5,000 meters? No-fly zone. Even demons follow basic law. Get a flight license first.”

“Flying needs paperwork too? No cloud-riding without a license? Go earn your Jindouyun driver’s permit first…”

Bucket after bucket of cold water. Her fiery spirit dimmed. Color drained from her face. She stood frozen—a chalk-white statue, cracks spreading across her surface. One touch, and she’d shatter.

“I’m a demon! From the Azure Hill Demon Realm! I don’t follow human laws!”

Finally, she seized the argument. Color flooded back. “I’m from Azure Hill!”

“And where’s Azure Hill?”

“Uh… somewhere near Jiangsu and Shandong? Why?”

I smiled, took a deep breath.

“Jiangsu and Shandong are sacred, inseparable parts of our nation. So—are you not of this land? Do you not speak Huaxia tongue, read Huaxia script, honor Huaxia customs, carry Huaxia blood? That Hanfu you wore… was *Hanfu*, right? If you live here, you follow our laws.”

By the time I finished smiling, Xiao Qing was utterly shattered. Not just colorless—a cracked statue. One breath away from crumbling.

(Truth be told, I felt a twinge of guilt. I’d bent rules too… harmless stuff, but… never mind.)

Call me a keyboard warrior. A pedant. I stand on the moral high ground.

“I understand… I’ll study hard and improve every day… Thank you for your guidance, Lady Nine Tails.”

She muttered, eyes hollow. Stiff as a zombie, she trudged back toward the teaching building.

“Hmph. *Little miss* thinks she can flirt her way in? Dream on.”

I smirked coldly. I saw right through her. Just wanted “accidental” closeness to deepen bonds—ultimate goal: another ‘shuangxiu’ pitch. Did she think I was that naive?