Chapter 13

"Hiss—"

Rao Ke moved a little too quickly, and a sharp ache shot through her neck.

The culprit, a certain black cat, sheepishly held out a pain patch.

Rao Ke applied it, and a cool, soothing sensation spread across her skin. She carefully tilted her head and found it felt much better.

"Next time you jump on my shoulder, give me a heads-up."

Seeing Sesame Paste's pitiful expression, combined with his fluffy appearance, was utterly adorable. Rao Ke couldn't bring herself to scold him, so she just reminded him.

Sesame Paste immediately perked up, meowed, and pounced into Rao Ke's arms.

"Tomorrow's the last day of this gig in Daylight Town. Let's give it our best!" Rao Ke started the RV and headed toward the town.

After running the shop for the morning, Rao Ke paused for lunch and cracked open a self-heating hot pot.

"KeKe, are you free tomorrow?" Peilin appeared before Rao Ke with a smile.

"Yeah, why?"

"Tomorrow is our annual Spring Gratitude Festival. Want to come?" Peilin extended the invitation.

Rao Ke was intrigued. "Can I join?"

Peilin nodded. "Of course. Show up around seven in the evening."

Rao Ke learned more about the festival from Peilin: as the name suggested, it was a day to give thanks for spring's arrival. The entire day was spent preparing for the evening's bonfire feast.

At night, Daylight Square would be cleared, a massive bonfire lit in the center, and everyone would dance around it, celebrating while sharing food and drink.

"Okay, I'll prepare properly tomorrow!" Rao Ke agreed with a smile.

After closing up, Rao Ke packed her things early. "Xue Qiu, Sesame Paste, let's head home and prep for tomorrow!"

Back at the parking spot, Rao Ke began planning the dishes to bring to the festival.

"What do you think of drinks and fried skewers?" she mused, turning to the two little ones beside her.

Sesame Paste ate anything. "Add oden and grilled sausages!"

Xue Qiu didn't care about specifics, but drooled at the mention of drinks and fried skewers, nodding wildly and nuzzling Rao Ke's leg.

"Sounds good." These were all low-skill items; just needed proper timing. Oden got better the longer it simmered.

With the menu set, all that was left was to stock up.

Rao Ke picked up her tablet to order, but as usual, she ended up buying other things. Finally, she forced herself to stop.

Then she looked at the pile of packages around her and tore into them with delight.

Regret was never an option.

Sesame Paste wagged his tail, pleased to see his new game cartridges—he'd sneaked them into the cart while Rao Ke wasn't looking.

Rao Ke noticed, but pretended not to and let it slide.

She was tidying up when a message came in from Mo Duoya.

Mo Duoya: KeKe, once you're back, want to get together at my place?

Rao Ke: Sure, I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Let's meet then—I'll treat you to BBQ (Sesame Paste begging jpg)

Nearby, outside Daylight Town, a flash of white light appeared, revealing an elf with pointed ears and snow-white hair, dressed in a green-and-white cloak.

"Where is this now?" The elf frowned, glanced at the beastman town not far off, thought for a moment, and headed toward it.

Bored, Rao Ke decided to decorate the food truck. After decorating, she, the cat, and the dog sat down to play Dou Dizhu, though it was mostly Rao Ke and Sesame Paste competing—Xue Qiu was just a fill-in.

When she was done playing, Rao Ke lounged in her pajamas, eating grilled meat and fried skewers, and washing it down with iced cola, savoring her nightlife.

"It's been ages since I've been this relaxed." Rao Ke took a sip of cola, utterly content.

Sesame Paste, gaming with one paw and sipping cola with the other, said, "There's plenty of time. People like us in logistics never run out of time."

"Haha, thanks to you, Sesame Paste." Rao Ke's lips curved into a faint smile.

A restful sleep followed, and the next morning Rao Ke woke early and picked out an outfit.

To blend in, she chose a fantasy-style silk top with a long denim skirt, plus a waist ornament.

Once ready, she drove the newly decorated RV toward Daylight Town.

Today, Daylight Town was livelier than ever. As she drove in, residents wore bright smiles and new clothes—a true festive scene.

Rao Ke drove to Daylight Square, where stalls already lined the area. She parked in a corner and began setting up her supplies.

"Eh, I'll just wing it for the mission." Since it was the last day, Rao Ke planned to put in minimal effort.

Sesame Paste, as the system, was too engrossed in his game to notice his host slacking off.

