"Peh, look at your awful self, still pretending in front of Grandpa."
Sun Laisier walked out of the Abnormal Administration Bureau's gate and spat fiercely towards it. He felt like he had the worst luck today. He had finally hooked a big fish, but two agents suddenly appeared and messed everything up. Not only did he get a scolding, but his goods were confiscated. Those ten bottles of fake "Energy Drink Type I," each diluted with one-tenth of a bottle of genuine product—although each bottle wasn't as effective as the real thing, the total amount was still the same.
The more Sun Laisier thought about it, the angrier and more heartbroken he became. He went back and spat at the gate again. When the agent guarding the door glared at him, he fled in fright.
While running and looking back, he cursed, "Sun, you scoundrel, if you have the guts, don't let Grandpa out."
At this moment, a tall young man blocked Sun Laisi's path, smiling at him.
...
"Are you Lai Si'er?" Shao Zifeng smiled at the short, rat-faced old man standing in front of him, who was only about 1.6 meters tall.
Sun Laisier was stunned for a moment, then his eyes darted around, and he showed a lewd smile, "Are you that student from this morning? What's up, looking for your Grandpa for something?"
Shao Zifeng, having seen many of the world's evils since he was young, knew that when dealing with people like this, you can't let them know your intentions unless you have absolute control. Otherwise, they'll bite you like the greediest rats.
"Not really, just saw you know people in the Abnormal Administration Bureau and thought I'd get to know you. It never hurts to have more friends." Shao Zifeng said with a smile.
Though Shao Zifeng knew he needed to be cautious with an old slickster like this, his lack of social skill made giving a flattering remark without sounding stiff a challenge.
Sun Laisier, an old rogue living on his wits and skills at the bottom of society, could tell at a glance that this student must need something from him. Although he could see this, he had no idea what the student's intentions were, so he pretended to be oblivious to try and gain as much as he could.
Also, being complimented by a university student, even if a bit stiff, greatly satisfied Lai Si'er's vanity.
"Let me tell you, I've been in Su City for many years, and have some status. If you have a problem, just find your Grandpa, and I'll take care of it beautifully. Just... heh heh." Lai Si'er rubbed his fingers together and flashed two rows of yellow teeth in a probing manner.
"What are you talking about, what can a student like me have trouble with? I just felt a connection with you and wanted to treat you to a drink," Shao Zifeng lied, aware that disclosing his real intentions would be unwise.
Lai Si'er perked up at the mention of drinks and dragged Shao Zifeng across the street to a small restaurant. Shao Zifeng resisted the urge to shake him off and followed with a stiff expression.
The small restaurant was modest but well-equipped. Shao Zifeng booked a private room and ordered a few dishes. Lai Si'er started drinking, most of which he gulped down himself. Shao Zifeng occasionally added stiff praises, encouraging Lai Si'er to drink even more enthusiastically.
Shao Zifeng realized that although Lai Si'er liked to drink, his tolerance wasn't great. After downing two glasses of strong alcohol, he started boasting extravagantly about things far and wide. Shao Zifeng searched for useful information in his words.
...
"Hic~ Kid, if you like... hearing strange stories, today... hic... Grandpa has one for you." Lai Si'er slouched over the table with a bottle in his hand, looked at Shao Zifeng with a mysterious expression.
Shao Zifeng, already annoyed by Lai Si'er's bragging, perked up at his words, poured another cup of alcohol, and said, "Drink up, Grandpa."
Lai Si'er contently chuckled, raised the glass, and took a big swig.
"Kid... do you... hic... do you know... about the black market..."
...
Shao Zifeng stood up with a blank expression, looking at the unconscious Lai Si'er sprawled on the table, with a disdainful frown. He settled the bill and stepped out. The fresh air cleared his mind.
Recalling what Lai Si'er had said, Shao Zifeng smiled slightly. It seemed like getting the initial training potion for the little guy wouldn't be a problem.
According to Lai Si'er, every Saturday night from three to four in the morning, in the quietest part of the city, in an abandoned neighborhood in Su City's old district, some shady people would hold a trade market there. The market had no limits on people or trade items; as long as you deemed something valuable, you could trade it there.
The energy drinks he used to dilute the fake potion were bought from the black market. Despite Lai Si'er's claims, Shao Zifeng only believed a fraction of his words. Lai Si'er boasted that a friend of his once bought a regressed evolved weasel cub there, which evolved into the Bull Demon King. Now that's just nonsense.
Not to mention whether the Bull Demon King is one of the Twelve National Beast Guardians in Great Xia, the mere idea of a weasel regressing into the Bull Demon King is preposterous.
...
After taking the bus back to his neighborhood, Shao Zifeng hadn't stepped in when he sensed a faint mix of emotions—loneliness, grievance, and some attachment and longing.
"Whoa..."
The little guy's emotions had become so rich? Its quick emotional changes could win it an acting award.
Opening the door, Shao Zifeng saw the bald little creature gazing intently in the direction of the door.
At the moment Shao Zifeng walked in, a hint of joy flashed in its eyes.
Then it quickly turned around, curled into a ball, and ignored Shao Zifeng.
Armadillo Lizard: (*￣︿￣)
Squatting down to look at the sulking little creature, Shao Zifeng gave a gentle smile and reached out to poke the soft bald ball.
"Little guy... Hmm, I can't keep calling you little guy, how about giving you a name?"
On the surface, the little guy didn't respond, but Shao Zifeng could sense the change in its emotions. Through this period, he gradually understood a bit about his "empathy" ability.
The more familiar he was with a person or pet, like with the little guy because of their emotional resonance, the easier it was to sense the little guy's inner changes.
For unfamiliar people, if they had minor emotional fluctuations, like Qian Cheng and Lai Si'er, he couldn't sense it. But if the emotions were targeted at him, Shao Zifeng could quickly feel the ill intentions, such as from Xiao Li.
Thinking about the cheerful agent from the Abnormal Administration Bureau, Shao Zifeng felt a shadow loom over his heart.
"Yingying aow~" The little guy couldn't hold its grudge anymore and cooed at Shao Zifeng.
Shao Zifeng brushed away the clutter in his thoughts and gently petted the little one.
"Such a little demon."
The little guy, trying to be cute, rubbed its bald head against Shao Zifeng's large hand.
"Listen up," Shao Zifeng said, pretending to be deep in thought.
"Yingying aow~" The little guy nodded seriously, looking earnest.
After a moment, Shao Zifeng smiled and said, "How about naming you Kunlutukatakarikotsuzisila?"
Armadillo Lizard: ??? What did you say?