The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Qin Muye’s brow furrowed, his gray-blue eyes filled with displeasure as he ground his canine teeth. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

But the handsome young man from the Fox Clan seemed oblivious to the discontent in his eyes. He hugged the girl from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder, his voice lazy. "Oh, it’s Muye. Did you need something from Xiao Li?"

As he spoke, his arms tightened around her.

Jiang Qingli realized he really did love holding her.

It was the same last night. He held her constantly, his fluffy fox tail brushing against her legs and waist.

Jiang Qingli had found it too hot and pushed him away, but he’d just gotten clingy again a moment later, whining softly. Eventually, she got used to it and just let him be.

But now they were in front of another male, after all. Jiang Qingli’s face grew hot, and she lightly slapped Baili Jing’s hand.

"Don’t mess around," the girl chided in a low voice.

"This is how it was last night," Baili Jing mimicked, murmuring back to her, his eyes filled with mirth.

His long, jade-like fingers slid between hers, lacing them together. Then, he curved his lips in satisfaction.

Having done all this, Baili Jing finally seemed to remember they were still on a video call. He looked up at the person on the other end and asked gently, "Was there anything else?"

On the other end of the call, Qin Muye was already so angry he’d shot to his feet.

He took several deep breaths to force himself to calm down, but his expression remained rigid. "You two... were together last night?"

Baili Jing gave a helpless smile. "Muye, who a female master spends the night with is her own free choice. You’re crossing a line."

But as he said this, he pulled the girl’s hand to his cheek, his eyes brimming with tenderness and affection—an utterly intimate gesture.

A ROAR went off in Qin Muye’s head, and his thoughts instantly exploded.

’They actually spent the night together!’

’Looking at how clingy and lovey-dovey they are, how far did things go last night?’

’Hugging? Kissing? Or something even more intimate...’

His gaze fell on the petal-like curve of the girl’s lips, and his eyes burned. He wished he could rush in right now and tear that fox spirit limb from limb.

’Then pin her to the bed, bite her lips, and slowly erase every trace of another man...’

"Qin Muye?"

The clear voice broke through his chaotic thoughts. Jiang Qingli straightened up slightly. "When are you coming back?"

Qin Muye snapped back to reality, avoiding her gaze. "In a few days. I have some things to take care of here."

"Oh." Jiang Qingli nodded. "Did you ask for leave from the academy, then?"

Hearing this, most of the anger in Qin Muye’s mind dissipated, and a warmth spread through his heart.

’Spending the night together must have been an accident. That fox spirit Baili Jing is a master actor. It’s perfectly normal for an idiot like Jiang Qingli to be fooled by him.’

’It’s not her fault.’

’Besides, even if that fox spirit seduced her physically, her heart is still with me. She’s worried about me.’

Qin Muye’s expression softened slightly. "I don’t need to ask for leave. It’s only for three days."

Jiang Qingli’s brow furrowed. "That long..."

’Does she want to see me that badly?’

A sense of satisfaction welled up in Qin Muye’s heart. He raised an eyebrow. "If you want me to come back, then I’ll—"

Before he could finish, a soft, delicate female voice suddenly sounded from behind him. "Prince."

Qin Muye turned to see Bai Yiyi walking toward him.

She wore a long white dress and white leather shoes, her hair braided with pearls, giving her a delicate and pretty appearance.

Bai Yiyi was also carrying a small, exquisite basket containing several gift boxes.

’What is she doing here?’

Qin Muye remembered that Jiang Qingli didn’t like this cousin of hers.

’It’s so early in the morning, and Bai Yiyi is dressed like this in my territory. If Jiang Qingli sees this, she’ll definitely be angry!’

Qin Muye quickly tried to explain.

But when he turned back, he saw that Jiang Qingli had already ended the call.

The warmth that had just filled his heart suddenly sank like a stone.

A flame of anger shot through Qin Muye. He turned to the servant who had followed her in and asked coldly, "Who let her in?"

