Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Big-Tailed Wolf Can No Longer Conceal Himself

Bai Xuanxuan paused her work and smiled softly, pursing her lips. “This... doesn’t seem quite appropriate.”
“I’m just a lowly worker under your command. Who would bring a junior worker home for the New Year?”
“If your fiancée, girlfriend, or beloved found out, she’d definitely be upset.”

Fu Che looked up and regarded her seriously. “I have no fiancée, nor a girlfriend.”
As for a beloved, there wasn’t one before, but now there was someone.

Bai Xuanxuan saw him turn his head with a smile tinged with gentle affection. She couldn’t help but stand and inquire, “Master, do you have someone you like?”
“Who is it? Do I know her?”

Fu Che lifted a piece of cloth on the table with his long knuckles, smiling mysteriously. “Yes, you do know her, but I can’t tell you now.”
“When we go to the capital and return, you’ll naturally find out.”

Bai Xuanxuan’s eyes widened, surprised that her master actually had a beloved.
Taking her to the capital—could it be to introduce her to the mistress?
She felt a flicker of anticipation. She wondered if the mistress would be hard to win over, but with her around to offer advice, it would surely be fine.

Yet, she didn’t recall him ever mentioning this in the previous life.
She only remembered many people trying to set him up with matches.
But he always smiled and politely declined, and after each matchmaker left, he would sigh quietly with his back turned.

Later, when he returned to the capital, she went to the station to see him off.
Seeing her standing alone at the station entrance, his eyes were slightly reddened.
“Xuanxuan, I’m sorry to leave you here alone.”
“Next year, next year I’ll definitely bring you to the capital; the New Year celebrations there are lively.”
“Although my family isn’t very good, I will handle things well.”

She nodded with a smile and, at his request, helped him wrap a scarf around his neck.
She had spent nearly half a month knitting it, the pattern beautiful.
Her master had kept it without wearing it, but just before leaving, he suddenly remembered.
He took several glances back as he walked away, slowly disappearing into the crowd.

She never imagined that farewell would be forever.

She recalled him saying his family wasn’t well—could it be they were poor, or was someone ill?

Fu Che walked beside her and urged her to stop and drink some water.
“What are you thinking about? Young lady, don’t always frown; wrinkles won’t make you look pretty.”

Seeing her pout, he lowered his head and added casually, “But Shanshan, you’re very pretty.”

Being praised for her looks by her idol, her cheeks flushed like they were dusted with rouge.
How could she not be happy?
If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging high.

Originally, she planned to accompany her master to the capital like a personal bodyguard, following closely to protect him.
She didn’t believe that with her skills, she couldn’t handle any troublemakers.
However, considering the social implications, she hesitated to speak up.
Now that her master brought it up himself, she respectfully accepted.
She would also help him win over his beloved, repaying the lifesaving kindness from the past life.

As the New Year approached, the train station was bustling with crowds, even more crowded than dumpling making.
Her master didn’t let her bring too many things, saying the family had everything, and any missing items could be bought at the state-run stores in the capital once they arrived.
He praised her for being diligent and said he would reward her with a beautiful bracelet.
She was touched to tears.
Her master was truly a master—even as a boss, he was exemplary.
So generous!

Therefore, she brought nothing; all her belongings were stuffed into her master’s large bag.
He carried the bag in one hand and firmly held her wrist with the other.
At first, she felt awkward being seen together, but soon realized everyone was too busy rushing home to notice her.
The crowd was so dense she could only see a sea of heads.

She thought tickets were hard to come by in that era, especially at year’s end, and they probably had to stand all the way to the capital.
Yet, the man had bought her a sleeper ticket.
He was very courteous, pulling her to sit beside him.
She was a bit lazy and gave in, leaning against the carriage wall in a corner.

Seeing her cling to the wall, the man couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m no scoundrel. What are you afraid of?”

Bai Xuanxuan waved her hand. “I’m not afraid of you, master; I’m afraid others will misunderstand. If your lifelong reputation were sullied, I’d feel guilty for days.”

Fu Che muttered to himself, “Several days?”
He smiled, lowered his gaze, reached out to ruffle her hair, and pulled her closer.
“What’s there to fear? With so many people coming and going, who would recognize us?”

“These are for you. Eat something to line your stomach.”
“After we get off, I’ll take you to a proper meal.”

Bai Xuanxuan glanced and saw chocolates, candies, and eggs kept warm in a flask, fragrant and inviting.
She instantly thought her master was the best person in the world, the best boss—none other!

By noon, she grew drowsy and fell asleep leaning against the wall.
When she woke, she was lying on the sleeper berth, her master sitting beside her, shielding her from the sunlight streaming through the window.

She abruptly sat up, wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth.
Oh no.
She had been lying down, while her idol sat there, and she had drooled in front of him.
For a moment, she wished she could disappear.

Blushing, she slid off the bed and whispered an apology, “Sorry, master, I was too tired and fell asleep.”

“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll stand here and watch.”
He turned his head and pulled her back down, his smile gentle and warm. “No need. We’re almost there.”
Seeing her flushed face, he smiled magnanimously. “You must be starving. Once we arrive, I’ll take you to eat.”

Bai Xuanxuan responded stiffly with a hum, turning her head away silently.
What to do? She really wished she could hide in a crack.

At the capital train station, dusk was settling.
The man slightly pulled her closer, supporting her with his arm, smoothly shielding her as they exited the station.

Fu Che’s friend, Qiu Jinfeng, drove up to pick them up, his eyes fixed on Bai Xuanxuan.

Fu Che’s voice held a hint of coldness. “What’s wrong? Haven’t seen you for half a year, and your eyes have gone askew?”

Qiu Jinfeng smirked, “Who’s this young lady? Why not introduce her?”

Bai Xuanxuan, fearing her master would be embarrassed, quickly spoke up, “I’m a junior worker at the master’s shop, named Bai Shanshan.”

Qiu Jinfeng let out a chuckle, glanced at Fu Che’s uncontrollable smirk, and immediately understood.
The big bad wolf can’t hide it anymore—he’s already luring little white rabbits.

He fiddled with the steering wheel. “Your mother must be delighted to see you come back with such a beautiful young lady.”
“As for your brother’s matter, I swear Aunt Jiang’s wrinkles have multiplied.”
“None of us from the compound dare go to your house now, afraid of running into that madman.”

Bai Xuanxuan listened carefully and cautiously asked, “What happened to your brother?”

Fu Che’s expression darkened, his voice growing solemn. “Don’t bother with him. He’s sick. Best keep your distance if you see him.”

Bai Xuanxuan nodded. “What exactly happened to your brother?”

Fu Che fell silent.
The truth was embarrassing, and he feared leaving an unreliable impression on Shanshan.

Qiu Jinfeng smoothly added, “Something about a mistress scaring the wife away, I guess.”

Bai Xuanxuan gasped and nodded knowingly. “That’s terrible. So unreliable.”