Even though I was quite far from them, I could clearly see the gleam of anticipation in Ji Tuxing's eyes.
Mother Chu also noticed the anticipation in Ji Tuxing's eyes, "Yueyao has been busy with Body Refinement and hasn't yet met a suitable Contracted Beast. Both my husband and I hope Yueyao can find a Contracted Beast as strong as she is."
Ji Tuxing looked admiringly at Chu Yueyao, completely ignoring my unpleasant expression.
"Such a powerful Contracted Beast, when encountering a mighty master, is destined to form an alliance and conquer the world. Unfortunately, my master is a sickly person."
Ji Tuxing looked at me with disdain.
The knuckles of the hand gripping the chopsticks turned white, and my tightly bitten lips oozed traces of blood, yet my eyes refused to leave Ji Tuxing.
"Brother Xing, why don't you form a contract with me? Now that Qingwu is also a member of the Chu Family, as long as our Chu Family prospers, my sister will naturally benefit too."
I immediately stood up and shouted, "I disagree!"
"Qingwu, sit down. Now that you are part of the Chu Family, you should consider the bigger picture. Besides, Mr. Ji is for your sister, and you will still be able to see him in the future."
"That's right, Qingwu. Your body is so weak that you might not harness the full strength of such a powerful Contracted Beast, perhaps even unable to protect yourself. We're doing this for your own good!"
"No, I do not agree. I raised Xing with my blood, what right do you have to take him away?"
"I am willing. If it weren't for you holding me back, I would have been the strongest Beastman in Shun City by now. Your blood is filthy and foul, it disgusts me!"
"Xing..."
"Don't call me Xing, that name embarrasses me!"
Ji Tuxing, though always arrogant, has never yelled at me like this before.
I was a bit at a loss, my body swayed, and a sweet metallic taste surged in my throat.
"Regardless, I will never agree!"
The few people across from me exchanged glances, and the fake smiles on their faces disappeared.
"Chu Qingwu, I am now the master of the house, and it's not your place to decide. I order you to voluntarily turn over Yazi."
I sneered, "Give it to her? Chu Family's foster daughter, is she even a member of the Chu Family?"
"Sister, you're wrong there. I may not share the Chu bloodline, but my heart belongs to the Chu Family. I grew up in the Chu Family, far stronger than you, the true Lady who spent over a decade outside."
Their imposing presence clearly aimed to force me to comply.
"Chu Qingwu, one must recognize the situation, or else suffer themselves. Even the granny in the village wouldn't be at ease."
Old Chu was blatantly threatening me, thinking that I was unaware of their deeds when I left the village?
The day they came to get me, the granny had already been missing for two days; she must have met with misfortune.
Before they'd even seen me, they had captured the granny, having anticipated that I wouldn't obediently submit.
"Where is the granny?"
My voice was shockingly cold, but as soon as I spoke, I started coughing violently.
"Terminate the contract yourself, and I might mercifully let that old hag go."
"...Fine! But I want to see her first."
"She's already gone home, dissolve the contract, and I'll arrange for someone to take you to see her."
Old Chu's contradictory words made me suspicious.
I closed my eyes and focused on sensing the aura left on the granny.
The restaurant was silent as my heart sank lower — the aura had vanished!
This aura, drawn from my blood and implanted in the granny, could no longer be felt.
"Chu Family Master is truly calculating, I will not dissolve the contract, Ji Tuxing, stop fooling around, let's go!"
Ji Tuxing picked at his teeth, sitting on the stool completely indifferent.
"People strive for higher places, and even though I am a beast, I understand this principle. If you want to leave, go by yourself! After all, following you might lead me to begging, and besides, you look so ugly and weak, utterly unworthy of the noble me."