The ringleader’s butt hit the ground with a thud, but he barely noticed the sting. Eyes gleaming with excitement, he looked up at Su Yue. “Got any more of that? Do another one!”
Seeing he was captivated by her talismans and showed no sign of trouble, Su Yue relaxed. She pointed to the cardboard sign ahead. “We’ve got more than just flying talismans—plenty of magical options. All three yuan each.”
“What’ve you got?” the brat jumped up without brushing off the dust, peering eagerly at Su Yue’s drawings. Of course, the scribbles meant nothing to him.
“This one sprays water. This creates a wind barrier. This delivers a shock…” Su Yue listed them calmly.
“Whoa, that’s awesome!” the brat gasped. “So cool! Twenty of each! Xiong Er, pay up!”
“Got it—thank you for your patronage!” Su Yue’s face blossomed into a grin. First customer of the day, and already such a haul.
“Boss… our gang dues aren’t enough,” stammered Xiong Er, the round-faced boy looking genuinely flustered.
“How’s it not enough? Didn’t we collect sixty from everyone last week?” The ringleader shot him a fierce glare.
“P-please calm down, Boss! You forgot—Xiao Mei’s birthday last weekend… that new phone you gave her…” Xiong Er rushed to explain.
“Oh~ Right.” The ringleader’s eyes darted, landing on a scrawny boy tucked in the crowd. “Hey, Xiao Fu. Lend me some cash.”
“Huh? But I already paid my dues last week!” Xiao Fu waved his hands frantically. Loans to the boss were never repaid.
“It’s a *loan*! Everyone knows your family’s loaded. What’s wrong with helping the gang? Or… you *refusing*?” The ringleader rolled up his uniform sleeves and stepped closer.
“N-no! It’s my honor to contribute!” Xiao Fu instantly cowered at the sight of those thick arms. After a heartbeat’s hesitation between allowance and a beating, he gritted his teeth, pulled out a genuine leather wallet, and handed it over. “Boss… take whatever you need.”
“There we go.” The ringleader pocketed the wallet with a satisfied nod. “Hey, auntie—how much?”
“Twenty of each type, three yuan per talisman. Total: two hundred forty yuan.” Su Yue smoothly ignored “auntie.” Money talked. Her patience flexed neatly with income.
“Fine.” He pulled out three crisp hundred-yuan bills and tossed them over. Spending someone else’s cash always felt good.
Su Yue took the notes, hesitating. “I… can’t make change.”
*Should’ve borrowed loose cash from Chen Yan earlier…*
“Scan my watch then. Just send back sixty.” He extended his left wrist—a smartwatch glowed to life with a payment QR code. His account was empty anyway; pocket change for game top-ups sounded perfect.
“I… don’t have a phone either…” Su Yue murmured weakly. True as it was, she felt like a shady merchant forcing a sale.
“You trying to scam me?” The ringleader frowned, then waved a hand. “Whatever. This stuff’s vital for the gang. I’ll take more—make it three hundred yuan.”
“Yes! Yes!” Su Yue nodded eagerly. An unexpected windfall!
Watching her delight, the ringleader sneered inwardly. *So shallow. Adults only see money.* He grabbed a few extra talismans. “Enough.” Clutching the bundle, he laughed. “Hah! With these, let’s see those fifth-grade jerks act tough again!”
“From today, South City Elementary School No. 1 belongs to the Black Dragon Gang!”
“The boss is wise!” the lackeys chorused.
Surrounded by his crew, the ringleader strutted off, triumphant.
Su Yue watched them go, speechless. “Are elementary students here *this* mature…?”
Back in her day, her doll-like cuteness kept boys from inviting her to play. She’d jump rope with girls at recess, head home early after school—the class’s model student, utterly untouched by schoolyard politics.
“Whatever. None of my business. I’m open for business!” She sat down gleefully, counting the three red bills again and again, as if they were tiny fortunes.
“Already got customers?” A familiar voice came from behind her.
No need to turn. Su Yue snorted. “Weren’t you off chasing some pretty non-human little sister? Got time for me now?”
“When did I say that?” Chen Yan chuckled wryly. *What’s this Little Vampire babbling?*
“I got a hunter job last night. Urgent requests don’t wait.” He stepped in front of her, gaze earnest. “Sorry I missed breakfast. But I didn’t see any ‘non-human sisters.’ You’re the only one for me. Always.”
Chen Yan knew exactly why she was flustered. He wasn’t some clueless brute.
A flush crept up Su Yue’s cheeks. She ducked her head. “W-who’s mad at you? Your business is none of mine! And ‘only one’? So corny—aren’t you embarrassed?”
“Why be? Just stating facts.” Chen Yan crouched to her level. “I’m your master. The contract is unbreakable. I *will* take responsibility.”
“Too close! Too close!” Su Yue shoved his chest with small hands, then buried her face in her knees.
Chen Yan rose, smiling fondly at her defensive curl. He said nothing, just stood quietly beside her.
*Darn it… why am I like this?!* She mimicked an ostrich, finding safety in the dark cradle of arms and thighs.
*Chen Yan’s scent… so warm… wanna hug him… His eyes—so focused, only on me… I like it… sniff…*
*No!* A tiny devil Su Yue, trident in hand, popped above her head. “Don’t be fooled! It’s the contract’s curse!”
*But…* A tiny angel Su Yue, halo glowing, appeared too. “He *has* been kind. Doesn’t feel fake.”
“He’s acting!” the devil snapped. “Once the contract hooks you, his evil side shows! Possess him—that’s the real move!”
“We *can’t*!” the angel retorted firmly. “He saved us twice. Until we know his heart… we must not harm him.”
