Why was I the one being won over?

Moze's cheeks twitched uncontrollably, causing the chopsticks in his left hand to tremble uncontrollably.

The boiling cauldron bubbled and bubbled, the bright red chilies and dark bottom of the pot seemingly intertwining to create a picture of hell.

The diners around him were enjoying the delicious hot pot without a care in the world, but for him, who didn't particularly like spicy food, this hot pot was undoubtedly a test for his taste buds and his stomach.

"Oh, what does it matter? Eating a real hot pot once in a while is quite an experience. No, rather, what you and Feixiao usually eat isn't hot pot at all; at most, it's just meat simmered in water."

This table was located in a secluded corner of the hot pot restaurant, close to the wall. Jiaoqiu and Moze sat on the same side of the two-seater table, while Bai Jun sat on the other side of the table, separated by the two-seater table.

Hearing Moze's complaint, he rubbed his lips with his thumb, his expression calm and composed, but a hint of fox-like cunning unconsciously crept into the smile at the corner of his eye.

"Exactly! Didn't I say this a long time ago: clear broth is bland, mild spiciness is uninteresting, a yin-yang broth is impure, and cilantro ruins the flavor. Only the super-devilishly spicy beef tallow hot pot, which avoids these four points, can be called the most perfect hot pot. If you ask me, you're in luck today."

Jiaoqiu echoed her words, half-covering her face with a feather fan, her slightly narrowed fox eyes lifting with pleasure.

These two are practically identical, especially Bai Jun. Even though he's not Foxkin, Moze feels like he's got a pair of fox ears on his head now.

"Guest, your order has arrived!"

The waitress was a very cute Foxkin- girl. She pushed a cart to the table and served long, short, large-leaf, small-leaf, fresh, and dehydrated cilantro in turn. Before leaving, she glanced at Bai Jun's face with a regretful look that seemed to say, "So she's already taken." Then she sighed and left.

Just as Bai Jun was feeling completely bewildered, Jiaoqiu, sitting opposite him, glared angrily at the table piled high with cilantro and complained as if she could no longer contain herself, "That wretched Bai Jun, ordering so much cilantro! Are you trying to kill me right here?"

"Oh, what does it matter? Having a cilantro feast once in a while has its own unique charm."

Bai Jun smiled and used his chopsticks to pick up a bunch of cilantro and dip it into the pot, explaining in his familiar tone and expression.

"Exactly, and I remember you, Jiaoqiu, clearly said that if someone else was treating, you could make an exception and eat cilantro."

"I was just being polite when I was talking about other people. Bai Jun isn't exactly 'other people,' but I never expected that someone as seemingly innocent Moze would betray me!"

Sitting to the side, Moze finally found his chance and delivered a timely blow to Jiaoqiu clutched his chest with an expression of disbelief.

"Alright, eat it while it's hot! Cilantro is best eaten fresh and crisp."

"I guess I've fallen for your tricks this time. Fine, I'll eat... a few bites. Please, have mercy on me."

The cilantro had only been simmering in the pot a few times when Bai Jun took the opportunity to put it in Jiaoqiu's bowl. After hesitating a thousand times in her heart, Jiaoqiu sighed like a salted fish that had given up struggling, picked up a strand of pink hair next to her cheek, lowered her head and ate a bite of cilantro. Then, her upright fox ears drooped down listlessly, and her beautiful features twisted into a mess.

Seeing Jiaoqiu's mournful face, the usually taciturn Crow-Feathered Weirdo showed a rare faint smile. He took the pink-haired fox's embarrassing appearance as a joke, and picked up his chopsticks to put some cilantro in his bowl.

"Doctor, being a picky eater isn't a good thing, you should try to accept it... cough cough cough cough--!!!"

Just as Moze put the cilantro in his mouth, ready to utter a few words to mock Jiaoqiu, he was choked by the terrifying spiciness and coughed incessantly, almost coughing his lungs out.

Seeing the two men's disheveled appearance, Bai Jun couldn't help but laugh.

Before anyone knew it, Moze and Jiaoqiu had gradually returned to normal, and they both looked somewhat surprised as they faced Bai Jun's smile.

Bai Jun quickly noticed this, and then his happy smile instantly turned into a disgruntled question, "What's with those expressions?"

