"Ying?"
Outside the sunroom, Ansheng, who was eavesdropping on Lin Ying and Grandmaster Lin’s conversation, seemed to sense something and lifted his head, meeting Lin Ying’s gaze.
"Haha....."
Ansheng awkwardly changed from crouching to sitting on the ground and greeted Lin Ying.
Uh... I seem to have come at the wrong time, maybe I should line up outside as well?
While outside the house, Ansheng vaguely guessed that Lin Ying might be doing something secretive inside, hence the reason for so many people lined up outside the Lin Family’s house.
However, being a fox, there shouldn’t be so many things to avoid. Even when Ah Qing changes clothes, she doesn’t hide from me. What gossip can’t a cute little fox hear?
"Nephew?"
On the video call, Grandmaster Lin seemed to notice something off in Lin Ying’s expression and stopped discussing anything related to the Spirit Beast, frowning slightly as he called out.
"......"
Lin Ying retracted her gaze, looking back at Grandmaster Lin on the other end of the video call, shaking her head gently: "No problem at all, it’s just that the animal outside is the comfort animal I adopted when I was feeling low some time ago..."
"It sensed my melancholy and wanted to come inside to comfort me."
"Oh? A comfort dog?"
Hearing this, Grandmaster Lin chuckled, saying, "Then you better cheer up quick; we once had a therapy dog for severe depression at the America Medical Clinic."
"Hey... The person’s depression got cured, but the dog got depressed thanks to the owner."
Lin Ying: "......."
Ansheng, who was eavesdropping: "......"
Grandmaster Lin cracked a joke, still smiling broadly as he continued, "Let’s leave it at that! It’s almost time for my breakfast; everything else you should consider on your own."
Extraordinary creatures dubbed ’Spirit Beasts’, although they understand humans.
In their essence, they remain wild beasts, and facing such beasts without heavy weaponry is exceedingly dangerous and life-threatening for humans.
Moreover, ’Spirit Beasts’ are strategic resources for Xia Country.
The Lin family’s base is overseas, and their business includes international shipping.
Avoiding suspicion is crucial.
...
After the video call ended, Lin Ying got up from the sofa, unplugged all the connected wires behind the TV, and opened the locked sunroom’s soundproof door.
The entire sunroom was designed with soundproofing and insulation in mind from the very start.
In the villa, the sunroom has the best soundproofing, making any conversations inside unintelligible from the outside.
But.... the little fox is clearly not normal.
"Please come in."
Lin Ying squatted down, picked up Ansheng and entered the sunroom, placing the little white fox on the table.
"You heard everything just now."
Lin Ying sat back on the sofa, looking at Ansheng, and after a moment of silence, she asked.
While speaking, Lin Ying placed her phone in front of Ansheng, continuing to say:
"Honestly, I speculated that the world might have gone insane, to give birth to creatures as miraculous as Master Fox..."
"But my courage is apparently too small; I never imagined we humans could be so crazy."
Lin Ying’s slightly expressionless face revealed a bitter smile.
What Grandmaster Lin said tonight was a concept-shattering revelation for Lin Ying.
Master Fox’s existence might not be an extremely rare case, but something tied to confidentiality regulations.
"Ying ying ying...."
Ansheng also felt full of emotion, mumbling a couple of sounds, yet Lin Ying had no idea what the fox was saying.
If Lin Ying could hear, no matter how poker-faced she was, she’d surely be dumbfounded.
Lin Ying talked about the world, landscape, and resources.
But Ansheng was complaining about possibly misunderstanding Old Chen’s management of Tea Mountain.
It turns out.... that boar, resembling a mammoth and topped with a tuft of blue fur, was an extraordinary beast.
If only I knew sooner, I wouldn’t have neutered it.
Ansheng was now full of regret; sending a Spirit Beast to Chen Zhiyu for breeding would be such a profit.
Even when those big lizards breed, it costs thousands. If it were a Spirit Beast, wouldn’t that be tens of thousands per attempt?
"Master Fox...."
As Ansheng complained about everything, from skies to small workshops requiring quality materials, Lin Ying shook her head to clear scattered thoughts and called out to the fox.
"Ying?"
What? Do you want me for breeding? The little fox eyed Lin Ying warily.
Yet Lin Ying couldn’t hear the fox’s gripe, she solemnly committed:
"Regarding your matter... I swear by the Lin Family Ancestral Hall’s ancestors and Mazu not to disclose it."
"The Lin family rose to power through ruthlessness and righteousness, and Master Fox has been kind to me..."
"Ying ying ying——"
Ansheng waved dismissively, showing he was just an ordinary little fox; why bother telling him all that.
"No! Listen to me..." Lin Ying, seeing Master Fox signalling not to continue, felt warmth well up inside, suddenly causing a previously minor ache in her abdomen to ease.
"Previously tasked matters, Grandmaster advises me to wait for a suitable time...."
"But after thinking, rather than abruptly stopping and raising suspicion, it’s better to continue by converting the Spirit Beast search into building the finest zoo."
Before this, there were things Lin Ying was completely unaware of, yet some words were spoken.
Of course, due to previous ignorance, when organizing a new department, Lin Ying left the name and instructions very vague.
As an informed individual, Grandmaster Lin found the intention dubious while reviewing the new department’s proposal and specifically called Lin Ying during her vacation to inquire.
In the end, Lin Ying’s approach, process was all wrong, but she somehow correctly guessed the result.
"In fact, one of my daughter’s greatest wishes before her passing was for me to take her to Changlong Zoo, so we’ll simply build one in Jiule City."
Lin Ying said after that, looking at Ansheng:
"This way, should Master Fox’s uniqueness ever become exposed, there’ll be a spot for enjoying retirement....."
Ansheng, full of exasperation, tapped a few words on the phone:
[I’m just a little fox, what’s all this to me, do you think I can understand?]
[Come on, stop with the ill-omened talk.]
Seeing the text, Lin Ying for a moment found herself silenced by Master Fox.
Right!
Master Fox can delete surveillance, browse things online, and even ask for saucy images.
If not for his kindness in saving her, how could she ever know Master Fox’s extraordinary nature?
While Lin Ying was silent.
Ansheng continued to write another line:
[Regarding the Spirit Beasts your Grandmaster mentioned, if they are strange creatures, I know where some are, but.....]
"I got it!"
Lin Ying’s expression turned serious, she said: "I’ll use Master Fox’s intel wisely for fishing!"
"I’ll certainly investigate how they exploit and manage spirit beasts, ensuring your safety, as a way to repay the life-saving grace...."
Ansheng: "........"
What the hell am I saying the crocodiles are huge and you might get too close to danger!
How did you end up in a spy movie!
Who’s the gratitude-paying fox between us!