In the end, Sang Ma, the head of the Z Province branch, came to Pubu Gesang's rescue. She stood and raised a hand. "Over here."
Qi Gu and Golden Toad walked over, only then spotting Pubu Gesang standing on the floor.
Pubu Gesang's cheeks were puffed out like an inflated balloon, making him look even rounder than Golden Toad. He stared at Golden Toad with murder in his eyes. "What were you saying about me over there?"
Golden Toad said, "...Nothing of the sort. You must have misheard, hahaha."
Pubu Gesang said, "So in your eyes, I'm already old enough to be hard of hearing?"
Golden Toad reeled under his retorts before inspiration suddenly struck. "I meant you look like you're in for a windfall today. At least this much!"
Golden Toad raised his glittering golden claw at him.
"Surely you don't think I'm the sort who can easily be bought off with money... Four thousand?! Then we're good. We're all friends here. How could I possibly take a little thing like that to heart? Sit down. What fruit, desserts, or drinks would you like?" Playing host with someone else's hospitality, Pubu Gesang pointed at the coffee table, where the Z Province branch's break room offered its afternoon tea menu all day long.
Golden Toad sighed in relief and turned to Qi Gu with an attentive air. "Master, what would you like?"
Qi Gu glanced at the menu held up before him and blurted out, "Half the menu."
"Wait... Make that the whole menu. Can I take away whatever I can't finish?"
Pubu Gesang figured that the Z Province branch had independent finances anyway and wouldn't be spending headquarters' money, so he said generously, "Of course. Eat all you like. Our branch head will certainly welcome it."
Unlike Pubu Gesang,