The servant was stunned. "She said she’s your... sister-in-law, and also Young Master Yu’s female master. She wanted to apologize to you for her Beast Husband’s behavior the other day, so..."

"Prince, please don’t be angry."

Bai Yiyi cut in, timidly raising her head to reveal a pair of watery, pitiful-looking eyes.

Her voice was soft and thin, laden with apology. "I came to apologize on Chenglan’s behalf. His personality is a bit spoiled, but he cares about Sister Qingli too. In the discipline room that day, he didn’t mean to fight back. I hope you can forgive his offense..."

No matter how crude Qin Muye was, he couldn’t bring himself to strike a female who was as thin as a bamboo pole.

Suppressing his anger, he asked with a cold expression, "And why should I?"

Bai Yiyi clutched the hem of her dress and took a deep breath. Like a wilting flower being forced into something, she held up the gifts, her voice trembling. "As long as you can let Chenglan go, I’ll do anything you ask..."

She bit her lower lip and tremblingly uttered a single word: "Brother-in-law."

Qin Muye: ?

Qin Muye shot an irritated look at the servant. "Did you tell them I accept bribes here?"

The servant’s head shook faster than a rattle drum. "No, no! Your Highness, I’ve been wronged! I didn’t say anything!"

"I don’t accept gifts. You can get lost," Qin Muye said, waving his hand in annoyance.

With that, he walked past her and headed for the door.

He needed to find a quiet place to explain things to Jiang Qingli.

They couldn’t see each other right now, and if that damn fox spirit took advantage of her anger, it would truly be the death of Qin Muye.

However, as he passed Bai Yiyi, she grabbed the corner of his shirt.

"Brother-in-law..." Bai Yiyi looked up at him, pursing her lips as if she’d made a great resolution, and said in a low voice, "I know Sister Qingli’s personality wouldn’t allow it."

"But I can perform Spiritual Healing for you."

As she spoke, a blush rose to her cheeks. "I won’t tell anyone. If you ever need it..."

Before she could finish, Qin Muye cut her off with a single question: "Are you sick in the head?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Bai Yiyi heard the system’s notification sound off—

[DING!]

[Target ’Qin Muye’s’ Favorability has decreased by 10!]

[Punishment: Host’s Beauty -10! Charm -10! Item ’Fair Skin’ has been disabled for one week!]

In an instant, Bai Yiyi’s skin became visibly dull and sallow.

She immediately panicked.

This morning, she had gone to see Yu Chenglan and had finally managed to grind enough favorability points to make up for her previous losses, only to lose so much in an instant!

’How could this happen? Yu Chenglan clearly said that in the discipline room, he asked Qin Muye if he was there for Jiang Qingli, and Qin Muye denied it.’

She thought she could use the Spiritual Healing to get closer to Qin Muye, seeing it as an angle to exploit. How could she have lost favorability again...

Seeing Qin Muye about to leave, Bai Yiyi frantically chased after him, but her foot twisted, and she fell straight toward his arms—

The servant’s eyes widened, not expecting to witness something as scandalous as a sister-in-law trying to seduce her brother-in-law. She quickly lowered her head.

The next second, a loud THUD echoed through the room.

It sounded like something heavy had fallen onto the carpet.

’Th-this is so intense?!’

The servant looked up but didn’t see the male Beastman holding the girl in his arms.

She only saw Bai Yiyi sprawled on the ground, the gifts scattered everywhere, looking utterly pathetic.

Qin Muye stood to the side, arms crossed, looking down on Bai Yiyi with his gray-blue eyes full of icy coldness.

"I’m not one of those five idiots. Don’t try to pull your clumsy tricks in front of me."

"If there’s a next time, I don’t care if you’re a female or not. I’ll still beat you to a pulp and send you to keep that ugly fish company!"

After saying his piece, Qin Muye turned and left without a second thought.

He ignored everyone else, ducked into his bedroom, and ripped off the clothes Bai Yiyi had touched before hurriedly dialing Jiang Qingli.

He made the video call, but the line was busy.