I, the fox clan, Arita!

The chess Lingshu wants to play is fighting beast chess.

He found relatively hard paper, which was very rough, and even grass and wood fibers could be seen, but it didn't matter, so he just used it.

Fold the paper in half a few times, cut it into squares of the same size with a letter-opening knife, a total of sixteen sheets, and write the names of the animals on them.

Elephant, lion, tiger, leopard, wolf, dog, cat, mouse.

The board sizes of these animal chess are arranged according to this order. Bishops can eat all animals behind including lions, but cannot eat mice. Lions can eat all animals behind tigers, and so on.

Rats can only eat elephants, animals of the same species can eat each other, and they fight on the chessboard until the last animal remains.

The rules of the game are simple, a cruel and perfect food chain.

While cutting the paper, Lingshu introduced the gameplay to Yuan Tianrui. He was worried that Yuan Tianrui would not understand it at first, so he talked about the simplest mode in Fighting Beast Chess.

"Hey, now you write the names of the animals on the back of the paper." Ling Shu pushed the cut paper in front of Yuan Tianrui, "Eight black ones, eight red ones."

The black ones are of course written in ink, and the red ones are painted with carmine.

Yuan Tianrui asked: "You don't know how to read?"

When he asked this question, his expression was very calm, as if he was asking Ling Shu if he had eaten, without showing the slightest look of disdain.

"No, I can read." Lingshu said.

Yuan Tianrui: "Then why do you want me to write it?"

"I just started to learn to write calligraphy, and the writing is ugly. You must have learned to write since you were a child. It must be much better than mine." Lingshu said with a little embarrassment, "You should write."

Yuan Tianrui didn't bother with this matter anymore, sat in front of the desk, found a slightly thinner brush on the pen holder, which was similar to what he usually used, and silently wrote the characters on the sixteen pieces of paper one by one.

Lingshu was at the side and took another piece of paper to draw a chessboard. The chessboard was also very simple, with six grids horizontally and vertically, 36 in total.

After all these are done, Lingshu said: "Okay, let's start! Each animal can only walk one square at a time, and can walk forward, backward, left, and right. I want to emphasize that mice can only eat elephants, and elephants are the most Great, but he'll be eaten by rats."

Yuan Tianrui raised a question: "A mouse is so small that an elephant can trample it to death. Why can it eat an elephant?"

"Because the mouse can drill the trunk of the elephant!" Lingshu said, "This is the rule of the game. By the way, I seem to remember a little story about the mouse and the elephant, but let's not talk about it now, let's play a game." Try it?"

Yuan Tianrui looked at Ling Shu and said, "I want to hear that story."

"Play a game of chess with me and I'll tell you about it." Ling Shu said with a smile.

"Okay." Yuan Tianrui nodded earnestly, and sat upright, as if he was attending a class taught by his master, his manners were so standard that they could be measured with a ruler.

One big and one small started to play Beast Chess. After all, Lingshu had played it before, and he was older than Yuan Tianrui, so he naturally played it better. Soon, when Yuan Tianrui didn't react, he took his mouse He ate it, and after a while, ate his elephant with his own mice.

In this way, the outcome has almost been decided, but Yuan Tianrui kept his face calm, thinking for a long time every time he took a step, trying to control his animal chess pieces, and seeing his chess pieces being eaten one by one, he didn't show half a point impatient.

Lingshu played quite casually, and didn't think too much when moving the chess pieces, and didn't put much thought into it at all. As a result, in the first game, at the end, Yuan Tianrui took all of Lingshu's chess pieces, leaving only An elephant was born, but Yuan Tianrui still had a cat and a leopard left.

Now except for these three animals on the chessboard, all the others have been taken down, the chessboard is empty, and the sparse bishops can't catch Yuan Tianrui's cat and leopard no matter what.

"Forget it, forget it, stop chasing, this game is considered a draw." Ling Shu even controlled his bishop to run around the chessboard several times. He didn't know why this boy Yuan Tianrui was so patient. Don't say stop.

