Married the Second Generation Fox Demon with a Baby in a Flash Marriage - Chapter 28

Hu Mengmeng was sipping the tea Ye Xinyu had served when she looked up and saw an old man in a wheelchair being pushed along the corridor by Ye Xinyu.

The man had a shock of white hair, his chin was pressed down, and his eyes were wide and glaring. The corners of his mouth were turned down so sharply they nearly formed a semicircle. Hu Mengmeng was so startled she choked on her tea.

“Hello, Grandpa!” Hu Mengmeng swallowed hard, stood up quickly, and trotted out from behind the table to greet him.

Ye Shou-ting appraised Hu Mengmeng. Just as Ye Xinyu had described, she was a young girl, fresh-faced and simple. She looked very young with her round, chubby baby face and dark, bright eyes that seemed a bit dazed but exceptionally clean.

Spiritual energy fluctuated around her, but her cultivation was incredibly weak. She looked timid—not at all like demon hunter material.

However, the deed was done, and Ye Shou-ting was helpless to change it. Ye Xinyu had been practicing since she was a child. He used to wonder what would happen when she married—what kind of husband she would bring home. It was hard to find a good man willing to marry into the family and take their name. Now that her partner was a girl, those concerns were moot.

Looking at Hu Mengmeng, Ye Shou-ting was reminded of Ye Xinyu’s childhood. She had once been a lovely, porcelain-like child, but since her parents died, he had pressured her relentlessly. She trained and practiced almost every day, gradually losing her smile. By her early twenties, she was world-weary and riddled with old injuries.

Ye Xinyu had claimed her old injuries flared up and she had been drinking; Ye Shou-ting knew she meant her medicinal wine. She had also claimed she was the one who initiated things. Looking at this young girl, he doubted she could have been the aggressor even if she wanted to.

It was all a tragic twist of fate!

“Sit down. Since it’s your first time here, I don’t have a proper gift prepared. Take this protective jade; it can shield you from three disasters.” Ye Shou-ting sighed, his expression softening as he pulled out a green jade pendant and handed it to Hu Mengmeng.

Hu Mengmeng glanced at Ye Xinyu, who gave a small nod. Hu Mengmeng accepted the pendant.

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

“Do you know what the Ye family does? I hope you will also become a demon hunter so you can assist Xinyu. I won’t stop you two from marrying, but if you cannot pass the demon hunter certification, I will not recognize you as a daughter-in-law of the Ye family. Xinyu, help her improve her cultivation recently; don’t let it go to waste. Also, have Uncle Chen bring the Evil-Slayer Bow for her. See if she can use it to help you. The two of you are to come here once every two weeks so I can check your progress,” Ye Shou-ting said sternly.

Hu Mengmeng was stunned. The old man wanted her to get a demon hunter license!

Ye Xinyu understood her grandfather’s reasoning. Her Primal Yin had been absorbed, which could drastically increase one’s cultivation and talent. Hu Mengmeng had only “swallowed” it whole without fully absorbing it; if it dissipated, it would be a waste. If Hu Mengmeng, as a human, could convert that energy into cultivation and train in some techniques, she could likely reach the standard of a hunter.

Ye Xinyu agreed. Ye Shou-ting didn’t stay long; he waved his hand and had Ye Xinyu escort him out.

“Xinyu, my time is running out. The Ye family only has you. Watch over that girl, and try to make her an asset to you. Also, you still don’t have a contracted demon. Start preparing soon. I want to see you settled before I die,” Ye Shou-ting said as they walked.

“Grandpa, don’t say things like that,” Ye Xinyu replied, feeling a pang of sorrow.

“Your father, your mother, and your aunt are likely all waiting for me in the next world. I’ve lived long enough. If it weren’t for you, I would have been gone years ago. These last few years have been borrowed time,” he sighed.

Ye Xinyu felt increasingly distressed.

“Remember, the demon race is naturally savage and cunning. Never be soft-hearted toward them. Your father and aunt died by their hands, your mother has been missing for over a decade because of them, and this broken body of mine is their gift. From the moment the Ye family became demon hunters, we have been irreconcilable with demons, as incompatible as fire and water,” Ye Shou-ting said, glancing at her. Every time she returned, he lectured her like this, as if to reinforce the memory.

He knew what kind of child Ye Xinyu had been; it had taken countless days of training to forge her current temperament. But today, he felt her gaze was slightly softer, as if his indoctrination was loosening. He had to remind her.

“I know, Grandpa,” Ye Xinyu answered. His words made her gaze turn gradually colder. At the same time, she felt a wave of guilt. Hu Mengmeng was a hybrid, and she hadn’t told him. She didn’t know how angry he would be if he found out.

