My Evil Wife Is a Nine-Tailed Fox

Chapter 179 - Fox Demon’s Humans (2)

While the fox woman had been reunited with her human ward for the second time, Zhao Yichen was preparing himself as it was his first day at work. He knew the kind of danger he would be subjected to when he appeared in public once again. He needed to be wary not only of his relatives but also of demons hiding in the crowd. 

If Shen Minyao was correct, a demon was mingling among the working class, feeding on vulnerable young males like him. What were the odds that he would be targeted by that demon? 

"Calm down, Milord. So long as I am with you, no demons would be able to catch the scent of Milady on you." Yu Yan's reassuring words somewhat calmed his nerves. 

"That sounds music to my ears, Yu Yan." Zhao Yichen smiled as he buttoned his cufflinks and gave his reflection in the mirror one last glance.

"You know, I still don't know anything about you and Xiao Bai. How did you end up next to a fox demon?" He asked the black cat. 

While Xiao Bai liked to devour food in his waking hours, Yu Yan spent time observing the humans Zhao Yichen encountered so far. 

"It's a long story, Milord. I'm afraid I might bore you to death," Yu Yan said with a gentle tone. However, it was clear to Zhao Yichen that she wasn't willing to disclose such important details to him, and he respected that. 

It wasn't his place to question the fox woman and the cat guardians' personal matters. Neither of them asked him about his past and how he managed to see creatures a normal human could not. Moreover, he wasn't even sure how to explain it in the first place. 

Butler Lu knocked on his door, letting him know that the car that would bring him to Zhao Corporation was ready. Zhao Yichen nodded and took a deep breath, preparing himself to accept that he couldn't avoid this meeting with his relatives. 

Xiao Bai decided to wake up at that moment and followed Yu Yan and Zhao Yichen out of the latter's room. He then joined them in the car that was waiting for them outside. 

Tall skyscrapers greeted Zhao Yichen's eyes when they reached the business district of Jiang City. Many popular and prominent companies stationed their headquarters here, so there was no wonder many people gathered in this place, emitting such intense energies Xiao Bai and Yu Yan found comparable to what the city hospital had. 

"Are the other demons or spirits able to sense you?" Zhao Yichen asked in a low voice. 

"Some of them can," Yu Yan replied. "Lower demons will be repelled by us through the invisible force we have that will stop them going forward. It's different for stronger demons. Not only will they be able to sense us, but they will also see our forms, depending on how powerful they are." 

"What about humans?" Zhao Yichen continued. It was important for him to assess the situation they were in properly this time, just so he wouldn't cause trouble for Shen Minyao like what he did before. 

"If they are anything like you and Li Fei'er, of course, they would be able to see us." Xiao Bai scoffed, not impressed by the many changes the humans did to their world. 

"Li Fei'er?" Zhao Yichen had heard that name before from Xiao Bai, but neither he nor Yu Yan explained who this woman was and what Shen Minyao thought of her. 

"You will know more about her soon," the white cat replied, knowing that as one of the fox demon's humans, Zhao Yichen was destined to meet the young Li Fei'er in the future. 

The stench of horrid odors of the pollution had grown quite thick; it was surprising that humans could still live in such a state. Demons would have to adjust if they wished to live among the humans, and they chose to weaken their senses to tune out the overwhelming scents and sounds that could potentially harm them. 

The car then pulled up to a stop at the private parking space of the Zhao Corporation. Just so they could accompany him, Xiao Bai and Yu Yan further lessened their sizes. This also allowed them to settle on Zhao Yichen's shoulders without asking him to bear the weight of their previous forms. 

An assistant greeted them at the entrance of the private elevator, giving Zhao Yichen a brief introduction and a peek at what he should expect for today. Zhao Yichen only nodded, imitating Shen Minyao's cold countenance that forbade anyone to know what he was thinking. 

He supposed that by doing this, he wouldn't be easily tricked by anyone this time. He might be relying on Xiao Bai and Yu Yan for protection against demons and spirits, but they couldn't protect him from physical attacks and schemes from other humans. 

They entered the elevator, and Assistant Han pressed the button of the floor where they were expected to be. Zhao Yichen's eyes fixated on the display above the elevator buttons, watching the numbers ascend. 

Once the doors opened, Zhao Yichen straightened his back and followed Assistant Han. The latter led him to a conference room where his grandfather and his uncles, as well as his cousins, were waiting for them. 

His uncles—Zhao Ling and Zhao Fang, brothers of his deceased father—looked at him with disgust, while his three males cousins gave him a curious look. One woman was with them, which Zhao Yichen recognized as Xia Mei, daughter of the Xia family… who was also Zhao Yichen's childhood friend, along with Gu Luxian. 

He had heard from Gu Luxian that Xia Mei had become a career-oriented woman. However, Zhao Yichen never expected that she would truly follow her family's plans, for her to succeed their family business in the future. What's more, he wasn't even sure what Xia Mei was doing here. 

They all got to their feet, following Elder Zhao's lead; while Zhao Yichen stood next to the old man, forcing his nerves to calm down. Xia Mei joined them, only looking at him blankly. It wasn't the same sunny and smiling expression Zhao Yichen was accustomed to seeing on this childhood friend of his. 

"Today, Yichen will join us as Director of Marketing. I expect each of you will get along with him and not give him unnecessary troubles." Elder Zhao started, giving his other sons a meaningful look as if he was warning them not to go overboard this time. 

None of them dared to challenge the old man, not in front of him, anyway. Now that the old man found out that there was an attempt on Zhao Yichen's life, all of them knew they would be treated as suspects. However, that wouldn't mean they wouldn't try to get their hands on Zhao Yichen again. 

"I sense intense murderous intent coming from your uncles," Yu Yan told Zhao Yichen, but the man didn't make any sign that he had heard what she said. 

Zhao Yichen didn't need to be told, though. He could see it in their eyes that they were already planning their next move to eradicate him completely, without earning the ire of their old man. 

It made sense to Zhao Yichen now why Shen Minyao said that humans were not so innocent and different from demons like her. In fact, humans were more fueled by their greed and interests that they were willing to burn bridges to save their own selves. 

"I guess welcome to the board, cousin." Zhao Yichen's cousin, Zhao Xun, broke the silence around them. 

"Thanks." Zhao Yichen nodded but didn't say more in return.

The next thing that happened was just pleasantries. Then, Zhao Yichen was given a tour by his new assistant to the marketing department where he would be working. He was greeted by his new subordinates and then led to his private office at the end of the hallway. 

Zhao Yichen was given a good view of Jiang City from where his office was. It was his first day, but reports were already sent to his office, which needed his immediate attention. 

"Do you think you can manage to invite and bring Milady here?" Yu Yan asked once they were out of everyone's earshot, reminding him of Shen Minyao's request. 

"I should ask her to come on Friday instead. People might misunderstand if I brought her here so suddenly." He paused as if he remembered something. "Did you sense any demons in the vicinity?" 

Xiao Bai leaped from his shoulder and settled on the leather seat behind the desk, while Zhao Yichen stood next to the glass window, watching the scenery in front of him. 

"There are at least fifteen demons within the building, away from one another," the white cat answered Zhao Yichen's inquiry. 

"Don't worry, Milord," Yu Yan added.. "They are harmless and won't pose a danger towards you unless they are cornered."