Talulah, I'm still a child.

(Wow, is this kid Doraemon from somewhere?)

Seeing the little fox pull out clothes and blankets from its tail, Chen Huijie finally understood that things were far more complicated than she had imagined. Mei Xue's ability wasn't exactly powerful, but it was certainly one of the most useful.

"It seems you brought everything. That's good. Tonight I'll sleep on the sofa and you can sleep on the bed. Tomorrow I'll have someone come and tidy up the house, and while we're at it, I'll take you around and find a school. By the way, Meixue, have you studied arithmetic and writing?"

"I've studied it."

The little fox nodded. Although Alina and Talulah only taught her some languages ​​and elementary and middle school arithmetic, Miss Black Snake knew a lot. In order not to let Mei Xue lose at the starting line, she had taught the little fox all the knowledge that Koschie knew a month ago. Of course, this was limited to what could be learned in school, so Mei Xue's education was actually not bad.

Do you know how to multiply two-digit numbers and solve equations?

"Will do."

"Then there's no problem."

Chen Huijie breathed a sigh of relief. If Mei Xue knew all of these, she could go directly to junior high school. After all, the age she filled in for the little fox was 14 years old, which meant she should be in junior high school in Longmen. However, Mei Xue poked Chen Huijie's hand.

"Sister, can I not go to school?"

"why?"

"I want to work and earn money."

The little fox spoke with a lack of confidence. He did intend to study hard in Lungmen, but he didn't plan to go to school. According to Miss Black Snake, the little fox didn't even need to go to high school anymore. Going to school would take too much time and wasn't worth it.

Are you short of money?

Chen Huijie placed her hands on the little fox's head and rubbed it. To be honest, it felt pretty good. Putting aside Mei Xue's hair, those ears alone were irresistible. But that wasn't the point. The key was that Chen Huijie figured the little fox shouldn't be short of money. As someone who was usually frugal but had a high salary, Chen Huijie could easily afford to support this little fox.

"It's not that I'm lacking, it's that... my sister and the others."

Too nervous, Mei Xue didn't dare to look up at Chen Huijie's expression and eyes. She knew that what she had proposed was a bit difficult for him, but it was indeed the little fox's own idea. Mei Xue, who always relied on others, was actually quite stubborn.

"You want to earn money to help Talulah and the others, but how much can you actually earn?"

Although it was discouraging to say that, Chen Huijie could only make the little fox realize his current limitations. However, she tried her best to appear less serious. To be honest, she liked the little fox a bit. It was clear that he really wanted to do something for Talulah and the others, which was commendable for someone his age.

“Mei Xue, you are Talulah’s brother, so you are also my brother. She sent you here to ensure your safe growth, not to expect you to earn money for her. Besides, the money you earn is far less than what they need.”

While talking, Chen Huijie rubbed the little fox's head. Mei Xue also helplessly accepted the fact. In fact, the little fox did not know that after Alina and others took away Koschie's property this afternoon, the funds for consolidation would no longer be a problem.

However, despite accepting the idea, the little fox still had his own little ideas. He talked to Miss Black Snake and then came up with a compromise.

"Then, sister, can I just find one teacher?"

You mean private tutor?

Chen Huijie frowned. It wasn't that she couldn't afford the tutor, but... no, this was a good idea. Since she was busy with work, it would be good to find someone to take care of the little fox. Although it was hard to find someone who could be both a nanny and a teacher, as long as the salary was right, she wouldn't have trouble finding someone.

"Okay! Let's find a tutor!"

[Plan Guide]

Miss Black Snake smiled smugly. Now it would be much easier to talk to Kashiena. Mei Xue's several big tails also wagged happily and rubbed affectionately against Chen Huijie's palm.

"Then, Sister Chen, can Meixue go look for a job?"

"No."

Why?

"Because apart from Penguin Logistics, only those irregular companies in the entire Lungmen would hire a kid like you. If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to them."

Chen Huijie originally wanted to tell the little fox that he didn't need to work, but Mei Xue nodded. Penguin Logistics, yes, he remembered.