Then there was the little thing in her belly. That was also a demon. She had been determined to keep it, but now, if it caused her grandfather’s health to deteriorate further from anger, would the cost be too high?

With a demon’s nature and no contract to bind them, would Hu Mengmeng and the little demon eventually turn on her? The “cute-dumb” little fox from her childhood had changed so much as an adult, hadn’t she?

“It’s good that you know. If there’s a demon you want to contract but can’t handle, tell me. These old bones of mine are still useful for something. A demon bound by a master-servant contract will be a great help to you,” Ye Shou-ting told her.

He spoke a few more words before calling the butler, Uncle Chen, to bring the Evil-Slayer Bow for Ye Xinyu to take with her.

When Ye Xinyu returned to the pavilion, she was carrying a long wooden box. Hu Mengmeng looked at her and instinctively felt that Ye Xinyu was different—colder and even more unapproachable than before.

“This is my family’s Evil-Slayer Bow. There are only ten arrows. They are reusable but must be reinforced with spells after each use. If they hit a demon, they will directly corrode the flesh and prevent the gathering of spiritual energy in that area. It requires accuracy; you can practice with it if you’re interested. Let’s go,” Ye Xinyu said without emotion.

Hu Mengmeng took the wooden box and followed Ye Xinyu out of the Ye estate.

In a room not far behind the pavilion, Ye Shou-ting sat in his wheelchair. Beside him, a massive turtle mimicked his posture, watching the two leave with a complex look in its eyes.

“Here’s the protective charm back,” Hu Mengmeng said, handing the green jade pendant to Ye Xinyu as they left the courtyard.

“Keep it. it provides protection against physical attacks that threaten your life. We’re going to register the marriage now. I’ve drafted a prenuptial agreement; look it over, and if there are no issues, we’ll print and sign it,” Ye Xinyu said. She looked to be in a bad mood, her eyes downcast.

The prenuptial agreement was a list of thirty rules, exactly as they had discussed. Hu Mengmeng scanned it; everything she had mentioned was there.

“What about what Grandpa said? About me getting a demon hunter license?” Hu Mengmeng asked.

“It doesn’t matter. Grandpa just said that to be thorough. It’s enough that he agreed to the marriage. Do you really care if he recognizes you as a Ye daughter-in-law? We’ll likely divorce once the child is born anyway. As for visiting the Ye house every two weeks, don’t worry about it,” Ye Xinyu said indifferently.

“Oh, okay,” Hu Mengmeng replied.

They didn’t speak much as they headed to register. Hu Mengmeng had her documents, and so did Ye Xinyu. As for Hu Mengmeng’s age, it wasn’t a problem for a special department. The Ye family’s connections with the government were long-standing.

Forms filled, photos taken—the certificates were issued in no time.

“Go home and pack your things. I won’t go up. You’ll be staying with me at Fengjing Court, Building 12,” Ye Xinyu said after they drove to the apartment complex where Hu Mengmeng and Su Mingli lived.

Hu Mengmeng went inside. Su Mingli was hunched over the table, scribbling away on what looked like several pages of notes. Since Hu Mengmeng had left, her mother had been writing down all the precautions from when her fox mother had raised her—what she ate, what she did, everything.

Su Mingli hadn’t opened the shop. She sat alone writing, memories flooding back, making her sad as she spent hours documenting the past.

“Mengmeng? Why are you back? Where did those clothes come from?” Su Mingli asked in surprise, turning her face away so Hu Mengmeng wouldn’t see her red eyes.

“We got the marriage certificate. Ye Xinyu got the clothes for me; my old ones were dirty. Mom, I’m back to pack. I’m moving in with her. Her pregnancy is unstable, so I have to help her. Also, Mom, I caught a huge Gnawing Rabbit today—the size of a calf! It’s for Ye Xinyu’s health. I have the cooking methods in my head, but I’ve never done it before. I’m afraid I’ll ruin it. Why don’t you come with me today and help?”

“Alright, I’ll go see. I need to buy some supplementary seasonings and herbs,” Su Mingli said.

She quickly helped Hu Mengmeng pack, and the two went downstairs. Su Mingli didn’t take the car; she waved them off and rode her small electric scooter to buy the spices, planning to ride to the villa afterward.

Ye Xinyu was tired. She didn’t say much, leaning back against the seat with her eyes closed to rest.

When they arrived at the villa at Fengjing Court, Hu Mengmeng found the place familiar. Once she released her bloodline, it clicked: Wasn’t this the place where she and Ye Xinyu… had that night? Had she accidentally stumbled into Ye Xinyu’s own villa that time?

