Gu Ning's expression finally softened.
Alex seized the chance to ask, "Cook was hiding this many Crystal Stones?"
"WOOF!" Cook proudly puffed out his chest and sidled up to Gu Ning.
"It was 'Brother'," Gu Ning said with a smile, patting the little dog's head as it nuzzled against her.
Hearing this, Alex and Philinos, who were standing to the side, exchanged a fleeting, peculiar look.
Barto frowned. "You shouldn't call him 'Brother'."
Gu Ning said, "I know. I meant 'Brother Cook'."
She was saying that she'd been talking to Cook.
Barto said, "My point is, even if Kaper is your spouse in name only, you shouldn't call him 'Brother.' He's your spouse."
Unlike the other Beastmen around Gu Ning, Barto felt no hostility toward this deceased friend who had once helped him. '...Or maybe just half a friend.' He only calculated how many benefits Kaper could still bring to Gu Ning.
