Zhang Liushun could tell at a glance that Ye Tiancheng and the little fox were not biological brothers. It wasn't just a matter of appearance. Unlike living people, who needed known facts or paternity tests to confirm kinship, evil spirits were different. They could sense blood relations among the living more acutely. If blood was connected, there would be a specific link that evil spirits would immediately detect, so it was not surprising.
Ye Tiancheng didn't say more about the little fox because their backgrounds were all made up. Ye Tiancheng made up his own, and the little fox made up his own. If anything were to be said, it would be for the little fox to tell it himself; Ye Tiancheng wouldn't fabricate.
After Zhang Liushun paid his respects, the little fox nodded to him, accepting the courtesy calmly. He said to Zhang Liushun, "I was picked up by Big Brother. Big Brother felt a connection with me, so he kept me by his side. I've been following Big Brother ever since and took his surname, Chen. My name is Chen Li, li as in the character for fox."
Zhang Liushun listened and nodded repeatedly. He dared not look down on the little fox just because he said Ye Tiancheng had picked him up. The fact that the little fox could affectionately call Ye Tiancheng "Big Brother" and always stayed by his side was enough for Zhang Liushun not to underestimate him, regardless of the little fox's actual strength.
However, upon hearing the little fox's name, Zhang Liushun couldn't help but whisper, "This, Young Master Chen, are you... are you a fox...?" He asked cautiously. The little fox didn't continue to answer but stood quietly beside Ye Tiancheng, smiling without speaking.
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Liushun wisely stopped asking. However, looking at the little fox's beautiful face, Zhang Liushun found it truly captivating. His appearance and aura indeed had a hint of a fox spirit. Although there was no proof, Zhang Liushun felt he might have guessed the truth. He thought to himself that if he were a fox spirit, it would make sense, and it was no wonder Lord Chen kept him around.
As he was observing, Zhang Liushun suddenly paused, as if he had thought of something. He looked closely at the little fox's appearance again. Ye Tiancheng noticed Zhang Liushun's action and frowned slightly, pulling the little fox behind him to shield him.
Zhang Liushun then seemed to snap back to reality and quickly explained to Ye Tiancheng, "Lord Chen, please don't misunderstand. I have no ill intentions. The reason I was staring at Young Master Chen just now is that I suddenly felt that Young Master Chen's appearance is very familiar. I seem to have seen someone very similar to Young Master Chen somewhere before."
As soon as Zhang Liushun said this, Ye Tiancheng paused. He hadn't forgotten that he had found the little fox in a very strange place, and he was an orphan with no family. If Zhang Liushun had seen someone who looked very much like the little fox, could it be that person had some connection to the little fox?
Ye Tiancheng pondered for a moment. Considering the little fox, he finally asked, "Where did you see them? Was it outside, or here in the Odd Market?"
Seeing that Ye Tiancheng seemed to believe him, Zhang Liushun finally breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "It was here in the Odd Market. I've been here for many years and never go out. If I've seen someone, it would only be within this Odd Market. And if I remember them, it must be someone I often see here." He continued, "It's just that I can't recall exactly where I saw a face similar to Young Master Chen's. Logically speaking, with Young Master Chen's outstanding appearance, if I had seen a similar face, I shouldn't have no impression."
Ye Tiancheng carefully examined Zhang Liushun's expression to judge if he was lying. Seeing that Zhang Liushun didn't seem to be talking nonsense, Ye Tiancheng said, "Perhaps it's just a coincidence. But being similar is also a form of fate. My brother doesn't remember having any relatives or friends. If you can recall, please tell me again." He added, "Perhaps that person truly has some connection with my brother. If we find them, it would be a good thing."
Zhang Liushun nodded repeatedly and responded, "Lord Chen is right. If I remember, or see that face again, I will definitely inform Lord Chen." Ye Tiancheng hadn't expected that his trip with the little fox would lead to such an event. If there really was someone connected to the little fox, it would be an unexpected gain. Ye Tiancheng felt things wouldn't be so coincidental. If such a person existed, Ye Tiancheng thought, they might indeed have a relationship with the little fox.
However, as Ye Tiancheng was thinking this, he felt the little fox gently tug his sleeve. Ye Tiancheng noticed the expression on the little fox's face, so he bowed slightly and spoke softly to the little fox, "What's wrong? You suddenly tugged my sleeve, is there something you want to say?" The little fox's voice was low, and his tone was unreadable. He said to Ye Tiancheng, "I don't know if such a person exists, nor do I know what connection they have with me." He continued, "But no matter what connection they have with me, I don't care. I only follow Big Brother. Even if there is a connection, whatever their relationship with me, and why we were separated, I don't want to deal with them."
