Exposing the Fox's Disguise

Yu Fuli tried to escape many times.

While the maid was cleaning, he slipped towards the door and was silently locked by the infrared sensor; he tried to find a foothold on the second-floor terrace, only to find that there were more bodyguards patrolling the garden below than flowers; he even secretly pried open the window lock with his paws, which triggered a hidden alarm that he didn't even notice.

Every attempt begins quietly and ends in failure just as quietly.

The security of this annex was much tighter than he had expected.

However, there is also good news.

His gunshot wound was healing at an astonishing speed. The dressing had long been removed, leaving only a pale pink strip of new flesh at the wound site, and he could move around without much difficulty.

When Wen Qiaoan came to perform a routine check-up on him today, she repeatedly scanned the injury with the instrument and compared it with the previous records, revealing undisguised shock on her face.

He adjusted his glasses, looked at Yu Fuli who was curled up on the mat pretending to sunbathe, and said incredulously, "This recovery speed is completely illogical. Based on this degree of healing and tissue regeneration efficiency, it has already surpassed current medical advancements for mammals, especially..."

He paused, swallowed the word "fox," and changed his wording to "...the scope of knowledge about this type of creature."

Feeling guilty under his gaze, Yu Fuli silently buried her head under her fluffy tail, leaving only her eyes showing as she blinked.

Fox is naturally healthy and recovers quickly, so what? It's not Fox's fault...

He muttered to himself, but dared not actually show off.

"...You've recovered so well, it makes me want to send you for biopsy and research." Wen Qiaoan said with particular seriousness after recording the data.

Before the words were finished—

"call out!"

Yu Fuli's fur bristled instantly, and the fox swelled up a whole size, like a startled, fluffy dandelion ball. Its amber eyes widened, staring at Wen Qiaoan with accusation.

You, Wen Qiaoan!

He looks like a gentle, reliable, and respectable doctor with thick eyebrows and big eyes, how could he be so heartless! He actually wanted to dissect a fox! Does he have no medical ethics at all?!

He was so angry he was screaming inside, his claws outstretched, wondering if he should give the guy another whack.

"[Host,]" the system's voice sounded at the opportune moment, "[Have you noticed that your recent behavior... uh, has been a little too lively?]"

It originally wanted to use the word "naive", but after a quick evaluation by the core algorithm, it showed that saying this was very likely to anger the host, causing unnecessary emotional fluctuations, and might even lead to the host making things difficult for it in their mind.

"That's normal," Yu Fuli thought to herself, watching Wen Qiaoan pack her things warily. She licked her paws, which she'd messed up while her fur had been ruffled. "I've revealed my true form, and maintaining that fox shape means many of my instincts and behaviors will unconsciously align with a fox's nature. What's wrong with being lively? Aren't all foxes like that?"

He spoke with conviction, and his paw-licking motion was fluid and natural.

However, he suddenly stopped halfway through licking.

Wait... I can't help but revert to my fox-like nature?

So what about his current reactions: getting all agitated, glaring, internally complaining, and constantly trying to reach out with his claws...?

Could it be that in Xiao Chi and Wen Qiaoan's eyes it's already so obviously outrageous?

Did they already realize he wasn't an ordinary fox?

The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he froze, his licking motion gone.

[Actually,] the system's calm, emotionless electronic voice seemed to carry a faint, almost human-like sense of helplessness. [Based on their recent behavioral patterns, conversations, and focused observation of the host, Xiao Chi and Wen Qiaoan's probability that the host is not an ordinary fox is as high as 97.3%. In short—]

The system paused, then added the harsh truth in the most objective tone:

[You may have already been seen through, but you, the host, simply choose not to believe it.]

Yu Fuli: "..."

"It's okay, I won't answer if he doesn't say anything, and I'll pretend I don't know if he does."

The system looked at the calmly licking paws of the Yu Fuli, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping itself.

Wen Qiaoan recorded the data, looked at him thoughtfully for a while, and finally didn't say anything. Before leaving, she sent Xiao Chi another message.

Xiao Chi arrived quickly; he had just finished a video conference and was still wearing a crisp shirt.

He walked to the edge of the leopard's den, squatted down, and poked the furry ball that was pretending to be dead.

"I heard you recovered exceptionally quickly?" Xiao Chi's voice was devoid of emotion. "It was almost frighteningly fast."

Yu Fuli buried its head even deeper, and the tip of its tail curled nervously.

Xiao Chi didn't expect an answer, and said to himself, "Now that your injury is healed, do you have more energy to figure out how to run?"

The white fluffy ball stiffened slightly.

Xiao Chi chuckled softly, reached out, and this time instead of poking, gently rubbed the back of Yu Fuli's neck. The force was light, but it carried an undeniable sense of control.

"Save your energy, little guy." He lowered his voice, warning with a hint of amusement. "You can't get out of here. Instead, think about how you're going to have a proper chat with me about your origins. I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

Yu Fuli snorted disdainfully in her heart, and rolled her eyes slightly, thinking she was being discreet.

Bah! Once I, Fox, can speak, my first words will scare you stupid humans to death!

He had barely finished his internal monologue when he heard Xiao Chi's voice, tinged with obvious surprise:

"Wait!! You just rolled your eyes, didn't you?! You really can understand me perfectly!"

Xiao Chi's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered some extremely interesting treasure. He leaned forward and stared at the frozen white fox with great interest.

Yu Fuli: "!!!"

Oh no! My overconfidence has given me away!

His fur was starting to stand on end again, but he forced himself to hold it in. He could only stiffen his neck, turn his face to the side, and pretend nothing was wrong, continuing to slowly lick his paws, though his movements were much stiffer now.

"Stop pretending," Xiao Chi reached out and gently tapped Yu Fuli's wet nose with his index finger. "From your picky eating of cooked meat to understanding commands, and then that eye roll just now, ordinary foxes don't put on this much show."

He paused, his tone inquisitive, "What exactly are you? A mutant species? Or aren't you a fox at all?"

Yu Fuli's alarm bells rang loudly, and he completely stopped licking his paws.

He raised his eyes, his amber pupils meeting Xiao Chi's scrutinizing gaze, which was filled with vigilance, stubbornness, and a hint of barely perceptible guilt.

Yu Fuli blinked its wet, amber eyes, trying to make its gaze appear innocent and bewildered, attempting to use its fluffy appearance to get away with its cuteness.

However, Xiao Chi wasn't buying it at all. Far from being charmed, he moved even closer, his gaze sharp as a knife, and pressed on, enunciating each word clearly:

"Tell me. What exactly are you?"

Yu Fuli was angered by his question and subconsciously retorted in her mind:

Foxes are no good!

No! Fox is a thing!

...Uh, that doesn't seem right either!

I'm a fox spirit! A fox spirit that has become a demon! Do you understand?

Unfortunately, these words could only roar in my heart; I couldn't utter a single one.

He had no doubt that if he were to actually speak human language at this moment, Wen Qiaoan, the doctor who looked gentle but was actually ruthless, would be the first to pounce on him, pin him to the operating table, and dissect him for study!

He could only widen his eyes even more, trying to convey with his gaze that he was just a pitiful and weak ordinary fox, even though he himself felt that his acting was a bit exaggerated.

Xiao Chi looked at his "the fox is not afraid of boiling water" attitude and laughed instead, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

"You won't tell me? That's okay."

He straightened up: "Then I'll take you to Wen Qiaoan for a full-body scan, especially of your brain structure and vocal cords. I'll also collect some more in-depth tissue samples, including hair follicles, oral mucosa, and a little bit of bone marrow."

Yu Fuli's fur stood on end instantly!

Bone marrow?! Is that really necessary?!