The night is clear, with cool air and a gentle breeze from the southwest; it would be a delightful experience to go for a stroll outside now. The pleasant weather is not something most people can appreciate at this time, as they are already tucked in bed.

  But Xi P isn't asleep. In fact, he doesn't feel the slightest bit drowsy. After tossing and turning in his hammock for half an hour and then lying motionless on the sofa for almost another half hour, he finally decides to do something to burn off his energy. And so, he kneels beside the windowsill and peers through the gap at the base of the window. There, gazing up at the night sky, he tries to pass the time by counting the stars.

  'Hmm... That star over there must be Lierus Ait. The light I'm seeing now left it eighty years ago...'

  A meteor with a fairly impressive flame trail streaks across the sky, but burns out before reaching the ground — a rather unremarkable occurrence.

  After a few minutes, he suddenly pricks up his ears. Amidst the normal rustling of the grass, he hears another distinct, jarringly loud scraping sound, which appears to be getting closer. Looking through the window, he can't quite make out what it is, but he thinks it's just another local nocturnal creature.

  But he will soon realise how wrong he is.

  Even if he adds up all the scares he's endured since arriving here, he can say with certainty that they pale in comparison to this one. Although he is fully prepared for something to suddenly leap into his line of sight, he is still shattered when a human head suddenly flashes into view beside the window, its nose less than 5 centimetres from the glass, locking eyes with him instantly!

  This is the stuff of a horror movie – the cheap kind that tries to scare you with sudden noises and movements! Xi P freezes in shock, yet neither jumps nor screams. He simply stands there, not moving an inch.

  The figure outside begins tapping on the glass and muttering something. This jolts his senses back online. Quickly, he decides on his next move: do nothing.

  Doing nothing is the best solution he can think of in the short term — this is no joke. He knows foxes have features closely resemble his own. As long as he keeps his neck and below hidden, he might not be recognised. Plus, it's night-time, human vision is poor in the dark. If he disguises himself well enough...

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  He copies the reactions a fox might show in this situation — lowering his head slightly and looking vacantly. At the same time, he swiftly tucks his ears back to hide their unusual length. He now recollects the cry of the fox and attempts to replicate it.

  "Woof... uh... whim whim?"

  ***

  The hammering on the window also wakes Min. Rushing over to investigate, he sees a scene that almost takes his breath away. He dashes to the window and gets a clear look at the figure outside. Only then does he breathe a sigh of relief: standing outside the window is none other than the neighbour's brat!

  Although he cannot fathom why the child would be out at this hour or why he has come here, this does not stop him from thinking up a plan. Just then, the child speaks up: "Is this your fox?"

  His tone is innocent, seemingly oblivious to Xi P's unusual appearance.

  This instantly reminds Min. Combined with Xi P's imitation of a fox's cry, he realises the strategy that Xi P is executing. Impressed by Xi P's quick thinking, he joins in, replying: "Yes."

  With his hand on Xi P's head, he starts to stroke as he speaks. Xi P's disguise is flawless — he adopts a blissful expression and posture, constantly turning his head to mirror the exact mannerisms of the silver fox being petted.

  Min then pushes Xi P's head down from the windowsill and starts to question the child about the situation. Min is both amused and exasperated by the situation. The boy had fallen out with his parents and snuck out at bedtime. The reason for the falling out? The silver fox had been sent away.

  After firmly refuses his plea to get the fox back, the child quickly walks away from the window. It is only after the child has been gone for a while that Min releases his hand from Xi P's head and says: "He's gone."

  At those words, Xi P shots upright and immediately starts rubbing the spot where Min stroked him earlier. Though being handled like an animal makes him uncomfortable all over, he has no room to complain given the unusual circumstances. Instead, he asks about the identity of the child who just left.

  "Why is it always him?" Xi P silently wonders to himself after learning the child's identity. Yet another question slips out: "My colour is different from silver fox's."

  It isn't a question, but Min understands what he means. He offers a reassuring reply: "Don't worry. We can't see colours in the dark."

  Xi P points almost immediately towards the bright moon outside the window. Seeing this, Min adds: "The moonlight probably isn't strong enough either?"

  In any case, the matter concludes rather abruptly, as if it were a tale that begins with great promise but ultimately falls flat. The two return to their previous positions to sleep. Yet, after this scare, Xi P finds sleep elusive, as does Min, although the incident sparks a glimmer of inspiration within him. Now, he's delving into that spark...