Ye Qin said, “It’s Yong Ye.”
“Master.”
As Ye Qin exited the courtyard, Huang Quan turned her attention back to the baby. “You can eat when you are full.” The baby smiled and narrowed his eyes, expressing gratitude. Huang Quan thought to herself, “I am so good to you, then you can sleep for a long time next time. At least wait until I make enough money!”
Shortly after Ye Qin left, he returned carrying a larger box. The baby, particularly sensitive to gold, silver, and jewelry, eagerly approached as Ye Qin opened the box. It was filled with an assortment of treasures, much brighter than the previous box.
The baby’s eyes turned into crescent moons as he exclaimed, “I can eat now.” Seeing the contents of the box, Huang Quan felt a pang of pain in her eyes and heart. All this treasure, to the baby, meant food.
Resigned to the situation, Huang Quan focused on her work with the herbs. Ye Qin, observing the baby’s delight, encouraged, “Eat it.” He then returned to his previous position.
The baby happily began devouring the contents of the box, savoring both the small and large boxes this time.
“Quanquan, I’m going back,” the baby declared, transforming into a stream of light and disappearing. Once a beast forms a contract with a person, the contract creates a space for the beast to rest. In that space, the pet won’t go hungry, so when not fighting, the beast retreats to the space.
“Quanquan, the baby’s habits seem to be different from those of the legendary Dragon Clan,” Ye Qin remarked upon his return.
Huang Quan smiled, “What’s different?”
“He didn’t eat,” Ye Qin explained. “The Dragon Clan is greedy for money and will pile up jewelry in their nests. They may swallow their own dragon’s nest to hide it, but it’s for storage, not as food. Logically speaking, the baby should eat…”
“The baby can’t eat those things,” Huang Quan responded, somewhat surprised by Ye Qin’s sensitivity. She continued, “The baby is in a special situation, and he can’t consume those things.”
“What about those jewelry just now?” Ye Qin inquired.
Huang Quan explained, “It comforts him. The baby said that after eating those things, he feels like he has consumed something.”
Ye Qin’s mouth twitched for a moment, and before he could respond, Huang Quan added, “Of course, it’s also possible that the baby is greedy for money and simply wants to drain my funds.”
Ye Qin quipped, “I think the latter is more likely.”
Huang Quan sighed, “You don’t have to say it; I can still deceive myself.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Ye Qin’s face. The baby’s situation was undoubtedly more complex than Huang Quan admitted. Ye Qin understood this but chose not to delve deeper into the matter. Sometimes, it’s wise to leave certain questions unasked.
Time passed swiftly, and four days flew by. Early in the morning, Nangong Mian received a call from the dean, notifying him that they were almost arriving at the imperial capital.
“Qingfeng Inn,” Ye Qin informed Huang Quan. “I’ve booked the fourth floor for you and informed the dean. You and your brother can go directly to the inn.”
Huang Quan expressed concern, “Then you’ve spent money again.”
Ye Qin reassured her, “This is the college’s expense. Don’t worry; the dean will take care of it.”
