"M-Mr. Jiang Ge, are you okay?"
Corin looked at Jiang Ge lying on the sofa, her face full of worry. Ever since the incident that morning, he hadn't moved much at all—his eyes dull, his responses slow, and his spirit seemingly absent.
Having witnessed everything that happened, it was hard for Corin not to be concerned.
And from what the neighbors said earlier, this wasn't even the first time something like this had happened.
When Corin went out at noon to buy ingredients for lunch and desserts Ellen wanted, a few neighbors who had also seen the chaotic scene stopped her with amused smiles. They said they hadn't expected that brother-sister duo to show up again.
No one really knew what those two had taken, nor did they understand their exact relationship with Jiang Ge—they just treated it like neighborhood gossip.
Although Corin didn't know how to respond and tried to excuse herself, she still overheard quite a bit about Jiang Ge's past from their chatter.
The man they described back then seemed completely different from the gentle, lazy bookstore owner she knew now.
What kind of person is Mr. Jiang Ge, really?
Corin couldn't help but wonder.
---
"Jiang Ge like this... that's a first," Ellen commented, sitting cross-legged on the nearby sofa with a lollipop in her mouth.
She had snuck out of school during lunch break, planning to grab a free meal, ask Jiang Ge for candy, and then laze around for the afternoon. But when she walked in, she found Jiang Ge already sprawled on the couch, unmoving.
After Corin told her what happened, Ellen looked genuinely surprised.
"I thought Jiang Ge's usual behavior was bad enough. Where did those two weirdos even come from?"
"They… they seem to be from the video store," Corin answered softly. She dipped a towel in warm water and carefully wiped Jiang Ge's forehead.
Finally, Jiang Ge stirred. He slowly turned his head toward her and rasped, "Little Corin… it's you."
"It's Corin, Mr. Jiang Ge. Are you feeling alright? Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Jiang Ge blinked wearily, as though lost in thought, before giving a faint, solemn nod.
"Actually… I have an illness," he said gravely. "A very serious one. I might… be about to pass away."
"R-Really!? Mr. Jiang Ge, please don't say that! What kind of illness? Corin will go ask Mr. Lycaon to find a doctor!"
Panicked, Corin leaned closer, her voice trembling with worry.
But Jiang Ge only shook his head. "It's no use. Even Lycaon can't help me. Only you, little Corin… only you can save me."
"Wh-Why me?" Corin asked, clutching the towel nervously.
"Because…"
"Because you have an illness that'll kill you if Corin doesn't kiss you?" Ellen interrupted nonchalantly, taking her lollipop out with a pop.
"Eh?"
Corin froze, her eyes going wide. Jiang Ge blinked in disbelief, then let out an exhausted sigh.
"Classmate Ellen, you eat my food, use my things, and now you're interrupting me and Corin? Don't you think that's a little much?"
Jiang Ge sat up, glaring weakly as Ellen fished another candy out of the jar and popped it into her mouth.
"Sorry, sorry," she said, not looking sorry at all. "I just read a similar scene in one of my classmate's novels. Couldn't resist."
"You're not sorry in the slightest. You've ruined the moment—no snacks for you today."
"Hey, come on. How about I let you pet my tail as compensation?"
"You think that's enough to— well… actually, that's pretty tempting."
Corin watched, dumbfounded, as Ellen smugly flicked her tail and Jiang Ge immediately began stroking it with surprising enthusiasm.
Only then did Corin realize—he wasn't sick at all! And what kind of illness needs a kiss from her to survive anyway!?
"Mr. Jiang Ge—!"
"Huh? Ah, sorry, Corin!" Jiang Ge froze mid-pet, awkwardly pulling his hand back and forcing a laugh. "That was just a joke earlier, okay? I didn't actually mean for you to kiss me, so please don't be mad."
Corin's cheeks turned pink, but she shook her head. "No, Mr. Jiang Ge… Corin isn't angry. I'm just relieved you're not sick and that you'll stay here. Corin's… very happy to continue serving you."
Her soft, honest smile and flushed face hit Jiang Ge like a thunderbolt. His mind went blank for a second before he suddenly fumbled for his checkbook.
"This is your allowance. Please, use it however you like!"
"Th-This is too much! I haven't done anything to deserve this, Mr. Jiang Ge—I can't accept it!" Corin waved her hands frantically, but Jiang Ge kept insisting, shoving the check toward her.
From the side, Ellen puffed out her cheeks. "You treat her this well just because she's your maid. Why don't you treat me that nicely?"
"…If you didn't keep saying you're a maid, I'd think you were the master and I was the servant," Jiang Ge muttered.
"Hmph."
Ellen huffed and stomped out of the bookstore, her tail flicking in irritation.
Watching her leave, Jiang Ge scratched his head, realizing he might have gone too far. He considered going after her—but then paused.
If he chased after her… wouldn't that actually make him look like the servant?
"Huh?"
As he was frozen in thought, the phone on the counter rang.
Jiang Ge picked it up—it was his informant.
Well, whatever the case, work came first.
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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