Bai Jimu excitedly pulled Bai Xuan by the hand, chattering away about showing him the room where he would sleep from now on.
Although Bai Xuan still couldn’t speak fluently, his small face was full of wonder.
As Bai Jimu half-dragged, half-pushed him into the house, he didn’t forget to look back one last time at Bai Yanzhou standing under the moonlight.
When the voices of the two little ones faded behind the door, Bai Yanzhou didn’t turn around.
Instead, he spoke calmly to the empty corner of the courtyard:
“You’ve been watching for so long. Isn’t it time to come out?”
In the corner, the shadows among the piled junk shifted.
Then, the orange cat that Bai Jimu had rescued walked out with elegant, silent steps.
Her injuries looked much better, but there was still a hint of deliberate composure in her gait that didn’t quite match her weak body.
Her amber cat eyes were clear and spirited in the moonlight as she met Bai Yanzhou’s gaze frankly.
“You noticed me a long time ago,” she said. Her voice was that of a woman—clear, soft, and devoid of much emotion.
Only then did Bai Yanzhou turn around.
“That bit of demonic aura on you… You hid it well enough, but you can’t fool me.”
His tone was casual. “Since you’re not an ordinary cat, why pretend to be one to sneak in?”
Ming Shu sat down gracefully, the tip of her tail tapping the ground lightly.
“No malice intended. My name is Ming Shu. I ran into some trouble recently, damaged my cultivation, ended up on the streets, and then met some bad people.”
Ming Shu spoke steadily, as if talking about someone else’s affairs. “I was on my last legs that day. Luckily… that Beagle came to save the dogs. Pretending to be a normal cat saved trouble, and it was a good way to see if this place was reliable.”
She admitted her identity frankly, and her reasoning made sense, but her overly calm gaze made Bai Yanzhou feel that this cat was anything but simple.
“Ming Shu…” Bai Yanzhou repeated the name. “You’ve hurt your foundation. It’s not easy to cure.”
“I know.” Ming Shu glanced at the injury on her front paw.
There was no dejection in her eyes, only cool assessment.
“I originally just wanted to find a place to hide and heal… but now,” she shifted her tone and looked at Bai Yanzhou, “I’ve changed my mind. Dr. Bai, you don’t seem to reject ‘others’ like us. Can I stay?”
“Stay?” Bai Yanzhou raised an eyebrow slightly. “I don’t keep freeloaders here.”
“Of course.” Ming Shu continued, her tone unhurried. “I know a bit about pharmacology, I can read, and taking care of the wounded or sorting herbs is no problem. Or… I can handle some troublemakers for you.”
Her tone was light, but it revealed a certain confidence. “I know my injuries well. I won’t cause you too much trouble. I just want a place to settle down and a bite to eat.”
The last sentence was spoken plainly, but it inexplicably revealed a trace of imperceptible loneliness.
Bai Yanzhou looked at her silently for a few seconds.
Beneath this cat demon’s reserved and dignified appearance, her eyes hid a restless light.
It was a bit like… well, a bit like a Husky in a cat’s skin, specifically one that was very good at pretending to be well-behaved.
“Fine,” he finally relented, his tone casual. “I happen to need a helper. Room and board included, no wages. Your work will pay for your medicine and treatment.”
Ming Shu breathed a sigh of relief internally, though she maintained her elegance on the surface. “Understood. Thank you, Dr. Bai.”
“There’s an old cat bed in the corner of the warehouse over there. Make do with it for now.” Bai Yanzhou pointed in the direction. “Starting tomorrow, follow Little Bi and learn the ropes. That kid is a bit goofy, but he knows this place inside out.”
“Okay.” Ming Shu nodded slightly, but a subtle curiosity arose in her heart regarding this “goofy” dog demon colleague.
She turned and walked toward the warehouse with steps that looked dignified but were actually quite brisk.
Under the moonlight, the orange figure gradually merged into the shadows.
