Ah Fei's mother was from the Zhou Dynasty, so he could speak the language of the Zhou Dynasty and wear the clothes of the Zhou people. When he walked out, Hongdou was instructing the servants to prepare the meal, and Ah Fei heard the sound of small and light footsteps outside.

--a lot of.

Just for dinner, more than a dozen maids were busy outside.

At this time, Zhou Huaiyan was lying on a chair reading a book. However, none of them were serious books, but some were made-up folk stories, or travel notes written by idle people, and there were even many banned books describing foreign races.

The boy never sat in a regular position, either leaning lazily against the backrest or resting his chin on one hand. There would always be a cup of hot tea and a plate of sweet cakes placed beside him.

This kind of posture, if it were someone else, would be considered casual, but when it came to Zhou Huaiyan, it seemed to have a bit more leisure and elegance.

Ah Fei had heard those people calling the young prince. But the princes of the Zhou Dynasty should all live in the imperial palace or the prince's mansion. The one who can stay in the Duke's Mansion... must be the Ninth Prince.

Ah Fei had heard the legend about that little prince——

Congenitally deficient, arrogant and incompetent.

But when Ah Fei matched the rumor with the real person, she began to doubt her own guess and couldn't help but look at him.

The bright candle flame reflected on the ends of the boy's hair, reflecting a little golden light and making his profile look as smooth as jade. His long eyelashes were like butterfly wings, resting quietly and introvertedly, casting a little dark shadow.

Her beautiful facial features seemed to have been carefully carved by God, without a single flaw to be found.

This suddenly reminded Ah Fei of a story she had heard a roadside storyteller read:

Lang Yan is unique and there is no one like him in the world.

Regardless of gender, his owner has a very beautiful face.

At this moment, Zhou Huaiyan noticed this cautious gaze. He raised his eyes and saw the little cat standing at the door looking at him from a distance, without blinking, appearing restrained and nervous.

He still held his scarlet cloak tightly in his arms.

——It seems he likes it very much.

Zhou Huaiyan came to this conclusion, and was still thinking about whether he should make another one for him.

"Well, is Ah Fei dressed?"

He waved his hand, his eyes showing a gentle smile.

"Come here and let me see."

After hearing the call from its owner, the kitten hesitated for a second, then slowly walked over.

He didn't get too close, choosing a distance that would allow Zhou Huaiyan to see clearly but not touch him. In the rules of the alien race, servants were dirty and were only allowed to touch their masters when they were needed.

——This is the iron rule that Ah Fei had been taught.

However, as soon as he stood still, the boy reached out and pulled him in front of him. The kitten's eyes flashed with helplessness and confusion, but he did not resist, but just followed his master's instructions and moved closer. He was as stiff as a wooden stake.

Zhou Huaiyan thought it was funny.

"Why are you hiding so far away? I'm not going to eat you."

"......"

Ah Fei said nothing, but lowered her head stiffly.

The master actually... doesn't he think he is dirty?

Thinking of this, the kitten couldn't help but look at the boy's hand again.

It turned out that his master also had beautiful hands, with long slender fingers, fair skin, and neatly trimmed and rounded nails, with light hair on the tips.

It looks as if it was carefully carved out of warm jade by a skilled craftsman.

How could such a wonderful master, who was like the Son of God, touch such a lowly slave as him?

Ah Fei pursed her lips, her eyes were a little sore, but she suddenly felt warmth on her head.

[…Huh?]

The kitten's eyes widened subconsciously.

Ah Fei couldn't find a hair tie, so her long black curly hair was scattered behind her body, moist, fluffy, and curly, which was extremely beautiful.

Zhou Huaiyan felt itchy and couldn't help but touch her.

Unlike most naturally curly hair that is frizzy and rough, A Fei's hair is soft and smooth, with a lot of hair, and it feels a bit like Cuicui's long curly hair.

"A Fei's hair is so beautiful."

He sighed.

The little slave looked up in astonishment. His emerald cat-like eyes were filled with disbelief. In the eyes of the Zhou Dynasty and the foreign races, a person with natural curly hair like his would be considered heretic, barbaric, and despicable.

Ah Fei was once classified as the lowest class because of her naturally curly hair. So before she met Zhou Huaiyan, no one wanted her.

Zhou Huaiyan understood the surprise and suspicion in the kitten's eyes. He did not explain, but simply wrapped a strand of it around his finger and played with it nonchalantly.

"You've been holding me since this afternoon. Do you like me so much?"

He glanced at the hood in the kitten's arms.

The boy still remembers how adorable he looked when he was buried tightly inside.

Ah Fei misunderstood Zhou Huaiyan's teasing tone as a censure, and the latter immediately panicked and wanted to return the cloak, but was afraid that the owner would dislike the cloak for being touched by him.

"No, it's not..."

The kitten was anxious and panicked, and its eyes were visibly red.

Zhou Huaiyan heard his hoarse and thin voice, but he couldn't make out what he was saying. He just felt like a kitten whining. It was so heartbreaking.

It was just a awning. Zhou Huaiyan had even used the Sichuan brocade gifted by the emperor to pave the cat's nest. But Cuicui rejected it and preferred the small basin made of rattan.

Looking at the little slave's emerald eyes, he couldn't help but overlap Cuicui and A Fei again. They were also from foreign races and had a pair of emerald eyes.

The boy stroked Ah Fei's soft head.

"Since Ah Fei likes it so much, I will give it to you."

“…Huh?”

