"Speaking of which," Yanfei smiled, continuing her story, "it's honestly so much more relaxing now. You wouldn't believe it, but out of every ten clients, five or six are dishonest. They always hide crucial details. I'd eventually uncover the truth, but it was such a waste of time. It was exhausting."
"If they had just been honest from the start, it would have saved time for both parties."
"But now, with this Repentance Hat, I can set my own rules. I test them immediately to see if they're lying or omitting facts. If they are, I refuse the case on the spot!"
"That's why I've been so free these past two days."
Yanfei grinned, patting the magical hat sitting next to her. It had revolutionized her legal practice.
"Oh, oh!"
Xiangling nodded, finally understanding. No wonder the workaholic lawyer was suddenly idling around Wanmin Restaurant.
While the girls were chatting, Hu Tao arrived at the restaurant, leading her newly evolved Charmeleon.
"Welcome! Uh..."
Chef Mao, who had been busy kneading dough near the entrance, sensed a large shadow looming over him. He looked up with a welcoming smile.
His smile froze instantly.
A fierce, angular, crimson reptilian face stared down at him. Chef Mao's pupils contracted, and he scrambled backward in panic.
What in the Archons is that?!
"Holy crap!"
"What the hell is that?!"
"Director Hu?!"
The diners inside the restaurant dropped their chopsticks, their jaws hitting the floor.
A monster?!
"Hu Tao!"
Xiangling also spotted her friend. But her eyes immediately darted to the large creature beside her.
Since when did Hu Tao get a bodyguard like that?
"Hehe! Chef Mao, don't be scared! This is just my pet. Little Charmander evolved!" Hu Tao giggled, trying to defuse the tension. "It won't bite!"
"It's just here to eat. Bring out all the steamed buns you have! Fill its stomach first, then maybe some noodles or whatever else you have."
"No problem," Chef Mao nodded, recovering quickly.
Since Hu Tao vouched for it, he relaxed. It was just the sudden shock of seeing a dinosaur that had scared him. He hurried to the kitchen to grab the buns.
"Wait, that's Director Hu's fire dragon?"
"I remember it being a cute little thing! How did it turn into this?"
"My goodness, talk about a glow-up... or a glow-down? It's definitely not 'cute' anymore."
The diners and passersby whispered excitedly. Most of them knew about Hu Tao's exotic pet, but seeing the transformation was shocking.
"Hu Tao, your Charmander evolved into this?"
Xiangling ran over, circling the Charmeleon with disbelief. She had hugged the little Charmander before; it was soft and warm. This guy looked like he was made of muscle and bad attitude.
"Roar."
Seeing Xiangling approach, the Charmeleon raised a claw in greeting, its fierce expression softening into something resembling a grin.
It recognized her.
"You remember me!"
Xiangling beamed. She reached out and patted its snout.
"Roar~"
The Charmeleon leaned into the touch, closing its eyes. It remembered the girl who smelled like delicious food and spices. It liked her.
"So handsome!"
Xiangling's eyes sparkled. She was a chef, but she appreciated powerful ingredients... and creatures. "It looks so cool!"
"Hehe! Yanfei, long time no see!"
Hu Tao hopped over and sat down opposite Yanfei. "I can't believe I caught you here. Usually, you're impossible to find."
They were all part of the same friend circle, but Yanfei's schedule was notoriously tight.
"Hehe, I'm not busy anymore," Yanfei laughed. "Hu Tao, your dragon looks amazing."
"Sigh. I preferred the cute version," Hu Tao lamented, glancing at her pet. "It used to be adorable. Now it's too big to hug. I can't even drag it by its tail anymore."
"Roar!"
Hearing Hu Tao complain about its looks again, the Charmeleon roared in protest.
"Hehe, I'm just saying! Don't be so sensitive," Hu Tao grinned.
The Charmeleon huffed, looking resigned. Having this owner was going to be a trial.
"Steamed buns are here!"
Chef Mao returned, slamming a massive steamer basket full of white buns onto the table.
The Charmeleon frowned.
Buns again?
It looked at Hu Tao, then pointed a claw at Yanfei's bowl of rich, spicy noodles. It tugged on Hu Tao's sleeve.
I want that.
"Uh."
Hu Tao puffed out her cheeks. "Eat the buns first! I already ordered them. Waste not, want not! If you're still hungry after the buns, I'll order you the noodles."
If she let the dragon start with the expensive noodles, it would eat her out of house and home. Buns were cheap filler. It was basic economics.
"Roar..."
The Charmeleon grumbled but obeyed. It started tossing buns into its mouth one by one.
Burp.
After devouring the entire basket, it let out a satisfied belch. It was mostly full.
Thud.
A large bowl of bone broth noodles was placed in front of it.
The Charmeleon looked at the bowl. It was full, but the smell was irresistible. It picked up the bowl and slurped it down in seconds.
"It can really eat," Xiangling marveled. "Hu Tao, this thing is going to cost a fortune to feed."
"Mmh."
Hu Tao puffed her cheeks out again. One basket per meal. Three meals a day. Plus the Flaming Flower Stamens it needed for elemental energy.
However, business at the parlor was good. She could afford to keep her dragon well-fed. And honestly, steamed buns were cheap.
Hu Tao grinned, causing the Charmeleon to shiver. It sensed a disturbance in the force.
After lunch, the three girls—and the dragon—went out to play. Their group drew attention wherever they went, turning the Charmeleon into a local celebrity.
Jade Chamber.
Ningguang looked at Keqing with an amused expression. "Hu Tao's dragon evolved?"
"Just a few days ago, it nearly burned down the parlor because of indigestion. Now it's causing a scene in the streets?"
Ningguang shook her head, though a faint smile played on her lips. Liyue was certainly lively these days.
"Speaking of which," Ningguang said, her eyes brightening, "I'm planning to visit the Jar Shop today. Do you want to come?"
"Hm?"
Keqing blinked. "Why? Didn't you already open jars?"
"To open more," Ningguang laughed. "It's been exactly one week. Today is the eighth day. My quota has reset."
She smiled, unable to hide her excitement.
Her last haul—the Financial Management book and the Devil Fruit—had been revolutionary. The book had solidified her economic dominance, and the fruit gave her personal power.
"Has it been a week already?" Keqing asked, surprised.
"Yes."
Ningguang nodded. She had been counting the days.
She stood up, her golden eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Let's go. It's time to see what destiny has in store for Liyue this week."
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus