New Pet, Old Love

Of all parrots, budgerigars were the most common variety. Native to inland Australia, they had been genetically bred into English, American, and other varieties, and were widely bred domestically.

Because they were so plentiful, budgerigars were also the cheapest, and many people kept them as beginner pet birds.

However, few people knew that budgerigars could talk.

Such budgerigars were rarely seen on the market, because teaching one to speak required its owner to invest tremendous patience and effort early on, all while risking a high chance of failure.

The success rate was at most one in five, and even then, the bird could only learn a dozen or so phrases. Compared to the budgerigar's own value, it simply was not worth it—why not spend that time and effort training a better, more valuable parrot instead?

Yet even a trained, talking budgerigar could never possibly be this intelligent and quick-witted, capable of speaking so fluently!

It was simply unbelievable!

Old Sun, the pet shop owner, felt as though he was about to have a heart attack.

Just half a minute ago, he had been secretly laughing at Zuo Yi for being a fool who had spent thirty yuan on a sick bird that was about to croak.

Never in his wildest dreams had he expected such an unbelievable reversal.

So how much was this budgerigar worth now?

Old Sun's brain twitched as he failed to come up with an accurate estimate, but there had to be at least two more zeros after that thirty—or maybe three?

The sight of the budgerigar spreading its wings, taking flight, and speaking human words had drawn the attention of quite a few passersby. People from the shops next door and across the way had all cast curious, astonished looks their way.

Bao'er did not realize that she had become the center of attention. Her focus was entirely on the little parrot on her shoulder. Tilting her head and pouting, she insisted, "I really can't guess."

The budgerigar giggled again and said, "Then I'll tell you later."

Bao'er gave it a look that said, You're so annoying, but she still asked, "Then what's your name?"

The budgerigar hopped on her shoulder. "I don't have a name yet. Bao'er, give me one!"

"Hmm..."

Bao'er thought for a moment, then said, "Pipi. I'll call you Pipi from now on!"

Dad had said it was a budgerigar, and it looked very naughty too. Pi plus pi made Pipi!

"Okay, okay!"

The budgerigar jumped even more excitedly, its voice crisp and pleasant. "My name will be Pipi from now on!"

It rubbed hard against the little girl. "Thank you, Bao'er!"

Bao'er giggled. "That tickles."

She did not notice that her interaction with Pipi had already completely stunned all the passersby around them.

What the hell? Weren't animals forbidden from becoming spirits after the founding of the country? What was going on here?

Old Sun stared blankly, making wheezing sounds in his throat. His claw-like hands trembled as if he had suffered a stroke, making people wonder whether a blood vessel might burst at any moment and send him collapsing to the ground.

The middle-aged shop owner next door had recovered some of his composure. He picked up the tea mug from the ground and, seeing Old Sun's grief-stricken expression, gave a gloating chuckle.

Whether Sun the Hunchback had mistaken a treasure for trash and sold it himself, or whether Zuo Yi truly possessed the ability to turn decay into magic, this incident alone would provide gossip for years and spread endlessly through Xixi Underground Trading Market.

As someone who had witnessed it firsthand, not only had he gotten to see Old Sun make a fool of himself today, but he would have plenty to talk about at the dinner table in the future!

"Sweetheart."

Seeing more and more people gathering around, Zuo Yi stroked the little girl's head. "Let's go."

Bao'er nodded. "Okay!"

She could not resist reaching out to gently stroke the feathers of her new little companion.

Pipi cooperatively enjoyed her caress.

Woof!

Feeling terribly neglected, Taike barked unhappily. He looked up at Bao'er pitifully, wagging his little tail furiously.

Bao'er, Bao'er, you can't forget your old love just because you have a new pet!

Of course, Bao'er could not forget her classmate A-Tai. She hurriedly gave him a head pat as well, comforting his wounded heart.

A-Tai, A-Tai, we'll always be the best of friends!

This time, Pipi was displeased. It tilted its head and looked down at Taike, who was acting cute, its eyes full of contempt.

Taike happened to catch that little look, and immediately flew into a rage. Woof woof!

Dead bird, just you wait!