"Nothing, nothing~ You seem to have lost weight recently, and you smile a lot more, which is a good thing. I'm just a little curious about what you've been through while you were away from Yaoqing, and also..."

Jiaoqiu rested his cheek on his left hand, waved his feather fan in front of the steaming hot pot, revealing his face hidden behind the steam.

"Are you angry with me?"

Jiaoqiu's narrow eyes, which were always described as having ill intentions, were now open. Her tone contained both confusion about Bai Jun's sudden departure and, more importantly, regret for her own reckless words back then.

Only you can become her medicine.

What arrogance and conceit! Disregarding the opinions of others, he wantonly shifted the responsibility that should not have belonged to Bai Jun onto him.

Whenever she recalls the words she said to Bai Jun by the river, and thinks that perhaps it was her arrogance that drove Bai Jun away, Jiaoqiu's heart is filled with bitter regret.

Moze silently lowered his deep blue eyes, his wavering emotions leaning towards Jiaoqiu.

He probably meant something like, "I hope you can forgive Jiaoqiu."

Bai Jun shook his head, calmly lowered his eyes, and said frankly, "No, I was never angry. This is not a lie. On the contrary, I want to apologize for leaving without saying goodbye back then..."

Ever since the issue of his lifespan was resolved, he had been looking for an opportunity to apologize to Yaoqing's old friends.

I was so stubborn and naive back then.

She only believed she couldn't become her medicine because of the issue of lifespan, and thought that she could just escape. Her self-destructive act of severing ties was the real bastard.

"Oh, I was just joking. Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's have a drink first, as a greeting gift for our reunion."

Jiaoqiu sensed Bai Jun's low spirits, so she decisively changed the subject and used the second most effective move in "One Hundred Ways to Deal with Bai Jun" - she took out a bottle of unlabeled liquor from the brocade pouch on her back.

He suddenly revealed a frivolous smile, cheerfully unscrewed the bottle, and the transparent liquid drew a graceful arc in the air before smoothly falling into Bai Jun's and his glass. As for Moze? In order to keep his mind clear at all times, he did not drink a drop of alcohol, for which he was often teased by Feixiao.

"Where did you learn to carry alcohol with you all the time? I don't recall you ever having that habit."

Bai Jun didn't refuse. He raised his glass with Jiaoqiu, clinked glasses, and then tilted his head back to drink the clear liquid in his glass in one gulp.

"Since we've recently developed a new type of medicinal cuisine, it's quite normal to carry alcohol with you, right?"

The wine was sweet and fragrant, with a lingering aftertaste. Anyone with a little knowledge of wine knew it was a lie, since no one would use a fine wine that had been treasured for thousands of years to make medicinal cuisine. Even Feixiao could hardly get such wine from Jiaoqiu.

Even someone like Bai Jun, who can't distinguish the quality of alcohol, could vaguely sense that this drink tasted far better than any he had ever tasted before.

Bai Jun frowned slightly, about to ask Jiaoqiu what kind of wine it was, but Jiaoqiu interrupted him again, asking, "Speaking of which, have you noticed that the diners nearby are all secretly watching you?"

Actually, even without Jiaoqiu's reminder, Bai Jun had already noticed that the diners next door and the passing waiters were frequently glancing at him.

Jiaoqiu remained silent, smiling slightly as she pointed to her cheek, while Moze beside her tacitly took out a mirror from his pocket and pointed it at Bai Jun opposite him.

Bai Jun's reflection in the mirror looked no different than usual... if one could ignore the hickey on his face that seemed to be a declaration of ownership.

"Oh, I see, that makes sense now... What the hell! Why do I still have hickeys on my face? Why didn't you two tell me?!"

"You didn't ask us either."

Bai Jun snatched the mirror from Moze's hand and began frantically wiping the hickeys on his face, looking at his reflection. Jiaoqiu and Moze seemed to notice something, suddenly sitting up straight and praising him earnestly, "Stop wiping! I think the hickeys are quite nice. You can tell at a glance that a great beauty left them."

"Don't talk nonsense... wait, actually the hickeys are quite nice, after all, she's an absolute beauty, um, a super absolute beauty fox!"

Bai Jun, who was focused on wiping away the hickeys, suddenly realized something and changed his mind just before the fair and slender jade arm was placed on his shoulder.