Yuan Tianrui took his hand off the chessboard, looked at Lingshu seriously, and said, "Tell a story."

"Okay, okay, tell a story," Ling Shu was dumbfounded by Yuan Tianrui's appearance, coughed a few times, cleared his throat, organized the words in his mind, and said: "A mouse wants to defeat an elephant, So I got into its nose..."

This is a fable that ends with a mouse saving an elephant caught in a hunter's net.

After listening, Yuan Tianrui had a rare puzzled look on his face, and asked Lingshu: "Obviously the mouse didn't defeat the elephant, but it saved the elephant."

Lingshu explained the philosophy contained in this fable according to the script: "The mouse saved the elephant. The elephant, which was originally its enemy, has since become its friend. This is victory."

Yuan Tianrui was thoughtful, silent for a while, and said again: "Let's play chess again."

Wei Xiuya and his sister hadn't finished talking, Lingshu naturally continued to play with Xiao Shizi.

The two played a few more rounds, and Yuan Tianrui gradually became familiar with the rules of the game, while Ling Shu still regarded it as entertainment, and didn't study the battle situation seriously, and Yuan Tianrui won two rounds in the end.

It can be said that he was careless when he lost the first hand, and Lingshu felt embarrassed when he lost again and again. He is still an adult, and he can't even win with an eight or nine-year-old child.

No, no, this mode of fighting beast chess is too simple, it should be more difficult.

So Lingshu drew another chessboard and introduced a new game to Yuan Tianrui: "Look, there is a river in the middle, and tigers and leopards can cross it, but other animals can't. Let's come again, let me tell you." , in addition to this, there is also adding traps on the chessboard. A more complicated way of playing is that everyone has a pair of chess pieces, that is, two of each animal, and each person has sixteen animals. The mouse can swim... Hey, there are many ways to play anyway .”

"Then draw the traps," Yuan Tianrui said, "I can play."

"Okay, but if you lose badly after a while, don't cry." Ling Shu said, and drew a trap with six grids.

Yuan Tianrui looked at Lingshu with a pair of black eyes, and said seriously: "A man won't cry."

Lingshu couldn't help but want to laugh again, but he was afraid that Yuan Tianrui would ask him why he laughed again, so he had to hold back.

Damn, why is this little boy so cute!

The two started a round again and continued to play.

Because of the new rules, Yuan Tianrui hadn't figured it out yet, so he naturally lost.

Although Yuan Tianrui had no expression on his small face, he immediately asked Lingshu to have another fight with him.

Lingshu was about to agree to him when Wei Jiu suddenly appeared at the door, followed by Yuzhang.

"Huh? Why are you here?" Lingshu stopped his movements, looked at Yuzhang in surprise, and then looked behind him, but Shen Ziyue was not seen.

"Of course I came to pick you up. It's so late today that you haven't gone to the shop yet. Master Jiu didn't come, so it's just me," Yuzhang laughed, and then thanked Wei Jiu.

Wei Jiu brought him there, didn't say much, just cupped his fists at Lingshu, turned and left.

"Come and sit down," Lingshu greeted Yuzhang, and then introduced, "This is Prince Fu's son, and this is Yuzhang, my good friend."

Yuzhang was taken aback, and quickly bowed down respectfully to Yuan Tianrui: "Yuzhang has met the son of King Fu."

"No courtesy." Yuan Tianrui nodded slightly to signal Yuzhang that there is no need to be more polite, "I've heard of you."

Yuzhang naturally knew what kind of image he was in the eyes of outsiders, and Shen Ziyue never concealed his hobby, so he said calmly: "I dare not dirty the ears of the prince with a humble name."

"You are the person my uncle likes," Yuan Tianrui said disapprovingly, "Don't underestimate yourself."

Yuzhang was stunned.

Lingshu was also stunned.

I didn't expect this little prince to comfort people!

Does Yuan Tianrui not understand what Yuzhang's identity means?Or did he understand but didn't look down on Yuzhang?

