By the time Li Meirong left Zhu Qingyue's residence, the thick blackened clouds had mysteriously vanished. The heavy downpour reduced to light, gentle rain, signalling the storm's inevitable end.

Contrary to the foreseen gloomy environment, the rain had brought richness to all the colours in the sect, enhancing the greens and browns into deeper shades. The wilted plants had miraculously regrown and were restored to their former glory as though they were never scorched nor harmed in any way.

Li Meirong wasn't very attentive to her surroundings as she ran through the coalition's grounds. She was far too absorbed in her own nervous thoughts to marvel at the abrupt weather changes and revival of the garden's plant life.

The hearing's outcome and the consequences of the private meeting with Zhu Qingyue threw her into a tizzy. And to think that only a few hours ago, she had been prepared to depart the sect for good.

However, now it would seem that from today henceforth, she had inadvertently agreed to be responsible for Zhu Qingyue. Even if it wasn't exactly a romantic association, it would be a relationship nonetheless.

'Well, my previous relationships always ended terribly. At least with this one, I know what to expect and am aware of how it will end.'

She wondered what sort of tasks her responsibilities would entail and whether her association with the Grandmaster's son would assist or harm her down the road.

Li Meirong hadn't managed to settle her own emotions with regards to her newfound involvement with Zhu Qingyue, but she had already given her word and she wasn't a person who spoke carelessly. There was nothing to it but to be patient and let things unfold naturally.

It's not like she had gotten married to him or anything. Nothing was set in stone.

As she raced through the servant's courtyard and reached Bao Li's quarters, the rosy reddening of her cheeks had not yet faded.

Right as Li Meirong was about to enter Bao Li's quarters, the sound of lively chatter and boisterous laughter rang from inside, loud enough for the neighbours to hear.

"Snowball, I really want to steal you away! If you stay with me, I'll feed and pamper you as much as you like!"

Li Meirong's eyes narrowed as she heard the words. She quietly stepped inside Bao Li's room, instantly zooming in on Snowball as he was being spoon-fed by her Senior Sister. They were so engrossed with each other, they hadn't even noticed her presence.

A strange bitter feeling swelled inside her.

Pressing her lips together, Li Meirong inwardly seethed as she recalled her Fox Spirit's indignant remarks. Wasn't it Snowball who announced that males and females should maintain proper distance from each other?!

The Fox Spirit was lounging on the chair like a babied prince with a huge protruding belly and an open jaw, anticipating the next slice of meat. His eyes remained glued to Bao Li in undisguised adoration. A clutter of emptied dishes covered the table's surface. Bao Li held a ceramic bowl filled with shredded pork soup, feeding the fatty fox one spoon at a time.

Li Meirong observed this all in silence. The butterflies in her stomach had long since dissolved and her clear eyes had darkened. It looked as though Bao Li had been stuffing the gluttonous "pig" since the moment she left!

"I am afraid my duty is going to prevent me from accepting your proposition." 'Snowball' replied to Bao Li between munches.

To say Bai Yu was content would be quite the understatement.

He hadn't enjoyed such a good time in centuries! A cute girl at his beck and call, spoon feeding him! No wonder His Lordship had transformed himself to cub form. There was a world of difference in the treatment one received from females this way.

"Is that so?"

"Mmhmm… I must perform my tasks to perfection." 'Snowball' said absentmindedly, he couldn't very well abandon his mission for the sake of his personal interests.

Unfortunately, he realized the sharp voice laced with accusation wasn't Bao Li's only after he uttered the words.

Oh no! At once, the fox turned back and tripped, falling face first from the chair to the floor in fright. Her Ladyship had caught him unawares! His Lord would surely slay him!