Being approached by the little fox was a unique feeling. Chen Huijie was so reluctant to take his hands off it. Mei Xue's ears really made him want to stick his fingers in and scratch them, and so did his tail. Chen Huijie recalled how Talulah had hugged him that afternoon and chuckled as he pinched the tip of the little fox's ear.

"It feels pretty good. You must have played with Talulah quite a bit, right?"

"Hmm...no, Sister Talulah prefers to sleep while hugging Meixue, and Sister Alina prefers to rub her ears."

"What did you say?"

Chen Huijie's face froze instantly. She must have heard correctly. Considering the level of intimacy she had with Talulah before, something was definitely wrong.

"Mei Xue, I'm asking you, did Talulah do anything while she was holding you to sleep?"

"Hmm... it's about wrapping your tail around your own tail, then hugging Meixue's waist, and then kissing her before going to sleep and when you wake up."

"..."

The little fox looked at Chen Huijie, her eyes filled with shock, her expression with regret, and only one sentence was repeating in her mind.

(Why the hell didn't I put that perverted woman in jail?!)

Chapter 39 The Little Fox's Sleepless Night

That night, unable to bear the little fox's gaze any longer, Chen Huijie agreed to sleep in the bed and let the little fox sleep on the sofa. However, she herself tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep no matter what she said.

So much happened today, and so fast. First, there was the meeting with Talulah, and then there was this unfamiliar little brother. Although he's cute, he's still a bit of a nuisance. Chen Huijie even regretted it a little. The joy of seeing Talulah had clouded her judgment. She's not the kind of person who has time to take care of others.

However, Talulah was also desperate. Apart from Chen Huijie, her blood relative, she had no one else to rely on. In fact, the fact that Talulah was able to entrust the little fox to her care was the most surprising thing for Chen Huijie.

"Fortunately, Meixue is very obedient and sensible."

Chen Huijie sighed. The little fox's obedience and docility were one of his greatest strengths, which meant less trouble. However, the biggest problem was still there. Today's events could not be hidden from Wei Yanwu. He would definitely start investigating Mei Xue's background soon. Even with the stinky tofu gang as witnesses, it wouldn't be enough. It would be troublesome if Mei Xue let it slip later.

However, Chen Huijie suddenly realized that being an older sister is also a troublesome thing, there are just too many things to consider.

"Never mind, I hope Meixue can get some rest."

Chen Huijie closed her eyes. Although she didn't have to go to work tomorrow, there was still a lot to do. Meanwhile, Mei Xue was still awake. In the dark living room, the little fox sat on the sofa, hugged its tail and rubbed against it, then reached out and gently plucked the bell on its neck.

A faint "ding-a-ling" echoed in the room, dispelling the fear brought by the darkness. The little fox felt at ease and looked at the bright city outside the window. Today was the first night without Talulah in a true sense. It was hard for him to fall asleep. His previous statement that he "couldn't sleep without his sister" was not just to please Talulah, but a fact.

Is there anything strange about this bell?

"No, but I feel happy when I hear it playing."

The bell around Mei Xue's neck was just an ordinary bell, nothing special. Even the gold color was just painted on. But the little fox still liked it very much. After all, it might be the only item that could be connected to her past. Oh, and there was also the umbrella and the mahjong set. Those were unique, unlike fruits and vegetables that could be taken at will.

Go to sleep, or you might not have any energy tomorrow.

"But I can't sleep."

Clutching its tail and staring into the dark corner of the room, Mei Xue always felt that something was lurking in the darkness, but it was just an illusion. The little fox didn't like the night. It was fine before when it had its sisters with it, but now it was all alone.

[I can't sleep without my sister; if I do that, I'll never grow up.]

Miss Black Snake sighed helplessly. Although she knew that there was a deep interdependence between Mei Xue and Talulah, who would have thought that they would be like this after being away for less than half a day? If Mei Xue's insomnia only lasted for a day or two, it would be fine, but she was afraid that it would continue like this.

"Alright then, I..."

If you're really scared, then I'll sing you a song.

"I'm going to sleep now!"

