Chapter 7: Mysterious and Odd

Chapter 7: Mysterious and Odd

I gathered my thoughts, contemplating how to approach Li Fan for help, only to find him standing before me with an unperturbed expression, seemingly confident that I would seek his assistance.

The bathroom lights cast a dim glow, accentuating his figure with a subtle aura. Dressed in white, he exuded an otherworldly allure that even immortals and gods might envy.

I had seen my fair share of handsome men, but none quite like him; my eyes nearly glued to his form.

Truly a fox spirit, he could captivate even while standing still!

"Bai Ci," he said, "If you continue to stare at me like this, I'll strangle you."

"Ah... I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't strangle me." I apologized hastily, scolding myself inwardly.

Damn, I momentarily forgot he was a married fox spirit. How pathetic of me! To be so smitten by a man already taken.

Despite the shame, I hesitated for a while before cautiously bringing up Bai Zhi's situation to him.

"Well, Li Fan, please, I beg of you. She's my only sister, save her." I tugged on the corner of his garment, speaking softly with a hint of pleading. Had it not been for the dirtiness of the bathroom floor, I would have knelt right then and there.

I didn't want to do this either, but after all, I was asking for a favor, especially after the mistake I just made.

Li Fan raised an eyebrow. "She's not my sister. Why should her life or death matter to me?"

"But saving a life is worth more than building a pagoda. Aren't you trying to accumulate merit? This is a chance handed to you on a platter! You'd be foolish to turn it down." Quick-witted, I found my argument immediately.

Observing him stealthily after speaking, he gazed at me with a stoic expression. He suddenly chuckled softly and said yes.

My heart leaped with joy. Just as I was about to ask how he planned to proceed, he continued, "But I won't be the one rescuing her. It'll be you. The merit needs to be earned by you for it to be effective. If I were to accumulate merit personally, why would I need you?"

His words... They were coherent and made perfect sense.

Although I would be the one rescuing her, his assistance was still necessary, right? Wasn't this an indirect agreement?

Suddenly, a weight lifted from my heart. With this promise, I felt as if I had found support.

Seeing that our discussion was over, I reached for the door, planning to leave. However, he stepped forward with his long legs, using one hand to push the door closed again.

"Bai Ci, I'm willing to help you, but you have to promise me something," he whispered against my ear, his lips almost touching my skin. I could distinctly smell the subtle fragrance emanating from him.

"Did you speak to others like this before?" Mindful of his status, I evaded his question: "Does your wife have no objections?"

I tilted my neck slightly, our positions were delicate; a mere turn of my head would bring our lips together.

"Hmm..." He took a few steps back, his fox-like eyes seemed distant as if reminiscing about someone: "Yes, she's so hypocritical. She forbids me from doing this while she does it every day."

Without waiting for my response, he continued: "So, do you want my help? If you do, there's one condition."

"What is it?"

He pondered for a moment before stating earnestly, "Promise me you won't speak ill of me behind my back. Don't think I'm unaware of what you've said."

"Alright." I agreed promptly. If not saying it meant that much, then I'd refrain from doing so, even if it meant voicing my opinions right to his face.

After settling the matter, I pushed the door open and saw my aunt rushing out with an urgent need to use the restroom.

"Oh, dear girl, you're finally out," Auntie exclaimed, her face contorted in discomfort as she hurried towards the toilet.

I bowed apologetically, acknowledging that I had indeed spent quite some time talking to Li Fan. Then, I heard her muttering to herself inside the restroom.

"Ah, the youth of today, they engage in such acts in broad daylight, even in hospital restrooms... No sense of cleanliness at all..."

I froze on the spot, turning my head stiffly to look at Li Fan beside me.

He stood expressionless by my side, contemplatively pondering over Auntie's words. His body was no longer translucent as before; it had become much clearer, resembling that of a genuine human being.

"But they couldn't see you before, right? How can they see you now?" I felt my cheeks burning fiercely with embarrassment.

Li Fan looked at me, his voice innocent, "Didn't you say it yourself? To prevent others from thinking you're mentally ill, I made myself visible. Now it's my fault?"

"That must have been quite an effort for you," I gritted my teeth.

He hadn't even bothered to inform me of his appearance, and now the misunderstanding was worse than being taken for a madman.

Unaware of my sarcasm, he looked at me contentedly, his voice cold yet clear, "Good, at least you understand."

Me: "Grass!" As in the plant.

As I had classes in the afternoon, I didn't stay too long at the hospital. After arranging for a caregiver online, I returned to school.

Li Fan didn't return to his tattoo; instead, he made his body semi-transparent again and accompanied me to class.

After class, it was already quite late. With a caregiver looking after Bai Zhi, I had no worries. Straining under the weight, I dragged my luggage out from the security office, preparing to lug it to my dormitory.

My original luggage wasn't heavy, but Grandma, fearing I'd go hungry, had insistently stuffed it with local delicacies, making the two bags bulging and cumbersome.

"You're practically moving your entire home here?" Li Fan observed my bags from head to toe.

"You wouldn't understand; this is Grandma's heavy burden of love!" I replied while carrying the luggage.

I walked ahead, and he followed behind. I wanted him to help, but sensing he wasn't inclined, I decided to keep quiet.

Fortunately, halfway there, a few guys offered assistance, helping me carry the luggage to the dormitory entrance.

Once the guys left, he suddenly remarked, "Young lady, I didn't expect you to be quite popular."

I turned to look at him quizzically, feeling that his tone was oddly sarcastic.

What the heck, why was he being sarcastic? Wasn't it fine if he didn't help but others did?

Indeed... The thoughts of a male fox spirit are truly inscrutable.

"I see that school beauty ranking over there? I've topped it for three consecutive years. It's only natural to be a bit popular," I said, my voice tinged with pride as I mentioned my achievements.

"...You?" Li Fan gave me a glance, followed by a disdainful chuckle.

Well played, my fists clenched.

When we returned to the dorm, Li Fan stayed by my side and brazenly entered the female dormitory. If not for the fact that the dorm supervisor couldn't see him, she would have surely stuffed a mop into his mouth.

My dorm was a four-person room with one empty bed. Usually, only my sister and another roommate, Song Wu, resided here, while I preferred staying outside.

Song Wu had yet to return. After tidying up briefly, I sat on my bed in a daze. Suddenly, I noticed an jade pendant on Bai Zhi's bed.

"What's this?" As I reached out to grab it, Li Fan swatted my hand away.

"Do you know what it is and dare touch it recklessly?"

"Oh," I replied.

I promptly withdrew my hand, only to see Li Fan suddenly break into a smile as he reached out to ruffle my head.

"Little girl, I know why your sister became like that."