On the second floor of Taibai Ju, the private rooms were elegantly designed, quite different from the typical wooden partitions in other restaurants. Instead of solid walls, each room was separated by thin, gauzy curtains, allowing those inside to see the outside but preventing those outside from looking in clearly.

  However, if one wished to discuss private matters, it was better to go to the third floor, where the rooms were more secluded.

  Ying Yi knew that Lian Muxiu had come today for the precious little fox in his arms, and since the busy National Master rarely had the time to casually wander around food streets, he had not booked a room on the third floor.

  “National Master, please this way.” Manager Bai bowed respectfully and led them to a quieter room in a slightly secluded area. “As per your guard's instructions, I have specially chosen this quiet spot.”

  “No problem, it’s just what I needed.” Lian Muxiu replied, settling into the room.

  Ying Yi raised the curtain and allowed Lian Muxiu to enter with Little Nine. Manager Bai moved to follow them but was stopped by Ying San.

  “Manager Bai, shouldn’t you check the kitchen?” Ying San asked, smiling mockingly.

  Manager Bai paused for a moment, and quickly plastered a smile on his face. "Yes, yes, I will go immediately! I'll have the tea sent to you, and then I'll check with the kitchen."

  “Yes, four people,” Lian Muxiu’s calm voice interjected.

  “Ah?” Manager Bai looked confused, murmuring to himself, “The National Master and two guards, that’s three people. Are there more guests?”

  Ying San walked over and leaned in, pressing his weight on Manager Bai. He whispered, “Are you blind? Can’t you see the National Master is carrying another one?”

  Manager Bai looked at Lian Muxiu’s arms and his eyes widened. He stammered, “T-That’s... that also counts as... a person?”

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  Little Nine, nestled in Lian Muxiu's arms, had been listening patiently to Manager Bai. Feeling slighted, she bared her teeth and gave him a fierce glare. However, being so small, even her fiercest growl came across as adorably cute.

  Ying San laughed. “You’ve never seen such things before, huh? Our National Master treats all beings equally. Even if it’s just a fox in his arms, she’s part of the National Master’s family now.”

  Manager Bai, still taken aback, quickly agreed, “Ah, yes, yes, four people, understood. I’ll leave now.”

  With a wave of his hand, Ying San motioned for him to go. Manager Bai, now thoroughly flustered, turned around, murmuring to himself about how strange the National Master’s household was, even treating a fox as part of the family. He’d never seen such a thing before.

  Ying San waited until Manager Bai had gone downstairs before entering the room, “Master, how did I do?”

  “Not bad, you’ve got a bit of flair.” Lian Muxiu smiled, complimenting Ying San.

  Little Nine, who had been watching, tilted her head in confusion. “What are you two up to?”

  Lian Muxiu grinned. “You think I didn’t give any orders to Ying San, and he just figured it out?”

  Little Nine’s big eyes looked up at Lian Muxiu, completely puzzled.

  “You’re probably wondering why he knew what to do without being told,” Lian Muxiu teased, but this time, he made sure not to rile her up.

  Meanwhile, Ying San quietly moved closer to Ying Yi, whispering, “What’s going on with our National Master? He’s talking strategy with a fox?”

  Ying Yi’s expression remained unchanged. “Shut up.”

  “Hey, Ying Yi, I’m just chatting with you. Come on, tell me what you think,” Ying San insisted, leaning in.

  Ying Yi’s lips twitched. He couldn’t stand Ying San’s incessant questioning. He really wondered what Lian Muxiu saw in him to keep him around.

  “Why did the Master call you?” Ying Yi finally snapped.

  “Come on, to...” Ying San froze mid-sentence, suddenly realizing that the reason he was called wasn’t for strategy. He was here to help calm the fox in Lian Muxiu’s arms. Had he just been made a fool of?

  Ying San glanced at Ying Yi, his disbelief evident. He couldn’t believe Lian Muxiu was willing to spend so much time over a fox.

  Ying Yi’s next words crushed any lingering hope. “The Master came out today just to bring the fox here to eat.”

  Ying San’s mind shattered at that moment, the sacred image of Lian Muxiu he’d had crumbling to dust. For a fox, the National Master had set aside his duties and taken time out of his schedule to eat with it?

  “Ah!” Ying San suddenly shouted, causing both Lian Muxiu and Little Nine to turn toward him.

  Flustered, Ying San quickly coughed and muttered, “Sorry, my throat’s a bit sore.”