"Little Klee, do you really want to introduce your mom to me that badly?"
Han Feng chuckled as he rubbed Klee's soft cheeks.
All this just for a single meal, she was willing to sell out her own mother.
If Alice ever found out… wouldn't she storm back just to give this little rascal a proper lesson?
"Mhm, mhm!"
Klee nodded vigorously. "Big Brother Han Feng is really handsome, has all these fun comics, and makes such yummy food. Mommy will definitely like you!"
"I think it's not your mom who likes him, it's you, little Klee~"
Paimon teased, floating over.
"That's not true," Klee said seriously. "Mommy will like him too."
"Alright, if you don't hurry up and eat, Venti's going to finish everything."
Han Feng ruffled both their heads to change the topic.
"Eh?!"
Klee and Paimon froze, then quickly looked toward Venti.
Sure enough, just like the Boss had said—
the bard was feasting away with the Meicoomon, and the food was nearly gone!
"That rotten bard! Leave some for us!"
"Big Brother Bard is too mean!"
The two little gluttons immediately abandoned their "mommy" talk and rushed into battle, determined not to let the bard hog it all.
With so many foodies joining forces, the dishes were soon wiped clean.
The girls still looked alright afterward,
but Venti, Meicoomon, and Paimon…
all collapsed onto their chairs, too full to move, occasionally savoring the aftertaste.
"I thought the golden fried rice I ate last night was already the best thing ever, but Boss Han's cooking is even better!"
Venti gave Han Feng a big thumbs up.
So this was that "makes you want to cry" feeling Boss Han had mentioned—
it really was too good to be true.
"Boss Han, if I massage your legs again tonight, will you cook more for us?"
Paimon flew up eagerly, eyes sparkling.
"What are you dreaming about? That was just a one-time whim. From now on, Noelle will handle it."
Han Feng scooped her into his arms and rubbed her round little body.
Hmm. The texture wasn't bad.
"Eh? Miss Noelle?"
Lumine blinked, glancing at the girl sitting nearby.
"I'm now the official maid of Solace Book Store," Noelle explained with a smile.
"So naturally, it's my duty to take care of Boss Han's daily needs."
"Looks like the shop will have another maid from now on,"
Venti chuckled.
He'd suspected something earlier.
Why would someone as mysterious and powerful as Boss Han run this comic shop entirely alone?
Didn't he need help with cleaning?
Didn't he need anyone to prepare his meals?
Even Diluc's estate had plenty of maids.
That was why, when he brought Noelle here, he'd half-jokingly offered to put in a good word for her.
Of course, it was also for Noelle's own sake.
In his eyes, the reason Noelle had failed to become a Knight of Favonius wasn't just ability.
It was mainly her personality.
Not that her personality was bad—
but she cared too much about others, often neglecting herself.
There was once a case at Dragonspine:
someone had gotten into trouble.
Noelle rushed in to save them without a second thought.
The person survived, but Noelle herself was unconscious for three days.
If she was already like this before becoming a full knight,
then once she truly wore the title, she'd definitely put herself in danger again and again.
Of course Jean and the others wouldn't want that.
But Boss Han was different. He was incredibly strong.
Venti figured Noelle would learn far more here than with the Knights.
"Miss Noelle, are there any perks to being Boss Han's maid?"
Paimon asked curiously.
Surely there had to be!
With someone as wealthy as Boss Han, being his maid had to mean high wages.
At the very least, she should get free comics, right?
Or maybe the occasional chance to eat his cooking?
"No, just the salary."
Noelle shook her head.
"Eh? Just the salary?"
Paimon scratched her head in disappointment.
She'd thought there'd be some special benefit.
She had even been considering pushing Lumine to try it.
But if that was all… maybe not.
"Oh, right."
Han Feng suddenly remembered something and said to Noelle:
"Later, go pack up your things and move in here."
After all, she was the shop's maid now.
It would be odd if she didn't live on the premises.
"Yes, Boss."
Noelle nodded without hesitation.
Back when she'd worked as the Knights' maid, she'd lived with them as well.
It was only natural to change residences now.
"She's moving in?"
"What? Being a maid means you can live here?!"
Lumine and Paimon blurted out in shock.
Feeling the others' stares, Lumine's face instantly turned bright red.
"Ah—it's nothing, I was just, uh, surprised!"
she stammered.
"She's taking care of my daily life. Isn't moving in normal?"
Han Feng gave her a suspicious look.
Paimon, meanwhile, was internally panicking.
Oh no!
She'd completely missed this!
She'd been racking her brain for ways to get Lumine to live in Boss Han's house,
and here was a perfect chance, right in front of her.
And she'd brushed it off!
Regretting it instantly, Paimon rushed up.
"Boss Han, do you still need another maid?"
"What, you want to be a maid?"
Han Feng teased.
"Of course not! I mean… it should be me and Lumine! What do you think?"
Realizing her slip, Paimon hurried to correct herself.
If she only said Lumine, her intentions would be way too obvious.
She had to throw herself in as well.
Ughhh,
to sell Lumine for a good deal, I even have to sell myself along with her…
This is so hard…
"Lumine, as a maid?"
Han Feng looked over at her in surprise.
Shouldn't she be looking for her brother instead?
Under his gaze, Lumine's face burned crimson.
She quickly yanked Paimon back.
"Boss Han, don't listen to her nonsense. I don't have such thoughts!"
How could she, a Traveler, be someone's maid?
Impossible!
"No worries. If you ever change your mind, you can always come back.
But for now, one maid is enough."
Han Feng smiled.
After helping clean up, everyone went back to their own activities.
Han Feng sat at the counter with Klee, drinking tea and chatting,
while Noelle poured tea for them, her presence warm and pleasant.
Venti and Mona went back to the sofa to finish their comics.
Lumine and Paimon did the same—
though Paimon's eyes still glimmered with regret.
What a perfect chance.
And Lumine had flatly refused!
Who knew when another opportunity would come?
"Maybe I should think of some other way…"
Paimon schemed to herself.
Not long after,
Mona approached the counter with a comic in hand.
"Boss Han, I've finished reading Detective Conan! What reward do I get?"
she asked expectantly.
After all, she'd borrowed 100,000 Mora from Lumine for this chance.
If she didn't draw something good,
she'd be stuck working off her debt for ages.
~~--------------------------------------
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