Confronting the Truth About the Fox

But despite the protests and the mutual recriminations, my mind was still troubled by a vague suspicion, unsure whether I should voice it or not.

…

“But on second thought, boss, what exactly are you planning to do with this little fox girl?” Linghu Laosan suddenly asked with a serious tone. The three of them immediately fixed their gazes on Guo Laoda’s face.

“I… what else can I do? I’ll follow the original plan. When she wakes up, I’ll release her into the back mountain!” Guo Laoda faltered for a moment before answering. I watched with growing confusion, the thoughts in my heart churning even more.

“Heh, if you ask me, big brother, don’t you still not have a wife? But it’s a pity that finding a girlfriend here at Tianwu University isn’t easy. Why don’t you just make do and accept this little fox?” Yang Laoer immediately chimed in with a lecherous grin. “Wouldn’t that add another beautiful story to the future *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*!”

“Hmm… according to the Japanese island’s terminology, such a pair has a special name: ‘jinrui igai’ (non-human)!” Linghu Laosan, whose focus on island culture differed from Yang Laoer’s, quickly added.

“Damn, you have to put it so elegantly. Just say ‘beastiality’ and be done with it. Uh, boss, I’m not joking with you. If you really can’t accept it, I can first copy some relevant video files for you to get used to…” Yang Laoer said, taking it quite seriously.

“Damn it, shut up, all of you. There’s a limit to joking around!” Guo Laoda cursed, unable to contain himself any longer. But when his eyes met my somber gaze, he paused slightly, then looked away.

…

We talked and argued noisily, unable to agree on how to handle the situation.

After some deep thought, I hesitantly decided to remind Yang Laoer and Linghu Laosan: these two had just woken up to a series of events and hadn’t yet washed their faces or brushed their teeth. To be honest, their appearance was quite unsightly. Finally, after Yang Laoer suspiciously wiped a large clump of eye discharge—what we commonly call “sleep”—from the corner of his eye, the two gentlemen angrily decided to go clean up first.

So they each took their washbasins and towels and headed out the door to the washroom.

I purposely stayed behind, sitting across from Guo Laoda. After the two treasures left and closed the door, only I, Guo Laoda, and the still-sleeping little fox girl remained in the dorm.

At that moment, I showed a hint of gloom on my face, staring unblinkingly at Guo Laoda.

Big Brother Guo felt uncomfortable under my gaze. He involuntarily lifted his head to look at the ceiling, as if trying to hide something. Finally, unable to bear it, he asked, “Lao Si, why are you looking at me like that?”

I sighed softly and said in a low voice, “Big brother… you lied just now, didn’t you?”

“Ah? La, Lao Si, what nonsense are you talking about?” Guo Laoda’s eyes, already somewhat fearful for unknown reasons, now showed panic.

“I mean, you lied to us just now, didn’t you? You actually recognized from the beginning that this… this little fox girl is no ordinary animal, isn’t that so?” I continued in a deep voice, with a hint of solemnity and gravity that was hard to describe.

Guo Laoda’s pupils suddenly dilated, then contracted slightly. He stared at me and replied calmly, “Lao Si, don’t talk nonsense. What do you mean?”

“I mean, you already saw it from the start—this little fox girl is, is a demon! Am I right? That’s why you deliberately hid it from us!” I pressed him with my eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately.

“You, what are you saying? I, I did not!” Guo Laoda’s words were firm, but his voice betrayed an uncontrollable weakness.

“You said just now that the reason you didn’t tell us was because the dormitory rules explicitly forbid keeping pets, right?” I ignored his denial and asked instead.

“That’s right, that’s the reason I…” Guo Laoda quickly responded.

“Actually, that’s false. Haven’t we four done plenty of such rule-breaking things together?” I interrupted him before he could finish, speaking softly.

“But this matter…” Guo Laoda immediately tried to argue.

“You want to say this is different… No, boss. I deliberately sent Second and Third Brother away to ask you, yet you still hide it from me. Those two brothers who don’t like reading may not know, but do you think I don’t understand the ins and outs?” I cut him off coldly. “You recognized this little fox girl’s identity, and you know exactly what the first reaction of ordinary martial artists—or even knowledgeable Tianwu University students—would be upon learning her identity, don’t you?”

Guo Laoda’s eyes widened, staring at me blankly, but he didn’t speak again.

I took a deep breath and poured out everything in my heart: “According to ancient legends, whenever a creature becomes a spirit, it must have an inner elixir. If a martial artist consumes it, it can enhance their inner energy—at least ten years’ worth, at most sixty years’ worth. If further refined with medicine and alchemy, the effect is even better… Brother Guo Hao, am I right?”

“Do you think I didn’t want you to know because I intend to take her inner elixir for myself?” Guo Laoda, who had been somewhat ashamed and flinching, suddenly spoke harshly.

“No, quite the opposite. I know your character, Brother Guo. Taking a demon’s inner elixir would kill it, cut it open. You would never do such a heinous thing. However, you were afraid that once we three learned her true identity, we might covet the elixir, or at least be drawn into this disaster! Brother, you may be honest, but you’re not stupid. After last night’s events—those people searching tirelessly in the middle of the night—you must have understood what they were after once you guessed this little fox girl’s identity, haven’t you?” I pressed relentlessly.

Guo Laoda’s gaze tightened as he stared at me. After a long while, he seemed to deflate, his look turning dejected. He closed his eyes and replied softly, “Yes, I didn’t expect you, Lao Si, to have figured it all out.”