Unfortunately, he was a step too late. The owner of the hickey was already sitting beside him, her arms wrapped around his neck, her body pressed tightly against his shoulder, and she breathed softly into his ear. "Judging from your tone, you seem quite dissatisfied with my masterpiece?"

"Aha, how could that be? Speaking of which, Feixiao, aren't you afraid of causing a commotion by just walking into a hot pot restaurant like that?"

"Hmm, that kind of thing doesn't matter. Besides, I've done my homework, nothing will happen. Look, here you go~"

If a gossip list were to be compiled for the most popular celebrities in the Xianzhou, then the only ones who would be at the top, or even the undisputed champion, would undoubtedly be the Seven Arbiter-Generals. There would be no exceptions; the Xianzhou native would always only admire and respect their own generals.

Take Jing Yuan for example. In Luofu, he's so popular that even a single photo of him would be fought over. And the Foxkin general, who is also one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals, is no less so. Although that might be a bit of an exaggeration, in the eyes of the Foxkin, she's probably the kind of person who would make the news even if she sneezed.

Therefore, it is understandable that Bai Jun would have such concerns. However, when he glanced at the other diners and waiters in the hot pot restaurant, he found that they seemed unaware that a general had entered the restaurant and were still busy with their own things.

Bai Jun, not bothering to wipe away the kiss marks on his face, forced a smile, while Feixiao, pressed against him, raised a satisfied smile and showed Bai Jun the next ring carved from white marble.

The Curio Presence-Concealing Accessory – its function is simple: to eliminate the wearer's aura and diminish their presence.

The effect sounds pretty good, but in fact it's quite useless in combat. The so-called elimination of the wearer's aura and weakening of presence are practically useless in front of strong opponents. Even those with keen senses can detect that something is wrong.

However, if its purpose is changed—to conceal the presence of celebrities and other public figures, thus protecting them from the harassment of their fan base—the effect becomes exceptionally outstanding.

"With so many people paying attention to you, you must be quite a celebrity here in Exalting Sanctum, right? I happen to have an extra one here, so I'll give it to you too. It should save you a lot of trouble in the future."

As he spoke, Feixiao gently took Bai Jun's left hand and naturally placed the white marble ring on his ring finger.

Everything fell into place so smoothly that Bai Jun didn't even have a chance to process it before he found himself wearing the same ring as Feixiao on his ring finger.

It's impossible for Feixiao not to have some ulterior motives. She even went so far as to sacrifice the performance of the Curio for this plan, specially commissioning craftsmen to change the pendant-shaped Presence-Concealing Accessory into a pair of rings.

"Wait, wait... do you even know what it means to wear a ring on your ring finger?!"

"Oh, what does it matter?"

Bai Jun panicked and subconsciously tried to take off the ring, but Feixiao would never let him. He reached out and forcefully stopped him from taking off the ring. At the same time, seeing his panicked appearance, Fei Xiao became interested and couldn't help but bury his face in Bai Jun's hair.

"It smells so good, so good, so cute... I can't resist anymore, mua!"

Don't do that in public!!!

Ignoring Bai Jun's reaction, Fei Xiao, caught up in the Feixiao, couldn't resist and kissed Bai Jun's fair and smooth face hard again, successfully leaving another hickey on his face, which perfectly echoed the hickey on the other side of his face.

"Whoosh~ This young couple is having quite a bit of fun."

The onlookers gasped in amazement at Jiaoqiu and Moze.

Chapter 132 Foxkin Assassin Bai Jun (Big Fog)

The little incident at the hot pot restaurant quickly passed.

"Phew~ That's enough kissing, I can't kiss anymore, my lips will get swollen if I keep doing that."

Having replenished her "Bai Jun energy," Feixiao leaned back in her seat contentedly, her face flushed. She gently licked her pale red lips with the tip of her tongue, as if still savoring the lingering taste. Her mood had improved considerably, as evidenced by her beautiful, twitching fox ears.

Bai Jun, who was sitting next to her, only struggled for a moment before looking utterly hopeless. He didn't even bother to wipe the hickeys on his cheek anymore.

Because there were so many hickeys that I couldn't wipe them all away.

His appearance, as seen by Jiaoqiu and Moze opposite him, made him look exactly like a resentful little raccoon dog. Bai Jun seemed to notice this as well, and suddenly stood up.

I'm going to the restroom.

"Go early and come back early, don't even think about running away, or don't blame me for stamping your face again."

