Chapter Summaries

Zheng Qing and the You Zui Hunting Team prepared to open Ding Ding Finance and Pest Control Company, while Tuantuan watched the shop’s caged mice. Just before Zheng Qing carried a display cage outside, a mouse in a Green Vest appeared from a new hole in the wall.

• Tuantuan reluctantly left the dormitory to watch the mice at the shop and ate beef while Zheng Qing warned it not to overdo it.
• Zheng Qing carried a cage toward the entrance as the You Zui Hunting Team hurriedly prepared for the company’s opening.
• Zheng Qing reflected on why he had opened the shop and the financial pressures facing the young hunting team.
• Tuantuan cried out and arched its back when Zheng Qing noticed a bowl-sized black hole in the wall.
• A sharp-faced mouse wearing a Green Vest poked its head out of the hole and looked around.

Zheng Qing encountered a group of mice who appeared through a hole in the shop wall, and they mistook him for someone who could help them. Ding Dang Ear announced that an important figure from the mouse clan would attend the shop’s opening ceremony, leaving Zheng Qing to coordinate with them as the shop’s owner.

• Several Rat Heads crowded out of a hole in the shop wall and hesitated to leave while Fat Cat Tuantuan watched them.
• Zheng Qing recognized the mice as members of Ding Dong Ear’s group, but the green-vested mouse insisted that he was Ding Dang Ear.
• The caged mice began ramming their doors as Tuantuan settled down and ate beef pellets.
• Fatty Xin hurried into the shop, and Ding Dang Ear asked for Tuantuan to be moved away from the mice.
• Zheng Qing calmed the caged animals and told Ding Dang Ear that he owned the shop.
• Ding Dang Ear announced that an important mouse-clan figure would attend the opening ceremony and requested preliminary coordination.

Ding Dang Ear and the Green Vest mice took over Zheng Qing’s shop to prepare for an important guest, while Red Vest mice searched the premises for security risks. Dr. Xiao interrupted their preparations to tell Zheng Qing that customers had arrived.

• Ding Dang Ear ordered the mice to decorate the shop, and Zheng Qing stopped them from laying a black carpet because wizards used red carpets.
• Ding Dang Ear explained that the Red Vest mice were internal security checking the shop for the important person’s safety.
• Ding Dang Ear asked Zheng Qing how he knew Ding Dong Ear and why his eyes looked familiar, and Zheng Qing gave a vague answer before asking when the important person would arrive.
• Dr. Xiao arrived at the entrance and told Zheng Qing to come outside because customers had already arrived.

Zheng Qing and the You Zui Hunting Team negotiated a lease for a shop on Pedestrian Street near Wander Bar. After discovering that the neighboring Sanyou Bookstore shared the name of the shop from his childhood, Zheng Qing agreed to rent the storefront for forty-five jade coins a year on a four-year contract.

• Zheng Qing considered renting No. 97 Pedestrian Street despite the team's limited budget and the dangers associated with Wander Bar.
• Mu Mingzi warned Zheng Qing and the You Zui Hunting Team that shops near Wander Bar were unsuitable for business, while the agent lowered the proposed rent.
• Mu Mingzi pointed out that the neighboring Sanyou Bookstore had failed because of its location, and Zheng Qing recognized its name from the bookstore in Yunhua Residential Area.
• Zheng Qing inspected the dusty Sanyou Bookstore, saw its empty shelves and spiderwebs, and offered forty jade coins in annual rent.
• The agent countered with forty-five jade coins a year and a rent increase capped at five percent, and Zheng Qing accepted a four-year contract.

On the morning of Ding Ding Finance and Pest Control Company's opening, Zheng Qing welcomed neighboring shopkeepers and received an unexpectedly valuable gift from Crystal Grandma. He tried to return her Green Beryl Crystal Ball, but she refused to take it back.

• Zheng Qing left the dressed mice and went outside shortly before the shop's opening ceremony.
• Zheng Qing welcomed Mu Mingzi and Crystal Grandma, who had arrived early to avoid the expected rush.
• Fatty Xin gave the guests Red Envelopes and offered them Calming Talismans as opening-day gifts.
• Crystal Grandma gave Zheng Qing a Green Beryl Crystal Ball, which Xiao Xiao identified as worth more than thirty jade coins.
• Zheng Qing tried to return the expensive Crystal Ball, but Crystal Grandma stepped away and insisted it was a gift.

