"So, that's all for today's report."
Rina stood before Jiang Ge, reporting what Victoria Housekeeping had done at the bookstore today.
First, they re-educated Corin, particularly focusing on the lullaby service and massage techniques. Then, they went to Corin's room and dragged out Ellen, who had taken over the bed and was sleeping soundly.
Hearing this, Jiang Ge couldn't hold back his amusement. So, this was what Ellen meant when she said she had a plan before he left in the morning?
After that, Victoria Housekeeping proceeded to clean the entire bookstore. Of course, as for the books on the shelves, Lycaon and Rian assured Jiang Ge with Victoria Housekeeping's reputation that they hadn't opened a single one—they only dusted them.
Regarding this point, Jiang Ge still trusted them. After all, it's Victoria Housekeeping.
And now, there's only one last matter left for Jiang Ge to handle.
"Although the evaluation date is still far off, since we happen to be here, could we trouble Mr. Jiang Ge to rate little Corin and Ellen? We can handle it right now."
As she spoke, Rian gently placed a scoring form in front of Jiang Ge. Corin also looked at Jiang Ge nervously, afraid that he would give her a low score.
Ellen, on the other hand, seemed completely indifferent.
Soon, Corin realized her worries were unnecessary, because Jiang Ge didn't even glance at the paper and directly said to Rian:
"There's no need to ask, right? Just fill it out with perfect scores on my behalf."
"M-Mr. Jiang Ge?"
Corin looked at Jiang Ge, who had made the decision without hesitation, thinking it might not be entirely appropriate. But Riansimply retrieved the questionnaire without another word, then said to Celine with a smile:
"It seems little Corin bonus this month has increased quite a bit."
"B-bonus, C-Corin probably shouldn't take it."
"Why not?"
"Because Mr. Jiang Ge... he always finds strange reasons to give Corin gifts. Even when Corin makes mistakes, he still... Ah! When did this happen?"
Corin exclaimed in surprise. While explaining to Rian, she noticed a check had somehow appeared on her waistband. She glanced puzzledly at Jiang Ge, who was still sitting in his original position but now whistling innocently, then looked at Lycaon and Rian. The two of them just shook their heads helplessly, signaling for Corin to just accept it.
Although Corin hadn't noticed, Lycaon and Rian had seen everything clearly - Jiang Ge had taken advantage of Celine looking at them to secretly move over, slip the check to Corin, then quickly and quietly return to his seat pretending to have nothing to do with the matter.
It seems Corin is living quite well by Jiang Ge's side. Even Rian noticed that Corin's room was almost filled with cute plush toys and a large number of luxurious items that even Victoria Housekeeping would find difficult to obtain.
In comparison, Jiang Ge's room seemed excessively simple.
But that wasn't the main point today.
"Mr. Jiang Ge," Lycaon stepped forward, slightly bowing to Jiang Ge, and said, "In light of the troubles Victoria Housekeeping has caused you over the past two days, as compensation, you may make any request of us..."
"Any request?" Before Lycaon could finish, an intrigued Jiang Ge interrupted him and asked, "Are you sure? What if... my request is very excessive?"
"Then we still won't refuse."
Lycaon made this promise to Jiang Ge without hesitation.
The risk contained in this statement far exceeds any past commission undertaken by Victoria Housekeeping. Because once the promise is made, even if it involves something humiliating, Victoria Housekeeping would have no choice but to carry it out—otherwise, their reputation would suffer.
Given that, why would Lycaon still do it?
Because he wants Victoria Housekeeping to grow closer to "Goodnight."
The relationship between Jiang Ge and Victoria Housekeeping isn't just that of employer and service provider. In fact, in the past, Jiang Ge has repeatedly provided reliable intelligence and abundant logistical supplies for Victoria Housekeeping's operations.
Among the supplies Jiang Ge provided them were items even difficult to obtain on the black market, some even including contraband—yet Jiang Ge effortlessly delivered them into their hands.
Therefore, if possible, Victoria Housekeeping would not wish to make an enemy of Jiang Ge. Not only because of "GoodEnough" powerful intelligence network, but also because of those terrifyingly strong and still enigmatic agents around him.