"Run away my ass! Besides, where can I possibly run to..."

Even though his seat in a secluded corner was almost unnoticed by the Curio, Bai Jun still felt a little ashamed with his face covered in hickeys, so he made up an excuse and left. Feixiao didn't stop him, but just watched him leave with a smile as he complained.

Bai Jun's figure completely disappeared behind the hall.

"You idiot, just eat your own food and stop putting cilantro on my plate!"

Jiaoqiu, who had been sitting opposite him, first handed the cilantro that Moze had put in Bai Jun's bowl, then took two pieces of hot pot meat from the pot and handed them to Moze. After doing all this, he put down his chopsticks and looked at Feixiao, who was in a good mood, with a slight smile:

"So, how is he? Has he changed a lot?"

Those sapphire-blue eyes hesitated for a moment, as if pondering an answer, before finally shaking their heads in denial. "What aspect are you referring to? I think he's always been himself. If I had to say there's been any change..."

"It's just... I feel like... he's been having a flirtatious vibe lately, and it's kind of attractive to me."

Feixiao rested her elbows on the table, her cheeks slightly flushed, like an ordinary girl in love.

Just smelling Bai Jun's inexplicably pleasant fragrance made her feel as if she, who was always calm and self-controlled, might lose control at any moment.

"Hmm... To be honest, I have the same feeling. Does he possess some kind of quality that attracts Foxkin?"

Jiaoqiu rubbed her nose, placing one hand shyly behind her head.

"Cough cough cough cough--!!!"

Upon hearing Feixiao's conclusion, and with Jiaoqiu nodding in agreement with a straight face, Moze, who had been engrossed in eating cilantro, coughed violently. He looked up in astonishment, trying to find even a trace of a joke on their faces, as was the case with them as always...

However, these two were not joking.

Feixiao is one thing, but Moze can't understand the feelings between men and women. But to be fair, he actually approves of the relationship between Bai Jun and Feixiao and sincerely wishes them well.

But the problem is clearly the latter. Jiaoqiu, what's wrong with you? I had no idea you harbored such inappropriate thoughts about Bai Jun. Even if Bai Jun is indeed very charming and likable, but... but you shouldn't... at least you shouldn't, right?

Human-fox, same-sex, older man/younger woman... this is way too hardcore!!!

Wait, could this be part of the trendy culture among modern young people, this weird thing called BL? No wonder Jiaoqiu always looks at me strangely, and touches me all the time when she's treating me, could it be...!?

A chill ran through Moze's body. While his expression remained unchanged, he quietly shifted his position, subtly moving further away from Jiaoqiu.

Even if it's not accepted by society, even if people can't understand it, but... if it's you, doctor, I should be able to wish you well in my heart. Hmm, never mind... I really can't say things against my conscience. I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible.

"Uh, I don't know what you're talking about, but the truth is probably not what you think. Hey, don't give me that look!"

"I understand. We'll still be colleagues from now on, no need for explanations."

"What do you mean 'no need to explain'? What do you even know? No, wait, what are you thinking, you repressed devil?!"

Seeing that Moze looked somber, solemnly patted his shoulder, and occasionally let out a mournful sigh, even if Jiaoqiu was slow-witted, he could guess that this guy's mind was definitely not clean. So he quickly slapped away Moze's hand on his shoulder and explained loudly.

"Excuse me, could I have a pair of chopsticks, and a small dish of dipping sauce?"

"Okay~ One set of chopsticks and condiments!"

Feixiao ignored Jiaoqiu's furious outburst and Moze's frequent sighs as if it were commonplace, and waved to the passing Foxkin girl.

Thanks to the Curio artifact, the Foxkin- woman didn't notice anything unusual. She only felt that a beautiful Foxkin- woman was beckoning to her, without connecting her to the Merlin's Claw hanging on her wall.

Completely too tired to continue arguing with Moze, and feeling increasingly exhausted, Jiaoqiu began to observe her surroundings. Taking advantage of Bai Jun's absence, she lowered her voice and asked:

"By the way, General, you saw the Dragon Lady of the Healer's Apothecary this morning, right? Could I see the prescription she wrote?"

Feixiao to the Ancient Sea in the morning was not without reason, nor could it be simply for the purpose of viewing the sea and flowers. Rather, it was an effort made to cure his terminal illness.