"Wow—this manga is something even Boss Han strongly recommends?"
Paimon's big eyes were filled with surprise.
With so many comics in the shop, this was the first time she'd seen Boss Han be so enthusiastic!
Could it really be that good?
Paimon's interest was instantly piqued.
She turned to Lumine and asked,
"Lumine, how about we read this one?"
"Sure!"
Lumine agreed without hesitation.
She'd already developed the habit of reading manga while discussing it with Paimon.
As for her earlier thought— about getting a Peace Star reward to find her brother—
Well… that could wait until tomorrow.
It wasn't that urgent anyway.
Surely her brother wouldn't blame her for this.
Very soon,
The two of them excitedly picked up Your Lie in April and headed to the discussion area,
ready to watch this "healing" manga that Boss Han had so strongly recommended.
Meanwhile, Klee picked up Tom and Jerry, which she hadn't finished in the morning, and happily continued reading.
"Let's start the afternoon business."
Han Feng said to Noelle.
"Yes, Boss!"
Noelle quickly went outside and removed the 'Closed' sign.
Not long after—
Ningguang entered the shop with a group of people.
"Good afternoon, Boss Han."
Ningguang smiled as she walked up to the counter.
"The battle with the god just ended, and you already have time to come here?"
Han Feng looked at Ningguang and Keqing behind her, feeling a bit speechless.
Shouldn't there be a mountain of work waiting?
Was this a group skip-from-work situation?
"There is a lot to do," Ningguang replied calmly, "but we've already handled part of it. Plus, Ganyu's clone technique helps a lot—so it's manageable."
She smiled faintly.
Honestly, with Ganyu's clones assisting, their workload had dropped significantly.
"And besides—"
Ningguang continued,
"We came to deliver a thank-you gift for you."
"Oh? A gift?"
Han Feng's interest was instantly stirred.
He naturally understood what she meant—
After all, they had used his rewards to resolve the god-level crisis.
"But no rush. I'll first take Baiwen and the others to pick their comics~"
Ningguang blinked mischievously, deliberately keeping things mysterious.
She placed three bags of Mora on the counter, then led her three secretaries toward the bookshelves.
At that moment, Beidou stepped forward curiously.
"Boss Han, I heard you have a manga called One Piece – East Blue Arc here?"
She was curious not only about the manga, but also about the easygoing black-haired young man in front of her.
There was something about him— like a veil of mist—that made people want to understand him more.
No wonder Ningguang keeps mentioning this boss, Beidou thought to herself.
"That's right. There aren't many people right now—it's on that shelf over there.
You know the rules, right?"
Han Feng smiled lightly.
"Mm!"
Beidou nodded.
Ningguang had already explained the rules to her.
She placed a bag of Mora down and walked toward the bookshelf as well.
At this time, Ningguang returned after arranging comics for her secretaries.
"So—what exactly is this reward of yours?
You're making it so mysterious."
Han Feng took a sip of tea and smiled.
"Ahem—Keqing, come out."
Ningguang cleared her throat and gently pulled Keqing forward.
At this moment, Keqing's face was already bright red.
She kept her head down, not daring to look at Boss Han.
"You're saying… the reward is Keqing?"
Han Feng's expression turned strange.
Was Liyue's way of giving thanks always this… unique?
Or was this something Ningguang and Keqing had specially prepared just for him?
"Yes—and no.
But not in the way you're thinking."
Ningguang answered cryptically.
"Oh?"
Han Feng's curiosity deepened even more.
Ningguang leaned close to Keqing and whispered,
"I've already sent Baiwen and Beidou away.
Now it's up to you."
"This idea of yours— I'll remember this grudge!"
Keqing shot Ningguang an annoyed glance.
But since she had already agreed to come, she wasn't about to back out now.
That would be disrespectful to Boss Han.
So she focused her mind—
And activated her cat transformation ability.
Very quickly, her figure began to shrink.
Moments later—
A cute little purple cat appeared on the counter.
"Boss Han, this is Keqing's way of saying thank you.
What do you think?"
Ningguang smiled as she placed the cat on the counter.
That was right—
This was the thank-you method Ningguang had devised.
Last time, her teasing hadn't been entirely a joke.
In their view,
Someone like Boss Han lacked nothing.
After all, someone who could hand out rewards this miraculous— what could he possibly need?
So if they wanted to express gratitude, it had to be something special.
Thinking of how Boss Han had once rewarded Keqing with the cat transformation ability,
Ningguang guessed he might have that kind of preference.
She discussed it privately with Keqing.
Keqing had been shy—but eventually agreed.
She didn't dislike repaying Boss Han this way.
Of course—
The most important reason was that Boss Han was handsome and mysterious.
And Keqing did have just a tiny bit of goodwill toward him.
If it had been some creepy old man—
No chance.
Absolutely impossible.
It was like the classic tale:
If a girl is saved by a handsome hero— "I have nothing to repay you with, so I offer myself."
If the savior looks… unfortunate—
"I'll repay you in my next life as an ox or a horse."
That's just how visual creatures humans are.
"Not bad.
I am deeply satisfied."
After realizing what was going on, Han Feng smiled.
Ningguang really knew how to play the game!
She actually thought of something like this!
A pity her imagination had limits.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made Keqing turn into a cat—
She'd have gone for a cat-eared girl instead.
That would've been far more exciting.
Still, a cat was fine.
Having a cat to tease during slow hours at the shop wasn't bad at all.
With that thought, Han Feng reached out and gently scratched the purple cat's chin.
Perhaps because she had turned into a cat—
Keqing had also picked up feline instincts.
The moment Han Feng touched her chin, she instinctively narrowed her eyes in comfort.
As for embarrassment?
Heh—
That vanished the moment she became a cat.
Besides—
The one enjoying it is the cat.
What does that have to do with Tianquan Keqing?
With that logic, Keqing shamelessly enjoyed herself.
"So cute!"
Han Feng's interest deepened even further.
He lifted the purple cat into his arms and began petting her properly.
"Hmph.
Women's mouths—liars all of them."
Seeing Keqing comfortably sprawled in Boss Han's arms, Ningguang rolled her beautiful eyes.
She had spent quite some effort persuading Keqing earlier.
And now look at her—
The moment she got into Boss Han's arms, she was completely gone.
But—
Why did Ningguang suddenly feel a faint trace of envy?
—------------------------------
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