The afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, casting mottled shadows across the dark floor.
The air carried a faint scent of books and calming incense.
Su Shijun sat behind a broad desk, reviewing a Moonlit Parliament proposal on revisions to the trade details with the Huiyin Tribe. Beside it lay a stack of experiment reports delivered by the Two-dimensional Evolution Laboratory that day.
She wore a crimson robe embroidered with gold thread, her long hair loosely pinned up. Since she was in the mansion, she was not wearing those large red-framed glasses. Her profile looked tranquil and elegant amid the light and shadows, but the slight furrow between her brows and the faintly oppressive air around her showed that she was not as pleased as she appeared.
Knock, knock knock—
The hesitant knocking sounded.
"Come in."
Su Shijun did not look up, her voice calm.
The door opened a crack, and Zheng Suyi, Zheng Sushuang, Zheng Susan, and Poseidon poked their little heads through in order from top to bottom. Maodou had originally been dragged along as well, but the instant the door opened, he endured the pain and broke free from Poseidon's grasp, vanishing into a cramped corner in the blink of an eye.
Poseidon had no time to condemn the Doggy for fleeing at the critical moment.
"—Mama, I finished my Spell Studies homework!"
The Little Fox bounced adorably into the study. Perhaps because she had ulterior motives, though, her steps were a little awkward.
Unlike her, Zheng Su Yi Er San entered properly and solemnly, without even letting their gazes wander.
Su Shijun sensed that something was off.
She stopped the Feather Pen in her hand and lowered her eyes. The four little ones were all unusually neatly dressed today. Even though Poseidon had been