Aier had no idea what Xie Yier had just discussed with the shop assistant, but judging by the assistant’s sudden enthusiasm, it was clear that Xie Yier had also bought something.
Given her tendency to bargain in reverse, the assistant probably made quite a profit.
Very soon, the shop assistant handed over the little cage containing the rabbit, with a piece of silk draped over it to shield from the wind.
She then took out a small cloth pouch from under the counter and said, “Inside is pet feed to prevent illness. Just mix a few grains into the hay when feeding. It’s enough for two months. Miss, please keep it safe.”
“Thank you for your patronage. Including the cage and the pet, that’ll be 50 Silver Coins,” the shop assistant quoted the price.
Aier was stunned.
So expensive… That’s enough for Xiqi and me to eat for more than four years… Is this shop a scam?
Yet Xie Yier showed no hesitation, taking out her coin pouch again and handing a single Gold Coin directly to the assistant, who beamed with delight and weighed it in her hand.
The purchasing power of a Gold Coin was self-evident. Aside from big shots, few people would use such a precious thing.
In the Empire, Gold Coins were collectibles even among the middle-class commoners.
Seeing the shop assistant now cradling it as if it were porcelain, it was easy to tell.
She squatted down once more, opened the cabinet below, and took out a small coin pouch she’d prepared in advance.
“This is exactly 50 Silver Coins. Do you need me to count them for you?”
“No need.”
Xie Yier casually handed the coin pouch to Aier as well.
“Consider it your pocket money.”
Aier was momentarily taken aback, but didn’t say much in front of outsiders, simply accepting it.
This is 50 Silver Coins! I’m one step closer to my little goal, no reason not to take it.
Though that was true, Aier didn’t feel as excited as before; the thought only flashed through her mind for a moment.
Afterward, under the shop assistant’s envious and grateful gaze, the two of us left the Pet Shop and walked away with heads held high.
“Master, why did you buy a bell? And this collar doesn’t seem suitable for the rabbit,” Aier asked curiously at the door, watching the bell in Xie Yier’s hand chime crisply with each swing.
Could it be meant for another pet?
Aier thought that must be it, so she asked, “Is Master planning to raise another pet?”
Hearing this, Xie Yier leaned in close to Aier’s ear, half-smiling as she teased, “Haven’t I already raised one?”
“Huh? Already? Is it a dog or a cat?”
Aier didn’t catch on right away. Sure enough, after being teased by Xie Yier for a while, she’d become a proper silly loli.
Xie Yier chuckled, “Xiao Ai, do you prefer cats or dogs?”
“Mm~ cats, I guess…” She thought carefully before answering, since she used to keep cats herself.
“But your Master doesn’t like raising cats~ Cats are hard to tame. Once fed, they just run off. But dogs, once fed, are obedient and loyal.”
Xie Yier’s words seemed to be hinting at someone in particular. Whether Aier noticed or not, she stared at the bell for a long while, then suddenly shuddered as she realized.
Wait, is the pet… me?!
Aier’s cheeks instantly turned red.
Wait, is Master hinting at me?
Implying that no matter how she raises me, I’ll never be truly tame like a cat?
Aier stammered, “Um… M-Master, I… I actually…”
“Eh? But aren’t you just like a cat? You love running around every day, getting into all kinds of things. But at night, when you come home, you act all well-behaved in front of me.”
Xie Yier’s smile grew even wider.
“But… when I’m at the Academy, I can’t avoid interacting with people. And it’s not like I can avoid all contact… After all… some Teachers are women…”
Aier took the opportunity to explain her situation at the Academy.
“And…”
“And what, Xiao Ai?” Xie Yier listened with interest.
“And those who deliberately throw themselves at me… I always try my best to avoid them when they get too close…”
It’s just that some people are impossible to shake off…
Xie Yier grinned wickedly, “Oh? Seems my little cat is quite popular out there? If it’s so tough for you… how about your Master just helps you withdraw from school?”
Xie Yier thought, if you can’t solve this problem, I’ll just uproot it for you. After all, I can afford to keep you. Aier just needs to be my little Golden Canary.
“No, please don’t! If I end up with no skills and can’t even support myself, I’d starve to death, and Xiqi too… Anyway, I never want to live like that again.”
Aier shook her head in panic, her eyes instantly reddening as tears welled up uncontrollably.
“You think I can’t support you? Or have I ever let you go hungry?” Xie Yier frowned slightly.
“I… I just don’t want my future to be aimless. I still have dreams. That’s why I worked so hard to get into the Royal Academy. Please, Master… Don’t ruin my future, okay?”
“Your dream is to soak in the Potion Workshop every day and mess with all sorts of ingredients? What’s so great about that job? Low pay, unstable, and even if you invent a new formula, you have to hand it over to your mentor. What’s the point of that kind of life?”
Aier looked at Xie Yier with confused, helpless eyes.
But Xie Yier just smiled and said, “With just one word from me, tomorrow you could have your very own Alchemy and Potion Workshop in the best location in the capital. The equipment will be the best, the funds unlimited, the staff yours to choose.”
“As for the location… how about the estate next to Iron Eagle Fortress? It’s spacious, with beautiful scenery. You’d be the only one in charge there, free to research however you want. Isn’t that a hundred times better than struggling from the bottom after graduation?”
Xie Yier painted a beautiful picture of the future.
She spoke so lightly, her tone as casual as those parents who buy Legos for their children in her previous life.
“I…”
“No need to explain. Deep down, you’re already wavering. You were born to be a little lady. All you need to do is stay by my side and be my Golden Canary. I’ll give you everything you want.”
To be fair, what Xie Yier said was truly tempting.
But Aier still wanted to struggle a bit. At the end of the day, her deepest wish was to do something on her own.
If she went along with Xie Yier’s plan, she’d skip forty years of hardship, but she’d also be handing her whole life over to her.
Still, now wasn’t the time to oppose her, so it was better to keep pleasing Xie Yier for now.
“Master, let’s keep shopping.”
Aier even took the initiative to grab Xie Yier’s hand.
To this, Xie Yier simply smiled.