SYLFS 14

Chapter:14

 Don’t Worry, Because Your Big Brother Is Here

“Thank you for your trouble today, Young Master Chu. It’s already late, so I won’t disturb you any further. I’ll come by first thing tomorrow morning to offer my apologies properly.”

Having decided to leave, Guan Xuxu planned to clean up the little fox afterward.
Tomorrow, she was determined to show that old master a spotless, snow-white Hu Piaoliang.

Chu Beihe gazed at her serious expression, his face calm and unreadable. Then he quietly nodded and instructed the butler beside him,
“Escort Miss Jiang home.”

The butler bowed respectfully and led Guan Xuxu to the door.
Even though they lived in the same residential area, he still arranged for a patrolling security cart to take her and the little fox safely to the front gate of the Jiang residence.

The commotion had reached the Jiang household, and the family butler came out to see what was going on.
For a moment, he froze at the sight before him.
He had no idea when the young lady had gone out — and more importantly, she was holding… was that a fox?

“Miss, that is…?”

As he watched the Chu family’s guards leave, the butler looked from her to the small furry creature in her arms, unsure where to even begin questioning her.
Noticing she was lightly dressed for the cold night, he hurried to usher her inside.

When they entered the house, Jiang Huai was standing at the foot of the stairs, apparently waiting for her.
From the second-floor corner, Jiang Su poked his head out, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

The moment Guan Xuxu stepped through the door, Jiang Su noticed what she was carrying and lowered his voice in alarm.
“W–What’s that? You know pets with fur aren’t allowed in this house!”

Guan Xuxu gave the outspoken boy a brief glance, her expression calm and composed.
“If that rule is true, then why are you allowed to stay here?”

Jiang Su blinked, momentarily confused. Jiang Huai couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
When the boy finally understood the insult, his face turned red, and he was just about to explode—

“It’s already late, isn’t it? Grandpa and the others are asleep by now, right?”

That single remark extinguished his fury instantly.

No noise at night — that was the Jiang family rule.
Their elderly grandfather was a light sleeper, and startling him awake could harm his health.
No matter how angry he was, Jiang Su couldn’t throw a tantrum now. He turned away in frustration and stomped upstairs as quietly as he could.

Watching his retreating back, Guan Xuxu turned to Jiang Huai.
Her expression softened. Adjusting her hold on the little fox, she pressed her lips together and said earnestly:

“This little one is my pet fox. He came looking for me after realizing I’d moved.
I’m renting a place outside, so I’ll just keep him here for tonight and take him with me tomorrow morning.”

It was her way of saying: I won’t trouble you.

Hearing that, Jiang Huai felt a pang deep in his chest.
She had kept this fox long before, but must have cared for it outside the house because the Guan family wouldn’t allow it.
Even now that she had returned to her real home, she didn’t intend to live here freely.
That humble, cautious attitude made his heart ache — and that ache quickly turned into anger toward the Guan family.

She’s the eldest young lady of the Jiang family — my sister. She should have been able to live however she pleased, without anyone denying her what she wanted…

“This is your home,” Jiang Huai said quietly, masking his feelings behind a graceful smile. “You can keep whatever you like here.”

Guan Xuxu blinked in surprise.
“But Jiang Su said… nothing furry is allowed in the house…”

“You said it yourself earlier, didn’t you?” Jiang Huai raised an eyebrow. “If he’s allowed in, then your fox is too.”

Then, repeating her own words with a touch of humor, he reached out and gently brushed his fingers over the fox’s head.

Seeing her still looking at him, stunned, he smiled softly.
His peach blossom eyes gleamed, and his voice carried a quiet confidence as he said:

“Don’t worry. Your big brother’s here.”

Those words brushed warmly across Guan Xuxu’s heart.
Something about them felt strangely familiar, like an emotion she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She nearly said “thank you,” but then remembered his earlier words:
‘No need to thank your brother.’
So instead, she simply nodded, her voice soft.
“Okay.”

Holding the fox close, she returned to her room and closed the door.
It was only then she realized her lips were curved into a small smile.

Looking down, she found the little fox staring up at her, eyes full of curiosity.

Her expression instantly grew stern.
“I told you to stay put, didn’t I? You almost got yourself electrocuted tonight and turned into a roast fox.”

The little fox seemed to understand. It spun around once on the floor and pointed with its nose toward its tiny backpack.
—As if to say: You moved away, so I came to find you. That’s all.

Guan Xuxu couldn’t help but laugh softly. She crouched down to remove the backpack.
Inside was a single can of Hu Piaoliang’s favorite food, along with her cinnabar talisman papers and some ritual tools.
She realized that during the three days she’d been hospitalized after her car accident, the little fox must have been worried she didn’t have her “equipment.”

Smiling as if rewarding him, she stroked his head and then carefully put everything away.
She had kept those things in her outside apartment — partly to keep them secret from the Guan family, and partly for safekeeping.
That was why, when Bai Shuqin had thrown her out, she hadn’t bothered taking anything with her.

Originally, she had planned to visit the fox once things calmed down — but he had come to her first, even if he got the address wrong.

It was late, but Guan Xuxu still brought the little fox to the bathroom and washed him thoroughly from head to tail.
By the time she climbed back into bed, it was well past midnight.

The next morning, she woke up later than usual.
For a moment, she stared blankly at the princess-style decor around her before remembering — this was her new room.

Just then—

A shriek echoed from downstairs.
“Kyaa! There’s a fox!! …Butler, hurry!”
Another voice followed:
“Where did that wild fox come from?! Catch it!”

Guan Xuxu snapped awake instantly and bolted upright.
The room was empty — the fox wasn’t there.
The screams continued below.

Her expression changed sharply.

—Hu Piaoliang!!