Chapter 877: Chapter 877

The little creature that emerged from the back of the branch above was not very big, about the size of a fist. Its appearance was not fierce but round and plump, giving it a somewhat naive and adorable look.

However, it didn’t quite resemble a creature like the Mouse-Wolf.

With its ochre spotted fur, chubby body, short stubby limbs, round ears, and black eyes and without a tail, it initially looked like a guinea pig. But because it had cheek pouches and very bright, large incisors, it also resembled a hamster—regardless, from any angle, this uninvited guest starkly contrasted the White Weasel standing below it.

They were entirely different types of creatures.

But according to the declaration this uninvited guest had just made, and the reaction of the White Weasel, there was no doubt that it was the leader of those Mouse-Wolves.

This aroused great interest in Doctor Xiao, who stood by watching.

Of course, what interested Xiao Xiao even more was the relationship between Zheng Qing and this uninvited guest.

Since that little creature had popped out from behind that branch, the young cost student had looked like he had swallowed a big mouthful of chili peppers, clenching his fists, furrowing his brows, his face wrinkling up, and his expression mixing shock, joy, annoyance, and confusion, making one feel the urge to dunk his head underwater for a thorough wash, then lift it out once it felt refreshing.

Zheng Qing really didn’t want to make such a conflicted face.

It was simply because that newly emerged Mouse-Wolf Gang Leader was too familiar to him—he had just given this ’Gang Leader’ the new name ’Fei Rui’ a few months ago.

Yes, the leader of the Mouse-Wolves was that fat old mouse that had mooched food and drink at Zheng Qing’s home for over ten years—of course, by now, Zheng Qing had realized that Fei Rui was definitely not any mutant variety of hamster or guinea pig. After all, no real hamster or guinea pig would speak in an ugly duck voice while laying on the Return Soul Poplar outside First University and babbling at the Young Wizard:

"I still can’t figure out why the school has included my little brothers in their hunting grounds, really!"

"I bet it definitely has something to do with that fat old mouse, who shivers underground, dressing up mice and teaching them to speak! It’s definitely related to that!"

"Such an undeserved disaster, such an undeserved disaster!"

"What wrong have my little brothers done? They just wanted to help!"

"You all know, First University has had a mouse plague this year. Those little brothers also came to help, to lighten your burdens. Doesn’t their selfless spirit deserve encouragement? I think the School Works Committee should give the little ones ton-heavy gold medals!"

"Of course, I did warn them before..."

"Why am I not surprised at all to hear you start talking?" Zheng Qing finally couldn’t help interrupting Fei Rui’s rambling complaint, speaking in a world-weary tone—from his own shadow to the mice in the woods, to a certain Yellow Flowered Cat, the young cost student had seen too many talking animals already.

If one day, Poseidon squatted in front of him, wagging his tail and pleading in a baby voice for him to buy an evening dress that a fox could wear, Zheng Qing felt he wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Fei Rui cocked his head, blinked, and glanced at the young cost student. His eyes were full of pity.

"Ever since I was young, I’ve thought you were a bit slow, Hehe. I had hoped that college might make you a bit sharper, but it seems you’ve only become duller." It stroked its whiskers and smacked its lips, shaking its head as it spoke, "It’s just speaking, what’s so strange about that... Is there anyone in the world who can’t speak? The only difference is that some like to talk and some don’t. Unfortunately, I’m one of those who doesn’t like to talk..."

While mumbling to itself, Fei Rui slowly descended backwards from the Return Soul Poplar, then wobbled along the White Weasel’s tail and up its spine and neck, finally squatting between the Weasel’s two round ears, on that clear spot on the Weasel’s forehead, and sat down firmly.

This nonchalant attitude infuriated the young cost student even more.

"Ha! Don’t like to talk?" Zheng Qing laughed as if he heard a huge joke and even looked back at Xiao Xiao, seemingly seeking some visual support.

However, Doctor Xiao was just lifting a finger to adjust his glasses, completely unresponsive to his team leader’s implicit plea.

Zheng Qing turned back, disappointed, and once again faced the uninvited guest sitting atop the White Weasel’s head, adding in a sarcastic tone, "Don’t like to talk, is it because your voice is too ugly? If you spoke at home, I guess the moment you opened your mouth, Grandpa would beat you out of the house with a broom!"

"I’ve never heard such an unpleasant voice!"

"I’d rather sit in a classroom and listen to scratching glass with wire or nails on a chalkboard for an entire afternoon than hear your duck voice utter another word!"

Fei Rui blinked and slowly stood up, turned around leisurely, and then, turning back, stuck out his tongue at the young cost student, "La la la, just as I said, just as I said, go on, bite me?!"

While speaking, it also wiggled its bottom, a mischievous look on its face, tempting Zheng Qing to want to pick up his Remington and blast this little mouse whelp.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Doctor Xiao, who had been silently observing, finally cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"An acquaintance?" He looked at Zheng Qing with an inquisitive gaze.

"Yeah," Zheng Qing nodded reluctantly, then stressed, "Acquainted mouse, not an acquaintance... It’s not a person."

"It’s not a mouse either," Xiao Xiao folded his arms, eyeing the little creature on the White Weasel’s head, and mentioned.

Zheng Qing paused, eventually saying with dissatisfaction, "I always thought of it as a mouse... I used to call it Shuta, Dabao... Oh, its current name is Fei Rui, which means ’freedom’."

Doctor Xiao adjusted his glasses, clearly not understanding the connection between Fei Rui and freedom. But that did not stop him from simplifying the relationship between Zheng Qing and the Mouse-Wolf Gang Leader, "So, it used to be your pet?"

"Who’s a pet? You’re a pet!... and also, I’m not called Fei Rui! I’m not called Shuta! I’m not called Dabao! Call me Gang Leader!!!"

Hearing Xiao Xiao’s analysis, the ’Gang Leader’, who had been calm until now, suddenly jumped on the White Weasel’s head, "I’m just temporarily staying at their house! Staying! Understand? Would you consider a friend staying at your house as a pet?"

"I don’t make friends with mice, thank you." Xiao Xiao replied politely.

"I’ve said it, I’m not a mouse! I hate mice! I despise those who like to burrow everywhere and scurry around in sewers all day!" Fei Rui held his chubby face with tiny paws, looking exasperated.