Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
The smile was faint and gentle, but more genuine than ever before.
"My lord, you're being a little too perfunctory with me."
"I wasn't just giving a perfunctory answer; I was telling the truth."
Tingyun walked back to the bedside and sat down beside him.
The fox tail came around from behind and gently rested on his leg.
"Grown ups."
"Um."
"May I ask you a personal question?"
"Ask."
What is your opinion on the term "fox spirit"?
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
It's just a word. How you interpret it depends on the person using it.
"Is that young woman considered a vixen by adults?"
Higashino Makoto looked at her, at the light that shone in her Kohaku eyes.
"Yes."
Tingyun's smile froze for a moment.
"Grown ups--"
"But 'vixen' is not a derogatory term."
Higashino Makoto interrupted her.
"Not here."
Tingyun stared at him for a long time.
Then she chuckled softly.
"My lord, you are truly..."
She didn't finish speaking.
Because she didn't know what to say.
She simply sat there, her fox tail gently draped over his lap, her Kohaku eyes gazing at his profile.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the two of them and bathing everything in a golden hue.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"What are you planning to do during this month you've been with me?"
Tingyun thought for a moment.
"I have many things I want to do, but there is only one most important thing."
"What?"
"Make the adults happy."
Higashino Makoto looked at her.
That's it?
"That's it."
Tingyun tilted her head, her fox ears twitching slightly.
"I am a secretary. A secretary's duty is to make the master's life more comfortable and enjoyable. I don't need to do anything earth-shattering. I just need to do every little thing well."
"For example?"
For example... brewing tea.
Tingyun stood up, walked to the table, and picked up the teapot.
"The adults like black tea, without sugar or milk. The water temperature should be controlled at around 90 degrees Celsius, steep for three minutes, and then pour it out."
As she spoke, she skillfully brewed tea.
The movements were fluid and graceful, without a single unnecessary element.
"For example, massage."
She returned with the teacup and handed it to Higashino Makoto.
"Adults often sit and read, which can easily cause stiff shoulders. I've learned some techniques that can help relieve fatigue in adults."
Higashino Makoto took the teacup and took a sip.
It tastes different from the one Ako made.
It's not better, nor worse, just a completely different taste.
For example, talking to adults.
Tingyun sat down beside him, her fox tail gently resting on his lap.
"When adults are alone, they think about many things. Some things, if you think about them too much, will make you tired. I can keep you company and talk to you, so you won't be so tired."
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and looked at her.
"You've thought of everything."
"I just did my homework."
Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
"Before coming here, I asked the other guardians to learn about your habits, preferences, and dislikes."
What did they say?
"They said that adults don't like being tested, they don't like beating around the bush, and they don't like being used as tools."
Tingyun's voice softened.
They also said that adults may seem strong, but they are actually very lonely.
Higashino Makoto's fingers paused for a moment.
"Lonely?"
"Yes, loneliness."
Tingyun looked at him, a certain light gleaming in her Kohaku eyes.
"Many people surround you, but none of them can truly understand you. Because you are too strong, so strong that you don't need anyone."
She paused.
"But not needing it doesn't mean I don't want it."
Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.
He looked at Tingyun, at the earnest, unadulterated light in those Kohaku eyes.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"Don't listen to their nonsense, I'm very happy, I'm not lonely at all."
"Perhaps, but I will continue to observe."
Tingyun's fox tail swayed gently.
"Furthermore, I believe that what adults need is not understanding, but companionship."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"You're a very interesting person."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
Tingyun bowed slightly, twirling her folding fan between her fingers.
"Then this humble woman will... not stand on ceremony."
Higashino Makoto leaned back against the headboard, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"You just said you asked the other guardians. Did they tell you that, here, a secretary is more than just a secretary?"
Tingyun's fingers paused for a moment.
"They... said."
"What did you say?"
They say the adult is very gentle. They say the adult is very caring. They say the adult...
She paused.
"--It's very appealing."
Higashino Makoto turned his head to look at her.
"So, are you tempted?"
Tingyun silent for a moment.
Then she smiled.
That smile wasn't the composed smile from before.
Instead, it was a smile tinged with shyness.
"This young lady... is trying hard not to be tempted."
"Why?"
"Because being moved can make people lose their rationality. Losing one's rationality leads to mistakes. Making mistakes disappoints adults."