The little fox promptly buried his head in his tail and collapsed onto the sofa. Just kidding, having Miss Black Snake sing to lull him to sleep would be torture for the fox.

Seeing that Mei Xue readily agreed to go to sleep, Miss Black Snake nodded in satisfaction. It seems that singing badly isn't all bad; at least it can scare the little fox. After all, even if it's bad, he can't block out his ears; Black Snake's singing can go directly into his head.

Talulah was also unable to sleep through the long night. Without her little fox by her side, she felt terrible and wished she could run back to Lungmen and take Meixue away.

"Can't take it anymore?"

"Hmm... I haven't touched Mei Xue's tail and ears for five hours and twenty-five minutes."

Talulah never imagined time would pass so slowly. She had only just left Lungmen and she already missed Meixue. What if the little fox couldn't sleep because of her absence? What if the little fox was targeted by a bad woman?

"That's precisely why it's necessary to separate you."

Alina sighed. Given Talulah's current state, it was impossible not to separate her from Meixue. The little fox's presence would make Talulah act strangely. She needed to take some time to think about how to treat this relationship. Besides, she was also afraid that Talulah might actually do something illegal or disorderly. Meixue was still so young.

"You're just jealous."

"Ok?"

"I'm sorry, I was too arrogant. Please forgive me."

Seeing Alina silently raise her iron fist, Talulah decisively backed down. She didn't want to be unable to pick up Meixue back in three years. But three years... the little fox should have grown up by then. When the fruit is ripe, she can pick it and eat it. The little fox should grow up... cough cough, I won't say anymore, lest Alina punch her to death.

"This was a great success; these funds will be enough to support us for many years to come."

"That only applies to the current Reunion Movement. In the future, we will have more allies, and then this money will not be enough. The medicine needed for the infected is also a rather troublesome issue. At present, no company can really produce a drug to suppress Oripathy."

"That's not necessarily true."

Alina smiled and took a flyer out of her pocket and handed it to Talulah, who glanced at it and then frowned slightly.

"Is Rhodes Island...reliable?"

"I don't know, but it's worth a try. This company has been established for nearly two years. Although it's not large, it seems to have a good reputation."

Alina got this flyer from a Rhodes Island operator in the slums when she came here today. They were giving out free physical examinations, and Alina decided to take it since it might be useful later.

"Let's try making contact then, and discuss it with everyone later."

In any case, all the problems seem to have been solved, except for one thing that Talulah can't let go of: how can she sleep without Mei Xue?

--------------------------

Late at night, the Rhodes Island main ship chose to stay within the borders of Ursus. All the work for the day was taken care of by Kal'tsit, giving Amiya time to spend with her friends and have a nighttime chat that was just for the girls. Well, actually there were only three of them: Rosemary and Lily of the Valley, in addition to her.

"Amiya, who is the person in this photo?"

Rosemary's long tail twitched gently as she curiously pointed to the photo on Amiya's bedside table. It showed a silver-haired Volper boy with four fluffy tails behind him. His face was covered in cream, and his eyes and expression looked pitiful, as if he might burst into tears at any moment.

"Ah, that's a picture of Brother Meixue."

Amiya picked up the photo. She remembered that it was taken two years ago when the Tower of Babel still existed, and it was the only photo of Mei Xue that had been preserved on Rhodes Island.

"elder brother?"

Lily of the Valley and Rosemary tilted their heads. They had never heard of Amiya having a brother. Besides, Amiya was Katz, while the person in the photo was clearly a Volper.

"Yes, my brother is very cute. He's timid and cries easily, and he's also very afraid of the dark. He's too scared to sleep alone. But he's a great storyteller. We used to sleep together."

"Sleeping with a boy...that's so daring."

For some reason, Little Lily of the Valley's face immediately turned bright red. Rosemary was a little confused. The kitten was innocent and didn't understand anything.

"It's just sleeping together, it's very comfortable to hug my brother's tail."

"But... Mom and Dad said that something bad might happen."

Lily of the Valley covered her face with her tail because her parents had started educating her early on, worried that their cabbage would be targeted.