Pipi shot him a disdainful sidelong glance. Ooh, I'm so scared!

"Enough..."

Bao'er sensed the "killing intent" spreading between her two little companions and hurriedly said, "Let's go."

She had not forgotten that she had come here with Dad today to set up a stall and sell things.

"Wait!"

Just as Zuo Yi was about to leave with Bao'er, Old Sun snapped out of his daze and rushed over to block their way.

"What?"

Zuo Yi smiled faintly. "Boss Sun, are you trying to go back on your word?"

Although Xixi Underground Trading Market was not an underground black market, it had one rule in common with such markets, and it was explicitly stated.

That was, no regrets after a sale. If you bought something too expensively, do not expect to return it. If you sold something too cheaply, do not expect to regret it. Buyers and sellers relied on their own abilities, and if you lacked the eye or skill, you had no right to cry foul after taking a loss.

This rule was displayed in bright lettering on a sign at the market entrance. Anyone who was not blind could see it upon entering.

"No, no, no..."

Old Sun waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head like a rattle drum—he ran a shop here, after all, not some street stall. His reputation mattered, and he definitely could not break the rules.

No matter how much this budgerigar was worth now, it belonged to Zuo Yi!

Old Sun was also a seasoned, shrewd man. He quickly realized that he had stopped Zuo Yi for another reason.

"Sir, no, Master!"

Old Sun lowered himself completely, bowing and scraping with a fawning smile. "Your skill is simply astonishing. This old man has never seen anything like it in his life. Since fate has allowed us to meet today, would Master be willing to leave some contact information?"

He had thought it through clearly. He had not misjudged the budgerigar today; it really had been an ordinary, dying sick bird. Zuo Yi was the true master!

Old Sun had lived sixty or seventy years. In his years wandering the world, he had heard of and even seen some strange people and extraordinary things. He guessed that Zuo Yi possessed some special ability to train birds, which was why he could turn decay into magic.

He did not care whether such an ability was scientific. As long as Zuo Yi had it, he was worth currying favor with.

Just imagine it: if every budgerigar could be trained by Zuo Yi to be so clever and intelligent, speaking standard Mandarin even better than humans, how much money could that make?

Sun the Hunchback did not ask to share the meat or the profits. If he could merely run errands and work for the master, drinking a little soup from the pot, that would still be a hundred times better than his current situation.

However, Zuo Yi merely chuckled, took Bao'er's hand, walked around him, and strode away.

Zuo Yi saw through Old Sun's thoughts completely. Why would he possibly pay him any attention?

In truth, Zuo Yi had not instantly restored the budgerigar's health and made it articulate and intelligent because he possessed some special ability. He had used another method.

Just now, Zuo Yi had fed Pipi half a drop each of Spring of Life water and Spring of Wisdom water.

The Spring of Life, Spring of Wisdom, Spring of Youth, Spring of Fortune, and Spring of Souls were the five most mysterious holy springs in Sadea World, each possessing unimaginable effects.

The water of the Spring of Life could greatly increase vitality, slow aging, improve physical constitution, and was effective on any living creature.

Spring of Wisdom water increased intelligence, Spring of Youth water preserved youth, Spring of Fortune water improved luck, and Spring of Souls water repaired the soul.

Zuo Yi was one of the very few people in Sadea World—or perhaps even the only one—to possess all five holy springs at once!

But the holy spring water he currently possessed was already running low. Every drop used was one less remaining.

If it had not been for Bao'er, Zuo Yi would never have taken out such precious Spring of Life water and Spring of Wisdom water to save a budgerigar, even if it was only half a drop of each.

Most of the holy spring water currently stored in his Spatial Ring was something Zuo Yi intended to save for Bao'er in the future.

So even if Old Sun had knelt on the ground and begged bitterly, it would have been useless.

Not to mention, Zuo Yi had no favorable impression whatsoever of that sly old profiteer who talked nonsense through his teeth.

"Master, Master!"

Old Sun did not dare chase after them. He could only watch helplessly as Zuo Yi and Bao'er disappeared into the bustling crowd.

He stamped his foot, feeling as though he had lost a hundred million, his heart aching terribly!

Here's the first update. Please vote!