Hearing the little fox say this, Ye Tiancheng knew that the little fox was speaking his true feelings. Since the little fox said it, he truly meant it, as his expression was very serious. However, on the other hand, Ye Tiancheng also felt that the little fox was speaking childishly. What if that person was the little fox's relative, and they had accidentally gotten separated and couldn't find him, but had never given up searching? Or perhaps they were separated by death, which was why they never met again. If that were the case, would the little fox still say the same thing when facing that person?
However, Ye Tiancheng recalled the little fox's previous demeanor and his behavior after following him. He thought that perhaps even if that person truly loved the little fox and didn't intentionally separate from him, the little fox might still be closer to him and unwilling to go with his past relatives and friends. It was quite possible. But in the current situation, Ye Tiancheng wouldn't say too much to the little fox. So, Ye Tiancheng simply ruffled the hair on the back of the little fox's head and then patted his shoulder. "Don't think too much about it. You can do whatever you want. The reason I'm looking into this is so that you can make any decision according to your heart. But before making a decision, we can't be completely in the dark, right?"
Ye Tiancheng's reasoning was sound, and the little fox nodded understandingly. However, the reason he spoke like that was actually out of fear. He was afraid that if he found his relatives and friends, Ye Tiancheng would abandon him and send him away. Compared to that, no matter what connection that person had with him, the little fox truly preferred to stay by Ye Tiancheng's side. Because of their long time together, the little fox had become accustomed to relying on Ye Tiancheng. To ask the little fox to leave Ye Tiancheng and go with someone else, even if that person treated him very well, the little fox wouldn't be able to do it. He would rather be beaten to death by Ye Tiancheng than leave.
If Ye Tiancheng didn't understand the little fox deeply, and if Ye Tiancheng also remembered that when he had doubts about the little fox and the suspicions surrounding him couldn't be cleared, the little fox had already shown a stubborn streak. He could probably guess that the little fox definitely preferred to stay with him, which was why he leaned towards indulging the little fox in his words. Ye Tiancheng also spoke that way to reassure the little fox, unlike ordinary people who would insist on reuniting with relatives and friends. If it were earlier, Ye Tiancheng might have done so, but having spent so much time together, Ye Tiancheng cared more about the little fox's own thoughts. He wanted to respect the little fox's choice. He said these words to reassure the little fox, but also for the little fox's own good, he wanted to understand the situation. Because the little fox could choose not to acknowledge them, but he couldn't be unaware of the truth, and he shouldn't make a decision without knowing anything, which might lead to regret later. Once the little fox knew the entire truth, Ye Tiancheng would respect any decision he made.
While Ye Tiancheng and the little fox were speaking softly, Ye Tiancheng had set up a small barrier to isolate their conversation, so no one else could hear them. After Ye Tiancheng and the little fox finished speaking, and Ye Tiancheng removed the soundproofing barrier, he heard the counter staff say to him, "Esteemed guest, the currency you wish to exchange has been prepared for you."
Ye Tiancheng looked over. The staff member led several people carrying several large chests, all filled with glittering coins. The counter staff asked Ye Tiancheng, "Do you need to count it? The amount of currency you can exchange for the items you traded is all recorded on the receipt. You can check it." As the counter staff spoke, they handed a receipt to Ye Tiancheng. Ye Tiancheng glanced at it and said, "I have some understanding of your Qian Tang. I trust that the people under the Grand Steward are absolutely competent. Please pack these coins for me directly." After speaking, Ye Tiancheng casually took out an empty small cloth bag for storage and handed it to the counter staff.
The counter staff respectfully accepted the small cloth bag handed over by Ye Tiancheng and then helped Ye Tiancheng pack all the coins. After Ye Tiancheng retrieved the small cloth bag, he called out to Zhang Liushun, "Are you coming with us?" Zhang Liushun remembered that Ye Tiancheng had said earlier that he had something for him to do and had already given him some payment. Zhang Liushun immediately followed along, saying, "I'll go with you, Lord Chen. What do you need me to do?"
Ye Tiancheng and the little fox walked ahead, with Zhang Liushun following closely behind Ye Tiancheng. Then he heard Ye Tiancheng say to him, "I need you to... uh, be a guide. For this period, I plan to take my brother around. Although I have some understanding of this place, having someone to guide and introduce things would naturally be better." He paused and then said to Zhang Liushun, "The inn you recommended is good."
Zhang Liushun was flattered by Ye Tiancheng's praise and said, "As long as Lord Chen is satisfied." Ye Tiancheng continued, "I've already told you what I need you to do. Where do you live? Is it convenient? If not, I'll book a room for you at the inn as well."