Crystal Grandma and Old Daoist Mu Mingzi brought gifts to the You Zui Hunting Team’s new shop, and Zheng Qing helped hang protective talismans at the entrance. After teasing Xiao Xiao about Sima Yangyun’s arrival, Zheng Qing learned that Crystal Grandma and Mu Mingzi stayed in their shops to guard their property, whether or not the businesses made money.

• Crystal Grandma gave the young wizards a Crystal Ball, and Old Daoist Mu Mingzi persuaded them to accept it.
• Old Daoist Mu Mingzi gave Zheng Qing two peachwood talismans, which Zheng Qing hung beside the shop entrance.
• Zhang Huaigu and Sima Yangyun arrived, and Zheng Qing called out that Xiao Xiao’s family had come, embarrassing Sima Yangyun.
• Xiao Xiao shoved Zheng Qing away, and he ran back to Mu Mingzi while Zhang Huaigu and Sima Yangyun stayed together.
• Zheng Qing asked why Mu Mingzi and Crystal Grandma had not moved their businesses, and Mu Mingzi explained that they owned the shops and stayed to guard them.

Liu Feifei took Little Dragon to Pedestrian Street, where a nervous public security auxiliary officer’s spellbook attacked the cobra. Jiang Yu and Li Meng intervened, and the group realized the officer was an auxiliary rather than a regular bureau officer.

• Little Dragon agreed to walk with Liu Feifei to the opening ceremony, hoping the outing would help it lose weight.
• A public security officer stopped Liu Feifei and demanded that she restrain Little Dragon in a pet basket.
• The officer’s spellbook fired a streak of red magic at Little Dragon, and Jiang Yu used vines to bind the cobra and block the attack.
• Li Meng accused the officer of nearly killing a First University pet, while Jiang Yu told her to stop shouting.
• Liu Feifei explained that the man was a Public Security Bureau auxiliary officer, and Jiang Yu twisted Li Meng’s ear when she insulted him.

Jiang Yu, Liu Feifei, and Li Meng arrived at D&K for its grand opening after settling a minor dispute with a public security assistant. The celebration began with elaborate magical fireworks as the witches reached the shop.

• Liu Feifei, Jiang Yu, and Li Meng settled their dispute with the public security assistant and hurried toward No. 97 Pedestrian Street.
• Liu Feifei said Nicholas had gone ahead to help Zheng Qing and the others prepare for D&K's opening.
• Jiang Yu promised Li Meng fewer weekly journal words if she stayed quiet, but Li Meng soon started talking again.
• The witches saw D&K's lively decorations and heard Zheng Qing's speech as the opening time approached.
• D&K began its grand opening with magical fireworks, and Jiang Yu swatted a tiny Rouge Pony that burst into a crimson peony.

At the You Zui Hunter Team’s shop opening, Zheng Qing greeted the teaching assistants and the witches, trading jokes while accepting gifts for the team. His thoughts eventually turned to a witch from his past, and he wondered whether she would come.

• Thomas and Hilda attended the opening and praised the young wizards’ practical work, though Hilda refused Zheng Qing’s request for extra credits.
• Thomas gave Zheng Qing a magically expanded chest of demon-dissection tools, and Hilda gave him a workbook of practical spellcasting techniques.
• Fatty Xin led Thomas and Hilda inside to collect their return gifts, leaving Zheng Qing worried they would discover the red packets contained Stillness Talismans.
• Zheng Qing bantered with Jiang Yu, Li Meng, Liu Feifei, and the laughing cobra, Small Dragon.
• Zheng Qing remembered a witch who had once practiced speaking snake language with him and wondered what she was doing and whether she would come.

Ilena wrestled with her growing feelings for Zheng Qing and her reasons for keeping their friendship at a distance. After deciding to visit his new shop, she sprayed herself with a fragrant pink liquid and promised herself it would be the last time.

• Ilena recalled that she had relied on Zheng Qing for talisman knowledge while concealing the full truth about herself.
• Ilena admitted to herself that her relationship with Zheng Qing was moving beyond ordinary friendship, which frightened her.
• Ilena resolved to keep watch over Zheng Qing after remembering the cobra she believed meant him harm.
• Ilena saw Iseni heading toward Pedestrian Street and decided to visit Zheng Qing’s shop.
• Ilena took out a bottle of pink liquid, sprayed its mist over herself, and vowed not to use it again.