But no matter which one it is, it doesn't matter anymore, what matters is Yuan Tianrui's attitude, his attitude is so friendly, Yuzhang is relieved in Lingshu, and now he has a great affection for this little son who is less than ten years old .

"Oh, don't talk about that," Lingshu came back to his senses, and said with a busy smile, "Yuzhang come and play chess with us, I'll teach you how to play."

Yuzhang nodded and smiled, took a chair and sat next to them. After watching for a while, he almost understood the game of fighting beast chess. Lingshu asked Yuzhang to play with Yuan Tianrui, and went outside to tell Xiao Come over with some refreshments and tea.

After playing for a while, Wei Ba pushed Wei Xiuya and Wei Shuzhen to look for Yuan Tianrui, saying that he was going back to the palace.

Yuan Tianrui got up with a lot of thought, and Lingshu sent him out, but Yuzhang stayed in the room and didn't show up because of his status.

Wei Shuzhen walked towards Lingshu, her eyes were still a little red, she looked like she had cried again just now, the look in her eyes was indescribable, and Lingshu couldn't tell what was wrong with Princess Fu.

"You, are you called Lingshu?" Wei Shuzhen's tone of voice seemed a little hesitant, with a hint of reluctance, she reluctantly smiled at Lingshu, took a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Lingshu Shu, said, "You take this first, my sister didn't prepare when she came today, she didn't bring any good gifts... In a few days, sister, I will send you a big gift, you... just take good care of Xiu Ya. "

Lingshu:? ? ?

Lingshu didn't pick up the bracelet, but just looked at Wei Shuzhen blankly.

Wei Xiuya said: "Xiao Shu, take the bracelet."

Ling Shu glanced at Wei Xiuya, Wei Xiuya smiled and nodded at him, and then he took the bracelet from Wei Shuzhen.

Wei Shuzhen seemed to be relieved, showing a slightly sad smile, and told the male sister-in-law, "Lingshu, you and Xiuya... are fine."

Lingshu:? ? ?

Aren't Wei Xiuya and I always on good terms?

Wei Shuzhen called Yuan Tianrui: "Rui'er, go back to the mansion with mother and concubine,"

Yuan Tianrui looked at Lingshu and said, "Can you give me that set of fighting beast chess?"

"Of course!" Ling Shu hurried back to the room, wrapped the paper chessboard and chess pieces together, and gave it to Yuan Tianrui.

After sending Princess Fu's mother and son away, Ling Shu held the bracelet and asked Wei Xiuya with question marks all over his head: "Why did Princess Fu give me a bracelet for women?"

This bracelet is made of high-quality jasper, shiny and translucent, it is priceless at first glance, but it is worn by a woman!

What are you giving him?

He can't wear this again!

"It's my sister's kindness," Wei Xiuya said with a smile, "Just put it away, don't worry about it."

"Oh, okay then." Lingshu couldn't understand, so he nodded.

Lingshu asked Wei Xiuya for a small delicate box, and carefully locked the bracelet in the box.

This is the most expensive gift he has received since coming to the Daqing Dynasty!

If it is lost, he will not be able to pay for it if he sells it!

Lock it up, of course!

After locking the bracelet, Wei Xiuya accompanied Lingshu and Yuzhang to go out together. Like yesterday, he first went to Shen Ziyue's village, went to the iron workshop to get the molds, and then went to the pastry shop.

Today, there is a tasting event in front of the pastry shop, which Lingshu ordered Zhou Lianghai to organize yesterday.

Before I got to the shop, I could smell a sweet smell from a distance. The pastry shop was open, but it was not doing serious business. Instead, there was a table at the door, and there were small pieces of cake on the plate on the table. The two guys distributed free cakes to the passers-by, and each person was limited to one piece. The shop had never stopped customers this morning.

These free cakes are actually the practice products of the two masters in the backyard who learned how to make cakes. Because there are too many to handle, Lingshu came up with such a way, which is equivalent to advertising his own shop in advance.

