Bad women are always eyeing me covetously.

But then I thought, why is she arguing so much with a child?

As long as we cultivate them gradually, won't they still be on our side?

Thinking this way, Jade's mood improved considerably. After all, the other party had sent her here, and it would be a shame not to accept her.

However, Emerald's desires went beyond that. She not only wanted to cultivate Xi Lan into one of her own, but also to make her her own possession.

Emerald, leaning back in her chair, played with a chess piece with her slender fingers, watching with interest as Xilan wagged her tail and seemed much happier.

Let me observe you carefully and see what value you have so far, little guy.

As if sensing something, Xi Lan turned her head slightly and looked at the location of Emerald.

All I got in return was a gentle smile.

That gaze, as if she were being watched by something, seemed to be just her imagination.

But the goosebumps on my body weren't fake...

Perhaps it's best not to talk about this.

If I were to say it out loud, who knows what strange things might happen.

After spending some time at Jade's office, Xi Lan casually made up an excuse and left as quickly as she could.

However, as she was leaving, Xi Lan noticed a distraught woman at the door. As if she had prepared herself mentally, she walked into Ms. Emerald's office.

No, this doesn't seem to be an office, but rather that room called "Ciyu Pawnshop".

However, the young Xi Lan didn't notice anything unusual in the room. She even obediently stepped aside to let the woman in first.

Then, considerately, he closed the door.

Xi Lan didn't really want to know what was happening inside the door, nor did she have the courage to eavesdrop.

After all, last time she was abandoned prematurely because she overheard Kaffa and the others' conversation...

Perhaps it was here that he developed a sense of dependence, or perhaps he developed feelings for Emerald, this mature woman, similar to those for Kaffa...

At least, Xi Lan no longer wants to be abandoned.

She would sheathe her fangs and claws and become a docile fox beside the Emerald Lady.

With her mind wandering to all sorts of random thoughts, Xi Lan returned to her room in a daze.

As soon as she entered, Xi Lan saw Estella, who had somehow sneaked into her room, sitting idly in the spot where Xi Lan had been reading.

The next second, she heard the sound of the door opening. Estella's eyes lit up, and she jumped off the chair, taking small steps to stand in front of Yulan.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for ages!"

During this time together, the children have become fairly good friends.

However, Xi Lan didn't know why the other party liked to come to her side. Even if she asked her, Aisda would just laugh it off and brush things off.

If the other party doesn't want to talk about it, then Xi Lan won't ask.

"I went to pick up a small gift; it was given to me by Ms. Emerald."

At this point, Xi Lan happily took out the little fox doll she had been protecting in her arms and showed it to Aisda as if it were a treasure.

For some reason, the pink-furred ball of fur in front of me paused for a moment when it saw the little fox doll, and then instinctively looked towards the spot on the single bed.

Xi Lan noticed her change in mood at this moment and blinked in confusion.

"What's wrong, Estella...?"

The pink-haired little dumpling hesitated for a moment, looking rather embarrassed, and pointed to the dog doll on the bed that was somewhat similar to the doll she often hugged, but with a different pattern.

"This is my second favorite doll. I'm giving it to you, Xilan. You won't dislike it, will you?"

Estella slightly raised her head to look at the little fox, feigning anticipation, as if she wanted to hear something from Yulan.

As expected, Xi Lan smiled happily upon receiving the gift from her friend.

Xing seems to have said that the most effective way to express gratitude is with a tight hug.

She put the little fox doll in her arms aside and, under Estella's questioning gaze, straightened her clothes.

Then he went up to the pink-haired girl who was a little shorter than him and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you, Estella, I'm very happy."

The little girl in pink, caught off guard by the hug, had never received such a hug from anyone other than her close family members.

Her fair and chubby cheeks gradually flushed with a blush, but her hands obediently returned the embrace to the silvery-white little fox in front of her, refusing to let go.

The thought that this fox might also find other ways to make friends with others made Estella feel uneasy.

