Chapter 246: Aqing, You Actually

Old Man Deng has achieved his wish of winning the tea duel prize—a trivial award to tea corporations, but perhaps a wonderful, never-before-experienced beginning for a husband-and-wife-run tea estate; let them strive toward higher-level tea duels: municipal, provincial, and cross-strait competitions!

Deng, is my fire resting safely beneath your eaves?

Devotion +1

As Yu Zhenghong happily accepted his award and was surrounded and scrutinized by tea merchants, An Sheng's wish list settled its devotion: 1 point of devotion credited.

Aqing, have you noticed your little fox seems off—unnaturally smug?

Mo Yiqing, seated on the village committee's sofa, turned her gaze to the fox in her lap: the fox sat upright on her thighs, head tilted back, nearly crossing its legs like a man.

Even without Aqing translating, Mo Yiqing could see the fox's face, radiating human-like triumph.

"Probably… not?"

Aqing glanced at the fox and said, "Maybe it's just copying those cute pet videos online."

After speaking, Aqing returned to her duties—the village committee had many elders visiting; she needed to serve tea and greet them, leaving no time for live streaming or filming.

Having produced a category champion, the village brings prestige to Zhangxizhen.

As champion of the Qingxiang Oolong category, Yu Zhenghong's family was busy entertaining guests nonstop.

Only now, after all the commotion, did Yu Zhenghong finally taste his own tea field's prize-winning brew: "Qing'an Oolong."

……………

After everything was settled and dinner taken at the town's restaurant, the hour was already nine at night.

"Since… we're celebrating the end of the tea duel, how about we have dinner together tomorrow?"

"The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall we scheduled has been postponed so many times, it's already soaked through its second round."

Back home, Mo Yiqing, slumped on the sofa, turned to Aqing: "I'll have them start simmering the ingredients tonight—it should arrive by tomorrow night."

Mo Yiqing left home to escape, and also because she craved authentic Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Yin Pengfei was a shield; had he not overstepped and disturbed her good friend, Mo Yiqing had no intention of breaking ties—after all, his presence spared her countless meaningless social obligations.

He had his own scam to swindle his mother; she had her own clever plan; their cooperation was mutually beneficial.

Mo Yiqing originally planned to hide at Aqing's for a few days, eat a meal, perform a little act, then return home—but then Aqing's family entered the tea duel, so she volunteered to stay, help out, and pet a few foxes.

Now that the tea duel is over, the restaurant can serve the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall anytime.

Mo Yiqing also wanted to go home, and finish her summer observation assignment.

"Huh? You're going home so soon?" Aqing, equally exhausted and sprawled on the sofa, stared at Mo Yiqing in surprise: "But… I still need time to pack up."

"No rush—it's just that since your family won, we might as well celebrate together. I need a few days to buy souvenirs to take back," Mo Yiqing said with a grin, hugging Aqing: "I'll even show you my Bai—the one with the huge fur."

"Huh?"

An Sheng, emerging from the kitchen with a can of cola in his mouth, heard Aqing and Mo Yiqing's conversation—his fox face instantly twisted with astonishment.

"Is our itinerary including a visit to Mo Mo's place?"

An Sheng often went out at night to stroll—he didn't know that Yu Xueqing and Mo Yiqing had already planned a trip to Chancheng.

Or rather, Mo Mo had invited Aqing to visit, and this time, she'd be Aqing's tour guide.

After the trip, the two could return to school together early, making the journey less boring.

'Ying ying ying? Are we going to Mo Mo's? But Foxie has so many friends—I'm afraid I won't have time to say goodbye to everyone!'

"Sorry, Xiao An."

Seeing the fox run over, hearing its delighted questions, Aqing's face softened with regret as she stroked its head:

"Yes, we're going to Mo Mo's, but…" Thinking of the pain of parting, Aqing's voice grew low:

"You must stay home, because after our trip, Aqing and Mo Mo will fly straight to Changancheng to return to school. But don't worry—I'll come back for Mid-Autumn and National Day to pet you."

An Sheng froze, as if struck by lightning, staring at Aqing in disbelief, letting out a whimper:

"You… you go eat salmon sashimi and roasted pigeon with red sandalwood and don't even take me—but you actually want to leave me, a fox, alone at home?"

"Pah! Traitor! Do you even have a conscience?"

"No, no, I'm not abandoning you—when I'm gone, Dad and Mom will take care of you. They adore you."

"You might as well just release me," An Sheng slumped, legs splayed, flopping onto the sofa like a dead fox, already plotting to have Lin Bingyun book him a flight to Changancheng.

"."

Seeing the fox go rigid as a fox-shaped ice pop, Aqing and Mo Yiqing exchanged helpless smiles, trying to coax the stiff stick back to life—but it wouldn't budge.

So,

Aqing reluctantly opened two cans of chilled cola, letting Xiao An drink freely, and piled meat jerky and snacks before him.

"Can I come?"

"Sorry, school…"

"Don't say it—I get it. The moment I arrive at your school, I'll order all the stray pets to take turns pooping in the principal's office."

Watching Aqing and Xiao An, Mo Yiqing's expression hesitated—but after thinking, she stayed silent.

The apartment she rented near school wasn't actually rented—it was her own property.

The dorm doesn't allow pets, but her own home? That's fine.

Still, Mo Yiqing thought: during class, she'd have to lock Xiao An at home—and with her cluttered space and sisters constantly dropping by to pet the fox, she couldn't handle it.

One or two visits? Fine—she could pretend her cousin was her boyfriend. But daily visits? Where would she find a boyfriend to die every day?

Mo Yiqing closed her mouth, looked at the pitiful fox, and decided: tomorrow, she'd roast him an ostrich leg as compensation.

……………

At 11: 0 p. ., full-bellied An Sheng stepped out of the house, face scowling:

"What kind of school is this? Why can't I bring a fox? I don't even eat your school's rice!"

"Always persecuting me—wait till I finish handling the Spirit Beast Gang—oops, the Stray Pets Mutual Aid Association—I'll persecute you back."

He harbored the worst suspicions about the unseen principal: urinary incontinence, bald patches, foot odor…

"Come this way, Lord Fuli!"

As An Sheng leapt onto the wall, Su Qiyuan, waiting across the street, immediately raised his now-cold chicken leg, signaling quietly to Lord Fuli.

'Ying?'

Seeing the chicken leg, An Sheng froze, face darkening with exasperation.

(End of Chapter)