Lingshu gave the mold for making egg rolls to Master Liu, and mixed the batter himself. Fang Zi also gave it to Yuzhang. He first tried to make a few, and then taught Master Liu and Xiao Sun to make it.

"In addition, find a few pastry chefs to learn how to make egg rolls," Lingshu discussed with Yuzhang, "All pastries must be made and sold on the same day, because they are easy to spoil, and it's cold now, so it's okay to buy them back. It can be stored for a few more days, if it is hot, it will be broken in just one day, we can't sell stale things."

Yuzhang memorized everything Lingshu said one by one, learning it very seriously.

"The name of this store also needs to be changed," Ling Shu scratched his head, muttering to himself, "What should I call it? Delicious Square? Sweet Square? No, no, it's too vulgar. Love it? Sweetheart? Ahhhhhh Ah, the soil is dead!"

Wei Xiuya knocked Lingshu's head amusedly, and said, "It's better to call it 'Aftertaste'."

Lingshu's eyes lit up immediately.

"Okay! Very good! Just use this!" Ling Shu wanted to give Wei Xiuya a hug, and said excitedly, "You write the words on the plaque!"

Wei Xiuya responded with a smile.

After several days of busy work, the "Aftertaste" shop has been refurbished and everything is ready, just waiting for the opening.

The night before the opening, Lingshu was a little excited, lying on the bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

This is his first shop in the Daqing Dynasty!

Although this store is only half of my own, I did it myself and rectified bit by bit!

It will open tomorrow, and there will be a lot of things to do, and I don't know if it will go well.

I don't know if the cakes made by the masters can be sold out.

Although he was very optimistic about the cake market in Shengjing, he was still a little uncertain and nervous...

Suddenly I really miss Wei Xiuya.

Is he asleep now?

Since coming to the capital from Yan's Village, Ling Shu has never changed into a little fox to find Wei Xiuya.

Previously on the way to the capital, he often stayed overnight in the inn. Lingshu was afraid that if he turned into a fox, he would reveal his secrets. Although it was uncomfortable to sleep alone, he still didn't dare to transform into Wei Xiuya's bed.

When we arrived at the Weifu in the capital, there were earth dragons in the room, and the beds were comfortable. Lingshu was very busy during the day, and fell asleep when he went to bed at night, and he had no chance to go to Wei Xiuya's place. .

But today...

Lingshu felt that she missed Wei Xiuya's embrace very much.

Otherwise... just go for one night, just tonight, during the time in the capital, I will never go there again!

He shouldn't have found out!

Lingshu couldn't bear it any longer, beat himself up for a long time, resolutely turned into a little fox, jumped out of the window, and ran towards Wei Xiuya's room next door.

The layout of the room they lived in was opposite, and the rest of the furniture was exactly the same. Lingshu quickly found the window, jumped on it lightly, raised his furry little paw and pushed the window.

Ah!

lucky!

The window is open!

The little fox was excited for a while, luck is so good!Wei Xiuya didn't close the window!

The little fox sneaked in through the gap and landed lightly on the ground.

What about Wei Xiuya?

The little fox looked into the house with a blank face, is it already asleep?

Not in the room?

Where did that go?

Uh... wait a minute!

He likes to read at night, maybe in the study!

Thinking of this, the little fox turned and ran towards Wei Xiuya's study.

The light was on in the study, and it was indeed here!

The little fox excitedly took four short legs and climbed into the study through the window.

As soon as he entered the study, the little fox jumped directly onto the desk.

With a pen in his hand, Wei Xiuya already had a smile in his eyes.

When the little fox climbed the window, he heard the sound.

Wei Xiuya was sitting in front of the desk, and the little fox was squatting on the desk, staring blankly at Wei Xiuya, while the warm yellow light from the candles shrouded the small space.

"What?" Wei Xiuya raised an eyebrow at the little fox, "Finally willing to come and see me? I thought you had already forgotten about me."

