Luo Huai’an was displeased, thinking, ‘Is this guy cursing me?’

Luo Huai’an thought he would answer that their common enemy was Azure Dragon, but he actually started cursing at her, which made her instantly unhappy. She especially wanted to glare at him like she did to Big Fish.

However, after thinking about it, Luo Huai’an decided not to treat him that way. Although their power levels has reversed, she had been his little follower for so long back then, and she had to give him the appropriate respect.

At that time, Pixiu had offended Azure Dragon, which meant offending the entire aquatic race. During that period, she didn’t even dare to cross the Haitang River, fearing that she would be surrounded by the Azure Dragon’s shrimp soldiers and crab generals. 

Although she could defeat these shrimp soldiers and crab generals, they were very good at relaying messages, and in less than a quarter of an hour, Azure Dragon, that long serpent, would soon fly over.

She was no match for the stronger Azure Dragon and was always beaten black and blue, forced to flee in disgrace.

Phoenix dwelt atop a parasol tree on Danxue Mountain, gazing into the distance each day, aloof and solitary. In ancient times, strength was paramount, and Pixiu sought to pay homage to Phoenix, essentially acknowledging him as her boss and pleading for him to come down from the mountain. 

She lingered at the foot of Danxue Mountain day after day, bringing with her what she considered the most precious treasures.

But Phoenix was a flower on a high mountain and didn’t pay any attention to her.

Pixiu thought that he was quite ungrateful, but she dared not scold him. After all, if she offended Phoenix too, she would be blacklisted by land, sea, and air.

After recalling her past as a little follower, Luo Huai’an’s anger subsided, but at the same time, a wicked plan began to churn in her mind.

In historical records, there were some people who fell on hard times, but their friends still recognized them as their lord and never abandoned them, such as the three sworn brothers: Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei¹.

But what if it was her boss that had fallen on hard times?

Of course, she should oust him and become the new boss!

Moreover, Luo Huai’an’s former friend and boss has not only fallen on hard times but has also lost all his memories, making him someone she can push and bend at will.

This made Luo Huai’an even more excited, and the idea of defying her former boss became stronger and stronger in her mind—she wanted to make her former boss her follower!

Luo Huai’an glanced at the bewildered Qi Ze, cleared her throat, and said seriously, “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else. Don’t take what I said to heart, just forget about it.”

Although Qi Ze didn’t understand most of what he was hearing, he didn’t overlook some of the strange points, so he asked, “But how did you know that I’m different from ordinary people, and that I can control flames?”

Luo Huai’an thought for a while about what to say, and now it seemed that the best way was to put on the persona of a master, conveniently handed to her by other people. She explained, “That’s because I’m not an ordinary person either.”

Luo Huai’an coughed and said calmly, “I am a person of extraordinary ability among humans, and I can see through your disguise and abilities at a glance. Do you know the relevant departments²? My cafeteria is an excellent partner of the relevant departments, and I specialize in helping them manage prisoners who need to be reformed through labor.”

Qi Ze: “…”

Luo Huai’an described herself as an unparalleled master, exuding an aura of mystery.

Although Qi Ze didn’t believe her completely, he felt that what she said was somewhat true, so he simply said, “I see.”

Phoenix of the past was too clever to be fooled, but this naive mortal would be easy to deceive. 

Luo Huai’an then cut to the chase, “I heard the school has a policy for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with work-study opportunities to earn money. Our Eighth Cafeteria also has such positions available; would you like to avail of one?”

Qi Ze: “…”

Students from impoverished families…

Luo Huai’an said, “If you want to earn money and have a better life, come work at our Eighth Cafeteria.”

Luo Huai’an couldn’t tell the brand of his clothes at all, simply assuming that they were cheap knock-offs, and the fact that he ate in the cafeteria didn’t seem like he was a wealthy student. This assumption made Luo Huai’an even more confident in taking him on as a follower.

Qi Ze: “…”

Qi Ze glanced down at his expensive yet understated clothes, feeling a little uneasy. But since he also wanted to work at the Eighth Cafeteria, he didn’t explain any further.

He wanted to know why the food in the Eighth Cafeteria had an effect on his strange illness. This peculiar effect gave him a glimmer of hope for the future.

After weighing the pros and cons, he said, “Okay, when can I start working?”

“You can start working today, the sooner the better.” Luo Huai’an looked up at him, coughed lightly, and said what she had been wanting to say most, “By the way, our cafeteria is just starting out and doesn’t make much money. Many employees don’t get paid. The salary here isn’t high, can you accept that?”

Qi Ze: “…”

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that his future boss seemed a little… stingy.

However, Qi Ze was very curious about the food in the Eighth Cafeteria. Although he felt that the place was a bit strange, he could only say helplessly, “Okay, I agree.”

… …

After Qi Ze returned to his dormitory, Ji Wuchen suddenly ran over, looking like a busybody, and asked in a gossipy tone, “Why did the boss of the Eighth Cafeteria call you? Did she ask for your WeChat?”

After Ji Wuchen finished speaking, he said with a mixture of envy and jealousy, “I feel like taking you out to eat there today was a mistake.”

Qi Ze: “…Get out of here.

“She didn’t ask for WeChat.”

Ji Wuchen was utterly shocked, his face filled with disbelief. When they went out, people would often ask Qi Ze for his WeChat, but he never gave it to them. Over time, Ji Wuchen had become quite accustomed to this. Yet, Luo Huai’an hadn’t asked for his contact information?

“Really? You’re not kidding me, are you?” Ji Wuchen looked unconvinced. “Then why did she call you?”

Qi Ze frankly stated, “She asked me to do part-time work while studying.”

Ji Wuchen: “???”

Ji Wuchen couldn’t help but burst into laughter, laughing until his cheeks ached. He could see that Qi Ze came from a wealthy and noble family, so why would he need to do part-time work to support himself?

Ji Wuchen rubbed his face, which ached from laughing, and then said, “Don’t try to fool me. If you don’t want to tell me, then forget it. I won’t ask you anymore.”

Qi Ze shook his head and said calmly, “She really asked me to do part-time work while studying.”

Seeing that Qi Ze’s demeanor seemed genuine and his tone was quite serious, Ji Wuchen’s doubts gradually disappeared, replaced by a profound sense of bewilderment. 

He was completely dazed, “Is this some new way to pursue someone? You can turn someone into your employee just by striking up a conversation with them? Sister, you’re really something!

“So, did you agree?”

Qi Ze said, “I’ve already agreed. I’ll go there to work after class tonight and get paid by the hour. I won’t have dinner with you anymore.”

Because this matter was so bizarre, Ji Wuchen couldn’t help but think of the trending news about celebrities being kept by sugar daddies, and a strange speculation came to him. So he asked, looking for gossip, “How much is she paying you, this big shot, when she offered to hire you as her employee?”

Qi Ze sighed and said an extremely low number.

Ji Wuchen: “…”

I’m sorry. I admit my thoughts were indeed too filthy.

Mythical Beast Cafeteria translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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T/N: In the ancient text ‘Classic of the Mountains and Seas‘, the Danxue Mountain is a legendary, mythical mountain that is the home of the fenghuang, that sits atop a parasol tree. It is said to be rich in gold, jade, and precious minerals.

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FOOTNOTES:

1. Three sworn brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, are historical as well as well-known characters from the classic novel ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’. Their names are now synonymous to fraternal devotion and loyalty despite changing fortunes. ↩︎
2. ‘Relevant departments‘ is such a funny phrase. It’s like saying ‘the usual suspects’. It’s the author being vague, but somehow still fitting the situation without committing to anything (lest the actual relevant departments be offended, I suppose haha).   ↩︎