Afternoon Leisure

"Please."

Montagne handed Chen and Lin Yuxia each a teacup filled eight-tenths full.

The amber liquid gave off a fragrant aroma, and before long, a faint scent of tea permeated the entire first floor of the pharmacy.

Yet aside from the spreading tea fragrance, the air was filled with awkwardness.

"So... what kind of person is Mr. Zhuang Xiaolin usually?"

Chen was the first to break the silence, finding a topic to start a conversation.

"The Commander? I haven't been by his side for very long, but judging from his words and actions, he is a kind-hearted person."

"Is that so?"

Chen sounded somewhat reflective.

"Perhaps it has something to do with some of his past experiences, but even we don't know about those."

While the two were talking, Zhuang Xiaolin, who had been sitting outside on a recliner, sleepily sat up and stared blankly at the floor before him.

The scent of tea in the air pulled some of Zhuang Xiaolin's attention back.

Shaking his head, Zhuang Xiaolin got down from the recliner and walked step by step toward where Montagne and the others were.

Upon hearing footsteps from behind them, Chen and Montagne, who had been chatting quietly, both fell silent and turned to look at the tall figure.

"Good afternoon, Commander."

Montagne greeted him, then slowly rose and left.

Now that the host had arrived, it was time for him, the one receiving guests, to step into the background.

"Good afternoon, Officer Chen. What brings you to my place today? And who is this?"

Zhuang Xiaolin greeted Chen, only to notice another figure sitting beside her. He looked at Chen in confusion.

"This is Lin Yuxia, the Rat King's daughter. Like me, she came to visit you."

Chen introduced her concisely.

"Hello, Mr. Zhuang Xiaolin. My father entrusted me with an important matter and asked me to meet with you."

Lin Yuxia spoke only after the introductions were over.

"Oh, I see. Have some tea... have some tea! It's rare for two beautiful ladies to visit my little shop. As the host, I have to entertain you properly."

As he spoke, Zhuang Xiaolin walked over and soon reached the spot where Montagne had just been hosting them.

"This is what my father entrusted to you."

Lin Yuxia handed the black card to Zhuang Xiaolin.

While rubbing the teacup in his hand, Zhuang Xiaolin looked at the black bank card with white patterns and could not help falling into thought.

Were underworld bosses all like this nowadays?

Their meeting gift was... money? Their daughter?

Clearly, Zhuang Xiaolin had misunderstood the Rat King's intentions, though he was not entirely wrong. The Rat King had merely sent some money as payment for Zhuang Xiaolin's handling of that mess. In essence, it was not much different from a meeting gift.

Zhuang Xiaolin had not wanted to accept it, but after checking the card's balance with the card reader, his once-calm heart suddenly stirred before settling down again.

How much was in the card?

About three hundred million. Three hundred million Lungmen Dollars.

And as it happened, today was the day Wei Yenwu was due to pay for those medicines.

Together with the medical institution subsidy from before, once he received that payment, he would complete the daily mission of gathering one billion Lungmen Dollars.

Really, whose daily mission involved gathering this many hundreds of millions in currency?

But Zhuang Xiaolin had no interest in worrying about that.

After solemnly putting away the bank card, Zhuang Xiaolin carefully examined the Zalak girl named Lin Yuxia.

Her pale purple hair was braided behind her back. With her blackish-purple dress, pretty face, and the two fluffy ears atop her head, she might have seemed like a lively, energetic young girl if not for her expressionless face. Yet with that blank expression, she gave off an oddly adorable yet cool air.

"I'm truly sorry to disturb you today, but the Guard Department still has some issues that require your assistance. This evidence report needs Mr. Zhuang Xiaolin's signature. In addition, the Lungmen Guard Department will deploy extra personnel to the Outer Ring. Your pharmacy falls within their protection zone, so you may ask them for help at any time if you run into trouble."

"I understand. Chen, let's not talk about work for now. Have some tea."

Zhuang Xiaolin nodded, then filled the girls' empty teacups eight-tenths full again.

"Then... excuse me."

Only then did fatigue show on Chen's valiant face.

Dealing with the mess around here over the past few days had cost her a great deal of time and energy. She had barely managed to rest, and had rushed over to Zhuang Xiaolin's place during this half-day break. Of course she was tired.

After relaxing, Chen actually began swaying after finishing a cup of tea, then slumped onto the table. Soon, soft yet steady breathing could be heard.

"Chen, this is improper..."

"Shh—!"

Seeing Chen already asleep on the table, Lin Yuxia wanted to wake her, but Zhuang Xiaolin stopped her.

"Let her sleep for a while. It'll also make it easier for the two of us to talk."

Zhuang Xiaolin turned around, his gaze meeting Lin Yuxia's. The two fell into a strange silence.