"That's enough... Thank you... It was nice meeting you... Qiqi is happy."
"Hahaha~ I'm happy to meet Qiqi too~" Ying playfully pinched Qiqi's cheek again.
(Now I understand more and more why those two liked to treat me that way...)
Qiqi: "Huh?"
"Hmm? Is there something behind me?" Ying, seeing Qiqi suddenly look behind her, curiously looked back...
"Are you... that Anemo Slime?" Ying asked the floating slime with confusion.
Upon being discovered, the slime quickly shrunk and nestled against Ying.
"Ah, this... I didn't expect a single candy could win you over. You have no backbone, my friend."
Qiqi, standing nearby, curiously stroked the Anemo Slime's head, and the slime didn't attack her.
"You can't say that, Host. For example, if Lumine told you that if you listened to her, she would agree to wear your clothes, would you wear them?"
(Oh wow~ I suddenly understand it! Although your analogy is a little far-fetched...)
"Hehe~"
"Hmm... what should I do... Should I take it with me? But it might hurt someone. Even if I don't kill it, wouldn't the Millelith kill it on the spot? As for the Serenitea Pot... I don't have that right now..."
Ying took out a candy and fed it to the slime while speaking of her worries, while Qiqi beside her continued to stroke the slime's head.
"How about I give the Host a Net of All Directions so you can put it in your inventory?"
(Oh wow? Wait... can that net catch slimes?)
"System, just upgrade it for it."
(Yes, yes, you're a great help again.)
"Sigh~ It can't be helped. The system still loves the Host."
(Hahaha~ If you were always this nice to me, I would definitely like you a lot.)
"That won't do. Mocking the Host is too much fun, how could I stop?"
(E
"Candy... T-today... Hmm, okay..."
"Really?! Yay~ That's great! Ying, you're amazing!" Hu Tao happily hugged Qiqi, and Qiqi was no longer startled by Hu Tao's actions.
"You say I'm amazing, but you're hugging Qiqi. I'm quite sad, you know~" Ying said with a smile.
"Heehee~ I'll give you double your share tonight, Ying (๑乛v乛๑)~"
"Oh my... I shouldn't have joined the conversation (t^t)"
"Hahaha~ Speaking of which, Ying, have you finished your daily commissions?"
"Not yet. This morning was all spent accompanying Qiqi to pick Glaze Lilies. I plan to take her back first, then go pick up the tasks."
"I see... Then how about we go eat first? It's almost noon."
"Eat... That's fine too. Qiqi, do you want to come along?" Ying asked after a moment of thought.
"Hmm... Qiqi wants to go... with you..."
"Wow~ You're leaving me out. This Hall Master is so jealous of you, Ying."
"Nonsense! She only let her guard down with you; she hasn't forgiven you yet."
"Sob sob~ Sigh~ This Hall Master still has to work hard. Let's go quickly~"
The three soon arrived at Xiangling's restaurant and had a hearty meal. After eating, Qiqi, after much pestering from Hu Tao, finally agreed to let her escort her home. Ying, while saying she was going to pick up a commission, actually stayed behind to observe them from a short distance away.
"Host, this makes you look like a Peeping Tom..."
"Ahem~ It can't be helped. Although Hu Tao guaranteed she wouldn't bury Qiqi again, I'm still a little worried. If this goes well, I can finally relax afterwards~"
Finally, Qiqi was safely escorted back to Bubu Pharmacy by Hu Tao. Ying, relieved, then headed to the Adventurers' Guild and accepted four commissions.
"Hmm... All four are to eliminate monsters. No wonder no one picked them..."
"However, it should be no problem for the Host at the moment."
"Hmph hmph~ You can be more confident, say 'effortlessly'~ (^～^)"