Chapter 51: Like a Family of Three

The moment the Scarlet Flame Mink heard there was meat to eat, its eyes gleamed even brighter.

“Little glutton!” Ji Yin scooped up the mink by the scruff of its neck and nestled it into her arms. “Your fur is so soft, it feels wonderful. I think I’m starting to like you.”

The Scarlet Flame Mink squinted contentedly, nestling obediently in Ji Yin’s embrace as she stroked its fur.

“Shall we head back?” someone asked.

“Alright,” Ji Yin replied absentmindedly, her attention wholly absorbed by the little beast in her arms, not even glancing up.

Suddenly, an arm curled around her waist. Before she could react, she was swept off her feet—Xuan Yuanji had picked her up. With a graceful leap, he soared through the air, and in the blink of an eye, they landed within the courtyard.

Wu Yan stared, dumbfounded at the scene before him.

The young master was holding Ji Yin, and Ji Yin was holding the Scarlet Flame Mink. Why did they look so much like a family of three?

He must be seeing things.

Xuan Yuanji released Ji Yin and strode directly into the house.

Ji Yin was still in a daze; she’d been carried by Xuan Yuanji again. Twice in a single day!

“Seventh Young Master, won’t you come in for some tea?” Xuan Yuanji’s voice sounded from inside.

“N-no, I have things to attend to. I’ll take my leave,” Ji Yin stammered, turning and hurrying back to her own courtyard.

Her small figure looked very much like someone fleeing in haste.

Xuan Yuanji sat beneath the window, lifting a cup of clear tea to his lips. He couldn’t help but smile.

Ji Yin only relaxed once she’d returned to her own little courtyard.

Just now, Xuan Yuanji must have carried her simply to get back faster. That must be all. So she’d been picked up—why was she reacting like this? Suddenly, she didn’t dare face Xuan Yuanji again.

The Scarlet Flame Mink hopped from her arms and began exploring the room.

“Ah! A rat! There’s a rat!” Shuang’er shrieked in alarm.

The Scarlet Flame Mink immediately bristled, its little paws flashing. How dare she call it a rat, such a lowly creature—intolerable! In a flash, it charged at Shuang’er.

Shuang’er slapped the mink onto the table with one hand, flattening its face in the process.

Ji Yin couldn’t help but laugh. Now the little beast had met its match. Shuang’er had broken through the second tier, after all. The Scarlet Flame Mink clearly didn’t know its own strength—so combative, it deserved to be squashed.

Grabbing the mink by its tail, Shuang’er inspected it carefully. “Young Master, this isn’t a rat!”

Ji Yin came over and poked the mink’s belly. “It’s a spirit beast called a Scarlet Flame Mink.”

“Wow! A spirit beast!” Shuang’er immediately set it down, her eyes shining. “It’s so cute! Though it does look a bit silly.”

Every hair on the Scarlet Flame Mink stood on end.

You’re silly! Your whole family is silly! It was positively bristling with indignation.

“Young Master, how did you catch it? It seems to understand what we’re saying!”

“Xuan Yuanji caught it. It’s my pet now—take good care of it.”

“Yes, Young Master!” Shuang’er nodded at once.

The Scarlet Flame Mink jumped down from the table and continued scurrying about the room. In a single bound, it leapt onto a cabinet door, spreading its limbs as if it had been pasted there. “Chit-chit-chit!”

That cabinet was precisely where Shuang’er kept her stash of jerky and candied fruits.

“Give it a bit of jerky to eat, but not too much,” Ji Yin instructed softly.

Shuang’er quickly opened the cabinet. The aroma of meat filled the air, and the Scarlet Flame Mink’s face was alight with excitement; it clasped its tiny paws together, tongue lolling out.

“Here you go—eat up.”

The Scarlet Flame Mink grabbed the meat at once, hopped onto the table, and gnawed away, utterly absorbed.

Sitting in her rocking chair, Ji Yin watched the little glutton devour its food with not a shred of dignity, and could only shake her head in amusement.