The little fox looked up at Wei Xiuya with bright eyes.

I like him.

Love it so much.

I don't want him to marry another woman.

Tell him I am a fox clan...

Will he take me for a monster?

"Woo..." The little fox took a few steps towards Wei Xiuya, rubbed his head against his chest, and let out a mournful cry.

Wei Xiuya hugged the little fox in his arms, patted the little fox's head lovingly, and asked him softly: "Who made my baby wronged? I will teach him a lesson for you."

The little fox felt even more sad.

When you know that I am a fox, you won't think I'm your baby.

"Here, let me show you something." Wei Xiuya hugged the little fox and made him face the desk. There was a painting spread out on it. The painting was a plum blossom, with red plums dotted, and the petals had not been filled in yet. The color, the little fox can tell at a glance that the painting is the "Dark Fragrance and Sparse Shadows" garden they visited that day.

Lingshu also likes the plum blossoms there very much. At that time, he used his optical brain to take pictures.

Wei Xiuya pinched the little fox's chin and said, "Shall we draw together?"

Little Fox:? ? ?

How to draw?

I'm a fox now, and I don't know how to hold a pen!

Wei Xiuya raised one of the little fox's paws, and pressed it on the red paint plate next to it, and then held the little paw and pressed it on the drawing paper.

Several oval red dots are printed on the paper.

"That's enough." Wei Xiuya explained to the little fox with a smile.

Lingshu: ...

The little fox broke free from Wei Xiuya's arms, stared at Wei Xiuya with wide eyes.

Are you drawing? !

A good painting is destroyed, okay? !

Wei Xiuya looked at the little fox with all his thoughts written on his face, couldn't help laughing, and said, "I think it's pretty."

Do not!

Not pretty at all!

You paint a plum blossom again for me!

"Come here." Wei Xiuya waved to the little fox.

The little fox tilted his head, blinked suspiciously, and slowly approached Wei Xiuya a few steps.

Wei Xiuya said, "Come a little more."

His voice was very low, as if demagogic.

The little fox's fluffy pointed ears moved.

What did you do in the past!

Won't you come over by yourself?

The little fox thought angrily, don't talk to me with this voice!

However, he still moved forward and leaned a little closer.

Wei Xiuya held the little fox's face, lowered his head and kissed his forehead, and said softly, "Your footprints are so cute, I want to keep them."

Ah ah ah ah ah ah!

No, no, no, no!

I'm going to explode! ! !

Wei Xiuya, he, he deliberately teased the fox again!

Lingshu's entire fox froze.

After being kissed, he felt dizzy.

The hair on my face is getting hot!

It's too, too shameful to say that other people's footprints are cute!

He was like, like a moron.

"Hey, come and press a few more paw prints, we'll finish the painting." Wei Xiuya said again.

The little fox foolishly let Wei Xiuya hug him, holding his little paw, dipped it in red paint, and pressed it on the red plum picture one by one.

The plum blossom petals on the branches of the plum tree all turned into the paw prints of the little fox.

Looking at it from such a distance, it seems... not ugly?

After a while, Ling Shu came back to his senses, leaning against Wei Xiuya's arms and looking at the painting on the table, he didn't think it was ugly.

Something must be broken somewhere!

"Okay, when it dries, I'll frame it and hang it in my room tomorrow," Wei Xiuya was done, and was finally willing to let go of the little fox's claws. He hugged the little fox and pushed his wheelchair, saying, "Let's go, Go wash your paws and sleep with me tonight."

good!You give me a warm bed!

Then Lingshu discovered that the red paint on the claws could not be washed off.

The little fox was super depressed.

There will definitely be red marks on his hands tomorrow!

It's all Wei Xiuya's fault!

I'm so angry!

Angrily, the little fox crawled into Wei Xiuya's chest, found a comfortable position, narrowed his eyes and planned to sleep.

Before falling asleep, the little fox scolded Wei Xiuya in his heart, facing Wei Xiuya's strong chest, he really wanted to bite him.