Bai Yanzhou watched her retreating back and shook his head gently, the corners of his mouth seemingly curling up in a very faint arc.
He could already foresee that with the addition of this orange cat—who looked reserved on the outside but was likely a “demon king” on the inside—the chaotic daily life of Baizhou Hall was about to get even livelier.
However, that seemed… not bad.
Early the next morning, just as the sunlight hit the backyard of the clinic, Bai Jimu energetically transformed back into human form, ready to start his day’s “work.”
Mainly, playing and watching the shop.
Just as he stretched, he saw the warehouse door being gently pushed open.
Ming Shu had already transformed into the appearance of a human woman.
She was strikingly beautiful, tall and slender, with brown curly hair cascading casually down her back.
“Morning!” Bai Jimu grinned widely, greeting her enthusiastically. “You must be the new colleague Bro mentioned yesterday, right? I’m Bai Jimu, everyone calls me Little Bi!”
Ming Shu stopped. Her amber cat eyes looked at him calmly.
She nodded slightly, her voice cool. “Morning. I’m Ming Shu.”
She paused, then added, “Dr. Bai asked me to follow you to get familiar with the environment.”
“No problem! Leave it to me!” Bai Jimu patted his chest and leaned in closer, lowering his voice with a hint of smugness. “Actually, I felt something was off about you long ago! How could a normal cat have eyes like that? And the scent on you… Although very faint, it’s a bit like mine and Little Xuan’s!”
Ming Shu’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but she remained calm on the surface. “Oh? Is that so? Your sense of smell is very keen.”
She hadn’t expected this goofy-looking dog demon to have such sharp perception.
“Of course!” Bai Jimu laughed heartlessly, completely oblivious to Ming Shu’s subtle vigilance.
“Let’s go, I’ll show you around the clinic first!”
He led Ming Shu around, chattering away with his introductions:
“This is the front hall. Bro usually sits here for consultations and fills prescriptions… Over there is the medicine cabinet. Don’t touch it randomly, Bro will get angry… In the back is where we brew medicine; it gets a bit hot… This small room is for temporarily housing injured small animals. Little Xuan used to stay here… Upstairs is where Bro and I live. It’s best not to go up there if you have nothing to do. Bro likes peace and quiet…”
Ming Shu followed quietly, her sharp gaze sweeping over every corner, silently memorizing the layout and the placement of items.
She lingered a moment longer on the herbs emitting strange scents.
“That brown lump of wood is Poria, and the one that looks like tree roots is Licorice…” Seeing her interest in the herbs, Bai Jimu casually introduced a few. “Bro says these are good stuff, but they taste terrible.”
He wrinkled his nose, evidently having had some unpleasant tasting experiences.
Ming Shu looked at him with some surprise. “You know herbs?”
“Of course! After being with Bro for so long, I know a little bit!” Bai Jimu chuckled. “Don’t underestimate me. I’m pretty awesome too!”
Just then, Bai Xuan, wearing a small gray shirt, walked out of his room rubbing his eyes.
Seeing Ming Shu, he froze for a moment, then greeted her in a small, stammering voice, “G-Good morning… Cat… Cat Sister.”
Ming Shu looked at this freshly-minted little boy, who still seemed a bit timid.
Her eyes softened for a moment, and she gave a soft “Mmhmm” in response.
Bai Jimu immediately pulled Bai Xuan into the ‘tour group.’ “Little Xuan, come too! You can get familiar with things as well!”
And so, the morning patrol team of Baizhou Hall became two people and a cat.
Bai Jimu was mainly responsible for the enthusiastic commentary, Bai Xuan for whispered supplements and curious gazes, while Ming Shu maintained an elegant silence, only speaking when necessary to ask one or two key questions, such as “Which herbs are contraindicated?”, “Where are the medical instruments kept?”, and “How do we handle emergencies?”.