Higashino Makoto stared at her for a long time.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"With me, you don't need to be too smart or too rational. As I've said before, all the Guardians are my favorite type."
Tingyun was taken aback for a moment.
"Grown ups--"
"Being smart is a good thing. But people who are too smart tend to overthink. And overthinking is exhausting."
He paused.
"You don't need to maintain your composure in front of me. You don't need to worry about disappointing me. Just be yourself. No matter which guardian you are, I will never let go."
Tingyun looked at him, her Kohaku eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"My lord, do you know? Your words are more... heartwarming to me than any sweet talk."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"Then I'm interested. I don't mind."
Tingyun lowered her head, her long, dark green hair falling down and obscuring her face.
The fox tail swayed gently behind it, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"Grown ups."
Her voice was very soft.
"You are really... cunning."
Higashino Makoto remained silent.
He simply reached out and ruffled her hair.
The fox ears trembled slightly between his fingers, and the furry touch made his fingers pause for a moment.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
Your ears are very soft.
Tingyun's face turned even redder.
"Grown ups--"
That's the truth.
Tingyun took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at him with her Kohaku eyes.
"My lord, if you continue like this, I really will—"
"What can you do?"
"I wouldn't be able to resist pouncing on him."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Then pounce on me! I'd really like to experience that feeling."
Tingyun stared at him for a long time.
Then she took a deep breath and stood up.
"My lord, I'll go prepare lunch for you."
She turned around and walked towards the door.
Her pace quickened compared to when she arrived, and the silver ornaments jingled erratically with each hurried step.
The fox's tail swayed gently behind it, as if trying to conceal something.
She stopped at the door without turning around.
"Grown ups."
"Um."
"I will try my best."
What are we striving for?
I will try my best not to let you down.
She stepped out of the room.
The door closed behind her.
Higashino Makoto sat on the bed, gazing at the closed door, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Tingyun..."
He murmured the name, a glint of light flashing in his dark eyes.
"Interesting."
Outside the window, sunlight streamed onto Novas Etier's floating island, bathing everything in a golden glow.
In the distance, the clouds drifted slowly in the breeze, like a river of time.
And he had just begun his journey with this fox-girl.
One month.
It's neither long nor short.
But Higashino Makoto felt that this month shouldn't be boring.
After all--
Having a fox around always brings unexpected surprises.
Lunch was prepared by Tingyun.
It wasn't brought from the small kitchen; she made it herself.
Four dishes and a soup, beautifully presented, with excellent color, aroma, and taste.
Steamed sea bass, sweet and sour pork ribs, garlic vegetables, crab roe tofu, and a bowl of steaming chicken soup.
Higashino Makoto sat at the dining table, looking at the dishes, a hint of surprise flashing in his dark eyes.
"You did this?"
"Made by a young lady."
Tingyun stood beside him, holding a teapot in her hand, her Kohaku eyes looking at him.
"Please try it, my lord. If it's not good, I'll make it again."
Higashino Makoto picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs, and put it in his mouth.
The flavors were perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, the meat was tender and juicy, and the cooking time was just right.
"Good."
"Just not bad?"
"It's delicious, very tasty. It's almost as good as the head chef's dishes."
Tingyun's lips curled up slightly.
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
Higashino Makoto picked up another piece of fish and savored it carefully.
"Did you cook often when you were in Novas Etier?"
"Occasionally."
Tingyun poured him a cup of tea.
"I love cooking. When I'm cooking, I can forget everything else and just focus on the ingredients in front of me. It's a very relaxing feeling."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Then you should do it often from now on."
Tingyun's eyes lit up.
"Does the adult like it?"
"Like."
"That young lady makes these for the adults every day."
Higashino Makoto put down his chopsticks and looked at her.
Aren't you tired?
"Not tired."
Tingyun shook her head, her fox ears twitching slightly.
"Serving you, sir, is never tiring for me."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"You certainly know how to please people."
"I just want to see you happy."
Higashino Makoto did not respond.
He picked up his chopsticks again and continued eating.
Tingyun stood beside him, watching him eat, her Kohaku eyes gleaming with a soft light.
The fox tail swayed gently behind it, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
That was the first day between Higashino Makoto and Tingyun.
He didn't know what would happen next.
But he knew one thing—
He began to understand King Zhou of Shang.
The fox spirit is truly amazing!