When I'm with Taotao, Snake, Little Black, and Iron Doudou, it's always so relaxing.
Even though we first got to know each other because of the survival game's setup and required stages, we've developed genuine, deep feelings for each other after spending time together. No scheming, just the pure desire for each other to do better.
"Look at you. I'm already busy enough, and you're out there promoting me at the big league gathering. This isn't an assassin's hall—I might not get a single job in a month. If I actually wanted to take on work, I'd have more than I could ever finish."
Iron Doudou put her hands on her hips, looking incredibly smug. Even as she said this, her eyes were full of pride.
Qi Xu knew it would be like this. Iron Doudou might not be short on business, but she loved hearing praise and wanted everyone to know she was the greatest weapons master. Otherwise, she never would have had Jin Wen Xing Yue Mo invite the whole region to "chop one down" back then.
"How could that be? With more customers, you can pick and choose. You could set up a lottery system or an auction, and raise the prices while you're at it. Rarity creates value. A one-of-a-kind weapon master's precious work shouldn't be something ordinary players can easily obtain. The harder it is to get, the more they'll treasure it, right?"
Qi Xu's flattery came naturally. Back when she first started getting the hang of flattering monsters, she had to plan it out in her head, afraid of slipping up and breaking character.
Now?
Now, whatever Qi Xu said was exactly what she thought. What came out of her mouth was her genuine opinion. That was the highest level of monster flattery.
Sure enough, Iron Doudou was so excited that the wrench earring on her left earlobe swung wildly.
"You're right! Adopted! How does the lottery and auction thing work? Come on, teach me quick."
The little goblin looked at Qi Xu sincerely. Ever since she learned a trick from Qi Xu last time, her income had skyrocketed. But for someone who dealt with weapons, precious materials were expensive, so almost all of it went back into her work. She spent every coin she earned, so how could she ever have too much money?
Qi Xu quickly recalled everything she could think of and laid it all out one by one. Seeing that Iron Doudou was still a bit confused, she simply listed all the steps clearly, numbered one through three.
The more she talked, the more into it she got. The more she talked, the happier she felt, experiencing an unprecedented sense of ease and joy!
Iron Doudou clapped her hands happily, feeling like she could buy even more precious materials now. Truly the one and only, unparalleled weapons master, worthy of her reputation!
Finally, after talking until her throat was dry, they both downed a glass of juice before Iron Doudou had a chance to ask, "Did you come by today just to share this wisdom with me?"
Qi Xu paused, almost forgetting the real reason she came. She quickly pulled out "Shimmering Jade" and "Eternal Ice."
"Of course not. Weren't you asking me to keep an eye out for these two materials? I redeemed them with points after the big league gathering. I had some free time today and was feeling a bit tired, didn't want to fight, so I figured I'd swing by to see you."
Iron Doudou's eyes lit up instantly, even more excited than when she first saw Qi Xu.
"Why didn't you say so earlier! Hurry up, give me Sakura Drop, and then get out of here—go play somewhere else!"
Qi Xu's smile froze on her face. "Good one, Doudou!"
Iron Doudou couldn't hear what Qi Xu was saying at all. As soon as she got Sakura Drop, she immediately entered work mode.
After working for a bit, she turned around to see Qi Xu still standing there pouting, having not left yet. She tossed her a little trinket and threw out a goodbye, "Bye, bye! Close the door behind you and hang up my 'Do Not Disturb' sign."
Then she turned back to start leveling up and upgrading Sakura Drop.
Qi Xu sighed. Workaholics are like that. If it weren't for how close we are, she'd probably have been kicked out by the little goblin ages ago.
As she was about to leave, she looked down at the thing in her hand...
[World-Unique Weapons Master Monster Doll]
A monster doll that represents her own life. Iron Doudou had tossed it over without a single word of explanation, then immediately shooed her away.
Qi Xu's earlier ease and happiness instantly halved.
In the end, she still turned and left.
What Qi Xu didn't see was that as soon as she left, Iron Doudou stopped what she was doing. She hurried to the window and stared silently at Qi Xu's retreating back for a long time.
Only after she was completely gone did Iron Doudou return to her workbench and resume.
Qi Xu had gotten used to her tendency to suddenly fall into an EMO state like this.
Although these moments were fewer in this round of the game, in the previous round, it was basically a small EMO every three days and a big one every five...
The best way to deal with it was to tire herself out enough that she collapsed into bed as soon as her head hit the pillow.
So she got into her vehicle with a bold and carefree attitude. Once she reached a proper road, she took the three little ones and got out to fight some monsters. She even used an "Aggro Card" that she'd gotten from the Lucky Halo buff.
After waiting about ten minutes, she started complaining grumpily, "What's taking so long? Why is it still just you monsters? Can't you send something with a little more skill?"
No matter how much she complained verbally, her hands never slowed down. Big or small, meat is meat!
The monsters were baffled, furious, pitiful, and then... dead.
Qi Xu let it all out. She hadn't fully recovered her energy yet, and after fighting until her arms and legs ached, she decisively abandoned the current batch of monsters, turned around, and climbed back into her vehicle.
First, she accepted Bian's application to join the guild and set him as the vice leader, giving him permission to approve new members. Then she headed straight to bed.
This time, the rest was much more pleasant. Finally, things went Qi Xu's way. She slept from 9 in the morning straight through to 7 the next day.
When she woke up, she immediately walked up to the mirror and put her hands on her hips. This feeling and state felt right! People really shouldn't stay idle!
Master Chef had already sent over a refined breakfast notification. Qi Xu quickly washed up, dressed, and sat down at the table, ready to dig in!
Just then, Qiuqiu came back!
"Boss!"
"Where did you go? Why are you only back now?"
"I don't know! I just got mysteriously disconnected. When I checked the time, I realized a whole day had passed..."
Qiuqiu sounded a bit guilty, his voice trailing off. He had just been upgraded to an A-level ball, yet here he was with such a low-level bug.
"It's okay. You must have been too tired. Withdraw 10,000 survival coins from my account and treat yourself—relax and have some fun."
Qiuqiu: "Boss!!! Waaah!!! What did I do to deserve this? You're the best boss ever!"
"And you're the best Qiuqiu. My survival coin account is all yours, use it however you like."
Ever since she realized Qiuqiu might also be an old friend, Qi Xu had become infinitely softer.
Qiuqiu had been moved before, but now he was completely dumbfounded. Even his small mind could tell something was off about this, but exactly what, he couldn't figure out.
...........