Otherwise, let Father discuss with that Jade Lady and have Xi Lan go to their house.

Anyway, it's not like she can't afford to support Xi Lan.

Estella's little head came up with a whole bunch of quirky and clever ideas.

Then, it broke free from Xi Lan's embrace and said that it had something to do and had to go back first.

She seemed to be in a hurry, so Xilan didn't say much. After quietly tidying up the mess that Estella had made, she looked at the gift she had received today.

She placed the two dolls very carefully in the softest spot on her small bed, and even thoughtfully covered them with blankets.

Seeing this scene, Xi Lan nodded in satisfaction.

Then he lay down between the two dolls, staring blankly at the ceiling, as if he was thinking about something.

And she herself had been held in the middle of Kafka and Hoshi in the past, and even now, Yulan could still feel their body temperature.

.......

I miss you all so much.

----------

Chapter Eighteen: Lady Emerald is a really good person

As time went on, Xi Lan couldn't say for sure how long Lady Emerald's ship remained there.

At least during this period, she and Estádio did become good friends.

The two children used to talk about almost everything, and Xilan even secretly told Aistar about her past experiences.

And he was burdened with debts of unknown magnitude.

Estella had never heard of so many numbers before, and even the two children couldn't figure out how many zeros there were by gesturing with their own hands.

"No, it's okay. If you don't want to stay next to that older sister anymore, just come to me!"

The little pink fluffy ball puffed out its chest confidently, looking very self-assured.

Given their family's circumstances, raising a little fox would be more than enough for them!

But... if I were to raise Xi Lan... wouldn't that mean a lot of my allowance would be deducted?

No, no, Estelle, how can the relationship between friends be measured in money!

Estelle was exceptionally confident about this matter.

Meanwhile, Xi Lan, who was in charge of supporting the event, clapped her hands and looked at Estella with shining eyes, seemingly believing what she was saying.

As for the young lady who had just walked in, she heard the young lady say that she wanted to raise her own little fox, and the little fox even clapped in response in a silly way, which made the young lady chuckle.

The conversations between children are truly fascinating.

Clearly, Emerald took their words as mere children's banter and didn't take them to heart.

However, clearly startled, Yulan and Estella, seeing the mature woman smiling at them, ultimately chose to make their escape.

Of course, it was Estádio who unilaterally grabbed Yūran's wrist, wanting to escape from this area.

But Emerald didn't give the two brats a chance to escape; instead, she successfully grabbed Xilan and Estella by the collar.

With her escape plan clearly failing, Estella had no choice but to give up the struggle.

After all, I secretly came out to play with Xilan today... Is she her parent, or should I say creditor? Never mind, I don't understand the relationship between the two of them... Let's just say... well, you could call her a parent.

Surely they didn't come here specifically to kidnap her, did they?

As Estádio thought this, she then saw the butlers chasing after her from behind Emerald.

The woman in front of her casually handed the little creature in her hand to the other woman, and only then did Emerald have time to look at the other little fox in her hand.

"Why don't you speak?"

Emerald looked at Xi Lan, who had become much more obedient, with a smile, teasing her.

"Um..." Xi Lan wagged her tail helplessly, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but when she saw Emerald's eyes, she swallowed back all the words she wanted to say.

Her cheeks were flushed red as she murmured softly, "I won't leave you until I've paid off my debts, Lady Emerald."

Her slightly guilty look was actually quite cute.

Jade was still smiling, while Xi Lan secretly observed her, unsure whether she was satisfied or not with the answer.

Even though there are so many zeros, and no one knows when the debt will be repaid... perhaps even a lifetime spent paying off the debt with Lady Jade...

It doesn't seem to work?

Xi Lan's little head was having a brainstorming session.

In the end, it was concluded that this situation seemed acceptable if one could stay by the Jade Lady's side for a lifetime.

But what about Kafka and the others?

The image of another group of people that appeared in her mind immediately interrupted Xi Lan's overly dangerous thoughts.