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Xuetuan, dazed by the collision and seeing stars, took half a day to recover. After getting back to its senses, it looked up at the massive creature in front of it only to see a swath of grey and white fur, with no sight of the other’s face.

Twisting its head away, Xuetuan scurried back to Shen Chuwei’s feet and looked up again at the enormous figure. When it recognized the face, it realized they were acquaintances. So many years had passed, and the creature had grown so large, as if it had been guzzling down feed all these years.

The tiger-lion beast looked down as well and recognized the small white bundle as Xuetuan. However, as small as Xuetuan was years ago in front of it, it was still just as minuscule now.

Reaching out a paw, it nudged Xuetuan, as if to say hello.

However, to Shen Chuwei’s eyes, the scene resembled that of a cat teasing a mouse.

Humphing, Xuetuan turned to hug Shen Chuwei’s leg for two reasons: seeking comfort and wanting a hug.

Seeing Xuetuan hugging her leg so pitifully, Shen Chuwei couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Still, she bent down to pick up Xuetuan.

Xuetuan lifted its chin and looked at the tiger-lion beast, clearly showing off, its eyes seeming to say, "Chuwei hugged me, not you, hmph!"

The tiger-lion beast noticed and snorted, stepping forward to lean on Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei looked baffled at the tiger-lion beast’s action. Such a huge body leaning over, what was it trying to do? Was it planning on flattening me into a meat patty?

The tiger-lion beast wanted Shen Chuwei to hug it, but it also realized it was far too large for her to embrace and felt somewhat distressed.

Smug, Xuetuan let out a "Meow," indicating that this was a treatment it couldn’t enjoy.

The tiger-lion beast bared its teeth at Xuetuan and raised a paw to scrape at her arm, attempting to dislodge Xuetuan.

No matter how strong Shen Chuwei was, she could not match the might of the tiger-lion beast, who managed to remove Xuetuan from her arms in just a couple of tries.

Xuetuan, fuming, tried to scratch the tiger-lion beast but was effortlessly pushed away with a swipe of its paw. Xuetuan’s round body rolled several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

Xuetuan glared furiously at the tiger-lion beast.

Shen Chuwei watched, utterly baffled, as the large and small creatures faced each other.

Just then, the Palace Maid came over carrying a fish, taking aback at the sight of the tiger-lion beast. Trembling, she said, "Princess, the fish is steamed."

Seeing the fish, Shen Chuwei finally found something to distract them.

"Xuetuan, go eat the fish," she said.

Already hungry, Xuetuan was even hungrier at the smell of the fish and, ignoring the tiger-lion beast, turned its back on the beast, then sauntered off to eat with poised steps.

The tiger-lion beast, having already eaten its fill, didn’t care for the bit of fish; it wasn’t even enough to pick its teeth with.

Shen Chuwei looked at the tiger-lion beast and decided to give it a trim. No, not a shave, a trim.

Wuyou Palace was expansive. She found a large open space and got the scissors ready.

The tiger-lion beast followed her quietly, no directing needed.

Gazing at the tiger-lion beast, Shen Chuwei thought of the Dabai at home. Susu called Dabai "Huhu," so she tried the same, "Huhu, come here, lie down on the ground."

Not knowing what Shen Chuwei was up to, the tiger-lion beast obediently lay down on the ground and gazed at her with its eyes wide open.

"Good boy, stay still," Shen Chuwei praised as she picked up the scissors and sized up the beast’s fur before starting to trim from its back.

The tiger-lion beast dared not move and merely rolled its eyes to watch Shen Chuwei, full of curiosity.

*

Xiao Jinyan had a restless night, constantly worrying that something might happen to Shen Chuwei in the Imperial Palace without him by her side.

With dark circles under his eyes, he came out of the Guest Room only to see Wu Tan coming up from downstairs, who also had dark circles under his eyes.

The two exchanged looks and immediately understood the situation.

Last night, after Xiao Jinyan returned, he had sent Qin Xiao to find Wu Tan to tell him that Shen Chuwei had been found, but Qin Xiao had visited several times only to find Wu Tan’s room empty.

He had thought of informing Wu Tan solely because he had helped search for Shen Chuwei.

"Just got back?"

Wu Tan nodded, "Hmm."

"She’s been found," Xiao Jinyan said.

A sudden tension flooded through Wu Tan’s indifferent eyes, "Where is she?"

Xiao Jinyan laughed lightly, "You’re a monk. Shouldn’t you be detached from all worldly concerns? Why so anxious about her?"

Wu Tan calmly replied, "Master Xiao, even though a monk is detached from the material world, it doesn’t mean he’s devoid of friendship. What’s wrong with the monk worrying about a friend?"

Xiao Jinyan’s smile faded, his voice growing colder, "It had better be just that."

After speaking, Xiao Jinyan went downstairs.

Wu Tan watched him leave without being told where Shen Chuwei was, then turned and went back to his own Guest Room.