Yingxing started going on and on about all kinds of materials, some Zero had heard of before, some he hadn't.
The master craftsman from the Works Division looked heartbroken yet proud, talking animatedly about how, if these materials were combined, they could forge a rare, unparalleled divine weapon.
Zero, however, wasn't interested in credit points, and he had zero desire to understand any kind of forging techniques.
He said casually, "If you can use them, then just keep them."
Yingxing instantly went quiet, his gaze toward Zero suddenly burning with intensity.
How could one describe this feeling?
This divine-tier client had not only been generous, but had basically solved the enormous problem of that sky-high "friend's gift contribution" he'd been fretting about.
Now, Yingxing no longer had anything to worry about, he could finally afford to chip in for his friend's wedding gift.
And then, the client continued sending him money, asking him to follow a list and buy the materials, and even after paying for everything, half the funds were still left over.
When he'd tried to return the extra money, the client didn't even care, just told him to keep it and use it himself.
The proud, aloof craftsman who used to look down on others now patted his chest earnestly, speaking in a surprisingly warm tone, "If you ever want anything else custom-made, just come to me."
Yingxing didn't bother lowering his voice when he said that, so both Jing Yuan and Dan Feng, who were off to the side petting the cat, immediately noticed.
Jing Yuan squeezed the cat's paw pads, his eyes narrowing sharply, as if silently asking Zero what sort of trouble he'd been up to.
Dan Feng crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful and faintly curious, clearly trying to sniff out some juicy gossip.
Zero glanced at the newly arrived Jingliu and Baiheng, and said casually, "Nothing much, I just asked Yingxing to make me a few things."
Then, without another word, he reached out and snatched the cat from Jing Yuan's arms.
He completely ignored Jing Yuan's reluctant expression, turned to Jingliu, and asked, "You didn't get to hold her last time, want to try now?"
The other four, "…"
They suddenly felt so unnecessary.
Could they just… fast-forward this scene and get these two together already?
The four of them almost burst out laughing, but they forced their faces to stay serious and found excuses to quietly drift away, giving Zero and Jingliu some space.
Baiheng grinned mischievously, before leaving, she gave Jingliu a light nudge with her shoulder, then followed the others, tactfully making room for the two of them.
Zero, very curious, watched Jingliu's face closely.
He was curious to see what kind of expression the cold, seemingly untouchable Swordmaster would show when teased.
His gaze swept over her ear, slightly red beneath a few loose strands of hair, and he instantly understood.
So Jingliu was actually the kind to get embarrassed easily when around friends.
The troublemaker in Zero's heart stirred, though the last bit of his conscience barely held him back from acting on it.
Jingliu's expression, despite her efforts, grew even cooler. She hesitated, then carefully lifted a hand to gently stroke the cat in Zero's arms.
The cat raised its head, fixing those bright blue eyes on Jingliu, and meowed softly in that high-pitched, delicate tone.
Instantly, Jingliu's eyes softened. On impulse, she reached out to take the cat into her own arms.
She could clearly feel the soft warmth beneath her fingers, and her movements became instinctively gentler.
The cat stayed obediently in her arms, placing both paws on her forearm, and then, unconsciously, began kneading.
Jingliu had always focused her mind entirely on swordsmanship; she didn't know much about cats. She vaguely remembered Jing Yuan mentioning something about them once in passing.
She had no idea what the cat's behavior actually meant.
Not wanting to startle this fragile, soft little creature, she lowered her voice and asked Zero, "What does this mean?"
Zero glanced at the cat kneading her arm with its little pink paws, smiling as he said, "She really likes you, she thinks you're her mom."
Jingliu held her breath, carefully keeping still, then asked softly, "Have you named her yet?"
Zero sighed. "Not yet."
This cat had put on a delicate act before, but the moment it got home, it completely changed personalities, the contrast was so big it left him speechless.
The cat was so full of energy it would go wild in the middle of the night, running around and disturbing the peace, leaving him no time or mood to name it.
Zero's literary skills were questionable at best, not exactly well-read, more like a half-full bottle that rattled when shaken.
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't come up with anything good. Might as well just pick something random.
He said, "How about Piggy-Cat? She's too fat, only a few months old and already weighs ten pounds."
Jingliu frowned slightly, clearly disapproving of such a lazy, careless name.
So Zero tried again. "Then how about Little Pig?"
Jingliu shook her head, replying softly, "Jade."
"Jade…"
Zero paused, poked one of the cat's paws that was still kneading Jingliu's arm, then scratched its chin, smiling as he deliberately slowed his tone, "Did you hear that? Such a nice name. Be good, and don't let your Sister Jingliu down."
Jingliu, "…"
Zero intentionally emphasized the words 'Sister Jingliu', then looked up, his gaze steady, burning, staring into Jingliu's dazed eyes and the growing redness on her cheeks.
Zero thought, 'Mm. Perfect counterattack.'
The other four, "…"
The four who were secretly eavesdropping were utterly stunned by what they'd just heard.
Dan Feng, who had once worried after learning their age difference, couldn't help but sigh in relief. He'd been afraid that one day Jingliu would end up behind bars.
Though, even if she did, the Dragon Lord could easily bail her out.
He'd worried so much for his friend's sake.
He'd even gone and checked Xianzhou's laws, confirming that a relationship with a twenty-year-old Xianzhou native wasn't illegal, only then had he been able to relax.
Jingliu had already done everything, sparred with him, shown off her swordsmanship, even gifted him peach blossoms…
As expected of her. That "relationship strategy" he, Yingxing, and Jing Yuan had put together was clearly working.
Dan Feng felt very proud of their success. 'Looks like those two would be together soon.'
Yingxing watched his divine-tier client and felt genuinely happy.
Great, once they get married, he wouldn't have to worry about affording his wedding contribution.
Baiheng barely resisted the urge to wag her tail.
'Wow. Who knew this guy Zero could actually flirt like that?'
Her best friend must have been completely undone by that "Sister Jingliu," huh?
How nice, her friend, far from home, had finally found someone close to her heart.
The fox girl couldn't help letting her imagination wander.
Although… if Jingliu started dating, she wouldn't drift away from her friends, right?
Everyone except Jing Yuan was smiling.
Jing Yuan, on the other hand, was furious, so furious he could only be silent about it.
As Jingliu's disciple, he couldn't even pretend to smile.
He stared at Zero, who was only a few years older than him, and silently screamed inside, 'Zero, you punk, you're calling my master "Sister"…'
'Then what about me? Did you ever think about how I feel?!'
Jing Yuan's generation ranking had just been demoted in advance, and all he could do was seethe helplessly.
Jing Yuan, 'You don't care about anything, you only care about yourself!'
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