The other two fox shop managers looked at Qi Xu with bitter resentment, their hearts screaming in frustration—why isn’t this customer mine? We’re doomed...
"Alright, sweetheart, don’t worry. In a couple of days, I’ll be buying more supplies from you to resell. You’ll earn it back."
Taotao immediately nodded. "Okay! What do you need? Taotao will find the best for you."
"Not sure yet. I’ll wait to see what the next disaster type is, then let you know."
The orange-yellow twin-tailed fox forcefully shoved the black three-tailed fox aside, squeezing its way to the front.
"Oh, esteemed guest! You truly are formidable! I’m Little Orange-Yellow. I overheard you asking about the next disaster type—I happen to have some information."
Qi Xu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Can I buy this information with survival coins?"
"No, no! Little Orange-Yellow isn’t so greedy. You’ve already tipped me earlier. The next disaster will be highly corrosive acid rain! Without special protection, vehicles will be easily damaged."
Qi Xu nodded. Just because they said they didn’t want payment didn’t mean you could actually skip it.
If Taotao became the sole manager of the Monster Shop, these two might be reassigned who-knows-where. Keeping them as potential connections was smart.
So Qi Xu handed over another 10 survival coins. "Take it. I don’t like owing favors to monsters."
Little Orange-Yellow knew when to quit. It respectfully accepted the coins with both hands before scurrying off. It was clear this human was close to Taotao—no point trying to steal their business.
The black three-tailed fox glared furiously at Qi Xu, who also handed it 10 coins.
"Come on, smile. Happy or not, it’s still just another day. We’re all just workers, just on different sides. No need for hostility. Wishing you success in your new role—may you shine, prosper, and strike it rich!"
The black three-tailed fox froze.
It stared at the coins in Qi Xu’s hand for a long time.
Finally, Qi Xu took its hand and placed the coins in its palm.
"...Thank you."
With that, the black three-tailed fox fled, the tips of its ears turning red.
[Black Three-Tailed Fox’s favorability toward you has increased by 20 points. Current favorability: 5.]
Qi Xu was satisfied. The bar wasn’t high—just not negative was enough.
Once the second floor was empty, Qi Xu turned to Taotao. "You’re all colleagues. Awkward relationships aren’t good—you never know when you might need each other. Now, even if they don’t like you, they won’t make things too difficult."
Taotao, who had been confused earlier, now understood—Qi Xu did all this for me!
Tears welled up in its eyes as it gazed at Qi Xu, unwilling to let them leave even for a moment.
And its favorability shot straight to 95... Qi Xu couldn’t help but wonder—what would happen at 100?
"By the way, let me get the gifts for the little goblin."
Taotao soon returned with an exquisite little jewelry box and a food container.
Qi Xu opened them. The jewelry box held delicate but useless trinkets: a glittery hairpin, a butterfly pendant with fluttering wings, a palm-sized rainbow-cut crystal shoe, and the pigeon-egg-sized diamond Qi Xu had just given Taotao.
The food container held pure pink donuts—cloyingly sweet, the kind that killed any appetite at first glance.
"Little goblins love shiny things and high-calorie, intensely flavored food. I only have donuts that fit, but if you have something better, feel free to add it."
Qi Xu got it—Xiao Dangjia could help.
So they took out the pigeon-egg diamond and handed it back to Taotao. "Not this one. This is for you."
"It’s fine..."
"No. Worst case, we skip the weapon. Taotao is more important."
With so many other items, one less wouldn’t matter. No matter how much goblins loved shiny things, food would always grab their attention first.
Taotao’s favorability jumped to 99. Qi Xu got excited, pulling out all the stops, but couldn’t push it to 100... so they prepared to leave.
The black three-tailed fox was now on duty downstairs. When it saw Qi Xu, its expression turned odd, quickly averting its gaze as if pretending not to see them.
"Goodbye, beautiful and dashing black three-tailed fox manager. Hope we meet again."
The fox sighed. "If only that day comes."
Qi Xu paused, then understood. They stashed everything into their backpack, swapping their black dress for combat-friendly athletic wear—though the trench coat stayed on.
Exiting the Monster Shop, they passed through a courtyard before reaching the main gate, where their vehicle was parked.
So...
The moment Qi Xu stepped out, a blade’s cold gleam slashed from the right rear. The sharp whistle of steel cutting air was intimidating, but Qi Xu pivoted on their toes, the trench coat’s hem flaring just enough to evade the strike.
As expected—Xie Shaoning.
When he left earlier, Qi Xu had sensed something off. Giving up so easily? He definitely had another plan.
Trying to kill and loot with a plunder card, huh?
Qi Xu instantly countered with an electrified baton. No need to be picky—since he reached out first, let him taste the consequences of a failed ambush.
They adjusted their wrist position before summoning the baton from the backpack, ensuring it materialized right onto Xie Shaoning’s arm.
But he was ruthless. Even as his wrist blackened from the shock, he showed no pain, pressing forward to slash at Qi Xu’s throat while they were still retracting the baton.
Qi Xu backstepped. The blade grazed their ear, severing a few loose strands—today’s stylishly loose hair was now a liability.
Judging by their stats, Qi Xu had a slight edge. When their icy longsword clashed with the baton, both were forced back.
Qi Xu steadied after two steps. Xie Shaoning stumbled five or six before rolling to recover.
By the time he looked up, Qi Xu was already charging. Unwilling to admit defeat, Xie Shaoning flung out a card—his body dissolving into white smoke as he vanished...
Qi Xu had guessed as much. Without an escape plan and no intel on the opponent’s strength, who’d dare ambush like this? Early in the apocalypse, fools might judge by gender or appearance.
But now? Those idiots were probably all dead. Especially someone who kept outplaying Warhound 009’s "happy endings."
.........
