He Yuzhu returns in Siheyuan

Chapter 824 Little Tanuki's Mother Finds Little Tanuki

Wang Ran knew perfectly well—this wasn't protection at all; these were clearly spies sent by the old man to monitor him. The two men looked unfamiliar, but their eyes held a scrutinizing gaze, and every move they made exuded deliberate "attention." Even a fool could see something was amiss. He knew perfectly well that if they truly found traces of the dragon race deep within Dragon Abyss, these two would immediately crush the communication talisman and relay the news back to the old man, leaving him no chance to keep even the slightest benefit, not even a single dragon scale. Perhaps from the moment he stepped out of that door, every move he made was being watched.

But his face was still filled with gratitude. He even took half a step forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with such sincerity that it seemed he wanted to pour out his heart: "Thank you for your consideration, sir! What merit do I have to trouble you so much! Rest assured, I will live up to your trust. I will risk my life to bring the Dragon Pearl back intact, and I will not dare to make the slightest mistake!"

Some things don't need to be said outright. You use your power to manipulate me, and I'll use your influence to climb the ranks. It's a win-win situation. As long as I can eventually get the Dragon Ball and secure my position as deputy director through this job, what do these constraints and surveillance matter? Wang Ran's hand, hanging by his side, quietly clenched into a fist, his nails almost digging into his flesh, the tips turning bluish-white—he had longed for and endured three years for that deputy director position, and this time he was determined to get it.

The sky outside the window was completely black, as thick as ink that couldn't be dissolved, or like a giant, spread-out net covering the entire city. And he, Wang Ran, was about to plunge into this invisible net with a heart pounding with anxiety, hoping to gamble on a chance to rise above others. As for whether the other side of the net led to a smooth road or an abyss, he couldn't care less now, nor could he afford to.

After listening to Wang Ran's words, the old man tapped his fingertip lightly on the table and then remained silent. He paused for a moment, then raised his hand and pressed a brass bell on the edge of the table. The soft "ding-a-ling" sound seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet room, like a thin needle piercing the heavy air.

Wang Ran's heart skipped a beat, and his eyelids twitched inexplicably. Just as he was wondering what was going to happen, the young man in the blue robe who had led him in earlier emerged from behind the screen. The young man bowed slightly to the old man, his movements respectful, and said nothing, only giving Wang Ran a subtle look, the meaning of which couldn't be clearer.

"You can come with me now." The young man walked to Wang Ran's side, his tone as calm as still water, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Wang Ran dared not ask any more questions, nor did he dare to look back at the old man's expression. He could only obediently follow him out, but his mind was in turmoil. The old man's sudden change in expression, from shock to solemnity, and then to that unfathomable melancholy, along with that inexplicable sentence, all conveyed an indescribable strangeness, making him feel uneasy all over.

He had just stepped out of the house, not even having reached the stone steps, when he heard the old man mutter to himself behind him. The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an almost greedy ruthlessness, like a poisoned ice pick: "The Dragon Ball… interesting. I must obtain this. With the help of human fortune and the power of the Dragon Ball, I will surely break through my shackles and become a true powerhouse in this world…"

Wang Ran paused, a chill running down his spine. He vaguely understood that his words had likely ignited an even greater storm. Little did he know that the old man's ambitions went far beyond simply becoming powerful—he wanted to annihilate the demon and monster races. In his view, as long as these alien races existed, there would never be peace on earth. Moreover, his son had been torn to pieces in a great battle with the monsters, his body never recovered; his daughter had been abducted by the demons, enduring thirty years of torture before finally escaping, only to be crippled by demonic energy, suffering lifelong disability and excruciating pain every day. This deep-seated hatred was etched into his very bones, a poison that gnawed at his heart even in his sleepless nights.

These disputes and schemes were naturally unknown to He Yuzhu, who was thousands of miles away. To him, the changing world outside was far less real than the warmth of the kitchen. As long as he could keep to his simple life, spending his days around the stove making braised pork and noodles with soybean paste, and watching the people around him eat with smiles on their faces, that was better than anything else.

He was busy in the kitchen, wearing a blue apron. Chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic were piled on the cutting board, and the oil in the pan was sizzling and fragrant. Little Li hopped in from the yard, her fluffy tail held high, her ear tips twitching slightly, and her nose constantly sniffing. He Yuzhu, seeing her clever expression, paused with his spatula, then smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Are you craving something good? Want some treats early? I'm making your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today."

Little Tanuki wagged its fluffy tail, tilted its little face up, and its round eyes sparkled: "Yuzhu, my mother might be coming. I can smell her scent; she's right outside the yard."

He Yuzhu peeked into the courtyard gate, but it was empty except for the rustling of the wind through the fence. He smiled and ruffled the little fox's head, his fingertips touching her soft fur. "No. Are you mistaken? The clan leader said a few days ago that the demon race can't leave the mountain casually for fear of causing conflict. How could your mother come?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a very soft sound came from outside the courtyard gate, like flower petals falling to the ground. A woman dressed in a plain-colored dress, embroidered with delicate bamboo leaf patterns, entered. Her features bore a resemblance to Xiao Li, but she appeared more dignified and serene, and she carried a faint fragrance of herbs and trees. She looked at He Yuzhu, a gentle smile playing on her lips: "My daughter naturally understands me best. Xiao Li's sense of smell is second to none in the clan; it's never wrong."

Upon seeing the woman, the little fox immediately cried out joyfully and pounced on her, crashing into her arms like a little cannonball: "Mother!"

Seeing this, He Yuzhu smiled and quickly wiped his hands on his apron. "Oh, it's Auntie. Please come in and sit down. Xiao Li, you keep Auntie company while I go out and buy some fresh vegetables. I'll invite you to try my cooking later. I guarantee it will be delicious, so Auntie can taste the flavors of life." Knowing that the mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for a long time and must have a lot to talk about, he tactfully prepared to leave and turned to walk towards the door.

He Yuzhu left after he finished speaking. After all, what was he doing there while the other parents were chatting? It was really unnecessary.

He Yuzhu still had one more thing to do, which was that Ma Xiuxiu was worried that Xiao Li's whole family was gone, and now that a mother had appeared, it was not a good thing.