The first kiss came too quickly, like a tornado. It ended too quickly as well, like a summer thunderstorm.

Wang Daxia smacked his lips, still wanting more. He was never one to follow rules anyway, and with no one around, his courage grew bolder. Like a snake, he coiled forward, wanting another kiss.

Wei Caiwei immediately covered her lips with her palm. Wang Daxia gave a loud kiss—right on the back of her hand.

Wang Daxia immediately felt like he had lost a billion taels of gold. “This isn’t fair! I gave my first proactive kiss to your hand.”

Wei Caiwei said, “Didn’t your first time also go to your hand?”

Ah! Wang Daxia immediately retreated three steps, looking at Wei Caiwei in disbelief—just like Xu Xian on Dragon Boat Festival seeing Bai Suzhen transform into a giant white snake after drinking realgar wine!

Wei Caiwei had revealed her true nature as a master of pleasure quarters from her previous life, no longer the aloof and abstinent little widow she once was.

Wang Daxia was terrified, thinking: I’m not even as good as Xu Xian—he fainted on the spot from fright. Why am I still standing? I want to faint too.

In extreme embarrassment, Wang Daxia’s mind instantly went blank: Who am I? Where am I? What am I saying?

And who is she?

“Caiwei, you… you… you’re so…” Wang Daxia stammered for a long time but couldn’t speak the words, like a refined lady who had been deceived and impregnated by a beast in gentleman’s clothing, suffering in silence.

How do you know! Were you spying on me!

Wei Caiwei thought: Because you told me yourself in the previous life.

In the previous life, the castrated Eunuch Wang would sometimes reminisce with Wei Caiwei about the youthful days when he still had his manhood, recalling those glorious years.

When Eunuch Wang recalled the past, though he claimed not to care and said if he had kept his manhood, he couldn’t have been with Wei Caiwei, and so on.

But Wei Caiwei could tell that Eunuch Wang actually wanted both his manhood and his wife. He actually loved children very much, especially after turning thirty. Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei’s gazes often lingered on innocent children, showing fatherly and motherly smiles.

If… if they had both, wouldn’t the two of them have been even better?

Wang Daxia had once tentatively suggested adopting a child. Wei Caiwei refused. She actually wanted a child too, but if this child wasn’t the crystallization of their love, she’d rather not have one.

Because he had lost his manhood, Eunuch Wang treasured those memories. He remembered everything about his younger self and honestly told her about all the intimate encounters between his younger self and “Miss Fifth Finger,” how active he had been in those memories.

Eunuch Wang still missed the days when he had his manhood and fantasized about what would have happened if he still had it and he and Wei Caiwei…

Not only that… Wei Caiwei’s gaze fell on Wang Daxia’s right hand.

This was her rival—Miss Fifth Finger. Wang Daxia was a very devoted person. His younger self only favored the right hand; the left hand had always remained lonely and unpreferred.

Having the most secret corner of his heart illuminated by the bright midday sun, Wang Daxia instinctively hid his right hand behind his back as if burned by fire.

He had given himself away without being interrogated.

Wei Caiwei smiled. The danger of nearly losing her life in the afternoon kidnapping instantly vanished. In this new life, no matter how many hardships she encountered, being able to protect Wang Daxia’s complete body and seeing his still innocent self was worth it.

Seeing Wei Caiwei’s smile, Wang Daxia felt like he was looking at a familiar stranger. She seemed to know everything—why?

She just suddenly burst into my life like this. In just five months, I’ve undergone earth-shaking changes. Five months ago, could I have imagined becoming a Captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, conversing freely with the Emperor, binding up Prince Jing as a lecher, and having romantic rumors with the unattainable Commander Lu?

“Are you a deity or a demon?” Wang Daxia asked.

Wang Daxia even began recalling what small animals he had saved in the past. “When I was hunting at Fragrant Hills, I once spared a fox. Are you a fox spirit transformed into human form to repay kindness?”

Wang Daxia had heard too many stories of fox spirits repaying kindness—they all helped their benefactors pass imperial examinations, gain official positions, and even offered their bodies, adding fragrance with red sleeves, even bearing children for their benefactors.

Wei Caiwei saw Wang Daxia’s expression of amazement and knew he was frightened. Wang Daxia had a fatal weakness—he was afraid of ghosts, very afraid of ghosts. He believed in all those mysterious tales of ghosts, spirits, and demons.

Stay calm, composed, don’t be hasty. He’s still young and can’t yet bear our shared past from the previous life.

Wei Caiwei thus retracted her white snake tail and resumed her usual aloof, indifferent expression. “I’m human, of course. Have you forgotten? I’m a doctor specializing in gynecology and knowing a bit about andrology too. Men’s bodies are all the same anyway. When Chen Jingji was injured at his root, I personally cut away the damaged parts and sutured and medicated the wound. What’s strange about me knowing these things?”

Wei Caiwei smoothly covered her tracks without showing any emotion.

Wang Daxia breathed a sigh of relief, but he still had questions. “How did you know I use… that hand?”

At this moment, Wang Daxia’s right hand was still hidden behind his waist. Miss Fifth Finger was like a mistress encountering the legitimate wife on a narrow road—shy and timid, not daring to show herself, fearing the legitimate wife would scratch her face and beat her severely.

Wei Caiwei said, “I guessed. You only have two hands—I had a fifty percent chance of guessing right. Seems I guessed correctly.”

Though Wang Daxia was wearing his Flying Fish robe, he felt as if he was wearing nothing, completely seen through by Wei Caiwei. His right hand seemed frozen behind his waist, motionless.

