Chapter 4 The Fox Demon Has Become Astute

A woman in her forties quickly walked over and took Jiang Zhe's hand.

Xiruo, Jiang Zhe's younger aunt, lived with Grandfather Jiang.

On the way there, Jiang Zhe had already heard Grandfather mention it.

"Aunt Xiruo," Jiang Zhe's voice was clear and light.

"Ah, it's good that you're back," Xiruo responded with a nasally tone.

She looked toward Grandfather Jiang and behind Jiang Zhe, "Dad, where is Fanyue?"

Grandfather Jiang didn't speak, just shook his head.

Xiruo immediately understood, from the time they learned the sisters were at the Jiang Family until today's visit, it had already been over half a month.

During this time, Jiang Fanyue's resistance to them had been quite obvious.

"It's okay, let's eat first," Xiruo quickly changed the subject, pulling Jiang Zhe to sit down while she herself went to the kitchen to bring out the food.

Jiang Zhe glanced around the room, the decoration was standard, the furniture neither new nor old, everything was utterly ordinary, identical to thousands of common households.

But one painting on the wall caught her attention.

She couldn't help but take a second look.

It was an original work by the famous Tang Dynasty painter Han Gan, the "Picture of White Horse in Moonlight."

All that exist in historical museums today are replicas.

Yet, the one hung in this room was painted by Han Gan himself, truly priceless.

However, the painting was not specially framed or cared for; it hung casually as if it were just another decorative painting found in innumerable ordinary homes that no passerby would give a second glance.

Even if someone did take a closer look, they would not discern its significance.

Jiang Zhe looked away as Xiruo had already brought the food to the table, warmly inviting Jiang Zhe, "Xiaozhe, come on, eat while it's hot."

Jiang Zhe sat down and picked up her chopsticks; she noted that the bowls and dishes used to serve the food were made of gold-thread cloisonné from the Song dynasty, rare treasures that would draw countless connoisseurs in a different setting. Now, they were casually placed on a plain wooden table, indeed being put to good use.

Jiang Yaowang and Xiruo each began eating from their bowls, seemingly unaware of the value of the dishware in their hands.

It was unclear whether they genuinely didn't know or if it was a coincidence.

If it was a coincidence, there were far too many such coincidences.

"Try this, it's mushrooms we grew ourselves," said Xiruo, scooping all the dark mushrooms from the soup bowl into Jiang Zhe's bowl.

Jiang Zhe took a bite and paused momentarily; they were actually snow fungus.

As far as she knew, the yield of snow fungus had declined greatly in recent years, and it was hard to come by even on the black market.

Families with power and influence in Beijing had started to bid for snow fungus on the dark web, driving the price higher than that of gold.

The bowl she was eating from might cost as much as a room in an ordinary household.

Seeing Jiang Zhe stop eating, Xiruo immediately asked anxiously, "How is it, is the food not to your taste?"

"No," Jiang Zhe continued eating without any outward reaction.

Xiruo asked, "Xiaozhe, you're attending school at Ash Street Middle School now?"

Jiang Zhe nodded; her school uniform was emblazoned with the words Ash Street.

Jiang Yaowang and Xiruo exchanged a glance. Ash Street Middle School was known in Jincheng for being substandard, and despite annual reforms, the students still lacked ambition, presenting myriad problems that caused headaches.

"Xiaozhe, have you considered changing schools? Enci, my daughter, your cousin, is currently at Jincheng First High School. Why don't you switch there too, so you have each other for support?" Xiruo asked.

"Is it possible to change?" Jiang Zhe put down her bowl.

Jincheng First High School was the best high school in Jincheng, getting into Jincheng First High was akin to having one foot in the university's door.

Its strict admission standards matched its reputation.

Apart from students with exceptional grades, it was also the go-to class for the offspring of Jincheng's elite.

Jiang Fanyue was at Jincheng First High School.

"I have a friend who can help get a spot, shall I go and talk for you?" Jiang Xiruo immediately said.

"No need for now, Ash Street is quite good," Jiang Zhe refused.

Jiang Xiruo did not expect her to have this attitude and could not persuade her further at the moment.

Early the next day, Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo were in the yard's shed, tending to the mushrooms, the air filled with the damp and fermenting odor of the mushrooms.

Jiang Zhe glanced over, noticing the wide variety, even the silver ear mushrooms were plentiful.

"I'm off to school," Jiang Zhe picked up her backpack, informed Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo, and then left the house.

The moment she closed the door behind her, she heard Jiang Yaowang speaking to Jiang Xiruo, "The academic pressure at First High is too great for Xiaozhe."

"I was also worried about the students who fight and brawl around Ash Street; at least First High is safe," Jiang Xiruo said.

"That's true. We'll talk to her about it later."

As Jiang Zhe walked away, their voices gradually faded.

Light rain dampened the streets.

Jiang Zhe opened her umbrella and stepped into the curtain of rain.

Under the umbrella, her fair and straight legs appeared faintly visible.

A luxury car entered the narrow street.

Fen Ye looked around, "Can silver ear mushrooms be bought here? I doubt it. They're difficult to cultivate, and the production has significantly decreased in recent years. What are the prices on the black market? If someone here could grow them, wouldn't their doorstep have already been worn down by visitors?"

In his left hand, Qin Jingchen fiddled with Buddha beads, producing a faint and clear collision sound.

He was still wearing a simple white shirt, the scent of sandalwood on his body diluting the sharpness of his lightly pursed, thin lips.

"Let's give it a try," his voice mingled with the sound of the beads, it was hard to tell which was more pleasant to the ear.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. If we can't find the sound of the piano, getting silver ear mushrooms is the next best thing. It could alleviate Grandma Qin's insomnia a bit," Fen Ye shrugged.

Compared to the elusive piano sounds, silver ear mushrooms were more tangible, and if necessary, they could always buy them at a higher price later.

Jiang Zhe, holding her umbrella, walked along the edge of the street.

A limited edition Lincoln passed by her side, splashing up a puddle of water, then glided forward.

Jiang Zhe looked down at the mud spots on her leg, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and the chewing gum lost its sweetness.

The car stopped not far ahead.

Qin Jingchen still had his eyes closed as he said evenly, "Go back, apologize."

The driver immediately started to reverse the car.

He had already slowed down, but the street was just too uneven and full of hidden puddles.

Fen Ye clicked his tongue in admiration, "Jingchen, your radar is absolutely incredible; nothing escapes your eyes."

As the car backed up, Jiang Zhe hadn't had time to wipe the stains off her leg when, with a splat, another splash of water came her way, hitting her leg.

Jiang Zhe: "..."

She kept a cold face, then saw the driver open the door, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, miss. It was my oversight just now. I came back specifically to apologize."

Jiang Zhe: "..."

It would have been better if he hadn't come back to apologize.

From behind the window, Fen Ye gazed out and suddenly became alert, "Jingchen, you have to see this girl; she's absolutely stunning!"

Her skin shone a blinding white, her little face with dense features was strikingly beautiful, yet it held a cold detachment as if it were inscribed with the words "Admire from a distance, do not blaspheme."

"Holy...!" Fen Ye, who thought he had seen every type of beauty, cursed in shock.

She looked like a fox spirit incarnate!