However, given Jiang Ge's status, it's impossible to get close to him through money—Jiang Ge doesn't lack money.
What about Victoria Housekeeping's services? Although Corin seems to be quite favored by Jiang Ge, Lycaon had previously asked both Corin and Ellen about the agents but despite being by Jiang Ge's side for so long, they hadn't even met a single one of his agents.
This worries Lycaon somewhat, because past experiences remain vivid in his memory. Whether it was being blasted away by the mysterious mecha Sam, witnessing Jing Yuan's Divine General tearing down buildings, or feeling the proximity of death for the first time beside Acheron—all of it makes it hard for him to breathe.
Most importantly, Jiang Ge is gradually figuring out Victoria Housekeeping, but Victoria Housekeeping knows nothing about Jiang Ge except that he is human.
Don't misunderstand—Lycaon doesn't harbor any dangerous intentions toward Jiang Ge. For one, Jiang Ge is Victoria housekeeping most important client, and secondly, Lycaon simply wants to avoid becoming Jiang Ge's enemy in the future if at all possible.
"Hmm..."
Upon hearing Lycaon's statement that Victoria Housekeeping would do anything for him, Jiang Ge fell into deep thought.
No one else dared to speak, and thus, the bookstore was enveloped in a solemn silence.
Until Jiang Ge stood up and broke the silence once again.
"You know, there really is one thing that only your Victoria Housekeeping can accomplish."
"What might that be?"
Hearing this, Lycaon's eyes lit up, though he also felt a trace of doubt. After all, Jiang Ge had so many agents under his command who were more powerful than Victoria Housekeeping. Whatever task required Victoria Housekeeping's involvement was likely akin to a suicide mission, wasn't it?
"Well..."
Lycaon noticed that Jiang Ge had, for some reason, started circling around him and Rian, as if sizing them up. So Lycaon and Rian exchanged a glance, both standing at attention and straightening their postures.
However, Lycaon then saw Jiang Ge walk over to Ellen, who was leaning against the wall, and suddenly take a quick step forward. Under everyone's bewildered gazes, Jiang Ge grabbed Ellen's tail and began stroking it vigorously.
"You heard that, Ellen! Lycaon said I can do whatever I want with you all. From now on, I can touch this tail whenever I feel like it. Hahaha—"
While declaring triumphantly, Jiang Ge freely rubbed Ellen's tail with both hands, a wild laugh on his lips. He even took a moment to glance at Ellen's face, expecting to see an expression of shame and helplessness... Huh?
"Aren't you angry?"
At this moment, Jiang Ge wasn't seeing the reaction he wanted on Ailian's face. She wasn't angry, nnor was she shy. She just stared expressionlessly at Jiang Ge. If he looked carefully, he could even read the words "Are you okay?" on her completely blank face.
"If it were someone else, I'd be angry. But if it's you... it's fine, I guess."
"I... I see..."
As he spoke, Jiang Ge released his grip on Ellen's tail. His earlier excitement had completely vanished. After doing all that, he crouched on the ground, feeling like a fool, his heart utterly empty.
"Mr. Jiang Ge, are you alright?"
Lycaon looked at Jiang Ge, who was visibly dejected and even beginning to look somewhat sorrowful, and stepped forward to ask with concern. However, Jiang Ge glanced up at him and suddenly, with lightning speed, reached out and grabbed his furry tail.
"Mr. Jiang Ge!?"
A shocked Lycaon stared as Jiang Ge clutched his tail unprepared, his tail instinctively resisted this behavior and tried to shake off Jiang Ge's hand, but fortunately, he managed to restrain himself in time.
"Ah, yes! That's the expression I was looking for!"
Jiang Ge looked at the fleeting expression on Lycaon's face—that mix of wanting to break free yet being unable to resist—and smiled with satisfaction.
"Little Corin, can I ask you something?"
"Wh-what is it, Miss Rian?"
Meanwhile, Rian, who had been watching the whole scene, floated over to Corin's side. Finally unable to hold back any longer, she whispered:
"How long has he been like this?"
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon. Set up for my web novel will be 2 chapters for every book a day and if you go to my patreon you'll see the set up there.
patreon.com/deadlygoober