Wei Caiwei sat on the arhat couch, patting the cushion beside her. “Come sit. I won’t eat you.”

Wang Daxia obediently sat beside her.

Wei Caiwei said, “Please move over—you’re sitting on my tail.”

Ah!

Wang Daxia let out a shriek, his bottom bouncing three feet high as if there were a spring underneath.

Wei Caiwei had never seen such an adorable Wang Daxia. She covered her mouth and laughed wildly. “I already said I’m not a fox spirit, but it seems you still don’t believe me.”

Lu Ying, who was searching the carriage outside, heard the commotion and quickly ran over. “Who’s there!”

Inside the room were only Wei Caiwei doubled over with laughter and Wang Daxia with his right hand behind his back.

Lu Ying glared at Wang Daxia. “What are you yelling about? I thought something happened to you.”

Maintaining a romantic relationship was so troublesome—having to constantly pay attention to the other person.

Wang Daxia shook his head. “I’m fine, I just… just…”

Wei Caiwei helped Wang Daxia out of his predicament. “I was just joking with him, saying there was a ghost in the carriage.”

Wang Daxia was afraid of ghosts. When Lu Ying led people to dig up Second Miss He’s grave on that rainy night, Wang Daxia had hidden in the carriage, afraid to come out. He was covered with protective amulets from temples and had even stolen a copper Buddha from a temple for protection!

So Lu Ying believed Wei Caiwei’s ghost story. “In broad daylight, where would there be ghosts? I’ve spoken with Wang Niqiu. This case will be handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters. The evidence carriage will also be sent to our office for careful investigation. Let’s go back.”

Speaking of business, Wang Daxia finally emerged from his embarrassment. “Before we catch the culprit, Doctor Wei remains in danger. What if the kidnappers make a comeback? I’ll take personal responsibility for protecting her.”

Lu Ying said, “You’re not entirely safe either. Since you’re already living at my house, Wei Caiwei should come stay temporarily too. No matter who the mastermind is, they wouldn’t dare reach into the Lu residence.”

This was the safest option. Wang Daxia agreed, “Commander Lu is so thoughtful, considering victims at every turn. This subordinate admires you greatly!”

Wang Daxia flattered Lu Ying, but she remained unmoved, focused entirely on the case. “We’ll split up. You escort Doctor Wei to the Lu residence while I must quickly return to headquarters to send a carrier pigeon message to Ding Wu. I also need to have someone quickly deliver the White Lotus Sect evil books and treasure scrolls hidden in the carriage to see if it was the White Lotus Sect’s doing.”

Lu Ying left in a whirlwind. Wei Caiwei again thanked Captain Wu and Wang Niqiu.

Captain Wu, seeing Lu Ying and Wang Daxia emerge from Wei Caiwei’s room together, pretended not to see anything and said politely, “It’s all in the line of duty. I happened to be patrolling the streets.”

Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei boarded the carriage with Embroidered Uniform Guard cavalry escorting alongside. The two sat facing each other. After a moment of silence, Wang Daxia moved his bottom next to Wei Caiwei, arm touching arm, and said:

“Whether you’re human or fox spirit, I accept it all. Our three-year agreement—no backing out. Even if I achieve success and fame in the future, you’re not allowed to turn back into a fox and return to the deep mountains and forests, not allowed to give birth to little foxes and run away after continuing the bloodline. I saved you just to save you—I don’t need you to repay any kindness.”

Wei Caiwei didn’t know what to say. “Exactly how many demon and ghost story books have you read? I’m human, not a fox spirit. If you don’t believe me, get a Taoist priest to perform magic and sprinkle black dog’s blood to see if I reveal my fox demon form.”

Wang Daxia said, “If you were a fox spirit, you’d definitely have nine tails—a nine-tailed celestial fox.” Too cunning!

This was truly reaping what one sowed. Wei Caiwei regretted not being able to resist revealing her true nature as a pleasure quarter expert. She had no choice but to roll up her sleeves, exposing her upper arm with the bloodstained handkerchief, to prove her innocence. “Look, my wound. If I were a fox spirit, how could I have been powerless to resist, forced to bleed as a warning to survive? I’m just an ordinary person.”

Seeing Wei Caiwei’s jade-like arm, Wang Daxia’s eyes immediately lit up like stars, his gaze traveling inch by inch over her arm.

Wei Caiwei wasn’t embarrassed at all and even moved her arm closer. “You can touch it to see if it’s fox fur or human skin.”

Wang Daxia’s face reddened again, and he turned away with difficulty, not looking at her. “Don’t come closer. I’m afraid I can’t control myself and might do something to hurt you.”

Wei Caiwei asked, “Do you believe I’m human now?”

Wang Daxia quickly nodded. “I believe you.”

Wei Caiwei lowered her sleeve and let out an “Ouch.”

Wang Daxia quickly turned around. “What’s wrong? Does your wound still hurt?”

Wei Caiwei used the same trick again, pointing at his feet. “You stepped on my tail.”

Wang Daxia was about to lift his foot but then held back—he had almost fallen for it again!

Wei Caiwei nodded approvingly. “It seems you truly no longer think wildly or believe I’m a fox spirit.”

Wang Daxia looked at her, his gaze suddenly freezing, his breathing becoming rapid.

Wei Caiwei asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wang Daxia pointed at her ears. “Your ears… why are they growing fur?”

Wei Caiwei instinctively touched her ears with both hands.

Wang Daxia immediately jumped up and laughed wildly. “Haha, you fell for it too!”

Author’s Note: After many intense and thrilling chapters, here’s some sweet candy to soothe everyone~