Visitors crowded the You Zui Hunting Team’s new shop at No. 97 Pedestrian Street, including students, university organizations, friends, and influential guests. As customers bought caged rats and reporters arrived, Zhang Shuzhi urged Zheng Qing to focus on welcoming the press.

• Young wizards and student organizations visited the shop to see it and deliver congratulatory flower baskets.
• Lin Guo’s neighbors, Fatty Xin’s media contacts, and Zhang Jixin’s older brother brought guests and gifts to the opening.
• Zhang Shuzhi arrived with Deng Xiaojian and Qi Qinglan, who represented the Judgement Hunting Team and conveyed their captain’s apologies.
• Jiang Yu helped Zheng Qing welcome the guests and hand out red envelopes while Deng Xiaojian asked why they had not held a reception at Wander Bar.
• Customers left carrying cages of sleeping rats, and Zhang Shuzhi pointed out reporters from the School Newspaper Editorial Department for Zheng Qing to receive.

Old Man Vernal and Lord May walked through Beta Town's Pedestrian Street, where Vernal received an opening gift for Lin Guo's new shop. When they reached Ding Ding Finance and Pest Control Company, Lord May refused to approach because of its smell, so Vernal went on alone to deliver the gift and look for braised rat head.

• Old Man Vernal and Lord May passed Shuang Tang Ji, where Master Old Tang and Master Little Tang greeted them.
• Old Man Vernal told Master Old Tang that Lin Guo had invited him to the new shop to look for braised rat head for Lord May.
• Master Little Tang gave Old Man Vernal a gift box of tiny wrestling figures to take to Lin Guo as an opening present.
• Lord May stopped near Ding Ding Finance and Pest Control Company and refused to go closer because it smelled bad.
• Old Man Vernal told Lord May to wait in a sheltered sunny spot, then headed to the shop with the gift.

Iseni came ashore to attend the opening of the magical goods shop and expand its trading connections. It pawned a sack of goods without redemption, while Old Man Vernal recognized the merfolk as an acquaintance of the publicly funded student.

• Iseni arrived at the shop at No. 97 Pedestrian Street, enduring the wizards' hostility and avoidance.
• Iseni recalled its ambitions, its trade with students, and how its partnership with a wizard hunting team had brought it into contact with the publicly funded student.
• Iseni entered the shop with a fishskin sack and told the shop to pawn it with no redemption.
• Old Man Vernal arrived, recognized the familiar stench, and remarked that the merfolk and the publicly funded student were acquaintances.

Zheng Qing dealt with the stir caused when Iseni arrived at the newly opened shop, worrying that her presence and his other invitations would drive away customers. He brought Iseni into the storeroom to discuss her request to pawn her belongings, explaining that the shop was a financial company, not a pawnshop.

• Iseni's appearance at D&K unsettled customers, and Zheng Qing regretted inviting her during business hours.
• Fatty Xin said Iseni's papers were in order and promised that Linda's media friends would help keep the coverage from worsening the situation.
• Zheng Qing admitted he had also invited the cats from the woods and the parrots from the Office Building reception desk, alarming Xiao Xiao and Fatty Xin.
• Iseni dumped a bag of worn belongings on the counter and demanded that Zheng Qing take them as collateral.
• Zheng Qing pulled Iseni into the storeroom and explained that D&K offered short-term credit to students rather than accepting items at a pawnshop.

Xiao Xiao struggled to manage a flock of birds who demanded that his shop honor a customer-satisfaction card. Jiang Yu had Li Meng and her pet dove Xiao Bai calm the birds, and the flock agreed to stop disrupting the shop in exchange for a meal.

• Xiao Xiao used several Freshening Talismans to clear the fishy smell from inside the shop.
• A flock of birds presented a customer-satisfaction card and demanded that Xiao Xiao serve them, threatening to make a mess if he refused.
• Xiao Xiao promised to buy bird feed and called Jiang Yu for help.
• Jiang Yu summoned Li Meng, whose pet dove Xiao Bai had joined the flock in the shop.
• Jiang Yu asked Li Meng to have Xiao Bai persuade the birds to stop causing trouble and offered them a meal.
• The green parrot agreed to Jiang Yu's suggestion on Xiao Bai's behalf.

