Cat Ears!? (Seeking Recommendation Tickets!)

Nora walked down the street, tugging at the brim of her hat every so often as if terrified it might suddenly fall off.

She was still wearing her tattered robe, wrapping her body up tightly.

As per her usual routine, she arrived at the alley between the Flower Shop and the Barbecue Shop during dinner time, preparing to scavenge for leftover food in the trash cans.

Just then, she heard a greeting—

"Yo, we meet again."

Nora was startled. As she quickly backed away, the dagger hidden in her sleeve was already gripped firmly in her palm.

Her dark eyes locked onto the person at the alley entrance, and she froze.

Ron stood there with a smile, placed the oil paper in his hand on the ground, took a few steps back, and gestured for her to come over.

Nora looked at the oil paper on the ground and subconsciously licked her lips, feeling her stomach churning and growling, urging her to move forward.

I ate his barbecue last time, it wasn't dangerous.

He's a good person, just like that old lady.

Thinking this to herself, Nora took cautious steps toward the oil paper. She glanced at Ron, slowly crouched down, and reached out to peel back a corner of the paper.

A familiar and enticing aroma wafted up, instantly filling her nose and leaving her feeling somewhat intoxicated.

Before her brain could even react, her hand had already reached out, and her small mouth was already open.

By the time she came to her senses, she realized she had already polished off nearly half of the meat.

Plop.

A cup of water was placed beside her.

Her body trembled instinctively, but she suppressed the reflex to pull back.

Ron was squatting half a meter in front of her.

He is safe.

Nora thought to herself.

She reached out to pick up the cup, took a small sip, and then followed it with a large gulp.

Feeling her throat moistened, Nora picked up a meat skewer and took a bite. Then, she picked up another one, looked at Ron, and hesitated before holding it out toward him: "Do you want some?"

Perhaps because she had just drunk water, although Nora kept her voice low, it still carried a distinct, crisp clarity.

However, Ron didn't notice this detail; he just chuckled and waved his hand: "I've already eaten. This is specifically for you."

Nora immediately retracted the skewer, her dirty little face showing joy that she couldn't hide, though she pursed her lips to hold it back.

When there were only five skewers left, Nora suddenly stopped. She pinched the corner of the oil paper, looked up, and asked cautiously: "Can I... take these with me?"

"Uh... take them with you?" Ron was stunned. "They won't taste good once they get cold."

Nora shook her head, only looking at him with a pitiful gaze.

"They were meant for you anyway, so take them if you want." Ron didn't understand Nora's intention, but he didn't stop her.

Nora immediately picked up the oil paper and wrapped up the remaining five skewers.

Perhaps fearing that Ron might misunderstand, Nora finally explained in a low voice: "If I have five skewers, I can eat one a day, and that will give me enough strength for five more days. It makes finding food a bit easier."

Hearing this, Ron suddenly froze. He felt as if his heart had been scratched by a soft claw, and his eyes grew warm.

People are probably just like this.

If you only hear about someone else's tragic story, you might feel a bit of pity, but that's usually where it ends.

But if the situation happens right in front of your eyes, it is always easier to be moved.

"What's wrong?" Nora asked, puzzled.

"Nothing." Ron shook his head. Squatting down, he pointed to the recruitment advertisement on the wall and asked, "Did you see that thing yesterday?"

Nora turned her head to look back and realized Ron was pointing at the very thing she hadn't understood yesterday, so she nodded: "I saw it, but I couldn't read it."

"Ah?"

"I don't know how to read..." Nora lowered her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But she really didn't know how to read.

Every day, just thinking about how to find food left her exhausted; how could she possibly have time to learn how to read?

Only then did Ron realize he had made a low-level mistake.

The literacy rate on the Rexis Continent was already low; how could a stray child like Nora possibly know how to read?

He helplessly covered his face, feeling a bit stupid.

Then he looked at Nora and explained: "That is a recruitment notice I posted. Since I have other things to handle, I need to hire a shop assistant to help me look after the store."

"Hire a shop assistant?" Nora was stunned, then subconsciously reached up to tighten her hat, lowered her head, and said, "That has nothing to do with me, right?"

"Uh... won't you consider it?" Ron asked, puzzled. "The working hours are morning and afternoon, with a salary of 5 silver coins per week. The benefits should be pretty good, right?"

"I..." Nora choked, saying in a small voice, "There must be specific requirements, right? I definitely wouldn't be suitable."

"What's not suitable about it?" Ron chuckled, rising to his feet and walking over to the notice, reading it out to her word for word—

"This shop is hiring two employees."

"Requirements: young, capable, and hardworking."

"Working hours are from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM."

"Job duties include minding the shop, serving customers, handling cash, and providing change."

"Salary is 5 silver coins per week, settled weekly."

"No racial restrictions; age must be between 14 and 25."

"Those interested, please visit during business hours to speak with the shop owner in person."

Ron turned his head to look at Nora, who was crouching on the ground, and tilted his head as he asked, "Which part do you think you don't meet?"

Nora listened intently, then opened her mouth, only to realize she seemed to meet every single requirement listed.

However, her past experiences had taught her that it was better to clarify certain things early on.

"Are you sure there are no racial restrictions?" Nora stood up, her small, thin frame moving in front of Ron, and looked up at him; her forehead reached exactly to the height of Ron's chest.

Ron looked down into Nora's light black eyes, puzzled, and asked, "What's wrong? I really don't have any requirements regarding race, and you aren't human..."

Before Ron could finish his sentence, Nora had already reached up and pulled off her hat.

Moonlight spilled in at an angle from the east, falling upon Nora.

A pair of light black cat ears stood upright, suddenly invading Ron's field of vision.

"Holy... cat ears..." Ron's gaze remained fixed on the cat ears atop Nora's head, and for a moment, he was stunned.

System: "Daily quest triggered."

[Daily Quest]--[Pet the Cat-kin's ears]:

"Specific requirement: Reach out and touch the other party's ears before she puts her hat back on."

"Quest reward: Stop staring and get to it!"

Ron ignored the system's intrusion, looked down at the cat ears, then back into Nora's light black eyes, which were currently filled with a mix of stubbornness and resignation. Relying on his straight-man soul, he asked curiously, "Aren't Orc eyes supposed to be light red? Why are yours light black?"

Failure Diary: Tomorrow is a new week; praying that I can sign the contract as hoped.