"Excuse me, is this where they sell instant noodles?"

Rao Ke looked up to see a delicate, elegant snow-haired elf with jade-like features standing before her.

She knew he was an elf not just because of his beauty and pointed ears, but because Sesame Paste was excitedly pinging her the moment he appeared.

Remembering that treating her heart condition required a Hundred Clear Fruit from the Elven Forest, Rao Ke smiled.

Xue Jiali was also puzzled for a moment—why would the Witch Clan let a youngling wander outside alone?

"Of course. Anything else?"

Xue Jiali eyed the goods curiously. "Give me one of everything then."

"Sure." Rao Ke packed up one of each item from the RV, handing over a large bag that Xue Jiali promptly stored away.

"Could I trade something with you?" Rao Ke cut to the chase while Xue Jiali was enjoying the oden.

"What?" Xue Jiali chewed, marveling that such delights existed beyond the Elven Forest.

"I'd like to trade for a Hundred Clear Fruit." Rao Ke didn't beat around the bush.

"That's fine, but I have one condition." Xue Jiali raised his ice-blue eyes. "Can I work as a shop assistant for a year?"

"Huh?"

"So the four elders of the Elven Clan said you'd have opportunities outside and kicked you out of the forest? And you think I'm that opportunity?" Rao Ke studied the elf, who sat primly, sipping cola in small sips, looking puzzled.

"I don't know. Just thought I'd try. Compared to others, you do seem special." Xue Jiali shrugged.

Sesame Paste nudged her telepathically. "Accept him. I have an employment contract ready."

Rao Ke weighed the deal and figured it was a win.

"Deal, but we need to sign an agreement. Meals included. One-month trial period, 300 gold coins. Deal?" Rao Ke looked at Xue Jiali.

Xue Jiali didn't care about the pay, but his eyes lit up at the mention of meals. "Deal."

He produced a green berry and handed it over. "This is the Hundred Clear Fruit. I'm Xue Jiali."

"I'm Rao Ke. Call me Boss or Ke." She took the fruit. "What are you good at?"

"I'm a potion master, specialized in cocktails and dessert design." Xue Jiali said with all seriousness.

Sesame Paste perked up. "Perfect. The upgraded shop has a dessert stall on the second floor—he can run that."

After signing, Xue Jiali felt a subtle constraint settle over him.

"Alright, welcome to KeKe Shop!"

Rao Ke extended her hand. Xue Jiali hesitated, then took it. "Mm."

"Now that you're here, let me brief you on tonight's task!"

"We're sharing fried food and drinks tonight. For the frying, just watch the timing." Rao Ke noticed Xue Jiali's gaze glued to the skewers and almost laughed.

She pulled out some skewers. "Let's try frying some first—you can get a feel for it."

Xue Jiali nodded eagerly.

"By the way, shouldn't elves only eat plants, berries, or food made from them?" Rao Ke asked while coaching him on flipping.

Xue Jiali, carefully watching the skewers in the oil, spared a moment to answer. "Where'd you hear that? We just find berries and veggies tastier. Meat is hard to cook well, but if it's as good as yours, we'd love it too."

Rao Ke gave an awkward laugh at her own stereotype.

Xue Jiali added, "You're not like the witches in legends either."

"What are they like?" Rao Ke asked, curious.

"Dangerous, beautiful, and vindictive."

Rao Ke smiled. "Those sound like great compliments to me."

Xue Jiali looked at her but said nothing.

The girl had hair as dark as a waterfall, green cat-like eyes curved in a smile, and she cheerfully agreed with the outside world's view of witches—fresh and refined.

"Mm, what's that smell? Ke, cooking up something new again?"

Before the silence stretched, Ke Enli's voice rang out.

He appeared outside the RV, smiling at them, showing no surprise at the sudden elf.

"Done." Xue Jiali fished out the skewers, eyes gleaming.

Rao Ke wrapped some and handed them to Ke Enli. "Share these with Peilin and the others."

"Wow, thanks! See you tonight~" Ke Enli took the skewers, humming cheerfully as he left.

Rao Ke turned to see Xue Jiali staring at the plate, not looking up.

She stifled a laugh, grabbed three cans of iced cola, and said, "Alright, dig in."

With Rao Ke's permission, Xue Jiali took a skewer. The crispy outside, tender inside, paired with the fizzy drink, made him feel he'd made an extremely wise decision.