Her questions were practical and hit the mark, making Bai Jimu look at her with new respect. “Wow, Ming Shu, you’re amazing! The questions you ask are almost the same as what Bro usually emphasizes!”
Ming Shu responded indifferently, “Just basic common sense.”
After the tour, Bai Yanzhou slowly came downstairs.
Seeing the three “employees” standing in a row, he gave instructions expressionlessly.
“Little Bi, go sweep the entrance. Little Xuan, bring in the herbs that were drying yesterday. Ming Shu,” his gaze landed on the orange cat, “you follow Little Xuan and help sort them out. Don’t mix them up.”
“Yes, Bro/Dr. Bai!” the three responded in unison.
Bai Jimu grabbed the broom and rushed to the door with great enthusiasm.
Bai Xuan walked carefully toward the herb drying racks.
Ming Shu leaped lightly onto the table next to him, watching Bai Xuan’s movements.
Occasionally, when he hesitated, she would gently nudge a herb with her paw or give a short prompt: “Th-this one… goes… left.”
She was actually mimicking the way Bai Xuan spoke—still cool, but slowing her speech down.
Bai Xuan looked at her in surprise, then understood her kindness.
A grateful smile appeared on his small face, and he nodded vigorously. “Mmhmm! Th-thank you, Cat Sister!”
Leaning against the counter, Bai Yanzhou watched this scene: the hyperactive dog demon, the little parrot struggling to adapt to his new life, and this cat demon who looked reserved and unpredictable but expressed kindness in her own way.
His clinic was truly becoming more and more “colorful.”
One dusk a few days later, a faint scent of medicine filled Baizhou Hall.
Bai Jimu was clumsily holding Bai Xuan’s small hand, teaching him to write stroke by stroke.
Ming Shu was curled up on the rattan chair by the window, seemingly napping but keenly sensing everything around her.
This was a habit formed over her long life as a demon.
Bai Yanzhou put a dried herb into the medicine grinder and ground it unhurriedly, speaking in a steady voice, “Little Xuan, in a while, I’ll get you an identity. It’s time to go to school.”
“S-School?” Bai Xuan jerked his head up, his dark eyes filled with confusion and a hint of fear.
For him, stepping into human society was still a nerve-wracking prospect.
“Yes. You need to learn basic culture. You can’t stay cooped up in this little clinic forever.”
Bai Yanzhou’s tone was as casual as discussing what to have for dinner. “You’re at the right age. I’ll arrange the paperwork.”
On the rattan chair, Ming Shu’s ears twitched imperceptibly.
She knew very well how difficult it was for a person who appeared out of thin air to obtain a legal identity in today’s well-ordered human world.
This wasn’t something an ordinary clinic owner could easily do.
She couldn’t help but re-evaluate Bai Yanzhou.
This seemingly lazy and easygoing snake demon seemed to be shrouded in an impenetrable mist.
Bai Jimu, on the other hand, was carefree. While gnawing on a pear, he mumbled, “School is great! Little Xuan is so smart, he’ll definitely learn fast! Bro, are you going to contact Uncle Zhao, the one who always wears black suits and drives luxury cars, or Grandpa Sun, who always brings you weird teas?”
Bai Yanzhou didn’t even lift his eyelids, continuing to grind the medicine. “Just do your job.”
Just then, the wind chime at the clinic door gave a crisp ding-dong.
A figure pushed the door open.
It wasn’t Lin You as expected, but a spirited old man wearing a simple yet elegant Tang suit.
He leaned on a cane made of red sandalwood—seemingly ordinary but with extraordinary grain. His pace was steady, his bearing dignified.
Behind the old man followed a silent middle-aged man, clearly an attendant, but with a respectful posture and sharp eyes, knowing exactly when to advance and retreat.
As soon as the old man entered, his gaze fell on Bai Yanzhou, and his face broke into a sincere smile filled with respect. “Mr. Bai, sorry to disturb you.”
