Chapter 35: Cousin

Storm was confused the entire ride back.

This road… wasn't the way to the Bai mansion.

Did Country K's roads change? Or—had the Bai family relocated?

The latter was hard to believe. The Bai mansion had stood for generations. There was no way they would just abandon it.

So where exactly were they going?

Lillie, seated beside Ethan, turned off her phone after sending a message to Elliot, letting him know they had returned. She glanced at Storm, noticing the way his ears twitched in uncertainty.

"I don't stay at the Bai mansion anymore," she explained.

Storm tilted his head, still not understanding.

Lillie sighed. "Since my parents arranged my marriage to him…" She casually pointed at Ethan.

"…They decided that we should live together from now on."

Storm's ears perked up.

His pupils shrank.

His fur bristled.

Then—

"AWUUUUU!"

A loud, furious howl erupted inside the car.

Ethan, unfazed, merely turned to the massive wolf with a mocking smirk.

"Jealous?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Awuuu! Awuuuuu!"

The driver nearly lost control of the wheel. This was not in his job description! He swore—the moment they arrived at Tranquil Villa, he was resigning!

Lillie pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling in frustration. Two grown males acting like children.

As they approached the entrance of Peach Town, the security team performed their usual checks. However, the moment they spotted Storm in the backseat, tension spiked. Several guards instinctively reached for their weapons.

Lillie swiftly raised a hand. "He's trained," she assured them.

Reluctantly, the guards lowered their guns, though their wary gazes lingered on the enormous wolf.

Storm scoffed. Pesky humans.

If they had even a fraction of his intelligence, they'd realize he wasn't some common beast.

Except for his Mistress, of course. No one was more intelligent and cunning than her.

The car rolled to a stop in front of a grand estate.

"This is Tranquil Villa, Storm," Lillie said as she stepped out. "It's your new home."

Storm hopped out, surveying his surroundings.

The Bai Mansion had been enormous—a legacy built by Alexander Bai and Agathe Crevier, not just for their children, but for generations to come.

Tranquil Villa wasn't as large—but it was still massive by normal standards. The architecture exuded elegance, its serene atmosphere living up to its name.

And then—Storm caught sight of the backyard.

An acre of land stretched out before him, flourishing with greenery and well-maintained gardens.

His ears perked up. Not bad.

At the entrance, two familiar figures awaited them.

Butler Tian and Nanny Ying greeted them with warmth as the servants carried their belongings inside.

Storm, having finished inspecting the garden, returned to the front.

The moment his sharp eyes landed on Butler Tian—

He lunged.

"Ah!" Nanny Ying nearly had a heart attack.

But before she could react, a deep, hearty laugh echoed through the villa.

"Hahaha! Xiao Hei!" Butler Tian's voice boomed as he patted Storm's head.

Storm closed his eyes in satisfaction, his tail wagging slightly.

Nanny Ying, still clutching her chest, exhaled deeply. She had never seen Butler Tian smile so openly before—let alone laugh.

Her lips curled into a small smile. It seems even this stoic old man had a soft spot.

"Don't worry, Nanny Ying," Lillie reassured her. "Storm has always been a friend and guardian of the Bai family. He won't harm anyone."

Nanny Ying nodded, though she still sent a cautious glance at the massive wolf.

The household was promptly informed of Storm's presence—an important precaution, considering he had already caused minor panic when he casually strolled into the garden earlier.

"Young Miss," Butler Tian spoke up. "Madam Agathe visited yesterday and left a package for you."

Lillie raised a brow. "Where is it?"

"In your room, Miss."

She nodded. "Thank you." Without another word, she headed upstairs.

Ethan watched her go, his gaze lingering until she disappeared down the hall.

He casually pulled out his phone and answered an incoming call.

["It's your Granduncle's birthday tomorrow. We are expected to attend as usual."]

It was his father, Li Yefeng.

Ethan exhaled, leaning against the wall. "Yeah, I'll come." His voice was indifferent, but Li Yefeng wasn't fooled.

His son hated attending these gatherings.

Or rather—he hated interacting with one particular person.

Ping Xiaoyue.

Ping Linhua—Ethan's paternal grandmother—was the sister of Ping Wen.

Tomorrow, Ping Wen would be celebrating his 70th birthday, meaning all members of the extended family were expected to attend.

And that meant he'd see her again.

Ping Xiaoyue.

She was his abominable cousin.

Every time there was a family gathering, the Lis were always present—and so was she.

For years, she had shamelessly followed Ethan around, glued to his side at every event.

If someone wanted to find Ethan Li, they simply had to look for Ping Xiaoyue.

She was always there, hovering, blocking other women from approaching him.

It was the one thing Ethan begrudgingly admitted she was good at.

Thanks to her, he was spared from unnecessary interactions with lovestruck heiresses.

But—that was the only thing he was grateful for.

Because otherwise—

She was nothing short of insufferable.

Arrogant. Spoiled. Shameless.

A product of excessive pampering from the Ping family.

Her extreme narcissism knew no bounds.

And tomorrow, he'd have to deal with her again.

Or—

His eyes flickered toward the hallway where Lillie had disappeared.

If only he could bring his future wife as an extra layer of protection.