She wanted to ask, but Ye Xinyu looked exhausted, so she kept quiet. Changing into her sportswear, she and Su Mingli began processing the massive rabbit in the kitchen.

Su Mingli knew Ye Xinyu was beautiful and talented, and she had guessed her background was good from her poise, but she hadn’t expected a massive villa. According to her research, a place like this cost over 100,000 yuan per square meter. A villa of several hundred square meters… how much was it worth?! Even if she sold her house in Taolin County, it would only be a down payment here. No wonder Ye Xinyu hadn’t cared about her offer to buy a house.

“Mengmeng, you must study hard and become someone capable,” Su Mingli said. Regardless of her current lack of skill, she had to try.

“I know, Mom. Let me handle this; step back a bit.” Hu Mengmeng didn’t dare mention she was going to be a demon hunter for fear of worrying her mother.

The rabbit required a lot of strength to process. Hu Mengmeng took over the slaughtering, bleeding, skinning, and butchering. She separated the meat and bones, bagging the extras for the freezer while she and Su Mingli started cooking the rest.

“It needs to be stewed until tender to get rid of the gamey smell, but Xinyu might still have trouble digesting it. You’ll need to help her absorb the nutrients. Do you know how?” Su Mingli asked.

“I know.”

“Remember the steps. From now on, you do it this way. Read the notes I wrote and memorize them. Be good to Xinyu; pregnancy makes emotions unstable, so make sure to yield to her. Call me if there’s a problem. I’ll be running the stall during the day, but I’ll come by at night to check in.”

Hu Mengmeng wasn’t like her fox mother—a fully grown demon who knew everything. She had only been a demon for a few months and was still “immature” as both a demon and a human. Su Mingli had to work hard to earn money for both her daughter and her future granddaughter.

Once dinner was ready, Hu Mengmeng called Ye Xinyu and Huo Zhilan to eat. Ye Xinyu still ate very little.

“Appetite is poor in early pregnancy,” Su Mingli whispered to Hu Mengmeng in the kitchen as she cleaned the dishes. “She needs spiritual fruits to whet her appetite, but it’s October—wild ones are gone. We’ll have to find a way to buy some. I don’t know where to look. You can’t even buy them with money.”

“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. I know a demon; I’ll try asking her.”

“Who?”

“I’ll tell you, but don’t tell anyone else. It’s my counselor. She helped me before, though she didn’t recognize me.”

“Then be careful.”

Su Mingli left on her scooter. Huo Zhilan also departed, leaving the two of them alone. Hu Mengmeng cleaned up, took a shower, and knocked on Ye Xinyu’s bedroom door.

“The food you just ate is hard for a human stomach to digest. I’ll help you process it and give the little one some spiritual energy,” Hu Mengmeng said as Ye Xinyu opened the door.

“Mm, come in.”

Ye Xinyu had changed into a light blue silk pajama set. Her hair was down, and she looked wilted, her lips pale. Hu Mengmeng felt a pang of pity; the little thing was truly a massive burden on her body.

“Lie down and relax. I’ll handle it,” Hu Mengmeng said, not knowing what other posture to take.

Ye Xinyu hesitated, then got onto the bed, closed her eyes, and let Hu Mengmeng’s hands touch her. Within moments, a blush rose on her face.

“Hu Mengmeng, are you doing this on purpose? Don’t use your filthy fox tricks on me!” Ye Xinyu caught her wrist and opened her eyes, looking angry. She seemed much more irritable than before.

Since leaving the Ye house, her mood had been poor. Her resolve to keep the child had wavered, causing the little thing to act up in response. She had been in constant discomfort but hadn’t shown it. Now, Hu Mengmeng was supposedly helping her, but the direction and range of the spiritual energy flow were… unspeakable.

“Ye Xinyu, how are fox methods ‘filthy’? These are the techniques from my memories specifically for foxes. It’s my first time using them, and I don’t know what the effect is on you. If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to be like that!” Hu Mengmeng snapped, pulling her hand away.

“Go back to your room. Leave me alone,” Ye Xinyu said, pressing her hand to her belly and turning her face away.

“I’m not looking after you, I’m looking after my cub.” Hu Mengmeng didn’t leave. Even without touching, she could feel the little thing’s agitation.

Before Ye Xinyu could say anything else, Hu Mengmeng transformed into her fox state. She got onto the bed, pulled back the covers, and pulled Ye Xinyu into her arms. Her tails wrapped around both of them in a cocoon.

“What are you doing?!” Ye Xinyu cried, shocked that Hu Mengmeng had not only stayed but climbed into her bed.

“Letting you see what ‘filthy’ fox tricks really are!” Hu Mengmeng said out of spite, holding her tight.