Qi Xu grinned, "How could that be? Don't worry, there's plenty today, eat your fill."
Little Master Chef also brought up another portion, and only then did the three monster merchants regain their smiles, each even gaining an additional 10 points of favorability.
After clinking glasses a few times together, Qi Xu began to build rapport and fish for information.
"Your work must be so tough, no fixed location, braving the wind and rain. Ah, it's really hard. Eat, eat, have more."
A'lu snorted haughtily, "So what if we don't have a shop? What we earn is all our own, and there's no performance quota to meet either."
"Exactly, those monsters in charge at the stations might look impressive, but they're just puppets. Not as free as us."
Qi Xu shook his head disapprovingly, "But at least they have a fixed spot. You guys have to run around all over the districts, it's so tiring. So many major districts, so many sub-districts, your legs must be worn thin."
"It's not that exaggerated. The three of us only need to cover the 88 Major District. We don't go to every sub-district either; basically, we go where the rich people are."
A'zi was clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed. In just a few sentences, Qi Xu had extracted what he wanted to know, just like how he had been tricked over by A'hong and A'lu with a single sentence earlier.
Qi Xu quickly calculated in his mind: three monster merchants responsible for one major district, with a total of 1200 major districts. That meant in the Huaguo region alone, there were 3600 monster merchants.
They had no direct supervisor and were relatively free. The fact that they didn't cough up blood showed they weren't bound by the rules as tightly either, truly more relaxed and carefree than the working monsters.
They were standard neutral creatures. Moreover, their connections spanned every major district. Getting on their good side would definitely be useful. This was an important channel for transmitting messages across major districts.
In comparison, the Survival Coins that the Freeloader Freeloaded seemed rather insignificant. Having learned what he wanted, Qi Xu stopped discussing such sensitive topics to avoid raising suspicion, focusing instead on diligently raising their favorability.
Starting with chatting about food and then moving on to complaining about the various flaws in the Survival Game's settings, amid the clinking of glasses their favorability rating had already climbed to around 20.
And when the meal ended, Qi Xu not only packed a dinner portion for each of them, earning another 5 points of favorability each, but also directly took out the 〖Freeloader〗 Medal.
The three monster merchants were slightly stunned. "You, you, you... you can only freeload once a day!"
Qi Xu nodded, putting on a somewhat troubled and sorrowful expression. "I know. Today, after chatting and sharing a meal with you three, I suddenly felt that my previous behavior was... too much.
Actually, we're all struggling and crawling on the Survival Highway, carrying our own pressures forward. We should be helping each other, advancing hand in hand. Yet I nitpicked over trivial matters and immediate gains. Looking back now, I feel truly ashamed.
Perhaps growth is like this, suddenly seeing one's own narrow-mindedness in a certain moment... Today, having gained you three as friends, I suddenly understand why mountains and rivers never chase after drifting clouds, yet in their silence, they accept all weather, clear or overcast."
Qi Xu looked up at a 45-degree angle towards the sky, sighed sorrowfully, and casually wiped away a non-existent tear.
Only upon hearing three notifications of increased favorability did he somewhat uncontrollably twitch the corner of his mouth.
To prevent giving himself away, Qi Xu directly raised the 〖Freeloader〗 Medal high and smashed it forcefully onto the ground. The medal immediately broke into two pieces. Feeling it wasn't enough, Qi Xu kicked the pieces away with his right foot, took out 〖Cherry Blossom Fall〗, and chopped them until not even dust remained.
Thus, the 〖Freeloader〗 title was completely eradicated.
The three monster merchants were utterly stunned, staring blankly at the scene before them, unsure of what to say.
Although it's true everyone hated Freeloaders... putting themselves in his shoes, if they were this player, they'd definitely use it too. If I got this title, why wouldn't I use it?
This player... how could he be so sincere?!
"You didn't have to do this."
"Since this title was set, there's a reason for its existence. We were just a bit annoyed, but it's really nothing much."
"You're making us feel embarrassed now. Ah, forget it, don't be impulsive. Let's issue you a new one together. Just don't chase us every day. At most once a month."
Qi Xu looked at the three sincere monster merchants and suddenly felt he had overacted just now.
"No, no, no, I don't want it. I'll never use something like that again. It's hard for us players to survive, and it's hard for you to earn Survival Coins too. Let's just forget about it from now on. Let's exchange contact info, chat more often whether there's business or not. When Little Master Chef makes something delicious again, we can gather together."
The three monster merchants immediately nodded, giving their contact information without a moment's hesitation.
Soon, Qi Xu found himself added to a group chat called 〖One Loving Family〗. Taking a look inside, wow, it was full of important personnel from various stations. Besides them, there were also some legendary figures on the Highway.
For example, the industry miracle, the pink fox who rose from intern to station manager in less than a year; the door that had endured all forms of torture, remained unrepentant, and was turned into a shabby little door; the spider whose legs broke every day; the big black snake struck by lightning daily... The group was really lively...
This freeloader... no, he's not a freeloader anymore. This friendly human player really has wide monster connections!
[Green-haired Monster Merchant's favorability towards you increased by 10 points. Current favorability: 60.]
[Red-haired Monster Merchant's favorability towards you increased by 10 points. Current favorability: 60.]
[Purple-haired Monster Merchant's favorability towards you increased by 10 points. Current favorability: 60.]
Qi Xu felt quite proud. From nearly -50 favorability to 60. Although he destroyed a title, it was still very worth it.
At the moment of saying goodbye, Qi Xu seriously asked a question, "With your hair so long, doesn't it really get in the way? Have you ever thought about tying it up?"
The three monster merchants: "Huh?"
Qi Xu went straight to the Trading Hall and bought a bunch of cute little hair ties.
He tied the Red-haired Monster Merchant's hair into twin tails, folded them into three bends in the middle, bundled them together, and finally put on a cute white bow.
The Red-haired Monster Merchant only felt the outside world become clearer. Without long hair constantly blocking his vision, this feeling was really not bad.
The Purple Monster Merchant was a bit taller, looking more upright and poised overall, so of course, he deserved a cute princess hairstyle. Finally, he was adorned with a flower hair accessory with black beads.
As for the Green Monster Merchant, Qi Xu was quite envious of his hair color. Who hadn't heard the phrase "I want to dye this thing green" when they were kids?
Of course, it needed careful modification. Qi Xu specially found a curling iron and gave him a head of big waves, then found a red heart-shaped headband. After leaving a small strand of "catfish whiskers," the rest of the hair was all pinned back.
.........
