Mu Duo, the monkey, and Little Phoenix ate until dawn.
The city glittered beneath the night sky. The monkey cheerfully paid the bill, after which the three companions strolled along the riverbank. The night was clear and bright, immortal palaces drifting amid silvery clouds, their towers adorned with orange palace lanterns. The tranquil river reflected two identical worlds of immortal splendor. It was truly beautiful. The three wandered and paused at leisure. At their level, they usually had almost nothing to do—but once something did happen, it was bound to shake heaven and earth.
Little Phoenix could never stay still. She hopped along the riverside railing, occasionally casting wary glances at the great butterfly behind Mu Duo.
As he walked, the monkey counted his accounts, trying hard to figure out exactly how much salary he had.
"Eek~ I can't spend it all, I simply can't spend it all. Why does it feel like my salary keeps growing the more I spend? What a worry. It's worrying this monkey to death."
His monkey paw scratched at his head with a rustling sound.
Out of habit, Little Phoenix egged him on, shouting loudly enough to draw many looks.
"Worrying the monkey to death!"
"..."
Mu Duo turned to admire the river scenery in silence. She had no desire to indulge the monkey's moaning over imaginary troubles.
At last, the monkey summed it up and sighed from the bottom of his heart.
"I ain't as good as White Dragon. I only get a fixed salary, but she can make it rain and sell umbrellas on the side. When a divine dragon sells umbrellas, there'll be no sunny days. Back then, she taught me how to do business—taught me that I had to set up a stall and make money if I wanted to