Finding Huahua

Yang Xiao picked up the frightened Huahua. Though startled, she didn't run around but instead cowered pitifully in a corner.

He had originally planned to train at Seaside Park, but that was out of the question now. He had to get Huahua back to her owner first. The old lady worried herself sick over Huahua every day—reportedly even losing sleep at night.

"Gin-san, I found Huahua. Don't rush off to rest yet; I'm bringing her over. Contact the old lady in the meantime." Yang Xiao called Wu Shiyin directly.

"Huh? You found that dog?" Wu Shiyin clearly hadn't processed it. He'd thought this job would likely be written off—a dog gone missing this long either got snatched or wandered too far to ever come back.

But Yang Xiao had actually found Huahua. How could he not be surprised?

The old lady's job was a decent chunk of income. Wu Shiyin felt he'd really hired the right person—even his old team members weren't as sharp as Yang Xiao. The guy just worked with incredible efficiency.

"Come on over first. I'll contact the old lady." Wu Shiyin hung up and called her. She was overjoyed too. Finding Huahua lifted a weight off her heart; otherwise, that stone would keep floating, keeping her up every night.

"Huahua!"

To Yang Xiao's surprise, the old lady beat him there, arriving at the shop first. When she saw Huahua in Yang Xiao's arms, she nearly burst into tears.

Yang Xiao immediately handed Huahua over. The old lady hugged the dog and sobbed, "Oh, my Huahua, you had me searching everywhere. Thank goodness you're back."

"Kid, you're really something. Where'd you find Huahua?" Wu Shiyin sidled up to Yang Xiao with a grin.

"You wouldn't know even if I told you." Yang Xiao shot him a look, then suddenly smiled. "By the way, this counts as overtime, right? Any overtime pay?"

Wu Shiyin froze for a second, then raised a hand to pat Yang Xiao's shoulder. "Definitely overtime. You're looking at a nice paycheck this month. Just wait and smile."

"That works." Yang Xiao nodded.

The old lady wiped her tears, held Huahua, and looked at Yang Xiao. "Thank you so much for finding Huahua. I'm truly grateful, young man."

"It's part of the job. Even if you hadn't placed the order, I'd have brought her back if I saw her." Yang Xiao smiled modestly, a bit embarrassed by the elder's praise.

"This money is my personal gift to you. I'll pay the job fee separately. Please take it." The old lady set Huahua down, pulled a knitted wallet from her pocket, and took out a stack of bills for Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao immediately waved his hand. "I can't accept this. Just pay the job fee—that's better."

The old lady was stubborn, insisting on giving him the money. Watching the awkward scene, Wu Shiyin said to Yang Xiao, "Just take it. It's the old lady's way of showing gratitude. If you don't, she won't feel at ease."

The old lady was very pleased with Wu Shiyin's backup and nodded at Yang Xiao. "The House Owner is right. If you don't take this money, I really won't sleep tonight."

Everyone called the boss of Problem Solver "House Owner" because the shop had "house" in its name, and the boss was Wu Shiyin—so the title stuck.

Some who knew Wu Shiyin better called him Gin-san, but he didn't care much either way.

Seeing the old lady insist, Yang Xiao gratefully accepted the money. Only then did she happily pay the job fee and leave, humming a tune all the way.

The old lady gave about twenty thousand Island Nation Currency, roughly thirteen hundred Huaxia dollars. That was a decent chunk of change. She was usually very frugal, so pulling out that much at once wasn't easy—showing just how important Huahua was to her.

And that was just the tip for Yang Xiao. Problem Solver also got a good sum from the old lady, with Yang Xiao earning a cut from it.

In the end, Wu Shiyin was the biggest winner at Problem Solver. He just ran the shop while Yang Xiao handled everything outside. The money came in nice and easy.

"Hard day today." Wu Shiyin looked at Yang Xiao with satisfaction, then glanced at the clock—it was already nine at night. He said, "It's this late. How about we grab some late-night snacks? I know a place with great food."

Yang Xiao had wanted to train at Seaside Park, but checking the time, he figured one day wouldn't hurt. "Sure, House Owner's treat?"

"Haha, of course. You think I'd make you pay?" Wu Shiyin chuckled, then added, "Don't call me House Owner anymore. That's just what people call me. Call me Gin-san—friendlier."

"No problem, Gin-san. When are we going?" Yang Xiao relaxed. Things had been so tight lately; a rare night out for snacks sounded nice, a chance to unwind.

"Wait for me. I'll wash my hair first. Be quick." Wu Shiyin turned and headed into the back room, closing the door behind him.

Yang Xiao was speechless at Wu Shiyin's messy hair. Such nice silver locks, and the guy let them get this tangled—unbelievable.

He didn't wait long. Ten minutes later, Wu Shiyin came out. He turned off all the lights inside and walked out with Yang Xiao. After pulling down the rolling shutter, he said, "Hang on. I'll go get the car."

"You have a car?" Yang Xiao blinked. He'd been at Problem Solver for a while and never noticed Wu Shiyin owning one.

"Heh..." Wu Shiyin didn't answer, instead heading into another alley. A few minutes later, Yang Xiao heard a noise, and then Wu Shiyin rode up on a motorcycle.

"This bike..." Yang Xiao was stunned. He remembered the motorcycle from the Gintama anime—Gin-san's ride looked very similar. It stirred something in him.

"What's up? Got a problem with my bike?" Wu Shiyin knew Yang Xiao had expected a four-wheeled car, not a motorcycle.

"No, it just reminds me of a friend's bike." Yang Xiao said, touched. It felt like he was back at the Yorozuya, that easy, carefree vibe flooding back.

"Don't just stand there. Hop on. If we're late, there won't be any seats." Wu Shiyin urged. He didn't think Yang Xiao's friend had a bike like this—his taste was one of a kind.

Yang Xiao jumped on. Wu Shiyin handed him a silver helmet, put on his own, and revved the engine, heading toward the night snack stall.