Ah Fei was suddenly stunned. He looked down at the exquisite and luxurious cloak in his arms, then looked up at his master's gentle eyes.

How could someone be so nice to a slave?

Zhou Huaiyan failed to understand the kitten's confusion and continued to ask,

"How old is Ah Fei this year?"

The kitten gestured with the hands holding the hood. He first opened his two hands and gestured a ten, then a six.

【Sixteen.】

Some nobles prefer younger ones, while others prefer older ones. Ah Fei carefully observed her master's expression, trying to guess which type he would be.

"sixteen?"

Zhou Huaiyan was stunned.

He couldn't help but stand up and measure the kitten's height. He would be nineteen in a few months, and his height was exactly 1.8 meters, but Ah Fei, who claimed to be sixteen, looked only 1.6 meters tall.

Zhou Huaiyan always thought that his kitten was only thirteen or fourteen years old, but he is already sixteen?

The foreigners lived in the north and were good at riding and shooting. Whether due to genetic factors or habitual factors, they were generally taller than the Zhou people. But Ah Fei was actually shorter than the Zhou people of the same age.

【Is it due to malnutrition? 】

Zhou Huaiyan frowned and looked at the kitten's thin body, as if thinking about something.

"He does look a little thinner."

His eyes fell on Xiaomao's face again. His chin was pointed, and his jawline was clear to the point of being deep. Although his cheeks were a little too thin, his facial features still had the depth and handsomeness that were unique to men of other races.

"Why is there no flesh on your face..."

Zhou Huaiyan's tone was somewhat regretful. He still liked the round-faced kitten more. However, this look became dissatisfaction in Ah Fei's eyes. Dissatisfaction with his age, his body, and his face.

Ah Fei understood that nothing about him suited his master's taste. Not to mention sleeping with him tonight, he might even be disliked by his master soon.

The kitten's face turned pale.

At this moment, fear and sadness were like poisonous snakes, biting his heart fiercely. He subconsciously hugged the cloak in his arms tightly, as if trying to hide himself.

Just at this time, Hongdou came in.

"Your Highness, dinner is ready."

"Um."

Zhou Huaiyan nodded. He stood up and wanted to put the cat's tent aside, but when he stretched out his hand, he couldn't pull it out.

"......A Fei?"

For the first time, Zhou Huaiyan doubted his own strength.

Although he looked sickly, he was not weaker than a malnourished kitten. The boy looked at the little slave who was holding the poncho tightly, and felt amused. He could not help but poke his forehead.

"Really? No matter how much I like you, I can't hold you while eating."

The gentle tone finally brought Ah Fei back to his senses from his fear. He quickly let go of her hand. Zhou Huaiyan put the tent aside, took the kitten's hand naturally and walked out.

Seeing this, Hongdou finally couldn't help it.

"Your Highness, according to the rules he cannot dine with the master."

Zhou Huaiyan walked forward nonchalantly.

"Your Highness is the rule."

Such willful words reminded Hongdou of the past. She sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.

Ah Fei didn't listen to what they said. From the moment Zhou Huaiyan reached out to pull him, his mind went blank.

The master's hand was much bigger than his, with five fingers as slender and beautiful as bamboo joints, and the skin was delicate and soft. When they held hands, he could even feel the warmth of the other's palm.

He stared blankly at the two people's clasped hands. The scene before his eyes was infinitely stretched, magnified, and frozen in his mind...

The kitten kept staring at his hands, which made Zhou Huaiyan a little confused.

"What's wrong?"

“…!!!”

Ah Fei was startled and immediately shook his head wildly. He quickly let go of Zhou Huaiyan's hand, and his ears suddenly turned red, and in just a few moments, they were red enough to bleed.

Fortunately, Zhou Huaiyan didn't notice this detail. He waved his hand and left only one red bean dish. Ah Fei lowered her head and stood obediently beside the table. The table was full of delicious food and the aroma was rich. The hungry little cat couldn't help swallowing.

Seeing the little cat like this, Zhou Huaiyan found it funny.

"Come sit and eat."

Hongdou reluctantly gave him another set of bowls and chopsticks. Ah Fei suspected that she was hallucinating. Seeing that the little cat was hesitant to move, Zhou Huaiyan's face froze.

"Disobedient?"

“…!!!”

The kitten was frightened and shook its head quickly. It immediately ran over and sat beside him obediently. Zhou Huaiyan picked up a lot of dishes for him, but Ah Fei was so scared that she didn't dare to eat. She could only carefully pick at the white rice on the edge of the bowl.

Even the rice itself is a hundred times better than before. It tastes so good that the kitten wants to cry.

Seeing the familiar and absurd scene, Hongdou couldn't help

"Your Highness, let's stop for tonight. Don't do this in front of the Duke tomorrow."

Zhou Huaiyan turned a deaf ear and even gave the kitten a chicken leg.

"Eat more, you're too thin."

The master thinks he is too thin!

Originally, the kitten only dared to eat a little rice, but after hearing this, it immediately stuffed the chicken leg into its mouth.

There is indeed some flavor of Cuicui's hunting for food in the past in her movements.

Red Bean: “…”

Zhou Huaiyan was very happy. He was eating carelessly, and suddenly he said casually,

"Remember to prepare pajamas for Ah Fei. He will sleep with me tonight."

“…!!!”

Before Hongdou could show her shocked expression, the cat next to her let out a series of deafening coughs.

“Cough cough cough cough cough cough…!!!”