A flock of birds visited D&K’s new shop, and its leader delivered a congratulatory gift from the First University Avian Workers Association. After the birds left, Xiao Xiao learned that Zheng Qing had invited them, prompting Jiang Yu and Li Meng to criticize their absent-minded shop manager.

• The green parrot returned to D&K with a bundle of colorful Quill Pens as a grand-opening gift from the First University Avian Workers Association.
• The green parrot asked Xiao Xiao for bird feed, and Xiao Xiao explained that the shop’s services had not officially launched before promising to share any captured bugs with the birds.
• The green parrot accepted several Red Envelopes and flew off to join the flock, while Li Meng confirmed that the birds had finally left.
• Jiang Yu asked Xiao Xiao how the birds had learned about the opening, and Xiao Xiao blamed shop manager Zheng Qing for inviting them.
• The You Zui Hunting Team’s strategist resolved to propose a criticism meeting, while Li Meng complained that Zheng Qing had missed the previous night at Qingqiu Clubhouse.

Jiang Yu and Xiao Xiao dealt with a group of cats arriving at the shop with congratulations and dried-mouse gifts, while keeping their connection to the cats secret. Their conversation was interrupted by Special Agent Andrew of the Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau, who came to investigate a report of a fish-man entering the shop and disappearing.

• Jiang Yu pointed out that a group of cats had arrived at the shop, and Xiao Xiao recognized the Ragdoll Cat leading them.
• Jiang Yu and Xiao Xiao avoided explaining their connection to the cats, while Li Meng petted them and the cats presented dried mice as gifts.
• Jiang Yu and Xiao Xiao wondered how to entertain the cats and decided they could ask Zheng Qing about them later.
• Special Agent Andrew entered the shop, identified himself as a member of the Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau, and said he was investigating a report of a fish-man disappearing inside.

Zheng Qing’s shop received a visit from Commissioner Andrew, who checked the merfolk Iseni’s papers and caught up with Zheng Qing. The visit remained friendly until another familiar, foul-smelling figure arrived at the entrance.

• Commissioner Andrew explained that he was checking on the merfolk because he was temporarily helping maintain public security in Beta Town.
• Zheng Qing brought Andrew Iseni’s travel documents, and Andrew recognized Zheng Qing from their earlier meeting at Four Seasons Market.
• Andrew reviewed and approved Iseni’s paperwork, then warned the group not to take Little Dragon, a venomous snake, out in public again.
• A crude voice complained about a foul smell and called for Zheng Qing, and a gemstone-covered man in a silver-white robe arrived with several companions.

Zheng Qing introduced two wizards named Andrew at the D&K shop while Andrew Taylor dodged questions about the earlier explosion. As several ominous figures approached the shop and a wary Wanderer Wizard delayed his visit, the storm of trouble drew nearer.

• Zheng Qing introduced Andrew, the Trident Sword agent, to Andrew Taylor, captain of the Ouroboros Hunting Team.
• Zheng Qing pressed Andrew Taylor about the explosion, but Andrew Taylor changed the subject and complained that D&K looked like a pet store.
• Andrew Taylor provoked a Persian Cat, which attacked him while the other cats bristled at the Ouroboros Hunting Team.
• A blond wizard in a tailcoat approached the shop as a brutal black-haired wizard watched a closed bookstore from a nearby alley.
• The Wanderer Wizard prepared a gift for the shop but decided to wait because wolves, ghosts, an unreasonable old man, and a young lady were nearby.

Amber quietly pondered the storm around him while the Ouroboros Hunting Team visited the Youzui group’s shop, and Zheng Qing suspected the diviner knew about the rats’ vanished hole. Meanwhile, Duke Milton Cullen learned that Zheng Qing was likely Su Shijun’s child’s father and began considering how to reach him at First University.

• Amber crouched by the rat cages and murmured about the calm eye at the center of a storm while Andrew Taylor asked him to explain.
• Andrew left the shop, while Julian asked Xiao Xiao about opening a business and Omega chased the cats around.
• Zheng Qing watched Amber choose the corner where the clothed rats had dug their hole, but stayed behind the counter as customers returned.
• Milton Cullen recalled his long-standing admiration for Su Shijun and was devastated when he learned she had a child.
• Milton spent his private fortune seeking the child’s father and received word that the man was probably First University scholarship student Zheng Qing.
• Milton planned to enter First University unnoticed and considered when Zheng Qing might leave the school.