Don't mess with that Miao boy, he's sickly and perverted.

When the sedan chair arrived at Ouyang's residence, the lanterns at the gate had already been lit.

Two enormous lanterns, intricately carved and unlike anything I'd ever seen before, hung high on either side of the imposing mansion gate, their edges adorned with gold, giving them a very grand appearance.

When Chai Xiaomi looked at it, the only word that came to mind was "extravagant".

Wu Li and Ouyang Rui had already alighted from their sedan chairs.

As she slowly lifted the veil and beaded curtain to peek out, Wu Li had already extended his hand, waiting quietly by her side. The sedan chair was about the same height as a horse's back, and although there were stirrups underneath, Chai Xiaomi still habitually reached out her hand to him.

However, halfway through, another arm suddenly darted in, a voice filled with tension: "Mi'er, you must be careful, don't jump, be careful of the baby in your belly."

If Ouyang Rui hadn't reminded her, Chai Xiaomi would have almost forgotten that she was supposed to act in this play.

Judging from the concern and worry in Ouyang Rui's tone, anyone who didn't know better would think the child was his.

Just as Chai Xiaomi was about to wave her hand to decline his help, her wrist was suddenly gripped firmly by a large hand.

Immediately afterwards, an irresistible force pulled her off the sedan chair, and she fell into the young man's arms like a falling butterfly, her clothes fluttering.

Despite the fierce impact, he still managed to catch her steadily without her feet shifting even an inch.

Normally, Wu Li would take her off the horse and immediately release her, but this time, Chai Xiaomi felt those two arms tighten silently like vines, firmly imprisoning her.

The brief few seconds felt like an airtight, yet restrained and suppressed embrace.

It wasn't until Chai Xiaomi turned her head in surprise to look at him that his hands quietly loosened their grip and let go of her.

It was as if nothing had just happened.

"You!" Ouyang Rui glared angrily from the side, scolding, "Young Master Wu, Mi'er is pregnant, and you're not even careful! Pulling her down like that, what if it disturbs the fetus?"

"My wife, I'm used to holding her, I know my limits." Wu Liyu's eyelashes were full of sarcasm. "But Young Master Ouyang is jumping around like a wild monkey. What's wrong, are you covered in fleas?"

Having said that, Wu Li didn't bother to look at him again. She took the girl beside her and walked straight past him toward the gate of the mansion.

Chai Xiaomi smiled shyly at Ouyang Rui.

Looking at Wu Li's calm and composed demeanor, anyone who didn't know better would think he was going back to his own home.

"Young master, that young man doesn't seem like a good person. You'd better not provoke him."

The servant standing nearby saw this and quickly leaned closer and whispered a word of advice.

"I don't care if it's good or bad. If fairies were so easy to obtain, they wouldn't be fairies." Ouyang Rui pursed his lips, his gaze still following the two people's backs. "Besides, there might be a reason why Mi'er is so devoted to him. Otherwise, why would he be so nervous when I mentioned the love potion? He seems to want to stick to her side all the time."

He felt increasingly frustrated and glanced at the servant: "Get out of the way!"

*

The banquet was held in the most spacious hall of the Ouyang residence, with a large round mahogany table in the center.

The table was covered with an embroidered tablecloth, and the table was laden with delicacies: a whole roasted suckling pig with crispy skin and a glistening sheen, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall stewed until tender, steamed hairy crabs piled up like a small mountain, and various exquisite pastries.

The candlelight illuminated the entire room, and the fragrance could be smelled from afar.

The white cat perched on Jiang Zhiyu's shoulder, rubbing its paws excitedly. "Oh my gosh, I knew it! The food at the richest man's house could never be bad. This trip was definitely worthwhile!"

As it spoke, it turned its fluffy head and winked at Chai Xiaomi: "Little Xiaomi, you've really made the right friend this time! How about we ask that Young Master Ouyang if we can come over for meals every day from now on?"

Jiang Zhiyu simply couldn't bear to look at his gluttonous master.

He had heard his father mention that his master was once a handsome young man who followed his colleagues from the Jingming Terrace to exorcise demons and monsters. He refused all gifts from others and even declined offers of marriage for his daughter.

He only asked for food as a token of his gratitude.

He's just as picky about things as Xiaomi, no wonder the two of them always get along so well. Xiaomi calls him "Old Ji" all the time, and he never gets angry.

Chai Xiaomi was starving, and her stomach was rumbling several times, which she barely managed to cover up with a cough.

As soon as she stepped into the house, her gaze was fixed on the table full of delicious food.

At this moment, a thin middle-aged man slowly walked up to them.

He had a prominent hooked nose with broad nostrils and some dark circles under his eyes. He smiled at the crowd and said, "I apologize for not greeting you properly. You must be my son's new friends. I am Ouyang Huai. Today, I will lead you to your seats. I hope you will not mind my age being among you."

As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over the group.

Three young men and one young woman.

With just a quick glance, he could tell that one of them was a woman dressed as a man.

Following Rui'er's undisguised gaze, the little girl being held tightly by the boy's side must be the one her son has his eye on.

Finally, his gaze settled on the boy.

With his silver ornaments, heterochromatic eyes, and slightly bewitching appearance, it was clear at a glance that he was a person of a different race.

In order to be able to sit at the table and eat legitimately, the white cat simply and openly revealed its identity.

It was the first to speak, picking up where Ouyang Huai left off: "Master Ouyang, you are too kind. In terms of age, I am the oldest person at this table."

The white cat stroked its whiskers with an air of maturity, saying, "Allow this old man to introduce myself, I am Jingmingtai—"

"Ji Fangshi!?"

Ouyang Huai was slightly taken aback, and blurted out.

His tone instantly became more respectful, "I was truly blind to your greatness, never expecting that Master Ji would grace Thousand Mist Town with his presence."

The white cat paused: "You recognize me?"

Ouyang Huai nodded: "Of course I recognize it. I've always loved collecting magical artifacts and often go to the Impermanent Ghost Market to trade. I've always heard of the Jingming Terrace. Who doesn't know that Master Ji of the Jingming Terrace, though he takes the form of a white cat, is highly skilled in magic?"

"It's not easy, finally someone doesn't see me as a monster anymore." The white cat flicked its tail, leaped onto the table, and called out, "How about we eat and chat?"

"Yes, yes, please sit down, don't be shy." Ouyang Huai sat down at the head of the table and was about to invite his son to sit next to him when he looked up and saw that Rui'er had already eagerly moved to the young lady's right side and sat down comfortably.

His gaze darkened, and in the end he could only sigh silently, taking it as his son's momentary whim, blinded by beauty.

Well then, we can find a few prettier girls for him later and send them to his room as bed warmers.

Ouyang Huai's gaze swept over the young woman again, lingering for a few more breaths without making a sound. She was indeed fair-skinned and pretty, with a captivating charm.

Suddenly, a gaze as sharp as an ice spike coiled around me like a venomous snake.

Ouyang Huai subconsciously turned his gaze and met the eyes of the Miao boy.

The other person's eyes were dark and intense, surging with undisguised killing intent, straightforward and naked, as if silently warning: one more look and you will surely die.

After only a brief moment of stalemate, Ouyang Huai quietly shifted his gaze.

He then smiled and placed a piece of fish on Ji Fangshi's plate, as if his earlier sharpness had never existed.

At his age, Ouyang Huai was incredibly wealthy and had traveled far and wide, seeing all sorts of things. Yet, he never expected to be so easily intimidated by a young boy.

He suddenly had a question in his mind. This young man was shrewd and sharp in his eyes. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't seem like a fool who would be willing to exchange a Crimson Blood Silkworm for a piece of wood.