After the Founding of the Nation, No One Is Allowed to Become a Spirit

"Knock, knock, knock."

An Yang knocked on the door.

No one answered.

An Yang pursed his lips. He didn't wait long before pulling out his key and inserting it into the lock. With a click, he opened the door.

The living room was small and cozy, and had been tidied up nicely, but it was empty. The curtains were drawn, making it a little dim.

"Where is everyone?"

An Yang glanced around. He closed his eyes and focused for a moment, then realized there was no one at home.

Not in the living room, nor in the bedrooms.

He reached out with his left hand and practically dragged the timid little fox through the doorway. Only then did he take Xiao Qian's hand and lead her inside, where they changed into slippers.

He'd told An's parents in advance that he was coming home, so the old couple wouldn't have stood him up. And with the slippers waiting by the door, they must have gone grocery shopping.

It was just past nine in the morning, not yet ten.

An Yang dropped onto the sofa. At a glance, he spotted a cage hanging by the window, with two birds inside.

One was about the size of a fist, its body a brilliant blue with little splashes of bright red in its feathers. It was quite beautiful. The other was slightly larger—a colorful myna bird. It turned its head and stared straight at them, its eyes bright and lively.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" The myna flapped its wings and called out as soon as it saw him turn around. Its voice was sharp, but not grating.

"Heh." An Yang chuckled softly. He went over, carried the cage inside, and opened it. The two birds immediately flew out, circling him and Xiao Qian again