Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

"No, didn't you tell me to take good care of my health? I haven't even tested poison on myself in a long time."

"That's good."

"What have you done this year?" Wei Shufen asked.

Chen Ruoan recounted the events in Liangshan, Jiulongshan, and Longhushan, serving as an annual summary.

Sometimes the fox thinks that it's not so bad to look back on the path you've walked, because there are flavors worth savoring. Unlike in his previous life, he wasn't caught up in work, numbed by short videos, endlessly scrolling through singing and dancing videos and abstract memes, drifting through each day in a daze, not even remembering what he did yesterday.

Wei Shufen listened and nodded.

She never imagined that a fox's year could be so exciting, yet her year still consisted of visiting Qinghe Miao Village to find novel plants and insects to study Gu poison, or to go out and find books recommended by the fox.

She's read Tagore's poems, Heine's poems, and recently she's been reading Lu Xun's.

Lu Xun had a keen eye; he would dissect the tragedies of ordinary people nakedly, yet he never mocked their fate. He exposed their suffering to draw attention to the need for healing…

Research on Gu that could counteract "demon cores" has also stalled.

The old woman said that the Miao women of Qinghe once possessed an incredibly powerful legendary Gu, which was impossible to defend against with any means of protection. The Miao women used this Gu to win love and stay with their beloved forever.

The love potion that Qinghe uses now inherits the name of that legendary potion.

Wei Shufen searched through ancient books but couldn't find the legendary method of refining Gu. However, one question kept burrowing deeper into her mind:

If Miao women use witchcraft to force, manipulate, bind, or harm their beloved, then they don't deserve love at all. So why does the story have a happy ending?

What a strange curse.

Wei Shufen listened quietly. No matter how rich and full the fox's story was, it was no longer relevant to her. Once the incense had burned to ashes in the incense burner, the fox would disappear again.

They might disappear for a year, or even longer...

After reminiscing about the past year, Chen Ruoan felt relieved. The year had been very fruitful, with excellent results. After finishing today's deal, her business would be even more brilliant, and she was increasingly resembling a fox spirit.

"Have you finished listening?"

"Then, person, state your wish."

Wei Shufen, standing at the stage, lowered her head and began to caress the silver jewelry. As she pondered, her hands clenched tighter and tighter…

"Chen Ruoan".

"Um?"

Wei Shufen used a name she had never used before, which made the fox's ears perk up.

Hearing such respectful titles as "Fox Spirit" and "Savior Fox" every day had become so ingrained in Chen Ruoan's hearing and emotions that being suddenly bombarded with such a name felt like suddenly missing a step while walking; her body reacted before her brain, and she instinctively panicked.

Of course, this is just a small girl named Shufen, so it's not a big problem.

If your mother stops calling you by your nickname and starts calling you by your full name with a serious expression, you really need to reflect on whether you've broken a taboo.

The serious change in address was just the prelude; the real big move was yet to come. Chen Ruoan was naturally mentally prepared, but Wei Shufen's words were still impossible to guard against.

For a fox, there is no ambiguity or euphemism in this statement, and even the most cunning fox, who knows how to play dumb, cannot avoid it.

Wei Shufen interlaced her fingers in front of her chest, cast a pleading look in her eyes, and slowly began to speak:

"Chen Ruoan, have you considered using me to resolve your love tribulation?"

Ok?

Sneak attack!

A blatant sneak attack!

This isn't how you should present yourself.

Chen Ruoan's fox form ethereal amidst the incense smoke.

Making an excuse to burn incense and get away as soon as possible might be a good choice, but if a young girl has already said that, and you still want to run away, isn't that just too much of a jerk?

Faced with the conflicted fox, Wei Shufen fanned her flushed cheeks with her hand, realizing that she had said something very bold, but now there was no way out.

"Is that not allowed?"

"no."

"Why?" Wei Shufen asked anxiously.

Nonsense, they're minors...

Chen Ruoan explained, "You are still young and your mind is still developing. I'm afraid you might make a rash decision and regret it later."

"Are you worried that I'm too young?" Hearing this, Wei Shufen felt relieved.

It's okay, people always grow up.

Chen Ruoan's fox body lightly dispersed, transforming into human form. The divine will that descended did not possess the innate fox charm of a mixture of three energies, and he quietly sat cross-legged in front of Wei Shufen.

"Besides the fact that you are still young, I have some other thoughts, but those are my own issues."

"I used to fantasize about the day I would suffer a love tribulation. I always thought that this tribulation didn't need to be deliberately pursued; it would eventually come crashing into my fate. Apart from preordained destiny, no woman has an obligation to share this tribulation with me. So, don't say things like 'I'll use you to deal with this love tribulation.'"

This is why the fox talked about women all the time but never took any real action.

"I broke in myself." Wei Shufen launched another sneak attack.

"I've researched many new and interesting dishes, and I've also read many of the books you recommended. I'm gradually becoming more accepting of many things. Maybe I'm not as dull as others imagine. You should get to know me better soon..."

Wei Shufen spoke softly and gently, and finally, she gently hooked her little finger and slowly offered it to Chen Ruoan:

"Since you say I'm still young, then let's make a promise in a childish way, okay? Please give me three or four years so that I can earn a chance to be understood by you. That's all I want."

Ouch...

Chen Ruoan then thought of the tangled black line on the branch.

Calamity clouded my mind, calamity clouded my mind!

A calamity should be a black line symbolizing a karmic entanglement. If one truly overcomes this calamity, will it transform into a red line representing a good marriage?

The fox really wanted to use the cliché internet meme, "When your hair reaches your waist, will you marry me?" to get away with it.

The fox, who was like Lord Ye who loved dragons, became a cowardly and foolish fox once he got involved in love affairs. Is this the inescapable fate of foxes?

"Just learning about it."

"I have heard your prayer."

After much deliberation, Chen Ruoan finally made up his mind and hooked his right little finger forward:

"Whether it's a blessing or a curse, let's find out. But if anything unusual happens, whatever it may be, your priority should be protecting yourself."

If one can successfully change the future entangled in this ill-fated relationship, it would be a monumental feat of defying fate and forging a path against the odds.

"no problem."

The two hooked their little fingers together and touched their thumbs together, thus establishing a contract.

"Can I come to you?" Wei Shufen asked again.

"Let's talk about it after I've finished my studies."

What constitutes academic success?

"For example, you can use the 'Five Saints Fighting' method to freely transform Gu, giving you more ways to survive and protect yourself; in your cultural studies classes, you can read all the books on the market, so why not try writing some modern poetry, practicing calligraphy, or something to cultivate your character..." Chen Ruoan replied.

Wei Shufen nodded: "I will become the youngest Grand Gu Master in the history of Qinghe Miao Village. As for poetry and literature, do you prefer the revolutionary, enlightenment, or academic styles?"

What kind of faction?

The fox's brain went blank.

What exactly happened to this girl in the past year? Putting aside her yandere-like directness, what does this trend of transforming into a literary girl mean?

"Pick whichever you like," the fox sighed.

The scene of the white fox undergoing tribulation is still vivid in my mind. If the lightning tribulation was so terrifying, what kind of power would the love tribulation that follows be?

Chen Ruoan was very uneasy at this moment.

The fox rested its right hand on its cheek, quietly watching the girl with the simple name, who was humming a little tune happily.

After observing for a moment, the fox's inner turmoil gradually subsided, and he spoke:

"Tell me what you've been doing this past year."