Chapter 705: So Skinny, So Ugly

’Yeah. Your other fathers are rarely in the city, but they come to stay for a few days every month. The moment they arrive, they ask about you. They’ve been hoping every day for your return... So tell me, what took you so long?’ White Spirit said lazily.

’Since Gu Shuo is with Master, and based on White Spirit’s description, it’s very likely he’s from the Nanyuan Imperial Family,’ Ye Qianning thought.

’After all, the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce is in two months. Nanyuan must want to discuss something with Gu Shuo before then, or perhaps they don’t intend to renew their contract.’

’You have no idea. They’ve been dragging me all over the place for years. I haven’t had a proper meal or a good night’s sleep.’

Ye Qianning looked down at the creature, curled up with a look of pure bliss. "No one’s keeping you in a cage. It would’ve been easy for you to run away if you wanted to."

White Spirit opened its blissful eyes. ’But I was waiting for you!’

’You were waiting for the food, weren’t you?’

As if its secret had been exposed, White Spirit scrambled to sit up. ’I... My kind is very sentimental! Once we commit to someone for life, we never change.’

"How come I never noticed that before?"

’I... You... Hmph!’ White Spirit got angry and turned around, showing her the back of its head.

A smile touched the corners of Ye Qianning’s lips as she reached out with her long, slender fingers to stroke White Spirit’s fur. It was about the same size, but its fur had gotten even fluffier.

A moment later, White Spirit began to purr contentedly.

’It really is like a cat!’

"How did you recognize me?" Ye Qianning asked, curious.

’I’ve been wandering around the port and the city every day, just waiting for you. Today, I was sunbathing at the port when I suddenly caught your scent. Even though you’re not as cute as you were when you were a kid, your scent is unmistakable.’

"You’ve got a pretty good nose."

’Of course,’ White Spirit said, turning its head haughtily. It looked up at the face before it, and its little eyes widened slightly. ’How did you get so thin and ugly?’

"..."

’You were clearly a very chubby and adorable baby. Do human children change this much when they grow up?’ White Spirit tilted its head in confusion.

"I’m just a bit thinner. I’m not that ugly, am I?" ’My face is pretty average, nothing special.’

’Very ugly. I liked you better when you were little.’

"I’m all grown up now. There’s no going back, so you’ll just have to deal with it." Ye Qianning picked it up, placed it on the table, and stood up.

White Spirit immediately jumped down to her feet. ’Where are you going?’

"I’m hungry. Going out to eat."

’I’m going with you.’

White Spirit leaped onto her shoulder.

Just as Ye Qianning raised her hand, White Spirit dodged and landed on her chest. "Get down."

’Mmm... but I haven’t seen you in so long...’ White Spirit rubbed its head against her, acting cute.

The hand Ye Qianning had raised paused for a moment before she let it fall. "Just this once."

’Considering it had also waited for ten years, I can indulge it this one time.’

White Spirit nodded immediately.

Ye Qianning left her room and walked to the top of the stairs, where she happened to run into Luo Feng coming out of the boy’s room.

"Miss," Luo Feng greeted her politely.

Ye Qianning glanced toward the room. "Has he calmed down?"

"Yes. The child he’s holding has a severe fever, so the doctor will be staying at the inn to monitor them. All three children have extensive burns of varying degrees, and the doctor is still..." As Luo Feng spoke, his gaze fell on White Spirit, and the words caught in his throat.

’White Spirit?’

’Isn’t Elder Chen’s White Spirit hostile to everyone?’

’Am I seeing things?’

’Why would Elder Chen’s White Spirit be nestled so obediently in the arms of a strange young woman?’

’Impossible, absolutely impossible!’

’It must just be a creature that looks similar to Elder Chen’s Pang Pang...!’