Only then did Bai Yanzhou stop his work, looking up and nodding slightly. “Elder Yang, what brings you here today?”
His tone remained flat, but it held a bit more familiarity than he showed to ordinary patients.
“I happened to be handling some matters nearby, so I stopped by to see you.” The old man called Elder Yang had a warm smile.
His gaze swept over Bai Jimu and Bai Xuan in the shop.
When he saw Ming Shu trying to shrink her presence, his eyes paused slightly, flashing with understanding, but he quickly returned to normal without any prying or surprise, only an appropriate peacefulness.
His attitude of not finding it strange was, in itself, the issue.
“That prescription you gave last time… after my boy used it, his old problem hasn’t flared up again. It’s truly miraculous.” Elder Yang’s tone was grateful. “I came this time, firstly to say thank you, and secondly…”
He turned his head slightly.
The middle-aged man behind him immediately stepped forward and gently placed an ancient wooden box on the counter.
“A small token of appreciation. It’s a wild ginseng my subordinates stumbled upon. The age is decent. It’s a waste sitting with me, but I know Mr. Bai can make use of it, so please accept it.”
Bai Jimu sniffed the air curiously and whispered to Bai Xuan, “Smells like something powerful!”
Bai Yanzhou glanced at the wooden box and didn’t refuse. “Elder Yang is too polite. I’m glad your son is well.”
Elder Yang chuckled, seeming relieved. Then, as if mentioning it casually, he said, “By the way, Mr. Bai, I heard you seem to have a little friend here who needs help with household registration and schooling matters? Coincidentally, Old Zhou from the education system and Old Li from household registration management owe me a few favors. It’s just a matter of saying hello, very convenient.”
He spoke lightly, as if it were as simple as passing a note, but the power required to mobilize resources in these two fields so casually was unimaginable.
Bai Yanzhou’s expression didn’t change as he nodded. “Indeed, there is a little one who needs some help. I’ll ask Lin You to send the data to your residence later.”
“Easy, easy!” Elder Yang nodded repeatedly. “Young Lin knows the place. Then I won’t disturb Mr. Bai’s peace any longer. Please carry on.”
He bowed respectfully again before turning to leave with his attendant.
The whole process flowed smoothly, neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in respect and helpfulness.
Once the old man left, the clinic fell silent.
Bai Jimu blinked. “Bro, this Grandpa Yang seems even more impressive than Brother Lin You?”
Ming Shu remained calm on the surface, but waves were rising in her heart.
She could sense the aura of authority from Elder Yang, someone who had held high positions for a long time, and the faint scent of blood and violence on his attendant.
Yet such a person was so respectful to Bai Yanzhou, even carrying a hint of… careful ingratiation?
Who exactly is this Dr. Bai?
“Meow~”
Coal Ball appeared in the corner of the counter at some point, methodically licking his paws. His golden pupils glanced at the box of wild ginseng, then at the door, emitting an ambiguous purr from his throat.
Then he jumped off the counter, walked with elegant cat steps to Bai Yanzhou’s leg, and rubbed against it.
Bai Yanzhou scooped him up onto his lap, stroking his sleek fur gently, and said to the still-dazed Bai Xuan, “The paperwork will be done soon. Don’t worry, just focus on getting ready for school.”
Bai Xuan nodded blankly. Although he didn’t quite understand how powerful that old grandpa was, knowing that the school matter was resolved made him feel relieved and a little expectant.
Ming Shu took a deep look at Bai Yanzhou, whose expression remained as placid as ever while stroking the black cat.
She had thought Bai Yanzhou simply had high cultivation.
Now it seemed that the network of favors and hidden influence he commanded in the human world was even more unfathomable.
To have a “big shot” of that level willingly, even eagerly, help him handle “small matters”…
The waters of Baizhou Hall ran much deeper than she had imagined.
She closed her eyes again, feeling the last warmth of the dusk.
Choosing to stay here might have been one of the wisest decisions in her long life.