The master bedroom of the Feng Mansion looked like a luxury boutique had exploded. Silk ribbons, tiny velvet capes, and diamond-studded harnesses were strewn across the bed.
Feng Yuan, a man who could decide the fate of a shipping empire in five minutes, was currently experiencing a crisis of indecision. He held up two items: a delicate silver silk bow and a tiny, regal navy-blue cape lined with ermine.
"Which one, Sisi?" he asked, his voice filled with a ridiculous amount of gravity.
Nan Si was currently a silver blur, spinning in circles on the vanity. Baby, tell him the blue one makes my eyes look too dark! I want the bow!
[Host, please,] Baby sighed, its glowing form hovering near a mirror. [You're a Nine-Tailed Princess, not a doll! But… if we're being tactical, the silver bow matches the 'Lunar Heart Stone' we're going to steal—I mean, buy—later. It says 'I'm innocent,' right before you drain the CEO's bank account.]
Nan Si stopped spinning and trotted over to the silver bow. She gave it a lively pat with her paw, then looked up at Feng Yuan, her violet eyes wide and shimmering with "innocence."
Feng Yuan's heart melted into a puddle. "The silver it is." He knelt and carefully tied the bow around her neck, his large fingers moving with the precision of a surgeon to ensure it wasn't too tight. Then he picked her up and kissed the tip of her wet nose. "You'll be the most beautiful thing in that room. I almost want to stay home so no one else can see you."
The gala auction was a whirlpool of perfumes and politics. As Feng Yuan walked in with Nan Si in his arms, stroking her soft fur, the silence was deafening. Everyone stared in astonishment, but he ignored the cameras and the crowd, as if carrying a little fox were the most natural thing in the world. His gaze never left the silver fox nestled in the crook of his arm.
Lin Xiaoxi was there, wearing a dress that cost a fortune, her eyes burning with resentment as she recalled the humiliation she had suffered in his house. She approached with a group of friends, her voice soft and graceful, smiling shyly. "Brother Yuan, I see you brought your… companion. But be careful. I heard the auction house doesn't allow 'pets' near expensive jewels."
"Yes, yes! Mr. Feng, how about you give this fox to Xiaoxi? She will definitely take good care of her," Lin Xiaoxi's friends echoed in agreement.
"No need. Step aside," Feng Yuan said coldly, narrowing his phoenix eyes. I should tell Secretary Liu to contact their fathers and have a good talk.
Nan Si's ears twitched as she rolled her beautiful eyes and chirped, "Yip."
Pets? I'll let you know who's the pet. Just wait. Hmph! Coveting my man and even calling me a pet.
As he passed them, Lin Xiaoxi couldn't control her resentment. She deliberately twisted her ankle and tried to pour her wine on Nan Si. "Ouch!"
Nan Si didn't growl. Instead, she let out a tiny, high-pitched "Yip!" and pretended to be scared, burrowing her head into Feng Yuan's chest.
Feng Yuan's protective instincts flared. "Ms. Lin, please step back."
As he moved forward, Nan Si's tail "accidentally" flicked outward, catching the stem of Xiaoxi's wine glass. With a lively clink, the wine didn't just spill—it drenched Xiaoxi's front as she slipped on the wet marble.
"Secretary Liu, cover the cost of Ms. Lin's dress and medical expenses," Feng Yuan said, his voice flat and utterly devoid of sympathy. He didn't even stop to help. He simply walked toward the auction hall, leaving a screaming Lin Xiaoxi behind.
Lin Xiaoxi stood up with her friends' help, seething so hard her body trembled. She stormed toward the restroom, thinking, That fox… I'll skin her alive if I get the chance.
The auction was a blur of gold and art. Finally, the announcer brought out a jagged, pulsing stone. It looked like a piece of frozen midnight, glowing with eerie violet light.
"The 'Black Star' stone," the announcer said. "Found in an ancient crater. Its origin is unknown."
[HOST! That's it!] Baby yelled. [That's the Demon Realm fragment! You need it!]
Nan Si sat up straight on Feng Yuan's lap. She grabbed his silk tie with her teeth and gave it a sharp tug. When he looked down, she pointed her paw at the stage, her eyes filled with desperate, lively longing.
"You want that dusty old rock?" Feng Yuan asked in surprise. He studied the stone. It was dark, jagged, and strange—nothing like the diamonds he usually bought. But seeing Nan Si's intense gaze, he didn't hesitate.
"Ten million."
A rival CEO sneered. "Fifteen million!"
Nan Si let out a soft, pitiful whimper and hid her face in Feng Yuan's hand.
Feng Yuan's eyes turned lethal. He didn't care about the money; he cared about the whimper. "Fifty million."
The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge the "Tyrant" when he wore that expression.
Back at the mansion, the adrenaline of the night faded into a soft, cozy warmth. Feng Yuan carried the stone and the fox into the master bathroom.
"You got a bit of champagne on your paws, Sisi," he murmured tenderly. He ran a shallow bath in the marble tub, scenting the water with expensive lavender oils.
Nan Si looked at the water and her inner "cat" instincts kicked in. She let out a startled "Yip!" and tried to bolt, her paws skidding on the tile.
"Oh no you don't," Feng Yuan chuckled, his laughter a rare, beautiful sound. He caught her gently, his hands large and warm. He lowered her into the water, and once she realized it was warm, Nan Si relaxed, her tail floating like a silver cloud.
He washed her with a silk cloth, his movements slow and worshipful. Nan Si splashed a little water on his face with her paw, her lively spirit returning.
"You little brat," he whispered, wiping his face with a smile. He wrapped her in a heated towel and held her against his bare chest as he walked to the bed. "Now sleep. I'll keep the 'rock' right here for you."
"Yip!" Nan si eyes followed the stone till it was placed besides the bed and she licked his fingers and twitched her ears as he gently placed her on bed.
As he fell asleep holding her close, Nan Si looked at the pulsing violet stone on the nightstand.
Its light throbbed like a living heartbeat.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
'Tonight, Baby, she thought. Tonight, I take the next step.'